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At least five members of the Syrian Interim Governments security forces have been killed in an armed assault in Syrias southern As-Suwayda province, Azernews reports.

Local sources noted that armed groups launched an attack after seizing control of Tel Hadid village. The assault targeted the security forces affiliated with Syrias opposition-led transitional authority.

The victims were reportedly part of the interim administrations official forces. No further details regarding the perpetrators or the circumstances surrounding the attack have been released.

The situation in As-Suwayda remains tense, with intermittent clashes and power struggles between government forces, opposition factions, and various tribal and local militias continuing to destabilize the region.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched rocket and artillery attacks in northern Syria, injuring at least seven people, including four Syrian soldiers and three civilians, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported, citing the Syrian Ministry of Defense.

The attacks targeted a village near Manbij in the northern Aleppo province, using multiple rocket launchers and artillery shells "irresponsibly and for unknown reasons," said the ministry.

A barrage of rockets and artillery shells reportedly damaged civilian homes and prompted a swift military response from Syrian army units in the area, it said.

The defense ministry said that the Syrian forces repelled an infiltration attempt by SDF fighters near one of its military posts west of Manbij.

In response, the Syrian forces launched "precise strikes" against SDF artillery positions, including a rocket launcher and field cannon detected in eastern Aleppo.

The flare-up comes despite recent coordination efforts between Damascus and Kurdish authorities aimed at presenting a unified stance on national and security issues.

The reasons behind the sudden escalation remain unclear.

In March, the Syrian interim government and the SDF reached a deal on merging all civil and military institutions in the Kurdish-controlled region under state institutions, according to SANA, the Syrian state news agency. 
KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 400 individuals who had been struggling with drug addiction have made a full recovery and rejoined their families in Herat province, western Afghanistan, according to a statement issued late Saturday by the office of the Deputy Minister of Interior for Counter-Narcotics.

The recovered addicts, who were gathered from various districts of the province, underwent a three-month medical treatment and rehabilitation program before reintegrating into their families, the statement said.

Earlier this week, another 516 former drug users in Herat and neighboring Nimroz provinces also completed rehabilitation and reunited with their families.

As part of ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction, Afghan police have recently rounded up 125 drug users in the provinces of Farah, Balkh, Ghazni, Sari Pul, and Samangan. These individuals have been transferred to rehabilitation centers for medical care and support.

The Afghan interim government has banned the cultivation of poppy and the trafficking of narcotics as part of a broader initiative to eliminate drug abuse and its impact on society. 
Actors take part in a Dixi opera parade at the Miaoling Tunpu scenic area in Xixiu District of Anshun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Aug. 2, 2025.

Anshun Dixi Opera is an important part of Tunpu culture dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The opera was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. (Photo by Fan Hui/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 1, 2025 shows people riding camels at a desert scenic area in Dalad Banner of Erdos City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Kubuqi desert in Erdos City has entered its peak tourist season in midsummer, attracting numerous tourists from around the country to visit. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

A tourist cools off in front of a fan in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 2, 2025.

Chongqing issued a heatwave alert on Saturday, with high temperature hitting 40-43 degrees Celsius. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

This photo taken on Aug. 2, 2025 shows the torch for China's 15th National Games and 12th National Paralympic Games, along with the 9th National Special Olympics Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

People visit a car festival at VDNH (The Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy) in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

Tourists gather near the Mara River, waiting to witness the animals' crossing, in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, July 30, 2025.

Tourists flock to the Masai Mara National Reserve during the country's peak tourism season from June to October to watch the wildebeest migration. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Jordanian servicemen drop humanitarian aid over Gaza, Aug. 1, 2025.

Several countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France and Spain, on Friday executed joint airdrops in Gaza, delivering humanitarian aid into the enclave. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

A cosplayer dressed as an anime character poses for photos during Anime Revolution 2025 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Aug. 1, 2025.

The three-day anime convention kicked off on Friday here in Vancouver. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo shows a herd of swamp buffalo at Tanjung Senai village in Ogan Ilir regency, South Sumatra province, Indonesia, Aug. 2, 2025.

Indonesia has high genetic resources of local swamp buffalo with good adaptation across regions. However, these animals decline in both population and genetic quality. (Photo by M. Hatta/Xinhua)
KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have discovered 75 kg of opium poppy and arrested the drug trafficker in the northern Afghanistan Takhar province, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Sunday.

The alleged drug smuggler, according to the official, was attempting to sell the opium poppy, but police captured him red-handed and took him into custody for investigation.

In a similar drive against illegal drugs, police arrested three drug smugglers and discovered six kg of hashish in their possession in the eastern Khost province, police said. 
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- One policeman and two terrorists were killed while four police officers were injured when militants attacked a police post in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province in the wee hours of Sunday morning, police sources said.

The incident happened at about 2:30 a.m. local time (GMT 2130 Saturday) in Bannu district of KP, where militants opened fire with both small and heavy weapons on the police post, the sources from the district's police told Xinhua.

Police retaliated, and the exchange of fire continued for about 30 minutes before subsiding, the sources added.

During a search operation afterwards, police recovered the bodies of the two unidentified militants killed in the firefight.

According to the sources, another group of militants ambushed a police patrol under the same police station during the attack, but no casualties were reported in that incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. 
JERUSALEM/SANAA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Sunday it intercepted a drone launched from Yemen.

In a statement, the military said sirens in Bnei Netzarim, southern Israel, were activated by "a hostile aircraft infiltration" of a drone launched from Yemen.

It added that the drone was intercepted and no injuries were reported.

Yemen's Houthi group said Sunday evening that they had targeted Israel earlier in the day, using three drones.

Yahya Sarea, Houthi military spokesperson, said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV that two drones targeted two military targets in the cities of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, while the third drone targeted the port town of Eilat.

Sarea said the attacks were in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, adding that the group's attacks will continue "until aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted."

The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has been targeting Israel and Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea since November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Most of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel or fell short. In response, Israel has carried out several large-scale and deadly airstrikes in Yemen. 
DAMASCUS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interior authorities on Sunday accused Druze armed factions in the southern province of Sweida of violating a ceasefire agreement by launching coordinated attacks on internal security forces, reigniting violent clashes in the already tense region.

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, the interior authorities said the "rebel gangs" were attempting to drag the province into chaos for what they described as "personal motives of their leaders", and were exploiting the truce to mask "abusive" practices.

"Rebel gangs" or "outlawed groups" claimed by the authorities usually refer to Druze fighters involved in the current confrontation.

The statement confirmed attacks on several internal security positions across multiple axes, with authorities' forces responding to "restore order."

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, reported renewed clashes on the strategic Tal Hadid axis in Sweida's western countryside, where government forces launched a counteroffensive after local Druze factions had seized control of the hilltop earlier.

The observatory said three security forces were killed and at least 10 others wounded, some critically, in the clashes on Sunday. One fighter from the local Druze factions was also reportedly killed. The observatory noted that orders had been issued for the armed Druze groups to withdraw from the area.

Tal Hadid is considered strategically significant due to its oversight of nearby towns like Al-Thaala and its relative control over key roads linking Sweida to its western countryside.

A ceasefire in Sweida was declared on July 19 by interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa after weeks of sectarian clashes and Israeli strikes. Under the terms of the deal, interim government forces were to withdraw from populated areas, while local factions and Druze religious leaders would oversee internal security.

Despite the ceasefire, fighting has flared repeatedly, threatening to unravel the agreement. In recent days, several humanitarian aid convoys organized by UN agencies and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent entered the province, but the latest clashes have reportedly disrupted further aid delivery. 
Palestinians participate in a demonstration against the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Aug. 3, 2025. Thousands of Palestinians took to the street on Sunday in several West Bank cities, denouncing the ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and its restriction on aid delivery, which has led to widespread malnutrition and starvation in the coastal enclave. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

GAZA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Palestinians took to the street on Sunday in several West Bank cities, denouncing the ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and its restriction on aid delivery, which has led to widespread malnutrition and starvation in the coastal enclave.

In central Ramallah, demonstrators gathered around Al-Manara Square, waving Palestinian flags and pictures of malnutrition victims in the Gaza Strip.

Sabri Saidam, deputy secretary-general of Fatah's central committee, said in a speech during the demonstration that, "We must tell the countries of the world that have decided to recognize the State of Palestine, do not postpone this, and do not attach conditions to it."

"A bag of flour and food is not more important to Palestinians than their dignity, their homeland, their freedom, and their independence," Saidam said.

In his speech, Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, urged for efforts on halting the war, lifting the siege, allowing the entry of humanitarian supplies, and strengthening steadfastness and resistance to achieve freedom and independence.

The protests also took place in the cities of Nablus, Tubas, Qalqilya, Salfit, Jenin, and Hebron.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run media office reported Sunday that more than 22,000 trucks carrying humanitarian aid are currently stuck at the Gaza Strip's crossing gates, most of which belong to the UN and international organizations. 

Palestinians participate in a demonstration against the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Aug. 3, 2025. Thousands of Palestinians took to the street on Sunday in several West Bank cities, denouncing the ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and its restriction on aid delivery, which has led to widespread malnutrition and starvation in the coastal enclave. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinians participate in a demonstration against the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank city of Hebron, on Aug. 3, 2025. Thousands of Palestinians took to the street on Sunday in several West Bank cities, denouncing the ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and its restriction on aid delivery, which has led to widespread malnutrition and starvation in the coastal enclave. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

(250804) -- NABLUS, Aug. 4, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians participate in a demonstration against the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Aug. 3, 2025. Thousands of Palestinians took to the street on Sunday in several West Bank cities, denouncing the ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and its restriction on aid delivery, which has led to widespread malnutrition and starvation in the coastal enclave. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Palestinians participate in a demonstration against the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank city of Hebron, on Aug. 3, 2025. Thousands of Palestinians took to the street on Sunday in several West Bank cities, denouncing the ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and its restriction on aid delivery, which has led to widespread malnutrition and starvation in the coastal enclave. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Torrential rains have battered multiple parts of China, triggering road collapses, resident evacuations and heightened flood risks, as authorities raised emergency response levels and warned of further downpours.

In south China's Guangdong Province, heavy rainfall led to 54 road collapses and the evacuation of over 300 residents in the counties of Fengkai and Huaiji in Zhaoqing City over the weekend.

Rainfall peaked at 258.7 millimeters in the city's Nanfeng Township, according to meteorological data. Red alerts, the highest level for rainstorms, were issued in both counties on Sunday morning.

Emergency crews have been deployed to repair damaged roads, while local officials urged residents to remain vigilant against potential flash floods and landslides, with more rain forecast in the coming days.

Guangdong Province has activated a Level-IV emergency response in anticipation of torrential rain. Parts of coastal cities and counties in eastern Guangdong and the southern Pearl River Delta are expected to experience extraordinarily heavy downpours.

A working team has been sent to Guangdong to support local flood control efforts, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, flood emergency responses were either upgraded or newly activated to Level-II in several areas, including Lanzhou City, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Dingxi City, and Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the second-highest level in China's four-tier system.

China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a red alert for potential mountain torrents on Sunday evening, warning of high flood risks in parts of Gansu between 8 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Monday.

In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a Level-III emergency response for rainstorms was launched at 8 p.m. Sunday after several cities, including the regional capital of Yinchuan, experienced hours of heavy rainfall. By Sunday night, local meteorological authorities had issued 97 alerts, including 20 for rainstorms. 
Turkey on Saturday turned on a supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria, whose infrastructure was ravaged by civil war, with annual deliveries expected to reach up to two billion cubic metres.

Syria's Islamist authorities, who toppled Bashar al-Assad in December, are seeking to rebuild the battered country where power cuts can last for more than 20 hours a day.

Speaking at a ceremony attended by Syria's energy minister, Azerbaijan's economy minister and the head of Qatar's development fund, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the initiative would help normalise Syria.

"In the initial phase, up to two billion cubic metres of natural gas per year could be exported to Syria," Bayraktar said at the ceremony in the southern province of Kilis near the Syrian border.

Damascus has said the gas would be used to generate electricity.

"The gas will help activate a power plant with a capacity of around 1,200 megawatts, meeting the electricity needs of approximately five million households," Bayraktar said.

"We will transport natural gas to Aleppo and from Aleppo to Homs. This will enable the power plants there to be put into operation in the near future," he added.

A first phase of the Qatari scheme to fund gas supplies for power generation in Syria rolled out in March via Jordan and provided 400 megawatts of electricity per day.
People hold a silent protest against mass starvation and genocide in Gaza, in Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa, Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua)

CAPE TOWN, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A group of women under the banner of Mothers4Gaza held a silent protest on Saturday in Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital, to denounce what they described as state-sanctioned starvation and genocide in Gaza.

With their mouths taped shut, the women stood in Sea Point holding placards that collectively spelled out "STOP GENOCIDE." Some held graphic images of emaciated children and adults, reportedly starved due to the Israeli blockade on food and humanitarian aid.

Organizers said the demonstration aimed to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestinian mothers and children. The protest, they added, represented those who refuse to normalize mass starvation and ethnic cleansing.

The demonstration followed several consecutive days of protests at symbolic locations, including the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre, the British Consulate General, and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.

On the same day, another protest took place outside Cape Union Mart, a South African retail chain reportedly linked to Israel.

Irene Knight, a Mothers4Gaza member, said they wanted to stand in solidarity with the mothers and children in Palestine. "There's been so much devastation in Palestine. There have been bombings and starvation -- all brought about by the Israeli regime," said Knight. "But there doesn't seem to be an urgency in the world to stop it, and we came here to protest that."

Knight urged Western governments to halt funding and arming Israel. "Governments and institutions that have remained silent and complicit need to act. This genocide must end. Israel must be stopped from annihilating Palestine," she said.

Greer Blizzard, another Mothers4Gaza member, drew parallels between the situation in Gaza and South Africa's own history, saying that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have endured decades of systemic apartheid, and it is time for the world to bring it to an end.

Gaza-based health authorities said earlier that a total of 154 people, including 89 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition.

The United Nations Children's Fund reported that nearly all of Gaza's 1.2 million children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support, suffering from depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. 

People hold a silent protest against mass starvation and genocide in Gaza, in Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa, Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua)
Mass MoCA Commission Approves Two New Leases

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  In a short meeting Monday, the Mass MoCA Commission approved Assets for Artists request for office space in Building 1.

"It has long been a fixture at Mass MoCA, and we are excited about this next chapter in its evolution," Morgan Everett, head of public initiatives and real estate, said. "... It has an incredible impact throughout Massachusetts, throughout New England, and they will continue building out that fantastic work."

The longstanding program, which offers professional development for artists and aids in capacity and community building, is branching out from Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art to become a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit.

"I am excited to continue this work  we do a tremendous amount of work in the Berkshires, in North Adams," Blair Benjamin of Assets for Artists said. "We are excited to continue that work with Mass MoCA and in the North Adams community. We appreciate your support of this next chapter."

He said Assets For Artists residency space, the Studios at Mass MocA, will remain unchanged. The program has occupied the location on the second floor of Building 13 for the past decade. The transition is being overseen by the museum's visual arts department.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey praised the group and its community involvement.

"They are a fantastic group of individuals who really enrich the summer and add a lot to our programming throughout the year," she said.

Jason Ahuja, senior manager of public initiatives, introduced the second lease request and said artist Roz Crews has requested office space, also in Building 1.

He said the artist, curator and educator writes poems and performs and platforms for other artists. Crews currently teaches at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is an associate curator at the Williams College Museum of Art.

He said Crews requires the space to organize their personal evolving archive. The lease is for a year.

In other business, Everett said it has been a busy summer at the museum.

"The museum has been buzzing. Attendance has been high. It has been great to see people coming out and galleries full," he said.

Everett added that Bang on Can Loud Weekend starts Thursday.

"They have been in residency doing all sorts of amazing performances and creations over the past several weeks," he said. "So it is great to have that culmination."

Before closing, the commission welcomed Matt Davis, son of Robert Davis, who served on the Mass MoCA Commission until is death in June. Davis will fill out his father's term.

"He loved being on this commission, he loved being in the community," Davis said. "So do I, being on the Fire Department. So I have some big shoes to fill."

Correction: Updated to correct the location and description of the Assets for Artists program space.
Governor Celebrates Massachusetts Farmers Market Week

BOSTON  Governor Maura Healey has declared Aug. 3 to Aug. 9, 2025, as Massachusetts Farmers Market Week.

This annual celebration highlights the essential role that farmers markets play in strengthening the local food system, supporting family farms, and increasing access to fresh, healthy food for residents across Massachusetts.

With over 275 markets operating across Massachusetts, these markets serve as festive community spaces for more than a quarter of the state's 7,000 farms. In addition to providing residents with access to nutritious food, farmers markets help keep farms in business and dollars in local communities.

"With so much produce in season right now, head out to your local market to support our farmers," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Farmers markets are not only places to buy groceries  they are essential parts of our food system. They provide a reliable source of income for Massachusetts famers, bring healthy food into neighborhoods, and create lively spaces where communities can come together to support local agriculture."

To mark the week, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle and agency staff will visit three farmers markets across different regions of the state. The visits will highlight the role these markets play in serving diverse communities, supporting local farms and vendors, and improving access to healthy food.

"Farmers markets support small and mid-sized farms that depend on direct-to-consumer sales," said Commissioner Randle. "These markets are where growers earn a fair price for their products and where families can build relationships with farmers to learn more about how their food is grown. They are a powerful tool for strengthening both food access and the agricultural economy."

Farmers markets in Massachusetts are active partners in addressing food insecurity. Many markets accept benefits through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Programs. These programs ensure that families in low-income communities can access fresh, nutritious food.

In response to recent federal cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs, Governor Healey recently issued an Executive Order, creating an Anti-Hunger Task Force. The task force will bring together state agencies, food system leaders, and community partners to coordinate efforts to improve food access and strengthen emergency food infrastructure across Massachusetts.

To further support market operations and outreach, MDAR launched the Farmers Market Sustainability Grant Program in 2023. Now in its second year, the program recently awarded over $130,000 to 17 farmers markets across the state to help support strategic planning and consumer marketing efforts to grow sales at these farmers markets.

The administration's investment in local food systems is also reflected in the recently introduced Mass Ready Act. This legislation makes targeted investments in farmland protection, infrastructure, and food security programs that help ensure long-term agricultural viability and support sustainable farming practices.

In addition, to coincide with Farmers Market Week and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, MDAR is launching a website highlighting Massachusetts agriculture. The website includes information about seasonally available crops, resources for locating farmers markets, recipes to inspire cooking with local ingredients, along with historical insights into the state's farming legacy.
South African police said Friday they have arrested some 1,000 undocumented migrants working in gold mines in the northeast of the country, Azernews reports, citing Tribune.

A police spokesman for the Mpumalanga province, where the week-long sweep took place, told AFP there could be more arrests because there are still illegal miners underground.

"As they are coming out, they have been taken," said the spokesman, Donald Mdhluli. The police operation, which started on Monday, targeted clandestine mining near the village of Barberton, close to the borders of Eswatini and Mozambique.

The Sheba Mine is owned by Barberton Mines who said in a statement: "Earlier this year there was outcry from the community and employees when Barberton Mines retrenched workers as the mine was unprofitable and facing closure. Now we know the reason why!

South African police said Friday they have arrested some 1,000 undocumented migrants working in gold mines in the northeast of the country.
KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Police have detained a kidnapper and rescued a child from his custody in the southern Afghanistan Helmand province, provincial police spokesman Mullah Ezatullah Haqqani said Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, police launched special operations in Toghi area of Musa Qala district, discovering a two-year-old child from the custody of a kidnapper and handing him over to his family, Haqqani said.

The rescued child is in good health, the official said without providing more details. 
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India has suggested it will continue purchasing oil from Russia despite US president Donald Trumps threats to hit Delhi with new tariffs over the imports.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Friday that Indias energy decisions were based on market availability and global conditions, adding that ties with Moscow were steady and time-tested and should not be seen through the prism of a third country.

Mr Trump said earlier this week that he plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods along with an additional import tax in response to Delhis continued buying of Russian crude. The US president has stepped up warnings against nations doing business with Moscow as Washington seeks leverage over Russias war in Ukraine.

India bought about 68,000 barrels of crude oil a day from Russia in January 2022, but this rose to 1.12 million barrels per day by June that year, peaking at 2.15 million barrels a day in May 2023, according to data from analytics firm Kpler cited by Press Trust of India. Russian supplies at one point made up nearly 40 per cent of Indias total oil imports, making Moscow its biggest crude supplier.

While the Indian government may not be deterred by Mr Trumps threats, Reuters news agency earlier reported that Indian state refiners stopped buying Russian oil after July discounts narrowed to their lowest since 2022 - when sanctions were first imposed on Moscow - due to lower Russian exports and steady demand.

Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd have not sought Russian crude in the past week or so, four sources told Reuters.

Reacting to the reports, Mr Trump told reporters: I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I have heard. I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens.

He added that despite his tariff announcement, trade deal talks with India were progressing.

India consumes around 5.5 million barrels of oil a day, importing roughly 88 per cent of its needs. The worlds third-largest crude buyer after China and the US shifted sharply towards Russian supplies after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, taking advantage of steep discounts as Western nations turned away from Moscows energy exports.
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Senior judges who imposed unfair indefinite jail terms, which have left scores of inmates locked up for minor offences languishing in prison for decades, have revealed their regret for their part in the injustice.

Former High Court judge Sir John Saunders said he would apologise to offenders he handed imprisonment for public protection (IPP) jail terms, which were scrapped in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands already jailed incarcerated with no release date.

Now the very judges who dished out the punishment have joined calls for the government to take urgent action to help more than 2,500 prisoners still trapped under the abolished jail term, which has been branded psychological torture by the UN.

Victims of the scandal, whose tragic cases have been highlighted by The Independent, include Leroy Douglas, who has served almost 20 years for stealing a mobile phone; Thomas White, 42, who set himself alight in his cell and has served 13 years for stealing a phone; and Abdullahi Suleman, 41, who is still inside 19 years after he was jailed for a laptop robbery.

Sir John, 76, who served as recorder of Birmingham before he was appointed to the High Court, told The Independent that if he met an IPP prisoner he had jailed who was years over tariff, he would apologise.

I should say Im really sorry this has happened, its extremely unfair, he said.

I didnt want to be party to unfairness. I would feel very bad about it, I would apologise to them.

open image in gallery John Saunders said he didnt want to be party to unfairness ( PA Wire )

He said that when the sentence was introduced in 2005 by New Labour in a bid to be tough on crime, it appeared there was a certain degree of sense to plans to ensure offenders completed rehabilitation courses before they were approved for release by the Parole Board.

But judges had no idea those prisoners would find themselves trapped in prison indefinitely, often without access to the courses they needed to be released.

He added: I think the essence of the job of a judge is to be fair. And we really do all try to do that. So when we conduct criminal trials, we attempt to be fair. In passing sentences, we attempt to be fair.

If we have been party to something which has been accepted by everybody as unfair and we have been part of it its a bit of an affront to the job.

He and Simon Tonking, the former recorder of Stafford, have lobbied prisons minister Lord James Timpson to help those still trapped under the jail term.

Both have backed a package of proposals put forward by an expert panel convened by the Howard League for Penal Reform, calling for IPP prisoners to be given a release date within a two-year window at their next parole hearing.

Mr Tonking recalled imposing an IPP sentence with a minimum tariff of just six months for a relatively minor offence after a man was caught following a woman in an alley.

Now I wonder what happened to him, he told The Independent. He was in his late twenties. For all I know, he may still be there [in prison].

And when I look back at that case, I think I should have tried harder not to impose it.

open image in gallery Trapped on IPP sentences: (clockwise, from top left) Leroy Douglas, Luke Ings, Liam Bennett, Wayne Williams, Abdullahi Suleman, Yusuf Ali, James Lawrence and Thomas White ( Samantha Ings/Margaret White/Mandy Lawrence/Jacqueline Ali /Handout )

Although he was doing his best to administer the laws in place at the time, he is now determined to be part of the solution.

I dont feel guilty, but I do feel, having been part of that, I should be doing all I can to put what has turned out to be an injustice right, he added.

And I am driven in part by the fact that I was part of the administration of justice at a time when these sentences were being passed.

I have been a part of the system that is wrong. I feel that I ought to be part of the system to put it right.

Successive governments have resisted calls to resentence IPP prisoners, claiming they cannot risk letting prisoners out until they have passed the Parole Boards release test.

However, at least 94 inmates have taken their own lives in custody after losing hope of being freed, according to campaigners, with many struggling as their mental health deteriorates in prison.

Mr Tonking urged the Labour government to use its majority to finally end the injustice by taking up the Howard Leagues proposals, adding: Virtually everybody who has had any professional dealings with IPP knows that it's unjust and now is the time to act.

The proposed reforms also include providing a package of mental health support for released IPP prisoners and tightening up the criteria for recalling them. Currently, many find themselves hauled back to prison indefinitely for minor breaches of strict licence conditions, despite committing no further offences.

open image in gallery Lord (John) Thomas of Cwmgiedd, formerly the most senior judge in England and Wales, has called for action to end the IPP scandal ( PA Archive )

Paul Glenn, who last year retired from his role as the most senior judge in Stoke-on-Trent, also backed the charitys proposals.

He told The Independent: Nobody envisaged that 10 years after they should have been released, they would still be in custody. The injustice there is pretty obvious.

Its undoubtedly right that we should be sentencing people for what they have done, rather than what they might do in the future.

Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: It is absolutely right that the IPP sentence was abolished.

As the IPP annual report shows, we have significantly improved support for these offenders, with greater access to rehabilitation and mental health support.

There is more work to do as we reduce the number of IPP offenders in custody, but we will only do so in a way that protects the public.
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The family of a mother shot dead in her Liverpool home 20 years ago has made a fresh appeal for information on her murder.

Lucy Hargreaves, 22, was asleep on her sofa when three men burst into her Walton home on 3 August 2005.

They fatally injured her, then set fire to the Lambourne Road property, forcing her partner and two-year-old daughter to escape through an upstairs window.

Two decades later, her family is urging anyone with details to come forward to help to achieve justice for Lucy.

They have also released a previously unshared college photograph of the mother-of-three.

Following Ms Hargreaves death, a number of people were contacted by males using a phone that was stolen, along with a vehicle used in Lucys murder, the family said.

open image in gallery Lucy Hargreaves in a previously unshared photograph ( Merseyside Police/PA Wire )

The people who received the calls could have information which could be crucial in achieving justice for Lucy and her loved ones, they said.

We appeal directly to them to please come forward. Now is the time.

Police arrested 21 people as part of their investigation into the murder, but no one has been convicted.

A comprehensive review into Ms Hargreaves death was launched by Merseyside Police two years ago and remains ongoing.

Howard Rubbery, head of the serious case review unit, said: It is now 20 years since Lucy was taken from her family in the most brutal of circumstances.

After carrying out the killing, the offenders ignored the cries of a toddler upstairs as they poured petrol around the house and set fire to it.

Their callous and reckless actions could have claimed the lives of two more people that night, had they not escaped the flames by jumping from a window upstairs.

open image in gallery Lucy Hargreaves was a strong woman who could have achieved so much ( Merseyside Police/PA Wire )

Merseyside Police are as determined as ever to get justice for Ms Hargreaves, Mr Rubbery said.

Her death robbed her family of a loving mother and daughter, he said.

As with any unsolved murder, time is no barrier to our pursuit of justice for Lucy and we appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact us.

Ms Hargreaves family, who said they miss her every single day, welcomed a focus on tackling violence against women and girls in recent years.

They praised the families of other victims of gun crime, including the mothers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel and 28-year-old Ashley Dale, who were shot in their homes in separate incidents in Liverpool in August 2022.

The mums of both Ashley Dale and Olivia Pratt Korbel have led a real and powerful community challenge to men of violence.

The family remembered Ms Hargreaves as a strong woman who could have achieved so much had she only been given the opportunity.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about a gold Lexus car, believed to have been dumped shortly after the shooting on Richard Kelly Drive, Clubmoor, by a number of men who then ran in the direction of Normandale Road.

Police previously said they wanted to speak to Kevin Thomas Parle in connection with Ms Hargreaves murder.

Parle, who was believed to be living abroad, was also wanted in connection with the murder of Liam Kelly, 16, who was shot in the early hours of 19 June 2004 in Dingle, Liverpool.

Anyone with information should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC, on Facebook at Merseyside Police Contact Centre or through the Merseyside Police website.

Information can also be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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A compensation scheme to pay out to drivers who were mis-sold car loans could cost as much as 18bn, the financial regulator has said.

Millions of drivers were denied payouts after the Supreme Court ruled on Friday (1 August) that lenders are not liable for hidden commission payments in car finance schemes.

Two lenders, FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers, challenged a Court of Appeal ruling that the secret commission payments paid to car dealers as part of finance arrangements made before 2021  without the motorists fully informed consent  were unlawful.

After the Supreme Courts decision the bulk of the claims will therefore not go ahead, with only the most serious claims eligible for compensation. The 18bn figure is a significant drop from the 45bn if the Supreme Court upheld the ruling in full.

Members of the media report from outside the Supreme Court in London on the day of the ruling ( PA Wire )

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the final cost of the scheme would depend on its final design, which makes it difficult to estimate precisely.

The FCA thinks it unlikely the cost of the scheme, including to run it, would be much lower than 9bn, it said in a statement. And it could be higher, up to 18bn in some scenarios, though the FCA doesnt believe these are the most likely. A total cost midway in the range, as forecast by some analysts, is more plausible.

Individuals are forecasted to receive less than 950 in compensation.

The consultation for payouts is due to be launched by early October, with the first payments due to be made in 2026.

Those who have already made complaints do not need to do anything further, the FCA added, and anyone who believes they were not told about commission, and believe they may have paid too much, should make a complaint now.

The FCA said consumers do not need to use a claims management company or law firm for the claim.

It is clear that some firms have broken the law and our rules. Its fair for their customers to be compensated. We also want to ensure that the market, relied on by millions each year, can continue to work well and consumers can get a fair deal, said Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA.

Our aim is a compensation scheme thats fair and easy to participate in, so theres no need to use a claims management company or law firm. If you do, it will cost you a significant chunk of any money you get, he added.

It will take time to establish a scheme but we hope to start getting people any money they are owed next year.
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Shops across England selling cruel glue traps are telling customers how to illegally use them, an undercover investigation has revealed.

Pet cats, hedgehogs and wild birds have all been accidentally caught on the devices, and heartbreaking photos of the animals that suffered struggling to free themselves have prompted widespread outrage.

In 2020, Miles, a black and white cat, had to be put down after becoming stuck to four glue traps that left him in pain with horrific injuries.

open image in gallery Rescuers spent hours cleaning up a baby fox caught on a glue trap ( Scottish SPCA )

In 2021, a baby fox became stuck on a glue trap in Edinburgh, leaving its skin and fur badly damaged, and rescuers spent hours removing the glue to save the animal.

Glue traps are designed to catch  but not kill  rats and mice. They struggle for hours or days on the ultra-strong adhesive, and some tear or bite off limbs trying to escape.

The rodents often suffocate from glue clogging up their mouth or nose, or die from dehydration, starvation or exhaustion.

Just over a year ago, using a glue trap without a licence was banned, and offenders could be fined or jailed  but selling the traps remains legal.

Hundreds of thousands are sold every year in the UK, parliament was told during a debate before the ban.

Last year, the RSPCA received 40 reports of animals stuck on glue traps, and over the previous five years, it logged more than 200 reports. The animals stuck included wild birds, hedgehogs and pet cats.

open image in gallery The death of pet cat Miles five years ago prompted the RSPCA to appeal to people to report glue traps for sale to them ( RSPCA )

The Humane World for Animals UK charity, which carried out an undercover investigation, says it believes hundreds of stores are still selling them  even though its now a criminal offence for customers to use them.

Shoppers for the charity visited or called 50 independent DIY or hardware stores selected at random in England, and found that 23 of them  42 per cent  sold the traps to the public. Prices ranged from just 1 a pack in Manchester to 3.99 in London, with an average of around 2.

None of the shops selling them told the investigators it was illegal to use the traps without a pest-control licence.

All 23 shops said it would be fine to set the trap outside, despite the risk of birds and cats becoming painfully  and in some cases, fatally  stuck.

open image in gallery In 23 shops sales staff said it would be fine to set the trap outside, failing to explain it was illegal ( Humane World for Animals UK )

When the shoppers asked what they should do with mice stuck to the trap, nine shop assistants suggested the animals could be thrown away alive on the trap, which would be a criminal offence, the charity said.

Two stores selling traps  one in East Yorkshire and one in Norfolk  referred to stories of animals chewing off their own limbs trying to escape.

A shop assistant in East Sussex, when asked how a trapped mouse might be killed, said: I would normally just roll it up and drown it.

One shop assistant admitted that such action would not be kind.

Based on the 42 per cent, the researchers estimate that of Englands 3,000 independent hardware stores, about 1,260 sell glue traps.

open image in gallery Mice and rats die of dehydration, exhaustion or consuming the glue ( Getty )

Humane World for Animals UK, formerly Humane Society International UK, which is calling for a ban on sales of the traps, said it believed most shop staff were simply unaware of the law.

The charitys Claire Bass said it was likely that hundreds of shops were selling cruel glue traps to members of the public who may be unaware that they could face criminal charges if they use them.

Its especially concerning that some shopkeepers are suggesting to people that they could leave animals on the traps to die slowly in a bin, or even drown them, both of which would be offences under the Animal Welfare Act, she said.

The legal loophole made a mockery of the licensing scheme for professional pest controllers, Ms Bass added.

open image in gallery Last month, a grass snake in Cornwall got stuck on a glue trap, and the RSPCA used olive oil to free it ( RSPCA )

Of five stores surveyed in Wales, none sold glue traps, and all explained that they were illegal and/or cruel, suggesting more humane alternatives, the secret shoppers reported.

The British Pest Controllers Association has urged the UK, Welsh and Scottish governments to ban the sale of glue traps to the public.

The UKs three big DIY chains do not sell glue traps for mice or rats.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: We always look to minimise the unnecessary suffering of animals, and last year it was made an offence to use glue traps to capture rodents, unless doing so under a licence with strict conditions governing their use.

The British Independent Retailers Association has advice online for retailers on preventing glue traps from being sold for illegal use.
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A bombshell new documentary on child killer Lucy Letby will offer a new explanation behind a number of scribbled notes written by the nurse which were used as evidence to convict her.

Britains most prolific child serial killer is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences for seven murders and seven attempted murders of babies while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Notes such as I am evil, I did this were scrawled on a scrappy notepad found in her house, which also read: I killed them on purpose because I am not good enough to care for them and I am a horrible evil person.

open image in gallery Lucy Letby and Dawn are childhood friends ( ITV )

Hate was also written in block capitals with heavy ink and circled, while the note is headed: Not good enough. But the notes also included other phrases such as: "I haven't done anything wrong" and "we tried our best and it wasn't enough"

The NHS neonatal nurse is currently serving 15 whole life sentences for seven murders and seven attempted murders of babies while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

According to The Times, a new ITV documentary will put forward a new explanation for the notes, which were presented by the prosecution as amounting to a confession - despite some of the notes appearing to deny her guilt.

Dawn is a childhood friend of Letby with whom she studied her A-Levels at Aylestone School in Hereford. The 35-year-old, who did not want her last name to be published, said the pair were taught while in school to write down their most dark thoughts during peer-support training sessions

Speaking to the Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt? documentary, she said: At all of those training sessions, it was recommended to us that, you know, if youre feeling overwhelmed, you write down everything thats going through your mind that is, you know, troubling you.

open image in gallery Lucy Letby when she was first arrested ( Cheshire Constabulary )

So, all of the dark thoughts, all of those inner voices that you cant silence. You just write it all down on a piece of paper to get it off your mind.

Letby has lost two attempts to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal so far, but questions are growing about the safety of Letbys convictions after multiple experts have cast doubts over some of the evidence used in the trial in August 2023.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is reviewing an application by Letbys legal team, which includes a 300-page report from chemical engineer Helen Shannon and professor Geoff Chase, who refute claims made by the prosecution that Letby undoubtedly poisoned two babies by spiking their feeding bags with insulin.

Ms Shannon and Prof Chase, who were given access to the babies medical notes, say they could have been born with specific types of antibodies in their blood which can cause a high reading of insulin.

open image in gallery Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Lucy Letby looking upset when Nicholas Johnson KC (right) said she was enjoying what had happened to child C as she appeared at Manchester Crown Court where she is charged with the murder of seven babies ( PA )

Speaking to the documentary, Ms Shannon said according to The Times: What was presented in court as this is smoking-gun evidence of poisoning actually looks pretty typical for a pre-term neonate.

And we cant see any justification whatsoever for the prosecution statement that it could only be poisoning.

Dawn also tells the documentary about the moment Letby was found guilty: I think I was at work when I heard that they were, sort of, returning the verdict, and sort of tuned in and I think I just sat there dumbfounded for a while, not really knowing how to process what I was hearing, she said.

I didnt think it was real. I immediately switched to thinking: Well, whats next, you know? What happens next? This cant be it. She cant just spend the rest of her life in prison.
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A man has died after falling at Londons Wembley Stadium during an Oasis concert on Saturday.

Officers at the stadium responded to an incident at 10:19pm alongside medics at the venue and the London Ambulance Service after reports that someone had been injured.

"A man - aged in his 40s - was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

According to reports, the man was in the upper tier of Wembley before he fell while watching the sell-out reunion.

Photographs of Oasis Live '25 Tour at Wembley Stadium 25th July 2025 ( Big Brother Recordings )

Oasis said in a statement: We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night.

Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.

The Met have called on people who witnessed the incident, or who knowingly or unknowingly took mobile phone footage of it to come forward.

The brothers were performing at Wembley Stadium as part of Oasiss ongoing reunion tour, which has seen hundreds of thousands in the UK witness Noel and Liam Gallaghers much-anticipated return.

Oasis will tour Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States before they return to London for two final dates at Wembley.

Police said in their statement: At around 22:19hrs on Saturday, 2 August, officers on duty at Wembley Stadium for the Oasis concert responded alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service to reports that a person had been injured.

A man - aged in his 40s  was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.

If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101, quoting 7985/02AUG.
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The Home Secretary plans to introduce a fast-track scheme to tackle the asylum backlog that aims to turn around decisions within weeks.

Yvette Cooper said Labour was planning a major overhaul of the appeal process in the hope it would help to make a significant dent in the numbers.

We need a major overhaul of the appeal [process] and thats what we are going to do in the autumn If we speed up the decision-making appeal system and also then keep increasing returns, we hope to be able to make quite a big reduction in the overall numbers in the asylum system, because that is the best way to actually restore order and control, Ms Cooper told The Sunday Times.

The aim would be to compress the process so decisions and returns could happen within weeks, the newspaper reported, citing a source familiar with the plans.

The Government faces pressure to cut how many asylum seekers are housed in hotels while awaiting the outcome of a claim or appeal.

open image in gallery Yvette Cooper has previously said she was eager to put a fast-track system for decisions and appeals in place (PA) ( PA Wire )

The Home Secretary has previously said she was eager to put a fast-track system for decisions and appeals in place so that people from countries considered safe would not sit in the asylum system for a long time.

We should be able to take those decisions really fast, be able to take those decisions, make sure that they go through the appeals system really fast and then also make sure they are returned really quickly as well, she told the Home Affairs committee in June.

That would mean a fast-track system alongside the main asylum system, I think that would be really important in terms of making sure that the system is fair.

That will require legislation in order to be able to do that, as well as a new system design.

The Government is also seeking to reduce the number of Channel crossings. More than 25,000 migrants have arrived in small boats this year so far.

open image in gallery Tensions over asylum hotels have flared up in recent weeks (PA) ( PA Wire )

Tensions over asylum hotels have flared up in recent weeks, with a protest and counter-protest taking place on Saturday outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in north London, and also in Newcastle.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament.

Asylum seekers and their families are housed in temporary accommodation if they are waiting for the outcome of a claim or an appeal and have been assessed as not being able to support themselves independently.

They are housed in hotels if there is not enough space in accommodation provided by local authorities or other organisations.
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Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant has said he was sexually abused as a teenager by the then head of the National Youth Theatre.

The Labour arts and telecoms minister also said he has been sexually assaulted by five male MPs during his time in Westminster, although he has not named or reported them.

Sir Chris said Michael Croft, who died in 1986, had invited him to dinner every evening while he was attending the company in London during the summer of 1978.

Mr Croft was 40 years the then 16-year-old Sir Chriss senior, and the MP said one evening, having returned to Mr Crofts house, he came back from the toilet to find his host naked except for a silk robe.

open image in gallery Chris Bryant says he was abused as a teenager by the head of the National Youth Theatre at the time ( Alamy/PA )

The MP for Rhondda and Ogmore said Mr Croft then asked him for sex, which he felt he had no option but to go through with, leaving him feeling like he was a 16-year-old wh***.

Speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of the release of his book, A Life And A Half: The Unexpected Making Of A Politician, Sir Chris said: I dont like telling this very much because Ive not told it very often.

It was always the same Italian in Kings Cross. He would eat and drink, I would eat, then he would theoretically give me a lift home, except I always ended up at his house.

Sir Chris says Mr Croft never made an advance towards him again, with the pair remaining friends. An ordained minister, he conducted Mr Crofts funeral.

He behaved absolutely appallingly, its despicable, Sir Chris added.

Michael, in my case, managed to spot somebody who was gay at a time when nearly all homosexuality was illegal  certainly very frowned on  so presumed that people would keep a secret.

He said at least one friend during his National Youth Theatre days was also abused by Mr Croft.

Speaking about incidents that he said occurred in Westminster, Sir Chris said he did not report them at the time.

There was no system for doing so and I was frightened it would make me look bad, he said, adding he felt homophobia in parliament had declined during his 24 years as an MP.

A statement on the National Youth Theatre website said: We are grateful to Chris Bryant for disclosing to our team the historical abuse he suffered in the company in the 1970s. We are very sorry that this happened to him and to others who have previously shared with us their accounts of historic abuse by the same perpetrator.

As we set out in a public statement on the case in 2017, we stand in solidarity with all victims of abuse and encourage anyone who has experienced abuse, no matter how long ago, to speak to someone and access support.

In this case, the perpetrator has been deceased since 1986, but all reports made to us will be dealt with in accordance with our robust and formalised safeguarding policy and practice.

While Chris writes he doesnt feel damaged by what happened, we recognise that being subjected to an abuse of power can have lasting consequences for many, in different ways.

Anyone getting in touch will be listened to and treated with care and respect by trained professionals, in line with our certified trauma-informed practice.

We are grateful to Chris for his support of our organisation today, and acknowledgement of how different a charity we are in 2025 to the one he encountered in the 1970s, with thorough safeguarding practices and policies in place.
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The government will pour an extra 100m into efforts to tackle migration as pressure piles on ministers to crack down on small boat crossings.

The money will support the pilot of the new "one in, one out" returns agreement between the UK and France, paying for up to 300 more National Crime Agency (NCA) officers and new technology and equipment to step up intelligence-gathering on smuggling gangs.

There will be more overtime for immigration compliance and enforcement teams as well as funding for interventions in transit countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the government said.

open image in gallery Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour was planning a major overhaul of the asylum appeal process (PA) ( PA Wire )

Labour has put a pledge to crack down on the number of people coming to the UK on small boats at the centre of its plan for government.

But with boat crossings at a record high, and the asylum backlog still above 75,000, there is mounting pressure on ministers to take more drastic action - pressure which is exacerbated by the success of Reform UK in the polls.

It comes as tensions over asylum hotels continue to flare up, with a protest and counter-protests taking place on Saturday outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in north London, and also in Newcastle and Manchester.

Last week figures showed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 in record time, piling pressure on the government to take further action.

It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 25,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.

The government has announced a number of measures to deter migrants from coming to the UK, with the "one in, one out" deal agreed last month meaning the UK will for the first time be able to send migrants back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with links to Britain.

Meanwhile, anyone who advertises small boat crossings or fake passports on social media could be face up to five years in prison under a new offence to be introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

The home secretary, who said Labour had set the foundations for a "new and much stronger law enforcement approach" over the last year, is also planning a major overhaul of the asylum system to speed up the processing of claims and make a dent in the backlog.

Now this additional funding will strengthen every aspect of our plan and will turbo-charge the ability of our law enforcement agencies to track the gangs and bring them down, working with our partners overseas, and using state-of-the-art technology and equipment, Yvette Cooper said.

Alongside our new agreements with France, this will help us drive forward our plan for change commitments to protect the UK's border security and restore order to our immigration system.

open image in gallery A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from an RNLI Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) ( PA Wire )

The NCA has 91 ongoing investigations into people-smuggling networks affecting the UK, the agency's director general of operations Rob Jones said.

But the Conservatives dismissed the funding announcement as a "desperate grab for headlines which will make no real difference".

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "Labour has failed and their laughable claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters. They have no serious plan, just excuses, while ruthless criminal gangs flood our borders with illegal immigrants.

"The British public deserves real action, not empty slogans and tinkering at the edges. The Conservative Deportation Bill is the only real solution. Immediate detention, rapid removal and shutting down these illegal networks for good."
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- An ASEAN interim observer group on Sunday launched the second-round two-week-long inspection at conflict-hit areas on the Cambodia-Thailand border, a Cambodian defense spokesperson said.

Led by the military attache of Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN, the group included the Indonesian military attache, Myanmar military attache, Lao deputy military attache, Philippine assistant military attache, Vietnamese assistant military attache, and Singaporean non-resident military attache.

Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said the group will visit several locations in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces to monitor the implementation of a recent ceasefire agreed by Cambodia and Thailand.

"The participation of these partner countries reflects a common desire to ensure that the ceasefire is successful and lasting with the goal of bringing back peace, stability, cooperation, and development for the benefit of the peoples of both countries," she said in a press briefing.

On July 24, armed clashes erupted between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in border areas. The two countries agreed on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the afternoon of July 28, taking effect at midnight of the same day. 
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Gangs promoting small boat Channel crossings on social media will face up to five years in prison as part of a new crackdown announced by the government.

An amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill  currently going through parliament  will introduce a new, UK-wide offence to criminalise the creation of material for publication online which promotes or offers services facilitating a breach of UK immigration law.

This could include small boat crossings, the creation of fake travel documents like passports or visas, or explicitly promising illegal working opportunities in the UK.

While facilitating illegal migration is already a crime, the government said the proposed changes would add another string to law enforcements bow, better enabling them to disrupt the gangs while they are publicising people smuggling activities and provide an additional tool when building a case against those peddling this content.

open image in gallery A group of people are taken into the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from an RNLI lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel ( PA Wire )

Approximately 80 per cent of migrants arriving via small boats told officials that they used social media during their illegal journey to the UK, including to locate or communicate with an agent or facilitator associated with an organised crime group, according to Home Office analysis.

Individuals caught by the offence could receive a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine.

It comes after the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 in record time, after some 898 people made the journey in 13 boats on Wednesday  the third highest daily number of crossings this year.

The home secretary said ministers are determined to do everything we can to prevent people smuggling gangs from helping people to make the dangerous crossing.

Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK and a life in this country  whether on or offline  simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral, said Yvette Cooper.

These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media.

She added: We have to stay one step ahead of the ever-evolving tactics of people-smuggling gangs and this move, part of our Plan for Change to boost border security, will empower law enforcement to disable these tactics faster and more effectively, ensuring people face proper penalties.

Rob Jones, director general of the National Crime Agency, said: We know many of the people-smuggling networks risking lives transporting people to the UK promote their services to migrants using social media.

The majority of migrants arriving in the UK will have engaged with smugglers in this way. This is why we work with social media companies to target smugglers accounts, and weve increased the pace of takedowns.

In 2025 so far, 25,436 people have made the dangerous journey across the Channel  up 51 per cent on this point last year (16,842) and 73 per cent higher than at this stage in 2023 (14,732), according to PA news agency analysis.

open image in gallery Home secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers will do everything we can to stop the crossings ( PA Wire )

It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 25,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.

Last year, the figure was passed on 22 September, and in 2023, it was on 2 October.

With Nigel Farages Reform UK surging in the polls, the figures come as a fresh blow to Sir Keir Starmer, whose pledge to tackle small boat crossings is a central pledge of his mission for government.

The high numbers of crossings come despite the prime minister announcing a major one in, one out returns deal with France last month. While it is hoped the deal will bring the spiralling numbers under control, the crossings have so far continued at pace.
As tensions flare up in the UK over migration, with protests taking place in Newcastle, Manchester and north London, the government is pursuing a new plan to reduce the asylum backlog.

The home secretary has said she plans to introduce a fast-track scheme to turn around asylum decisions within weeks, via a major overhaul of the appeal process.

The plan is part of a wider attempt to crack down on the number of people crossing the Channel, with Ms Cooper announcing a one-in-one-out returns deal with France earlier this year. But despite their efforts, last week it was revealed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 in record time, piling pressure on the government to take further action.

It is hoped that the new plan will make a dent in the backlog and return people to safe countries faster, reducing the number of asylum seekers who are housed in hotels while awaiting the outcome of a claim or appeal.

Here, The Independent takes a look at everything we know about the plan so far and how it will work in practice.

open image in gallery Yvette Cooper has previously said she was eager to put a fast-track system for decisions and appeals in place ( PA )

How would the fast-track system work?

Asylum seekers and their families are housed in temporary accommodation, including hotels, if they are waiting for the outcome of a claim or an appeal and have been assessed as not being able to support themselves independently.

But Yvette Cooper has now promised a major overhaul of the appeal process, speeding up the time it takes for decisions on claims and appeals to be made. There are currently limited details on how this system would work, but sources told the Sunday Times it would allow decisions to be taken within weeks, rather than months or even years.

Once a decision has been taken, those who have been rejected will be returned to their home country  reducing the number of people housed in temporary accommodation.

If we speed up the decision-making appeal system and also then keep increasing returns, we hope to be able to make quite a big reduction in the overall numbers in the asylum system, because that is the best way to actually restore order and control, Ms Cooper said.

When will it be implemented?

The home secretary has said she will legislate for the changes in autumn, when MPs return from their summer break. But it could take months for any legislation to pass through parliament, meaning we are unlikely to see the fast-track system implemented until the new year.

open image in gallery Labour has put a pledge to crack down on the number of people coming to the UK on small boats at the centre of its plan for government ( PA )

How big is the asylum backlog and why is tackling it a priority?

As of the end of March 2025, there were 78,745 asylum applications awaiting an initial decision  an 8 per cent decrease from the end of June 2024 and a 13 per cent decrease compared to the end of December 2024, official immigration statistics show. These outstanding cases related to 109,536 people, including both main applicants and their dependents.

Labour has put a pledge to fix the broken asylum system and crack down on the number of people coming to the UK on small boats at the centre of its plan for government. But with boat crossings at a record high, and the asylum backlog still above 75,000, there is mounting pressure on ministers to take more drastic action, a pressure exacerbated by the success of Reform UK in the polls.

The government has also promised to end the use of asylum hotels before the end of this parliament, a promise it is unlikely to meet unless the backlog is reduced. Tensions over asylum hotels have flared up in recent weeks, with a protest and counter-protest taking place on Saturday outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in north London, and also in Newcastle and Manchester.
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British pork will be served up on Mexican tables, after the government signed a new 19m deal with the country.

After eight years of negotiations between Mexican and UK authorities, twelve businesses across England and Northern Ireland have secured approval to export quality British products to Mexico with the UK securing new access specifically for Northern Irish exporters, ministers said on Sunday.

The businesses will now be able to export pork, offal and edible by-products, bringing British pig farmers a return on parts that are less popular in the UK but which Mexican consumers enjoy as part of classical buche meat dishes.

open image in gallery Businesses across England and Northern Ireland will now be able to export quality British pork products ( AFP via Getty Images )

Government figures estimate that Mexicos pork market has grown by 5.4 per cent annually between 2019 and 2024, with industry figures expect the deal to bring in 19m over the first five years.

Daniel Zeichner, minister for food security and rural affairs, said the deal is a tremendous win for our pork producers and builds on our recent success in resuming exports to China.

It demonstrates this government's unwavering commitment to securing better trade deals for British farmers and food producers and will boost their incomes as part of our plan for change, he added.

Exports minister Gareth Thomas added: British pork is the best in the world and this 20 million export win will boost farming and rural communities across the nation.

The removal of yet another trade barrier is testament to our Trade Strategy which focusses on quick deals that deliver faster benefits to UK businesses and shows how this government is boosting exports as part of our Plan for Change while upholding our world-leading food standards.

The governments trade strategy, published earlier this year, is aimed at boosting exports and protecting UK firms at a time of growing uncertainty for global businesses following Donald Trumps tariffs.
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A Las Vegas mans search for the truth about his family has returned inconclusive results.

Logan Gifford, 26, believes his younger brother, 15, could be his son after claiming his mother Doreene Gifford began sexually assaulting him when he was 10.

Doreene Gifford, was sentenced to eight to 20 years in jail after making an Alford plea, essentially a plea of no contest, on lesser charges, including attempted sex assault, 8 News Now reports. She has also registered as a sex offender and now lives in Massachusetts, according to the outlet.

Earlier this year, Logan Glifford filed a paternity case asking for a judge to order an advanced DNA test to determine who the teenagers father is.

That test was inconclusive, however. Logan Glifford said he and his father, Theodore, could both be the teenagers biological father, after their DNA both matched 99.9% to the sibling.

At a Thursday hearing, family court Judge Vincent Ochoa said that the test results were unsurprising. I think we should have known that was going to come out that way from the very beginning, Ochoa said, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The judge recommended further testing to ascertain who the teenagers father was. The judge awarded Logan Gifford temporary custody of his brother, as a temporary guardianship would have expired Thursday, according to the Review-Journal.

Speaking to the Vegas outlet, Logan Gifford said that he would be praying over the issue, but pursuing further testing in order to get genetic clarity for his brother.

The judge has recommended further testing to work out who the teenagers real father is ( Getty Images )

Hes aware of whats going on and he understands why were trying to get to the truth for him, he said. Because this wasnt about me. This was about trying to get genetic answers for him.

A GoFundMe page set up by Logan Gifford to help him win custody and protect his brother, who he currently lives with along with his wife and stepdaughter, has raised almost $2,000.

In the page description, Logan Gifford describes the situation as a nightmare I never chose and calls the idea of his brother being his son a haunting possibility.

The court process is tough, and with his cognitive struggles and our complicated family history, I need help to secure his future and give him the life he deserves, Gifford wrote.

He added that he was also speaking out for male survivors everywhere.

Growing up, I faced shame, disbelief, and a system that didnt see mesocial services missed the signs and left me unprotected. Too many men suffer in silence, and Im determined to change that, he said.

Despite the previous inconclusiveness, experts have said it is likely that further testing will provide answers for the Giffords.

Arthur Beaudet, a past president of the American Society of Human Genetics, said such circumstances would require a higher level of investigation.

This is a job not for the average lab that does paternity testing and disputes between individuals all the time, he told the Review-Journal. This is a job for a top-notch expert in this area.
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Target was once the store that attracted shoppers looking to buy everything they needed in one place, and sucked them into its vortex with trendy yet affordable clothing, whimsical home decor and wide-ranging beauty products.

The red bullseye stores ability to keep customers browsing for hours, even when they swore theyd only be five minutes, is one of its unique qualities that made it so popular  enough to even its own meme about people accidentally spending all their money and time at Target.

Arianna, a 31-year-old teacher from East Texas, knew it well.

Before June 2024, Arianna would take her three-year-old daughter to Target for a weekly trip. The store was convenient, her daughter could play with the toys and Arianna would browse the books. And the company also embodied values that Arianna, who asked for her surname not to be used for privacy reasons, aligned with.

It was just a relaxing place to go and spend time with my girl, Arianna told The Independent.

But the call for Target shoppers to boycott the company when it was seen to abandon some of its progressive values changed everything.

open image in gallery Some Target shoppers have expressed disappointment in the retailer for abandoning social issues related to DEI and LGBTQ+ and chosen to shop elsewhere ( Getty Images )

This past year, Arianna decided to cut ties with Target after the company announced it would end its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to comply with President Donald Trumps executive order banning DEI.

I don't like how they're propagating right-wing ideals by removing their D.E.I. initiatives and basically turning their backs on [people of color.] Arianna said.

Target has always tried to market themselves as being inclusive, but by quickly scrapping those inclusivity practices as soon as President Trump told them to do, it proves they never cared about inclusivity in the first place. Instead, it was all a farce and a clear example of rainbow capitalism, she added.

The Target boycott after it abandoned its DEI initiatives was first organized by Rev. Jamal Bryant, a prominent Black pastor in Georgia. He encouraged customers to stay away from Target for Lent  and then the boycott continued, with a variety of grassroots organizations getting involved. The boycott made a difference to Targets bottom line, in Q1, the retailer announced disappointing sales, with a 2.8 percent drop compared to sales from the same period last year.

For years, Targets annual revenue reflected its success with customers. The company went from $73.7 billion in 2015 to an all-time high of $109.1 billion in 2022.

Even during the pandemic, while other companies suffered, Target recorded a $15 billion growth in sales  proving that customers were still willing to shop at their favorite store  whether online or from a distance.

But since 2022, Targets sales and stock value have stagnated. Shares of the company have dropped approximately 60 percent since its 2021 high.

Target said it expects its annual sales to decline by a low single-digit percentage this year.

While the companys slow decline cannot be directly attributed to one factor, it seems clear from discourse online that the retailer is losing its once loyal customers.

Ariannas feelings toward Target first changed last summer when the retail giant scaled back its Pride merchandise to appease conservatives after anti-LBGTQ+ individuals and groups boycotted the store and threatened employees in June 2023.

open image in gallery Some anti-trans protesters began boycotting Target in June 2023 when the retailer began selling trans-inclusive clothing. As a result, Target pulled some of its merchandise from shelves, outraging some pro-LGBTQ+ groups ( Getty Images )

Some conservatives took aim at Target in 2023 after it began selling transgender-inclusive clothing. Then Target pulled some of its inclusive clothing after the blowback, and scaled back its Pride collections, upsetting many in the LGBTQ community.

Arianna began shopping at Target less, opting to go to local or thrift stores  before abandoning it entirely after it pulled its DEI iniatives. On Reddit and Facebook, people have started pages to recommend alternative places to shop for clothing, groceries, beauty products, and more

Boycotting Target has freed me from so much unnecessary spending. No matter what Target does in the future, Im forever changed and free from their grip. I buy all my basics at the local drug store or Costco and Im saving instead of giving Walmart in lipstick all my expendable money, one Reddit user said.

Target is so unbelievably expensive most of the time for the same things I could find at Walmart for half as much, a Reddit user complained. Dont even get me started on the cost of groceries at Target. I seriously question how people afford to buy full carts of groceries. The only things Ive bought were a drink and some hot pockets for lunch one day and maybe a bag of chips.

Targets CEO, Brian Cornell, has attributed some of the companys stagnation to customers buying less overall  in part due to uncertainty around Trumps tariffs.

"The difficulty level has been incredibly high given the rates we're facing and the uncertainty about how these rates in different categories might evolve," Cornell said in May. "We're focused on supporting American families and how they manage their budgets."

Cornell said Target would only raise prices as a last resort.

But its unclear if affordable prices would win back formerly loyal customers.

For Arianna, there isnt much Target can do to bring her back.

They've had plenty of time to do right by their customers of all skin colors, religions, and sexualities, but they've chosen to bury their heads in the sand and pretend like they've done nothing wrong. I'm saving more money now since I refuse to go to their stores, and instead I'm putting money into local stores which helps my community, Arianna said.

Maybe I'll shop there once more if they have a huge going-out-of-business sale where I can get a ton of stuff for 90% off. Other than that, I'm done for good.
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After he was arrested outside his Virginia apartment in March, Georgetown University professor Badar Khan Suri was briefly detained in the state before being put on a plane bound for an immigration detention center more than 1,000 miles away.

Suri  who was targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for his Palestinian activism and his family ties to Gaza  arrived at the only ICE facility that doubles as an airport, without his attorneys having any idea where he was.

Officers told Suri that he had entered the nations super deportation center, according to his attorneys.

The college professor was shackled at the ankles and handcuffed then marched into a 70,000 square foot staging facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, which has emerged as the nexus point for President Donald Trumps mass deportation machine.

Suri is far from alone. Since Trump returned to the White House, more than 20,000 people en route to other detention centers have passed through the Louisiana facility  which ICE officials have long aspired to operate like corporate giants FedEx and Amazon.

open image in gallery ICE has relied on its sprawling network of detention centers to move immigrants in custody where space is available, with a dual purpose airport and detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana emerging as a hub for the Trump administrations deportation agenda ( Courtesy ICE Office of Public Affairs )

ICEs acting director Todd Lyons has bluntly compared the movement of people to packages.

We need to get better at treating this like a business, where this mass deportation operation is something like you would see and say, like, Amazon trying to get your Prime delivery within 24 hours, Lyons told a law enforcement conference in Phoenix earlier this year.

So, trying to figure out how to do that with human beings, he said.

The idea of running the government like a business has taken root inside ICE over the last decade with lucrative public-private partnerships between the federal government and for-profit contractors, which operate roughly 90 percent of all ICE detention centers.

Since before the Trump administration, the ICE field office in New Orleans  which is responsible for removal operations in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee  was modeling operations after shipping giant FedEx and its spoke-hub model.

Detainees are temporarily held in detention hubs before theyre sent to a network of detention center spokes where they wait to be deported.

In Suris case, he arrived at the Alexandria hub before he was moved to a regional spoke in Texas.

The idea for a staging facility in Louisiana started on a cocktail napkin at Ruths Chris steakhouse, according to Philip Miller, a former ICE official in New Orleans who went on to work for an IT firm that contracts with federal law enforcement.

Miller sought a more effective and efficient way of moving the growing number of foreign detainees, according to 2015 newsletter from GEO Group, the private prison contractor that operates the Alexandria facility.

Trumps border czar Tom Homan tapped former GEO Group executive David Venturella to support the administrations deportation agenda, and he is now serving in a top role at ICE managing contracts for immigrant detention centers, according to The Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Daniel Bible, who worked at ICE for 15 years, including a year as the executive associate director of removal operations, left the agency in November 2024 to join GEO Group as its executive vice president.

GEO Group referred The Independent to ICE for comment.

Lyons, who has helmed ICE since March, addressed his now-viral remarks about treating immigrants like packages in an interview the following month.

The key part that got left out of that statement was, I said, they deal with boxes, we deal with human beings, which is totally different, he told Boston 25 News.

ICE should be run like a corporation, he told the outlet.

We need to be better about removing those individuals who have been lawfully ordered out of the country in a safe, efficient manner, Lyons continued. We cant trade innovation and efficiency for how we treat the people in our custody.

The Independent has requested comment from ICE on its removal operations at the Alexandria facility.

open image in gallery Acting ICE director Todd Lyons says the agency should be run like a corporation after comparing the federal governments deportation operations to Amazon and FedEx ( AFP via Getty Images )

Fourteen of the 20 largest ICE detention centers in the U.S. are in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, a network that immigrant advocates have labelled deportation alley. The jails  most of which are operated by private prison companies  hold thousands of people each year.

More than 7,000 people are currently jailed in Louisianas immigration detention centers while Texas facilities are holding more than 12,000. More than 56,000 people are in ICE detention across the country.

But Louisiana is home to the nations only ICE detention center with a tarmac. The facility in Alexandria has become the nations busiest deportation airport with 1,200 flights to other U.S. detention centers and more than 200 planes leaving the country since Trump took office.

ICE has operated at least 209 deportation flights in June, the highest level since 2020. During the first six months of Trump's second presidency, ICE removed nearly 150,000 people from the U.S.

Alexandria, a city of roughly 44,000 people, is the ninth largest in the state but surrounded by forest and swampland, with summer temperatures regularly climbing into triple digits with humidity levels exceeding 70 percent.

Detainees at the facility in Alexandria cannot be held for more than 72 hours, and the facility does not permit access to visitors or even legal counsel, according to attorneys.

Suri was held there for three days before being transferred to a Texas detention center where he was housed in the TV room, according to his attorneys. He was given only a thin plastic mattress. Suri was released after spending eight weeks in detention amid an ongoing legal battle.

open image in gallery Georgetown University scholar Badar Khani Suri is among hundreds of people who have been detained at the facility in Alexandria, which functions as a central hub for the Trump administrations deportation agenda by temporarily detaining deportees before sending them to other detention centers ( AP )

Louisiana locks up more people per capita than any other U.S. state, in a country with one of the highest incarceration rates on the planet.

Most incarcerated people in Louisiana are in local jails, and the state pays sheriffs a daily rate per inmate, creating what civil rights groups fear is a cruel pay-to-play system that incentivizes locking people up.

In 2017, the states Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards advanced legislation to reduce the states prison population, which ultimately fell by more than 8,000 over the next five years.

But at the same time, the first Trump administration was ramping up immigration arrests and expanding capacity to hold immigrants in detention.

Following Trumps 2016 victory, ICE expanded the nations immigration detention system by more than 50 percent, with contracts for private companies to operate at least 40 new detention facilities. Companies including GEO Group, CoreCivic and LaSalle Corrections own or operate facilities that jail the majority of immigrants.

All but one of Louisianas nine facilities are run by private prison firms.

The 400-bed detention center in Alexandria is run by GEO Group, whose stock is valued at roughly $4 billion.

Inside, dorm-style units hold up to 80 people each, and each includes an expansive processing area with rows of benches and walls lined with hundreds of shackles. People who are processed at the facility from arriving flights are placed in five-point restraints and forced to sit on the benches, according to immigration attorneys.

Before it opened in 2014, ICE transported people by bus from different jails to a local commercial airport or Alexandria International Airport, a converted military base that has emerged as what human rights groups called a national nerve center for ICE Air, the group of charter airlines contracted with the agency to operate deportation flights.

Alexandria allows the concentrated detention and staging of hundreds of people at a time, optimizing efficiency of ICEs deportation machine, according to a 2024 report from a coalition of human rights groups.

In August 2017, the Department of Homeland Securitys Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties found that the Alexandria facility is not properly screening for and identifying detainees at risk for suicide and does not provide mental health treatment and programming, the report found.

That civil rights office was among bureaus within Homeland Security that have been abruptly shuttered under Trumps second administration.

open image in gallery Geo Group is among several for-profit prison companies that operate a majority of ICE detention centers. All but one of Louisianas nine facilities are run by contractors ( AFP via Getty Images )

Alexandria is a two-hour drive from Baton Rouge and more than three hours away from New Orleans, where most of the states immigration attorneys live and practice.

That distance has made access to legal counsel for the nearly 8,000 people in Louisianas detention facilities enormously difficult. There is little if any access to the internet or law libraries and few chances to privately speak with family or attorneys.

To visit detainees at another facility, the Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center, roughly 200 miles from New Orleans, Tulane University law professor Mary Yanik and students with the Immigrants Rights Law Clinic said they leave by 5:30 a.m. and return as late as 10 p.m., in order to speak with as many people as possible.

That is a grueling schedule, if you think about the number of hours for a single visit with a client for a single court hearing, she told The Independent earlier this year. They feel forgotten. They feel like theyre screaming into a void.

The most common question among them is why am I here?

Theyre so disoriented by what was happening to them, and so confused. At least one person thought they were in Texas, she said. What is going on? Cant I just go home?
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A leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security suggests that the Trump administration is considering using the U.S. military to boost its ongoing mass deportation agenda, while acknowledging the deployment of troops in Los Angeles earlier this year wasnt perfect, according to a new report.

The memo was allegedly written by DHS senior adviser Phil Hegseth, the brother of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The New Republic published the texts on Saturday.

President Donald Trump has already used U.S. military personnel in his aggressive deportation campaign. In June, Trump nationalized approximately 5,000 National Guard members and sent them to LA to push back against protesters demonstrating against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids in their neighborhoods.

In addition to the National Guard members, Trump also sent 700 U.S. Marines to the city to stomp out the "violent insurrectionist mob."

Most of the military members sent to LA have since been pulled out of the city.

open image in gallery A new leak involving the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, lead by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggests that the U.S. military will be used to assist with President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda ( AP )

The DHS memo outlines a June 21 meeting between senior DHS and Pentagon officials, according to The New Republic, and suggests that U.S. military members will be needed to carry out Trumps deportation efforts for "years to come."

Top level officials from both agencies, including Hegseth and acting ICE commissioner Todd Lyons, were listed as participants, the outlet reported.

The memo advises departments on how they can "better plan for national security and illegal immigration" via three action items, including utilizing the Pentagon's "nationwide operational planning capabilities."

"The U.S. military leadership (the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and NORTHCOM) need to feel  for the first time  the urgency of the homeland defense mission. They need to understand the threat, whats at stake, and the political importance the administration has placed on this issue," the memo reads.

Later in the memo, it acknowledges that the troop deployment to LA didn't go the way the Trump administration had hoped. It does suggest that they are expecting similar operations to be carried out in the future, however.

open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty )

Everyone here is also aware of our joint work in L.A., it states. It hasnt been perfect, and were still working through best practices together, but I think its a good indicator of the type of operations (and resistance) were going to be working through for years to come.

The Independent has requested comment from the Department of Homeland Security.
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A volcano in Russia has erupted for the first time in 600 years and may be linked to a recent major earthquake in the east of the country.

The Krasheninnikov Volcano erupted on Saturday which was the epicentre of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings for Japan, parts of the US and the Philippines on Wednesday.

Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), told Russia's state-run RIA news agency."This is the first historical eruption of the Krasheninnikov volcano in 600 years.

According to RIA, Ms Girina suggested the eruption could be linked to the earthquake recorded in Kamchatka.

( Kronotsky State Nature Reserve )

On the Telegram channel of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Ms Girina said that Krasheninnikov's last lava effusion took place within 40 years of 1463, and no eruption has been known since.

The Kamchatka branch of Russia's ministry for emergency services said that an ash plume rising up to 6,000 meters (3.7 miles) has been recorded following the volcano's eruption.

The volcano itself stands at 1,856 metres."The ash cloud has drifted eastward, toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path," the ministry said on Telegram.

Another earthquake was recorded earlier today, with German Research Centre for Geosciences, saying a magnitude 6.7 struck Russia's Kuril Islands.

The Kuril Islands stretch from the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS) also measured the quake at 7.

There was no tsunami warning from the PTWS after the quake.

However, Russias Ministry for Emergency Services said Tsunami said on the Telegram messaging app, after the latest seismic activity in the area, that: The expected wave heights are low, but you must still move away from the shore.
KABUL, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's Ministry of Energy and Water has signed an agreement with an Afghan firm, Azizi Group, for the production, transmission, and distribution of 10,000 megawatts of electricity, the state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported on Saturday.

The project was expected to create jobs and enhance the country's energy self-sufficiency.

Mirwais Azizi, head of Azizi Group, said at the event that the project would generate approximately 150,000 jobs and help reduce youth migration by offering employment opportunities within the country.

The ministry said the project, to be implemented across some provinces, will expand public access to electricity and boost national revenues while fostering long-term economic growth.

Afghanistan produces approximately 600 megawatts of electricity from domestic sources, which accounts for 30 percent of total power consumed. Meanwhile, 70 percent is imported from neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan, at a cost of 227 million U.S. dollars annually. 
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The family of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, held by Hamas in Gaza since their bloody attack in Israel on 7 October 2023, has accused the group of deliberately starving him as part of a propaganda campaign.

The family statement came after Hamas released a video showing an emaciated Mr David in a narrow concrete tunnel.

We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamass tunnels in Gaza  a living skeleton, buried alive, the family statement said.

The hostages family also urged the Israeli government and the world community to do everything possible to save Evyatar.

Hamas released its second video in two days of Mr David over the weekend. In it, Mr David, who is very thin, is shown digging a hole, which, he says in the video, is for his own grave.

Mr David is heard saying: I havent eaten for days... I barely got drinking water.

They are on the absolute brink of death, Davids brother, Ilay, said at a rally in support of the hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday, where thousands gathered holding posters of those in captivity and chanted for their immediate release.

In the current unimaginable condition, they may have only days left to live.

Israels minister of foreign affairs Gideon Saar said the world cannot remain silent in the face of the difficult images that are the result of deliberate sadistic abuse of the hostages, which also includes starvation.

Donald Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has told families of hostages that he is working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.

A still from the video of Evyatar David released by Hamas ( AFP/Getty )

Mr Trump has made ending the conflict a major priority of his administration, though negotiations have faltered. Mr Witkoff is visiting Israel as its government faces mounting pressure over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

In a recording of the meeting, reviewed by Reuters, Mr Witkoff is heard saying: We have a very, very good plan that were working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu ... for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war.

Mr Witkoff also said that Hamas was prepared to disarm in order to end the war, although the group has repeatedly said it will not lay down its weapons.

In response, Hamas, which has dominated Gaza since 2007, said it would not relinquish armed resistance unless an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital was established.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and a deal for the release of half the hostages ended last week in deadlock.

Mr Witkoff, who arrived in Israel with Benjamin Netanyahus government facing a global outcry over the devastation in Gaza and the starvation growing among its 2.2 million people, met the prime minister on Thursday.

Afterwards, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and Washington was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip, echoing Israels key demands for ending the war.

On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating ceasefire efforts, endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As part of it, they said Hamas must hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

The crisis in Gaza has also prompted a string of Western powers to announce they may recognise a Palestinian state.

On Friday, Mr Witkoff visited a US-backed aid operation in southern Gaza, which the United Nations has partly blamed for deadly conditions in the enclave, saying he sought to get food and other aid to people there.

Dozens have died of malnutrition in recent weeks after Israel cut off all supplies to the enclave for nearly three months from March to May, according to Gazas health ministry. It said on Saturday that it had recorded seven more fatalities, including a child, since Friday.

Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza and says it is taking steps for more aid to reach its population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, airdrops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

UN agencies have said that airdrops of food are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and quickly ease access to it.

The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in an attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Reuters
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has requested the Red Crosss help in getting food and medical care to hostages in Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu said on Sunday he had spoken with the organisations regional head, Julien Lerisson.

There are 49 hostages believed still in Gaza, of whom 27 are believed dead.

In a post on X, Mr Netanyahu said he had requested Mr Lerissons immediate involvement in providing the hostages with food and medical treatment.

He also repeated his earlier claim that Palestinian people in Gaza are not suffering from starvation.

That comes despite reports from Palestinian health officials of more than 111 malnutrition-related deaths in the enclave and warnings from several of the worlds largest aid organisations of a devastating humanitarian crisis.

open image in gallery Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ( Getty )

The lie of starvation propagated by Hamas is spreading worldwide, but the reality is that systematic starvation is being carried out against our hostages  men and women who are subjected to severe and cruel physical and psychological abuse, his post said.

The world cannot remain indifferent to the shocking images that are reminiscent of Nazi crimes.

I demanded the involvement of the world's nations in condemning the terrorist organisations Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and in halting all forms of support for them, direct or indirect.

I emphasised to [Mr Lerisson] that the actions of these terrorist organisations violate international law and the Geneva Convention.

open image in gallery A still from a video released by Hamas of Evyatar David ( Getty Images/AFP )

Over the weekend, Hamas released two videos showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David, whom it has held since the bloody 7 October 2023 attack.

One showed an emaciated Mr David in a narrow concrete tunnel, while the other showed him digging a hole, which he said was for his own grave.

Mr David is heard saying: "I haven't eaten for days... I barely got drinking water."

His family said in a statement: "We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamas's tunnels in Gaza  a living skeleton, buried alive."

The hostage's family also urged the Israeli government and the world community to do "everything possible to save Evyatar".
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Israel has closed nearly nine out of 10 investigations into alleged war crimes and abuses by its forces in Gaza and the West Bank without any charges or findings of wrongdoing, according to a report by a conflict monitor.

Data from conflict monitor Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) shows Israel has closed 88 per cent of cases into alleged war crimes and abuses by its forces in Gaza and the occupied West Bank without filing charges or finding wrongdoing.

The organisation examined 52 incidents publicly acknowledged by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or reported in international media between October 2023 and June 2025. These cases accounted for 1,303 Palestinian deaths, 1,880 injuries and two allegations of torture.

AOAV found only one investigation resulted in a prison sentence  a seven-month term for a reservist filmed abusing detainees at Sde Teiman detention centre in February this year.

Five other inquiries concluded violations had occurred, but led only to internal reprimands. The remaining 46 cases  seven closed with no findings of fault and 39 still unresolved  suggest a pattern of impunity, AOAV said in its report.

These figures show a system that overwhelmingly shields its forces from accountability even in the most serious, public cases, Iain Overton and Lucas Tsantzouris, the team at AOAV, wrote.

Among the high-profile cases still under review is the February 2024 killing of at least 112 Palestinians queueing for flour in Gaza City, a May strike on a Rafah tent camp that killed 45 people, and the 1 June deaths of 31 civilians heading to a food distribution point in Rafah.

A Palestinian man walk overs the rubble and debris at the site of Israeli strikes the night before at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip ( AFP/Getty )

The IDF said all exceptional incidents where laws of war may have been breached are assessed by a dedicated fact-finding team before any referral to military police.

In a statement included in AOAVs analysis, the army said: Any report, complaint or allegation that suggests misconduct by IDF forces undergoes an initial examination process, irrespective of its source.

However, critics say the system is slow, opaque and rarely leads to trials. Israeli rights group Yesh Din told AOAV that just one prosecution came from 664 complaints linked to previous Gaza operations between 2014 and 2021.

In a statement shared with The Independent, the IDF said: Since the beginning of the war, dozens of Military Police investigations have been opened on suspicion of incidents involving the death of detainees; improper treatment of detainees; using detainees to carry out military tasks; suspicions of looting, theft of weapons, and destruction of property; and suspicion of unlawful use of force. Most of these investigations are still ongoing.

The statement added: During armed conflict, operational activity may result in the death or injury of civilians, as well as damage to civilian property. Such outcomes, while unwanted and regrettable, generally do not, in and of themselves, raise a reasonable suspicion of a criminal offence, since they may result from operational activity conducted in accordance with the law. In these cases, additional information is required to assess whether a reasonable suspicion of a criminal offence arises.

One of the most scrutinised cases in the current war involved the April 2024 drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, despite them travelling in clearly marked vehicles with their movements coordinated in advance.

The IDF later called it a grave mistake, dismissed two officers and reprimanded others, but no criminal charges were brought.

The IDF statement to The Independent added that a permanent, independent IDF body called the General Staff Fact-Finding Assessment Mechanism investigates exceptional incidents during military operations.

During the Iron Swords war, the mechanism has been activated to examine exceptional incidents that occurred during the fighting. These include, among other things, incidents in which harm to assets or personnel of humanitarian aid organisations was alleged; incidents involving alleged harm to shelters for displaced persons; and incidents in which harm to medical institutions or staff was alleged.

To date, the mechanism has completed its review in dozens of cases, and these have been transferred to the Military Advocate General for examination.

Meanwhile, AOAV, in its report, said that unresolved cases included four fatal incidents last month alone near food distribution points in Gaza.

The report concludes that Israels investigations fall far short of international standards for independent, transparent inquiries into alleged war crimes, warning that internal reviews allow the country to resist external legal scrutiny while victims are left without justice.
Despite the puny pound, a bargain-basement waterside holiday in Europe is still a possibility. Just move beyond the obvious tourist destinations and head east  to the likes of Poland, Latvia and Albania  where you will find a warm welcome, intriguing history, and a touch of the exotic.

Here Simon Calder shares his top five destinations to enjoy the beach away from the usual holiday crowds.

Sopot, Poland

open image in gallery Just 20 minutes from Gdansk is a vast swathe of white sand ( Getty/iStock )

The Baltic coast of Poland is sea-bathing heaven, though the water could be a touch warmer. The shore comprises a couple of hundred miles of sandy beach. And my favourite spot is the handsome 19th-century resort of Sopot  just a 20-minute train ride from the city of Gdansk, beyond the former Lenin shipyards. You can enjoy a vast swathe of soft white sand and benign sea on a beach that is ideal for young families, and 20th-century prices. If you can tear yourself away from the beach, take a trip from the end of the pier across the bay to Hel  a pretty fishing village at the end of a spit, and the eastern extreme of Puck County.

Swinoujscie, Poland

open image in gallery Try this destination at the far west of the Polish Riviera ( Getty/iStock )

At the far west of the Polish Riviera, Swinoujscie is hard to pronounce (try schvin-oo-oyshter) but easy to enjoy. The approach is fun: the train from handsome and fascinating Szczecin (shchetsin) takes you to a town that suffered gravely in the Second World War but retains some classic 19th-century airs. The beach of soft white sand is blissful, and the hinterland has much of interest on both the Polish and German sides of the border.

Jurmala, Latvia

open image in gallery Jurmala is blessed with a 20-mile stretch of picturesque beach ( Getty/iStock )

Latvia is not the go-to nation for seekers of long, sandy beaches. But perhaps it should be. This Baltic republic is blessed with a 20-mile silvery strand presided over by the spa town of Jurmala  just 37 minutes by train from the capital, Riga. Much of the beach is fringed by pine forest. In town, the architectural repertoire ranges from Soviet order (Brezhnev and Khrushchev were regular visitors) to Art Nouveau joy.

Durres, Albania

open image in gallery Pitch up a deckchair at this bustling port on the Adriatic coast ( Getty/iStock )

Most people who land at Mother Teresa International airport, the gateway to Albania, head 20 minutes southeast to the capital, Tirana. But I aim half an hour southwest, to Durres on the Adriatic coast: a beach resort with Roman remains, a bustling port, and the Peeping Tourist museum  a testament to the decades under hardline communism when every overseas visitor was spied upon.

Ohrid, North Macedonia

open image in gallery Just 10 minutes from the airport you can find the lakeside town of Ohrid ( Getty/iStock )

Amid the mountains in the deep south of the former Yugoslavia lies the lakeside town of Ohrid. The town is a mere 10-minute drive from the airport. It combines Unesco world heritage-listed ancient monasteries with its status as a fun resort beside the deepest body of water in the Balkans: Lake Ohrid. It has a plausible stretch of beach, flower-strewn lanes through which to wander, and decent restaurants serving tasty Balkan cuisine at prices from a distant era. You can also take a trip into soaring mountains, or make a circuit of the lake, including a stretch through Albania: dont forget your passport.
Its not just that its financial results showed its cloud computing doing well, or that the worlds IT managers still make everyone use Microsofts Office for their own reasons; its that Microsoft has been cleverly on board the AI train since the beginning, from investing in OpenAI to branding Copilot and generally being savvy about AI being important to computing.
Canadian state wholesaler wants Irish whiskey to replace US spirits in 25,000 outlets, agriculture minister says

Martin Heydon exploring potential deal in massive boost to the sector

Martin Heydon has spoken to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Photo: Frank McGrath

Fearghal OConnor Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Irelands embattled whiskey sector could fill the gap left on Canadian liquor shelves following the removal of US drinks products in reaction to Donald Trumps tariffs against Americas northern neighbour, a key government-owned alcohol distributor has told the Irish Government.
Company files High Court bid to resolve ownership issue around closed manufacturing plant

Dulux Paints has taken legal action in the High Court against the Public Expenditure Minister but has declined to say if the move is a precursor to a sale of its now-shuttered manufacturing site in Cork.

The site, which straddles the River Bride near the Commons Road in Blackpool on the northside of the city, had been used to manufacture paint for 140 years before Dulux closed it down at the end of last year.
Solar 21 claims it can still return up to 90pc of investors money despite the insolvency of a key part of its group.

But such returns are now heavily dependent on the value that can be achieved from the sale of the rights of a proposed energy project in North Lincolnshire that has the go-ahead from the UK government. That is according to an update from consultancy group Alvarez & Marsal which is supervising a High Court-approved scheme of arrangement aimed at repaying Solar 21 investors.
Since its launch in 2013, Enterprise Ireland's specialist tech support programme has delivered over 75m in R&D, completing around 8,500 projects with 5,800 companies

Many companies start with Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers, which offer up to 10,000 worth of researcher time. Illustration: Getty

From polymers and photonics to mechatronics and manufacturing, when Irish companies need expert research and development (R&D) support, the Technology Gateway Network is often their first port of call.

Since its launch in 2013, the Network has delivered over 75 million worth of research completing around 8,500 projects with 5,800 companies across the country. It welcomes new contacts from businesses of all sizes looking to explore new ideas, solve technical challenges, or bring innovations to life.

Spanning Ireland, the network has 17 centres of R&D excellence in the five Technological Universities and Dundalk Institute of Technology.

These centres are home to over 300 industry-focused researchers with specialist equipment and facilities.

They can help businesses to develop new products or services, optimise existing processes or otherwise innovate in how they operate.

Gateway can help companies identify technical needs and match them to researchers who can help

The centres give start-ups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fast access to expertise and specialist equipment they may not have in-house. Larger companies and multinationals can also tap into the expertise of the network.

Each Gateway is a research centre based in one of Irelands technological universities or in Dundalk Institute of Technology, and is home to specialist R&D teams and cutting-edge facilities.

The Gateways also act as a bridge between academia and industry  helping companies identify technical needs and matching them to researchers who can help.

The first step is to contact your local Technology Gateway. If your local centre isnt the right fit, theyll connect you with another in the network whose specialism aligns with your needs.

The Smarter Factory Gateway at the Technological University of the Shannon in Limerick is a centre of excellence for Industry 4.0/5.0, for example. Its researchers help manufacturers looking to innovate with automation, data analytics, robotics and more.

Many companies start with Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers, which offer up to 10,000 worth of researcher time. Illustration: Getty

CREST in TU Dublin specialises in coatings innovation solutions for industry in the engineering, construction, healthcare and biomedical industries. These could include anti-bacterial, anti-microbial or anti-rust coatings, for example.

Meanwhile, Nimbus in Munster Technological University Cork develops Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber Physical System prototypes for a broad range of companies, connecting everyday objects and systems and making them smart.

To date, the average project value has been 10k but the largest single Technology Gateway project to date was worth 907k

While Enterprise Ireland funds the facilitation of these collaborations, companies typically fund the R&D work itself. Many start with Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers, which offer up to 10,000 worth of researcher time to help develop an idea or product, or crack a business or technical challenge.

They can apply for four vouchers in total, but the fourth must be co-funded by the company, although it can cover costs up to 20,000.

Other businesses use funding from the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnerships Programme for their Technology Gateway research costs, but ultimately most fund most of the costs themselves.

To date, the average project value has been 10,000 but the largest single Technology Gateway project to date was worth 907,000.

The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27.

Find out more about the Technology Gateway Network and how to get started with requesting R&D support on TechnologyGateway.ie. Mark Whelan is the Technology Gateway Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland.
Warning Dublin Airport passenger cap could unleash reciprocal Trump transatlantic aviation restrictions

US Transportation chief Sean Duffy said administration was monitoring EU countries that introduce 'unjustified operational limits

A DAA spokesman said: 'The US is right to be concerned. This cap is outdated, unworkable, and is increasingly seen as a trade barrier.' Pictured, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Photo: via Getty Images

Fearghal O'Connor Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Ireland could be hit with transatlantic aviation restrictions by the Trump administration because of the cap at Dublin Airport after US transportation secretary Sean Duffy issued a stark warning to European airports.
SYDNEY, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- An emergency search is underway for a woman who was swept away in floodwater north of Sydney.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Sunday that the woman believed to be in her 20s was one of the two people in a car that became stuck while attempting to drive through floodwater near the town of Rothbury, 130 km north of Sydney, at around 7:50 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Both occupants were attempting to exit the vehicle when the female passenger was swept away. The driver, a second woman aged 27, was uninjured.

An emergency search commenced but was suspended overnight before resuming on Sunday morning.

During the initial search on Saturday night, crews from the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) located a 40-year-old man stuck in a nearby tree after he also became trapped in floodwater.

The man was swept from the tree but was eventually rescued and taken to hospital for assessment.

The NSW SES responded to over 1,400 calls for assistance amid heavy rain, wind and snow that hit the Hunter, Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast regions north of Sydney on Saturday.

In a severe weather warning issued at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology said that damaging winds were expected to ease by early afternoon. 
Galen Weston and his wife Hilary at the opening of the new Brown Thomas Store in Grafton Street in Dublin in February 1995

Irish-Canadian businesswoman, Hilary Weston, who helped build Penneys and Brown Thomas, has died at the age of 83, her family has confirmed.

The Dublin-born woman, who was also the former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, passed away in England, where she had been living in recent years.
Genspect, the organisation Ms OMalley founded, has filed a separate action

Psychotherapist Stella OMalley has filed a defamation case against the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and a fellow psychotherapist who criticised her views on transgender healthcare.

Ms OMalley is suing the IACP and Leonie ODowd, who wrote an article that criticised them both in the IACPs winter 2024 journal. It was a special edition on LGBTQ+ issues.
Little-known tax break proves a boon for the ultra-rich, including Galway Races aficionados

Irelands high-flyers are taking off again, as the number of privately owned helicopters is on the rise.

Its still a world away from the boom, when the skies over the Galway Races were filled with those nipping to Morans Oyster Cottage on the Weir for a seafood lunch before heading back to the Ballybrit playground.
Irish teenagers report lowest level of daily irritability, study finds

About 10pc of Irish teens felt irritable more than once a week, while 36pc said they rarely or never experienced the emotion

The research found that around 10pc of Irish teens said they felt the emotion more than once week. Stock image/Posed/Getty

Lynne Kelleher Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

A new global mental health study shows Irish teenagers report the lowest levels of daily irritability among nine countries.
My family is surviving on bread and plants, I cant find a moment of peace  Young man evacuated from Gaza to Ireland

Journalist from the war-torn territory is worried his family back home will die from starvation

'We will rebuild Gaza again and live our lives free and safely' - journalist Abubaker Abed

Ali Bracken Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

A young journalist from Gaza who was evacuated to Ireland from the war-torn territory three months ago has urged Irish people to put pressure on the Government to help stop the ongoing starvation and genocide in his homeland.
Not in a million years would I forgive him: Alanna Quinn Idris on man who instigated attack that left her blind in one eye

The young Dublin woman is rebuilding her life after she sustained life-changing injuries in a violent assault four years ago

Alanna Quinn Idris says she has received amazing public support

Emma McMenamy Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 15:30

Alanna Quinn Idris says she cannot forgive the man who instigated a violent attack that led to her losing an eye.
Not in our wildest dreams did we think Dad was a victim of domestic abuse  daughter of man who died after being pushed by partner

James Ryans family are seeking justice for their father, who was unlawfully killed last year by Olesja Hertova

Karen and Lynn Ryan speak on the loss of their father James

Ali Bracken Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Only after James Shey Ryan was killed did his family learn the extent of the domestic abuse he was suffering at the hands of his long-term partner.
Obituary: Dan Browne, research scientist who co-founded Dawn Meats and served as chairman of Bord Bia and Teagasc

Corkman played a key role in development of Irish dairy and beef sectors

Dan Browne was one of the founders of Dawn Meats

Lorna Siggins Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Dan Browne, who has died at the age of 88, was a research scientist who applied his business acumen to become one of the leading figures in the development of the Irish dairy and beef sector.
Obituary: Edward OGrady, trainer who conquered Cheltenham and was embroiled in betting coup

Tipperary man was arrested but not charged in 1975 over attempt to win big at the bookies with a bait-and-switch

Edward O'Grady never spoke about the betting scandal

Telegraph obituaries Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Edward OGrady, of Thurles, Co Tipperary, who has died aged 75, was the leading Irish trainer at Cheltenham in the 1980s and 1990s, but he first came to prominence in 1975 with his arrest at that festival in connection with the Gay Future betting coup, known to insiders as Operation Crock of Gold.
Obituary: Sean Rocks, actor and broadcaster who became an authentic voice of the arts scene on Arena

Monaghan man was skilled at asking the right questions and steering discussions on RTE Radio 1s hidden gem of a show

Sean Rocks, the RTE Radio 1 presenter and former actor who died last week

Tony Clayton-Lea Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Sean Rocks, the RTE Radio 1 presenter and former actor who died last week at the age of 64 after a brief illness, once said that radio is never about the presenter. Its about the person who is opposite you.
SYDNEY, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese consulate-general in Sydney told Xinhua on Sunday that two Chinese citizens were hit by floods in Hunter Valley region of the state of New South Wales (NSW) on Saturday evening.

It said that a 26-year-old woman among the two Chinese citizens had been out of contact, while the other one, aged 27, was rescued.

The consulate-general had contacted local police multiple times to request updates on the situation and urged them to make every possible effort and deploy maximum resources in the search and rescue of the person who is missing contact.

NSW police said in a statement on Sunday afternoon that emergency services were called to Black Creek, Old North Road, Rothbury, about 16 km north of Cessnock, following reports that a car had become stuck in floodwaters. The 27-year-old driver was rescued without any injuries. The 26-year-old passenger was swept away.

Police said that a multi-agency search commenced for the woman on Saturday and continued on Sunday. But the search was suspended due to weather conditions and visibility at about 4:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, and will resume on Monday morning at about 8 a.m.. 
Sinn Fein accused of fearmongering over the threat of conscription of Irish citizens

Thomas Byrne of Fianna Fail wrote to party asking it to withdraw misleading and incendiary comments

Mary Lou McDonald: 'Our sons and daughters should not be sent to fight in foreign wars'

Mary Regan Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Sinn Fein is accused of fearmongering over the threat of conscription of Irish citizens, and running a misinformation campaign over the proposed removal of the triple lock.
State spends 3,400 on Kenyan speakers Shelbourne Hotel stay

Extra night was booked so visiting dignitary did not have to wait to check-in

Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel

Ken Foxe Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Leinster House spent 3,400 on a suite at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin for a three-night-stay for the speaker of the Kenyan parliament.
Nikita Hand pursues McGregor for malicious abuse of process and aggravated damages

Action lodged against MMA fighter and two former neighbours

Nikita Hand speaks to the media outside the High Court last week. Photo: Collins Courts

Mark Tighe and Maeve Sheehan Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Nikita Hand is seeking aggravated and punitive damages against MMA fighter Conor McGregor over his conduct in his appeal of a jurys verdict.
Naoise Dolan: Images of starving children in Gaza cannot be denied, try as some people might

As Israels supporters look to single out isolated cases, trying to claim a gotcha means a person has lost not only the moral ground but all ground

Maryam Abdulaziz Mahmoud Davvas (9), who took shelter with her family at a displacement centre due to Israeli attacks, is unable to walk due to severe malnutrition. Photo: Getty

Naoise Dolan Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 06:30

There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel [in Gaza], everything is closed, the then Israeli Minister for Defence Yoav Gallant said on October 9, 2023. We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.
Poll shows nearly two-thirds believe bloc is somewhat or much disimproved since start of the conflict in Gaza

Three-quarters of respondents in our poll said the EU should have been ready to risk some disruption by standing up to Donald Trump. Photo: Getty

If a referendum on our continued membership of the European Union were to be held in Ireland tomorrow, the option to leave would be soundly defeated.

Beyond a few cranks, there is no real appetite for any form of Irexit. Indeed, the most recent Eurobarometer survey, which tracks public opinion across the 27 member states, found that Ireland continues to share the highest level of trust in the EUs institutions, along with Poland.

There are some clouds, nonetheless, on which political weather-watchers would do well to keep an eye, lest they rain on any future parade.

On two key markers, those being the continuing nightmare in Gaza and the trade deal the EU concluded last week with US president Donald Trump, todays Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll reveals growing angst at the direction being taken in Brussels.

About seven in 10 respondents rate the EUs performance on Israel-Gaza as either bad or very bad. More than half (58pc) also regard the EUs performance on the tariff deal as bad or very bad.

Dissatisfaction goes well beyond those two issues. On question after question, Irish voters give a resounding thumbs-down in this poll to the blocs efforts to tackle problems they are facing every day, be it the cost of living (63pc take a negative view) or immigration (68pc negative, with 0pc rating the EUs performance as very good).

Overall, 63pc say their opinion of the EU is either somewhat or much disimproved since the start of the conflict in Gaza, up significantly from 51pc a year ago.

These are remarkable figures in a country where there are rarely any stirrings of discontent at the EU, and fewer still since Brexit starkly demonstrated the perils of isolationism.

There is no room in the Irish political marketplace for Euroscepticism

It speaks of a lack of appreciation of the potential of conflict in Gaza to destabilise domestic politics in Europe. Add in the spanner that Trump has thrown into the works by strong-arming the EU into a trade deal that increasingly appears to represent a capitulation to US might, and the potential for further disruption is obvious.

There is no room in the Irish political marketplace for Euroscepticism. Most of us recognise that EU membership has served us well.

All the same, complacency must be avoided. Europe has always been able to hide its differences under a comfort blanket of economic stability. The current omnishambles of crises rocking trust in the EU has only been exacerbated since Trump came into office, as he lives up to his reputation as a Great Disruptor.

The leverage he now exerts over our economic and political discourse may be uncomfortable for anyone who values democracy over dominance.

A significant 77pc of people in our poll believe the EU should have been prepared to risk some disruption of its own by standing up to Trump more on tariffs. Doing so might even have been the making of the EU.

Those who cherish the solidity provided by European solidarity must at least use the space provided by the US trade deal, imperfect as it is, to finally confront the blocs internal divisions. It is these, rather than any malicious actions by the White House, that could prove its undoing.

Paying humble attention to the disaffection indicated in our latest poll, rather than breathing a sigh of relief that it has not yet spilled over into more toxic forms of protest, would be a good start.
Eilis OHanlon: Simon Harriss posts about stabbed garda and Sean Rocks prove he is looking for validation in the wrong places

To keep chasing a youth vote that simply isnt there for Fine Gael, at the expense of loyal older voters, makes no sense

Cartoon by Tom Halliday

Eilis O'Hanlon Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 09:10

An on-duty garda was stabbed in broad daylight on Capel Street in Dublin early on Tuesday evening.
The so-called White Widow is one of the worlds most wanted Islamic terror suspects.

Samantha Lewthwaite has been linked to 400 deaths and the 7/7 attacks, and is alleged to remain at large in Somalia.

Shes been on the wanted list in multiple countries for 20 years  and shes from Banbridge.

After spending her early years in the County Down town, she moved with family to Elsbury, near Birmingham.

After converting to Islam in her late teens, she married Germaine Lindsay  who would later become infamous for his role as a suicide bomber in the London 7/7 attacks in 2005.

The White Widow is rumoured to currently be in the company of terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

How did she go from County Down school girl to a hunted Al-Qaeda suspect?

Todays Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel. Reporter James McNaney has been researching this extraordinary story, and he joins Ciaran Dunbar.
Every week in our Kerry archives piece, we take a trip back in time 25 years ago to see what was making the headlines in back then. This week, were looking at August 4, 2000 so sit back, have a read and see if you remember if you remember any of these stories:

Duo in flight panic thought they would die

Bartley O'Connor, Knocknagoshel: "I thought we were finished."

Two young Kerry men who were on the Futura Air holiday flight involved in a near-miss crash scare at the weekend thought their final hour had come.

Gareth Dillon, from Tralee, told The Kerryman on Tuesday, "The shock is only kicking in today. I just got off the flight and am only coming to terms with it."

Mr Dillon, originally from The Kerries, was so stunned by the incident that he told The Kerryman in a clearly shaking voice that he couldn't talk about it. His friend and fellow passenger, Bartley O'Connor of Knocknagoshel, said he thought his time had come when the Futura Air flight plunged 200 feet after take-off.

I thought we were finished," Mr O'Connor said this week.

"I have a lot of experience in flying, but this was probably the worst incident I have experienced," he added.

The two friends were returning from the Canaries on a Futura Air flight with Panorama Holidays. They had spent the week with two friends from Co Leitrim.

"There were a number of bangs and loud noises on the right-hand side of the plane. Immediately, the plane went from side to side, the wings dipped, and we nose-dived 200 feet," Mr O'Connor said.

The incident occurred only days after the Paris Concorde disaster. Mr O'Connor said everyone on board the Futura Air craft had the same thought.

"Most people were staring into space and praying. There was a look of terror on everybody's face, wondering if they were ever going to see land again, he said.

The initial shock was followed by another. Cabin crew announced that the plane would not be able to complete an emergency landing because it was carrying too much fuel, risking an explosion.

Passengers had to endure another hour and a half of flight before the plane could land safely, and all the while, the damaged engine was sparking and flaming.

"I felt the plane was going to explode. We were told we would not be able to complete the trip because of what had happened, but because of the fuel we couldn't land immediately,'' Mr O'Connor said.

Bartley O'Connor and Gareth Dillon tried to pass the time by playing mental games, but this only worked for a while. When the plane finally landed, the passengers started clapping and cheering, and a party atmosphere took over.

However, the passengers were then subjected to a four-hour wait in the airport with no medical assistance, before a Panorama representative tried to persuade them to fly home on the same aeroplane. They finally returned on another Futura Air flight.

Listowel pays for parking privilege

Listowel introduced paid parking for the first time in August of 2000.

The wet conditions on Tuesday afternoon didn't deter the shoppers from the usual hustle and bustle around the streets of Listowel. Still, it wasn't the inclement conditions that were most prominent in their minds.

The town's parking situation was on everybody's lips. Tuesday, August 1, will long be remembered as the day that pay parking was initiated in the town for the first time ever.

The decision was not taken without some difficulty, as town councillors voted with considerable reluctance in November to implement pay parking in a town which previously boasted that it was the only urban centre in the county to permit free parking.

The overall consensus among shoppers, businessmen, women, and residents was that the new measure should, if at all possible, be avoided. Some people feel that the new measure will serve to divert business away from the town, while residents in the town are aggrieved that they have to pay to park outside their homes.

As traffic warden Michael Houlihan worked his way through the town, he told The Kerryman that, as it was the first day of the new scheme, he was being lenient with car owners.

"I have a tough reputation, but I am being lenient today. Some people are using the discs today, and others are not. But we are giving a few days' grace," he said, adding that he had not issued a single ticket on the first day of the new dispensation.

Bernie McAuliffe, who is currently living in County Kildare, is originally from Colbert Street in Listowel. She said that the situation is going to pose problems for her family.

"It is going to be desperate. We will have to get up at 9.30am, move the car, and keep moving it every two hours. We don't know what to do as we cant leave the car outside the house. It is madness, she said.

"An option is to park at the Charles Street car park, but there is no security there. We want supervised car parks, as it will be very awkward otherwise. Everybody will end up parking in places you do not have to pay for," she said.

Tadhg Moriarty, of Charles Street, Listowel, said he envisages some teething problems, but added that there shouldn't be too many problems as long as business in the town is not affected.

"Once they make provisions for locals, so that this doesn't interfere with businesses in the town, there should be no problems, he said.

"There should be a review of the whole thing after 6-12 months. Currently, there is a lot of traffic coming into the town on the Tralee side in the evenings, he added.

Jim McQuinn, Assistant Manager of Kerry Phone Centre, does not feel that the new measure is going to benefit the businesses in the town in the long run.

"I dont think it is a good idea. Listowel relies on passing trade through the town. The revenue earned from pay parking would not justify the amount of business that will be lost over this. Listowel is too small for it, he said.

Declan Boyle, from Asdee, said that although similar initiatives appear to be in place in most other towns, the question of where the money from the scheme will go must be addressed.

"Its everywhere; pay parking. Its inevitable, but I would like to know if we are going to see any of the money. What are they going to use it for? he asked.

Although Roseanne Lucey from Trien Road, Kilmorna, was unaware that the new initiative had got underway, she said it would be awkward for shoppers to get to the town.

"Itll be awkward, especially when I have the kids with me. I have gotten parking tickets so many times. It will be stricter now, and that is not necessary. Wed only be parked for a short stage, she said.

Ann OBrien from Listowel had little to complain about in this landmark scheme for the town.

"I think it will free up a lot of space for people who are shopping or visiting, she said.

When asked if she thinks the fare will increase from 40p to 1, she said that it will probably not happen before locals are consulted.

She said that if shoppers who visit the town have any problem with the new measure, then they can avail of late-night shopping and park free of charge in the process.
Three owlets ringed in nest box in landmark moment for local biodiversity project

In a major milestone for wildlife conservation in County Louth, three barn owl chicks have been successfully ringed by volunteers from the Louth Barn Owl Project, the first such occasion known in the county.

The team, who have been monitoring a specially installed nest box at a confidential location, were thrilled to discover three healthy owlets inside, two males and one female when the time came for ringing.

We thought there were only two, so finding a third chick was a lovely surprise, the group shared. They looked like little white fluffy clouds. They were just awesome to see up close.

The owlets, aged between 28 and 35 days, were carefully removed from the box for ringing under licence by Alan McCarthy of BirdWatch Ireland, with the support of a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) ranger and the local landowner.

As part of the conservation effort, volunteers have been keeping a close eye on barn owl habitats across the county, but this was one of the rare occasions they were able to interact directly with the birds before fledging.

Usually, we only see them when theyre nearly fully grown and behaving like adults. To see them at this stage was really special, the team said.

Barn owls (Tyto alba) are listed as a species of conservation concern in Ireland due to habitat loss, rodenticide poisoning, and increased road traffic. Local efforts, including the installation of nest boxes across Louth, aim to help the birds re-establish secure breeding sites in rural areas.

This latest discovery is a clear sign that the hard work is paying off.

It was a very special day for all of us involved, the group added. We cant wait to see them again in a few weeks when theyll be big enough to leave the box and look out on the world.

The Louth Barn Owl Project is encouraging members of the public to report barn owl sightings or suspected nesting locations via BirdWatch Ireland, to help continue the progress.

For now, the team are watching from a respectful distance, as these three little owls prepare for life beyond the box, soaring a little bit closer to a comeback for the species in Louth.
A 69-year old man has been unsuccessful in an appeal against a conviction for drink driving.

James Coleman, Stormanstown, Ardee, was fined 3,500 and disqualified for two years in the district court for an offence which occurred at Edmondstown, Ardee, last year.

At the conclusion of a hearing in Dundalk Circuit Court, Judge Dara Hayes imposed a three-month suspended sentence in lieu of the fine. The two-year disqualification remains.

Evidence was given that the appellant, a bachelor farmer, drove a pick-up truck onto a ditch to avoid gardai who spotted him emerge from the grounds of a pub in the early hours of the morning.

When stopped he asked the arresting officer had she nothing better to do. He also threatened her that if she was to do her job correctly she would contact a certain garda.

Gda Orna Gilroy testified that on February 11, 2024, she was on mobile patrol accompanied by Gda Kevin Kelly who was driving.

Around 3.18am at Reaghstown, Ardee, she saw a Toyota pick-up truck leave the grounds of Danny Boys licensed premises.

This vehicle was facing towards them and mounted the ditch on the passenger side to avoid the patrol car. There were no lines in the centre of the road. It could facilitate two cars passing.

The pick-up continued towards the N2. They turned to follow it.

It failed to stop at a Stop sign before crossing the main road where another vehicle took extreme action to prevent a collision.

The pick-up went onto the N2 and onto another local road at a staggered crossroads. The driver was very reluctant to pull over. He did so a few seconds after the blue lights were activated.

The case was heard in Dundalk Circuit Court.

Today's news in 90 Seconds - Monday, August 4th

Gda Gilroy said that the patrol car was in front at this stage, having used the wider entrance at Dooleys Pub, Edmondstown, to overtake.

She got out. Mr Coleman lowered his window. While talking to him the officer said that she got a smell of drink. The mans speech was slurred and his eyes glazed. He co-operated, giving his name and address.

Gda Gilroy continued that she formed her opinion (that an offence had been committed) and arrested James Coleman at 3.25am.

After caution, he replied, Have you nothing better to be doing?

Under cross-examination the witness said that she did not wait in the patrol car. Her colleague did not deal with Mr Coleman.

His driving behaviour led them to believe he was not going to stop. There was a safe spot to pull over at the entrance to Dooleys. He drove on.

The appellant had been driving slowly initially. He increased his speed after the blue lights were activated.

Gda Gilroy said the man continued to make threats.

He told her that if she was to do her job correctly she would contact a certain garda.

The court heard that Mr Coleman subsequently gave a sample which showed an over the limit reading of 60mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Judge Hayes rejected a defence submission that a Section 13 statement (of the reading) was not exhibited in evidence.

The appellant did not give evidence.

He has an old 2000 conviction for driving without reasonable consideration.

Judge Hayes upheld the district court conviction, remarking that his one concern was the comment elicited after being stopped which was an attempt to influence the garda not to properly carry out her duties.

She discreetly didnt say who was mentioned.

It was stated by counsel that Mr Coleman was a bachelor farmer who helped out in the local parish.

A very large fine had been imposed after the case was fought in the district court.

The judge said the appellant had narrowly avoided a collision with the garda car. It was inevitable that he was going to be stopped.

A reading of 60 breath was a considerable amount, well above the appropriate limit.

He was generally co-operative at the stop and when the Evidenzer machine (to take breath samples) was being used.

It was a serious matter to influence a member of the Gardai in that way when he was caught red-handed.

An order was made as outlined. The start of the two-year disqualification was postponed until December 1 next.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
SYDNEY, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- More than 27,500 homes in the east coast Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) were without power because of damage from heavy rain, strong winds and snowfall, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Saturday evening.

ABC quoted local power provider Essential Energy as saying that impacted customers should prepare for the power outages to continue overnight, because though its crews were working to restore power "where it is safe to do so," severe weather would cause delays.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said on its website that moderate to heavy rainfall was forecast to persist in the Coffs Coast, Mid North Coast, Upper Hunter and New England regions in the state Saturday afternoon, and it had issued 28 warnings about storms, and predicted minor flooding, as well as possible moderate flooding.

Nicole Hogan, assistant commissioner of NSW SES, said that heavy and persistent rainfall could cause roads to become flooded and impassable.

ABC also reported that snow had never been seen at these depths in the Northern Tablelands, and there were reports of up to 200 vehicles stuck in heavy snowfall. 
Some of the attendance at the All Ireland Senior Ceili Band Final at The Wexford Credit Union Dome in Clonard on Sunday. Pic: Jim Campbell

While last year's Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Wexford having been described was described as one of the greatest of all time, organisers have still be busily working away on ways to improve the gigantic festival even further for 2025.

With the Fleadh set to depart for Belfast in 2026, the Wexford Fleadh Committee is keen to leave the best impression possible that will live long in the memories of those in attendance  hopefully a record-breaking 700,000 people this year.

In the wake of last year's success, Chair of the Fleadh Executive Committee Eddie Taaffe vowed to carry out a thorough debrief and tweak anything that required it ahead of August 2025.

One significant piece of feedback emerging from last year was around The Dome setup in Clonard Church car park, which hosted the Fleadh's showpiece event  the Senior All-Ireland Ceili Band Competition.

Many Fleadh-goers felt that Clonard was just too far out from the main hub of activity, while others raised issues around the sound in the huge, purpose built temporary structure. At this week's meeting of the Wexford Borough District, Mr Taaffe confirmed that the committee would be addressing those concerns this year.

"We wont be using the large marquee in Clonard this year, he said. We've decided instead to relocate the Senior Ceili band competition to the tent which will host the Breakwater Festival at the far side of the bridge.

"It will offer an increased capacity and it makes sense that we can use the venue of the Sunday. Were currently in discussions with the operator there as to how everything will work.

Ceoltoiri na Slaine Fleadh orchestra at opening ceremony of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2024.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 18th June 2025

Sinn Fein councillor Tom Forde was curious as to the structure of the deal with Lantern Events, the company behind The Breakwater Festival.

"Are we getting the use of the Breakwater marquee free of charge, or has a deal been struck? he asked.

"There are certain requirements, Mr Taaffe replied. The Ceili band competition needs to be fully seated and there are also audio-visual requirements as it has to be streamed online. There will be additional costs arising from this. Seating costs will be significant. Its still more cost effective than another venue though. Well be looking to share those costs with the operator.

The Senior All Ireland Ceili Band Final at The Wexford Credit Union Dome in Clonard at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2024. Pic: Jim Campbell

Independent councillor Leonard Kelly followed up by asking if Lantern Events pay to use the council-owned land at the far side of the bridge for The Breakwater Festival.

"We charge a nominal fee only," Mr Taaffe replied. Were keen to get business into the town. We dont charge for activities on the quay either. Events like this are a huge economic driver into the town and when we dont incur any costs, I dont see why we would charge the operators.

"There is a small charge on the quay for vendors during the Fleadh, for example, because we provide them with power etc.

As well as the relocation of the Senior Ceili Band Competition, Mr Taaffe also revealed that there will be a new stage set up to the rear of St Iberius Church at Church Lane Car Park, which will see acts performing most likely from Thursday to Sunday.

"There was a huge demand for slots to perform on the main gig rig stage, he said. We wanted to create a bit more opportunity for local groups and smaller acts to perform.

"We have roughly 110 slots for performers on the main gig rig on the quay. We had over 400 applications, so there were lots of people disappointed. Hopefully, well be able to give a lot of acts another shot at it by performing on this additional stage.

Mr Taaffe also confirmed changes to parking arrangements this year. Last year, the old Timber Providers yard at Redmond Road had been set aside for parking for those working in town for the duration of the Fleadh.

This year, he revealed that this site will be set aside entirely for accessible parking. For workers, park n ride facilities will be available from car parks at the outskirts of town from 7.30 a.m. and passes will be available for purchase by employers in the coming weeks.

Do you want to be featured in our Wexford Fleadh gallery? Then send us your photos below!
A Wicklow theatre-maker has reached the final of the Good Causes Awards 2025, which celebrate the inspiring work being carried out by thousands of projects, clubs and individuals who have received support from the National Lotterys Good Causes funding.

Anna Newell was announced as a county finalist for Wicklow in the National Lotterys recent arts and culture category awards, and the Bray resident has now been shortlisted as one of five of the national finalists for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2025, in the arts category, for her immersive, sensory-rich performances for babies, early years, and children with complex needs.

The judges also remarked that her work is rooted in empathy and connection and each show is crafted with and for its audience, offering joyful, inclusive experiences that spark imagination and emotional engagement.

Touring schools, hospitals, and venues across Ireland, Annas work was praised for championing the right of every child to experience the transformative power of theatre.

The 35 national finalists will progress to the awards ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killashee House Hotel in Naas, County Kildare. The total prize fund available on the night of the Good Causes Awards ceremony is 100,000, whereby each of the seven category winners will receive 10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will take home an additional 25,000.

Announcing the national finalists, National Lottery CEO Cian Murphy said: Its a privilege to unveil and celebrate this years national finalists in the Good Causes Awards. This inspiring group of projects, organisations and individuals are transforming communities all over Ireland through their remarkable work. These finalists are a testament to the incredible difference that Good Causes funding makes every day, helping to build a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone."

Lyric FMs Marty Whelan, returning as MC for this years awards, added: Every year Im blown away by the heartwarming stories and tireless dedication behind our good causes. This years national finalists truly represent the best of us  passionate, determined and committed to making Ireland an even better place for everyone.

Its an honour to help shine a spotlight on their achievements and give them the national recognition they deserve. I wish each of our national finalists the very best of luck in the final stage of this years Good Causes Awards.

For the creator Anna Newell, who moved to Bray from Belfast in 2016, nobody is too young or even too small to attend one of her shows  the youngest audience member was only four days old. She has become one of Irelands leading theatre-makers for young audiences and her shows visit theatres, community centres and schools both here and abroad.

For the first 20 years of her career she was making productions for adult audiences in the big theatres. In 2016, inspired by work she saw at Belfast Childrens Festival, that all changed and she devoted her time and inspiration to making theatre for babies and young people with complex needs.

Anna created the worlds first BabyDay (when over 15,000 people attended events in one day in 2015, in Belfast), introduced theatre for children and young people with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties) into Ireland and helped start baby theatre in South Africa.

The productions often uses portable performance spaces for her shows, but one production, for children with complex needs, called Sing Me to the Sea, took place in a hydro-pool. That show, which ran in Bray in the summer of 2023 as part of a tour, was backed by Enable Ireland and the Mermaid Arts Centre.

She has also just announced details of the tour schedule for of her latest show, called Shimmer, described as an immersive dream-like adventure for audiences of babies aged three to 12 months", which comes to Brays Mermaid Arts Centre on Monday and Tuesday, September 15 and 16.

The show was first staged during the pandemic where it brought so much joy to what was then a dark place and invites very young audiences into an immersive reflective space created by award-winning scenographer Katie Davenport, and is animated by an original score by David Goodall. The wraparound video art is created by Conan McIvor, and choreography by Hayley Earlam, which is designed to responds to its individual tiny audience members.

Shimmer will run at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, County Wicklow, on Monday September 15, at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and on Tuesday September 16, at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Tickets priced 15 from mermaidarts.ie
Wicklow dairy and beef farmer Paul Grace will open his farm in Uppertown, Dunlavin, to the public on August 14 at 11am for an insightful Teagasc event featuring a wealth of information on good farmyard design.

Teagasc is holding a series of farm building events in response to an increased interest in improving farm infrastructure due to the recent improved income potential from dairy farming, the new 60pc grant on slurry storage and the changing requirements for storage under the nitrates directive.

Among the farmers hosting an event, Paul Graces family has been farming in Dunlavin for eight generations. His farm (W91NX40) runs on a grass-based system, and he takes pride in producing low-mileage, high-quality food.

Paul milks Fleckvieh cows, a traditional European breed prized for its dual-purpose qualities, which produce rich, wholesome milk and offer excellent beef characteristics.

The former publican also keeps a herd of Aubrac cattle, a hardy French breed known for producing beautifully marbled beef thats widely celebrated in France for its outstanding flavour, tenderness, and heritage.

Alongside our three children, were building a healthy, grounded life rooted in the land, animals, and shared knowledge that shape who we are, Paul commented.

Topics that will be covered at the event include milking parlour, holding yard, and drafting, with a focus on cow flow, drafting efficiency, and management of dairy washings.

There will be insights on cubicle shed design, scraper options, slurry storage requirements, and details on the new grant, along with information on calving and calf sheds, space allocation and ways to improve labour efficiency.


Wicklow County Councils Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) has launched a poster campaign highlighting the daily obstacles dog fouling causes for wheelchair users and people with visual impairments.

The campaign features posters designed and created by pupils from St Patricks NS in Wicklow town, and targets known blackspots for dog fouling in major towns across County Wicklow.

Dog waste can carry harmful bacteria and parasites such as toxocara canis, leading to infections and gastrointestinal illnesses, particularly harmful to those with compromised immune systems.

Cllr Danny Alvey is a member of the Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee and was involved in producing the new dog fouling awareness campaign.

Speaking after the campaign launch, he said: Whilst calling to homes last year during the election and several times since, I have heard terrible stories about how people with disabilities or parents with young children are impacted by dog fouling. One mother of a wheelchair user would no longer let her child travel to school alone after the day she got dog waste on her wheelchair and couldnt remove it.

Another older man who uses a mobility scooter told me how he goes out less often now as there is so much dog waste on the paths where he lives. Parents also are terrified of their young children coming into contact with dog waste in popular spots like the Murrough promenade in Wicklow town. This is totally unacceptable and problem dog owners really need to take responsibility in these blackspots we have identified across our main towns and will be targeting with these posters.

Dog fouling poses a serious health risk to people with disabilities, as they may find it harder to avoid. Wheelchair or mobility scooter users may inadvertently roll through dog waste, which can then be transferred onto their hands, clothes or inside their homes. People with visual impairments may not see the waste at all, increasing the likelihood of direct contact. Children also are at risk, as they step in it and unknowingly transfer it to their hands without their parents knowledge, especially in grassy areas or along popular walks.

Cllr Alvey added: Im very grateful to teacher Brigid-Rose Kalisa in St Patricks National School who agreed to support the campaign by getting students of all ages to make creative designs for our posters.

I want to acknowledge all my fellow local councillors who have been raising this issue for many years as well and have given their support for this campaign and our Wicklow Municipal District staff who have put in many more dog waste bins across problem areas in the district.

I also want to remind everyone that there are fines for not cleaning up after your dog and litter wardens will be patrolling all summer. There really is no excuse for it and, as the poster says, everyone needs to stop and think about the vulnerable groups they are affecting before they walk away without cleaning up after their dog.

Dog owners who fail to clean up after pets can face fines of 150 and there are four litter wardens monitoring compliance across the county.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan stated: Vulnerable groups like people with disabilities and parents with children are our family, friends, and neighbours. We need to recognise the serious risk that dog fouling poses for them and take responsibility for cleaning up after our dogs.

Chief executive of Wicklow County Council Emer OGorman said the council has been adding more dog fouling bins where there is a need and will continue to carry out patrols along heavily used amenity routes where there is a history of dog fouling incidents.
Russian officials report three dead in strikes as Trump issues new deadline to Putin

Rescuers lay toys and flowers on the site of Russias Thursday night missile strike in Kyiv that hit a house and left 31 dead, including five children. Photo: AP

Ukrainian drone attacks overnight killed three people, Russian officials said yesterday. Russias defence ministry said air defences intercepted or destroyed 112 drones across eight Russian regions and the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.

A drone attack on the Rostov region, on the border with Ukraine, killed one person, acting governor Yuri Slyusar said. Further from the front line, a woman was killed and two other people were wounded in a drone strike on business premises in the Penza region, according to regional governor Oleg Melnichenko.
Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and Rana Daggubati

Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and Rana Daggubati ( Image credit : Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and Rana Daggubati | Credit: TOI )



Alia Bhatt, Tanya Saha, Meghna Goyal, Kripa Mehta and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor

Alia Bhatt may be one of Bollywoods biggest names, but when it comes to her inner circle, she keeps it deeply personal. Her childhood squad, including Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, Tanya Saha Gupta, Kripa Mehta, and Meghna Goyal, has been a constant in her life. From shedding tears at Kripas wedding in 2018 to sharing joyful moments from her own wedding in 2022, Alias bond with her girls has always stood out. Most recently, their reunion at Tanyas wedding once again proved that no matter how glam the setting, their connection remains beautifully grounded.



Alia Bhatt and Kripa Mehta ( Image credit : Alia Bhatt and Kripa Mehta | Credit: Instagram )





Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan, Navya Nanda and Shanaya Kapoor

This trio of Gen-Z stars are known not just for their rising careers but also for their long-standing bond. Ananya, Suhana, Navya and Shanaya grew up together and are often seen sharing pictures and videos from parties, vacations, and personal moments. They cheer each other on during film releases, share behind-the-scenes glimpses from their get-togethers.









Ranbir Kapoor, Rohit Dhawan, and Ayan Mukerji

Ranbir Kapoor and filmmaker Rohit Dhawan share a bond that dates back to their childhood, long before either of them entered the film industry. In a recent chat, Varun Dhawan shared that Ranbir is actually Rohits childhood buddy, and the trio often play pickleball together. Varun jokingly revealed that when the two friends team up, they tend to gang up on him.





Interestingly, the gang also includes filmmaker, Ayan Mukerji who has worked with Ranbir on films like Wake Up Sid!, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani , and Brahmastra. Their off-screen camaraderie adds depth to their professional collaboration. Even though they are not often seen on social media, they remain close.



Raha witb Ayan  He is certainly not happy with papping.#RahaKapoor#AyanMukerjipic.twitter.com/CmsIJvIimW  $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) May 5, 2024

Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor

Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor have shared a close bond since childhood, having known each other for over 31 years. Theyve also shared screen together in films like ABCD 2, Bhediya and Stree 2. Varun once mentioned that Shraddha and her family feel like his own, calling their bond that of "real friends, one built on comfort and trust. In an old interview with Siddharth Kannan, both actors admitted they had a soft spot for each other back in primary school.



Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor ( Image credit : Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor | Credit: X )

She's been my friend and by my side since 21 years and hope we continue being friends always @ShraddhaKapoorpic.twitter.com/JrVckpfgxG  VarunDhawan (@Varun_dvn) July 10, 2015

So, how are you planning to celebrate Friendship Day?

GENERAL Priya Prakash

This Friendship Day, lets move beyond the screen and talk about some of Bollywoods most loved friendship circles. While actors may play many roles in films, its their off-screen friendships that often catch fans' attention. From childhood bonds to lifelong support systems, here are some of the strongest and most talked-about celebrity friendships that prove stars also need their people.Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and Rana Daggubati share a bond that goes way beyond the film sets. Ram and Rana have known each other since school days in Chennai, with their friendship dating back to childhood. Interestingly, their wives, Sneha and Upasana, were classmates and juniors at the same school.Over the years, the trio has stood by one another through personal milestones and public scrutiny. When the Pushpa 2 controversy recently made headlines, their tight circle didnt waver. A video of Allu Arjun warmly hugging Rana at his residence after the latters jail release quickly went viral, showing the steady friendship.
One Piece chapter 1156 spoilers

One Piece chapter 1156 spoilers

Color Spread Details:

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Nami are featured prominently at the front.

Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban appear in the background.

The rest of the Straw Hats are shown sitting on Luffy or tucked into his pockets in miniature form.

Kuja Pirates Popularity:

The Kuja Pirates were admired globally, viewed as idols.

At the time, Gloriosa was the captain, with Shakuyaku as her second-in-command.

Shakuyaku was the fan-favorite due to her beauty.

Kuja vs. Roger Pirates:

A clash occurred at sea between the Kuja and Roger Pirates.

The Roger Pirates were mesmerized by Shakuyakus beauty and couldnt focus on the battle.

Gloriosa had a strong affection for Roger, similar to Hancocks obsession.

Even Roger was briefly charmed by Shakuyaku  but she was interested in Rayleigh, not Roger.

Marine Interruption:

Garps ship arrived mid-clash.

The Kuja Pirates retreated while the Roger Pirates stayed to fight the Marines.

Roger and Garp engaged in a fierce battle, unleashing a massive wave of Conquerors Haki.

Roger used his sword; Garp fought barehanded.

Prince Lokis Ambition:

Loki had plans to join the Rocks Pirates the next time they returned to Elbaph.

Rocks Pirates at Hachinosu:

The crew included new members: Big Mom, Kaido, Silver Axe, and Captain John.

Rocks declared Elbaph to be key in his plan to destroy the Holy Land (Mariejois).

Rocks Grand Plan:

He revealed he needed two legendary Devil Fruits, one of which was located in Elbaph.

Additionally, he aimed to recruit the Galleila Giants to further his cause.

One Piece chapter 1156 release date and time

One Piece Chapter 1156 Release Time by Time Zone

Pacific Standard Time (PST): Sunday, August 3, 2025  8:00 AM

Eastern Standard Time (EST): Sunday, August 3, 2025  11:00 AM

British Summer Time (BST): Sunday, August 3, 2025  4:00 PM

Central European Summer Time (CEST): Sunday, August 3, 2025  5:00 PM

Indian Standard Time (IST): Sunday, August 3, 2025  8:30 PM

Philippine Standard Time (PHT): Sunday, August 3, 2025  11:00 PM

Japanese Standard Time (JST): Monday, August 4, 2025  12:00 AM

Australia Central Time (ACT): Monday, August 4, 2025  12:30 AM

: The buzz surrounding One Piece is stronger than ever as Chapter 1156 nears its release, hinting at intense confrontations and significant plot twists. Speculation is rife about the possible unveiling of the long-awaited God Valley, adding to the excitement. With early leaks suggesting major developments, fans are eagerly waiting to see what Eiichiro Oda delivers next.According to the Manga Plus website, One Piece chapter 1156 is set to release on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 12 a.m. JST. The series will take an unexpected break following chapter 1155, so the next chapter is anticipated to drop in the first week of August.
Tehran

What Tehran is about

'Where is the hype?' Fans question Tehrans quiet upcoming OTT drop  John Abraham finally responds ( Image credit : John Abraham in Tehran | Credit: Tehran s trailer/ YT )

The real-life incident behind the film

Why its not releasing in theaters

'Where is the hype?' Fans question Tehrans quiet upcoming OTT drop  John Abraham finally responds ( Image credit : John Abraham and Manushi Chhillar in Tehran | Credit: IMDB )

Did maddock abandon Tehran?? Literally releasing it on ott without any noise

The trailer seriously looks good  Cinelogy (@cinelogy07) August 3, 2025

Watched #Tehran trailer, John sir looks absolutely electrifying! The action sequences are intense! This film deserves a theatrical release, but it's coming on #ZEE5 from 14th August! Can't wait to see the full film! @TheJohnAbraham   Navin Kumar (@akkian_navin) August 2, 2025

#Tehran skipping theatres BREAKS MY HEART! John Abraham as his next film heads directly to OTT. Tehran will release on Zee5 on Aug 14. @Bollyhungamahttps://t.co/044YmEjb8y  Rohit Khilnani (@rohitkhilnani) August 3, 2025

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.

John Abrahams action thrilleris set to release directly on OTT. Directed by Arun Gopalan, the film stars John Abraham, Manushi Chhillar, Madhurima Tuli, and Neeru Bajwa in lead roles.The trailer of Tehran was recently launched, revealing that the films storyline is inspired by the 2012 bomb blast near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi. The trailer begins with the car explosion and introduces John Abraham as ACP Rajeev Kumar, a police officer who finds himself pulled into a high-stakes mission that takes him across multiple countries and through complex political conflicts.The trailer then highlights that the bomb blast was not just in India, it was across three countries. Kumar investigates the crisis, however, as the operation progresses, he finds himself caught between shifting alliances. He is left abandoned by both India and Israel and becomes a target for Iran. The story unfolds across global locations and is packed with action and suspense.The 2012 Delhi blast, which the movie draws from, involved a bomb attack on Israeli diplomat Tal Yehoshua Koren. She was injured when a sticky bomb, allegedly planted by individuals on a motorcycle, exploded on her car while she was on her way to pick up her children from school. Delhi Police identified four Iranian nationals as suspects and even sent a team to Tehran to investigate further.The film will premiere on Zee5 on August 14, just ahead of Independence Day. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, John Abraham spoke about the decision to release Tehran directly on OTT. He said, Its very disheartening. Im not going to mince my words on it, but it breaks your heart, especially for an actor who always wants to be seen on the big screen.He added, We all made a very informed decision on that. And the decision was that because of the conflicts and controversies that are happening around internationally. Explaining further, he said, Theaters were a little wary of picking up a film that had Iran and Israel in it. We had a choice of either showing the film somewhere or not showing it at all. Zee5 has been gracious and told us they would be our platform. But it also breaks your heart as an actor who only wants to be seen on the big screen.Many viewers also reacted strongly to the news of Tehrans OTT release. One user wondered, Did Maddock abandon Tehran? Literally releasing it on OTT without any buzz. The trailer actually looks great. Another user, while expressing disappointment about the lack of a theatrical release, still showed excitement: Just watched the Tehran trailerJohn sir is electrifying! The action looks intense. This deserved a big-screen release, but its arriving on #ZEE5 on August 14. Cant wait to watch it!
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G specifications:

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G expected launch timeline

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G specifications tipped

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G full specs and features tipped online ahead of the launch ( Image credit : During the Q2 2025 earnings call, Daniel Araujo, Vice President of Samsungs Mobile Experience division, revealed that the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will arrive earlier than expected. | Credit: Samsung )

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 5G expected price in India

Samsungs Galaxy S25 FE 5G is generating global buzz with leaked details ahead of its expected launch in late August or early September 2025. Early reports highlight its 6.7inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and slim 7.4 mm profile, powered by the Exynos 2400 chipset.It will ship with Android 16 and Samsungs One UI 8, backed by a 4,500 mAh battery and 45 W fast charging. Expect a familiar triplecamera setup50 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, and 8 MP telephoto with 3 optical zoomand a 12 MP front sensor.Storage options include 8 GB RAM paired with either 128 GB or 256 GB. Colour options such as Navy, Jet Black, Icy Blue, and White add fresh variety. These features aim to deliver flagship-level experience at fan-edition pricing.With the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Fan Edition (FE) release, Samsung is ready to grow its S25 line. In addition to revealing its Q2 2025 financial figures, the company stated that the Galaxy S25 FE will be released earlier this year than the Galaxy S24 FE was last year.Nearly all of the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE's primary features are revealed in a comprehensive leak from Android Headlines. The device will weigh 190 grams and measure 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm, making it somewhat thinner than the Galaxy S24 FE. A 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with Full HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz will be one of its features.The following gadget will also have an IP68 dust and water protection designation with a Gorilla Glass Victus screen. The Exynos 2400 chipset powers the Galaxy S25 FE's internal components. Customers can choose between 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. It is anticipated to have the same 4,500mAh battery as the previous model but will offer 15W wireless and 45W wired charging, improving charging speeds.The Galaxy S25 FE is anticipated to have a 12MP front camera for video calls and selfies. A 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and OIS will all be mounted on the device's back. In addition, the gadget will include Galaxy AI capabilities and run Android 16 with Samsung's One UI 8.According to industry rumors, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may retail for as little as $600, or around Rs. 52,321. Four color optionsIcy Blue, Jet Black, White, and Navyare also anticipated.
Indians are making waves across the globe, but a virtual Indian receptionist at a Miami hotel wasnt on anyones 2025 bingo card. La Quinta Inn in Miami is now facing backlash after it was revealed that guests are being checked in via video call by staff based in India, rather than by local front desk employees. While some social media users applauded the efficiency, many criticised the move, arguing the hotel should be hiring locally to support the community and boost the U.S. job market.

Miami Inn under fire for outsourcing front desk jobs to India

La Quinta Inn in Miami is facing major backlash after a video showed the hotel has outsourced its front desk operations to India. Instead of being greeted by a local receptionist, guests are now welcomed via video call by a virtual representative based thousands of miles away. In the now-viral video, an Indian man connected virtually is seen guiding the guest through the process.

The move has sparked criticism from locals, with many seeing it as part of a growing trend of American jobs being sent overseas. Locals argue that the hotel should be hiring locally to support the community and provide employment opportunities within the U.S.

BREAKING: This La Quinta Inn hotel located in Miami is under massive fire after they hired employees located in India to check guests in instead of having Americans at the front desk. pic.twitter.com/W56Oc8aJ5W  Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) August 3, 2025

Outrage online as Miami hotel checks in guests from India

Furious netizens slammed the hotel for outsourcing jobs abroad instead of supporting local workers. One user tagged the hotel, writing, "Is this how you do business in the USA? You prefer to hire employees of a third-world country rather than employees of a first-world country to save pennies?" "This is almost comical at this point. India needs to be paying Americans to have to deal with them," another said.

Im sorry to have to say this but from now and until 2035 we will see this gradually until millions of jobs worldwide is replaced by Automation. They tell us we will have new jobs and education, and they hint at possible universal income, but I have my doubts   Gehedreas (@gehedreas) August 3, 2025

One user mentioned, "I'm sorry to have to say this, but from now until 2035 we will see this gradually until millions of jobs worldwide are replaced by Automation. They tell us we will have new jobs and education, and they hint at possible universal income, but I have my doubts."

Im sorry to have to say this but from now and until 2035 we will see this gradually until millions of jobs worldwide is replaced by Automation. They tell us we will have new jobs and education, and they hint at possible universal income, but I have my doubts   Gehedreas (@gehedreas) August 3, 2025

"Outsourcing saves money, but at what cost to community trust and local opportunity?" one user reasoned.

Outsourcing saves money, but at what cost to community trust and local opportunity?  States Radar (@statesradar) August 3, 2025

Why U.S. rely so heavily on Indian talent

Indian professionals make up a significant portion of the U.S. workforce, thanks to their strong technical skills and educational background, particularly in STEM fields. This trend has only accelerated in recent years, with increasing demand for expertise in areas like software development, data science, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. According to Financial Express, more than 70% of all H-1B work visas in 2023 were granted to Indian applicants, underscoring the vital role they play in sustaining U.S. innovation and competitiveness.

This reliance, however, has also sparked debates around job availability, immigration policies, and the need to balance domestic hiring with international talent acquisition. Still, industry experts agree that without access to global talent, particularly from India, the U.S. tech ecosystem would face significant slowdowns in growth and innovation.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
MOSCOW, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A civilian was killed near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid Ukrainian shelling of a nearby industrial zone, the plant's operator said Saturday.

"As a result of artillery shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a fire broke out in the industrial zone. During a site inspection, a damaged civilian passenger vehicle, unrelated to the plant's operations, was discovered. To our deep regret, a deceased civilian was found inside the vehicle," the operator said in a post on social media Telegram.

While firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, a fire truck was targeted by a Ukrainian drone, according to the post.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement that its experts stationed at the power plant heard explosions and observed smoke on Saturday coming from a location 1.2 kilometers from the plant's site perimeter.

"Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident," said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in southern Ukraine, is Europe's largest nuclear power facility. 
When Michael B. Jordan and Taylor Russell were first announced as leads in the upcoming remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, the internet was all in. Two stunning stars, a sexy art heist, and the potential for smouldering chemistry, fans were practically counting down the days. But just as fast as the hype built up, Russell announced her sudden exit. However, new reports have hinted that Michael B. Jordan may have been responsible for the drama that unfolded behind the scenes.

Taylor Russell's sudden exit from Thomas Crown leaves fans shocked

Taylor Russell cites 'creative differences' as the reason behind her exit from The Thomas Crown Affair| Credit: Instagram/tayrussell

It was only recently confirmed that Taylor Russell had stepped away from The Thomas Crown Affair, citing creative differences as the reason. But according to a source close to Deuxmoi, that may have just been the polite way to describe a situation that had become emotionally difficult. The tipster, shared via Deuxmois July 24th podcast episode of Deux/U, claimed that whatever differences there were might have had more to do with Michael B. Jordan than with the script.

As per Deuxmois exclusive source, something had happened between Taylor and Michael, and once filming began, the relationship was already strained. While it wasnt a mid-shoot fallout, the decision to walk away seemed to come from a build-up of tension that filming only intensified.

A producer with feelings? Deuxmoi connects the dots

Did Michael B. Jordan catch feelings for Taylor Russell? | Credit: Instagram/michaelbjordan

According to film reporter Jeff Sneider, who spoke candidly on a podcast episode referenced by Deuxmoi, there was talk of lingering resentment between cast members and signs that things werent exactly smooth. He teased that during movie productions, people often get close, maybe too close, and sometimes those emotions complicate the job. Deuxmois intel added weight to that idea, pointing toward Jordan possibly catching real feelings for his co-star. Although theres been no official confirmation from either party, the timing of Russells exit and the growing whispers have led many to believe that things may have gotten personally complicated.

Early rumours of Michael B. Jordan and Taylor Russell romance resurface

Taylor Russell and Michael B. Jordan's early outings were hard to miss| Credit: Deuxmoi

Back in March, fans spotted Taylor and Michael at a low-key matcha cafe in Londons Marylebone neighbourhood. At the time, it looked like just two colleagues grabbing a drink. But now, in hindsight, many believe that was the start of something more or at least the moment when lines started to blur. While neither actor addressed the rumours publicly, the body language, the timing, and the eventual tension that followed only fuelled speculation. According to Deuxmois insider, the connection between them may have started before cameras ever rolled, and the shoot ended up revealing how mismatched they really were when it came to working together.

The movie may not be living up to the hype

On top of personal complications, theres also talk that The Thomas Crown Affair remake itself isnt shaping up quite as hoped. Insiders have suggested that the film, which already carries the weight of an iconic legacy, may be struggling to deliver something fresh and compelling. Some suspect this creative unease also played a part in Russells decision to walk away. As a rising star with a sharp sense of the kinds of projects that serve her, she may have realised this wasnt one of them.

Adria Arjona has joined The Thomas Crown Affair following Taylor Russell's exit| Credit: Instagram/adriaarjona

The film has since tapped Andor actress Adria Arjona, who also happens to be dating Jason Momoa, as Russells replacement. No exact release date has been announced, but production is still underway and aiming for a 2026 debut.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
What Nerdeen Kiswani has accused Jacob Berger of

Theres a white Jewish man whos managed to wedge himself into pro-Palestine spaces, building a personal brand off of genocide. And every time I vaguely mention him, without even naming him, someone new messages me with another horrifying story.  Nerdeen Kiswani (@NerdeenKiswani) August 1, 2025

Allegation: Send me nudes in exchange for activism

Woman exposes Berger's inappropriate demands in exchange of his activism ( Image credit : Woman exposes Berger's inappropriate demands in exchange for his activism| Credit: X/@NerdeenKiswani )

Jacob Berger sexually assaulted Barney.



I believe her, Jacob needs to be removed from our spaces IMMEDIATELY, that man is a dangerous predator !!!!!



Women deserve to be protected from him and he deserves to be deplatformed. https://t.co/DK6ocSlxUqpic.twitter.com/GxJzEUiy6l  Hana Katana  (@KatanaSpeaks) August 2, 2025

Screenshots, fundraiser misuse, and Islamophobic behaviour

Like is this supposed to be normal?? a white Jewish guy starts supporting Palestine and then bases half of his content around fetishizing Arab women and were not supposed to call this out?? pic.twitter.com/eIYvf8hYIS  Nerdeen Kiswani (@NerdeenKiswani) August 2, 2025

He weaponizes Islam against Muslim and speaks in disgusting derogatory manner to people when he was questioned about sharing a fundraiser that used images/videos of a program for Palestinian in Egypt that they dont even give money to. pic.twitter.com/zISMbKQh0z  Nerdeen Kiswani (@NerdeenKiswani) August 2, 2025

What Reddit users are saying

Who is Jacob Berger?

Jacob Berger is a Jewish-American actor, viral sketch creator, and former OnlyFans creator known for pro-Palestine activism. ( Image credit : Jacob Berger is a Jewish-American actor, viral sketch creator, and former OnlyFans creator known for pro-Palestine activism| Credit: Instagram/jacobbergeractor )

Jacob Berger, a Jewish-American actor, content creator, and self-proclaimed pro-Palestine activist from New York City, is facing mounting backlash after serious allegations surfaced online. Known for his viral sketch comedy videos and political advocacy, the former OnlyFans creator, 40, built a massive following of over a million Instagram users, many of whom supported his outspoken stance on Palestinian rights. However, recent accusations shared by Palestinian student and activist Nerdeen Kiswani have sparked outrage across social media, with many now calling him out for alleged exploitation, self-promotion, and sexual harassment.On X, Nerdeen Kiswani shared a series of tweets that outlined multiple serious allegations against a man she initially did not name but described in a way that clearly pointed toward Berger. She later confirmed this through tweets and replies. Her first tweet read, Theres a white Jewish man whos managed to wedge himself into pro-Palestine spaces, building a personal brand off of genocide. And every time I vaguely mention him, without even naming him, someone new messages me with another horrifying story.In the following tweets, she alleged, This man was a failed OnlyFans creator before rebranding as a Palestine supporter. Since then, hes taken sponsorship deals, asked for donations nonstop, and monetized every angle of his supposed activism.He was in Egypt under the guise of helping relief efforts for Gaza. Instead, he bragged about getting a free apartment, not paying for anything, and living comfortably while volunteers around him were actually working.He reportedly made videos with Palestinian children on a field trip, asking people to donate for these orphans without consent from their families. When they found out and asked him to take it down, he blocked them.He sexually harasses and fetishises Arab women, according to multiple reports. Several women have described feeling unsafe around him, especially in activist spaces.He joined a solidarity flotilla and then voluntarily signed self-deportation orders, abandoning others who went on hunger strike while still in captivity. When people asked him about it, he blocked them too.She concluded the thread by writing, He centres himself in everything. Even when talking to Palestinians and on livestreams, its me, me, mehow he suffers, how he is censored, how he gave up fame, while literally grifting off of a genocide.In a follow-up post, Kiswani shared a disturbing message from a follower detailing what Berger allegedly said during a TikTok Live, Hi Anas, I just wanted to add something to this. So Jacob was recently on TikTok Live, where he was on Handala, and he was talking about how a bunch of women are supposedly reaching out to him and thanking him for his activism. Then he said, If you really want to thank me, send me nudes.Kiswani also posted additional screenshots from followers recounting encounters with him, and wrote, Since posting this in just the past hour, 2 more people informed me of additional examples of him sexualising Arab women & fetishising the movement.In further tweets, Kiswani accused Berger of using Islam in a derogatory manner and exploiting Palestinian suffering for monetary gain. She shared screenshots of videos and interactions, then added:Like, is this supposed to be normal?? A white Jewish guy starts supporting Palestine and then bases half of his content around fetishising Arab women, and were not supposed to call this out?She also accused him of misleading fundraising practices, He weaponises Islam against Muslims and speaks in a disgusting derogatory manner to people when he is questioned about sharing a fundraiser that used images/videos of a program for Palestinians in Egypt that they dont even give money to.Kiswanis tweets have been widely shared on Reddit, where users have expressed anger, disappointment, and concern about how Berger managed to gain influence in organising spaces. Many pointed to his performative tone and self-centred messaging.One Reddit user wrote, So sick of people using organising spaces for important causes like its Tinder/for their foul sexual fantasies and further traumatising others. There are way too many people like this and its discouraging.Another said, Im honestly surprised at how many folks are in here saying he seemed normal to them and they engaged with his content. There are Palestinian voices out here; they arent hard to findno need for Mr White Guy Look at Me.One user shared their reaction to Berger's livestream, I got weird vibes from his TikTok Live stream just seemed like he was striking a really weird tone for an activist sailing to Palestine.Another commented, Ive been following him for the last weeks and his vibes are off, too much self-promotional and performative. Its better to just unfollow him and not lose sight of the larger picture.Before stepping into the world of viral comedy and activism, Jacob Berger worked as a licensed mental health and substance abuse counsellor, holding an LMSW from Columbia University. He transitioned into acting in 2010 and later found social media success starting in 2017 through sketch comedy videos, often laced with political or cultural commentary.He eventually grew a following for his vocal pro-Palestine stance and travelled to regions like Egypt under the banner of humanitarian relief and solidarity. Berger often claimed that he gave up career opportunities and fame to advocate for justice in Palestine. But in light of the recent accusations, many are questioning the integrity of his motivations.
Sakamoto Days episode 15 release date: Sakamoto Days has been a thrilling ride for anime fans, blending action, comedy, and heartfelt moments in equal measure. As Part 2 unfolds, the stakes keep rising, and the story dives deeper into Taro Sakamotos dangerous past and his efforts to protect his family.

Sakamoto Days episode 15 is highly anticipated, promising new battles and twists that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. If youre eager to know when and where you can watch the latest episode, weve got you covered with all the release details and streaming info right here.

Sakamoto Days episode 15 release date & time

Sakamoto Days episode 15 is set to release on Sunday, August 4, 2025. The episode will be available for streaming early in the morning in the U.S., with the exact release times varying by region.

Eastern Time (ET): August 4, 2025, 6:30 AM

Pacific Time (PT): August 4, 2025, 9:30 AM

Indian Standard Time (IST): August 4, 2025, 4:00 PM

British Summer Time: August 4, 2025, 11:30 AM

Central European Time: August 4, 2025, 12:30 PM

Japan Standard Time: August 4, 2025, 8:30 PM





Where to watch Sakamoto Days episode 15 online?

Sakamoto Days episode 15 will be available exclusively on Netflix worldwide. Fans need an active Netflix subscription to watch the episode, as it is not available on free platforms. Netflix streams the episode with multiple subtitles and dubbing options in several regions, including India, the U.S., and much of Asia. The episode will drop on August 4, 2025, and viewers can watch it on any Netflix-supported device as soon as its released.

Nagumo informing Sakamoto on the situation #SAKAMOTODAYS pic.twitter.com/WpTgyvfks8  daily sakamoto days (@dailysakadays) January 18, 2025





Sakamoto Days episode 15 Recap

Sakamoto Days episode 14, titled Strong Assault, continued the intense action as the Sakamoto crew regrouped and recovered under Granny Miyas care. The battle heated up with Minimalist threatening Aoi at the store, creating a tense standoff. Meanwhile, Heisuke faced off against Apart at Tokyo Tower in a fierce showdown that tested his skills and resolve. The episode balanced fast-paced fights with moments of strategy and character focus, setting the stage for an even bigger clash in the upcoming episodes.

The battle heated up with Minimalist threatening Aoi at the store, creating a tense standoff (Credits: Netflix)

What to expect in Sakamoto Days episode 15? (Spoilers)

Sakamoto Days episode 15 promises to raise the stakes further, with Taro Sakamoto facing off against new and dangerous enemies. The recent episodes built up the tension between Sakamotos past life and his current peaceful existence, and this episode will likely push him into deeper conflict.

Sakamoto Days episode 15 promises to raise the stakes further, with Taro Sakamoto facing off against new and dangerous enemies (Credits: Netflix)

Expect intense fight scenes, surprising alliances, and emotional moments that reveal more about the characters motivations. Key battles from the previous episode, including confrontations at Tokyo Tower, will develop further, adding layers to the storys complexity and excitement.

FAQs

Q: Where can I watch Sakamoto Days episode 15?

You can watch it exclusively on Netflix with a valid subscription.

Q: Will Sakamoto Days episode 15 be available with English subtitles and dubbing?

Yes, Netflix offers multiple subtitle and dub options depending on your region.

Q: Is Sakamoto Days episode 15 free to watch?

No, Netflix requires a paid subscription to stream the episode.

Q: What is the release date for Sakamoto Days episode 15?

The episode will be released on August 4, 2025.
Chinese actress Zhao Lusi, known for her role in the hit C-drama Hidden Love, has once again spoken out against her management, accusing the company of financial manipulation while she continues to battle severe depression and anxiety. In a recent statement, Zhao revealed that since being diagnosed in December last year, her management has extorted over 2 million yuan from her under the guise of contractual obligations. She also claimed the company has refused to grant her full control over her own studio.

For those unfamiliar, Zhao shocked fans last year when she was rushed to the hospital during a drama shoot, reportedly due to extreme mental stress. Since then, she has been open about her ongoing struggle with mental health. With these new allegations of fraud and exploitation, fans have rallied behind her once more, prompting Justice for Zhao Lusi to trend again across Chinese social media platforms.

Zhao Lusi exposes her company and alleges financial fraud and mental distress

On August 2, Zhao Lusi posted an emotional update on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, publicly accusing her management company, Galaxy Kuyu Media (KU), of financial exploitation and neglecting her mental and physical well-being. The Hidden Love star, who has been open about her struggles with depression and anxiety, said she could no longer stay silent after months of failed attempts at negotiation.

Zhao Lusi accuses her agency of financial exploitation while she battles severe anxiety and depression| Credit: X/zhaolusi

Mental health sidelined

Zhao revealed that her ongoing health issues were met with empty promises rather than real support. After being diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety in December last year, she was forced to cancel brand deals and reduce her filming schedule. According to Zhao, Galaxy Kuyu had initially claimed they would take responsibility for the sudden changes in her workload, but in the end, she was the one left to bear the financial consequences.

Due to a sudden illness, I was forced to cancel some brand endorsements and reduce my filming workload. They kept saying they would take responsibility but I had to pay the price.

Zhao added that despite months of communication, the company has refused to return operational control of her personal studio, which she says has now disbanded. Most of her original team members have left.

Hidden Love star opens up about mental health struggles and feeling abandoned by her team| Credit: X/zhaolusi

Accusations of exploitation and manipulation

In her post, Zhao accused Galaxy Kuyu Media of tricking her studio's financial officer into signing off on a falsified earnings report. She claimed that 2.05 million yuan had already been taken from her studio without proper negotiation, under a long-term financial agreement she stupidly signed two years ago.

Ive waited until now and still havent received any communication. Two years ago, I stupidly renewed my contract, and now theres a four-year financial agreement in place. So theyre not in a hurryand Im the only one left suffering.

She further alleged that when she tried to terminate the contract, the company used emotional manipulation, even telling her she might be blacklisted if she spoke out.

They told me I might be blacklisted and should stay quiet for now Is that what they call a solution?

Zhao Lusis message to others

Despite the risk of backlash, Zhao chose to share her story as a warning to others who may be in similar situations. She wrote, My inner core is rotten, and Im not dignified, but I dont need you to blacklist me. Im done. So, baobei, if you ever find yourselves in danger, dont believe any comforting words with hidden motives. The most important thing is to call the police! Report it immediately!

#ZhaoLusi speaks out against her company KU



"Ive waited until now and still havent received any communication. 2 years ago, I stupidly renewed my contract, and now theres a 4 years financial agreement in place. So theyre not in a hurry and Im the only one left suffering. pic.twitter.com/EtU6eJPtgd  jov  (@wonwoncity) August 2, 2025

Zhao Lusi shares her medical records, revealing battling anxiety

Along with the emotional post, the Dating in the Kitchen actress also publicly shared her medical records, revealing she's still in a critical, mentally distressing phase. As per the medical records shared by Lusi, on July 16, 2025, she underwent a psychological evaluation at the Psychological Assessment Centre in Jiujiang and has now publicly shared the results in an effort to validate her ongoing mental health struggles. According to the report, her standard score for anxiety was recorded at 73, placing her firmly in the severe anxiety category based on clinical guidelines. The assessment also noted a somatic anxiety score of 27 and a psychic anxiety score of 32, with a raw total of 59. For context, a standard score above 69 is classified as severe, while anything below 50 is considered free of significant anxiety symptoms.

zhao lusi publicly revealed her recent medical report in order to prove that she is still suffering from SEVERE ANXIETY and DEPRESSION



department: psychological assessment centre (jiujiang)

date: 16 july 2025 

somatic anxiety: 27

psychic anxiety: 32

raw score: 59

standard pic.twitter.com/Q8Sb0OUzHT  jov  (@wonwoncity) August 2, 2025

Justice for Zhao Lusi trends again on social media

Fans are now rallying around Lusi, who is also known Rosy among her fans, flooding social media with messages of support and concern. The hashtag Justice for Zhao Lusi is once again trending as supporters demand accountability from her management.

One fan wrote, "It's heartbreaking to see Zhao Lusi's situation. No proper security, erratic schedules, and ignored health issues. We need to stand together for her rights and demand a contract termination now!" "The entire company is supported by Zhao Lusi. Most of the business income of such a big family comes from Zhao Lusi. Among all the artists in the company, no one is well-known except Zhao Lusi. FREEDOM FOR ROSY," wrote another X user.

#ZhaoLusi broke her silence and it shattered me. 



"Im broken inside and not in a good state, but i dont need you to blacklist me. Im done. (Im not doing this anymore.)"



FREEDOM FOR ROSY#JusticeForZhaoLusi pic.twitter.com/5qufTW33rQ  Jodi (@itsmejodiiii) August 2, 2025





It's heartbreaking to see Zhao Lusi's situation. No proper security, erratic schedules, and ignored health issues. We need to stand together for her rights and demand a contract termination now! #ZhaoLusiWeLoveYou #JusticeForZhaoLusi pic.twitter.com/Mz11ecGIYh  Akemi (@ZKourtney79990) August 2, 2025

#ZhaoLusi has worked harder than anyone else, thanks to her that company didn't go bankrupt. She's faced difficulties in a tough industry that's even harder for women, after everything she's had to endure over the years she deserves freedom.



FREEDOM FOR ROSY#JusticeForZhaoLusi https://t.co/SgZYOdp80b pic.twitter.com/cjm3JFdLDL  NEVI (@_NEVINI) August 2, 2025

 OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM #ZHAOLUSIS INTERNATIONAL FAN COMMUNITY



FREEDOM FOR ROSY #JusticeForZhaoLusi



We, the #ZhaoLusi International Fan Community, express our collective support and commitment to Zhao Lusi in light of the testimony she has courageously shared regarding her pic.twitter.com/F2m5uuXzFT  Zhao Lusi International (@zhaolusi_intl) August 2, 2025

Meanwhile, on the work front, Zhao Lusi will next be seen in Almost Lovers. The modern romance C-drama is expected to air later this year.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
How much money do the 71st National Film Awards 2025 winners receive?



List of Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) winners 2025

Vidhu Vinod Chopra for 12th Fail: According to DNA , 12th Fail has been announced as the Best Feature Film, and its producer, VC Films LLP, and director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, will receive the Swarna Kamal medal and Rs 3 lakh each.

According to , 12th Fail has been announced as the Best Feature Film, and its producer, VC Films LLP, and director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, will receive the Swarna Kamal medal and Rs 3 lakh each. Karan Johar for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani: While Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, earning producer Dharma Productions and Karan Johar the prestigious Swarna Kamal along with a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh each.

While Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, earning producer Dharma Productions and Karan Johar the prestigious Swarna Kamal along with a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh each. Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story: Next, director Sudipto Sen will also be honoured with the same award and prize money for his work on The Kerala Story, which won him the Best Director title.

Next, director Sudipto Sen will also be honoured with the same award and prize money for his work on The Kerala Story, which won him the Best Director title. Ashish Bende for Aatmapamphlet: Additionally, Marathi filmmaker Ashish Bende will receive the Swarna Kamal and Rs 3 lakh for winning the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director for his first feature, Aatmapamphlet.

Winner list of the Rajat Kamal at the 71st National Film Awards

Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey, who share the Best Actor award, will each receive a Rajat Kamal, with the Rs 2 lakh cash prize divided equally between them. Best Actress winner Rani Mukerji will also be honoured with a Rajat Kamal and Rs 2 lakh.



The Best Supporting Actor award, jointly won by Vijayaraghavan and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar, comes with a Rajat Kamal for each and a shared cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.



Similarly, Best Supporting Actress winners Urvashi and Janki Bodiwala will receive the same honours. Meanwhile, PVN S Rohit and Shilpa Rao, awarded Best Male and Best Female Playback Singer, respectively, will each be presented with a Rajat Kamal and Rs 2 lakh.





    !



 Best Actress in a Leading Role awarded to:



 Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (Hindi)

 Actress: Rani Mukerji#NationalFilmAwardspic.twitter.com/vOlFXVX9xZ  All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 1, 2025

FAQs

Q. What medals and cash incentives do National Film Awards winners receive?



The Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) is awarded for top categories like Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Best Childrens Film, and Best Debut Film.



Q. How much will the Best Actor and Best Actress winners at the 71st National Film Awards receive?



At the 71st National Film Awards (announced August 1, 2025), Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey jointly won the Best Actor award for Jawan and 12th Fail, respectively.For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.

The 71st National Film Awards were announced on Friday, August 1, 2025, amid much excitement and surprise, as Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan finally clinched his first Best Actor award for Jawan, ending a 33-year wait. The announcement sparked widespread celebration among fans and on social media, marking a memorable moment in Indian cinema. Alongside him, Vikrant Massey and Rani Mukerji were also honoured for their exceptional performances in 12th Fail and Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway, respectively. But do you know how much prize money doesThe winners of the National Film Awards are honoured with the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) and the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) medals during the presentation ceremony, which is typically held about a year after the winners are announced.Along with these prestigious medals, recipients of the Swarna Kamal award receive a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, while those awarded the Rajat Kamal receive Rs 2 lakh as part of their recognition. As per reports, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, and Vikrant Massey will receive Rs 2 lakh from the Government of India.
The Hollywood Reporter

HT

DEVELOPING: Sydney Sweeney is going viral after footage of her showing off her shooting skills was posted online. pic.twitter.com/X2qhKEFqT7  Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) August 2, 2025

Who is Sydney Sweeney?

Actress behind American Eagles $400m surge ( Image credit : Actress behind American Eagles $400m surge | Credit: X | @popcrave )

American Eagle earned $400 million in 24 hours

Sydney Sweeney Eagle ad controversy: Fans raise doubts about her career decisions

what if Sydney Sweeney is in debt to the same people Bruno Mars is & thats why shes doing a different ad every day for wildly different products w zero value integrity or correlation. Cheapening her brand from Hollywood starlet to Category 5 influencer bc the mob is knocking  reb (@rebmasel) August 2, 2025

Sydney Sweeney's latest controversy | Credit: Reddit | @Fauxmoi ( Image credit : Sydney Sweeney's latest controversy | Credit: Reddit | @Fauxmoi )

A look at Sydney Sweeney's net worth

Celebrity Net Worth.

Brand endorsements and more

Miu Miu

Cotton On

Armani

Guess

The lingerie brand Parade

Skincare brand Laneige



FAQs

Q. What was the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad?

Q. What is Sydney Sweeney's net worth?

Sydney Sweeney, best known for her standout performances in Euphoria and The White Lotus, has a knack for commanding attention, whether it is on screen or in a commercial. However, her latest appearance in an American Eagle campaign has sparked controversy rather than praise. In the ad, Sweeney makes a pun, claiming she has great 'jeans,' a play on the word 'genes,' which has now drawn criticism and ignited debate online. Some viewers have interpreted the remark as racially insensitive, and many even questioned if Sydney is sacrificing her artistic credibility or status by doing mainstream ads and whether she was 'cheapening her brand' to earn more money. Following the controversy, American Eagle's market capitalisation increased by $400 million (Rs 3,440 crore) in one day. With this pretext, let's find out her overall net worth.Well, before the American Eagle commercial, Sweeney once spoke openly in a candid interview withabout her financial instability, reported. While speaking on the interview, the actress said, "I want to have a family; Ive always wanted to be a young mom, and Im worried about how this industry puts stigmas on young women who have children and looks at them in a different light."Not only this, but she also highlighted that she was worried about her finances and that she wouldn't have any money or support for her kids if she didn't work. If I wanted to take a six-month break, I dont have the income to cover that, she said. Not only this, she went on to state that she cannot even take a break of six months, as he lacks funds.Born on September 12, 1997, Sydney Sweeney is an American actress recognised for her performances as Haley Caren in In the Vault (2017) and Emaline Addario in the Netflix series Everything Sucks! (2018). She also took on recurring roles in notable series such as HBOs Sharp Objects (2018), alongside Amy Adams, and Hulus The Handmaids Tale (2017), featuring Elisabeth Moss.Following the controversy, American Eagle's market capitalisation increased by $400 million (Rs 3,440 crore) in one day. American Eagle rolled out its priciest campaign ever, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," just in time for the crucial back-to-school shopping season.The campaign quickly gained traction on social media, with the "Sydney Jean" collection sparking widespread excitement, largely due to Sydney Sweeneys strong appeal among Gen Z consumers. This buzz helped drive a significant 17.65 per cent jump in American Eagles stock price in a single day, boosting the companys market value past $2 billion (Rs 17,200 crore) and adding more than $400 million (Rs 3,440 crore) . The campaign underscores how effective celebrity endorsements combined with strategic timing can significantly enhance both brand awareness and financial performance.Following Sweeney's new fall ad for American Eagle, the actress is receiving criticism for its tagline that reads, 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.'According to reports, the tagline was meant to be used for a denim brand displayed in bold on billboards in Times Square and Las Vegas. But this is not what all fans are noticing; many reacted to the 'great genes' pun rather than seeing the work. As per HT, this term has been used to promote whiteness, beauty, and thinness for ages.This sparked debate among fans online, and Sydney received a major backlash. One user on Reddit wrote, "Wait until the white supremacists find out who the 'real Aryan race descendants actually are ""They're turning into Abercrombie from the 2000s. Only very specific people are going to want to be seen wearing AE."While another said, "Yeah, it's mostly because overt fascist branding targets people who are poorer, less educated, and not great long-term consumers. "I dunno that it's cheapening her career. Historically, AE has been a blue-chip brand. And A Listers have been hocking products to the public for decades. Ryan Reynolds sells Mint. Even Meryl Streep was selling Amex even after her first Oscar nod," one said.They have less disposable income, aren't aspirational buyers, and don't drive trends. You can grift them with survival gear or supplements, but you can't build a lasting mainstream brand off that."The recent controversy has also brought renewed attention to Sydney Sweeneys financial standing. Fans and critics alike are now questioning whether her career choices, including brand endorsements like American Eagle, reflect a strategic move to boost her net worth or risk diluting her star power.Sydney Sweeney is an American actress who has a net worth of $40 million (Rs 3,440 crore), according toSweeney had done some significant roles on the television series "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Sharp Objects" before she became a household name because of the Netflix series Everything Sucks! and the HBO drama Euphoria.According to the report, Sydney's base salary stands around $2 million (Rs 17.2 crore) for Anyone But You. Later, she charged $250,000 (Rs 2.15 crore) as an executive producer. Sydney Sweeney received $750,000 (Rs 6.45 crore) for her role in Madame Web and $250,000 (Rs 2.15 crore) for the horror film Immaculate.Currently, she stands as one of Hollywoods highest-paid actors, earning $7.5 million (Rs 64.5 crore) for starring in the 2024 thriller The Housemaid. This impressive jump in earnings reflects her rising star power and growing influence within the industry.Sydney not only earns from movies or production, but she also makes a hefty amount from brand endorsements. The actress is extremely popular on social media and has 20 million followers on Instagram alone. Now she capitalised on her social media popularity by doing multiple brand deals, includingThe campaign, titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," featured a pun on "genes" and "jeans." While intended as a playful wordplay, some viewers interpreted it as racially insensitive, leading to online backlash.As of 2024, Sydney Sweeney's net worth is estimated to be between $40 million and $45 million.
Greece Facing a Potential TurkeyIsrael Rapprochement

Relations between Turkey and Israel have been in a prolonged state of deterioration. However, the existence of shared strategic interestsparticularly regarding the security and stability of Syriamakes the possibility of a gradual normalization not only realistic but also desirable for third

parties, especially the United States. Although a full rapprochement between Ankara and Tel Aviv seems difficult at present, the need to form a common framework for the post-Assad era could serve as a catalyst for reopening channels of communication.

This strategic outlook aligns with the regional objectives of both Turkey and Israel. Despite President Erdogans inflammatory rhetoric and public support for Hamas, Ankaralike Israelseeks to secure influence and control in Syria, aiming to counter Kurdish paramilitary structures and Shia militias, respectively. Moreover, both countries view Irans growing influence with concern, forming a basis for strategic convergence.

The collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024 has created a new operational and geopolitical landscape. Turkey maintains military control in northern Syria, while Israel continues to hold the Golan Heights and maintains an aerial presence throughout Syrian territory. In this context, a window emerges for pragmatic cooperation regarding Syrias future security architecture.

In contrast to the Palestinian issue, which provokes strong ideological and social reactions, the Syrian crisis offers a less ideologically charged context in which rivalries manifest primarily through divergent strategic goals. Israel favors a weakened and fragmented Syria to curb Iranian influence, whereas Turkey supports a strong, centralized authority capable of preventing the formation of autonomous Kurdish enclaves.

Despite these differences, points of convergence exist and can be capitalized upon. Technical talks have already taken place with a mediating role, and Washington has clear reasons to encourage de-escalation between two key alliesIsrael and a NATO member country. Within the broader context of role redistribution in the Middle East, the Trump administration aims to transfer security responsibilities to regional actors. Therefore, Turkish-Israeli cooperation gains additional significance for preventing conflict flare-ups and avoiding the forced re-engagement of American military forces.

At the same time, for Israel, a selective restoration of relations with Ankara may serve as a counterbalance to growing Arab cooperation initiatives, primarily led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The geopolitical implications of a potential Turkish-Israeli rapprochement would be immediate and critical for Greece. The strategic Greek-Israeli relationship developed over the past decadebuilt on Israeli investment in Greek real estate, defense cooperation, energy partnerships, and coordination in the Eastern Mediterraneanwould not remain the same if Israel chooses to rekindle ties with Turkey.

The AthensTel Aviv alignment has so far been a key tool of Greek diplomacy, both against Ankara and within the framework of European and U.S. foreign policy. The creation of an AthensNicosiaCairoTel Aviv axis has bolstered Greeces position as a stabilizing force. However, a Turkish-Israeli rapprochement could upend this narrative, weakening Greeces diplomatic leverageespecially at a time when U.S. leadership appears more comfortable engaging with Recep Tayyip Erdogan than with Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that Ankara might try to leverage a new balance with Israel to push for a redefinition of maritime zones and energy corridors in the Eastern Mediterraneanmarginalizing Greece and the Republic of Cyprus.

In light of the above, Greece is called upon to adjust its regional strategy and enhance its diplomatic flexibility. The expectation of a permanent rift between Turkey and Israel is no longer a safe assumption; instead, Greece must strengthen multilateral cooperation and elevate its presence in broader geopolitical initiatives.

#TURKEY #ISRAEL
Labour Party has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of unlawfully excluding its candidates from the August 16 bye-elections.

Labour Party, in a statement on Saturday by its spokesman Obiora Ifoh, condemned INECs action as shocking, unlawful, and a misuse of authority.

The party insisted that INEC lacks the constitutional power to stop it from fielding candidates in any election.

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The party is also aware that the INEC has no powers to either stop it from sponsoring candidates nor cherry-pick elections where it deems fit for our party to field candidates, Ifoh said.

He added that no court in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court, has derecognised the partys leadership.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/appeal-court-affirms-aiyedatiwas-election-as-ondo-gov.html

The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, ruled that parties should resolve their problems internally. At no point did the Supreme Court empower INEC to interfere with the internal matters of the political party, he added.

The party warned that excluding its candidates could lead to legal consequences and wastage of public resources.

It will indeed be catastrophic, and a colossal loss of scarce monetary resources should INEC have its way, Ifoh warned.

Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, urged members to stay calm, assuring them that legal steps were being taken.

We are calling on all our candidates to remain calm, as the party will do everything possible to ensure their names are uploaded for the August 16 bye-election, he said.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered a firearm and ammunition during a raid on a brothel in Ikot-Udota, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued in Uyo on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Timfon John, said the suspects were arrested on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m. following intelligence reports that some expelled students had formed a terror group involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, rape, and cybercrime.

She disclosed that the suspects  Uwemedimo Michael Udah, 29, from Uyo Local Government Area, and Prince Emmanuel Amasi-Tito, 32, from Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers State  were apprehended during the raid.

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READ MORE: Police Arrest 24 Suspected Armed Robbers In Niger, Recover Weapons, Drugs

Items recovered from the suspects include one English Beretta pistol with three rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a laptop, two Android phones, an MTN internet router, a cocktail of suspected drug substances, and three copies of a power of attorney suspected to be stolen.

The statement reads in part, On Thursday, July 31, 2025, at approximately 2:30pm, operatives of the command successfully arrested two suspected cultists and recovered a firearm, ammunition, and other items during a raid on a hotel in Ikot-Udota, Eket LGA.

The command was acting on credible intelligence which indicated that expelled students and dropouts from a certain institution (name withheld) had formed criminal gangs and were engaging in a range of illicit activitiesincluding extortion, rape, and cybercrime.

When operatives raided a hotel (name withheld), the operation led to the arrest of two suspects namely: Uwemedimo Michael Udah, 29, from Uyo Local Government Area. Prince Emmanuel Amasi-Tito, 32, from Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State.

According to John, early findings from the investigation indicate that the group is headed by two individuals: Etieno Gideon James and another person known simply as Ale, both of whom are still on the run.

She credited the successful operation to the commands dedication to maintaining public safety and security, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the remaining suspects still at large.
Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Kayode Peters has been laid to rest.

The respected director and producer was buried on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, more than a month after his passing.

Peters, aged 49, reportedly died on June 28 following a prolonged battle with an undisclosed illness.

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READ MORE: Iyanya Defends Nurse Ridiculed For Working During Strike, Offers N500,000 Reward

Before he was laid to rest, a night of tribute was held in his honour on July 29, with memorial events taking place in both Lagos and London.

A widely shared video online shows the emotional moment his body was lowered into the grave, surrounded by grieving family members, colleagues, and close friends.

His death has continued to draw heartfelt tributes from Nollywood stars and fans across the world.
BARCELONA, Spain, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has little to gain from its new trade deal with the United States, with Germany likely to be the bloc's biggest loser, Sergi Basco, associate professor of Economics at Barcelona University, told Xinhua recently.

Basco said the "only positive outcome for Europe" in the deal, under which the United States will impose a baseline 15 percent tariff on EU goods while many U.S. exports to Europe face no tariffs, is that "instead of 30 percent, it is 15 percent."

He noted that Germany will probably "lose the most," as it is the EU's largest exporter to the United States.

The tariffs will "likely cause the sales of German cars to the United States to go down," and hurt Spain's automotive industry as well, "because many of the vehicles Germany sells use components made in Spain," Basco added.

Basco criticized European leaders for handling the trade deal "too weakly," noting that the EU has tools to counter U.S. pressure.

"I don't know if it's because the negotiations were hampered by there being different voices, but it seems to me that their reaction was weak," he said.

Meanwhile, Basco cautioned that it is "important" to note that the trade deal is "a non-binding agreement," citing a European Commission statement stressing that the two sides "will further negotiate, in line with their relevant internal procedures, to fully implement the political agreement."

He noted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the trade deal as a "framework," adding that the agreement will need approval from all 27 EU member states, whose ambassadors are set to meet on Monday. 
Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai declared he joined politics to serve humanity and urged Nigerians to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

El-Rufai made the remarks on Saturday, while addressing youths in Sokoto State during a mobilisation event organised by the opposition coalition.

Describing the PDP as divisive and underperforming party threatening the unity and stability of Nigeria, El-Rufai said the ruling party has failed Nigerians and does not deserve another term in power.

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The APC has become incompetent and clannish. It poses a threat to the unity of our country, El-Rufai warned.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/politicians-promising-one-term-need-psychiatric-help-soludo.html#google_vignette

He added: I didnt get into politics to enrich myself but to serve, and when a government ceases to serve the people, it is my duty as a senior citizen to not only speak out but take action to reverse the situation.

El-Rufai, once a key APC figure, has joined the opposition coalition backing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge the APC in 2027.

The former minister urged Nigerians to unite and rescue the country from what he called continued misrule.

The former minister urged national unity and responsible leadership, calling on Nigerians to rescue the country from continued misrule.

Nigeria deserves better. We must take bold steps to ensure a future of equity and good governance, he said.
A group of women in Plateau State, under the Berom Women Development Association (BWEDA), has threatened to stage a naked protest.

Their warning follows the ongoing killings and destruction of communities by suspected Fulani militias.

In a statement issued on Saturday, and signed by its president, Abigail Banga, the group condemned the ongoing violence.

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They accused the government of failing to stop the bloodshed in Berom communities and other areas of Plateau State.

According to the women, the attacks are not random farmer-herder clashes as often portrayed, but a coordinated campaign of genocide.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/gov-bago-shuts-down-private-radio-station-over-alleged-inciting-broadcasts-against-his-government.html

Our hearts bleed with each butchered child and burned home. We are traumatised, we are grieving, and we are angry.

This is not a conflict it is a campaign of extermination, the statement read.

They criticised the government for offering condolence visits and palliatives instead of taking firm action to prevent further violence.

Weve had enough of empty words. We demand action now or we will embark on a naked protest.

This is not just Plateaus problem, it is Nigerias shame, the group warned.
Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, Kemi Adetiba, has revealed her ongoing struggle with fibroids, saying she might need to undergo a third surgery to treat the condition.

The producer of To Kill A Monkey opened up about her condition in the comment section of an Instagram post shared by actress Ini Dima-Okojie.

While reflecting on her journey with fibroids, Ini wrote: We NEED a cure for fibroids. In the meantime, I hope every woman dealing with it is hanging in there. Just know that you are not alone.

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READ MORE: Smoking Isnt Swag, Eat Better Instead  RudeBoy To Upcoming Artistes

In her reply, Adetiba disclosed that she has had two surgeries so far, but both were unsuccessful, and she might need to undergo another one.

Ive had surgery twice for this already, and it now seems I might need a third. Sigh, she wrote.

Adetiba initially opened up about her battle with fibroids in 2015, calling it a severe case that had once landed her in the emergency room.

Even with her health issues, she has continued to thrive in Nollywood, spearheading major productions like The Wedding Party, King of Boys, and most recently, To Kill A Monkey.

Prior to establishing herself in the film industry, Adetiba obtained a Law degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and went on to study at the New York Film Academy. Her career began in radio, later expanding into television, where she also hosted Maltina Dance All, before eventually transitioning into directing.

She got married to Ghanaian music producer Oscar Heman-Ackah in April 2022.

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The Delta State Police Command has apprehended a woman named Chinaza Ani, along with a phone repairer, for allegedly finding a missing phone and gaining access to it by flashing the software.

In a video posted on X on Saturday, police officers cautioned the public against interfering with found devices, noting that even flashing a phone could raise criminal suspicion.

Sharing the video he said, When you find phones from the ground, pls pick the calls and return the phone to the owner or take it to the nearest police station.

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READ MORE: Police Arrest 24 Suspected Armed Robbers In Niger, Recover Weapons, Drugs

Edafe further advised phone repair technicians to refrain from flashing or unlocking phones without proper authorisation, even if the owner cannot be reached or the password is unavailable.

He added, Secondly, phone repairers should avoid flashing phones because they lost their password. It could lead you to trouble.
Eagles long snapper Charley Hughlett (right) was limited Sunday in practice, and the team signed a second long snapper for the 90-man roster. Read more

After long snapper Charley Hughlett popped up on the practice injury report Sunday, limited with a neck injury, the Eagles signed a second snapper to their 90-man roster.

The team signed Christian Johnstone and made room for him by waiving defensive back BJ Mayes.

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Johnstone played five seasons at Appalachian State before going undrafted. He participated in rookie minicamp in May with the Denver Broncos.

 READ MORE: Jake Elliott aims to bounce back from an inconsistent season as the Eagles adjust to another rule change

Johnstones addition could speak to Hughletts availability for Thursday nights preseason opener against Cincinnati. Hughlett, 35, was signed in free agency to replace longtime snapper Rick Lovato, who was with the Eagles from 2016 through last seasons Super Bowl victory.

Hughlett, the Browns long snapper since 2015, was released by Cleveland in February after playing in just five games last season because of a rib injury he initially suffered in the 2024 preseason.
John Howard Hunter, 77, a seventh-generation farmer, was killed in a machinery accident Sunday morning at the family's namesake farm in Cinnaminson. Hunter's Farm Market was especially known for its corn. Read more

A 77-year-old longtime Burlington County farmer died Sunday morning in a machinery accident at Hunter Farm in Cinnaminson, police said.

Police, who were called to the farm around 10:15 a.m., identified the victim as John Howard Hunter. He was the seventh generation to farm the land on Union Landing Road that was settled by an ancestor from Ireland in 1760, according to several profiles of the family.

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Cinnaminson police said no additional information would be released while the incident was under investigation. No one answered the phone at the farm market Sunday afternoon.

A profile in a farming publication last year said that the seventh, eighth and ninth generations of the Hunter family were involved in the business. Ownership of the farm passed from John Howard Hunter to his son, also named John, in 2023, according to public records.

The 120-acre farm is best known for sweet corn and sweet potatoes, last years profile by American Farm said. The family plants 80 acres of sweet corn with about 20 plantings between early April and mid-July.

In addition to the farm market, the Hunters also have a wholesale business, American Farm said.

In a 2001 interview with former Inquirer food columnist Rick Nichols, John Howard Hunter described how the family had changed its approach to growing sweet corn. In the 1960s, the family planted all of its sweet corn at once to compete for business in New York and Boston.

Nichols reported Hunters description of a nerve-racking race to harvest before New York states competing crop ripened, working through the night to load trucks serving the Boston market.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
Exterior of Good Vibes, in Bensalem, where the joint reporters bought turned out to contain six different pesticides - the most ever seen by a New Jersey testing lab. Read more

Pennsylvania doesnt have a recreational marijuana program. Yet under an apparent loophole in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, a cottage industry of intoxicating hemp products has developed for cannabis users.

The result is something that resembles the over-the-counter recreational sales in states like New Jersey or California  but without oversight. And many hemp companies that market their alternative products as safe and legal are deceiving consumers.

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An Inquirer investigation published on Tuesday illustrated how hemp-derived THC products sold under the cover of the Farm Bill are often illegal and full of toxins.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvanias unregulated weed stores are booming  but tests show products are rife with toxic and illicit chemicals

The Inquirers reporting  which included buying THC products in the area and then paying a laboratory to have them tested  illuminates a gray market that has risen up alongside recreational and medical marijuana programs.

Heres what we found:

1. Pennsylvania is fueling a multibillion dollar gray market nationwide due to legislative inaction

Under the Farm Bill, hemp became legal if it contained less than .3% Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) after harvest. But the legislation, meant to spur a struggling agricultural sector, was soon exploited.

Entrepreneurs began extracting trace amounts of intoxicating THC variants from those legally grown hemp flowers and turning them into powerful, alternative cannabis products. The thinking went like this: So long as the products tested below the limit for Delta-9 THC, the compound in marijuana that gets users high, they had good legal standing.

The hemp-derived THC market boomed nationwide over the last seven years, with Pennsylvania smoke shops and wellness stores fueling the business.

Meanwhile, Harrisburg lawmakers are still debating what to do, despite now being surrounded by five states with government-regulated recreational cannabis programs. (On Friday, sales for recreational use began in Delaware.) And Pennsylvania has only just begun holding hearings on unregulated hemp products.

2. Tests show products in Pa. are rife with illicit pesticides and other toxins

While marijuana sold in medical dispensaries undergoes extensive testing, that is not the case for hemp-derived products sold in smoke shops, gas stations, and corner stores across the state.

The Inquirer purchased 10 flower samples that were marketed as legal hemp from 10 shops around Philadelphia. Reporters then paid to have the samples tested at Trichome Analytical, a laboratory that services New Jerseys recreational program.

The tests showed that nine out of 10 samples were over the federal potency limit  meaning that legally speaking, theyre just weed.

More alarmingly, seven of the samples contained aspergillus, a fungus with spores that can cause respiratory infections when smoked. Three contained pesticides, including one illegal chemical thats banned in the U.S. and abroad. The danger of contaminants in gray-market weed is not well studied, experts told reporters.

3. Whats marketed as legal hemp is often just black market weed

Some manufacturers exploit the Farm Bill loophole by extracting THC from legally grown hemp crops and spraying the concentrate back onto CBD flower.

But in practice, chemists and industry experts say much of the hemp flower being marketed for legal sale is actually just marijuana.

Chemists at Trichome Analytical said seven out of the 10 samples they tested for The Inquirer could not have been grown in a legal hemp program. That means they were just conventional marijuana either illegally grown or trafficked from states with recreational cannabis programs and relabeled as hemp.

Thats significant because it shows how the hemp-derived THC industry has gone from skirting a loophole to brazen lawlessness.

4. Manufacturers are deceiving consumers about the legality and purity of their products

Pa.s unregulated hemp stores claim to sell products that are both legal and often free from the impurities that are barred in most recreational cannabis systems.

The proof: certificates of authenticity (COA)  documentation of lab results that purport to show products are under the Delta-9 THC limit and often toxin-free.

But The Inquirers investigation found some hemp suppliers provided lab results that had been digitally altered to remove evidence of contamination from pesticides or  ironically  to show elevated levels of THC as an inducement to buyers.

Several cannabis testing labs nationwide confirmed that hemp companies had used their template to falsify lab reports or hide contamination. In two cases confirmed by The Inquirer, labs said the hemp company had never even been their client.

5. Hard designer drugs are found in hemp products  but enforcement is rare

The full scope of adulterants in hemp-derived THC products is far greater than those captured by The Inquirers sample study. For example, The Inquirer did not test vape cartridges or gummies for contaminants like heavy metals.

But data shared by the Horsham-based Center for Forensic Science Research & Education  which provides free drug testing with funding from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration  found evidence of lab-made designer drugs in other hemp-marketed products sold in Pennsylvania.

One vape pen purchased in Philadelphia last month contained traces of dimethylpentylone, a synthetic stimulant often used in the club drug Ecstasy.

Enforcement of shops that sell these products varies by geography, however. The Pennsylvania State Police maintains that all THC products are illegal, while the Philadelphia Police Department says that some, like Delta-8 THC, are permissible.
In a silhouette, an immigrant named Guzman is photographed in June in South Philadelphia. As sanctuary cities become a target under the Trump administration, the single mother, who has a 12-year-old daughter, relates what it's like to live under that strain. Read more

Guzman and her companions were moving through the Northern Mexico desert, nearing the U.S. border, when they were ambushed by several armed men.

The bandits forced her to strip, then ordered the others to do the same.

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Guzman, 23 at the time, feared she was going to be raped or killed.

Instead, the gunmen searched the groups clothes for money, took their food, and left. She soon crossed into Arizona, evading U.S. border authorities and making her way to family in Philadelphia.

Twenty years later, said Guzman, who agreed to be interviewed if identified only by her surname, the terror of that moment at gunpoint still feels recent. She is now engulfed by a similar sense of dread, she said, as President Donald Trump takes aim at so-called sanctuary cities like Philadelphia, which limit their cooperation with ICE.

The sanctuary city is like my clothes, Guzman said, growing tearful. The last thing that is protecting my dignity as a human being.

Guzman, a 42-year-old single mother, is among an estimated 47,000 undocumented residents of Philadelphia  ultimate targets of Trumps effort to make sanctuary jurisdictions help enforce federal laws and kick immigrants out of the country.

These days, she said, the clothing of sanctuary feels a little thin. Yes, she knows city policies remain in place. But can she trust they will be honored? Even if so, shes scared to test it.

In May, a former romantic partner showed up at her home, screaming and blocking the door after she refused to let him inside.

Before Trump returned to office, she would have dialed 911  knowing that Philadelphia bars city employees from asking about immigration status. Police here and elsewhere say that policy helps them fight crime, because it enables undocumented victims and witnesses to come forward without fear of repercussions.

But with the president pressing jurisdictions to comply, phoning the police suddenly didnt feel safe.

Even if the call is anonymous, they know where the call is coming from, she said. I was worried the police would come but instead of asking about him, they were going to see it as an excuse to ask about my immigration status.

Her former partner finally just left, she said.

Philadelphia city officials have said repeatedly that all prior sanctuary policies remain in place under Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, whatever may emerge from the White House.

There is uncertainty now in the air. People dont know what to expect from their government, Parker said Wednesday, without mentioning Trump by name, as she announced Charlie Ellison as the new director of the Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs. Your city is here to keep you safe and to safeguard your basic rights.

City Solicitor Renee Garcia said in May that the Parker administration was prepared to go to court if Trump tried to cut funding, which he has pledged to do as a means to make sanctuary cities obey.

Things are changing every day nationally, City Councilmember Rue Landau, who meets regularly with leaders of immigrant organizations, told The Inquirer last week. The federal government is making it very difficult for cities even as welcoming as Philadelphia to maintain their laws and their positions. We do not have any intention of rolling back our protections, certainly not by any threat of the federal government.

Its impossible to predict every scenario under which federal officials might utilize ICE or the National Guard, but weve seen how these federal agencies have wreaked havoc on other cities, she said. We believe its essential for Philadelphia to be prepared for anything.

Some Philadelphia immigration activists have been concerned about what they see as the Parker administrations shift in tone as the Trump administration pushes its deportation agenda. Parker has generally been quieter in her support for immigrants, while former Mayor Jim Kenney loudly proclaimed his support.

Last month the Justice Department sued New York Mayor Eric Adams, alleging the sanctuary city was blocking enforcement of federal immigration laws. A day later a federal judge in Chicago dismissed a similar lawsuit that the Trump administration had filed in February, accusing that city and the state of Illinois of illegally interfering with the presidents actions around immigration.

No sign Trump is moving to sue Philly

There is no indication the Trump administration is moving to sue Philadelphia, said Parker spokesperson Joe Grace.

Theres been no engagement of any kind from the federal government on this, he said. Wed have no other comment.

Villanova University law professor Tuan Samahon, who studies sanctuary policies in the United States, said he expects the Trump administration to file more legal challenges  and to argue that the supremacy clause of the Constitution establishes federal law as the overriding law of the land.

That delighted immigration advocates in 2012, when the Supreme Court, in a case brought by President Barack Obamas administration, struck down parts of an Arizona law that sought to assist in deportations by authorizing local police to enforce federal laws and to arrest anyone they suspected of being undocumented.

Now the situation has flipped, and the demand for federal predominance is sought by a conservative president.

Samahon said he would not be surprised to see Trump aides claim that sanctuary jurisdictions are aiding and abetting the harboring of undocumented immigrants, and even bring criminal prosecutions against local government officials.

In May the Trump administration named Philadelphia and 15 other Pennsylvania cities and counties  and hundreds of jurisdictions across the United States  to a list of places that the president deemed noncompliant, threatening them with funding cuts of billions of dollars.

Philadelphia received $2.2 billion in federal money in the 2024 fiscal year, most of it going toward health and social services programs.

Trump officials subsequently removed the list from the internet, but said it remains operative. Elected leaders, government workers, and immigration advocates await its republication and potential impacts.

Trump wants to compel Philadelphia and other places to help arrest immigrants partly because its effort to deport millions of people requires manpower the federal government does not possess.

The United States is home to about 13 million undocumented people, roughly the population of Pennsylvania. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the main agency tasked with deportations, employs about 21,000 nationwide.

Homeland Security officials insist that sanctuary jurisdictions like Philadelphia protect criminal, undocumented immigrants and put law enforcement officers in peril.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told WABC NY Radio, in an interview shared by ICE on social media last week, that sanctuary policies not only hurt U.S. citizens, but also are hurting that migrant community that came here for a better life, that left places where criminals prayed on them in their home countries, and now theyre having the same thing happen to them here in America.

In Philadelphia and elsewhere, undocumented people who commit crimes are not shielded from arrest, and no local law or policy can block ICE from doing its work. Officials in sanctuary jurisdictions say they simply choose not to spend local tax dollars to help ICE.

A new Emerson College poll showed support slipping over time for Trumps handling of immigration, with 45% approving and 46% disapproving of his policies in July.

A shrinking life in South Philly

Guzmans world in South Philadelphia has gotten smaller since January, under the shadow of enforcement.

Last year her living room would routinely fill with neighbors, friends, and acquaintances, all gathered to share fellowship and talk over the news of the day. Now the house is quiet.

An atmosphere of distrust began seeping through the community, Guzman said. People have to think twice now. I know Maria, but in her house lives a cousin or a nephew. We dont know him well. What if immigration arrives for him when I visit them and they take me, too?

Celebrations for graduations, Communions, weddings, and quinceaneras have been canceled, she said.

Guzmans neighbor called off her daughters graduation party after almost everyone had declined the invitation. They were afraid a crowd of Latino people, with Spanish-language music playing in the background, could be a siren call to ICE.

In Mexico she had studied civil engineering, but a troubled economy made her decide to migrate. In the United States the expense of college caused her to put aside her education and get a job.

For two decades she worked in the kitchen of a South Philadelphia restaurant, dreaming of returning to school. The COVID-19 pandemic that shut down restaurants also took away her income, and since then the financial future for herself and her 12-year-old daughter has been uncertain.

Today she works for a company that cleans homes. But her pay and working hours have decreased as the discord around immigration has increased.

Longtime clients have canceled appointments, telling her supervisors they dont want illegal criminals in their homes. Others demanded discounts, offering $80 instead of the usual $200.

Right now [getting a better job] is very difficult, Guzman said. People are suspicious you might be undocumented, and even if it is to take care of a puppy, they dont want to hire you.

To reduce costs, she and her daughter live with five other people in a two-story home. She recently applied for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for her daughter, a U.S. citizen by birth. Her child gets $280 a month, which provides about two weeks worth of food. Guzman herself is ineligible because she is undocumented.

Legal status has not protected the sixth grader from bullying, including taunts that ICE let you come today instead of taking you back to your country.

Guzman has gone to the school several times to meet with teachers and administrators. She also changed her daughters emergency contact to a friend who has citizenship.

Making herself invisible

Even as she tries to make herself invisible, she said, the citys sanctuary stance offers hope.

It doesnt guarantee you will get to stay safe, she said, but its a light at the end of the tunnel.

It helped to see other Philadelphians taking part in the No Kings protest on June 14, she said, since undocumented people could have put themselves at risk by demonstrating. Thats one truth about living in Philadelphia, she said  many people support immigrants.

It feels good to know that even when we are living in fear, there are still people out there that believe in us and want to have us as part of the fabric of this country.  Isnt this supposed to be the land of opportunities?

Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) on Capitol Hill in a file photo. Fitzpatrick is one of just three House Republicans who represents a district Trump lost in 2024. Read more

President Donald Trump went off script during a recent speech in Pittsburgh with a strange attack against U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, one of two House Republicans to vote against his signature domestic policy package.

Without using his name, Trump accused the moderate Bucks County Republican of being disloyal for opposing his big beautiful bill, which became law last month.

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I did him a big personal favor. As big as you can get having to do with death and life, Trump said cryptically on stage at Carnegie Mellon University.

Sure as hell he voted against us, Trump said.   So much for favors.

That comment underscored that Fitzpatrick has become a rarity in Washington as one of the very few Republicans willing to vote against Trump, a president whos become accustomed to near-absolute GOP loyalty. A little more than a year before the midterm elections, the five-term lawmaker says his vote against Trumps budget bill emphasizes his loyalty to the constituents of his purple district, which covers Bucks County and a sliver of Montgomery County.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvanias Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is the lone Pa. GOP vote against the big, beautiful bill

Fitzpatricks independent streak  though questioned by some Democrats who note he has yet to actually sink one of his partys key bills  could help him win reelection in a suburban swing district during a high-stakes year when Democrats are targeting his 1st Congressional District seat. But it could also spark pushback from Trump loyalists, especially if the president turns up the volume on his frustration with Fitzpatrick.

A big personal favor

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) jumped on the presidents comment about doing Fitzpatrick a big personal favor in mid-July with an email blast questioning what devastating blackmail, Trump could be holding over Fitzpatrick and whether hed use it to back a primary challenger against him.

The story behind the presidents comment is indeed deeply personal, but far from ominous, as described by several Pennsylvania Republicans and confirmed by Fitzpatrick.

In 2020, Fitzpatricks older brother, former U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, died at age 56 after a battle with cancer. The late congressmans crowning achievement was bringing a national veterans cemetery to Bucks County at Washington Crossing. It seemed only fitting for the elder Fitzpatrick to be buried there, but the former Navy ROTC enlistee didnt meet the years of service required.

Then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who had served with Mike Fitzpatrick in Congress, got a waiver from the acting secretary of Veterans Affairs under Trump to make the exception for the late lawmaker. Thousands of people came out to a two-day visitation to pay their respects before his casket was transported, as bagpipes played, to the military cemetery he helped create.

Brian Fitzpatrick, who was first elected to fill his brothers seat in 2016, confirmed that account, but did not comment further on Trumps recent remarks. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Regardless of the outcome or consequences

Two days after Trumps Pittsburgh appearance, Fitzpatrick voted against the rescissions bill, which included deep cuts to public broadcasting and was pushed by the administration. The bill, like the budget package, passed without Fitzpatricks support. His opposition to both bills caused little harm to Trump or GOP leaders, but it again set him apart from the rest of the party.

As House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) and Republicans tried to whip votes for the budget bill late into the night on July 2, Fitzpatrick had already explained where he stood. And he wasnt budging. He voted for the House bill initially, but said he opposed deeper cuts to SNAP and Medicaid added by the Senate and had concerns about the latters impact on hospitals.

I made it abundantly clear to every level of House leadership, including to the Speaker himself, well in advance of the vote, that I was a hard No on the Senate language, and that my vote was not up for discussion or negotiation, regardless of the outcome or the consequences, Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

The vote could shield him from the attacks Democrats are wielding against Republicans who voted for the unpopular bill.

But his likely opponent next year, Democratic Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, said Fitzpatrick still bears responsibility for the harm the bill could cause, given he supported the original House bill, which passed by one vote, before he opposed the final Senate version.

He should have killed that bill when it was in the House, Harvie said. I dont know if hes looking for this to be his John McCain moment, he said, referencing McCains 2017 vote that protected the Affordable Care Act during Trumps first term.

Harvie said Fitzpatrick is far from a maverick in his party.

Hes doing what his party is allowing him to do, Harvie said. When they need his vote, hes there with them. When they dont, they tell him he can pretend to be an independent.

The DCCC, which has long been trying to unseat Fitzpatrick and argues he exaggerates his bipartisan bona fides, plans to keep hitting him on the initial yes vote. The group has already started running ads that blame him for hospitals losing funding.

Fitzpatrick, for his part, said he voted his district.

The only people that I report to are the residents of Pennsylvanias First Congressional District  they are my bosses, and I answer to them and them alone, Fitzpatrick said in a statement to The Inquirer.

A gutsy thing to do

There used to be dozens of Fitzpatrick-like moderates in Washington, often crossing the aisle and assembling a nuanced voting record. But this type of lawmaker has become increasingly scarce as the electorate has grown more polarized.

Fitzpatrick is one of just three Republicans in the House who represent districts that Trump lost in 2024. One of the other two, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.) is retiring this year.

And Fitzpatricks 1st Congressional District is unique even among swing districts, with more rural, suburban, and working-class pockets  a true microcosm of the state and the country.

Hes gotta play four-dimensional chess with his constituencies and understand the impact of legislation and how it impacts such a wide variety of coalitions, said GOP consultant Matt Beynon, whose consulting agency worked with both Fitzpatrick brothers.

Headed into the 2026 midterm election, Harvie is well-known in the county and could present the toughest challenge to Fitzpatrick in years.

But Fitzpatrick still appears to hold broad appeal. He has out-raised Harvie 5-1, as of the end of June. And even as the national Democratic Party gears up to try and oust him, Fitzpatricks Democratic colleagues in the House are commending him for voting against Trumps legislation.

It was a gutsy thing to do, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a New York Democrat who cochairs the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus with Fitzpatrick.

When youre in a tough seat that could go either way, it makes you have to represent all your people  it forces you to be more in tune with your people.

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who grew up in Bucks County, called Fitzpatricks vote principled and said he has always found him to be independent minded, down to earth and true to his values.

I wish a few more Republicans had joined us, added U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee which oversaw much of the debate around the budget bill.

A primary challenge?

As a relatively moderate Republican, Fitzpatrick is already unwelcome in some more conservative GOP clubs in Bucks County. After his vote against the so-called big beautiful bill, MAGA influencers and grassroots organizers like Scott Presler descended on social media, abuzz about recruiting primary challengers to run against Fitzpatrick in 2026.

That approach could backfire for the party, said Jim Worthington, a Bucks County health club owner and a longtime Trump ally. Worthington, who has some significant policy disagreements with Fitzpatrick, said he still sees him as the partys best shot at holding onto a critical seat in Philadelphias increasingly blue suburbs.

We cannot afford to lose this seat and have Democrats voting to impeach Trump every other week, said Worthington, who noted that the scrutiny from Republicans toward Fitzpatrick would likely be more intense had the bill not passed.

Fitzpatrick has handily defeated more conservative challengers in the past.

He knows his district better than anyone, said State Rep. Joe Hogan, a Republican who represents Bucks County. Hes outperformed everyone on the ticket consistently.

Still, some Republican strategists question whether Fitzpatrick further distancing himself from Trump could hurt him in a general election when hell need support from the base.

Theres a good chance that Trump voters stay home on Brian Fitzpatrick, said one GOP strategist who did not want to be named while criticizing a member of his party. Unless Trump does something to signal to them.

Fitzpatrick and Trump have disagreed in the past. Fitzpatrick was the lone Pennsylvania Republican to confirm former President Joe Bidens electoral victory in 2020. A former FBI agent who spent a stint stationed Ukraine, he is among the strongest voices of support for Ukraine in Congress, consistently pushing the administration to do more to aid the country.

But Fitzpatrick has steered clear of any public confrontations and until the enigmatic comment in Pittsburgh, Trump largely had, too.

But debate over the bill continues even after its passage. In the weeks since, Fitzpatrick has had his eye on legislation to roll back certain provisions in the bill package, a pursuit that could further agitate Trump.

He introduced the Bipartisan Tax Fairness Act of 2025 with Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. The bill would establish a new top income tax rate of $1 million for individuals. Hes also working on a bill that would extend Bidens IRA Energy Tax Credits, and another that would extend ACA premium tax credits.

I do not report to any party, or any person, in Washington, D.C., Fitzpatrick said in the statement to The Inquirer. Whatever consequences come with that, I am prepared to accept.

Due to a production error, an earlier version of this article posted that was incomplete.
Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf has warned the Governments new budget plan risks overheating the economy.

Theres a risk that were in the wrong place, Mr Makhlouf said in an interview with the Business Post.

The Government outlined its spending plan for the next budget, likely to be unveiled in October, in its summer economic statement in July. Its made up of a 9.4 billion tax-and-spending package and the Government also signed off on a 112bn revised infrastructure plan to run until 2030 to tackle housing, energy, and water constraints.

Hopefully, the summer economic statement is not the budget, and hopefully, by the time he gets there, he will have reflected again on what the trade situation is telling us, Mr Makhlouf said, referring to Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe.

For an economy operating at full employment, were adding more stimulus to the economy than it needs  and I would look again at what were planning to do, he said.

Mr Makhlouf said the plan to not include one-off measures such as tax cuts and increased welfare payments like its last package is sensible, adding that such measures are inflationary.

Announcing the summer economic statement on July 22, Mr Donohoe stressed how uncertainty from tariff announcements could impact their spending plans.

Tariffs are weighing heavy on Irelands small, open economy which hosts the tech headquarters and manufacturing bases for a large number of US multinationals including Apple and Eli Lilly. US president Donald Trumps repeated vows to re-shore the assets of such companies has raised questions about what would happen to the corporate tax intake if multinational investment slumped.

Mr Makhlouf said there was nothing new in the trade deal that was reached between the European Union and the US last week, but said that it reinforced that tariffs will be imposed.

Its just underlining that actually, you do need to take care now  because the hope that we were going to get some 0% tariff thing, its just not going to happen, he said.

Mr Makhlouf said Nr Donohoe had more certainty on how to plan the budget in the months ahead following the announcement of 15% tariffs for EU exports into the US last weekend.

As Irelands central bank chief, Mr Makhlouf also is a member of the European Central Banks Governing Council.

Commenting on borrowing costs, Mr Makhlouf said they are now at a level where policymakers can play a wait-and-see-game on future interest-rate decisions, echoing earlier remarks.

Bloomberg
COLOMBO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives has registered a 43 percent increase in fish export in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, state-run PSM News reported on Sunday, quoting data from the Maldives Monetary Authority.

By the end of June, fish exports had reached 74.5 million U.S. dollars, up from 52 million dollars a year earlier, with the surge being chiefly driven by expanded export volumes, PSM said.

Between January and June, the nation exported over 44,877 metric tonnes of fish, compared with about 26,850 metric tonnes in the same period last year, which reflects intensified domestic fishing activity across the country, PSM said.

Against this backdrop, the Maldives has advanced a strategic vision aimed at fortifying the fisheries sector's contribution to national income and broader economic resilience. 
The American father of a homeless man who died in a double drowning last year in a canal in Dublin is urging the local council to erect a plaque in memory of his son.

Alex Warnick, aged 42, lost his life alongside his 49-year-old friend Donal Scanlon from Co Kerry when they fell into the Grand Canal. Their remains were discovered by a passer-by at around 8am on July 6.

Mr Warnick, who had moved to Ireland from the US, had been sleeping in a pop-up tent near Mr Scanlon at the time. An inquest into their deaths returned open verdicts because not all facts relating to what happened could be established.

Alex Warnick had battled with addiction and had left home as a teenager before travelling to the UK and then to Ireland.

His heartbroken father Greg, himself a former alcoholic, has made the difficult journey from his home in Oregon to visit Dublin for the first time since his son passed away.

He told the Irish Examiner he wanted to thank his sons friends for caring for him, and to visit the place where he died.

I think the fact I met with everyone, his family there [in Dublin], it continues to help a lot of people, he said.

It was a really touching time, I was really emotional to see how Alex was like a folk hero to his friends in Dublin.

I wrote a song about him, I called it Angel Wash and there is a line it, I never saw the diamonds I only saw the coal, it was really true; there was two parts to Alexs life, and I didnt always see that.

It really helped to go and meet his friends, to see where he died and to spend time with people who loved him.

We met in the Garden of Remembrance, and around 75 people showed up. I couldnt believe it. It was so touching."

Greg, in a beige cap, at the memorial for his son Alex Warnick in July.

Mr Warnick said he gave his sons ashes to his friends and to his mothers sister, who also travelled to Dublin for the gathering in Alexs memory.

I had made these T-shirts with a line drawing his brother did of him, I gave out my song on CD, and I had these small plastic vials with some ashes in them I just asked if anyone wanted them and they were all gone in 10 minutes, I thought it was best his friends do what they wanted with them.

Then we went to the place where he drowned in the canal. It really was ridiculous, he was camped one foot from the canal, but there is no point in thinking about it now.

What I would like now is to have a small permanent memorial there, and I am going to get in touch with the council to see if this will be possible.

Mr Warnick said the journey to Dublin was emotional, but that he was very happy he made the trip.

It helped put everything to bed, I was really glad I got to see everyone and travel around Dublin," he said.

"I know many of Alexs friends have addiction problems and I went to a meeting myself when I was there and brought some of them with me  just to show them there is support if youre ready, and this is what its like.

Memorial for Alex Warnick set up by his friends and family. Picture: Alison O'Reilly

Mr Warnick said he hopes his son has found peace.

We had seen him before he died, we had made our peace, and maybe he was ready. His mother had left him an inheritance after she died, and I think it was all too much for him  he had a life of problems, and our relationship had been difficult at times, but I think in the end it was tough for him.

I would just like to have a memorial for him now, I think it would be a lovely thing to do.
"The worlds most beautiful office is how Dursey Islands cable car operator Paul OSullivan describes his dream job of ferrying tourists and the island's handful of residents across the Dursey Sound, part of West Cork's stunning Beara Peninsula.

One cant help but bask in the radiance of the islands picturesque skyline and its a sight that has delighted Paul since his first shift aboard the tourist attraction in 2004.

Paul had been doing relief work with Cork County Council on the cable car before losing his esteemed colleague Paddy Sheehan in 2017. Pauls much-loved predecessor passed away suddenly at 58, hours after an early-morning mercy mission taking a vet to the island.

Paul, a father of three, took on the cable operator role full time following Paddy's untimely death.

While passengers are busy taking in the intoxicating sights and snapping selfies galore, the cable car operator goes about his daily business, maintaining the vehicle and operating controls to ensure its safe crossing.

And the Dursey cable is not without its own set of challenges. The aerial tram is the only one of its kind in Europe to stretch across open seawater. Paul skims the sky daily for a 374-metre trip which takes around 10 minutes each day.

While passengers are busy taking in the intoxicating sights and snapping selfies galore, the cable car operator goes about his daily business, maintaining the vehicle and operating controls to ensure its safe crossing. Picture: Chani Anderson

The attraction has experienced a lot of changes over the years. Livestock that once frequented the cable car have now been replaced by SuperValu bags. Paul has, on occasion, delivered bottles of milk to islanders desperate for the bare essentials.

Just four full-time residents remain on the island now, and cattle  once transported sky high  now make their way to the mainland via a separate ferry.

The 56-year-old said he is happy to roll with the times, however, and points out some of the positive developments in recent years. These include a 1.6m upgrade completed in June 2023, two years after Storm Barra battered the country.

Works included a complete redesign of the cable cars towers and its island anchor frame, as well as a structural, mechanical, and electrical analysis of the cableway system.

Paul said that much has changed in the last 15 years.

You get farmers doing daily commutes who are looking after livestock on the island, he said.

Almost all of the farmers on the island have a farmhouse on the mainland too. They can stay on the island if they need to. There are about four living full-time on the island, but that can go up to 10 when the holiday homes are occupied.

Livestock that once frequented the cable car have now been replaced by SuperValu bags. Paul has, on occasion, delivered bottles of milk to islanders desperate for the bare essentials. Picture: Chani Anderson

Paul recalls some of the more unusual passengers transported in the past. "It was different doing the cable car in 2010, because you never knew what you were going to come across.

"Ill always remember getting a phone call years ago about a farmer bringing his bull out. That was before we had the cameras, so you couldnt actually see the animal in the cable car. I was really taken aback at the size of him. He was a Charolais bull, so I was relieved  to say the least  when we docked on my side.

The unique mode of transport now caters for more than 20,400 tourists per year.

He adds:

We are on call for and have responded to a number of medical emergencies in the past. There have been occasions where tourists have been injured on the island

"I remember one occasion when a lady injured her ankle on the island. We brought her back to the mainland, and I got a thank you card from her afterwards which is always nice.

The Dursey Island cable car now caters for more than 20,400 tourists per year. Picture: Chani Anderson

"The most rewarding part of my job, though, has to be the smiles on peoples faces after travelling on the cable car. Its seeing the wildlife like the dolphins and whales. We also have some extremely rare birds such as the chough, which is like a crow with a red beak and red legs.

"You never know who you are going to meet in the cable car. Ive had some famous people over the years, including the television presenter Christine Bleakley. It doesnt matter who people are.

Well known or not, I really enjoy meeting with new people

"Its always a positive experience. I feel really lucky to be doing what Im doing. As far as Im concerned, this is the most beautiful office in the world.
Pope Leo has urged more than a million Catholic youths to spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith when they return home to some 150 countries, during a Mass ending a week-long encounter with the next generation of faithful.

Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are, Leo urged them. Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.

The young people camped in sprawling fields south-east of Rome overnight after attending a vigil service for the Jubilee of Youth on Saturday, also presided by Leo  who has been ferried to and from Vatican City by helicopter.

Young people wake up after spending the night at the Tor Vergata field in Rome as part of the event (Andrew Medichini/AP)

The Vatican said more than one million young people were present, along with 7,000 priests and 450 bishops.

The special Jubilee celebration is part of the Holy Year that is expected to draw 32 million people to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism.

The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they move down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours at the Circus Maximus to confess their sins to priests offering the sacrament in a dozen languages.

Leo led Mass with an estimated one million people (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Leo also shared tragic news on Saturday. Two young people who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, while a third was in hospital.

Rain overnight awakened the faithful but did not dampen their spirits.

Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico, said: At least we were a little covered, but we still got a bit wet. We lost our voices a little. It was cold, but we woke up to a beautiful sun and view.

Despite the difficulties, it was very nice and very special to have been part of this historic moment.
Israeli forces killed at least 27 Palestinians seeking food on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials.

Witnesses described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged around aid sites as the malnutrition-related death toll surged.

Desperation has gripped the Palestinian territory of more than two million, which experts have warned is at risk of famine because of Israels blockade and nearly two-year offensive.

Yousef Abed, among the crowds en-route to a distribution point, described coming under what he called indiscriminate fire, looking around and seeing at least three people bleeding on the ground.

I couldnt stop and help them because of the bullets, he said.

Abeer and Fadi Sobh with their children at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Southern Gazas Nasser Hospital said it had received bodies from near multiple distribution sites, including eight from Teina, about 1.8 miles from a distribution site in Khan Younis run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)  a private US and Israeli-backed contractor that took over aid distribution more than two months ago.

The hospital also received one body from Shakoush, near a different GHF site in Rafah. Another nine were killed by troops near the Morag corridor who were awaiting trucks entering Gaza through an Israeli border crossing, it said.

Three Palestinian witnesses, seeking food in Teina and Morag, said the shootings occurred on the route to the distribution points, which are in military zones secured by Israeli forces. They said they saw soldiers open fire on hungry crowds advancing towards the troops.

Further north in central Gaza, hospital officials described a similar episode, with Israeli troops opening fire on Sunday morning towards crowds of Palestinians trying to get to GHFs fourth and northern-most distribution point.

Troops were trying to prevent people from advancing, one witness said. They opened fire and we fled. Some people were shot.

At least five people were killed and 27 were injured at GHFs site near the Netzarim corridor, Awda Hospital said.

The Gaza health ministry has said 93 children have died of causes related to malnutrition since the war in Gaza started in 2023 (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Witnesses seeking food in Gaza have reported similar gunfire attacks in recent days near aid distribution sites, leaving dozens of Palestinians dead.

The United Nations reported 859 people were killed near GHF sites from May 27 to July 31, and hundreds more have been killed along the routes of UN-led food convoys.

The GHF launched in May as Israel sought an alternative to the UN-run system, which had safely delivered aid for much of the war but was accused by Israel of allowing Hamas, which guarded convoys early in the war, to siphon supplies.

Israel has not offered evidence of widespread theft. The UN has denied it.

GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. Israels military has said it only fires warning shots as well. Both claimed the death tolls have been exaggerated.

Neither Israels military nor GHF immediately responded to questions about Sundays reported fatalities.

Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry also said six more Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. This brings the death toll among Palestinian adults to 82 in the past five weeks since the ministry started counting deaths among adults in late June, it said.

Ninety-three children have also died of causes related to malnutrition since the war in Gaza started in 2023, the ministry said.
Orono, Maine (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  PM Benjamin Netanyahu has alienated many in Israeli society, some of whom now revile his leadership: The Times of Israel reported on a Pew Survey finding that in April, 2025, 53% Of Americans had an unfavorable view of Israel compared to 42% in 2022, and over half dont trust PM Benjamin Netahyahu to do the right thing.

Israels Haaretz reported that 200 students at Cheltenham High School in suburban Philadelphia have petitioned for the schools alumni hall of fame to eject Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who graduated from the school in 1967.

A protest march and rally held [recently] in the northern Israeli town of Sakhnin under the banner, No to Starvation in Gaza, called for an end to the wara reminder of theposition many Arab citizens of Israel find themselves in: unwilling to stay silent in the face ofa humanitarian catastrophe befalling the people in Gaza.

Theodore Sasson of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv noted: The dangers of diminished US support, particularly as it reflects long-term and deeply rooted trends, cannot be overstatedIsrael needs the support of the [American] superpower for the foreseeable future. A former U.S. State Dept official observed that: younger Americans, including Jewish Americans, are [much] less supportive of Israel than their parents were. The war in Gaza has catalyzed this phenomenon.

Dr Guy Shalev, Director of Israels Physicians for Human Rights commented: We must be committed to the truth. That truth lies in the details and the bigger picturewe published a report on Israels actions in Gaza and [after] analyzing those actions, [came to realize they] led to the destruction of the living conditions necessary for the survival of Palestinians in Gaza. The destruction of the healthcare system, thestarvation [and], blockade, the weaponization of humanitarian aid, displacement, destruction of homes and sanitation infrastructure, the spread of communicable diseases are all contributing factors. When examining all these together, we identify a clear pattern that indicates [an] intent [to destroy the living conditions necessary for the survival of Palestinians in Gaza]

Five Israeli university presidents called on PM Netanyahu to tell the IDF to ramp up efforts to solve the horrible hunger issue in Gaza, adding that  we have a special duty to act using all available measures to avoid and avert cruel and indiscriminate harm to innocent men, women and children.

The most powerful repudiation of Netanyahus leadership has come from Ehud Barak, former PM of Israel who recently declared that Israel is becoming a pariah state. We need massive Nonviolent Civil Disobedience until Netanyahu Is ousted. This is an emergency call asking people to courageously confront reality and take action to stop the landslide [of worldwide condemnation]. Barak continued: The Israel of the Declaration of Independence and the Zionist vision is collapsing. The present emergency [which needs to be faced] requires us to answer five key questions [beginning with]: What is happening to us? Who is responsible for this? Barak accuses the current regime of attempting to transform Israel into a non-democratic entity andthat the protests, including general strikes, [appear to have] reached a level preceding government collapse.

The use of overwhelming power in the destruction of the infrastructure of Gaza by Israels IDF displays few compunctions as they make full use of American weaponry during their onslaughts in Gaza, including the shooting of Palestinians receiving food aid. Despite this lethal and indiscriminate use of power there are some surprisingly active peace organizations already using demonstrations and strikes in Nonviolent Civil Disobedience while promoting a more just system. This coalition, known as ALLMEP, includes 160 peace activist organizations.



File photo Gaza July 2024 by Emad El Byed on Unsplash

The Israeli-American professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, Omer Bartov, has asserted publicly that the destruction of Gazas infrastructure and the continuing attempt to make Gaza uninhabitable, constitute Genocide. Fifty-five other Genocide Studies scholars have signed a letter expressing similar sentiments. Bartov, who served in the Israeli military for four years, noted in an interview on NPR, that the systematic destruction of schools and universities and hospitals, convinced him that the Israeli government, with its authoritarian proclivities may eventually turn its violence upon its own internal critics.

In Jewish News the well-known Israeli historian Yuval Harari, in a discussion in front of a London audience, warns that a spiritual catastrophe for Judaism is taking place in its ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza and the West Bank. He states that the intention is to create a new Israel based on an ideology of Jewish supremacy. Such intentions, Harari states, are the result of anti-Jewish values and are taking place in the framework of an even wider collapse of the global world order. This global world order was originally conceived by the U.S. but, ironically, is now being destroyed by the U.S., a paradoxical happening that few in American leadership positions seem able to grasp. The reality is that the moral underpinning that provided U.S. leadership in the creation of the global world order has badly fractured and this is happening while most Americans are oblivious. One of Yuvals acute observations is that history is carried out by only five or ten percent of the population, the rest sit at home [perhaps uncomprehending the full significance of events taking place in their name].
In Lightiser v. Trump, 22 young people are using the protections of the Constitution to demand a livable future.

( Waging Nonviolence )  This summer, kids are taking the climate crisis to the courts. The 22 plaintiffs of Lighthiser v. Trump, a lawsuit filed in May, range from 7 to 25 years old. They are challenging three of President Donald Trumps most controversial executive orders to unleash fossil fuels and revoke renewable energy initiatives. The orders roll back critical investments in sustainable technologies and climate science, declare a National Energy Emergency to increase fossil fuel use, and prop up the coal, oil and gas industries through deregulation.

The case will hinge on the youths constitutional rights  a pivotal angle in recent environmental suits. When hearings begin in September in the U.S. District Court of Montana, the Lighthiser plaintiffs will argue that the three executive orders violate their Fifth Amendment rights to life and liberty. Additionally, they allege the president exceeded his authority by attempting to override laws like the Clean Air Act. As the case unfolds, it will have sweeping implications for the legal resistance to the Trump administration, and for the climate movement at large.

While the most dangerous consequences of the executive orders will play out over years, from environmental degradation to increased carbon emissions, the plaintiffs can also point to more immediate personal consequences. That could help them prove that the orders harmed them directly, providing legal grounds for the case, which are often questioned in climate lawsuits.

Delaney Reynolds, a graduate student in climate policy and one of the plaintiffs in Lighthiser v. Trump, described the immediate impacts of the orders on her own work. [Trump] took down the National Climate Assessment reports and website, so theyre no longer accessible, she said. Those reports and other scientific documents are all things that Ive been personally using for my PhD dissertation. So now that I dont have access to them, my ability to even get my degree is under threat.

Reynolds also said that the potential impacts of the case extend far beyond the three executive orders that theyre challenging. She referenced other climate lawsuits shes led in Florida, some of which were unsuccessful. Despite a suit getting dismissed, she said, we gained the support in the court of public opinion. News about the case spread all across the state.  It basically comes down to educating people even if the lawsuit isnt successful.

Dana R. Fisher, the director of American Universitys Center for Environment, Community and Equity, agreed. Much of Fishers research explores the strategies and motivations of the grassroots climate movement. Her latest book, Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action, argues for mass mobilization in response to increasingly frequent and severe climate disasters. With that aim in mind, she says constitutional climate lawsuits can be a critical tool for raising public awareness. In particular, they can reach moderates and those who dont follow electoral politics.



File photo of youth climate protest by Ronan Furuta on Unsplash

The Lighthiser case, she said, presents an opportunity to elicit support or inspire action from people who wanted to install heat pumps or solar panels, but now cant. Even if [the lawsuit isnt] successful, she added, it will help shine a light on some of these things that are happening.

Theyre also hoping to build on the momentum from previous cases. Nine of the Lighthiser plaintiffs  as well as Our Childrens Trust, the public-interest law firm leading the suit along with Gregory Law Group, McGarvey Law and Public Justice  recently scored a landmark victory in the case of Held v. Montana, which was upheld by the Montana Supreme Court last year. It argued that Montanas aggressive fossil fuel extraction violated a state constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Our Childrens Trust and several of the Lighthiser plaintiffs from Hawaii were also successful last year in Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, which marked the first ever settlement between a state and youth plaintiffs to address constitutional climate concerns.

Davin Faris

Davin Faris is a freshman at St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland. When he isnt studying philosophy, he writes and organizes for climate action.
By Karen Scott, University of Canterbury

(The Conversation)  The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region.

In contrast to other recent statements on the status of Palestine, however, the UK has said it will recognise Palestine as a state in September

unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, including through allowing the UN to restart without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank.

Until this week, the UKs position had been that recognition would only follow a negotiated two-state solution in Israel-Palestine. Other countries have now begun to shift from that position, too.

The latest UK statement was preceded by announcements from France on July 25 and Canada on July 31 that they too would recognise Palestine as a state in September.

But the UK position is different in one important way: it is conditional on Israel failing to comply with its international humanitarian obligations in Gaza and the West Bank.

In other words, recognition of Palestine as a state by the UK is being used as a stick to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Should Israel agree to those conditions, the UK will presumably not recognise Palestine as a state in September, but will revert to its original position on a two-state solution.

Conditional recognition subject to action by Israel  a third state  represents an unwelcome and arguably dangerous departure from international practice.

While recognition (or otherwise) of states is inherently political  as demonstrated by the unique status of Taiwan, for example  it is not and should not be made conditional on the action or inaction of third states.

How states are recognised

According to the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a state must have a permanent population, territory, an independent government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states, as well as self-determination.

Palestine has arguably met all these criteria, with the possible exception of an independent government, given the level of Israeli intervention in the West Bank and the current situation in Gaza.

Although recognition by other states is arguably not a formal criterion of statehood, it is very difficult to function as a state without reasonably widespread recognition by other states.

Some 147 countries  two-thirds of UN members  now recognise the State of Palestine, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, which made announcements in 2024.

Those choosing not to formally recognise a Palestinian state are now in a small minority, including Australia and New Zealand. This is inevitably leading to calls in those countries to change position.

Australia is considering such a shift, subject to conditions similar to those set out by Canada  including the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarisation of Hamas, and reform of the Palestinian Authority.

New Zealand is currently maintaining its longstanding position of recognising Palestine within the context of a two-state solution. On July 30, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and 13 of his counterparts issued a joint statement  the New York Call  demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reiterating unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution.

The statement also asserted that positive consideration to recognise the state of Palestine is an essential step towards the two-state solution.

Better options are available

The UKs position, however, introduces another dynamic. By using recognition of Palestine as a tool to punish Israel for its actual and alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, it is implicitly failing to respect Palestines right to self-determination.

If Palestine deserves statehood, it is on its own terms, not as a condition of Israels policies and actions.

But it is also setting a dangerous precedent. Countries could choose to recognise (or not recognise) states to pressure or punish them (or indeed other states) for breaches of international law. Such breaches may or may not be connected to the state actually seeking recognition.

This is important, because the post-colonial settlement of geographical boundaries remains deeply insecure in many regions. As well, low-lying island nations at risk of losing territory from sea-level rise may also find their status challenged, as territory has traditionally been a requirement of statehood.

The UKs apparent conditional recognition of Palestine is only likely to increase this international instability around statehood.

While the UKs announcement may be clever politics from a domestic perspective, and avoids outright US opposition internationally, it has conflated two separate issues.



Grudging Recognition, Digital, ChatGPT, 2025

The better option would be for the UK to recognise Palestine as a state, joining a growing number of countries that plan to do so in advance of the UN General Assembly meeting in September. It could make this subject to conditions, including the release of hostages and exclusion of Hamas from Palestinian governance.

And it should continue to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire in addition to the other demands set out in its announcement, and hold Israel accountable for its gross breaches of international law in Gaza. It can back up those demands with appropriate diplomatic and trade sanctions.

New Zealand, too, has a range of options available, and can help increase the pressure on Israel by using them.

Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
MOSCOW, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday announced a sweeping plan to expand the country's railway network, including major projects in the Arctic, as part of a broader effort to strengthen Russia's position as a key logistics hub across Eurasia.

Speaking in a video address marking Railway Workers' Day, Putin said Russia's railway sector is undergoing significant development.

"There are plans to lay new routes and upgrade existing ones in northern Arctic territories, including the Komi Republic and the Yamal region," Putin said, noting that the projects are strategically important not only for improving domestic connectivity but also for bolstering Russia's role in global supply chains.

"These efforts will reinforce Russia's status as a major logistical link across the entire Eurasian continent and create new opportunities for globally competitive transport corridors, including the Trans-Arctic corridor," he said.

Putin also highlighted plans to build a high-speed rail line between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Set to launch by 2028, the project is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

"This will be the country's first high-speed rail line, to be followed by an entire network of such routes," Putin said, expressing confidence that the projects will meet the growing transportation needs of both Russian citizens and the national economy. 






Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Jomvu Member of Parliament, Badi Twalib, a staunch ally of ODM leader, Raila Odinga, is at the center of a growing land dispute that has sparked public outrage and cries for justice.

In a heartbreaking video making rounds on social media, a distressed woman accuses the legislator of forcefully taking over her familys land in Mombasa.

He arrived at the site with goons and fenced part of the land in broad daylight.

The woman claims she has attempted to report the matter to local authorities, but no meaningful action has been taken.

She alleges that the matter has been swept under the carpet due to Badi Twalibs political connections and influence in the county.

Watch the video.

A Kenyan lady speaks out in pain and fear after Jomvu MP Badi Twalib tried to grab her family's land in Mombasa! pic.twitter.com/5Z27yLwmSA  The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) August 1, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Kenyas motoring community is in deep mourning following the sudden passing of Trevor Lamenya, fondly known as Big Boy Trev, on August 1st, 2025.

The celebrated automotive journalist and television host died after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy that transformed how Kenyans engage with the world of cars.

Trev was best known as the vibrant host of Cars With Big Boy Trev, a popular weekly show that aired on NTV and formerly on KTN.

His engaging reviews, industry insights, and signature charm turned complex auto jargon into relatable stories, earning him a loyal audience from matatu drivers to CEOs.

Among those who paid tribute was TV47 anchor, Betty Kyallo, who shared a deeply emotional message recalling their long-standing friendship that began at Daystar University.

"You ignited my love for cars from Daystar. We had so much fun across Africa test-driving prototypes.

Your energy, laughter, and joy were unmatched. I honestly honour you, Trey. Grateful for the years of friendship," she wrote.










Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Nyali Member of Parliament, Mohammed Ali, has revealed that he was battling a serious health condition that forced him to take a nine-month break from active politics.

Speaking on Saturday, August 2, Ali disclosed that he had been critically ill and nearly lost his life.

He explained that his absence from the political scene since late 2024 was due to health issues that required urgent attention and a long recovery period.

I have been very quiet for the last nine months. Some thought I had run away from politics or couldnt take a stand.

But when you're sick, everything else must wait - my health came first. I was very sick; I almost died, he said.

The MP shared that he underwent three knee surgeries - two in Kenya and one in India - between December 2024 and May 2025.

His health troubles began after he sustained a knee injury during the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games held in Mombasa in December.

Following the injury, Ali underwent surgery and was advised to limit mobility for at least three months.

Ive started walking again and hope to fully recover in the next four to six months. By December, I hope to run, he said.

Ali assured Nyali residents that although he paused public appearances, constituency operations continued as normal.

He expressed gratitude for the support and urged continued prayers as he works toward full recovery.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, August 2, 2025 - A single woman in her late 30s from Nairobi has ignited a wave of reactions online after openly sharing the qualities she desires in a life partner.

In a heartfelt yet concise social media post, the healthcare professional said she was ready for love and seeking a genuine, long-term relationship.

"Allow me to shoot my shot," she began. Describing herself as God-fearing, naturally reserved, goal-driven, and peaceful, she emphasized values like respect, loyalty, kindness, and good communication.

Her ideal man? A 37+ year old, single, child-free, emotionally available, financially stable, grounded, responsible, ambitious, God-fearing, and preferably based in Nairobi.

She added he must be a non-smoker and teetotaller, promising to discuss finer details privately. Interested suitors were encouraged to reach out via email.

While many applauded her clarity and confidence, others werent as supportive.

Some netizens labeled her expectations as unrealistic, questioning the availability of such men in Nairobi.

A few joked she might need to combine traits from three or four men to meet her wishlist, suggesting she lower her standards.

Despite the mixed reactions, her bold move has sparked an honest conversation about dating standards, expectations, and the modern Nairobi dating scene.

See the post and reactions below.




A total of 19 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves, health authorities said Sunday, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap.

More than 3,100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Wednesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, and 19 have died, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Compared with the same period last year, the number of patients and deaths have more than doubled, it added.

Among the patients reported this year, heat exhaustion, commonly known as sunstroke, accounted for 61.3 percent, followed by heat stroke at 16.2 percent and heat cramps at 12.8 percent.

By age group, those aged 65 and older accounted for 31.9 percent of the total patients, the KDCA said.
Rhode was already set to start being sold at Sephora, and e.l.f. has strong retail distribution at stores like Target and Ulta . The brand also brings higher price points, better margins, and a strong skincare lineup. That pairs well with e.l.f.'s core cosmetics products and opens the door to cross-selling. Rhode founder Hailey Bieber will stay on board to help with product development, but also expect e.l.f. to look to expand Rhode's product assortment.

E.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) helped reshape the mass cosmetics market, and now it's going upmarket with its impending Rhode acquisition. Rhode was already doing more than $200 million in sales with almost no retail footprint, little to no paid marketing, and a small product assortment. Expect that to change under e.l.f.

At the same time, Amazon Web Services ( AWS ) continues to be the market-share leader in cloud computing. Amazon's custom AI chips give it a cost advantage, and its software solutions help customers build and run AI models on its infrastructure. Between its e-commerce operation and cloud business, Amazon has two powerful growth drivers -- and it keeps improving both. This is a name to own for the long haul.

Amazon long ago built a regionalized fulfillment network to become a leader in e-commerce. However, it didn't stop there. The company has become one of the leading robotics companies in the world, deploying robots to make its warehouse operations more efficient. Meanwhile, it's also deploying AI to improve delivery routes, give drivers better navigation tools for complex drop-offs, and predict the best warehouses to store items to reduce delivery times. Combined, this is leading to a lot of operating leverage, helping drive earnings growth.

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has built one of the most defensible platforms in any sector. Its edge is simple -- it invests to win. Whether it's with logistics, robotics, or artificial intelligence (AI), the company spends big to win big. That continues to be the story today.

Let's look at five of my favorite stocks in the consumer goods sector right now.

There's still plenty of growth in the consumer space if you know where to look. And while tariffs are still a potential headwind, right now the U.S. economy seems to be holding up well.

Story Continues

E.l.f. also knows how to grow without throwing money at the problem. Its influencer marketing strategy works, and is a big reason why it was able to take such a huge market share in the mass cosmetics space over the past few years. Add in international expansion and the potential to move into new categories, such as fragrance, and the company should have a long runway of growth ahead of it.

3. Dutch Bros

If you don't live on the West Coast, you might not be familiar with coffee shop operator Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS), but it is one of the best growth stories in the restaurant space. The company just crossed 1,000 locations and has a long-term goal of 7,000. Its units have a small footprint and are largely just drive-thru, making expansion very affordable.

But this isn't just about new units, it's also seeing solid same-store sales, and it has an opportunity to grow them even more. Dutch Bros is pretty new to mobile ordering, which should help speed up service and boost peak-hour volume. It's also testing breakfast items -- a move that could unlock a big new revenue stream. The company has admitted that not offering food has likely held back sales, especially during key breakfast hours.

The brand connects well with younger customers and doesn't rely on heavy marketing to drive traffic. It's generally cheaper than rival Starbucks and has built a real following. Between expansion, tech upgrades, and new offerings, Dutch Bros has multiple ways to grow. It's a long-term growth story that's still early.

4. Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) is pulling off one of the best transitions in the consumer goods space. While other tobacco companies are seeing rapidly shrinking cigarette sales in the U.S., Philip Morris' international markets are holding up much better. Meanwhile, it is seeing strong growth in its smoke-free portfolio, led by its Zyn nicotine pouches and Iqos heated-tobacco units. Zyn shipment volumes jumped 40% last quarter in the U.S., and the brand is now in 44 countries.

Iqos, meanwhile, continues to gain share across Europe and Japan and is making progress in newer markets. The company now owns the U.S. rights and is waiting on FDA approval to launch its latest device here. If that happens, it adds another potential growth lever.

The stock sold off after the company reported solid Q2 earnings. This was largely due to it forecasting a steeper decline in cigarette sales volumes in the second half. However, about half of that decline is due to a temporary issue around its Turkish supply chain. Meanwhile, the real story centers around the growth of Zyn and Iqos.

Philip Morris offers a rare combination of growth and defense, and the recent pullback in the stock offers a solid entry point.

5. Toast

Toast (NYSE: TOST) is becoming one of the most important players in the restaurant industry. It's not just a payment processing platform; it's become the central operating hub for more than 140,000 restaurants.

The company has always been an innovator, and it just keeps rolling out new tools to help restaurants improve sales and operate more efficiently. This includes modules for staffing optimization, menu planning, marketing, and more. It's also embraced AI, introducing AI solutions like ToastIQ and Sous Chef to help restaurants make adjustments in real time.

Restaurants are under pressure to do more with less, and Toast helps them do exactly that. Its platform gets stickier as it grows, and it benefits when its customers increase sales through its payment processing. That alignment matters, and with a large market still up for grabs, Toast has a long growth runway ahead.

Do the experts think Amazon is a buy right now?

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Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Philip Morris International, Toast, and e.l.f. Beauty. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Starbucks, Target, Toast, Ulta Beauty, and e.l.f. Beauty. The Motley Fool recommends Dutch Bros and Philip Morris International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

My 5 Favorite Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool




Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Outspoken Nandi Senator, Samson Cherargei, has claimed that President William Rutos re-election in 2027 is all but assured following his surprise meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On Friday, August 1st, Uhuru and Ruto met during a high-level consultative session on the Democratic Republic of Congo peace process, where Uhuru serves as Kenyas peace envoy.

The unexpected meeting, after years of political tension, has led to speculation that the two leaders may be mending their strained relationship - and what that could mean for the 2027 General Elections.

Taking to his official X account, Cherargei, a vocal ally of Ruto, described the meeting as a turning point.

The presence of Uhuru at State House yesterday with President Ruto has made most people angry because they dont want an inclusive, united, and cohesive Kenya, he posted.

He went further to assert that the meeting signaled a political realignment.

This also confirms that 'tutam' (re-election) is crystal clear now for President Rutos administration.

In fact, the 2027 presidential election will be a coronation ceremony.

Cherargei dismissed opposition leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiangi and Rigathi Gachagua, telling them to prepare for 2032 instead.

While it remains unclear whether Ruto and Uhuru held private talks, they sat together during the EAC, SADC, and AU peace forum, which explored deeper regional integration and cooperation.
ANYONE interested in becoming a farm manager can check out Teagascs apprenticeships.

Apprentices are offered paid employment, which is on-the-job training with a SOLAS approved employer during the two-year apprenticeship programme.

Course work or off-the-job training will take place at Teagasc Kildalton College and Teagasc Moorepark in three to five-day blocks and will be delivered by an integrated team of staff, including college lecturers, researchers, along with guest lecturers, including Irish farmers and industry experts.

They are accepting applications for their level 7 Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programme, which starts in September.

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, an applicant must have a level 6 advanced certificate in agriculture or equivalent or higher award.

Those working in the agriculture sector for two years full-time with the relevant experience and a national framework of qualifications (NFQ) level 6 or higher qualification and be directly employed by a SOLAS approved employer may also apply.

Tim Ashmore, Kildalton College principal, explained that the Farm Manager Apprenticeship Programme gives apprentices the opportunity to earn while they learn, while also developing knowledge, skills and competencies in sustainable farming practices. Mr Ashmore outlined that apprentices will be employed on commercial farms in Ireland for the duration of the programme.

Following completion of the programme, graduates will typically manage farm businesses or work in the wider agriculture industry.

The first step in the applications process is for the apprentice to gain employment with an approved employer. The next step is for the approved employer and apprentice to complete a registration form with the SOLAS authorised officer assigned to the approved employer.

For further information, log on to https://teagasc.ie.
Kenneth Fox

President Michael D Higgins has condemned footage which shows the emaciated bodies of two hostages taken on October 7th.

In a statement released earlier on Sunday, Mr Higgins said: The presentation of the emaciated bodies of two hostages taken on October 7th is a shocking act of cruelty and reflects not only on those responsible for such actions but damages any cause to which they attach themselves.

"We are now in a position of seeing the nadir of human behaviour with images like these occurring at the same time as children are deprived of medicine and mothers are deprived of water and the necessary means of addressing malnutrition as they watch their children die.

"All of these actions must not just receive the opprobrium of the world, but must lead to practical actions that cannot wait until September to be addressed."

President Higgins said he hopes that Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter may provide a mechanism for ensuring safe access of aid in the region.

The news comes as US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy told families of hostages being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday that he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.

Trump has made ending the conflict a major priority of his administration, though negotiations have faltered. Steve Witkoff is visiting Israel as its government faces mounting pressure over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

In a recording of the meeting, reviewed by Reuters, Witkoff is heard saying: "We have a very, very good plan that we're working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu ... for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his remarks.

Witkoff also said that Hamas was prepared to disarm in order to end the war, though the group has repeatedly said it will not lay down its weapons.

In response, Hamas, which has dominated Gaza since 2007 but has been militarily battered by Israel in the war, said it would not relinquish "armed resistance" unless an "independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" was established.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and deal for the release of half the hostages ended last week in deadlock.

On Saturday, Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole, which, he says in the video, is for his own grave.

"They are on the absolute brink of death," David's brother Ilay said at a rally in support of the hostages in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered holding posters of those in captivity and chanted for their immediate release.

"In the current unimaginable condition, they may have only days left to live."

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar said the "world cannot remain silent in the face of the difficult images that are the result of deliberate sadistic abuse of the hostages, which also includes starvation".

Witkoff, who arrived in Israel with Benjamin Netanyahu's government facing a global outcry over the devastation in Gaza and the starvation growing among its 2.2 million people, met the prime minister on Thursday.

Afterwards, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and Washington was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip, echoing Israel's key demands for ending the war.

On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating ceasefire efforts, endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As part of it, they said Hamas must hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

The crisis in Gaza has also prompted a string of Western powers to announce they may recognise a Palestinian state.

On Friday, Witkoff visited a US backed aid operation in southern Gaza, which the United Nations has partly blamed for deadly conditions in the enclave, saying he sought to get food and other aid to people there.

Dozens have died of malnutrition in recent weeks after Israel cut off all supplies to the enclave for nearly three months from March to May, according to Gaza's health ministry. It said on Saturday that it had recorded seven more fatalities, including a child, since Friday.

Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza and says it is taking steps for more aid to reach its population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in an attack on southern Israel on October 7th, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Additional reporting Reuters
Failte Ireland has announced that Kilkenny County Council has been selected to receive funding under its new 'Home of Halloween' Pilot Destination Development Scheme.

The pilot scheme is part of the Ireland, Home of Halloween Strategy which was developed collaboratively by Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Tourism Northern Ireland to establish Ireland as the authentic global home of Halloween.

The pilot scheme aims to deliver immersive, culturally rich experiences that celebrate Irelands heritage, extend the tourism season into October and November, and stimulate sustainable regional economic growth through collaboration between local authorities, tourism businesses, and cultural organisations.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny residents fearful over speeding on busy city road

Kilkenny County Councils Halloween programme will feature a dynamic, four-week schedule of events beginning on October 10.

Developed in collaboration with long-established festival and event providers, the programme will celebrate the harvest, local food culture, and Kilkennys eerie folklore, including tales of witches, trials, and ghostly legends.

The initiative aims to animate the city and county with immersive experiences that highlight Kilkennys heritage and charm.

The pilot Home of Halloween Pilot Destination Development Scheme invited all local authorities to apply for funding to create a new season for Halloween festivals rooted in local culture, folklore, and community engagement.

Each successful destination will receive up to 100,000 annually to develop Halloween-themed festivals that celebrate Irelands heritage and attract visitors during the off-peak season.

SEE ALSO: Popular Kilkenny man appointed to prestigious role in Dubai

Additional investment was allocated by Failte Ireland to the pilot programme following a high level of interest from local authorities and the strength of the proposals received.

Over the course of three years, the seven supported projects are projected to attract approximately 337,000 additional visitors, generating an estimated 28 million in economic impact for local communities.

The full list of successful local authorities is:

Galway City Council

Longford County Council and Westmeath County Council (joint project)

Meath County Council and Louth County Council (joint project)

Kerry County Council

Fingal County Council

Limerick City and County Council

Kilkenny County Council

DON'T MISS: Local employee makes Kilkenny proud as he takes home medals galore

The new pilot scheme builds on the success of the Puca Festival co-developed by Failte Ireland and Meath County Council in 2019.

Rooted in the ancient tradition of Samhain, Puca has become a flagship Halloween event, attracting thousands with its vibrant mix of spectacle, music, and food.

In 2024, the festival welcomed 49,050 attendees, delivering 7.11 million in economic impact, and supporting 174 jobs.

In 2023, Failte Ireland also introduced fire and shadows processions in Limerick, Longford and Waterford to further establish Irelands position as the 'Home of Halloween'.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Altria Group is a leader in the manufacturing and production of tobacco products in the U.S. It used to own Philip Morris, the most profitable U.S. cigarette manufacturer, whose portfolio is led by Marlboro. While Philip Morris is no longer a subsidiary of Altria, the company retains exclusive rights to sell Marlboro domestically, which I think was a genius move. Altria is also extending its dominance by leading in the moist smokeless tobacco and oral tobacco industry.

So, except for Universal Corp, which does not have an analyst rating, here are the five highest-yielding Dividend Aristocrats. The question is: are they a buy today? Let me cover that for you, starting with number one:

With all of this set, I ran the screen and got the following results:

Annual Dividend Yield: We will use this filter to sort the stocks according to the highest dividends.

I used Barcharts Stock Screener to find companies on my Kings watchlist with the highest dividend yields to get todays list. Ill be covering their financials, high targets, analyst ratings, and Barchart Opinion - which hints at the stocks short-term direction.

How I Came Up With The Following Dividend Stocks

So, today, Ill walk and dig into the top 5 highest-yielding Dividend Kings and whether they are worth owning today.

So, how do we know if its a buy or not? We stick to the fundamentals. A companys financial performance tells us about the companys current position. Additionally, valuation metrics and indicators such as analyst sentiment and Barchart Opinion are great tools to uncover if the stock is, in fact, a buy.

However, note that not all Dividend Kings are created equal. Some may have soft yields but offer strong growth, while others offer high yields right now - and that is where I am focusing today.

If you think that the recent tariff debacle was brutal, Dividend Kings survived wars, financial collapses, and recessions, highlighting its track record of financial resilience and shareholder commitment.

Consistency is king literally. As an investor focused on building a sustainable passive income, I look for companies that not only pay dividends but consistently raise them. Maybe youve heard about the Dividend Aristocrats, S&P 500 listed companies that have been paying consistently increasing dividends for 25 years. Still, theres an even more elite group: the Dividend Kings. These companies have thrived through all market conditions, increasing their dividend payouts every single year for at least 50 years.

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The companys second-quarter financials reported sales of $6.2 billion, declining 1.7% from the same quarter last year. Its net income also weakened 10.1% to $1.4 billion. Altria pays a forward annual dividend of $4.08, which translates to a yield of approximately 6.59%, the highest among all Dividend Kings.

Wall Street consensus is a Hold, which has been consistent for at least the last 3 months, according to 14 analysts. This indicates a wait-and-see phase for MO. Currently, the stock is 4.9% shy of its $65 high price target.

Barchart Opinion has an overall average of 88% buy for MO, combined with high strength and maximum direction, indicating significant short-term confidence in the stocks potential.

Looking at its valuation, Altrias forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.39 trades lower than most of its peers. However, its price-to-sales ratio of 4.16 is the highest among the group, suggesting that while investors are paying less for future earnings, they are placing a premium on its current revenue, likely because of its dominance in the market.

Northwest Natural Gas Company (NWN)

The second company on my highest-yielding Dividend Kings list is Northwest Natural Gas Company, which is a natural gas and water/wastewater utility provider. It regulates gas distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States.

The companys first-quarter financials reported sales of $494.28 million, which increased 14% year-over-year. Its net income rose 37.7% to $87.92 million from the same quarter last year. Northwest Natural Gas Company pays a forward annual dividend of $1.96, which translates to a yield of approximately 4.91%

NWN has a consensus Moderate Buy rating among 5 Wall Street analysts, a sentiment that has been consistent over the past three months. It has a high target of $50, which suggests a potential upside of 25.3%.

In the short-term direction, Barchart Opinion has an overall average sell of 48% which could suggest a bearish phase in the near term.

Now, from a valuation perspective, Northwest Naturals price-to-earnings of 14.13 is the lowest among its industry peers, suggesting that the stock is priced more conservatively relative to expected earnings. However, its price-to-sales ratio of 1.42 is modest, indicating investors are placing less emphasis on its revenue stream.

Stanley Black & Decker Inc (SWK)

The next Dividend King in this list is Stanley Black & Decker Inc., the worlds largest tool company. It manufactures hand, power, and outdoor equipment and accessories. The company is known for its brands like Stanley, Black & Decker, DeWalt, and Craftsman that serve both individual and commercial use.

In the companys second-quarter financials, sales were down 2% year-over-year to $3.95 billion. Its net income sharply rose by about 1010% to 101.9 million from the same quarter last year. Stanly Black & Decker pays a forward annual dividend of $3.28 with a yield of approximately 4.85%.

SWK has a Moderate Buy rating consensus from 16 Wall Street analysts, indicating confidence in the stocks bullish potential.

Meanwhile, Barchart Opinion has an overall average of 64% sell, with soft strength and only average short-term direction that signals short-term weak momentum and a lack of strong technical support.

SWKs forward price-to-earnings of 14.93, which is the lowest among its industry peers, suggests that the stock is priced more conservatively relative to expected earnings. However, its price-to-sales ratio of 0.69 is also the lowest, which means investors are paying less for each dollar of Stanleys revenue compared to its peers.

Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT)

The next Dividend King is Federal Realty Investment Trust, a leader in the real estate investment trust that owns, manages, and redevelops retail and mixed-use properties in the U.S. The company is also known for high-quality retail properties like supermarkets, drug stores, and residential spaces.

The companys most recent financials reported sales of $309.15 million, which jumped 6.1% from the same quarter last year. Its net income also rose year-over-year by 12.4% to $63.77 million. Federal Realty pays a forward annual dividend of $4.40, which translates to a yield of 4.77%.

FRT has a Moderate Buy rating consensus from 17 Wall Street analysts, anticipating a bullish run that can soon occur. At its current stock price, this suggests as much as 41.1% upside should the stock touch its high target of $130.

On the other hand, the stock has an overall average of 88% Sell from Barchart Opinion, indicating that the stock is bearish using short-term technical indicators.

Next, looking at its valuation, Federal Realtys forward price-to-earnings of 13.26, which is roughly in line with its peers, suggests that it is fairly valued within the REIT space. However, its price-to-sales ratio of 6.77 appears to be on the higher end, indicating that investors are willing to pay a premium for FRTs revenue base.

Black Hills Corp (BHK)

The last Dividend King in this list is Black Hills Corp, which is an energy company. It specializes in delivering electricity and natural gas to customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It generates energy through multiple sources, such as natural gas, coal, and wind, and also produces

The companys recently released second-quarter financials reported sales grew 9% year-over-year to $439 million. Its net income rose 16.6% to 28.8 million from the same quarter last year. Black Hills pays a forward annual dividend of $2.70, translating to a yield of approximately 4.68%.

Currently, the stock has a consensus Hold rating from 5 Wall Street Analysts. This market sentiment has been consistent for the past three months, suggesting as much as 17.7% potential upside in the stock should it hit its high target of $68.

Meanwhile, Barchart Opinion has an overall average of 64% sell for BKH, indicating a potential bearish short-term direction.

Looking at its valuation, Black Hills' forward price-to-earnings of 13.77 is the lowest among its peers, suggesting that the stock may be cheap relative to expected earnings. Its price-to-sales ratio of 1.93 indicates that investors are paying less for each dollar of BKHs revenue. These metrics suggest that BKH could be undervalued based on its revenue.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it: the five Dividend Kings arranged according to the highest dividend yields, including the markets expectations, and what short-term technical indicators tell us about them. Owning any of the companies on this list could mean owning stability and a generation of increasing income.

On the date of publication, Rick Orford did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
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Annabelle Chih / Bloomberg / Getty Images AMD shares have surged over 40% in 2025

Key Takeaways

Advanced Micro Devices is set to report quarterly earnings after the market closes Tuesday.

Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha expect the chipmaker to report rising sales, but falling profits. AMD warned in May that it would take a hit from tighter chip export curbs.

However, AMD reportedly suggested last month that headwinds from exports restrictions could soon ease, leading several analysts to raise their price targets for the stock.





Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is scheduled to report second-quarter results after the closing bell Tuesday, after a strong run for the chipmaker's stock amid hopes export curb headwinds could soon ease.

AMD is expected to report second-quarter revenue of $7.43 billion, up 27% year-over-year on strong data center sales, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. However, its adjusted net income could fall to $796.6 million, or 48 cents per share, compared to $1.26 billion, or 69 cents per share, a year ago. In May, AMD warned it would take a hit in the quarter to the tune of $800 million related to tighter restrictions on sales of its chips to China.

Still, Wall Street analysts lean more bullish than bearish on the company's stock, after AMD reportedly said last month that it plans to restart exports of its MI308 chips to China once it receives final approval from U.S. authorities.

Of the 10 analysts with current ratings tracked by Visible Alpha, six have "buy" or equivalent ratings for the stock, alongside five "hold" ratings, with price targets ranging from $111 to $210. The shares have gained more than 40% in 2025 so far, closing Friday near $172.

Last week, UBS raised its price target for AMD stock to $210 from $160, pointing to optimism about AMD's ability to obtain the necessary approvals to start reselling it MI308 chips to China.

Bank of America also recently raised its price target, to $200 from $175. AMD could have a chance to reach a more than 30% share of the CPU market by 2026, up from less than 20% in 2023, BofA said, particularly if Intel's (INTC) share of the market declines.



Read the original article on Investopedia
(Bloomberg) -- Famed oil trader Pierre Andurand has pulled back from a bullish bet on cocoa after a series of mistimed trades led to deep losses, according to a letter sent to investors that was seen by Bloomberg.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The gyrations underscore the risk for fund managers that drift away from their core expertise into other markets that carry unfamiliar risks. Andurand, whose main fund was down over 57% through the end of June, began trading cocoa in early 2024 after more than a decade focused primarily on oil.

Recent performance has been very disappointing, the recent letter to investors said. Pierre Andurand has further reduced long cocoa exposure in all Andurand funds.

A spokesperson for Andurand declined to comment.

Andurands ill-fated foray into cocoa began in January 2024, when an analyst from his firm approached him and proposed a new trade.

Pierre, you should look at cocoa, the analyst said, according to a retelling by Andurand on the Odd Lots podcast in May last year.

Okay, I dont know anything about it, tell me, Andurand replied.

Until that point, Andurand was primarily known for trading energy. He found initial success buying and selling oil at commodities trading house Vitol Group, before leaving to start hedge fund BlueGold Capital Management in 2008 with the firms former head of trading Dennis Crema. Their new venture returned over 200% in its first year thanks to lucrative bets on the price of oil.

BlueGold lasted only a few years, suffering steep losses and returning money to its investors in 2012. Andurand launched his eponymous firm the following year, making bets on oil that drove double-digit gains in its early years.

Andurand branched out from oil to invest in other commodities, including metals. His firm also made profitable bets in recent years on a sharp rise in the price of European carbon allowances.

Cocoa Strategy

The cocoa-trading strategy suggested by the analyst at Andurands firm was a basic story of a mismatch in supply and demand. A majority of the commodity is grown in just two countries, the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Supplies there looked set to decline for a variety of reasons, such as adverse weather conditions and a fungal disease called Black Pod.

Any supply scarcity could have an outsized impact on cocoa futures, because typically demand for chocolate doesnt respond much to shifts in the price of the raw commodity, Andurand said.
The remarks followed a blockbuster earnings report, with sales growing nearly 10% during the June quarter. That beat Wall Street expectations and eased concerns about iPhone demand and a slowdown in China.

Cook often holds town hall-style chats when visiting Apples offices around the world, but companywide meetings from the Steve Jobs Theater at headquarters are unusual.

The reality is that Big Tech is under a lot of scrutiny around the world, Cook said. We need to continue to push on the intention of the regulation and get them to offer that up, instead of these things that destroy the user experience and user privacy and security.

The hourlong meeting addressed a range of topics, including the retirement of operating chief Jeff Williams, increasing Apple TV+ viewership and advances in health care with features like the AirPods Pro hearing-aid technology. It also touched on donations and community service by Apple employees, the companys goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, and the impact of regulations.

But Apple invented the modern versions of those product categories, he said. This is how I feel about AI.

Weve rarely been first, the executive told staffers. There was a PC before the Mac; there was a smartphone before the iPhone; there were many tablets before the iPad; there was an MP3 player before iPod.

The iPhone maker has been late to AI, debuting Apple Intelligence months after OpenAI, Alphabet Inc.s Google, Microsoft Corp. and others flooded the market with products like ChatGPT. And when Apple finally released its AI tools, they fell flat.

The executive gathered staff at Apples on-campus auditorium Friday in Cupertino, California, telling them that the AI revolution is as big or bigger as the internet, smartphones, cloud computing and apps. Apple must do this. Apple will do this. This is sort of ours to grab, Cook told employees, according to people aware of the meeting. We will make the investment to do it.

(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, holding a rare all-hands meeting following earnings results, rallied employees around the companys artificial intelligence prospects and an amazing pipeline of products.

Story Continues

Apple still faces myriad challenges, including Trump administration tariffs and a regulatory crackdown on its business practices. The company said Thursday that tariffs would bring a $1.1 billion headwind this quarter, though Apple was upbeat about sales growth. It also said that App Store revenue rose by a percentage in the double digits last quarter, despite efforts in the EU and elsewhere to further restrict that business.

Echoing comments he made during the earnings conference call, Cook told employees the company is investing in AI in a big way. He said 12,000 workers were hired in the last year, with 40% of the new hires joining in research and development roles.

Apples chip development efforts, led by executive Johny Srouji, are key to the companys AI strategy, Cook said. Apple is working on a more powerful cloud-computing chip  code-named Baltra  to power artificial intelligence features, Bloomberg News has reported. Its also setting up a new AI server manufacturing facility in Houston.

The meeting included Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering, who discussed the future of Apples Siri voice assistant. The company had planned to roll out a Siri overhaul as part of Apple Intelligence earlier this year, adding the ability to tap into user data to better fulfill requests. It was delayed, spurring management changes for the companys AI work.

Federighi explained that the problem was caused by trying to roll out a version of Siri that merged two different systems: one for handling current commands  like setting timers  and another based on large language models, the software behind generative AI. We initially wanted to do a hybrid architecture, but we realized that approach wasnt going to get us to Apple quality, Federighi said.

Now, Apple is working on a version of Siri that moves to an entirely new architecture for all of its capabilities. That iteration is slated for as early as spring, Bloomberg News has reported, though Apple executives havent confirmed a timeline other than a release next year.

The work weve done on this end-to-end revamp of Siri has given us the results we needed, the engineering executive told employees. This has put us in a position to not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than we envisioned. There is no project people are taking more seriously.

Federighi cited leadership changes, including putting Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell and his headset software leadership team in charge of Siri, as a driving force in improving the product. He said Rockwell and his group have supercharged the companys work in the area.

In his speech, Cook also pushed employees to move more quickly to weave AI into their work and future products.

All of us are using AI in a significant way already, and we must use it as a company as well, Cook said. To not do so would be to be left behind, and we cant do that.

Employees should push to deploy AI tools faster, and urge their managers and service and support teams to do the same, he said.

Cook also addressed the companys retail strategy, stressing that the current plan is to focus on opening new stores in emerging markets and upping the investment in Apples online store. The iPhone maker is opening outlets in India, the United Arab Emirates and China this year, and is preparing to add its first location in Saudi Arabia next year.

We need to be in more countries, and youll see us go into more emerging markets in particular, Cook said. That doesnt mean Apple will ignore other places, he said, but a disproportionate amount of growth will be in new areas.

The CEO also shared his enthusiasm about upcoming products, though he didnt get specific. I have never felt so much excitement and so much energy before as right now, he said.

Bloomberg News has previously reported that Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone next year and is also working on a stream of smart home devices. New headset products, smart glasses, a push into robotics and a redesigned iPhone for the two-decade anniversary are also underway.

The product pipeline, which I cant talk about: Its amazing, guys. Its amazing, Cook said. Some of it youll see soon, some of it will come later, but theres a lot to see.

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2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Auditor General Tim DeFoor releases the findings from an audit in March 2025. Commonwealth Media Services

Eastons police pension fund is only 53.7% funded, according to a state audit.

The audit says the firefighter pension is at 67.6% funded and a third pension for officers and employees is funded at 60.8%.

Plans funded between 50% and 69% are moderately distressed, according to the audit released Tuesday, July 29.

We are extremely concerned about the funded status of the plan, the audit says.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said Thursday the pension funds have improved since the audit, which looked at the funds from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2022.

The funds are cumulatively over 70% funded now, which puts the city in the minimally distressed range of pensions funded at 70% to 89% of expected revenue, Panto said.

Panto said the pension fund is getting a better return on its investments than it was three years ago.

Ever since we switched to Morgan Stanley, were doing much better, Panto said.

The city has struggled with its pension funds for years. In 2016, the state auditor warned the city it was veering toward severe distress, where pensions are funded below 50%.

The mayor has long called for state aid to help balance pension funds. Other cities are in similar trouble.

Nearly a quarter of the pension plans in Pennsylvania are in some state of distress, state Auditor General DeFoor said after his statewide audit.

Easton is switching new employees into a Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System fund. That fund is near 100%, according to the state audit. Its a hybrid pension-401(k). Its benefits arent as lucrative as a standard pension, but its more realistic for the city, Panto said.

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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
A taste of Lebanese pride was on display Saturday evening as Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church played host to day one of its two-day Lebanese Heritage Days in Easton.

The festival celebrates its culture through live music, traditional dancing, childrens activities, authentic food and pastries available for purchase alongside beer and other beverages.
If you're a fan of the fall, this year's prediction for what the season's weather will be like in Pennsylvania this year might bring you joy. (Getty Images) Getty Images

July, as unbelievable as it is to type out, comes to an end this week.

With August rolling around and back-to-school stuff already advertised (and a certain drink flavors return), its natural, then, to wonder what fall weather in Pennsylvania will be like this year.

According to the Old Farmers Almanacs annual prediction, the majority of people in Pennsylvania will experience an autumn thats cool and dry this year. In fact, the Northeast is amongst the regions in the country that are expected to be cooler-than-average this upcoming season.

The Old Farmers Almanac predicted the same forecast last year: The only main difference is that above average precipitation was forecast for last year.

Expect cooler and drier conditions than usual, the almanac says of the Northeast. September brings an average temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit (two degrees below normal) with 3.5 inches of precipitation  wet in the north, drier in the south.

October will average 46 degrees Fahrenheit (three degrees below normal) with just 2.5 inches of rain. Look for scattered showers, brief warm spells, and overall chilly weather.

This will most likely serve as delightful news to fall fans, since  as the almanac points out  cooler temperatures and below-average rainfalls tend to result in some lovely foliage.

However, the Old Farmers Almanac states that the majority of the country will experience warmer temperatures: States like Texas will be drier, however, while others like Louisiana will a bit damper than usual.

Fall officially starts on Monday, Sept. 22. Until then  summer continues, along with the heat.
A former Ukrainian soldier appeared in Portlaoise District Court for stealing alcohol and intoxication.

Myroslav Krynytskyl (32) of No Fixed Abode was accused of stealing two bottles of pink gin worth 52 from Aldi, Main Street, Portarlington on March 21 last. He was also accused of stealing five bottles of whiskey and one bottle of gin valued at 133 from Lidl in Portarlington on March 14 and being intoxicated at The Sycamores, Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington on March 19, 2025.

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said the accused was arrested in Portarlington on March 19 when gardai found him in an intoxicated state. He attempted to walk away from Garda Burke and he was unable to do so, he explained. The man was then arrested for his own safety, he explained.

Sgt Hughes said the theft of five bottles of whiskey and one bottle of gin from Lidl Portarlington was captured on CCTV. He said the theft of two bottles of gin from Aldi was also captured on CCTV. Sgt Hughes said the accused had 27 previous convictions.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had been in custody since June 6. She said the man had been married but was now separated. He had worked in a factory in a car plant but during the war with Russia he was a soldier in the Ukrainian Army. She said he was released from duty due to mental health difficulties and a head injury.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the man wasnt in any trouble prior to his involvement in the war in Ukraine. She said his engagement with the probation services has been of benefit but he will be starting from scratch on release from custody.

Judge Deirdre Gearty said he would need supervision in future. She sentenced him to two months in prison and backdated the sentence to June 9.
Portlaoise District Court was told a man was unable to attend as it would be unsafe for him to come to the town.

Bernard McDonagh (29) of Ballyfin Road, Portlaoise, was due before Portlaoise District Court where he was accused of stealing alcohol valued at 19.75 from Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise on July 15.

Andrew Dunne BL said there was an incident last week and it would not be safe for Mr McDonagh to be in Portlaoise.

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said the State accepts that.

Mr Dunne told Judge Deirdre Gearty that he had been instructed to enter a guilty plea in relation to the matter.

Judge Gearty said the defendant had to choose whether to hear the case in the district or circuit court and she couldnt accept the plea. He does need to be put on his election, she explained.

Judge Gearty did accept jurisdiction in the case and ordered disclosure including CCTV. She advised Mr Dunne to discuss the issue with his solicitor, Philip Meagher. She adjourned the case until October 13 and said she would write down venue ? on the record for the next appearance.
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Kildare comedian Jarlath Regan is one of the big names at the Electric Picnic comedy tent this year.

If comedy is the means to deal with a world in crisis, then the Comedy Tent at this years Electric Picnic will provide bucket loads of succor for these troubled times we find ourselves living in right now. A myriad of mirth, mayhem, mischief and comedic delight is in store as some of the biggest names in the industry alongside a whole host of original, exciting, emerging comics descend upon the rolling lawns of the beautiful Stradbally estate.

It's hard to believe that one of the UK and Irelands favourite stand-up comedians and national treasure Dara O Briain is making his Electric Picnic debut this year. Daras imaginative and ridiculously funny comedy is a masterclass in intelligent stand-up and his early afternoon slot on Saturday 30th is not to be missed.

With over 2 million likes and followers on Facebook and 500 million online views, comedy sketch troupe Foil Arms and Hog have been a worldwide phenomenon. Fast, funny and furious, they have sold out arenas all over the world and their appearance at this years Picnic will be the Foils only Irish festival show this year.

The hottest ticket in comedy right now, comedian, writer, illustrator and podcaster, Jarlath Regan is the sort of comic you want to take home to meet your mam. His unstoppable, relentless never-ending flow of fantastic tales and over the top mind-blowing observations, cause near hysteria wherever he performs.

Chris Kent is making a long overdue return to Electric Picnic. A compelling and master storyteller, he lures an audience into his quiet beta-male world with stories that are engrossing, evocative and wryly witty.

READ NEXT:

Another returnee is Belfasts Shane Todd, described as a modern day King of Comedy. His freewheeling storytelling style has made him a star at home and all over the world. We are super excited to announce that five of the most talked about and popular comics on the circuit are also making their Picnic debuts this year. Cork native and Barcelona resident Kyla Cobbler brings a freshness to the scene with her honest, blunt and deep storytelling style, combined with her powerful energy onstage have made her the big new talent you dont want to miss. Katy Boyle is an Irish comedian living in New York City, her debut TV special Ill Do it Myself has hit over 1 million views on YouTube.

Since swapping her corporate career for comedy, Tik Tok star Rachel Galvo aka The Shite Feminist has become an overnight sensation. With a sold-out Olympia Theatre under her belt, her sharp wit has earned her a fiercely loyal fanbase across social media. Vittorio Angelone is an Italian Irish comedian from Belfast who has accelerated through the comedy ranks at an anxiety inducing rate since being nominated for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022. Kilkennys Mike Rice has just completed his first tour of the UK and Ireland to sold out audiences and critical acclaim. A phenomenal wordsmith and world class raconteur, this is dirty, hysterical comedy at its best.

Andrew Maxwell is one of Irelands best-known comics, with countless TV appearances, he has even gone and won Celebrity Mastermind which for anyone who has been in a room with him for over five minutes will come as no surprise. There is no end to affable Dubliner Gearoid Farrellys talents. To be in his audience is a joy. His blend of quick wit and impeccable comic timing has made him one of the best loved acts on the circuit. Emma Doran is a comedian, podcaster and self-proclaimed chancer. Dry and sarcastic, she has her finger firmly on the pulse of society and is wickedly funny.

Expect strong sets from the likes of affable Dub Eric Lalor, award winning Hot Young Guys podcasters and comedy gods Killian Sundermann, Shane Daniel Byrne and Tony Cantwell. Irelands Best Kept Comedy Secret John Colleary, Bridget and Eamon creator and star Bernard OShea, Canadian slacker comic Glen Wool, silly and politely offensive Martin Angolo, brains, banter and brilliance from Danny OBrien, sassy, sexy, saucy and side -splittingly funny, Aideen McQueen, Joe.ie content creator Ryan Carrick, Cherry Comedy Club host Fiona Frawley, London based Irish comic Peter Flanagan and exciting new comedy star Galway girl Aoife Dunne.

Down through the years, Electric Picnic has sought to provide a platform to the best of the new breed of comedians, so prepare to be wowed by the stars of tomorrow when Siomha Hennessy, Steve Spade, Emer Maguire, Bronagh Diamond, Darragh Bourke and Eddie Mullarkey play the biggest gig in their careers thus far.

Of course, a Comedy Circus this big needs a ringmaster par excellence to keep the show moving along and who better than your host and MC for the weekend than the wonderful Karl Spain.

The Electric Picnic Comedy Tent opens at 1.30pm on Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st 2025.
The Government have been accused of wasting taxpayer money by Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny, as the number of people in energy arrears has reached an all-time high of over 300,000.

Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan obtained figures showing a record 301,379 households are now in energy arrears, the highest number ever recorded.

Deputy Kenny has said that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is preparing to increase the network costs that consumers are required to pay, while reducing them for data centres.

He added that these same data centres are consuming more and more of the energy produced, delaying the delivery of badly needed homes, and placing the national grid under significant pressure.

The Government will pretend that these issues are outside their control, but they are not.

READ NEXT: Award-winning Leitrim cafe closes doors after a year in business amid rising costs

These are political decisions. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael talk about their glossy taskforce to look at energy prices, despite the last government launching a steering group to do the same thing, Deputy Kenny said.

This will be another talking shop to waste taxpayer money, he added.

Last week, Flogas announced a seven percent increase in electricity prices starting next month, with more suppliers expected to follow. SSE Airtricity has already announced price rises.

Here in Leitrim, the issue of households falling into arrears on energy bills is something that Sinn Fein councillor Padraig Fallon has been raising repeatedly.

The Drumkeeran councillor has highlighted that he has seen a growing number of local households struggling to keep up with their energy bills. In several cases, he has referred people to NGOs such as Barnardos or St Vincent de Paul, as well as the Department of Social Protection, in order to seek emergency payments.

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Its a national issue but its obviously an issue locally as well. Its definitely gotten worse, Cllr Fallon said.

When we had the cost of living measure with the electricity credits, in some instances that wasnt taking people out of their arrears, he added.

It has been confirmed that energy credits to help with electricity and heating costs will not be included in the 2026 Budget, despite Ireland having some of the highest energy prices in Europe.

Although the credits didnt cover everyones arrears, Cllr Fallon noted that for individuals living on their own, and for some young families, the credits were of great help and essential.

This is something that he is calling for the return of, along with greater regulation of the industry, adding its a must for energy credits to come back in.

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Theres no doubt its going to get worse when it comes in to winter. Its obvious that the Government need to plan for and introduce a cost of living package in the budget, in particular around energy. Its going to get worse, he warned.
THE Irish Writers Centre has welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors, including a proud Limerick man.

The new addition to the board is Brian McEnery, from Ballycummin, Patrickswell. Brian is Managing Partner at BDO Ireland and brings extensive leadership experience to the Centre at a time of strategic growth.

In addition, Brian has leadership experience in corporate finance, restructuring, and healthcare as well as having held a number of key positions including Worldwide President of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chair of HIQA and Board Member & Chair of the Audit Committee of NAMA.

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Brians appointment reflects a deepening commitment to all-island representation and leadership within the Irish Writers Centre, and comes at a pivotal moment as the Centre accelerates its ambition to expand and deepen support for writers across the country.

These appointments come as the Irish Writers Centre enters a next chapter under new CEO Mags McLoughlin. Their combined experience spans the literary, publishing, cultural, financial, legal, healthcare and sustainability sectors.

Welcoming the new Board members, Irish Writers Centre Chair Breda Brown said: "Were delighted to welcome this exceptional group to the Irish Writers Centre Board. They each bring a unique perspective, and their combined expertise will help shape the next chapter of our work supporting writers across Ireland. These appointments represent a time of exciting change and bold ambition for the organisation  and Im looking forward to what lies ahead."
Earlier in July, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick gave chipmakers like Nvidia the green light to start selling certain AI chips in China again, but his department is said to be holding things up.

According to reporting from Reuters, Nvidia has yet to receive a license to sell its H20 AI chips.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is currently sitting on a backlog of licensing applications due to turmoil within the department, in large part because of a loss of staff and a breakdown in communications with the industry, per Reuters.

This holdup comes as national security experts are urging the Trump administration to restrict Nvidia from selling its H20 AI chips to China on national security grounds.
THE Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum has been formally recognised alongside 10 other museums across the country through the Heritage Councils Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI).

MSPI is an accreditation programme that supports museums and cultural heritage collections across Ireland to achieve and maintain the highest standards in how they are managed, how they care for their collections, and how they engage with the public.

It supports both large and small institutions  from volunteer-run local museums to national cultural institutions  to build strong foundations in governance, collection care, exhibitions, education and visitor services.

At a special awards ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, the Foynes Museum maintained its Full Accreditation  the highest level of recognition available through the programme. This achievement reflects the success of the site in preserving the golden age of transatlantic aviation from the 1930s to the 1940s.

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Housed in the original terminal building, it was once Irelands major transatlantic flying boat hub. The museum boasts the worlds only full-scale Boeing 314 Yankee Clipper replica, allowing visitors to explore its cabin and cockpit.

Interactive features include a flight simulator, restored radio and weather rooms, and a 100-seater luxury cinema presenting our award-winning historical short film.

The museum also celebrates Maureen OHara and her husband, pilot Charles Blair, with exhibits showcasing memorabilia including OHaras honorary Academy Award.

Moreover, the museum traces Foynes history as a Shannon Estuary port, featuring paddle steamer cabins and a restored control tower offering panoramic views of the Shannon Estuary.

Located on both the Shannon Estuary Way and Wild Atlantic Way, the museum is Limericks only designated viewpoint on the Wild Atlantic Way.

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Since it began in 2006 with just a handful of participants, MSPI has grown into a nationwide programme supporting nearly 70 museum sites. Museums work over a number of years to meet 32 professional standards and are assessed through a rigorous, independent process.

This year, 11 museums are being recognised for achieving accreditation through the MSPI programme. Their hard work and dedication highlight the importance of protecting and sharing Irelands rich heritage. Each museum has undergone a detailed assessment to show how they meet the required standards and how they serve their communities, visitors, and collections.

Launching the ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD, said: The diligent care and attention demonstrated by the 11 accredited museums to protect our heritage, and the interpretation they have curated to enable our heritage to be better and more easily understood, is commendable. The achievements of these museums prove that we can hold our heads high with the best in the world, confident that we are professional, thorough, knowledgeable and ambitious for our cultural heritage institutions.

Addressing the accredited museums Chair of the Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, said: Museums and cultural heritage collections play a profound role in our national conversation. Cultural heritage collections and the audiences they serve are a fundamental focus of MSPI and professional standards are a vehicle through which we can insure these values. The work done by our accredited museums is invaluable in upholding these standards.

CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, added: I would like to commend all the accredited museums in 2025 for the focus they demonstrate, day in and day out, on engaging communities with societal issues, both contemporary and historical, via their collections and organisations. We appreciate the work that these museums do and the profound capacity for impact that our museums and cultural heritage organisations represent.
A LOCAL councillor has called for a more visible garda presence in the city centres shopping streets after a number of retail premises were targeted.

Fianna Fails Azad Talukder was speaking after meeting with traders in the William Street area whose premises were hit in the last month.

These are very small businesses. Most of these people have families to feed. They work hard themselves, and at the same time are paying rates and taxes. Its hard for them, the councillor said.

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Gardai have confirmed to Limerick Live there was one burglary incident at a commercial premises in William Street between Friday, July 11 and Monday, July 14 last.

A number of items have been reported as stolen. A technical examination of the scene was conducted. Investigations are ongoing, a spokesperson for the force said.

Officers also confirmed a second incident of criminal damage at a commercial premises which took place overnight between Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12.

Its understood a number of other incidents have taken place at shops in William Street in the past few weeks.

These are random thefts in the city. Its a very scary thing. Sometimes people will come to an area to rob one shop, and they might then go to other places, he said.

In some cases, Cllr Talukder said no items are taken - but damage done to retail properties still leaves traders counting the cost.

They are damaging the property. And that costs a business owner as it forces them to close the shop. Fixing the damage costs a lot of money, he said.

He believes the shops are being targeted through the rear, the assailants using laneways behind William Street.

The gardai need to patrol the area more. They need to be more visible in the streets of the city centre. Not only in the daytimes - these incidents are taking place in the early hours of the morning, Cllr Talukder concluded.
A TOTAL of 16 rural water services in Limerick have been allocated over 2.8 million in capital investment funding to deliver essential water infrastructure.

Minister Patrick ODonovan and Minister of State Niall Collins said funding of 73.9m has been allocated for 291 projects across Ireland under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 20242026.

In Limerick, the funding package will deliver major improvements to local water infrastructure, with Lough Gur Group Water Scheme receiving 229,649 and KnockaineyKilballyowen allocated 83,725. Smaller but vital projects will also benefit, including 17,113 for Shrove Knockrour, 21,250 for Griston and 97,665 for Glenbrohane.

Two of the countys largest allocations will go to BallybrickenLuddenmore (755,948) and Caherline Newtown (543,660).

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Mr O'Donovan said the announcement is great news for communities in Limerick. Its so important that we protect our water sources and ensure the highest standards in water treatment.

The completion of these projects will allow Group Water Schemes to continue to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services across Limerick. This funding to improve our water and waste water facilities will go a long way to supporting communities in Limerick, concluded Mr ODonovan.

Mr Collins said this welcome capital funding announcement will improve water quality in rural Limerick. Safe and secure water supplies are absolutely crucial to our quality of life and the funding being allocated will help to make rural Limerick communities better places to live in, work and visit.

Mr Collins added: These projects will make a real difference and will make our local communities more sustainable.
A NEW solar farm is being planned on 245 hectares of land along the Limerick-Kerry border.

Irish solar developer Circal is planning the project, 80% of which will take place on land in the Kingdom, with the remaining 20% across the border in Limerick. The development is projected to be located south-east of Tarbert.

On the Limerick side, its projected that it will be built in the townlands of Ballycullane, Ballygoughlin and Kilmurry.

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On the Kerry side, it will include East Shanaway, West Shanaway, Tarmon East, Tarmonhill, Leitrim East, and Barraougeen.

Titled the Tarmon Solar Farm, developer Circal has said it would have the capacity to power almost 40,000 households each year.

New jobs would be created through construction, operation and maintenance.

A community information event was held last week in Tarberts community centre, where details of the project were put on display.

The design team for the plans were also present.

A spokesperson for the company said: The project, which is currently in the design stage, if approved and developed, intends to supply up to 115 megawatt alternating current of installed solar capacity, or 170,000 megawatt hours provided to the national grid each year. Thats equivalent to the energy needs of 38,000 households per year.

The firm added as well as bringing a clean and renewable energy source, it will also see a number of other benefits come to west Limerick and north Kerry.

This, they said, will include a community benefit fund, which will help deliver local infrastructure.

Enhancements will be made to local biodiversity, and other contributions to local sources.

The spokesperson highlighted the significant annual commercial rate which would be payable to both Limerick City and County Council and Kerry County Council.

Tarmon Solar Farm will contribute to Irelands ambitious energy targets which include generating eight gigawatts of solar power, and to have 80% of electricity demand supplied by renewable sources, by 2030, the companys spokesperson added.

Its anticipated planning permission will be sought for the new solar farm next month.

Since the plans cover land in both Kerry and Limerick, its likely two separate applications will need to be made to both local authorities.

Circal has offices in Dublin, alongside the American locations of North Carolina and Texas.

Solar power is energy derived from the sun's light and heat.

There are a number of active projects for solar farms across Limerick, including one on lands to the south of Hospital village.
BISHOP of Limerick Brendan Leahy says he is encouraged to see the rise in Christian values among the young.

He was speaking as a group of young adults from Limerick city and county arrived in Rome for the International Jubilee of Youth.

The most senior figure in the Catholic church in Limerick also urged those who are searching for something deeper to give faith a go.

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Seventy people from Limerick were in Rome for the special event, a significant portion of the 600-plus Irish delegation, who were there to celebrate their faith and meet other pilgrims from across the world.

Thank God we are seeing a rise in youth communities of faith across Ireland and also in Limerick. I am also happy to see how in Limerick these groups of young Catholics are also beginning to network more. Theres even an app that tells of youth faith events around the country. That is encouraging, Bishop Leahy said.

He referred to the problems faced by youngsters in this day and age.

We hear a lot today about anxiety levels increasing in young people. We hear about the loneliness of young people despite being so connected through social media. We hear about their fears for the future of our world and our planet. Too often they are sold counterfeits of truth, he said.

The Gospel lived together in communities, Bishop Leahy continued, is the answer to what young people are searching for, and they get a taste of that during a large international event like the one we are going to in Rome.

I would appeal to those young adults who are searching to give faith a go. There are loads of online possibilities of exploring the Catholic faith and get to know it personally as an adult. The trouble often is that our religious education finished when people were young and they havent grown in their level of knowledge about faith and religion now that they are adults with adult questions, he said.

Bishop Leahy also pointed to surveys showing religious attendance and belonging to communities of faith are correlated with higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in life.

More than half a million young people from across the world are expected to touch down in the Italian capital, where the Vatican City is located.

The number will swell to more than one million for the all-night Vigil at the weekend, and Sunday morning Mass with newly-elected Pope, Leo XIV.
(Bloomberg) -- Jeronimo Martins, which made its last major acquisition almost two decades ago, may have to shift to a more aggressive strategy in order to boost sales by 50% within five years.

A target of 50 billion in revenue by 2029 or 2030 has kickstarted internal discussions since it was first announced by Chairman Pedro Soares dos Santos in March. While Soares dos Santos  whose family controls the business  said the company is working on a plan to hit that goal, he hasnt publicly explained what it might look like.

The chairman said very clearly that hes setting that target as an ambition for the group, Chief Financial Officer Ana Luisa Virginia said in an interview in Lisbon on Aug. 1, after the company reported earnings. If the 50 billion can be achieved with or without M&A? I would say most probably with it.

For analysts, a potential target would be rivals operating in Poland, the firms most important market. That includes assets owned by Frances Carrefour SA as it goes through a strategic review of its portfolio to boost its valuation. Carrefour was one of the top M&A targets in Europe in a recent Bloomberg News survey of risk-arbitrage desks, traders and analysts.

But Virginia said anti-monopoly rules mean Jeronimo Martins would not be allowed to own the whole Carrefour chain in Poland, where her company already controls almost 30% of the market. She declined to comment on whether Jeronimo Martins is interested in buying any of Carrefours assets on a smaller scale.

We are monitoring the situation, said Virginia, referring to the possible sale of Carrefours operations in Poland. We think that there are still white spaces in the Polish market that we prefer to occupy ourselves rather than leave it for our competitors.

The Portuguese retailer has traditionally prioritized growing its business from within or via small asset purchases, particularly in Poland where it owns the countrys biggest supermarket chain Biedronka. While this year it expanded into a new market  Slovakia  Jeronimo Martins is known for a conservative approach when it comes to considering snapping up other businesses.

We are very careful, Virginia said from the companys head office in Lisbon. Up until now we only acquired things that made sense to our business. We dont buy to sell, and this of course means we do mergers and acquisitions every 10 years or so.

Jeronimo Martinss last major purchase was completed in 2008 after it agreed with Tengelmann Group to buy its Plus discount supermarkets in Portugal and Poland for about 320 million. While Jeronimo Martins is constantly looking at opportunities in new markets, Virginia said, current acquisitions involve buying small portfolios of stores from retailers that are rolling back or shutting down their operations in markets where the company already has a presence.

The Portuguese retailers latest deal involved buying 75 supermarkets in Colombia from Colsubsidio. It now plans to spend about 1 billion in boosting its operations in existing markets  Portugal, Poland, Colombia and Slovakia. This years first-half sales increased 6.7% to 17.4 billion, helping the shares recover 11% in 2025.

Virginia, who was M&A director at Jeronimo Martins until 2008, says she gets pitched on acquisitions from investment bankers all the time.

We are good friends with the investment bankers, she said. I always say that we are the worst clients.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Codelco said it recovered the bodies of three of the five workers caught in a tunnel collapse at one of the worlds biggest underground copper mines in central Chile. A search for the other two continues.

The update brings the official death toll to four after another person was confirmed dead in the immediate aftermath of Thursdays incident. Nine others were injured.

In parallel with the efforts we continue to make with the utmost commitment to rescue our two colleagues who remain trapped, Codelco is providing all necessary support to families and loved ones during this difficult time, the company wrote in a statement.

The state-owned miner is grappling with a human tragedy unfolding at the site of its El Teniente mine south of Santiago, in an incident thats also stoking concerns for global copper supply.

Codelco, the worlds biggest copper supplier, halted mining at the site after a collapse attributed to seismic activity struck a new section of the complex, called Andesita. Its the latest setback for the companys efforts to recover from a years-long output slump.

A 100-person team  including some of those who helped free 33 workers trapped in another Chilean mine in 2010  has been working on the El Teniente rescue effort.

The 120-year-old El Teniente mine is crucial for Codelcos aim to return to pre-pandemic production levels of about 1.7 million tons a year from about 1.4 million tons now. Codelco delayed reporting quarterly results, including production guidance, on Friday as it deals with the accident.

When operations can resume at the mine will depend on the outcome of an investigation into the collapse, how much reinforcement of infrastructure is required and whether mining method adjustments are needed.

Mines in Chile are designed to withstand much stronger seismic activity than the 4.2-magnitude event that caused the collapse.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Banks will pay out substantially less compensation for hidden commission in car finance loans than they did during the Payment Protection Insurance scandal, according to Nikhil Rathi, chief executive officer of Britains Financial Conduct Authority.

We would expect any outcome  if we are to move forward with an industrywide compensation scheme  to be substantially less than the PPI episode, Rathi said in an interview with the Sunday Times. Compensation for PPI claims, where lenders sold insurance borrowers didnt need, cost the banks at least 35 billion ($46.5 billion).

Rathis comments come after a Supreme Court judgment on Friday overturned prior rulings that lenders feared would force them to pay huge amounts in compensation for many used car loans they had sold. The top court said car dealers can act in their commercial interests and dismissed most of the arguments that dealers selling loans for lenders must obtain consumers informed consent to charge commission.

Meetings are being held on Sunday afternoon between the FCA, investors and analysts, according to an FCA spokesperson. The regulator said it would confirm before markets open on Monday whether it would go ahead with its plans to propose a redress scheme for consumers.

Professional services firm BDO said the judgment could still result in redress of between 5 billion and 13 billion, or more, with clarity needed from the FCA about its next steps. Before Fridays ruling, analysts had estimated that the total bill for compensation could top 30 billion.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Chief Executive Mike Wirth had a stern message for Chevrons 40,000 employees in February: Stop being so nice to each other.

Leaders need to be more decisive, take accountability for failures and have uncomfortable conversations about poor performance, Wirth and his lieutenants said during a virtual companywide meeting. A change in attitude could keep Chevron from falling behind its competitors, they said, according to people who attended the meeting.

The effort to overhaul Chevrons corporate culture emanated from a report the company commissioned from consulting firm McKinsey that found employees were frustrated. The company wasnt innovative, and it lacked a clear strategy, they said.

We are nice even when desired results or behaviors are not achieved," according to McKinseys summary of employee feedback, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. We emphasize collaboration and inclusion to build strong teamsbut we do not have direct, uncomfortable conversations needed to deliver results."

Chevron executives turned to McKinsey last year as its shares lagged behind rival Exxon Mobils amid headwinds in key parts of its oil business. Its major oil project in Kazakhstan had hit costly snags. As oil prices moderated, drilling slowed in the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. oil field. And, most notably, its $53 billion acquisition of Hess was stalled after a shocking move by Exxon to try to intervene in the deal.

Now, the $310 billion oil giant, the second largest in the U.S. behind Exxon, is getting tougher not just on its employees but also on rivals, political detractors and anyone else it encounters.

After outlining a sweeping reorganization of its business units on the February call, Chevron announced plans to cut roughly 8,000 jobs, or up to 20% of its workforce, through 2026, part of a plan to save up to $3 billion. And two weeks ago, the Hess deal finally closed.

Im incredibly proud of Chevrons culture and wouldnt trade it for anybody elses," Wirth said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal this past week. Were working to further strengthen our culture with an even sharper focus on performance by executing faster and more efficiently, simplifying our organization, and delivering targeted innovation."

For over a century, Chevron was Californias quintessential oil company, fostering a more genteel and mellow corporate environment than that of its bigger rival, the more rigid and often litigious Exxon of Texas. Chevron had long been considered by industry veterans the more comfortable, collaborative place to work. It still aims to adhere to principles that boil down to treating people fairly, but with a sharper focus on delivery.

Chevrons corporate history traces back to 1876, when wildcatters drilled Californias first successful oil well in the Santa Susana Mountains, north of Los Angeles. The subsequent oil boom drove the economic development of California. Chevron eventually became the states largest employer, with its logo on every other gas station, its name in opera playbills and museum brochures, and its leaders enjoying easy access to the states governors and lawmakers.

In the 1990s, Chevron embraced a movement that was popular in California and became the first major oil company to include sexual orientation in its equal-employment-opportunity policies. It extended benefits to same-sex couples, despite opposition in other places where it operated like Texas and Mississippi.

Wirth, 64, has been an engineer and Chevron employee for over 40 years and rose to chairman and CEO in 2018. At the time, Chevron was facing cost overruns on large projects. Wirth was seen as a cost-conscious executive, having led the companys refining and chemicals businessin which margins are criticalfor almost a decade.

The deal for Hess, first announced in October 2023, was seen by Wall Street as critical to securing Chevrons long-term oil reserves and profits while cementing Wirths legacy as a transformational leader. Instead, Exxon stepped in and essentially said not so fast. It asserted a right of first refusal to bid for Hesss 30% stake in a generational oil discovery in Guyanaa move that stunned Chevron executives and the oil community at large.

Exxon has a 45% stake in the project in Guyana and serves as the operator of vessels pumping about 650,000 barrels of oil a day there. By 2027, daily production is expected to reach 1.2 million barrels, making it one of the most coveted projects in the world as many oil fields deplete and new exploration can take decades to pay off.

Early on, analysts, bankers and investors predicted Chevron would negotiate some offering to Exxonperhaps a percentage of Hesss stake, for instance-to avoid arbitration.

Chevron held firm. It never restarted talks after Exxon filed for arbitration, even as it waited more than a year for the process to begin.

Meanwhile, investors were clamoring about Chevrons growth prospects without Hess and questioning whether it would need to land another megadeal if Exxon prevailed in the dispute.

Losing Hess would have marked the second major transaction that Wirth failed to close as CEO. He backed away from a potential bidding war with Occidental Petroleum in 2019 over Anadarko Petroleum, a deal that saddled Occidental with debt.

Chevron ultimately prevailed in the arbitration dispute last monthbut it wasnt without some hard feelings.

It has been a long process, and it didnt need to be," Wirth said in an interview July 18, the day Chevron closed the Hess acquisition. It should have been resolved quicker. The outcome was never in doubt."

After 2027, it was very murky if they had anything in the funnel," Jean Ann Salisbury, an analyst at Bank of America, said of Chevron. Now, with the Hess deal completed, Chevron is positioned to close much of the gap" with Exxon.

To do that, Chevron is aiming to become leaner and meaner.

Exxon has long been known as a merit-driven organization that doesnt shy away from a fight. With its army of lawyers and its extensive time in courtmost often because of lawsuits filed against it by cities and states over climate changeit has been likened by some to a law firm that produces oil.

Exxon suffered a rare stumble during the pandemic when the company booked a $20 billion loss for 2020. Chevrons market value briefly eclipsed Exxons for the first time that October. Later, Exxon lost a bruising proxy fight to a little-known activist investor, prompting its executives to double down on protecting their turf. Last year, the company sued two sustainability investors for making climate-related shareholder proposals. The investment firms backed off, and at this years annual meeting, Exxon encountered no shareholder proposals for the first time since 1958.

Exxons move to block the deal between Chevron and Hess was especially pugnacious. Analysts said Exxon had little to loseand was successful on some level by stalling Chevrons capture of a slice of Guyanas riches.

After closing the deal for Hess, Chevron now has a stake in the Guyana oil project, along with Exxon and Cnooc.

Wirth and his lieutenants at Chevron arent letting anyone stand in their way.

Wirth moved Chevrons corporate headquarters last year from California, where it had resided for more than 140 years. Relations had soured with the state government. In moving to Houston, Chevron joined Exxon and much of the rest of the industry.

Throughout its history, Chevron had attracted a lot of people who were from California or went to college in California," which contributed to a more open-minded and neighborly attitude at the company, said Edward Chow, a Chevron executive for over 20 years until 1999. Now, to me, it feels more like another oil company. The distinction between Exxon and Chevron has narrowed in terms of corporate culture."

By the time Wirth decamped for more fossil-friendly Texas from Chevrons campus in San Ramon, east of San Francisco, Chevrons relationship with the Golden State and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom had broken down.

California acted more aggressively than any other state to steer consumers away from fossil fuels and claimed oil companies were price gouging. In response, Chevrons executives launched a public-relations campaign in California that blamed lawmakers for the states high prices. The campaign included big signs with QR codes at Chevron gas stations that urged drivers to complain directly to lawmakers starting around 2022.

In November, Wirth said Californias state government was putting bureaucrats in charge of key parts of the economy, a move that hasnt worked in other socialist states."

In January, about three weeks after President Trump suggested the U.S. should rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, Wirth told investors Chevron would begin calling the region the Gulf of America. Thats the position of the U.S. government now," he said.

Wirth has built strong ties with several officials in the Trump administration. The oil industry has enlisted the administration in fights against clean-car rules, drilling restraints and climate laws from New York to California. Meanwhile, the financial world has all but turned away from the environmental concerns that pervaded banks and big investment firms in the Biden years, easing pressure on oil producers. Executives are trying to use their political sway to push for the U.S. government to streamline permitting for pipelines and encourage fossil-fuel export deals.

Chevrons lobbying efforts with President Trump and his cabinet secretaries paid off again last month, this time in South America.

In May, the Trump administration pulled Chevrons Biden-era license to pump oil in Venezuela to clamp down on socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Chevron has taken political risks to remain active in the South American country, which has one of the worlds largest oil reserves, and has argued its presence keeps China and Russia out of the region. It was pumping almost 300,000 barrels a day of crude in Venezuela by midyear, a sizable portion of the countrys output.

A week ago, the Trump administration abruptly reversed course and said it would allow Chevron to continue pumping oil in Venezuela after a prisoner swap released the 10 remaining Americans who were detained by the government.

On a quarterly conference call Friday, Wirth told analysts that, after working closely with the Trump administration, a limited amount of Venezuelan crude will start flowing to the U.S. this month, consistent with U.S. sanctions policy."

Wirth has work to do to keep investors happy as oil companies struggle to attract new shareholders. The S&P 500s energy sector has shrunk to a tiny percentage of the overall index, and many investors became skeptical of frackers ability to make money during Americas shale boom. Oil prices have slipped this year on fears that tariff fights could squeeze fuel demand and as big producers in the Middle East put more oil into circulation.

On Friday, Chevron executives said Hess will add billions of dollars to Chevrons cash flow. But the influx comes with some tough decisions and cost cuts. Chevron recently informed Texas regulators it plans to cut 575 jobs in Houston as part of the merger.

The aim is to enable workers to get things done in a simpler way," Mark Nelson, vice chairman of Chevron, said on the call.

I expect to see more than just cost reductions," Nelson said. I expect to see performance improvement across the system."

Write to Collin Eaton at collin.eaton@wsj.com
At one midsized US mortgage lender, almost a quarter of customers who dispute property appraisals find that the value of their home had been miscalculated.

Its an industrywide issue that has historically penalized minority groups, and now President Donald Trump has offered lenders the chance to ignore his predecessors attempts to make it easier for homeowners to question the valuations assigned by property appraisers. Trump has scrapped some of the guidelines, part of his teams vow to stamp out what it sees as initiatives that support diversity, equity and inclusion.

Many financial professionals agree that home appraisals can be unreliable, and that Black homeowners and other minorities are often put at a significant disadvantage. This can be especially damaging given that home ownership is the top wealth-creation tool in the US  and an appraisal is a key determinant of how much, if anything, someone can borrow.

With their decision to end some of the requirements related to home valuations, however, Trump and his cabinet members may have little impact on lenders practices. Thats because theres fresh evidence that the changes the Biden administration put in place are supported by the industry.

Some of the countrys biggest lenders, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp. and U.S. Bancorp, said they would make no policy changes as a result of the rollback.

New American Funding, which also isnt planning to change its approach, was the only financial institution of more than 10 contacted by Bloomberg to disclose information about disputed home valuations. The Tustin, California-based mortgage lender, which provided roughly $14 billion of mortgage loans last year, said an average 2.5% of its customers request new valuations each month. Of those contested, roughly 22% are found to need an adjustment. New American didn't share a breakdown of borrowers requests by race.

The changes have made it much easier for the borrower, said Michelle Rogers, New Americans chief valuation officer. Its more transparent and the borrower knows they can initiate it.

The appraisal directives were put in place following a deep dive by the Biden administration into prejudices in the business. One of Trumps housing regulators, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, said rolling them back was part of an attempt by the president to put an end to the obsession with DEI. The administration also has vowed to make deep cuts to the federal apparatus that enforced fair housing and fair lending laws, from slashing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau staff to gutting the Justice Departments Civil Rights division.

A HUD official who spoke on background said the departments recent reforms simply reverted its stance to the way things were before Biden-era regulators imposed their standards. Lenders arent being barred from letting borrowers dispute their appraisals, said the official who declined to be identified. The White House hasnt responded to a request for comment.

Black homeowners have long reported having their homes valued more highly after taking down all evidence of their race. Research from the Brookings Institution and the federally controlled housing finance agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has shown that home appraisals can be affected by racial bias, which in turn affects the value of homes in entire neighborhoods.

Brookings found, for example, that homes in neighborhoods where the majority of residents are Black are valued between 21% and 23% lower than comparable homes in white neighborhoods, with appraisal bias as one of several contributing factors. Economists at Freddie Mac reported in 2021 that greater percentages of homes in majority Black and Latino census tracts were undervalued compared with those in white census tracts, leading them to conclude that there was a valuation gap between homes in different neighborhoods.

The appraisal problem for minority borrowers also is a problem for lenders, since having low appraisals can prevent a homeowner from qualifying for a mortgage refinancing or a new home loan. That means the lender loses out on valuable business. Banks also suffer when appraisers make mistakes in the opposite direction, valuing properties too highly, because it means the bank cant safely rely on the value of a property as collateral for a loan.

The reforms that the mortgage industry recently adopted to try to make the appraisal process fairer originated with a Biden administration task force called PAVE , which was formed in 2021. The group consisted of public officials from 13 different agencies, and its goal was to produce a report with recommended changes to a suite of different mortgage industry standards.

PAVE recommended more training for home appraisers and higher standards for appraisers seeking to qualify for professional licenses. Those changes were handled by the Appraisal Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves as the regulator for home appraisers.

A spokeswoman for the foundation declined to comment on the Trump administrations recent changes, but said that new education and licensing standards put in place last year are still in effect.

PAVE also called for an industrywide requirement for mortgage lenders to let borrowers request a reconsideration of value if they disagreed with an appraisers determination. Last year, regulators began requiring mortgage lenders to decide how they would standardize their procedures and to explain them clearly to their customers. In a rare win for the government, the policy received support from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Federal housing regulation includes a web of rules issued by different agencies, including HUD and also Fannie and Freddie. The new home-appraisal guidance went into effect for all of the housing agencies. But so far, the Trump administration has only rolled back the policy for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which help low- to moderate-income families attain home ownership.

On July 17, Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, proposed a bill that would make mortgage lenders ROV policies required by law. It also would expand public access to data on mortgage appraisals by forcing a federal housing regulator to more regularly share details.

While fair-housing advocates support the proposal, the bill also has backing from a more unlikely source: the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

The group represents more than 500,000 mortgage brokers across the US. Its president, Jim Nabors, called the proposed bill critical for ensuring fairness for homebuyers and added: 'Our entire board of directors and membership applaud Senator Warnock.'

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway just reported second-quarter operating earnings of $11.16 billion  a slight 4% dip compared to last year. The modest decline was driven by lower insurance underwriting profits, even as other divisions like railroads, energy, retail, and manufacturing posted solid gains.

But what really stood out wasnt the numbers  it was the tone. In its official filing, the company warned that President Trumps newly imposed tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China pose a real threat to its businesses.

It is reasonably possible there could be adverse consequences on most, if not all, of our operating businesses, Berkshire wrote in its Q2 earnings report.

Buffet put it more bluntly and called tariffs an act of war, to some degree, in a recent interview with CBS's Norah O'Donnell.

Over time, they are a tax on goods. I mean, the tooth fairy doesnt pay em! And then what? You always have to ask that question in economics. You always say, And then what?

Don't miss

Tariffs may feel invisible  but they hit you

While tariffs are framed as penalties on foreign countries, they often raise prices for American businesses and consumers. If it costs more to import steel, electronics, or groceries, someone pays  and usually, it's you.

Buffett has long warned about how trade restrictions can:

Raise the cost of everyday goods

Disrupt supply chains

Trigger retaliatory tariffs that hurt American farmers and exporters

The latest moves by the Trump administration  including a proposed $250 visa fee for some international travelers and limitations on tax deductions for gambling losses  are already affecting tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. Buffetts companies touch all those sectors, so his concern isnt theoretical.

Still sitting on a mountain of cash

Despite the cautionary tone, Berkshire is still immensely profitable and liquid. The firm ended the quarter with $344 billion in cash, slightly down from its record $347 billion earlier this year. But instead of spending, Buffett is holding back:
Tom Holland has officially begun filming Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Glasgow, where the actor was seen meeting fans while shooting scenes for the latest chapter in the Marvel franchise.

Production kicked off on Friday, with large parts of Glasgow city centre transformed to resemble an American metropolis. The shoot, expected to last two weeks, has caused notable road closures and traffic disruptions across the area.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day begins filming in Glasgow On Sunday, Holland appeared in full Spider-Man costume as he filmed an action-packed sequence before taking a break to greet around 100 fans who had gathered nearby to catch a glimpse of the star.

This marks the second consecutive project Holland is shooting in Scotland. Just last month, the actor was spotted working on Christopher Nolans The Odyssey at various locations across Inverness and Moray.

The upcoming Marvel film, titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is set to hit cinemas on July 31, 2026. It continues the beloved superhero saga, with plot details still tightly under wraps.

Glasgow has increasingly become a go-to destination for major Hollywood productions. In recent years, the city has doubled as New York and even Gotham City in blockbusters such as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Flash, and The Batman.
John Abraham has expressed his disappointment over the direct-to-OTT release of his long-delayed film Tehran, which is now set to premiere on ZEE5 after being held back since 2023.

Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, the actor admitted, Its very disheartening. Im not going to mince my words on it, but it breaks your heart, especially for an actor who always wants to be seen on the big screen. But we all made a very informed decision on that. And the decision was that because of the conflicts and controversies that are happening around internationally.

The film, which features significant references to Iran and Israel, faced reluctance from cinema chains due to its sensitive geopolitical context. Theatres were a little wary of picking up a film that had Iran and Israel in it. We had a choice of either showing the film somewhere or not showing it at all, John explained.

Abraham credited ZEE5 for stepping in to give the film a home. Zee5 has been gracious and told us they would be our platform. But it also breaks your heart as an actor who only wants to be seen on the big screen, he noted.

Describing Tehran as more of a foreign film, he added, When you will see the film, you will understand that why it will not resonate with a larger audience. It has got a lot of Farsi in it and a lot of Hebrew in it. Its only 1 hour and 50 minutes long. Its got a lot of foreign language in it.

Explaining the authenticity behind the language use, he said, The film is called Tehran and once you enter Tehran, you are not going to be speaking in Hindi Having said all of it, its finally coming out.
The Delhi High Court will on Wednesday hear a public interest litigation (PIL) that puts the spotlight on a contentious yet under-examined issue in Indias 160-trillion futures and options (F&O) market: the fate of interest earned on margin money that traders deposit with brokers.

Investor funds in focus

Every day, millions of Indian traders participating in the fast-paced F&O market have to deposit margin money" as security against market risk. This capitallocked up for the entire period their position is open, ranging from a day to as long as two monthsgets parked by stock brokers, often into fixed deposits or overnight mutual funds.

According to FY24 data from the National Stock Exchange annual report, traders collectively deposited over 160 trillion as margin, calculated as an average 20% margin on an F&O turnover of about 800 trillion.

Also Read | Delhi HC halts coal ministry move to encash  29 crore from Vedanta guarantee

While this capital remains blocked and generates substantial interest income, traders do not receive any compensation, the petition says. Brokers have traditionally pocketed this interest, despite the money not belonging to them.

Regulatory action by Sebi

In June 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) introduced rules to prevent misuse of client funds after a series of high-profile broker defaults. The so-called upstreaming framework" now requires brokers to transfer all client monies to designated clearing corporations (CC) at the end of each trading day.

Funds can only be held as cash, in specified fixed deposits, or in risk-free overnight mutual funds, and must be subject to tight liens and disclosures. However, Sebis circulars remain silent on who is entitled to the interest income from margin funds kept in FDs or mutual funds.

This regulatory ambiguity forms the crux of the PIL filed by a Delhi-based lawyer, Virat Agarwal, who argues that while brokers act merely as intermediaries, it is the clients who deserve the return on their own capital.

The PIL seeks a clear directive from Sebi and the Central government to ensure that interest earned on traders margin fixed deposits is passed back to the clients. After paying all taxes, duties, brokerage and fees, it is the legal right of the trader to get the interest on the margin money deposited," Agarwal argues.

The issue, he points out, impacts millions of retail and institutional investors who see no return on capital locked up as margins.

Legal lacunae and regulatory confusion

Legal experts universally agree that there is no statute or regulation in India that clearly prescribes who should rightfully receive the interest accrued on client margin fixed deposits.

The upstreaming framework lays out stringent operational and safety norms to prevent the misuse of client money, but is silent on who benefits from the interest on these fixed deposits," said Alay Razvi, managing partner at Accord Juris.

The result, he emphasized, is that brokers retain this income by default, exposing a glaring regulatory gap that the PIL seeks to close.

Also Read | As profits soar, PB Fintech takes a second bite at mutual funds

On its part, on 5 July 2024, market regulator Sebi issued a draft circular and consultation paper proposing that clearing corporations should segregate their own funds from client money at all times and distribute interest income earned on invested collaterals to clearing members, who in turn should pass it on to their clients.

But these rules are still under consideration, and there is no formal adoption yet.

Brokerage business models on the line

Not surprisingly, the issue is contentious. Some brokers contend that interest on client float has become their sole major revenue stream, especially for low-cost or zero-fee platforms. Take away the interest, and brokers will be forced to increase trading fees or shut shop," warns one broker.

Financial advisors echo this view, noting that discount brokerswho have driven down commissions industry-widedepend on this interest to subsidize their razor-thin margins.

For discount and zero-commission brokers, retaining interest on client margin is critical. Any regulatory shift could lead to fee hikes, business model overhauls, or even consolidation," said Narinder Wadhwa, chief executive of SKI Capital Services.

Adding to these concerns, Ajay Kejriwal, executive director, Choice Equity Broking Pvt Ltd, observes, There are no Sebi guidelines currently on who receives interest from FDRs created using client margin funds, and the recent circulars do not address this either. If implemented, this move could significantly disrupt brokerage models and increase compliance burdens."

Globally, approaches to interest distribution vary. In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Finra demand strict segregation of client funds but do not require that brokers pass on interest. Some brokers voluntarily do so for high net worth clients as a competitive perk. In the UK, the FCAs rules on client money require segregation, but interest-sharing is a matter of contract, not regulation.

Experts warn that blanket Sebi orders would face formidable hurdles. One being the operational challenges of accurately allocating interest (after deducting costs and taxes) to each client in pooled accounts over shifting intraday balance, especially for high-volume brokers.

Wadhwa elaborates on a key regulatory obstacle of the broker not being a non-banking financial company. Under current financial regulation, brokers are not permitted to accept deposits or offer interest-bearing products in the manner that RBI-regulated financial institutions do."

He warns that Sebi requiring interest distribution could result in a jurisdictional conflict, blurring the lines between brokerages and regulated deposit-taking institutions. Any such step would likely require a coordinated policy effort between SEBI, RBI, clearing corporations, and exchanges, to ensure consistent treatment across the financial system."

He also mentions the tax and compliance implications, including questions around TDS, GST, and client-level tax reporting if interest is passed on. Most broker-client agreements today do not account for this scenario, and any retrospective application could trigger legal and contractual disputes",

Wadhwa says, adding that a more pragmatic approach could involve phased reform, including policy-level clarification on the role of clearing corporations in interest income distribution.

Looking ahead

Parth Contractor, founder of the Chamber of Parth Contractors, suggests a bigger story behind the PIL. The difference between Sebis 2023 circulars and ground reality lies at the core of current litigation. Any change will surely disrupt brokers economics and force compliance and technology upgrades."

As the High Court gears up for the hearing, Sebi has already replied to the court, arguing that the matter needs legislative and not judicial attention. The outcome could reshape investor compensation as well as business models across Indias capital markets.
Multibagger stock: GHV Infra Projects share price will remain in focus in Monday's trading session after the board approved Stock split in the ratio of 2:1 and company received Letter of Award for 2,645 crore.

GHV Infra Projects stock was up 2 per cent to close at 1,549.20 apiece on Friday. The stock has given significant returns in a month by surging over 51 per cent despite volatility in the Indian stock market.

Shares of GHV Infra Projects have proven to be a multibagger stock as it has soared nearly 1,603.73 per cent in terms of year-to-date (YTD) and over 7,732.15 per cent in last one year.

GHV Infra Projects stock split and letter of award details The board of directors in the meeting, held on July 24, had approved sub-division/split in the ratio of 2:1 (1 equity share of face value 10 each will be subdivided into 2 equity shares of 5 each).

 The stock split is aimed at enhancing the liquidity of the Company's shares in the market and making them more accessible to retail investors. Further, the Board has also approved the issuance of bonus shares to existing shareholders of the company in the ratio of 3:2 i.e. Three fully paid-up equity shares for every 2 existing shares held, the company said in an exchange filing dated August 2.

The company has also received letter of award (LOA) from Rana Exim FZ-LLC for EPC developments of Industrial & Commercial Buildings at Erisha Smart Manufacturing Hub, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), UAE.

The order received is valued at 2,645 crore or AED 1,12,42,74,621 and estimated to be completed within 24 months excluding 90 days of initial setup and mobilization period.

We Build Value by taking up selected valuable Projects like Development of smart manufacturing providing Green EV production with zero discharge facilities over a period of time with sustainable continuous growth. With this prestigious order, the total order book of the company has risen to over Rs. 6,500 crore and shall continue to strive few more selective project options in near term," said Jahid Vijapura, Group Chairman of GHV Group.

The company further informed the exchanges that the board has also considered and approved Increase in the authorized share capital of the Company from 16 crore to 66 crore.

 The members of the Company, at their Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held on June 28, 2025, approved the issuance of Convertible Warrants to Promoters/Promoter Group and Non Promoters, on a preferential basis by way of private placement, the company added.
My brother and I jointly purchased a property 10 years ago. My brother contributed 30% of the price while I contributed the rest. This can be evidenced only from the Money Receipt attached to the Registered Sale Deed but not mentioned explicitly in the Deed. Now my brother wants to Gift his share of the property to me (out of love and affection). We want to ascertain the Stamp Duty payable on the Gift Deed. If the current market valuation of the property is  100 (for example), will the Stamp Duty be levied on  50 (equal share) or on  30 (share contributed by him at the time of purchase)? Name withheld on request

As per Indian Stamp Act, 1899 read with state-specific laws, most states prescribe stamp duty on a gift deed as calculated based on the share being transferred as per the current market value, not the original contribution ratio  unless the shareholding is clearly recorded in the registered sale deed.

Also Read: How Standard Chartereds Saurabh Jain has built wealth with mutual funds, EPF In your case, although your brother contributed 30% of the purchase price, the registered deed considers both of you as 50:50 co-owners, since there's no explicit mention of contribution ratios. A money receipt, while helpful, is not conclusive evidence of ownership proportion in property law unless acknowledged in the title document itself.

So, if the current market value of the property is 100 and your brother is gifting his share, the stamp duty would typically be calculated on 50 (i.e. half the propertys current market value), not 30.

That said, stamp duty rates and exemptions vary by state. Some states offer concessional stamp duty for gifts between siblings or close relatives, and the definition of relative for this purpose may also differ. Its advisable to consult the local Sub-Registrar and/ or a property lawyer to check if sibling-to-sibling gifts qualify for such concessions in your state.

Also Read: Family vacations to business trips: How large foreign expenses affect your taxes For an individual who is in the higher tax bracket with little room for tax optimisation, would it be better to sell ESOPs via HUF where he is the karta or in individual capacity? Another related question is, can ESOPs once vested be transferred to an HUF? Name withheld on request

Under law, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) is treated as a separate entity, distinct from its members (including Karta). The HUF has its own PAN, bank accounts, demat accounts and files its own tax returns.

ESOPs are granted to an individual in their capacity as an employee, and are not usually transferable to the HUF, even after vesting. In most cases, the terms of the ESOP plan are likely to prohibit any such transfer. Even if technically permitted, shifting vested ESOPs to the HUF for tax planning may not work in substance.

Also Read: How the 2024 tax rule change ruined buybacks for shareholders In short, ESOPs cannot be used for HUF-based tax planning. Routing such income through the HUF would likely be considered tax avoidance, and the income may still be clubbed back to the original holder under section 64(2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

CA Vijaykumar Puri, partner at VPRP & Co LLP, Chartered Accountants
Six migrant workers from Odisha were killed and at least three others injured after a massive granite rock fell on them at a quarry in Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla district on Sunday.

According to the police, the accident occurred around 10.30 am when 10 to 15 workers were engaged in mining works.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the accident and announced an ex gratia of 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased.

"All victims are from Odisha. We suspect water seepage caused the rock to give way. Forensic teams are investigating," an Andhra Pradesh Police official told PTI, adding that there were no blasts or seismic activity.

Rescue operations were immediately launched, with mining department officials joining the police at the site, he said.

A team from Odishas Ganjam district went to Bapatla's Ballikurava area in the neighbouring state to bring back the bodies of the six migrant workers, a senior official said in Berhampur.

CMO Odisha, in a post on X, said, Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha expressed grief and condoled over the loss of lives of Danda Badatya (father- Abhimanyu Badatya), Banamaal Chehra (father- Bhagwan Chehra), Bhaskar Bisoi (father- Magata Bisoi), Santosh Gowda (father- Pujya Gowda) of Ganjam district and Takuma Dalai (father- Kartik Dalai) and Musa Jan (father- Narshu Jan) of Gajapati district in a tragic accident in Andhra Pradesh.

"He has announced an ex gratia of 4 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) to the next of kin of each deceased," the CMO added.

Ganjam collector Keerthi Vasan V said a team led by the assistant tahasildar, Digapahandi, has proceeded to the accident site to bring back the bodies of the deceased to their native places.

I have already talked to the Bapatla collector about the accident and the condition of the injured Odia workers," he said.

The bodies of the deceased workers would be handed over to the Odisha team after conducting post-mortem examinations, he said.

We have made all arrangements from our side to bring the bodies to Odisha," said the collector.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the tragedy.

"I spoke with officials, instructed them to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured, and ordered a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident," said Naidu in a release.

YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed sorrow over the accident.

This is truly heart-wrenching. These workers lost their lives while toiling for their families, said Reddy in a release.

He urged the government to ensure medical care for those injured in the accident and to provide immediate support and assistance to the families of the deceased.

An Odisha government official claimed that at least eight Odia workers sustained injuries in the accident, and they were undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Andhra Pradesh.

At least 16 workers were working at the quarry when the rock collapsed, he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Sunday. The meeting came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the President.

The reasons behind the subsequent meetings of the prime minister and the home minister with the President were not known.

"Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan," the Rashtrapati Bhavan wrote on 'X'.

The back-to-back meetings come in the backdrop of the logjam in Parliament over the opposition demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

Since the Monsoon session began on July 21, Parliament has seen little business except discussions in both Houses on Operation Sindoor.

The prime minister's meeting with the President also came days after US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on exports from India and an unspecified penalty because of New Delhi's purchases of Russian military equipment and oil.

The prime ministers meeting with the President also came days after US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on exports from India and an unspecified penalty because of New Delhis purchases of Russian military equipment and oil.

Also Read | Amit Shah to launch POLNET 2.0: Better connection with video conference facility

On Saturday, PM Modi visited Varanasi and released the 20th instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, transferring more than 20,500 crore into the bank accounts of 9.7 crore farmers.
SpiceJet alleged an army officer attacked its four staff members at the boarding gate of Delhi-bound SG-386 flight from Srinagar on July 26. It said they sustained grievous injuries like spinal fracture. They were rushed to the hospital. The airline has written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation informing them about the murderous assault on its staff, further seeking an action.

The feud began over carrying more cabin luggage than allowed. When told he can't carry cabin luggage exceeding the 7 kg limit, the army officer punched, repeated kicks.

SpiceJet staff assaulted in Srinagar: What did the airline say? "A passenger grievously assaulted four SpiceJet employees at the boarding gate of flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi on July 26, 2025. Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand," the airline mentioned in a statement.

It added, One SpiceJet employee collapsed unconscious on the floor but the passenger continued kicking and hitting the fainted employee. Another staff member suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth after receiving a forceful kick to the jaw while bending down to assist the colleague who had fainted. The injured employees were rushed to hospital and remain under treatment for the grievous injuries sustained.

Also Read | SpiceJet passengers try to storm cockpit, offloaded at Delhi Airport

What exactly happened? The passenger, a senior Army officer, was carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg. When politely informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges, the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process - a clear violation of aviation security protocols. He was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official," the airline said.

It stated the passenger became hostile and hit at four SpiceJet ground staff.
New Delhi: As global geoeconomic uncertainty and tariff wars disrupt supply chains, the government has started reviewing the scheme that offers incentives to small businesses to develop international business relations.

The ministry of micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) has begun reviewing its 2019 International Co-operation Scheme, according to two people aware of the development. The scheme provides financial aid to industry associations, and state and central government organisations that promote the MSME sector.

The review will cover the participation of MSMEs in the scheme to examine whether the implementation has had a positive impact on the sector, especially on first-time exporters, the people mentioned above said.

The assessment is in its initial stages, one of the people said.

The scheme reimburses airfares, rent for showcase spaces, and visits to international conferences by representatives of the MSME sector. It also refunds costs to conduct international seminars and conferences. It also provides benefits for capacity building to first-time exporters.

Also read | Govt looks to scrap minor penalties for MSMEs in ease of doing business push A query emailed to the MSME ministry on 31 July remained unanswered.

In FY24, the government assisted 545 MSMEs under the scheme with a support of 19.22 crore, according to a Lok Sabha disclosure in March 2025. Indias MSMEs contribute to about 45% of the countrys exports.

MSMEs must register to receive benefits under the scheme. For instance, a company must be registered under the Companies Act, and a society needs to be registered under the Societies Act. But once registered, they must fulfil regulatory compliance requirements and may not have adequate financial resources for that, according to reports by multiple lenders.

Closer scrutiny Mint reported in March that government officials scrutinise MSMES more closely when securing registration under the goods and services tax (GST) regime.

Under the International Co-operation Scheme, MSME industry associations can participate in three events in a year, and in the same event for three years at a stretch. After three consecutive years of participation, MSMEs or their industry associations can participate in an event after a gap of two years.

First-time exporters can get financial assistance for securing registration-cum-membership certificates in export promotion councils and paying fees for quality certification of exports.

Also read | Centre to launch online MSME dispute resolution portal on 27 June MSMEs have been facing export-related concerns.

The sector needs to be provided with better market access facilities to sustain and further enhance its contribution towards output, employment generation and exports. However, currently lot of MSMEs do not have a clear strategy for effective sales promotion because they lack the resources and knowledge for it, said the 2019 expert committee report on MSMEs led by UK Sinha.

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIBDI) said in its recent outlook that trading MSMEs may have apprehensions about the constantly changing global tariff regime impacting their margins.

About 40% of exporters were affected directly or indirectly by ongoing tariff issues, the small business lender said in its MSME Survey Outlook for April-June 2025. Both the manufacturing and services sector MSMEs have been impacted by tariff-related global trade headwinds, the report said.
Delhi Police on Sunday said that they recovered the bodies of two Nigerian nationals from a house in Chanakya Place, Dabri area. The deceased have been identified as Joseph and Chhibiturn, who used to reside in Burari, reported ANI, quoting Delhi police.

The bodies have been sent for postmortem. The initial investigation has revealed that the deceased arrived at Chanakya Place from Burari a day earlier.

However, the reason behind their deaths is yet to be ascertained. "Further investigation is underway," added Delhi Police.

Similar incident: On Sunday, the Delhi Police arrested two people and nabbed a juvenile in a case relating to the alleged assault of two students from Manipur in North Delhi's Vijay Nagar Double Storey area.

The police registered an FIR at the Model Town police town and thorough investigation was launched to nab the perpetrators. Police examined the CCTV footage from all surrounding establishments and analysed it to trace the movements and possible escape routes of the assailants.

A well-coordinated raid was conducted, which led to the arrest of the two accused and one juvenile was also nabbed. During sustained and methodical interrogation, they confessed their involvement in the incident, police said.

Earlier on Wednesday night, a 28-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death while his friend was seriously injured in a brawl n the Ghazipur area of East Delhi.

The deceased, identified as Vikas Walecha, was celebrating his birthday with his friends when the incident took place.

Vikas and his friend Sumit were inside the former's car near a liquor shop in Paper Market in the Ghazipur area when a man on a two-wheeler brushed past his vehicle.

Following this, Vikas confronted the rider, which resulted in an argument between them. Later, the rider called his friends to the spot. They brutally thrashed Vikas and Sumit with iron rods.

The accused repeatedly stabbed them, killing Vikas on the spot.
We came across a bullish thesis on Brown & Brown, Inc. on FlueintinQualitys Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on BRO. Brown & Brown, Inc.'s share was trading at $91.37 as of July 31st. BROs trailing and forward P/E were 26.33 and 21.60, respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

A portrait of a professional insurance broker at their desk, reviewing a policy.

Brown & Brown (BRO) is a disciplined insurance brokerage firm that has scaled steadily through consistent execution, embedding itself as a long-term partner rather than a transactional vendor. Operating across retail, national programs, wholesale, and services, each business line reinforces the other in a self-reinforcing flywheel built on trust and operational synergy. The company doesnt underwrite riskit solves itoffering claims, consulting, and tailored risk management with a laser focus on client needs. Brown & Brown grows both organically through new clients, service expansion, and upselling, and acquisitively via bolt-on brokers and local specialists.

With over 90% retention, its model is underpinned by switching costs rooted in familiarity and deep client relationships, not formal contracts. The firm operates with decentralized local autonomy, empowering community-rooted brokers while maintaining centralized financial discipline and cost efficiency. This structure allows Brown & Brown to retain a national scale while delivering a local feel, supporting high margins and strong, recurring cash flows with minimal capital intensity. The company thrives on secular trends such as increasing insurance complexity, rising risk awareness, and industry consolidation, which continue to elevate the broker's role.

Each acquisition enhances reach; each renewal entrenches presence. With a lean, performance-driven model and proven capital allocation, Brown & Brown offers stable compounding growth in a fragmented, resilient industry. It builds trust broker by broker, year after year, winning not by selling policies, but by delivering clarity and showing up when it matters mostpositioning itself as a quiet but formidable force in insurance brokerage.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) by Bulls On Parade in April 2025, which highlighted its disciplined acquisitions, decentralized model, and steady organic growth. The companys stock has depreciated approximately 23% since our coverage due to valuation compression. FlueintinQuality shares an identical view but emphasizes BROs trust-driven flywheel and 90%+ client retention.
The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday asked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to hand over a voter ID card, that he claimed to be in possession, for probe as it was not issued officially.

On Saturday, Tejashwi had demonstrated an online search, with the EPIC number, to claim that his name was missing in the draft electoral rolls published as part of special intensive revision (SIR).

The Sub Divisional Magistrate of Patna Sadar-cum-Electoral Registration Officer for Digha assembly constituency in a letter to the former deputy CM said: Our preliminary investigation suggests that the EPIC number you mentioned at the press conference on August 2 was not issued officially. You are therefore requested to hand over the EPIC card in original for detailed investigation.

"The EPIC number in the electoral rolls is the one that was submitted by the honourable leader of the opposition in his affidavit in the 2020 assembly polls. If he is in possession of another EPIC card with another number as well, then it is a matter of investigation," the district magistrate said.

EPIC number "changed" Tejashwi, leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, had alleged that his EPIC number had been "changed", but District Magistrate Thiyagaraja SM repudiated the claim.

Meanwhile, spokespersons of the ruling NDA in Bihar  Ajay Alok (BJP), Neeraj Kumar (JDU) and Rajesh Bhatt (Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas), among others  demanded that a case be filed against Tejashwi.

He should be booked for having two EPIC cards, which is not allowed, they said.

Also Read | Gunmen kill parolee in Patna hospital; Tejashwi asks if anyone is safe in Bihar

The NDA spokespersons further said they want to know from RJDs alliance partner Congress leader Rahul Gandhi whether this "fraud" by Tejashwi is the "atom bomb" he was threatening the EC with.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) fact-checking handle on Sunday dismissed a fake news which claimed that the Indian government is currently reviewing a list of US-made products exempted from the tariffs after US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs plus a penalty on domestic exports to America from August 1.

An X handle named China in English claimed The Indian government begins reviewing the list of U.S. products exempted from tariffs and declares: No privilege without mutual respect

However, MEA FactCheck, the official social media handle of the fact-checking arm of the Ministry of External Affairs on the social media platform X, said, "This is FAKE News!.

MEA FactCheck on Sunday, 3 August 2025, refuted the post on U.S. products exempted from tariffs on the social media platform X.

The fact-checking account also debunked another fake news report floating around social media in order to prevent the spread of further disinformation amongst the people through the platforms.

MEA FactCheck also refuted the claim that the government is considering suspending or reviewing certain bilateral agreements with the United States if hostile economic policies continue.

Fake News Alert! This is FAKE News. No such statement made, according to the post from MEA on Sunday, highlighting that no such statement was made by the Indian government.

Trump Tariffs on India

Last week, US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariff on all imports from India along with some additional undisclosed penalties. Trump cited the Asian nation's high tariff rates and its relationship with Russia as being the vast majority buyer of military equipment and crude oil.

Later, Trump called out both India and Russia as dead economies amid the ongoing trade talks with India.

In a suo motu statement in both the houses of Parliament, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, the government is examining the implications of these tariffs and is engaged with all stakeholders including exporters and industry for taking feedback of their assessment of the situation.

"The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, exporters, MSMEs and all sections of industry. We will take all necessary steps to secure and advance our national interest," he said.
The Indian Army on Sunday issued a statement after the video of an army officer assaulting SpiceJet airline staffers at Srinagar International Airport went viral, and said that it is fully committed to maintaining discipline in civil spaces.

"This issue has come to the notice of the Indian Army, and we are awaiting the conclusion of the pending investigation. The Indian Army is fully committed to maintaining discipline and mutual respect in all civil spaces across the country," said the Army in a statement.

SpiceJet said a senior Army officer, who was to board a flight to Delhi, assaulted four airline ground staffers at the Srinagar airport on July 26.

Lt Colonel Singh, who is currently posted at the Armys High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) at Gulmarg in Baramulla district, was to board a SpiceJet flight to Delhi when the incident took place.

An FIR has been registered with the local police and the airline has initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations.

"Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand," the SpiceJet statement said.

SpiceJet writes to civil aviation ministry SpiceJet said it has also written to the civil aviation ministry, apprising them about the "murderous assault" on its staff and has requested appropriate action against the passenger.

The airline also said that it has secured the CCTV footage of the incident from the airport authorities and handed it over to the police.

What exactly happened?  A senior Army officer was carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg.

 According to the airline, he was informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges.

 The passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process - a clear violation of aviation security protocols, the airline said.

Also Read | IAF officer alleging assault actually started it? CCTV footage throws new twist

 He was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official. At the gate, the airline said the passenger grew increasingly aggressive.

Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti also demanded action against the officer.
Three weeks after the brutal assault while reporting on illegal construction near Pune, journalist Sneha Barve has received fresh death threats.

The threats were reportedly issued on July 24.

Now, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take immediate action to protect the journalist.

It is outrageous that journalist Sneha Barve, who was nearly killed for exposing wrongdoing, has been threatened once again, while the main suspect in her assault walks free, said Kunal Majumder, CPJs India representative, reported CPJ.org.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must urgently guarantee Sneha Barves safety to send a clear message that attacks on the press will not be tolerated and ensure those responsible are swiftly prosecuted, Majumder also said.

According to CPJ report, Prashant Pandurang Morde  an accused in the assault case, accosted Barve outside her office in Manchar, Pune district and threatened her, saying: This time, we should finish the matter for good.

On July 18, Prashant Morde - son of key accused Pandurang Sakharam Morde, went to the office of Barves father and threatened to harm the entire family, the journalist told CPJ.

Barve is the founder of YouTube-based news channel Samarth Bharat Pariwar.

On July 4, she was attacked by a group of men while she was reporting on alleged illegal construction on disputed land in Manchar.

The incident was caught on camera. Its viral video sparked outrage among the people.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) had taken suo motu cognisance of the shocking incident.

NCW Chairperson Vijay Rahatkar strongly condemned the attack and directed the concerned police officials to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation into the matter.
Nagpur police arrested a man after he allegedly threatened to blow up Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's residence on Wardha Road in Maharashtra's Nagpur District within a span of 10 minutes. The accused was taken into police custody for the hoax threat.

The man has been identified as Umesh Vishnu Raut. Following the hoax bomb threat, security was heightened at the senior BJP leader's house.

How did the incident unfold? According to the police, the city control room received a call on the emergency number 112, with the caller threatening to blow up Nitin Gadkari's Mahal residence within 10 minutes.

Following the call, the number was traced to mobile number 7498579746, registered in the name of Umesh Vishnu Raut, a resident of Tulsi Bagh Road, Mahal, near Beema Dawakhana, Sakkardara, reported news wire PTI.

Who is the accused? The accused Raut, who is currently in police custody, works at a liquor shop near Medical Square.

He was detained from the Beema Dawakhana area shortly after the threat call. Police officials are yet to interrogate him, and an investigation into the motive behind the threat is currently underway.

DCP Nagpur, S Rushikesh Reddy said, "We received a call in which someone claimed they had planted a bomb in Nitin Gadkari's home, and it was going to explode. Immediately, we activated the bomb squad and informed the home's security. Our officers also conducted a visit. We also checked the house with the bomb squad. However, we were unable to find anything. So, we immediately understood it was a hoax call".

Hoax bomb threats Last month, a bomb threat that was reported at the residence of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay in Neelankarai on Chennai's East Coast Road early Sunday morning, turned out to be hoax, said police officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on citizens on Saturday to adopt the spirit of "Swadeshi" and support locally-made products. He stressed that true service to the nation lies in promoting indigenous goods, especially amid "global economic uncertainties".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the comments while speaking at a public meeting in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. His statement came after the US announced tariffs on exports from about 70 nations, including India.

According to the White House order, India now faces tariffs of 25 per cent for its exports to the US. US President Donald Trump had also recently called India a dead economy.

Here's what PM Modi said: 1. PM Modi said, As we talk about economic progress, I want to draw your attention to the current global scenario. He said, The world economy is facing instability and uncertainty. In such times, countries are focusing solely on their own interests.

2. "India, too, is on the path to becoming the world's third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities," PM Modi said.

3. Emphasising that farmers, small industries and employment for youths are the top-most priorities for the government, PM Modi said, "The government is doing everything possible in this direction. But as citizens, we too have responsibilities."

4. The prime minister also made a renewed push for 'Swadeshi', stressing that every party, leader and citizen must work to promote indigenous goods if "we want India to become the third-largest economy".

5. Calling for a national movement to support local products, the prime minister said, "This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this  if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, keeping aside their hesitations, must work in the nation's interest and awaken the spirit of Swadeshi among the people."

6. He also urged people to be conscious consumers, saying, Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves -- has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is Swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of 'Vocal for Local'.

Also Read | Businesses continue to face uncertainty after latest US tariff blitz, ICC says

7. Making a special appeal to traders and shopkeepers, the prime minister said, "At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only Swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made in India goods will be the truest service to the country."

8. With the festival and wedding seasons approaching, PM Modi encouraged people to ensure that all new purchases are made in India.

9. He also recalled how many citizens who were planning to hold wedding events abroad shifted them to India after his earlier appeal. "The feeling of Swadeshi in every action will define our future. This will also be a true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Only through collective effort can we fulfil the dream of a developed India," PM Modi said.

Also Read | Stocks slump on latest tariffs, soft jobs data

10. PM Modi, who was addressing a massive public gathering on Saturday in Banauli village, highlighted the government's farmer-centric policies in detail. He said the government is constantly working for the well-being of farmers.

Trump's tariff deal With the US not able to finalise a deal with India so far, Donald Trump on Thursday announced the imposition of an additional 25 percent import duty plus a penalty on Indian goods entering American markets from August 7.

Earlier, this duty was to be imposed from August 1. The President has also not specified the penalty that he announced against India for buying crude oil and military equipment from Russia.

Also Read | Trump Tariff News: India remains confident on growing US ties

Later, in a post on Truth Social, Trump had said, I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.

Experts see the US tariff action as a pressure tactic to get India to agree to demands made by the US, which has, in recent days, got favourable trade deals with major partners like Japan, the UK and the European Union.
Trump 2.0 was expected to be good for India. But after early promise, ties have unexpectedly soured. Mint examines the sudden reversal, what India should do next, and whether recent developments could strengthen the Russia-India-China (RIC) axis.

1. Has the India-US relationship hit a low?

Yes. On 27 June, US President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from India, along with an unspecified penalty for New Delhis continued defence and energy trade with Russia. His rhetoric stung even more than the tariffs. Trump accused India of having some of the highest tariffs in the world" and the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers." The next day, he escalated further, saying that Russia and India can take their dead economies down together."

Simultaneously, Trump is cosying up to Pakistan, finalizing a trade deal with Islamabad last week.

2. What triggered Trumps anger?

Experts point to several factors.

Indias reluctance to open up its agriculture sector during trade talks has frustrated Trump. Some believe that the tariff hike may be a pressure tactic to force broader market access.

His ire over Indias energy and defence ties with Russia is also strategic: its seen as part of a larger bid to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump, some believe, now realizes he was outplayed by Putin.

He is also suspicious of Indias growing alignment with BRICS, which he views as an anti-Western bloc. He fears BRICS could start a common currency that could rival or replace the US dollar as the standard currency.

Also Read | Trumps tariff shock puts India in a tight spot but it has space to manoeuvre

Another, more personal factor: India did not credit Trump for helping de-escalate the brief India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year. Pakistan, in contrast, publicly acknowledged his role. Trump is reportedly miffed that India didnt nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

3. How has India reacted?

Though caught off guard by the sudden downturn in the bonhomie, Indias response has been restrained. The government has said it will protect national interests while continuing bilateral trade negotiations in good faith.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the India-US partnership is rooted in shared interests, democratic values, and strong people-to-people tiesand has weathered turbulence in the past.

4. Will Trumps actions push India close to the Russia-China axis?

That would require a fundamental shift in Indias foreign policy, but some experts dont rule it out. Trump has once again unsettled a friend (India) while courting an adversary (Pakistan), which has hit a nerve in New Delhi.

Last week, China publicly backed a Russian proposal to revive the RIC trilateral mechanism, calling it crucial for regional and global stability.

5. Could a thaw in India-China ties help?

Possibly. After the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, India-China relations froze. But recent months have seen attempts at normalization, including ministerial visits and a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in October 2024.

6. What should India do?

Most foreign policy experts advise caution. Indias ties with the US extend beyond Trumps presidency and should not be derailed by short-term volatility, they say.

While a stable relationship with China is welcome, they caution that it remains a strategic rival. India, they add, must work to resolve trade irritants and ensure a mutually beneficial agreement with the US.

Also Read | Centre scrambles to revamp export plan as US tariffs hit India, favour ASEAN

It should reiterate its commitment to a multi-aligned foreign policy and emphasize its long-standing ties with Russia, even as Moscows share in defence supplies has declined in recent years.
A recent post on Reddit has ignited discussions on disparities in leave and work-from-home policies for Indian employees compared to their Western counterparts within American multinational corporations (MNCs).

The anonymous users candid account of an emotional confrontation with their senior manager over Diwali leave has resonated with many, putting focus on the alleged toxic work culture in these MNCs.

Alleged biased company policies The original poster, who identified as a woman employee of an American MNC with a hybrid work model, expressed deep disappointment with the company's policies. I understand at the end of the day we're just cheap labor for them but god forbid I believe we'd have some policies that treat us like human.

She also criticised the company for favouring their western colleagues by stating, American/European colleagues can take long vacations and happily take the weeks of spring break, Thanksgiving and Christmas off.

Original post on Reddit

The user added that similar considerations are not extended to Indian employees, even for major cultural festivals such as Diwali.

In-office mandate during Diwali The core of the users grievance centres on her companys no work from home or leaves policy during the Diwali week.

She revealed that, We're all working Diwali week except 1-2 people will be off on different days so there's some support each day. The users plight intensified when their request for work remotely from their hometown during the festival week because someone needs to be in the office.

Believe me, we're still working on a week we deserve to be off. But now they want us in office. We've saved leaves and WFHs all year for this, she added.

Never cared, Never will The situation escalated quickly, culminating in what the user describes as a crying sobbing angry argument with her senior manager. She insisted, I HAD TO GO HOME. It's the ONE time I get to.

A resolution only came when another colleague from the same city volunteered to cancel their leave to come into the office since they would suffer the least damage. So technically this wasn't resolved, someone just sacrificed, she said.

The Reddit post ended with a comment on corporate empathy as the user stated, Your company truly never cared, never will. Always knew this, but some days are truly frustrating.

Netizens react to the post Most of the comments on the post empathised with the user, while some others shared their personal experiences of working with a western MNC.

A Reddit user said, Well, that's pretty much how things work in Indian MNCs. I do empathize with you, but unfortunately, you wont find any respite here. Everything is 24/7 and #1 priority.

Another user mirrored this thought and said, It is not you, it is your managers. I am Indian working in Germany. Our project has a small team in Pune, and the managers always keep proudly proclaiming in the meetings that his team is so dedicated that they can work on weekend and holidays as well.

Among those negative experiences, some users had a completely different story about working with an MNC.
A man in his 40s has tragically died after suffering injuries consistent with a fall during an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, according to the Metropolitan Police.

What happened? The incident occurred around 10.20 pm, prompting immediate response from police officers, Wembley medics, and the London Ambulance Service. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Media reports indicate the man may have fallen from the stadiums upper tier.

A concertgoer who claimed to witness the incident on social media described the scene as horrific.

Take a look at the crowd at Oasis' concert:

Oasis releases a statement expressing grief Oasis released a statement on Sunday, expressing their grief. We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at our Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday. Together with our bandmates, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved, said the band.

Why did such a tragedy happen? Police believe the stadium's busy environment means several individuals may have witnessed the fall or recorded footage of the moment.

The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage, said a Metropolitan Police spokesperson. If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.

Wembley Stadium also issued a statement, saying: Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.

Despite the tragedy, the band continued with their scheduled performance on Sunday night  the final date in a five-night run at Wembley.
The US Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a federal watchdog agency, has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the former Justice Department special counsel who brought two criminal cases against Donald Trump ahead of his return to the White House.

The probe, confirmed by the OSC on Saturday, follows accusations that Smith may have violated the Hatch Acta law prohibiting federal employees from engaging in partisan political activityduring his investigations into the then President-candidate.

Background: Smiths Trump probes Smith was appointed in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve as special counsel investigating Trump. He later brought two high-profile cases in 2023: one accusing Trump of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and another charging him with mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Both cases were dropped after Trump won the November 2024 election. Citing longstanding Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president, Smith formally closed the cases before resigning from his post.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the investigations were politically motivated and part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to target him. He had vowed during his campaign to dismiss Smith if reelected.

Allegations and GOP pressure The investigation into Smith appears to have been prompted in part by Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who called on the OSC to examine whether Smiths actions were intended to influence the outcome of the 2024 election in favor of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Cotton alleged Smiths conduct served Democratic political interests.
(Bloomberg)  Carvana Co.s shares notched an all-time high this week  rising more than 10,000% from a low in late 2022  and delivering a blow to investors betting against the online used-car dealer.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The jump to record caps a roller-coaster ride for the stock that quickly became an investor darling after a public debut in 2017, but has also been plagued by criticisms ranging from claims that the company was overvalued and allegations of lax business practices. The latest gains came after the companys blockbuster second-quarter results on Wednesday fueled expectations that a turnaround is taking hold at the embattled company.

As a result of the rally, short investors betting against Carvana have been dealt a $7.42 billion blow in mark-to-market losses since the end of 2022, according to calculations from S3 Partners. About 10% of the companys free float is currently held short, down from 55% on Dec. 27, 2022 when the stock had dropped to its lowest level.

This rally from the lows has turned Carvana into one of the most spectacular recoveries in modern market history and a brutal reminder of how dangerous shorting stocks like this can be, said Dave Mazza, CEO at Roundhill Financial.

Carvana shares closed 5.7% lower on Friday, retreating from Thursdays record but still ending the week more than 10% higher.

Carvanas online platform allows customers to buy a used car without getting up from their couch, a business model that attracted immense interest during the Covid-19 pandemic. The share price quickly skyrocketed, followed by a brutal 99% wipeout during the wider tech selloff that ensued. But now, as the appetite for riskier stocks and growth assets has come roaring back over the past month, Carvana is in the right spot to benefit.

Before Gamestop, a move like this would have been impossible, said Mark Hackett, chief strategist at Nationwide Funds Group, referring to the retail-trading-driven mania involving risky stocks that gripped the markets in 2021, and seems to be rearing its head again this year. But now it is common.

But it is not just the retail-trading fervor around growth stocks thats helping Carvanas shares, market watchers say.

Carvanas online business model helps to differentiate it from other auto dealers, who largely operate brick-and-mortar stores, and that has given the relative upstart a higher valuation multiple. At the same time, the trade policy chaos unleashed by President Donald Trumps tariff program has been a boon to used-car sellers, who saw demand rise as consumers try to avoid the steep new levies.
Four Indian-origin citizens who went missing during a trip to a temple from Buffalo, New York, to West Virginia, were found dead in a devastating car crash, on Saturday.

Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty confirmed the news late Saturday night, that the four people  Dr Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan  were discovered inside their Toyota Camry, which had plunged down a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road.

Family of four members who went missing while on their way to the temple

The vehicle was located around 9:30 pm on August 2, after an extensive search, said the Sheriff in a statement.

What caused the crash? The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed. Sheriff Dougherty, in his statement, said further details will be released once the investigation is complete.

Victims last spotted at Burger King outlet The group was last spotted at a Burger King outlet in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Surveillance footage showed two members entering the fast food outlet, where their credit card transactions also marked their final known movements.

Also Read | Man goes missing after causing car crash that turns his girlfriend paraplegic

A Pennsylvania State Troopers license plate reader later picked up the familys car heading south on Interstate 79, believed to be enroute to Prabhupadas Palace of Gold  a spiritual retreat nestled in the hills of Moundsville, West Virginia. But they never arrived at the destination, as per authorities.

A Pennsylvania State Troopers license plate reader later picked up the familys car heading south on Interstate 79

Despite a multi-agency search and cellphone data indicating that their phones were last active around 3 am Wednesday in the Moundsville and Wheeling areas, all communication went silent. Days passed with no sign of the family  until the heartbreaking discovery over the weekend.

Also Read | Two Indian students killed after car crash in Ireland, two seriously injuried
In a major setback for India, US President Donald Trump announced Thursday a 25% tariff on the import of Indian goods and an additional "penalty" for buying the "vast majority of their military equipment from Russia."

Trump said India is Russias "largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE  ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!".

He also cited "massive trade deficit with India" as the reason behind the high tariff rate of 25%. He added that US has done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World.

But a day later, the US President informed that tariff talks with India are still on, raising hope of a respite. "I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I have heard. I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens...," he said on Thursday.

But will India stop buying oil from Russia? There has been no official indication yet if India will stop buying oil from Russia. However, Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that India will keep purchasing oil from Russia, and there would be no immediate changes.

Not giving in to Trump's pressure, these sources cited the following reasons for buying oil from Russia:

1. "These are long-term oil contracts," one of the sources said. "It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight," they added.

2. Justifying India's oil purchases from Russia, a second source said India's imports of Russian grades had helped avoid a global surge in oil prices, which have remained subdued despite Western curbs on the Russian oil sector.

3. "Unlike Iranian and Venezuelan oil, Russian crude is not subject to direct sanctions, and India is buying it below the current price cap fixed by the European Union," the source said.

4. Meanwhile, sources told news agency ANI that India's energy decisions have been guided by national interest but have also contributed positively to global energy stability.

"India's purchases have remained fully legitimate and within the framework of international norms, they added.

5. These sources said, Had India not absorbed discounted Russian crude combined with OPEC production cuts of 5.86 mb/d, global oil prices could have surged well beyond the March 2022 peak of US$137/bbl, intensifying inflationary pressures worldwide.

6. Meanwhile, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said on August 1 shed light on India's energy sourcing requirements.

"You are aware of our broad approach that we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances," he said.

How much does India buy from Russia? India is the second-largest importer of Russian oil after China. According to the New York Times, Russia is currently the source of more than one-third of India's oil imports, up from less than 1 percent before the war.

The NITI Aayog's April-June (q1 FY2025) report revealed that in Q1 FY25, India recorded significant y-o-y import growth with Russia (19.69%).

India imported about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June in 2025, up 1 percent from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by sources.

Meanwhile, Trading Economics cited the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade as revealing that India's imports from Russia of crude oil was US$52.73 billion during 2024.

In 2023, Russia was among the top trading partners of India. According to Trend Economy, Russia contributed 26% (58 billion US$) to India's imports (of "Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes).

US among top importers of Indian goods While India is among the top importers of Russia and China, the country is among the top exporters to the US.

India remains a substantial exporter of refined petroleum products and other mineral fuels. "The primary destinations for these exports include the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States," Niti Aayog's report said.

The USA is among the top importers of Indian goods, accounting for almost 33% of the total merchandise exports, according to NITI Aayog's report.

It showed that the USA is Indias top export destination in these categories: Minerals fuels & products, Natural or Cultured pearls, Electrical machinery & Equipment, Nuclear reactors, Pharmaceuticals products.

NITI Aayog's April-June (q1 FY2025) report

This contradicts Trump's little business with India claim.

The report also revealed that there is significant potential for Indian service exporters to expand their presence in major export markets such as the USA.

What are tariffs? Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government (the US government in this case) on goods and services imported from other countries. They are simply an extra cost added to foreign products when they enter the country.

How do tariffs work? 1. What impact do tariffs have on (US) economy imposing them? Foreign goods get relatively more expensive, possibly driving up demand for domestic products.

"Tariffs give a price advantage to locally produced goods over similar goods that are imported, and they raise revenues for governments," according to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

However, some domestic industries may rely on imported materials and parts. In this case, the rise in prices of imported materials and parts would lead to face higher costs of production (by domestic producers).

"If the domestic producers pass higher costs of production onto consumers, it will also push up prices of domestically produced goods," Oxford Economics explains.

Also Read | Stocks slump on latest tariffs, soft jobs data
Following one of the powerful earthquakes on record strike the region, a volcano in Russia's eastern Kamchatka region has erupted for the first time in 450 years, according to its emergency authority.

The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Programme said the Krasheninnikov volcano, dormant since its last eruption in 1550, has now spewed a massive plume of ash, as shown in images released by Russian state media.

Kamchatka's Ministry of Emergency Situations stated on Telegram that the ash plume reached an estimated height of 6,000 meters (19,700 feet).

The ministry mentioned, The plume is spreading eastward from the volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path, and no ashfall has been recorded in inhabited localities.

The ministry added that the volcano has been classified with an "orange" aviation hazard code, signaling potential flight disruptions in the area.

This event occurred shortly after the eruption of Klyuchevskoy, the tallest active volcano in Europe and Asia, which erupted on Wednesday.

The Global Volcanism Programme notes that Klyuchevskoy eruptions are relatively frequent, with at least 18 occurring since 2000.

Both eruptions followed one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded on Wednesday, which led to tsunami alerts and forced millions of people to evacuate coastal regions from Japan to Hawaii to Ecuador.

Officials said that the most severe damage occurred in Russia, where a tsunami swept through the port of Severo-Kurilsk and flooded a fishing plant.

Russia earthquake The magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit near Petropavlovsk on Russias Kamchatka Peninsula and was the powerful since the 2011 magnitude 9.1 quake off Japan, which triggered a tsunami that claimed over 15,000 lives.

Also Read | Hawaii stays chill as tsunami waves follow massive Russia quake: Watch

The scientists said Pacific Plates movement makes the Kamchatka Peninsula, located off Russias Far East coast, particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, and they warned that larger aftershocks remain possible, Reuters reported.

Centered near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, this was the largest earthquake since the catastrophic 2011 Tohoku quake, which triggered a tsunami that led to the meltdown at Japans Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

"The Kamchatka seismic zone is one of the most active subduction zones around the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the Pacific Plate is moving westwards at around 80 mm (3 inches) per year, Roger Musson, honorary research fellow at the British Geological Survey said.
Canadas federal minister overseeing US-Canada trade relations, Dominic LeBlanc, said Sunday that he sees a pathway to reducing newly imposed American tariffs.

LeBlanc expressed optimism that a deal could be reached to reverse or lower the 35% US tariff on Canadian goods not covered under the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA), speaking on CBS News.

I believe there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down tariffs, LeBlanc stated, just days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order sharply increasing tariffs, citing fentanyl trafficking and national security concerns.

The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has voiced disappointment over the move but remains engaged in dialogue, with LeBlanc suggesting high-level talks between Carney and Trump could occur over the next number of days.

The trade tension marks the latest development in a growing economic dispute between the two countries, with potential ripple effects on key sectors including lumber, autos, and manufacturing.

Potential dialogue amid rising tariffs Despite the tensions, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at the possibility of flexibility, saying Trump might reconsider the hike if Carney eases Canada's retaliatory stance.

Canadas response and exemptions Canada previously responded to US trade moves with two rounds of counter-tariffs earlier this year. The first, under outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, targeted about C$30 billion in US exports, including food, apparel, and motorcycles. The second round matched US tariffs on steel, aluminum, and foreign automobiles.

However, in mid-April, the Carney government introduced exemptions for certain business inputs critical to health care, public safety, and industrial production. Automakers like General Motors and Honda, which operate Canadian manufacturing plants, were also granted relief from import duties.

Economic impact The new US tariffs are expected to hit key Canadian exports, including lumber, steel, aluminum, and vehicles. While retaliatory duties have been put in place, Canada continues to allow the majority of US goods to enter tariff-free.

Also Read | Exporters seek assistance, credit at affordable rates to deal with Trump tariff
The UK is preparing for the arrival of Storm Floris on Monday, with the Met Office warning of dangerous weather conditions across northern England and Scotland. Wind speeds could reach up to 85mph, triggering yellow and amber alerts for large parts of the country.

Amber warning for Northern Scotland An amber wind warning has been issued for the northern Scottish mainland, where gusts of 6070mph are likely, and exposed coastal areas could see winds as strong as 85mph. The Met Office has cautioned that such extreme weather could pose a "danger to life" due to flying debris and large waves crashing onto coastlines.

Yellow alert issued across UK regions A broader yellow warning for wind is in place across Northern Ireland, North Wales, Northern England, and parts of Scotland. It will remain in force from 6 am to midnight on Monday, with inland areas expected to experience gusts ranging from 40 to 50 mph.

Heavy rainfall expected Storm Floris is also forecast to bring intense rainfall, particularly across the Highlands, Lake District, northern England, and north Wales. Rainfall of 1632 mm in an hour is possible in some areas, increasing the risk of flash flooding and travel disruption.

Widespread travel and power disruption likely Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said the storm would severely impact transportation. Roads, rail lines, air travel, and ferry services may be disrupted, with the potential for bridge closures and power outages due to damaged infrastructure. Flying tiles and beach material could also strike coastal roads and properties.

Conditions to ease Tuesday Although strong winds will persist into Tuesday in eastern parts of the UK, conditions are expected to improve in the west by late Monday.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are in the advanced stages of negotiating a new ceasefire and hostage release proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza, The Jerusalem Post reported citing Israeli broadcaster N12.

The proposed deal would require Hamas to immediately release all hostages and disarm. If the group agrees, the United States would lead an international administration to govern the Gaza Strip, the report said.

We have a very, very good plan that were working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu  for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war, said Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, during a meeting with the families of Israeli hostages, according to a recording reviewed by Reuters.

Trumps green light for Israeli action if Hamas refuses As part of the proposed deal, Trump would authorise Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to act with full force in Gaza should Hamas reject the terms.

According to N12, the ultimatum makes clear that failure by Hamas to meet the conditions would result in intensified Israeli military operations in the enclave, with US backing.

Footage of emaciated hostages raises alarm The reported breakthrough in negotiations comes as Gaza terror groups released disturbing footage of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, both appearing severely malnourished. The videos, widely circulated on Saturday, have sparked renewed outrage in Israel.

We know from testimonies of freed hostages and from the information we have today that the hostages' captors do not appear this way, a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying.

This is deliberate starvation not only to abuse the hostages themselves but to torment their families and the public, the official added.

Past remarks point to US intentions Trump previously indicated a willingness to take a more assertive role in Gaza. During a state visit to Qatar in May, he suggested the United States should "take control of the Gaza Strip, deal with Hamas, and turn it into a freedom zone."

The President has made the resolution of the Gaza conflict a high-profile diplomatic priority as he returns to international negotiations during his second term.

Ceasefire talks at a standstill Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas recently collapsed. Talks had aimed at achieving a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half of the remaining Israeli hostages but ended in deadlock last week.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the Israeli government over deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the fate of remaining hostages.

Also Read | Netanyahu urges Red Cross for help after disturbing Hamas hostage videos surface
Earthquake Today: After being dormant for 600 years, the Krasheninnikov Volcano in the Kamchatka Peninsula region erupted overnight, and a 7.0-magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc in the nearby Kuril Islands, reported the news agency Reuters.

Also Read | Russia earthquake: New tsunami warning issued after Kuril Islands quake

The Russian Ministry for Emergency Services cancelled its tsunami warning for the Kamchatka Peninsula region on Sunday, 3 August 2025, after the earthquake in the nearby region.

The Ministry said that Sunday's wave heights were low. However, according to the Telegram notification cited in the agency report, they warned people to move away from the shoreline. Videos shared on the social media platform X show the volcanic ash and clouds rising to the sky from the formerly dormant volcano.

Earthquake-Volcano may be linked The U.S. Geological Survey and the Pacific Tsunami Warning System both noted a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Sunday; however, as per the agency report, there were no tsunami warning issues after the earthquake.

This earthquake comes after the Krasheninnikov Volcano eruption in Kamchatka overnight at the weekend. As per local media reports cited, the volcano erupted for the first time in the last 600 years.

This is the first historically confirmed eruption of Krasheninnikov Volcano in 600 years, Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, told local media portal RIA.

According to the agency report, both the volcano and the earthquake incidents can be connected to the huge earthquake Russia witnessed last week. The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across French Polynesia and Chile. The massive earthquake was also followed by a Klyuchevskoy volcano eruption, the most active volcano in the Kamchatka Peninsula region.

Scientists warned last week that strong aftershocks could occur in the region over the next several weeks.

The ash cloud has drifted eastward toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path, said the Ministry, citing the Telegram channel Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Girina.

The Russian Ministry also said that it witnessed the ash plume from the volcano, which erupted on Sunday, rise up to 6,000 meters, with the volcano standing tall at 1,856 metres above sea level. They also assigned the orange aviation code due to the eruption, as there is a heightened risk to aircraft in the region.

The 8.7 magnitude earthquake On Wednesday, 30 July 2025, Kamchatka Peninsula witnessed a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake, which triggered tsunami warnings from Japan and the US Tsunami Warning Center.

Mint reported earlier, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), that the undersea earthquake was located roughly 250 kilometres from Hokkaido, Japans northernmost main island.
NEW DELHI : For the longest time, I drove a diesel SUV as my daily commuter. It wasnt ideal, but even when the fuel gauge dipped to the dreaded low fuel warning, I never panicked. Whats the worst that could happen? I could always call roadside assistance through my insurance, and theyd show up with fuel cans.

Life with an electric car is very different. No ones going to rush in with a giant battery to bail you out, at least not yet. There is HopCharge, a startup thatll come to your location (in five cities) and charge your car. But when things go wrong with an electric vehicle (EV), they can go really wrong.

In my 3,000-km experience, Ive encountered vandalized chargers, roadside hawkers refusing to move from charging spots, cars wrongly parked at EV stations, so-called fast chargers working at snails pace, glitchy mobile apps, and non-existent customer support.

If youre buying an EV, a home charger isnt just useful, its essential. And if you're thinking of long road trips, even the most enthusiastic EV owner should think twice about relying solely on public chargers for a 400-km journey.

This is the story of Indias EV infrastructure, and the critical loopholes that need plugging before electric vehicles can truly go mainstream.

Just over 5% of dividends saved in layoffs: is this justified?, asks TCS aggrieved

On 27 July, Tata Consultancy Services, Indias largest mass tech recruiter, announced that it would lay off about 2% of its global workforce. But as Mints Jas Bardia and Varun Sood report, insiders have flagged several inconsistencies in how the process has played out.

One big question: what exactly do these layoffs achieve? During a leadership meeting with CEO K Krithivasan, business heads were instructed to tell impacted employees that this isnt about profits, its about restructuring" to enable future growth.

But someone ran the numbers. If the average salary of those laid off (mostly mid- and senior-level staff) is 25 lakh per year, letting go of 12,000 employees would save about 3,000 crore. Thats just 6.7% of the 45,000 crore TCS paid out in dividends in FY24. So, was there another way to manage this?

Mint breaks down the internal dissent and what it reveals.

A killer droneand eyes in the sky

Soon after Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Defence allocated a $4.5 billion emergency fund to the Army, Navy, and Air Force for procuring critical defence technologies that India currently lacks.

One top contender: a compact, lightweight combat drone that can be launched from almost anywhere, functions without GPS, and operates even in network-jammed environments. The Indian Air Force is particularly keen on this drone, with the deal reportedly finalized in principle and awaiting official sign-off.

Thats not all. India is also in the market for uninterrupted, high-resolution satellite surveillance data. While Indias own SBS-3 programme aims to address this gap, existing surveillance satellites still fall short in both resolution and refresh rates.

To bridge the gap, the Centre is eyeing foreign partners for round-the-clock, ultra-high-resolution data that could dramatically improve Indias real-time intelligence capabilities.

Read the full scoop on whats coming next for Indias defence tech.

Police forces look to upgrade their satellite network

Indias police satellite network, PolNet, first launched in 2002, is long overdue a revamp. And now, a mix of domestic giants and global players, including Adani and Tata group subsidiaries, Navratna PSU Bharat Electronics, and Cisco, are vying to modernize it.

PolNet currently relies on ageing satellite tech. The governments new plan involves bringing in modern, low-earth orbit (LEO) satellitesa la Starlinkfor better last-mile connectivity.

But despite several extensions and interest from top vendors, the upgrade is stuck in limbo. At stake are contracts worth hundreds of crores. Who will win the race to modernize PolNet?

Mints Jatin Grover investigates.

And in other news

A JPMorgan note suggests that Apple could launch its first foldable iPhone next year, priced at around $2,000. The announcement cant come soon enough: after a strong quarter that beat analyst expectations, Apples stock rose 3.5%only to dip again by 6% in the days that followed. With AI seen as its Achilles heel, can a sleek, foldable device revive Apples innovation image?

And finally, meet Andrew Tulloch, the AI engineer who reportedly turned down a $1.5 billion (yes, billion) offer from Meta to rejoin the company. Tulloch, who spent nearly 12 years at Meta before joining OpenAI and later Mira Muratis new venture, Thinking Machines Lab, is now at the heart of Silicon Valleys most aggressive talent war. Zuckerberg, sources say, still hasnt given up.

Transformer by Mint is your weekly lens into the biggest shifts in Indias technology landscape. From boardroom battles and AI breakthroughs to defence tech and electric cars, we track the innovations shaping your future.
When US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shook hands at Trumps Scottish golf resort last week, they werent just announcing a new trade dealthey were formalizing Europes economic and ideological surrender. By agreeing to 15% tariffs on most exports to the US, the EU has capitulated to Trumps zero-sum world-view. In doing so, it has abandoned the principles of multilateralism that have long guided global trade.

The economic consequences will likely be immediate and severe. European exporters now face tariffs nearly ten times higher than the previous trade-weighted average of 1.6%. Volkswagen alone has reported a $1.5 billion hit due to higher US tariffs.

Also Read: Global shake-up: Americas retreat spells a big opportunity for Europe

But this is just part of the problem. The real damage is what the EU agreed to pay for the privilege of maintaining access to the US market: buying $750 billion worth of US energy over three years and investing another $600 billion in the US economy.

These staggering sums will inevitably divert resources from European development and innovation while legitimizing bilateral coercion over the multilateral rules-based World Trade Organization system. As critics have rightly pointed out, this massive outflow comes directly at the expense of domestic investment.

What makes the EUs surrender especially troubling is how unnecessary it was. As Americas largest economic partner, the EU has considerable leverage. The blocs $270 billion services deficit with the US offered clear avenues for retaliation, from digital taxes to restrictions on American tech giants.

Also Read: The IMFs World Economic Outlook is too coy for a Trump-shaken world

Weeks earlier, anticipating a stalemate, European policymakers had prepared counter-tariffs targeting $107 billion worth of American goods. But the EU had far more potent weapons at its disposal. Its Anti-Coercion Instrument, for example, could have barred US companies from government contracts, revoked intellectual-property rights and imposed broader trade restrictions. Yet, national leaders, fearing Trumps retaliation and under pressure from domestic industries eager to maintain access to the US market, refused to authorize Von der Leyen to use any of these tools, forcing her to negotiate from a position of weakness.

The contrast with other US trading partners could not be starker. When the UK secured a 10% tariff rate from Trump in May, European leaders expressed concern about accepting similar terms. Now, they hail 15% tariffs on EU exports as a diplomatic breakthrough. Britain, acting alone, negotiated better terms than the EU as a whole.

Also Read: How Trump got the upper hand over the EU on tariffs

This failure exposes the fundamental weakness of European governance. Lacking a true EU-wide governance system, the bloc remains incapable of translating competing national agendas into a unified position. With Von der Leyen hamstrung by member states prioritizing narrow domestic interests over European cohesion, the result was a deal that pleases no one but Trump and locks Europe into a state of structured dependency.

The EUs failure to push back against Trump is especially troubling given its stated goal of achieving strategic autonomy. Some may argue that the dealtechnically not a formal trade agreement, but rather a set of statements outlining an ongoing negotiation processbuys time. By appeasing Trump, the argument goes, the Commission has maintained transatlantic ties while creating space for future carve-outs.

But if this were truly a time-buying strategy, we would expect the EU to take concrete steps to advance strategic autonomy: boosting defence spending, accelerating supply-chain diversification and investing in retaliatory capabilities.

Instead, after years of pledging to reduce reliance on foreign powers, EU leaders chose to replace Russian energy imports with American supplies and commit to massive purchases of US military equipment.

Also Read: Mint Explainer: Why does the EU keep sanctioning Russia?

Europes subordination both reflects and reinforces the continents dependence on US power. It has created a structural imbalance that extends across defence, trade and energy, leaving Europe in a state of permanent vassalization. Trumps ability to extract sweeping economic concessions and defence-spending commitments shows how effectively the US can weaponize Europes security anxieties to pursue broader geopolitical objectives. The $600 billion investment pledge, much of it earmarked for military-equipment purchases, forces Europe to subsidize American defence contractors while undermining its own industrial base.

By giving in to Trumps demands, the EU validated Trumps transactional approach, emboldening not only future American administrations but also other global powers eager to turn trade into an instrument of geopolitical coercion. While the immediate crisis may have passed, the long-term damage to EU credibility and autonomy will be long-lasting. The widespread perception that Europe surrenders without resistance will undoubtedly invite further challenges to European interests.

Until European leaders are able to break the cycle of dependency by empowering EU institutions to act decisively against external coercion, these humiliating capitulations will only multiply, reducing the continent to a prosperous yet powerless appendage of the US empire. 2025/Project Syndicate

The author is professor of European Union Law at HEC Paris and visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin.
Whitfield County and Dalton officials are urging residents to stay home if possible after heavy rains parked over the area Saturday evening.

Many roadways flooded, and the emergency management team said in a Facebook post that they oversaw several water rescues from submerged cars and homes.

The following streets were partially or temporarily closed:

Dug Gap Road in the area of Coffey Drive to Hackney Drive has been reduced to one lane due to the roadway flooding.

Pleasant Grove

Reed Pond between Reed and Poplar Springs

Legion Drive

Old Grade Rd at the Bypass

Willowdale Road at Kimberly Park drive

Willowdale Road at Chattanooga Road.Water is being reported to be up to car windows.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. by Roan school.

North Oaks Subdivision

Underwood Road in area of Phoenix Place

Glenwood Avenue and Legion Drive

Veterans Drive

Centennial Parkway at Autumn Court

Conway Street at Spruce Street

Needham Drive

Dispatchers received calls about several other impassable roadways which have now cleared.

The water continues lowering but police still recommend traveling with caution if it is absolutely necessary to be out.

If you have to be out traveling, be the dalton difference, put your phone down, reduce your speed, and wear your safety belt, Dalton PD said in a Facebook post. If you see water across the roadway, turn around and dont drown.
We recently published 13 Stocks That Jim Cramer Recently Talked About. FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.

FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) is one of the biggest logistics companies in the world. Its shares have lost 18% year-to-date and fell by 7.7% in July after the White House decided to end de minimis exemptions for packages arriving in the US. The dip added to FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX)s woes as the shares fell in June after the firms earnings reports and in April after President Trump announced the Liberation Day tariffs. For his part, Cramers quite optimistic about FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX)s CEO Raj Subramaniam:

UPS, look, one of the things that Ive got to hand, FedEx, Raj Subramaniam was in there. Man, hes giving you numbers. And Subramaniams a hitter, okay. We have a lot of hitters today. Kelly Ortberg, hitter. Whos a misser?

FedEx Corporation (FDX)'s CEO Is A "Hitter," Says Jim Cramer

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Previously, the CNBC TV host discussed FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX)s exposure to trade tensions between the US and Europe:

I wanna keep an eye on that, because I know that a company like FedEx, I mean cross borders really, really huge.

While we acknowledge the potential of FDX 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.
The U.S. Marshals Service has increased the reward to up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a quadruple murder suspect.

Austin Drummond is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and weapons charges after the deaths of four family members in Lake County, TN.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said they arrested a Jackson man Saturday and charged him with being an accessory after the fact of a first-degree murder.

Investigators say that Drummonds associate Giovante Thomas, 29, had assisted him.

Thomas was already being held in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated failure to appear charge. Hes now being transferred to the Lake County Jail for arraignment.

Tanaka Brown, 29, whom investigators also described as an associate of Drummond, 28, was similarly arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, as well as tampering with evidence, according to the TBI.

In a letter obtained by our NBC Affiliate in Memphis, a West Tennessee district attorney wrote to the Tennessee Board of Parole in 2020 warning he could pose a threat to the public.

In his letter, DA Jody Pickens said Drummond showed no desire for rehabilitation and is not capable of living among society. Back then, he was in prison for an armed robbery at a gas station.

Drummond remains at large, and is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information can call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or simply 1-800-TBI FIND.
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Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem during his speech on July 30, 2025. (Al Ahed News)

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered his latest speech on July 30, commemorating the first anniversary of Israel assassinating the groups then-chief of staff, Fuad Shukr. Amidst briefly eulogizing Shukr and other formalities, Qassem devoted most of his speech to, once again, reiterating Hezbollahs refusal to disarm under any conditions.

A summary of his words follows:

Eulogies and formalities

Qassem devoted the first portion of his speech to customary commemorations and salutations. He began by eulogizing Shukr and recounting his organizational biography, including leading [Hezbollahs] planning to confront America in the region as part of an educational committee working on this matter. Qassem then eulogized former Hamas Politburo Chairman Ismail Haniyeh, whom Israel killed in his Tehran safehouse hours after assassinating Shukr in Beirut. He also devoted time to address Gaza, steadfast, defiant, giving, sacrificing Gaza, where Qassem alleged Israel and America are conducting organized murder daily.

Finally, the Hezbollah secretary-general saluted George Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese terrorist who was, until recently, serving a life sentence in France for involvement in the murders of US military attache Colonel Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Simantov in Paris in 1982. Qassem praised Abdallah, a Maronite Christian, for refusing to abandon his views to gain a few years [of the freedom] of which he was deprived while they kept him in prison, even to utter just empty words. He described Abdallah as an inseparable part of the resistances multifaceted path, which is united on liberating Palestine. Qassem concluded by welcom[ing] George, who, God willing, will shine through your new jihad on Lebanese territory.

Hezbollahs state-building vision: resistance and political action

Qassem then turned to domestic affairs, insisting that Hezbollah was a critical pillar in rebuilding and reviving the Lebanese state after years of the state existing in a condition of rot. The group, he claimed, had proven this by facilitating the election of President Joseph Aoun and giving Nawaf Salams cabinet its vote of confidence a month later.

Hezbollah, Qassem said, had done so because the group works along two parallel and complementary paths: the path of resistance to liberate the land  directed exclusively at Israel, and the second is the political path of state buildingby representing the people and their interests, and participation in political life until the state and all its sons, of whom we are a part, can rise again. Qassem said the group does not generally prioritize one path over the other but may place its more emphasis on a particular path depending on current conditions. However, he stated that Hezbollah would notindeed cannotabandon either of the paths.

Some tell us, build the state and abandon resistance. No, were not bartering here with resistance against Israel in exchange for building the state for its citizens. Those who say leave Israel [alone] and build the state are saying, Leave Israel to attack Lebanon and plunder what it desires. This is not our conviction, and we will never follow this path, Qassem said.

The resistance is a national necessity

Qassem said that Hezbollahs resistance was established to offset the states weakness in confronting Israel, but its vision was to act symbiotically with the army and the people, each fulfilling their unique role and not subsuming those of the others. We believe that when each of these three prongs becomes stronger and improves its cooperation with the others, they will have better achievements, he said.

Qassem went on to say that, by the very nature of things, all sides agreeing to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on November 27, 2024, viewed the agreement as personally beneficial. Israel, he said, viewed Hezbollahs withdrawal north of the Litani River and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployment to south Lebanon as an accomplishment and, therefore, agreed to the ceasefire. However, Hezbollah likewise viewed the situation as beneficial, Qassem said, because the state is saying, We are now responsible for national defense; we will oversee the ceasefire agreement and assume responsibility for protecting this countrys citizens.

However, Israel, Qassem stated, has not abided by the ceasefire, an agreement that he again insisted applies exclusively south of the Litani River and has no bearing on Hezbollahs arsenal. Qassem has consistently repeated this claim, despite it contradicting the deals plain text, which calls for dismantling all unauthorized weapons production facilities and preventing their future reestablishment, dismantling all infrastructure and military positions, and confiscating all unauthorized arms starting with the Southern Litani Area.

Nevertheless, Qassem said, To those tying the ceasefire agreement to [our] weapons, I say: The weapons are an internal Lebanese matter, with no connection whatsoever to the Israeli enemy. This is an internal matter. He continued to say that, despite this status, Israel was now, with American complicity, prosecuting a low-intensity campaign to pressure Hezbollah and Beirut into disarming the group.

Hezbollah, he said, wasnt responding to Israel because it now considers the Lebanese state responsible for enforcing the ceasefirenot because the group is weak. To the contrary, Qassem insisted, the group had demonstrated its continued social and political strength in the months since the ceasefire, including through its presence in the government, the massive turnout to former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallahs funeral, and its successful results in the May 2025 municipal elections.

America is Lebanons enemy

Now, Qassem said, the United States had sent a new envoy to LebanonAmbassador Tom Barrackwhose job is to create problems for Lebanon and invert the truth. He continued by claiming, America does not help us, it wants to destroy our country to help Israel, and is, therefore, making Hezbollah, rather than the Israelis, out to be the problem. They know the aggression has to stop, and that the ceasefire must be implemented, but they wanted to create a problem for us in Lebanon, Qassem reasoned.

He then falsely claimed that Ambassador Barrack, whose approach to Lebanon has been much softer than his predecessor, came to intimidate, threatening to annex Lebanon to Syria, so that Lebanon will be wiped off the map, that it will no longer merit international attention, while also threatening the aggression will expand. However, Qassem said, Barrack was surprised to be met with a united  official, nationalist, resisting Lebanese stance that insists Israel first cease its attacks. Following this development, we can discuss [other] matters, he stated.

Qassem also praised Lebanons top leadershipcomprised of Aoun, Salam, and Hezbollah ally and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berrifor adopting their positions, saying they had done so because of their interest in rebuilding Lebanon, which cannot be done while the aggression is ongoing, or when someone comes and asks them to surrender the countrys source of strength, when the Americans come to force their will to deprive Lebanon of its strength and capabilities.

Countries interested in helping Lebanon, Qassem said, would give it money and aid the country with political and economic reforms. But the Americans only come to take from Lebanon for Israel. This cannot be permitted, he said.

Israel is pursuing territorial expansionism in Lebanon, as it is doing in Syria

The ceasefire agreement, Qassem said, brought Israel the security it desires in the countrys north, but Lebanon will still be subject to Israeli aggression. He elaborated:

Give us security in Lebanon so that we can see: Has a reasonable period of time passed demonstrating Israel has no designs upon Lebanon?  Indeed, do you think the Israelis are holding the five points [in south Lebanon] to use to blackmail Lebanon? No, theyre holding these points so the Americans can help them, pressure the Lebanese into seizing [Hezbollahs] weapons, leaving Lebanon powerlessand then [the Israelis] will expand from those five points to seize several villages and gradually turn them into settlements later, and from there interfere in Lebanons politics and impose what they wish upon it. This is the Israeli plan. Do not think they remain in the five points for security reasons  because, whether or not they hold those points, they can traverse all of Lebanon, kill whomever they want, and do whatever they want. No, they are holding these as forward positions for expansionism, not for compromise or negotiations. We have Syrias example. The Americans wrecked Syria, and now theyve left the Israelis to comfortably kill and do whatever they want, and unilaterally redraw the border and the maps. Of course, they encouraged the murder and assassination operations, they encouraged the Suwayda massacres, the murders of the Alawites, and all the horrific actions that have occurred, in one way or another. What later became apparent? Israel was redrawing geographic and political boundaries and unilaterally planning Syrias future according to its desires.

Qassem used this framing to argue that Lebanonall of Lebanon, not just the resistancewas confronting an existential threat from Israel, the Islamic State, and the United States to make Lebanon a vassal state. That outcome, he claimed, was the danger behind disarming Hezbollah, while Israel, he argued, was taking preparatory steps to territorial expansion under the false excuse of Israeli security. And so, Qassem said, he would lay out Hezbollahs position clearly:

We reject Lebanon becoming a vassal of Israel, even if the entire world unites against us. If all of us are killed, Israel will not be allowed to defeat us or take Lebanon hostage, so long as we have the breath of life. Our weapons are to resist Israel. They are not for use inside Lebanon. Our weapons are a source of Lebanons strength. We say: we are willing to discuss how these weapons will be a part of Lebanons strength [emphasis own], but we will never agree to surrender our weapons to Israel. And today, anyone asking [Hezbollah] to surrender weapons is effectively asking to surrender them to Israel.

Here, Qassem was referencing Hezbollahs longstanding insistence that the group and its weapons be integrated, wholesale, into a Lebanese national defense strategy.

Qassem continued by arguing that Barracks demand for Hezbollah to disarm only served Israeli security and did not contribute to domestic Lebanese stabilitywhich, he said, is not affected by the groups weapons. However, Qassem stated, Hezbollah will never recognize Israel, agree to a truce with it, and certainly not surrender to it. He insisted the group would act from a defensive position, but its willingness to act in defense is unlimited, even if it leads to our martyrdom  victory or martyrdom. In the end, he claimed, the group will be victorious because of its belief in God and will, therefore, never change our choice of armed activity.

Setting Lebanons priorities

Qassem argued that the Lebanese should prioritize other concerns, especially reconstruction, over the issue of Hezbollahs arsenal. His group, he said, has no intention of surrendering its arms, and he described all calls to do so amidst ongoing Israeli attacks as a call to surrender to Israel the weapons that are Lebanons strength. Qassem insisted that not even the Lebanese state has the right to demand that Hezbollah surrender its weapons under these conditions, when it lacks the ability to deter Israel.

Instead, he arguedechoing previous speechesthat Lebanon must prioritize ending Israels operations, including by setting a plan, taking a decision that the army will confront Israel alongside the resistance. It should also prioritize post-war reconstruction. However, Hezbollah will not accept that this reconstruction be conditioned upon surrendering its weapons, even if such calls originated in Lebanon, because anyone calling for surrendering weapons today  is serving the Israeli project.

Qassem offered his groups alternative vision: let Israel end its operations, release Lebanese detainees, and withdraw from Lebanon, and if the situation stabilizes, then well be open to dialogue and responsiveness. But dont ask us for our position nowwe cant give it or offer you everything now.

Lebanon, he said, was now facing two choices: either Hezbollahs sovereigntist path, which would ostensibly guarantee the countrys security and prosperity, or the alternative of subjugation to the United States.

Concluding his speech, Qassem said:

Hezbollah insists upon building the state, empowering its institutions, and strengthening the army, with the state assuming decisions of war and peace, setting a national security and defense strategy. We also call upon the state and all noble people to work to silence the purveyors of strife, the servants of the Israeli project.  Lebanon is the sole country of all its citizens, and we are among its citizens. Lebanon will not belong to one faction over another, and we will never allow anyone to make Lebanon a vassal of Israel. Let us all eject Israel through our unity and build Lebanon through our solidarity.  We welcome Arabs and foreigners alike who support ejecting Israel and building the country. They will, thus, fulfill their interests and Lebanons. We do not welcome those who want to serve Israel and Israels project.

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
In a major anti-narcotics operation, officials at the Astara Customs Department have seized a significant quantity of marijuana that was being smuggled through Azerbaijani territory. The complex operation, involving intensive search and customs control measures, led to the discovery and confiscation of over 100 kilograms of the illegal substance, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committees Press and Public Relations Department.

The Press Department noted that the incident occurred at the "South-Astara" customs checkpoint. A vehicle transporting a shipment of "peppers" from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Russian Federation via Azerbaijan was flagged for a thorough inspection. The operation employed a trained sniffer dog from the canine service unit to assist in the inspection.

During the search, customs officers uncovered 154 rectangular packages concealed beneath boxes of peppers. The narcotics had been deliberately hidden under the legitimate cargo and covered with peppers in an attempt to evade detection. The total weight of the marijuana, including packaging, was approximately 103 kilograms and 395 grams.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) is included among the 10 Best Shipping Stocks with Dividends.

Is Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (GNK) One of the Safest Shipping Stocks for Dividend Investors?

A close-up of a large cargo vessel in the open sea, its sails billowing in the wind.

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) operates a fleet of over 40 dry bulk vessels that move commodities across international trade routes. The company offers a dedicated in-house commercial platform to assist clients in managing the transportation of iron ore, grain, steel, cement, and other dry cargo. Recently, it has drawn investor interest following a notable development Diana Shipping, a well-established Greek dry bulk firm, has acquired a substantial equity stake in Genco worth around $46 million. This move signals a key development for both companies as they adapt to shifting dynamics in the global shipping and logistics sector.

In its first quarter 2025 earnings report, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) highlighted that drybulk freight rates have seen an improvement starting from March 2025 and continuing into the second quarter, as indicated by the companys Q2 time charter equivalent (TCE) performance, which stands 18% above the levels recorded in the first quarter. Supported by low financial leverage, a favorable cash flow breakeven rate, and ample access to capital, the company believes it is well-positioned to navigate the ongoing geopolitical volatility.

On May 8, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) reduced its dividend by 50%, a move that left many investors disappointed. Despite the cut, the company has maintained a relatively consistent track record of paying dividends over time. GEN has been making uninterrupted dividend payments to shareholders for 23 quarters. Its quarterly dividend comes in at $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.79%, as of July 30.

While we acknowledge the potential of GNK as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Materials Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 10 Best and Safe Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None.
As a teenager, Jennifer Msumba had very strong self-harm behaviors, including putting her head through windows. Hoping to get her help, her parents sent her to a center in Massachusetts, where she was subjected to electric shocks daily as punishment.

Nearly 25 years later, shes continuing to speak out  hoping a new documentary will expose the place that left her traumatized.

That was like being unground in hell, she recalled about her time at Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) in Canton in the documentarys trailer.

JRC, a special needs day and residential facility in Canton, has become known across the country for using electric shock devices, which are attached to the residents at all times, on people demonstrating self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

It is the only facility in the country to use them and has been the center of many advocates concerns for decades.

This is 2025, and they are still shocking people, she said in the documentarys trailer. It needs to end.

The JRC has said the device is lifesaving and that it is important it remains available to those for whom all other treatment options have been tried and failed, the JRC and the JRC Parents Association wrote in a statement after a 2023 court ruling that allowed the devices to continue to be used.

The facility has said that its clients have had behaviors that result in profound physical injuries including blindness and mutilation prior to using the devices. The clients have also injured family members and loved ones.

Families turn to JRC after exhausting other options because of its record in successfully addressing the most challenging cases. Clients live in the community with appropriate monitoring, and their care is overseen by on-site physicians and nurses to maintain the highest standards of safety and treatment. The program operates under rigorous oversight from state agencies and the courts, a statement read.

As of 2024, there were more than 300 people who attend or live at JRC, and about 55 people were approved for the devices.

Msumba daydreams of ninjas breaking into JRC to save everybody and shut down the facility.

But I dont have ninjas, she said.

Instead, she is making a documentary called The Fish Dont Care When It Rains, which she hopes to submit to Sundance.

Im so strong, she said in the documentary, looking out the car window at the facility she once felt trapped in.

Msumba has autism and said that while her behaviors stopped while she was on the electric shock device, her behaviors werent fixed.

They were just manifested differently, into explosions. I would hold it in and then all of a sudden explode, she told the state Legislatures Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities during a 2023 hearing about her experience attached to the devices at JRC.

She lived at JRC from 2002 until 2009 and was on the shock devices for all seven years. At the beginning of her time there, she said she was shocked daily.

Crying was also a behavior that I got in trouble for, so I had to cry in secret, Msumba said in video testimony used in an FDA hearing.

In March 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior. But that decision was overturned.

The FDA warned in its petition that the FDA determined that those devices present unreasonable and substantial risks of both physical and psychological injury.

The shocks cause pain that has been described as extremely painful, excruciatingly painful, like a dentist drilling on an un-anesthetized tooth, like a bulging and a ruptured disc, like a thousand bees stinging you in the same place for a few seconds, and as the most painful thing Ive ever experienced, the petition states.

But it wasnt just the electric shocks that Msumba said traumatized her.

She also was denied food and was one of those stripped of all my clothes, tied to a restraint board and forcefully scrubbed while male staff watched on the video monitors.

I did not consent to any of this treatment, she said.

The center had also taken guardianship away from her parents, the documentary trailer states.

She has since left to live at a different placement in Florida, which she said has helped her. But when she arrived, she went back to her old self-harming behaviors.

Instead of hurting me, they helped figure out why these things were happening and took the time to do so. They helped me learn to cope and self-regulate, [and] also allowed access to medication that I really needed, she said.

In 2021, Msumba released a book, Shouting At Leaves regarding her time at the center. She also shares some of her story on TikTok.

I have a real life now, she said.

The #StopTheShock Coalition protested outside the Judge Rotenburg Center Wednesday. The group also continues fighting through legislature.

In the documentary trailer, Msumba looks back on her time at JRC.

I have no idea how I got through all that, she said.

But she also recognizes her accomplishments since then. Her own music is included throughout the documentary.

Over the years, shes used vlogs to help her understand she needed to use different facial expressions when talking, rather than always looking mad. She also joined a church worship band to help her make friends.

To help with the documentary, she also crowdfunded.

A GoFundMe raised more than $10,000, which was their first goal to get the film funded. The second goal is to raise $20,000 to help get a rough cut to Sundance by September. And the final goal is to raise $25,000 for other festivals and impact campaigns.

Because of your support, were now gearing up to film the final scenes of The Fish Dont Care When It Rains next month. This is huge, the GoFundMe states. Every single dollar, share, and word of encouragement helped get us here. Thank you for being part of this movement.

Shes hoping getting the documentary on the right platforms will finally bring real conversation and change.

They wildly underestimated me, she said.
The Dove-Hayes estate, once owned by actor Robert Ulrich, has sold for a record-breaking $8.5 million in Andover. Remark Visions

A piece of Hollywood history just broke the record for Andovers highest recorded home sale.

The Dove-Hayes estate, located at 24 Phillips St., has sold for $8.5 million  over double the previous record of $4.21 million, according to listing agent Henry Gourdeau of Gibson Sothebys International Realty.

The 10,500 square foot home was once owned by actor Robert Urich, who appeared in over 15 television series and films such as Magnum Force and Ice Pirates over his 30-plus year career.

The Dove-Hayes Estate is 10,500 square feet. Remark Visions

Ulrich and his wife, fellow actor Heather Menzies, lived in the home between 1986 and 1991. During his time in Andover, Ulrich starred in the crime drama Spenser: For Hire, which was mostly filmed on location in Boston.

Built in 1890, the 10,500-square foot estate includes six bedrooms, six full bathrooms (plus four partial bathrooms), and multiple fireplaces. Other notable features include a cathedral ceilings, marble and hardwood floors, and wraparound decks.

38 1 / 38 Look Inside: Mass. mansion of Hollywood couple

The full property spans almost 15 acres, and boasts a guest cottage, a fire pit, a 25-yard lap pool, and an accompanying pool house.

The Dove-Hayes estate includes a lap pool and pool house. Remark Visions

The record sale price and brief time on market can be attributed to a number of factors, Gourdeau told MassLive. The property is truly one of a kind with 15 secluded acres just minutes from downtown Andover and abutting the prestigious secondary school, Phillips Academy.

Gourdeau added: The stewards of this estate have done numerous renovations and upgrades over the years but always maintained the historic charm and character of the original home. The grounds are sprawling and immaculate.

A Houston-based buyer ultimately reached out to Gourdeau directly to purchase the property.
A New Jersey man died while scuba diving off the coast of Massachusetts last week, according to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office.

New Millstone Township resident Joseph Mazraani, 48, died on July 29, the district attorneys office said.

On that day, Mazraani was part of a group of scuba divers on a boat called the Tenacious  a 45-foot vessel that he owned, the district attorneys office said. The group of divers was about 150 miles east of Cape Cod, scuba diving and exploring shipwrecks in Georges Bank, when at some point, Mazraani experienced a medical emergency.

Other members of the group pulled Mazraani from the water and tried lifesaving measures but were unable to revive him, the district attorneys office said. The U.S. Coast Guard and New Bedford police were notified, and the boat began its return to port in New Bedford.

The vessel arrived at the Fleet Marina in New Bedford at approximately 6 a.m. on July 30, the district attorneys office said. Investigators spoke with those on board, and the Chief Medical Examiners Office took custody of Mazraani.

Foul play is not suspected in Mazraanis death. The Coast Guard, the Bristol County District Attorneys office and New Bedford police are investigating.
Surprising new findings show that living in larger cities may lower the future risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)



#Sweden has the 2nd highest rate of Type 1 Diabetes globally, with a new study exploring how geography and environmental factors play a role. The key? Looking at where people lived before diagnosis, not just at the time of. #T1D #Diabetes #PublicHealth

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Environmental Factors in Rural Areas May Elevate Type 1 Diabetes Risk

A new study set to be presented at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), taking place in Vienna, Austria from 1519 September, indicates that children who spend their first five years in rural areas may face a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes compared to those raised in urban settings. The research was conducted by Samy Sebraoui, Professor Soffia Gudbjornsdottir, and their team at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. This leads to little to no insulin production, a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. Without sufficient insulin, glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream, causing hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar). T1D is typically diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, but can occur at any age. Most people with the condition quickly progress to needing insulin replacement therapy for the rest of their lives.Sweden has the second highest global incidence of T1D, with geographical variation suggesting environmental risk factors. Previous studies have focused on patient location at diagnosis, and only very few at the time of birth or before clinical diagnoses. This new study explores T1D incidence in Sweden based on where people have lived over time, following patients from birth to diagnosis to identify high- and low-risk clusters over different life periods.All patients diagnosed with T1D during 2005-2022 (ages 0-30 years) were identified in the Swedish National Diabetes Register. All residential addresses from birth to diagnosis were then identified by Statistics Sweden. Statistical analysis was used to identify significant high- and low-risk clusters (see figure). A technique known as zonal statistics analysis was used to identify the land use / land cover characteristics of all identified clusters for the first five years of life exposure window.The researchers found that 21,774 patients aged 0 to 30 years were diagnosed with T1D 2005-2022, 58 % were male; and 15,426 (around three quarters) were under 18 years old at diagnosis. The mean age at diagnosis was 13.6 yrs (males 14.1, females 12.9). 24 % of patients had relocated to a different municipality from birth to diagnosis.Based on the residential location of all patients at the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, 4 significant high-risk clusters were identified, all located centrally in the country (all in the countryside, away from urban centres), where the relative risk of developing T1D was between 30% and 80% higher compared to what would be expected from national averages (Fig 1a). No high-risk clusters were observed in people in major cities.On the contrary, significant low-risk clusters were found in the largest cities, where the risk of developing T1D was found to be 20% to 50% lower (within the largest cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo). The authors say: This finding was unexpected and highlights the need for environmental studies to investigate potential risk factors in rural areas, as well as possible protective factors in urban settings. In Sweden, we have access to highly detailed environmental data covering the entire country, providing a unique opportunity to better understand the development of type 1 diabetes.Then a second analysis, based on the main residential location during the first 5 years of life (regardless of age of diagnosis), 11 high-risk clusters were identified, all rural, with an increased risk of developing T1D of between 20% and 2.7 times higher compared with national averages. The northern regions had the highest relative risks. For the same time period, 15 low-risk clusters were observed, all in cities across the country, where risk of developing T1D was 20% to 88% lower than national averages - the very lowest risk being found in middle-sized cities in southern Sweden - (Fig 2b)  the cities with the lowest risk being Vaxjo (88% lower); Norrkoping (64% lower) and Halmstad (61% lower).The land use / land cover analysis conducted by the authors revealed notable differences between high- and low-risk clusters for the first 5 years of life. High-risk clusters are characterised by land covered by forest or used in agriculture, whereas low-risk clusters are dominated by urban and open land.The authors say: There is a clear geographical variation in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Sweden. The first 5 years of life exhibited the strongest association with high- and low-risk clustering. Our findings facilitate further research into environmental factors potentially influencing development of type 1 diabetes. We hypothesize that the exposure of environmental factors, predominantly in rural areas and primarily during the first five years of life, elevates the risk for developing type 1 diabetes.They discuss some possible theories that can be explored in future studies, saying: Viral infections are more common in early life in urban areas and that could protect a person from future autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes. Living in rural areas could be associated with more exposure, for example, to pesticides and allergens. This is only speculation, but we have very good data to be able to investigate this in detail in future studies.They conclude: These findings were previously unknown and unexpected - it was a surprise that living in larger cities came with a lower future risk of type 1 diabetes. We will study in detail different environmental factors that might be protective or increase risk. We will also look into different lifestyles in urban versus rural areas.Source-Eurekalert
(Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc.s salespeople were recommending their hedge fund clients bet on a surge in US copper prices just a day before US President Donald Trumps tariff decision sent the market crashing by the most on record.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In a call with clients on Tuesday, Goldman argued that Trump was likely to go ahead with a 50% tariff on copper, and recommended buying short-dated call options that would pay out if US copper prices surged 11%, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information.

In reality, the US president on Wednesday afternoon imposed only a limited tariff that exempted the main traded form of copper from duties altogether, causing prices in New York to tumble 22% in a matter of hours.

That evening, Goldmans commodity sales desk sent an email to clients entitled, No copper tariff. Mea Culpa.

The misstep from one of the biggest and most respected banks in commodities highlights how the tariff announcement caught almost the entire copper market by surprise. Several hedge funds and bank trading desks including Goldmans are nursing losses from Wednesdays price collapse, separate people familiar with the matter said. The price plunge was double the previous record drop for the US contract in data going back to 1988.

Other big banks were similarly blindsided, with Citigroup Inc.s salespeople sending a message on Wednesday morning to clients saying that our trading desk like buying the arb in copper (buy comex, sell lme).

The call on Tuesday was the latest in a series of recommendations that Goldman made urging clients to bet on rising US copper prices. Trump had announced in early July that copper tariffs would be 50%  double the market expectations at the time  but US copper prices on Comex had only risen to about 28% above global prices on the London Metal Exchange.

While some clients fretted that there may be country-by-country exemptions to the tariffs after the US signed a trade deal with Indonesia, a major copper producer, Goldman argued that the price spread between the two markets should rise further. In a summary of the Tuesday call that was emailed by Goldman salespeople to clients, the bank said that full 50% tariffs should result in the spread moving to 35%-40%.
Marvel recently unveiled Tom Hollands brand-new Spider-Man suit for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and within minutes, fans were buzzing with excitement. In a short 23-second teaser clip, some eagle-eyed viewers noticed significant changes to his previous suits. The difference in old and new Spider-Man suits These subtle yet impactful differences sparked a wave of discussions across social media, as fans dissected every frame to spot the new design elements.

 Marvel Studios The new web shooters and the spider emblem on the chest were major topics of discussion. One user commented, They look so awful. The Stark ones at least looked cool. I prefer web-shooters to organic, but these look like two flasks on his wrists. How are they getting this so wrong?

Another user commented, (So going to regret this) but I absolutely hate the concept of web shooters. (I get why they exist so please dont reply explaining it). But Peter & miles should be able to shoot/spin web naturally. Not out of his b**,Out of his wrist. Peter/mile needing webshooters is just silly to me.

One user reacted, ngl, I prefer the small spider emblem on the chest and the classic round one at the back. In general though I think costumes should be more heavily inspired by the plethora of outfits our heroes wear in the comics, and focused on translating them to the big screen, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

Another user reacted, It's already the best Spiderman suit of all time. We're finally getting some love for ultimate on the big screen.
The tugboat pushing a barge that slammed into a sailboat carrying summer campers in Biscayne Bay  killing two girls and seriously injuring two others  may not have been operated by a licensed captain because of loopholes in Coast Guard regulations, maritime experts told the Miami Herald.

If a commercial tugboat is under 26 feet, it is subject to fewer requirements and restrictions, a retired ferry, barge and tugboat captain and a longtime South Florida barge/tugboat company said. A Herald review of Coast Guard navigational rules confirmed the loophole.

Under federal law, these types of vessels do not require the operator to be a licensed captain. The only requirement is that the operator is a U.S. citizen.

Tugboat companies often advertise No Licensed Captain Required! for pushboats or truckable tugs. When barges are used to transport equipment in construction work  and the tugboat pushing the barge is under 26 feet  they dont require a licensed captain, commercial maritime experts say.

The barge in Mondays crash was transporting a crane and other construction materials; the large crane could have obstructed the tugboat operators view from the pilot house. A review of photographs taken by Herald photojournalists and analysis by two AI tools estimate the tugboat is under 26 feet. The Coast Guard declined to confirm the tugboats length when reached Friday afternoon.

Companies try to take advantage of these rules, said the retired tugboat and barge captain, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the crash. The Coast Guard has to reevaluate [the regulations] to avoid a tragedy like this from happening again.

The barge also should have had a lookout on board, according to Coast Guard Navigational Rules.

Rule 5: Look-out: Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision, the Coast Guard rules say.

Its unclear whether the barge had a dedicated lookout person. In the minutes leading up to the crash, eyewitnesses interviewed by the Herald said they saw a barge crewman warning the tugboat operator only at the last moment.

There should have been a proper lookout and a proper speed maintained to not get close enough where youd have take evasive action like that, said Brett Rivkind, a longtime Miami maritime personal injury attorney.

Coast Guard rules also call for boat operators to use horns to signal they are coming. Two of three roofers interviewed by the Herald on Tuesday - who were working on a Hibiscus Island home in Miami Beach and witnessed the crash from the roof and the minutes leading up to it - said they heard no horn prior to the crash.

Coast Guard rules specify when sound signals should be used, particularly when boats near each other: When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle, Coast Guard Rule 34 states. This signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes. 

The Coast Guard declined to answer the Heralds queries about its rules and the crash investigation.

We understand the publics desire for answers, and we ask for patience as the formal investigation proceeds, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg said Friday.

Barge runs over sailboat

Shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, a 60-foot barge pushed by a tugboat operator slammed into a 17-foot Hobie Getaway filled with five summer campers and a camp counselor from the Miami Yacht Club, a nearly 100-year-old club on Watson Island that teaches children how to sail.



Mila Yankelevich, 7, and Erin Victoria Ko Han, 13, were killed in the aftermath of the collision, which occurred between Hibiscus and Monument islands in Biscayne Bay off Miami Beach. Two other girls - ages 8 and 11 - were rushed to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. A 12-year-old girl and the 19-year-old female camp counselor were treated at the scene.



The barge ran over the sailboat, officials said. The five girls and the counselor were wearing life jackets, the Coast Guard said Tuesday in a news conference.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiners Office concluded Mila and Erin accidentally drowned. The Coast Guard, which is leading the investigation into the crash, has yet to publicly identify the victims or indicate the girls conditions at Jackson.

The tugboat operator and another person on the barge were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol after the Coast Guard conducted a blood-draw sobriety test, the agency said. The blood-alcohol test results of the camp counselor came back negative as well, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard has not released the names of the tugboat operator, the barge crew or the company that owns the barge or the tugboat.

Duty to avoid a collision

The retired captain told the Herald the lax atmosphere frustrates him and many other captains in the industry, especially because many tugboats under 26 feet are not subject to Coast Guard inspections. Some of these vessels may also be designated workboats, subjecting them to fewer regulations if they are moving materials within a worksite or to and from a site, according to a Coast Guard memo.

The captain said he also believes the tug operators visibility was obstructed by the crane  and questioned why the lookout didnt notice a flotilla of small sailboats with summer campers aboard sailing in the narrow channel in Biscayne Bay before the crash. Photos and video immediately after the crash show several small sailboats filled with children in the bay.

He said he had been in similar situations while piloting vessels during his decades-long career.

They require situational awareness, not only from the operator, but from the person looking out, he said.

Before the collision, the counselor and girls on the Hobie were yelling and waving for the barge to stop, witnesses told the Herald. The three roofers working at the home on Hibiscus Island also were yelling to get the barge to stop.

We were screaming and screaming, but we were just too far  he wasnt going to hear us, William Cruz, one of the roofers, told the Herald Tuesday. They were headed straight for the children and by the time the man realized, the barge was already right on top of them.

The operator likely couldnt hear from inside the pilot house atop the towboat, the captain said. But the person looking out should have immediately informed the operator about the girls and witnesses frantically pleading with the vessel to stop. If they had time to warn, then [the barge operator] had time to change direction, he said.

The captain emphasized that this crash is not about which vessel had the right of way and compared the incident to defensive driving on roadways. The operator had a duty to avoid a collision... All mariners must avoid a collision regardless of who has right of way, the retired captain told the Herald. Its sad, tragic for the kids and their parents. It now falls on the Coast Guard to change and enforce these regulations.

'Obligation to the children

For Stuart Ratzan, a Miami civil attorney of more than three decades, Mondays crash is part of a larger problem on South Floridas waterways. Florida has had a surge in boating activity since the pandemic, leading to several high-profile fatal boat crashes in recent years, said Ratzan.

South Floridas waterways  especially Biscayne Bay  have become increasingly congested.

Florida has more registered vessels than any other state in the country, topping 1 million, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions 2024 annual report.

Commercial vessel operators, Ratzan said, must take precautions to guard the safety of recreational boaters, particularly children.

Its outrageous that a commercial vessel pushed by a tugboat was operating in an area where children are sailing, Ratzan said. This is basic negligence. At the end of the day, ...they had an obligation to the children.

Miami Herald staff writer David Goodhue and Miami Herald writer CD Goette-Luciak contributed to this report.

2025 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
**Title:** Is TikTok Getting the Boot? The Real Scoop on the Ban Buzz







(When Will Tiktok Get Banned)

**Main Product Keywords:** TikTok Ban

**1. What is the TikTok Ban All About?**

People talk a lot about a TikTok ban. This doesnt necessarily mean the app vanishes overnight everywhere. Think of it more like a big, serious threat. Governments, especially the US government, are seriously considering ways to stop TikTok from operating within their borders. The core idea? Making the popular video app unavailable to users in a specific country. This could happen through laws forcing app stores to remove it, or blocking internet access to TikToks servers. The goal is simple: prevent people from downloading or using the app. Its a major step, taken because officials see TikTok as a security problem. They worry about the data it collects and its ties to China. The ban talk signifies this intense pressure and the possibility TikTok might get locked out.

**2. Why is TikTok Facing the Ban Hammer?**

Why target TikTok specifically? Security fears are the main driver. Lawmakers and security experts point straight to TikToks parent company, ByteDance. ByteDance is based in China. This connection raises huge red flags for governments like the US. They worry Chinas government could force ByteDance to hand over data collected from millions of TikTok users. This data includes location, browsing habits, and even private messages. Imagine a foreign government having that much insight into your citizens. Thats the core fear. Officials also worry TikToks algorithm could be manipulated. Could it be used to push propaganda or silence certain viewpoints? The potential for influence operations is another big concern. Past incidents, like employees accessing US user data, added fuel to the fire. For many officials, the risk is too high to ignore.

**3. How Could a TikTok Ban Actually Work?**

Banning a global app isnt simple. How would governments try to do it? Several methods are on the table. The most direct approach involves new laws. Congress could pass legislation specifically outlawing TikToks operations in the US. This law might force Apple and Google to delete TikTok from their app stores. You couldnt download it anymore. Existing users might find the app stops working entirely. Another method involves the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This group reviews foreign investments for national security risks. CFIUS could order ByteDance to sell TikToks US operations. If ByteDance refuses, a ban becomes more likely. Governments could also pressure internet providers to block access to TikToks servers. This makes the app unreachable. Each method faces challenges, especially legal battles over free speech and government overreach. Enforcement is messy, but the tools exist.

**4. What Happens If TikTok Gets Banned?**

A TikTok ban would cause massive waves. Millions of American users would suddenly lose their favorite app. Think about the creators who built careers and businesses on TikTok. Their income could vanish overnight. Brands relying on TikTok for marketing would scramble to find new platforms. The social media landscape would shift dramatically. Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts would likely see a huge surge in users. New apps might pop up trying to fill the void. The economic impact is real. TikTok contributes billions to the US economy through advertising and creator earnings. That money flow would stop. For users, it means finding new ways to connect, entertain themselves, and discover trends. Habits built over years would change instantly. The cultural influence of TikTok trends and memes would fade quickly in the banned region. Its not just losing an app; its disrupting a whole digital ecosystem.

**5. TikTok Ban FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered**

Lets tackle the big questions people keep asking.

* **Is TikTok banned right now?** No, not in the US or most countries. Serious discussions and legislative efforts are happening, but the app still works.

* **When will TikTok be banned?** Nobody knows. It depends entirely on political decisions, legal battles, and potential deals (like a forced sale). It could happen in months, years, or maybe never.

* **Will existing users get in trouble?** Almost certainly not. A ban targets the company, not the people using the app. You wont get fined for having it installed before a ban.

* **Can I use a VPN to access TikTok if banned?** Technically, maybe. A VPN could mask your location. But using it might violate TikToks terms of service. The app could also block known VPN IP addresses. Its not a reliable long-term fix.







(When Will Tiktok Get Banned)

* **What about other countries?** The US debate gets the most attention. Other countries like India have already banned TikTok. Canada, the EU, and others are also examining security concerns. Decisions are made country by country. A US ban wouldnt automatically ban it elsewhere.

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Outfielder Forrest Wall has opted out of his minor league deal with the Padres and is ticketed for free agency, according to a report from ESPNs Kiley McDaniel. San Diego signed Wall back in January and hes been playing for the clubs Triple-A affiliate ever since.

Wall, 29, was a first-rounder selected by the Rockies back in 2014. A top-100 prospect back in 2016, Wall was traded alongside Cory Spangenberg to the Blue Jays for Seunghwan Oh. After years spent toiling in the Colorado, Toronto, and Seattle farm systems Wall finally made his big league debut in Atlanta during the 2023 season. He received just 15 plate appearances over a 15-game cup of coffee with the Braves, but in that time he went 6-for-13 with two doubles and a homer and walked twice against four strikeouts.

That sensational cameo earned Wall a spot on Atlantas 40-man roster headed into 2024, but he struggled when called up to help fill in for Ronald Acuna Jr. in June of last year. Wall was designated for assignment by the Braves, and his struggles continued after he was claimed off waivers by the Marlins. Wall hit just .250/.314/.250 in 35 plate appearances in that second taste of big league action. Wall was DFAd by Miami late in the 2024 and claimed by the Orioles, who eventually outrighted him to the minor leagues. That allowed him to elect free agency and sign on with San Diego, for whom hes played 69 games at Triple-A this year.

Walls struggles to establish himself in the majors could be due to relatively unimpressive numbers at the highest level of the minors. Hes spent parts of six seasons at Triple-A, and has a mediocre .273/.360/.391 slash line at the level across 450 games. While his numbers have improved in recent seasons, they still hardly jump off the page; Walls .298/.384/.429 showing for El Paso this year is actually good for only a 99 wRC+ due to the inflated offensive environment of the Pacific Coast League.

Still, Walls limited big league exposure has resulted in some success, with a 125 wRC+ in 31 total games. Perhaps thats enough to catch the attention of a club in need of left-handed outfield depth as they gear up for the stretch run. If Wall doesnt find an offer to his liking in affiliated ball, another option could be exploring overseas opportunities. At 29 years old with less than one year of service time under his belt in the majors, even if Wall did catch on in the majors he would likely be exiting his prime by the time he reached arbitration. That could make searching for a more immediately lucrative deal overseas a more attractive option for the outfielder.
Former big league outfielder Andrew Stevenson has signed with the KT Wiz of the KBO league, as noted by Jee-Ho Yoo of Yonhap News. Stevenson will make $200K for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Stevenson, 31, was a second-round pick by the Nationals back in 2015. He made his big league debut during the 2017 season and served as an up-and-down fill-in outfielder for the club for several years. From 2017 to 2020, Stevenson appeared in 139 MLB games and slashed .266/.348/.389 with a wRC+ of 96. He struck out at an elevated 27.5% clip, but walked 10.2% of the time as well with 17 extra-base hits in 236 plate appearances. That decent bat, in conjunction with Stevensons ability to play all three outfield spots, made him a perfectly solid bench contributor for the Nationals over the years.

He took on a larger role during the 2021 season, but his numbers took a substantial step back when he did so. Across 109 games and 213 plate appearances that year, Stevenson hit a paltry .229/.294/.339 with a wRC+ of just 70. While he slugged a career-high five homers, his overall power numbers dropped. Whats worse, his strikeout rate ticked up to 28.6% while is walk rate plummeted to just 6.1%. Stevensons expected numbers were slightly better than his actual production that year, but he was still clearly a below-average bat overall. He remained with the Nats headed into the 2022 season but was outrighted to the minor leagues early in the year and spent the entire season at Triple-A before electing free agency that November.

Since then, Stevenson has caught on with the Twins, for whom he made a 25-game cameo in 2023 to lackluster results, and then headed overseas to play for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japans NPB. His time with the Fighters generally went quite poorly, however, and he returned to North America in 2025. Hes split the 2025 campaign between the Mexican Leagues Piratas de Campeche and the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays in Durham while posting excellent numbers for both clubs.

Those numbers clearly seem to have gotten the attention of the Wiz in South Korea. Hell now head overseas once again in hopes of following in the footsteps of former big leaguers who made names for themselves in the KBO league like Matt Davidson and Guillermo Heredia. The KBO places strict limits on the number of foreign-born players a team can roster, making those handful of available roster spots fairly competitive. Former Pirates prospect (and son of longtime Expos reliever Mel Rojas) Mel Rojas Jr. was released from the Wizs roster in order to make room for the addition of Stevenson. Rojas is a former KBO league MVP, but has struggled somewhat in his age-35 campaign with a pedestrian .239/.333/.426 slash line.
Cheboygan County sheriffs deputies responded to a report of a bomb threat on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Andys Party Store.

CHEBOYGAN, MI  Authorities declared a local convenience store safe after investigating a threat at the establishment.

Cheboygan County sheriffs deputies responded to a 6:02 p.m. report of a bomb threat on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Andys Party Store, 7045 Levering Road in Inverness Township.

Sheriffs deputies, along with Michigan State Police, established a perimeter around the premises. A state police Bomb Squad later searched the area.

After a comprehensive sweep, nothing suspicious was located, and the scene was declared safe, police said.
Fallen Ypsilanti police officer Douglas Downing was killed in the line of duty during a 1975 bank robbery. A street was renamed in his honor 50 years later. Provided by Jeremiah Brown/City of Ypsilanti

YPSILANTI, MI  Fifty years after an Ypsilanti police patrolman was killed in the line of duty, streets signs bear his name.

Douglas Downing died in a shootout with a bank robber July 11, 1975 at the former National Bank of Ypsilanti at the corner of Park Street and Michigan Avenue.
Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) is included among the 11 Best Income Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

Income Stocks to Consider: The Case for Enbridge (ENB)

A close-up of renewable energy turbines capturing the power of a windy sky.

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) is a strong pick for dividend investors, thanks to its attractive 6% yield, which is well above the market average. In addition, the company has a consistent history of dividend growth. It has raised its dividends for 30 consecutive years, demonstrating reliability and commitment to shareholder returns. With a low payout ratio and a solid investment-grade credit rating, Enbridge maintains the financial strength needed to support ongoing dividend payments and future increases.

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB)s fee-based business model, built around critical energy infrastructure such as pipelines, provides stable and predictable cash flow. As one of the largest players in the North American midstream sector, Enbridge has the scale to grow through acquisitions and capital investments. It is also shifting toward more regulated natural gas utilities and clean energy projects, including offshore wind farms. These moves not only diversify its portfolio but also support long-term growth, strengthening the case for continued dividend increases.

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) currently pays a quarterly dividend of C$0.9425 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.04%, as of July 31.

While we acknowledge the potential of ENB as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Shipping Stocks with Dividends and 10 Best and Safe Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

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GENESEE COUNTY, MI  A rash of shootings that occurred within less than an hour and a half of each other last weekend left two people dead.

Meanwhile, Genesee County government employees are moving into a new and improved office building following the completion of a $40 million renovation project.

Check out these headlines to learn more about those stories and other Flint-area news from the past week:

2 dead, 7 in critical condition in just 70 minutes at 4 Flint crime scenes

Multiple shootings occurred within a 70-minute timespan in Flint last weekend, leaving two people dead and injuring several others.

Police believe three of the four shootings are connected, but no arrests have been made in connection with the incidents, which overwhelmed local law enforcement.

Read the full story here.

Opening date set for new Five Below store in Genesee County

A grand opening was held this past week for Five Belows new location in the Courtyard Shopping Center in Burton.

The new location off East Court Street offers a wide range of budget-friendly priced items, from decor to beauty products.

Five Below is a chain of discount stores with locations throughout the United States.

Read the full story here.

Suspects charged in drive-by shooting that killed 3-year-old still awaiting trial

The trials for the three suspects accused of killing a 3-year-old boy in a 2020 drive-by shooting in Flint are set to begin this fall.

London Walton, 25, Camron Burnett, 26, and Shamir Banks, 25, are each charged with more than 10 felonies for allegedly killing Messiah Williams.

Read the full story here.

Candy shop and arcade will permanently close in Davison

A Davison candy shop, iCandy, closed its doors permanently this past week after being open for only a couple of years.

The shop, which was located on State Road (M-15), featured candy, ice cream, and more, but it was forced to close, largely due to a lack of customers.

Read the full story here.

Employees super excited as Genesee County cuts ribbon on $40M office renovation in downtown Flint

The new Genesee County Administration building, located on Saginaw Street in Flint, is set to open to the public next week following a $40 million renovation.

Genesee County government employees moved into the building this past week after a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the completion of the project.

Read the full story here.

State refers absentee ballot complaint for investigation in 3rd Ward Flint City Council race

A complaint alleging Michigan State Law was violated in a special Flint City Council election has been referred to the Michigan Department of States Office of Investigative Services.

The complaint was filed by Flint City Council candidate A.C. Dumas, who will be on the ballot in the councils Aug. 5 special election, along with fellow candidate Beverly Biggs-Leavy.

Read the full story here.

14-year-old killed, 2 others injured in Flint shooting, police say

A 14-year-old boy was killed in a shooting at a home in Flint that also left a 19-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman injured this past week.

Michigan State Police is investigating the incident, which occurred in the 2900 block of Alpha Way early on Tuesday, July 29.

Read the full story here.

This Michigan school district is offering a $12K bonus to attract needed teachers

Flint Community Schools is looking to attract more qualified educators by offering newly hired certified teachers and ancillary staff a $12,000 commitment bonus.

The district is offering the bonus in response to an ongoing shortage of certified teachers, which is impacting districts throughout the United States.

Read the full story here.
John Ball Zoo envisions building a large-scale waterfront aquarium on a 190-acre property along the Grand River in the Grand Rapids suburb of Walker, near Wilson Avenue and Butterworth Street, that formerly housed a landfill. (Rendering provided by John Ball Zoo) Courtesy

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  On the banks of the Grand River, a sprawling waterfront aquarium, complete with wetland walkways, and space for research, education and interactive exhibits, unfolds on property that once housed a polluted landfill.

The scene, captured in new renderings, is one John Ball Zoo hopes to make a reality.

The zoo is pursuing the development of a large-scale aquarium on a 190-acre site in Walker, near Wilson Avenue and Butterworth Street, that formerly housed the Fenske Landfill.

Many details have yet to be worked out, including environmental due diligence and how the project would be financed, but the renderings provide a glimpse of the zoos ambitions for the proposed project.

The zoo hopes to complete the aquarium by 2031.

RELATED: As planning for waterfront aquarium continues, Kent County raises questions for consideration

The zoo and the aquarium are going to put in the mindset of people across the United States that Michigan is this amazing destination to connect with nature, to connect with wildlife, and thats what were really all about, Peter DArienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

Because the project is still in development, the renderings are conceptual and likely to change as the project evolves, he said.

JJohn Ball Zoo envisions building a large-scale waterfront aquarium on a 190-acre property along the Grand River in the Grand Rapids suburb of Walker, near Wilson Avenue and Butterworth Street, that formerly housed a landfill. (Rendering provided by John Ball Zoo) Courtesy

The project is expected to cost around $370 million, which DArienzo said he hopes to pay for through fundraising and a mix of state, federal and Kent County dollars.

Currently, the aquarium is envisioned as a 60-foot-tall structure that would include multiple-levels and a green roof that visitors could walk on, DArienzo said. In the renderings, blue light radiates from aquatic tanks inside the building.

Were trying to build an aquarium thats in the top 10 in the United States, he said.

A 2024 economic impact study conducted for the zoo estimated the aquarium would generate a $2.9 billion net economic impact on Kent County over 10 years. DArienzo estimates the aquarium would draw about a million visitors in its first year.

Other elements envisioned for the project but not pictured in the renderings are coral reefs, deep water tanks with sharks, and an interactive Sturgeon exhibit where visitors can wade into water with the fish, DArienzo said.

There are five zones and four zones are themed, he said of the aquarium. And in those four zones, the major habitat is fully immersive. So, I mean, it like transports you there.

John Ball Zoo envisions building a large-scale waterfront aquarium on a 190-acre property along the Grand River in the Grand Rapids suburb of Walker, near Wilson Avenue and Butterworth Street, that formerly housed a landfill. (Rendering provided by John Ball Zoo) Courtesy

Parking for the aquarium is envisioned on a portion of the 190-acre site that once housed the Fenske Landfill, DArienzo said.

The zoo is working with the state on environmental testing for the property to determine whether there are pollutants present that would impact development at the site, he said.

If testing determines the zoo cant develop the portion of the site that hosts the former landfill, which encompasses about 40-acres of the 190-acre site, parking could be placed elsewhere on the property, DArienzo said.

You can see how far in the back this property extends, he said. So, theres plenty of room for parking. Theres plenty of room for back of the house conservation science centers and where we can do research and have breeding facilities.

Wetlands are another major component of the project.

That includes wetland interpretive and conservation areas, DArienzo said. He said he envisions opening those areas to the public for free, and hosting educational programming there for schools and residents.

You can see some trails through there, too, because it will connect Kent County trails and Ottawa trails, he said. So were hoping the public will be able to bike through there.

An aerial view of the Millennium Commerce Park for sale along the Grand River and M11/ Wilson Avenue in the Grand Rapids suburb of Walker. John Ball Zoo is currently vetting the Fenske Landfill property for their proposed large-scale aquarium. (Joel Bissell| MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Ultimately, developing the aquarium is a big task, DArienzo said, but hes excited about the project and the benefit it will bring to Kent County and the state.

Im still hopeful for 2031, he said when the zoo hopes to open the aquarium. But to achieve 2031, we cant have any delays.

I want to keep pushing because this is too important for our community. We got to stay on it and get this done by 2031. Its going to create thousands of new jobs. Its going to create millions of dollars of economic impact.
The quest for the Little League Softball World Series title begins on Sunday with four exciting matchups.

Watch the LLSWS on ESPN+

PURPLE BRACKET

Northwest (WA) vs. Southeast (FL)

Time: 10 a.m. ET

Where: Stallings Stadium (Greenville, N.C.)

Stream: ESPN+

Coming out of the Northwest, the team from Mill Creek, Washington ran through the competition, going 4-0 to reach the World Series. Lake Mary won the Southeast by winning four straight elimination games.

New England (CT) vs. Mid-Atlantic (PA)

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Where: Stallings Stadium (Greenville, N.C.)

Stream: ESPN+

Guilford went perfect during the regional, heavily outscoring the competition to get to Greenville. Pennsylvania gave up just six runs in their four wins.

ORANGE BRACKET

North Carolina vs. Latin America

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Where: Stallings Stadium (Greenville, N.C.)

Stream: ESPN+

Winterville, the defending champions, punched their ticket to the LLSWS by winning the North Carolina Regional, earning a spot as the host team. A team from Brazil stunned many by winning the Latin America regional.

Canada vs. Europe-Africa

Time: 4 p.m. ET

Where: Stallings Stadium (Greenville, N.C.)

Stream: ESPN+

Once again, a team from Repentigny, Quebec is representing Canada at the World Series. They will be going up against the team from Czechia, who went 7-0 in their region tournament.
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MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.

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Lindsay Lohan opens up about fame, trauma and fighting stereotypes, says "I have extreme PTSD"

Palak Vij

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AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU) is one of the best stocks to buy amid gold rally. On July 15, J.P. Morgan shifted its top pick among gold miners in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region from Fresnillo PLC to AngloGold Ashanti. The firm cited cost pressures and operational factors despite a strong gold price outlook.

J.P. Morgan Names AngloGold Ashanti (AU) Top EMEA Gold Pick, Raises December 2026 Price Target to $63

The bank has placed AngloGold Ashanti on Positive Catalyst Watch ahead of its half-year 2025 results, due on August 1. It highlighted the companys forecasted Q2 gold production of 734,000 ounces, up 2% from Q1, and an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,743/oz, which is 5% above the top end of prior guidance. Free cash flow is projected at $575 million, with a potential dividend of $1.15 per share based on a 50% payout policy. J.P. Morgan raised AngloGolds December 2026 price targets to $63 per share (for NYSE-listed shares) from $58 and to ZAR 1,140 from ZAR 1,096 (Johannesburg listing).

In contrast, Fresnillo faces headwinds primarily from the strengthening of the Mexican peso by about 11% year-to-date. This movement, the bank stated, puts pressure on the companys costs, as around 40% of its expenses are peso-denominated. This has led to concerns that Fresnillo may need to raise its cost guidance, potentially reducing investment upside.

AngloGold Ashanti PLC (NYSE:AU) is a global gold mining company. It explores for, develops, and produces gold across operations in Africa, the Americas, and Australia. The companys key assets include the Geita mine in Tanzania, the Obuasi and Iduapriem mines in Ghana, and the Tropicana and Sunrise Dam mines in Western Australia. AngloGold Ashanti also owns the Arthur Gold Project in Nevada, USA, which is one of the largest undeveloped gold discoveries in the country. Its primary product is gold bullion, refined from both open-pit and underground mining operations.

While we acknowledge the potential of AU as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Top 10 Materials Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 10 Best Organic Food and Farming Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
BJD, Congress raise questions on Odisha Police claims of no one involved in Puri girl death: 'Foul play'

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Bomb threat to Nitin Gadkaris home traced to liquor shop worker in Nagpur; cops call it a hoax

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Election Commission rejects P Chidambarams claim of voter addition in Tamil Nadu as 'misleading and baseless'

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Is Ethanol blend in petrol damaging your vehicle? Govt pushes for it, manufacturers sound caution

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'Made up story': 'Victims' of Chhattisgarh 'conversion case' say they were made pawns for instigating religious unrest as Kerala nuns get bail

Ria Kapoor

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Homeowners insurance is usually seen as a necessary expense for protecting one's biggest investment. But for some, the rising cost has raised a tough question: Is it worth it to keep paying?

A Colorado Couple's Dilemma

A couple in Colorado recently shared their frustration on Reddit about their homeowners insurance bill skyrocketing to more than $7,200 a year  an increase that felt hard to swallow, even with a fully paid-off home. They asked the online community: "We can keep paying it, but should we?"

With no mortgage or loans against their house, they feel caught between financial pressure and the risk of going without coverage. They admit that if their home were destroyed, they couldn't afford to rebuild it. Renting in their area would likely cost between $2,500 and $3,000 a month, adding another financial strain.

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Why Are Insurance Costs Rising?

According to CBS News, Colorado is facing some of the highest homeowners insurance premiums in the country. The state ranks second nationwide for hail insurance claims and for the number of homes located in high-risk wildfire areas. This combination pushed average premiums up more than 50% between 2019 and 2022, especially after wildfires like the East Troublesome and Marshall Fires.

"We are in the hardest market in a generation for property insurance," Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, told CBS News. She explains that more people live in wildfire-prone areas than before, and "record-breaking catastrophes" are becoming more common.

The Reddit couple isn't alone in these rising costs. For homeowners, like Melinda Endres of Broomfield, this has meant a sharp increase in bills, with some monthly payments jumping by nearly $440.

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The Risks of Canceling Insurance

Many commenters on the Reddit thread and insurance experts caution against simply canceling homeowners insurance. One Reddit user, who is both a former insurance producer and a lawyer, warned: "Do not go without homeowners insurance!"
Deblina Halder

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Meet Adaso Kapesa: The trailblazing SPG officer from Manipur who stood guard behind PM Modi in the UK

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Monsoon session of Parliament: After intense debate on Operation Sindoor, INDIA bloc set to intensify stir on SIR

Siddharth Chakravorty

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'Next Vice President will be ...': Shashi Tharoor on VP election after Jagdeep Dhankhars resignation

Deblina Halder

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No issues to talk about: Prashant Kishor on Tejashwi Yadav for claiming name missing in Bihar voter list, EPIC changed

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran

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Odisha burn case: No one responsible for Puri girls burns, says Odisha Police

101Reporters

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PM Modis 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', once dismissed as economic nationalism, is now seen as visionary statecraft: Manoj Ladwa

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Even while the tech industry is still fanning its face over Figmas hot IPO on Thursday, another significant tech IPO occurred this week: Ambiq Micro. On Wednesday, the chip maker for wearable devices saw its shares climb from the initial price of $24 to over $42 on Friday.

Theres one thing both companies have in common: Kleiner Perkins was a major investor.

So its been a very good week for the venerable venture firm. Just for fun, weve calculated the value of Kleiner Perkins stake in each company.

Kleiner sold 1,346,499 shares of Figma at the IPO price of $33, Figma disclosed, and could have sold as many as 2,756,020 shares at that price if the bankers exercised their option to nab additional shares. Given how much demand outstripped supply for shares of Figma, were going to assume the bankers will snap up the full tranche (or they already have).

Meanwhile, Kleiner still holds 52,364,374 shares of Figma, the company says. Share prices are still fluctuating wildly in heavy trading on Day 2, from about $110 to over $142, but closed Day 1 at $115, so well use that number.

For Figma: An estimated $91 million returned from share sales and a remaining stake worth more than $6 billion (2,756,02 shares at $33 = $90,948,660, and 52,364,374 shares at $115 = $6,021,903,010).

For perspective, this stake in Figma alone is worth 3x the last mega-funds the firm raised, which was $2 billion across two vehicles in 2024. By the way, the Kleiner partner who oversaw its investment was Figma board member Mamoon Hamid.

Ambiq is a much smaller company and it was a much smaller IPO. It sold a total of 4 million shares and raised $96 million for itself in its IPO. Existing shareholders are subject to the classic 180 days lockup before they can sell. Kleiner holds 2,081,831 shares, the company disclosed. Shares are still trading at a premium to the IPO price as of Friday and closed Thursday at $43.85. So well use that price.

Ambiq stake: $91.3 million (2,081,831 at $43.85 = $91,288,289).

But wait! Theres more. Kleiner is also having a good month and possibly year (Kleiner has declined comment for this story).

The firm reportedly scored a decent return earlier this month as part of Googles deal to license tech from Windsurf and hire away its top talent. We dont know exactly how much of the $1.1 billion or so VCs obtained from the Windsurf deal went to Kleiner specifically. But TechCrunchs Marina Temkin reports the total return was about 3x the original funding.

And at least one more Kleiner-backed company is waiting in the wings to IPO. Fleet tracking startup Motive Technologies raised $150 million led by Kleiner Perkins, with Ilya Fushman joining the board, the company announced this week. Bloomberg reported in December that Motive is gearing up for an IPO, potentially still in 2025.
Prajwal Revanna assigned prisoner number after life sentence in rape case, breaks down in jail

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'Strong suspicion, no proof': How the Malegaon blast case fell apart

Deblina Halder

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Japan ambassador visits Mumbai, netizens want him to take over BMC 'for a few years'

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How to use Traffic Prahari app to report traffic violations across the city and earn up to Rs 50,000 monthly

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Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is included among the 10 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT): A Dividend Stock Built for Buy and Hold Investors

Two fighter jets in flight, highlighting the technology and experience of the companies combat aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is a well-established defense contractor with long-term agreements covering a wide range of products, including fighter jets, aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, helicopters, and satellite-based space systems.

In the second quarter of 2025, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) posted mixed financial results. Net profit for the period ending June 29 stood at $342 million, reflecting a decline of nearly 80% due to a $950 million loss tied to a classified program. Despite this setback, Lockheed Martin expects its free cash flow for the year to reach at least $6.6 billion, more than twice the amount it distributes in cash dividends.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) remained committed to its shareholder obligation, returning $1.3 billion to investors through dividends in the most recent quarter. In addition, the company has raised its payouts for 22 years in a row and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $3.30 per share. With a dividend yield of 3.14% as of July 31, LMT is among the best dividend stocks to buy and hold.

While we acknowledge the potential of LMT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Shipping Stocks with Dividends and 10 Best and Safe Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

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1/10 1. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand

Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, this sanctuary is a known stronghold of the Himalayan musk deer. Dense alpine forests and high-altitude meadows make it ideal for sightings. (Representative image: Canva)

2/10 2. Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park supports a stable musk deer population. It offers rugged terrain and remote habitats where these shy deer can thrive. (Representative image: Canva)

3/10 3. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand

Close to the Indo-Nepal border, Askot is a protected area for musk deer conservation. It features temperate forests and steep slopes favoured by the species. (Representative image: Canva)

4/10 4. Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand

Known for its alpine flora, this park is also home to musk deer. They hide in forested patches along the higher slopes and are rarely seen during the day. (Representative image: Wikipedia)

5/10 5. Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand

Musk deer roam the upper alpine zones of this high-altitude park. The quiet, undisturbed forests near Gaumukh are ideal for spotting them at dawn or dusk. (Image: Canva)

6/10 6. Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand

This lesser-known sanctuary near Har-ki-Dun valley harbours musk deer in its oak and conifer forests. Its part of the Snow Leopard conservation landscape too. (Representative image: Canva)

7/10 7. Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh

Located in Chamba district, this sanctuary offers pristine terrain with thick vegetation, perfect for the elusive musk deer and other high-altitude fauna. (Image: Canva)

8/10 8. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh

This well-protected Himalayan ecosystem supports musk deer in its upper reaches. Trekkers may spot hoofprints or signs near secluded alpine ridges. (Image: Canva)

9/10 9. Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh

While known for tropical biodiversity, musk deer are found in its cooler, higher altitudes. Dense cover and remote terrain suit their shy nature. (Image: Canva)
Aishwarya Dabhade

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How long $1 million in retirement savings will last as a 70-year-old depends on a number of factors, including where you live, what type of lifestyle you lead, how healthy you are and how much insurance coverage you have. Heres a look at how these factors affect how long your savings will last, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data regarding average expenses in that age group.

Check Out: I Asked ChatGPT When Ill Be Able To Retire Based on My Current Finances  Heres What It Said

Read Next: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement

BLS Statistics

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conducts an annual survey of the average annual expenditures of Americans across various age groups. The most recent data, for the year 2023, shows that Americans 65 and older  of which 70-year-olds are obviously a part  spent an average of $60,087 for the year.

Using a straight mathematical average, this would suggest that for the average 70-year-old, $1 million would last approximately 16.64 years, or until they are nearly 87.

Watch Out: 6 Key Signs Youll Run Out of Retirement Funds Too Early

How Health and Insurance Play a Role

Generally speaking, healthcare costs increase after you retire. Even if you consider yourself relatively healthy, theres no telling how many injuries, illnesses or chronic conditions you may have to deal with as you get older. While genetics and personal lifestyle choices can prolong your life, there are no guarantees when it comes to health. Obviously, frequent trips to doctors and hospitals can quickly add to your expenses, shortening the duration of your $1 million.

This is one of the reasons why good health insurance is essential in terms of the survival of your $1 million nest egg. If you have to pay out of pocket for your healthcare as you age, you could quickly increase that average $60,087 annual spend to $100,000 or more, rapidly depleting your savings.

Another factor to consider is that if you actually remain healthy and live a long life, youll need to stretch that $1 million in retirement savings even further. A nest egg that only lasts for 17 years after average spending wont do you much good if youre going to live 30 years or more in retirement. In that scenario, youll either need to boost your savings or learn how to live off less.

Budgeting and Lifestyle Factors

The way you live your life can have a huge effect on how long your money will last in retirement. Assuming an average lifestyle, a pot of $1 million would last you about 17 years. But few retirees living in Manhattan, for example, could get by on $5,000 per month, even if they consider themselves frugal. In that scenario, $1 million may only last 10 years or less. But if you live a simple life in a rural community in Mississippi, for example, your money might last 30 years or more.
US envoy tells Israeli hostage families he is working on plan to end Gaza War

Arindam Roy

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US Senators Cortez Masto and Booker clash in rare Senate floor fight over policing legislation and Trump-era politics

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Who is Dmitry Medvedev? Ex-Russian President behind nuclear threats and latest clash with Trump

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Why is the US Justice Department requesting voter data from 15 states? Election officials raise alarm

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We came across a bullish thesis on MercadoLibre, Inc. on Compounding Your Wealths Substack by Sergey. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on MELI. MercadoLibre, Inc.'s share was trading at $2,373.89 as of July 31st. MELIs trailing and forward P/E were 58.40 and 45.87, respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

Is MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI) Among The Aggressive Stocks Picked by Hedge Funds?

A customer using their phone to access an online commerce platform.

MercadoLibre (MELI) stands as Latin Americas dominant e-commerce and fintech platform, delivering 37% year-over-year revenue growth to $5.9 billion in Q1 2025, with $494 million in net income. Its deeply integrated ecosystemspanning e-commerce, digital payments, logistics, and creditcreates powerful network effects across 18 countries. With 66.6 million unique marketplace buyers and 64 million monthly fintech users, MELI processes $58 billion in TPV and shipped over 1.2 billion items in 2024, underscoring its scale advantage.

Its dual-segment structureCommerce (56% of revenue) and Fintech (44%)continues to deliver strong growth, with the Fintech segment outpacing overall revenue. The Commerce segment saw 32% YoY growth, while GMV rose 17% YoY and the take rate improved to 25%, signaling rising monetization. Meanwhile, Fintech revenue grew 43% YoY, supported by robust user growth and stable take rates. MELIs proprietary logistics network and MELI Air reinforce its moat, alongside strong brand equityranked 50th globally with a $49.8B brand value.

Its credit portfolio grew 75% YoY to $7.8 billion, with stable NPL trends, and selective tightening toward higher-quality borrowers. Argentinas resurgence, now contributing 23% of revenue with 125% YoY growth, affirms MELIs strategic pivot toward the region. Despite macro risks, MELIs operating margins expanded and its balance sheet remains solid, with $9.6B in cash exceeding total debt. Stock-based compensation is just 2% of revenue, and dilution is minimal. Trading at a Forward EV/Sales of 4.3 and a PEG ratio of approximately 1, MELI appears undervalued relative to its 30%+ growth. The synergy between fintech and commerce, coupled with scale, brand, and network advantages, positions MELI as a high-conviction long-term compounder.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI) by Daan | InvestInsights in May 2025, which highlighted its strong e-commerce and fintech growth in Latin America. The stock has depreciated by ~8% since our coverage, as the valuation has compressed. The thesis still stands. Sergey shares a similar view but emphasizes its segment margins and valuation-driven upside.
Josh Sheehan, triple backflip 2015  @ Pastranaland  pic.twitter.com/nTx3fESyIZ  And1 (@And1Libra91) June 23, 2022

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A golden toilet is in one of the bathrooms of the apartment of Zelenskys business partner Timur Mindich, where, according to media reports, NABU wiretapped the president himself. This was reported by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who showed a photo, as he claims, from this apartment. pic.twitter.com/LYtCFKlTcW  Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) July 30, 2025 Like the old saying goes, all that shitters isnt gold. A Wellingborough man has been jailed for the theft of a 4.8m golden toilet from Blenheim Palace. pic.twitter.com/9W5cvIdjTz  Matt Casey   (@MattCas04807118) June 15, 2025

Antidote du jour (via)



See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here
Greetings gentle readers, welcome to another installment of the Sunday Morning Movie. Today we have a classic of Russian cinema: The Cranes are Flying.

Reviews:

Letterboxd says:

I hate this movie. Its going directly into my top 100. I hate that it makes my heart hurt so much and how the camera work makes me dizzy and nauseous at the horrors of war. I hate that the sharpness of some of the images stings my eyes, especially those of her eyes and in hearing the word Nyet, over and over to no avail. I hate the condemnation and perpetual self hatred and to what depths and lengths theyll carry the burden of them. I hate that Anna never gets a chance to answer the question, What is the meaning of life? Because, I really needed to know. Instead, Im left fumbling right along with the movie, wondering. I hate how unsettled I feel and how adrift I love that I hate it, for its cinema at its finest and most confronting.

Filmsfatale says:

Kalatozov has a strong team behind him, particularly Sergey Urusevsky (who is unquestionably one of the greatest cinematographers of all time) who is exemplary with his wide shots and even better with his extreme close ups. There are camera tricks and ideas here that just puzzle me, not just because I cannot fathom how they were pulled off sixty five years ago but also because I dont get how there werent numerous filmmakers trying to bite this films style. Maybe its gradual releases made it under seen (it was only shown at Cannes a year after it was made and then released on a wide level in 1960), or theres the fact that maybe the finest cinematographers of the time also couldnt figure out what Urusevsky was doing (please see I Am Cuba for even stronger filmic mastery). These images are perfect for displaying war-torn Moscow (this is a World War II picture) and the broken souls that have faced the worst of humanity.

Criterion.com says:

In Samoilova (daughter of Evgeny Samoilov, who starred in Alexander Dovzhenkos 1939 Shchors), Kalatozov found an extraordinary screen personality. She is striking not just for her beauty but for her unselfconscious, almost awkward expressiveness, so poignant in the close shots of her in the first minutes of the filmnote the calmness of the tiny gesture with which she beckons Boris toward her. Veronica is in motion throughout much of the movie, and Samoilovas face makes her flight luminous. If the film keeps the audience interested in Veronica, this is not just because Samoilova is so vivid and so good but also because Batalovs Boris responds to her with an alert appreciation that never lapses into condescension. We understand his need for closeness to her. The time the two share on-screen is limited, but their moments together are so intensely acted and observed that they seem to go on much longer. Kalatozov heightens this effect by placing the lovers early-morning idyll in the empty streets of Moscow as a self-contained prologue before the main titles, as if the couples relationship existed in a state of timelessness. The director films Boris and Veronica from alternating high and low camera angles, so that the city and the sky, communicating directly, seem to promise unlimited freedom.

My take:

This is one gorgeous film. The cinematography is masterful. The use of light and shadow is a tale unto itself. The acting is simple but in a pure way, an innocent way. Five stars.

Director: Mikhail Kalatozov

Writer: Viktor Rozov

Notable Actors: Aleksey Batalov, Tatiana Samoilova

Plot (Spoilers!):

Veronika (Samoilova) and Boris (Batalov) are two young lovers who have snuck out from their respective homes to spend time together. The sun is rising and a flock of cranes flies overheard, marking the beauty of their time together. But their happiness is about to end.

Its the advent of World War 2 and Boris has volunteered for the Army. In the chaos, he ships off for the front before he has a chance to say goodbye to Veronika. Their time together is overbut not their love.

Veronikas parents are soon killed in a German air raid and she goes to live with Boriss family. While Boris is facing down the Hun, his cousin is making the moves on Veronika. Consumed by lust, he rapes her.

Spiritually broken, Veronika marries the cousin. She despises him. In turn, she is despised by Boriss family for having betrayed Boris for the cousin. Meanwhile, Boris is killed in action after saving a comrades life.

The German advance is advancing and the family moves to the wastelands of Siberia for safety. Mark and Veronika are miserable but she has found meaningful work as a nurse with Boriss father. On one occasion, a wounded soldier becomes hysterical when he learns that his girlfriend has dumped him and the father lectures the ward about the low nature of women who leave their men during war. Sickened by the realization that she is such a woman, Veronika attempts suicide but stops at the last second to save a young boy from certain death. She takes the boy home and he becomes a member of the family.

Veronika wants to give him a toy, a plush squirrel that Boris had given her, but she learns that Mark has taken the toy to give to his mistress at a party. Veronika crashes the party to get the toy and learns that there is a love note from Boris in it. Reading it, she realizes she is finished with the cousin.

At home, Boriss father learns that his nephew has bribed his way out of military service. That combined with his cheating leads to him being booted out of the house. The family, realizing that the cousin had hurt Veronika, forgive her for abandoning Boris.

The war is now over and the soldiers are returning to their glory. Veronika searches desperately for Boris at the train station but when she runs into a friend of his she learns that he is in fact dead. She is heartbroken but the friend gives an impassioned speech to the crowd about always remembering their lost ones and she finds the bravery to face the future without Boris. In the final scenes we see a flock of cranes flying over the city: even in the absence of Boris her love endures.
American Academy of Pediatrics threatens PARENTAL RIGHTS with federal mandates for all childhood vaccines

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has launched an unprecedented assault on religious liberty , demanding that all U.S. states eliminate all exemptionsreligious or philosophicalfor childhood vaccines. They also demand that medical exemptions be limited, ignoring the plight of vaccine injured families and threatening to subject these children to further vaccine damage.

The AAP demands that all parents vaccinate on their CDC mandated schedule, or keep your child out of school. This draconian stance comes amidst growing public support for medical freedom, revealing not just a disregard for constitutional rights, but a troubling allegiance to pharmaceutical interests. As pediatricians pressure parents under threat of CPS intervention and withheld medical care, Congress must act to criminalize abusive medical coercion and tyranny, ensuring that pediatricians follow medical ethics, instead of conscripting the state to intimidate and kidnap children over a parent's personal vaccine decision.

Key points:

The AAPs latest policy statement demands an end to religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions nationwide.

Financial conflicts aboundauthors of the AAP statement have received money from vaccine manufacturers, despite denying "relevant conflicts."

A proposed congressional bill would make it illegal to discriminate against families based on vaccination status, barring threats of CPS or denial of care.

Religious objections to vaccinesespecially those derived from aborted fetal cell linesare being openly mocked by AAP leadership.

Families exploring natural immunity strategies face increasing hostility from mainstream medicine.

Philosophical exemptions to vaccination have disappeared from statutory law in recent years, limiting parental rights during a time when the childhood vaccine schedule is philosophically insane and poses an unnecessary burden on children's health.

The financial scandal behind AAPs vaccine mandate crusade

The AAP markets itself as pro-child health, but payment records expose a darker reality. Policy co-author Dr. Jesse Hackellwho wrote the anti-religious exemption statementhas taken money from Merck, Pfizer, and GSK. Co-author Dr. Lisa Kafer received similar payments, yet the AAP insists there are no relevant conflicts.

This hypocrisy mirrors historic lobbying efforts. Since 2019, the AAP has funneled over $1 million annually into pro-mandate advocacy. Their corporate sponsors? Moderna, Sanofi, Abbott Laboratories, and more. The conclusion is unavoidable: this is pharmaceutical policy disguised as pediatric guidance.

Pediatricians across the United States must consider that their pro-vaccine stance exists because of their own financial conflicts of interest in running their practice, and their stance on the issue is heavily influenced by dogma. Many pediatricians get bonuses from insurance companies for vaccinating a child or achieving a set number of vaccinated children. This is not medicine, and gives way to acts of coercion in pediatric care.

The Supreme Court contradiction: Rights vs. medical authoritarianism

In Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025), the Supreme Court ruled that parents retain a fundamental right to raise children according to their faitha decision ignored by AAP elites. Civil rights attorney Sujata Gibson warns: Forcing parents to choose between religion and education? Forty-five states already balance this without stripping freedoms.

Yet AAP calls to revive 1905 case law, bypassing modern protections. Their dismissal of newer religious objectionslike fetal-cell-derived vaccinesreflects not science, but contempt for conscience. Parents reserve the right to determine whether they want vaccines produced with aborted fetal cell lines to touch their child. But religious exemption isn't limited to religious debates about abortion being used to make vaccines. Parents can consciously disagree with the theory of vaccination and have a completely different set of beliefs regarding disease prevention. Religious exemptions must be preserved for all vaccines, so parents can raise children unvaccinated, healthy, and free. Parents get to decide which risks to take, and vaccines don't always prevent the disease they are marketed toward.

Medical tyranny should be criminalized

Congress should pass some form of Medical Freedom Protection Act. Under this law, pediatricians who threaten to use CPS against parents over vaccine decisions should be criminally charged. Likewise, pediatricians who revoke medical care or segregate unvaccinated children from others should face criminal charges. Key provisions must include:

Strip federal funding from any medical group pushing vaccine mandates that violate the conscience of parents.

Ban discrimination in medical care: No child should be denied medical care over vaccine status.

Strengthen privacy protections for parents who do not want to share their child's vaccination status.

Nullify state laws that remove parental rights to exemptions (religious and philosophical).

Free the parents and children in states like California (which have removed religious exemptions).

Criminally charge pediatricians who conscript CPS and local law enforcement against parents who choose not to vaccinate their children.

Investigate current and previous kidnapping charges by CPS, which are often initiated by pediatricians who disagreed with parents about vaccines.

As the AAP lobbies to annihilate exemptions, this bill reverses their authoritarian playbookprotecting families, not Pharma profits and those who get off on controlling and injuring others.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

Publications.aap.org [PDF]

NaturalNews.com
By Echo Wang

(Reuters) -Meta Platforms is pressing ahead with efforts to bring in outside partners to help fund the massive infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence, disclosing plans in a filing on Thursday to offload $2 billion in data center assets as part of that strategy.

The strategy reflects a broader shift among tech giants  long known for self-funding growth  as they grapple with the soaring cost of building and powering data centers to support generative AI.

The social media giant said earlier this week that it was exploring ways to work with financial partners to co-develop data centers to help finance its massive capital outlay for next year.

Were exploring ways to work with financial partners to co-develop data centers, Meta Chief Finance Officer Susan Li said on a post-earnings conference call on Wednesday.

While the company still expects to fund much of its capital spending internally, some projects could attract significant external financing and offer more flexibility if infrastructure needs shift over time, Li said.

The company did not have any finalized transactions to announce, she said.

The disclosure in Meta's quarterly filing, however, signals that plans are firming up.

In its quarterly filing on Thursday, Meta said it had approved a plan in June to dispose of certain data center assets and reclassified $2.04 billion worth of land and construction-in-progress as "held-for-sale".

These assets were expected to be contributed to a third party within the next twelve months for co-developing data centers.

Meta did not record a loss on the reclassification, which values the assets at the lower of their carrying amounts or fair value less costs to sell. As of June 30, total held-for-sale assets stood at $3.26 billion, according to the filing.

Meta declined to comment for this story.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has laid out plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into constructing AI data center superclusters for superintelligence.

Just one of these covers a significant part of the footprint of Manhattan, he said.

The Instagram and WhatsApp owner on Wednesday raised the bottom end of its annual capital expenditures forecast by $2 billion, to $66 billion to $72 billion.

It reported stronger-than-expected ad sales, boosted by AI-driven improvements to targeting and content delivery. Executives said those gains were helping offset rising infrastructure costs tied to its long-term AI push.

(Reporting by Echo Wang in New York; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Marguerita Choy)
Early smartphone use linked to sharp mental health declines in young women, global study finds

Nearly half of young women who received smartphones at age five or six now report suicidal thoughts, compared to just 26 percent of those who got their phones at age 13 or later. Similar but smaller effects were observed in young men.

Mental health scores dropped sharply with earlier phone ownership, scoring just one point for those given phones at age five, compared to 30 points for those who waited until 13, across 47 measures of emotional, social and cognitive functioning.

Social media accounts for about 40 percent of the mental health decline, with additional damage from cyberbullying (10 percent), disrupted family relationships (13 percent) and sleep disturbances (12 percent).

The U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia show the most severe impacts, attributed to earlier device access and greater exposure to harmful, algorithm-driven content in English-language digital spaces.

Recommendations include raising the minimum age for smartphone and social media use to 13, implementing mandatory digital literacy training, providing graduated tech access for younger children and stricter enforcement of age limits for tech companies.

A new international Global Mind Project study has found a stark link between early smartphone ownership and deteriorating mental health in early adulthood, with nearly half of women who received their first device at age five or six now reporting suicidal thoughts.

The research, published this July in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, tracked more than 100,000 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 across 163 countries  the heart of Generation Z, the first generation to grow up immersed in smartphone and social media culture from early childhood. Global Mind Project, led by neuroscientist Dr. Tara Thiagarajan of Sapien Labs, analyzed data from nearly two million people to understand how early exposure to smartphones and social media platforms affects long-term emotional, social and cognitive functioning.

It reveals a consistent and troubling pattern: the earlier a child gets their first smartphone, the more severe their mental health struggles become by the time they reach early adulthood. Among the most alarming findings: 46 percent of young women who got their first smartphone at ages five or six now report having suicidal thoughts, compared to just 26 percent of those who waited until 13 or older. For men, the rate is also elevated, rising from 17 percent to 28 percent depending on the age of first phone ownership.

Mental well-being scores, measured on a scale incorporating 47 psychological functions, dropped dramatically based on the age of first smartphone use. Those who received their first phone at age 13 scored an average of 30 points on the well-being scale. For those given smartphones at just five years old, the score fell to a mere one.

Other severe symptoms, including hallucinations, dissociation from reality and emotional dysregulation, were significantly more common among early smartphone users. Young women were especially vulnerable, showing markedly higher rates of self-image issues, emotional instability and decreased resilience. Young men, by contrast, reported greater difficulty with empathy, calmness and emotional stability.

While the pattern of decline is global, English-speaking countries, specifically the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, showed the most severe effects than peers in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. Researchers attribute this to both earlier average smartphone adoption and a "greater volume of harmful, hyper-sexualized or exploitative content" in English-language digital spaces, driven by AI-powered social media algorithms. (Related: Study links BLUE LIGHT from smartphones and tablets to EARLY PUBERTY.)

The study also found that though smartphones are the delivery mechanism, social media appears to drive much of the damage.

Social media access explains about 40 percent of the connection between early smartphone use and poor mental health outcomes. Cyberbullying (10 percent), disrupted family relationships (13 percent) and sleep disturbances (12 percent) also played significant roles, many of which are exacerbated by social media platforms that encourage round-the-clock engagement. Sleep, in particular, emerged as a critical factor. Children with early smartphone access often experience significant sleep disruption, not only from social media but from gaming, streaming and other screen-based activities.

Authors urge policymakers to create smartphone age restrictions

In response to these findings, the researchers are calling for sweeping policy changes to regulate childhood access to smartphones and social media.

Their recommendations include minimum age restrictions for smartphone ownership and social media access, ideally no earlier than age 13; mandatory digital literacy education before children can join social media platforms; graduated access restrictions, where younger children only use basic phones without internet or social media apps; and stricter enforcement of age limits and penalties for tech companies that fail to comply.

"Just as we restrict alcohol, tobacco and motor vehicle operation to older adolescents and adults based on risk to developing minds and bodies, so too should we restrict smartphones and social media during the critical formative years," the authors claimed.

Visit Mental.news for more stories like this.

Watch the video below to learn how smartphones can cause addiction, especially in children.

This video is from the Kla.TV - English channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

SURVEY: Majority of American teenagers feel happy and peaceful without smartphones.

Study: Early exposure to smartphones, online content linked to increased risk of autism.

How smartphone addiction affects brain function and mental health.

British Education chief wants to BAN students from using phones in schools.

Parents and school officials of small Irish town unite to BAN SMARTPHONES for children as old as 13.

Sources include:

StudyFinds.org

TandFOnline.com

Brighteon.com
Population of England and Wales sees second-largest annual surge in over 75 years, driven by migration

The population of England and Wales rose by over 700,000 in the year to June 2024, the second-largest annual increase in over 75 years, reaching an estimated 61.8 million.

Net international migration accounted for 98 percent of the growth, with 1.14 million arrivals and 452,000 departures, resulting in a net gain of 690,147 people.

The drop in net migration from the previous year (833,696) is partly due to Conservative-era restrictions on student and care worker visas and increased student emigration.

Births only slightly outnumbered deaths, contributing just under 30,000 to the population rise, reflecting an aging population and declining fertility.

Conservatives warned of "unsustainable" population pressures, blaming Labour for failing to act, while the Labour government pointed to record-high migration under Tory leadership and defended recent reforms aimed at reducing numbers.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that the population of England and Wales surged by more than 700,000 in the year to June 2024, marking the second-largest annual increase in over three-quarters of a century.

According to the data, the population reached an estimated 61.8 million in mid-2024 up 706,881 from 61.1 million the previous year. Nearly all of this growth, 98 percent, was attributed to net international migration, underscoring its central role in driving demographic change in the United Kingdom.

In the 12 months to June 2024, approximately 1.14 million people immigrated to England and Wales, while about 452,000 left, resulting in a net migration of 690,147. Although still historically high, this marks a decline from the previous year's net migration figure of 833,696.

The fall is partly attributed to new migration rules introduced in early 2024 under the outgoing Conservative government. These included curbs on international students bringing dependents and restrictions on care workers from overseas doing the same. Additionally, more foreign students are believed to have left the U.K. after completing their courses.

Natural population growth, the difference between births and deaths, contributed just 29,982 to the overall increase, with 596,012 births and 566,030 deaths recorded during the period. This limited contribution reflects the aging population and ongoing decline in fertility rates in the United Kingdom.

"The population of England and Wales has increased each year since mid-1982," Nigel Henretty of the ONS said. "The rate of population increase has been higher in recent years, and the rise seen in the year to mid-2024 represents the second largest annual increase in numerical terms in over 75 years. Net international migration continues to be the main driver of this growth, continuing the long-term trend seen since the turn of the century."

U.K. population surge fuels political clash

In line with the results, Conservative shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam warned that the population of the U.K. was rising at an "unsustainable pace" and accused the Labour government of failing to get a grip on immigration. (Related: Illegal immigrants rejoice following leftist victory in British election.)

This isn't about numbers on a spreadsheet, it's about pressure on housing, NHS waiting lists, school places, wages and it's about community and our culture. Britain simply cannot plan or build fast enough to keep up. Lam also criticized the government's failure to deal with illegal immigration, referencing reports of a "one out, 17 in" migrant returns arrangement with France. We must secure our borders and deliver a fair and sustainable immigration system that works for the British people," Lam said.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hit back, blaming the record migration levels on the previous Conservative administration, which she said had presided over a "failed open borders experiment."

"Their failed open borders experiment resulted in net migration quadrupling to a peak of almost a million per year in 2023, even as they promised it would fall. Since the election, net migration has come steeply down, and as part of the Government's Plan for Change, we have set out new measures in the Immigration White Paper and have already changed immigration rules to bring net migration down further. To be successful, effective and fair, our immigration system must be properly controlled and managed. Out of the chaos and failure of the Tory past, that is what this government will deliver," Cooper said.

Visit Migrants.news for more information about migrants fleeing to EU countries.

Watch the video below to know more about illegal immigrants entering Europe.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Thousands of illegal immigrants apprehended at Austrian borders.

UK government now wants Britons to house non-Ukrainian refugees.

Survey: Majority of French citizens believe rise in IMMIGRATION and decline in public safety are connected.

Sweden on the "brink of civil war" amid rampant MIGRANT VIOLENCE, warns expert.

Hordes of immigrants now suing Germany for not giving them free government handouts quickly enough.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Independent.co.uk

Brighteon.com
Gaza famine: To be killed by an air strike is easier than watching your children starve

Each morning that dawns over the Gaza Strip brings nothing but more hunger , more collapse and a deepening sense of despair.

(Article by Ahmed Aziz republished from MiddleEastEye.net)

For more than three months, over two million people have endured an unprecedented catastrophe - a true famine in every sense of the word - amid a merciless war, an unrelenting siege and an unforgivable international silence.

Famine in Gaza has become a daily reality. It is no longer merely a sensation of deprivation; it manifests in the sight of people collapsing in the streets from sheer exhaustion.

Children, women, the elderly - no one is spared. We have witnessed, with our own eyes, bodies slumping on the pavement and lives lost outside the ruins of bakeries or at aid distribution points that never deliver.

The price of a kilogram of flour has surpassed $30, while a kilogram of sugar now costs over $130. Most foods are either entirely unavailable or so scarce as to seem imaginary.

The tragedy is not just in the prices, but in the absence of essential goods. People are not simply refusing to buy; there is nothing left to buy.

There is no oil, no rice, no bread - not even a can of tuna. What appears occasionally might be a handful of red peppers or a bottle of dish detergent - a grim irony in the face of starvation.

Famine in Gaza manifests in the sight of people collapsing in the streets from sheer exhaustion

Areas deemed "safe", such as northern Rafah or the Qataneh district, have turned into death zones. Starving civilians who head to these locations in search of aid are being targeted.

According to the United Nations, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since late May while they were attempting to access food aid. Dozens continue to be killed each day.

As former UN aid chief Martin Griffiths warned, this deliberate famine represents "the worst crime of the 21st century".

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching image of all was that of the infant Yahya al-Najjar, just a few months old, who died of severe malnutrition. His tiny body was reduced to bones draped in translucent skin - a devastating sight, unfolding in full view of the world, in the heart of Palestine.

Unbearable hunger

We no longer speak of hunger in the abstract.

Children now cry out daily: "We want bread!" "We want to eat!" But no one feeds them. My young cousins, only five years old, wake at dawn begging their father to bring them a loaf of bread, but he cannot afford one. A single loaf has become a luxury.

Some fathers have begun to flee their tents, unable to bear the look of disappointment in their children's eyes.

I saw a mother praying for her children to die, simply because she could no longer feed them. Some mothers sit at the entrances of their tents, tears falling, whispering broken prayers: "Oh God, please take them... relieve them of this suffering."

In the streets, people can no longer walk. They drag their bodies. So extreme is the weakness that their legs can no longer support them. Faces are hollow, stripped of life. The children are skeletal. The men, pale and gaunt, haul their bones in heavy silence.

I saw with my own eyes an elderly man, over 70 years old, ask a young man who was eating a piece of bread to share it with him. Has hunger brought us to the point where our elders must beg for a bite?

Those of us who are married can no longer provide food for our wives. For months now, I have stopped entertaining the thought of having a child, not out of choice, but because this genocide has made it impossible to imagine a future for them.

Each morning, my wife asks: "What do we have to eat?" And I answer, swallowing the shame of being unable to protect the person I love: "I'm fasting today."

We fast out of despair, not piety. We drink water - when there is any - and deceive ourselves with hope, if only to survive the day.

Invented meals

Our daily meals are invented out of nothing: lentils mixed with pasta, rice cooked over a wood fire or soup made from nothing but boiled water. We eat, then feel hungry again an hour later. We sleep to escape the hunger, but it wakes up with us.

During the day, we grow dizzy. We fall silent. We comfort one another with words. We nap, hoping the pain might ease. I have lost 14kg, and I am still fighting. But what of those with no job? No money? No one to lean on?

In the street, under the blazing July sun, a child stares longingly at a vendor selling iced water. A cup costs half a dollar, but no one can afford it.

There is no electricity, no fan, no shade - just thirst thick in the air. Someone walks by eating a sandwich, and five or 10 children, perhaps even elderly men, gather around, asking for a bite. It is not greed that drives them, but sheer desperation - because they are human, and hunger has taken everything else.

The markets, where they still exist, are empty.

Nasser Hospital, the last remaining lifeline in southern Gaza, has become a gathering point for those struggling to survive. There is no medicine or food - nothing but the screams of mothers, the tears of patients and those on the brink of starvation or death.

Silent massacre

Death no longer frightens anyone in Gaza. For many, it has become a dream. To be killed by shrapnel or an air strike is easier than dying while watching your children writhe in agony from hunger or your wife unable even to stand.

Death is no longer the end; it is a release.

The world sees and hears, but does nothing, as if our lives are not worthy of living

What is happening in Gaza today is not a natural disaster. It is a deliberate famine - a massacre carried out in silence, as people waste away unseen. The population is being starved - slowly, cruelly, by design.

At the same time, infrastructure is being destroyed. Hospitals are being bombed. Civilians are being killed as they crowd around aid lorries filled with flour, and the world watches from behind its screens, unmoved by any sense of humanity.

This is Gaza now: a city untouched by light, inhabited by people waiting for the end. They do not ask for miracles, just some bread, some medicine and some dignity.

The world sees and hears, but does nothing, as if our lives are not worthy of living.

We do not write to weep, but to report the truth as it is: Gaza is choking from hunger, drowning in darkness and being annihilated in full view of the world.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.

Read more at: MiddleEastEye.net
Texas AI data centers drain water supply as residents face drought restrictions and shower limits

Texas residents face severe drought and water restrictions while AI data centers consume millions of gallons unchecked.

Microsofts Stargate campus in Abilene used 463 million gallons in two years, with projections hitting 400 billion by 2030.

AI data centers lose most cooling water to evaporation, unlike recyclable residential use, worsening Texass water crisis.

Microsoft pledges to be "water positive" by 2030, but critics say efforts dont help communities hit hardest by shortages.

Texas lacks regulations for data center water use, leaving residents to conserve while corporations operate without limits.

While Texas residents endure severe drought conditions and strict water conservation measuresincluding limiting showers and lawn wateringmassive AI data centers are guzzling millions of gallons daily with little oversight.

A recent investigation reveals that Texas data centers, led by Microsofts sprawling Stargate campus in Abilene, consumed a staggering 463 million gallons of water in 2023 and 2024 alone. Projections suggest this number could skyrocket to 400 billion gallons by 2030, accounting for nearly 7% of the states total water consumption. Unchecked expansion is threatening Texass already strained water resources, with much of the cooling water evaporating into thin air, never to be recycled.

The hidden cost of AIs water hunger

Data centers, the backbone of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, require vast amounts of water to cool their overheating servers. Unlike residential water use, which can be conserved and recycled, much of the water used for industrial cooling is lost to evaporation. Robert Mace, executive director of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, emphasized the severity of the issue: People dont think of data centers as industrial water users, but they are. Once that water evaporates, its just gone.

The numbers are staggering. According to the Texas Water Development Board, data centers are projected to consume 49 billion gallons in 2025a figure that could balloon to 399 billion gallons by 2030. For context, thats enough water to supply millions of households annually. Meanwhile, cities like San Antonio enforce Stage 3 water restrictions, limiting lawn watering to once a week and imposing surcharges on excessive residential use. The contradiction is impossible to ignore: while everyday Texans are told to cut back, corporate giants face no such limits.

Microsoft, a major player in Texass AI boom, has pledged to become water positive by 2030, meaning it aims to replenish more water than it consumes. The company points to water restoration projects and the use of recycled water where possible. But critics argue these efforts often occur far from the communities most affected by water shortages.

Transparency is another issue. Many water utilities only learn about new data center projects after construction begins, and some companies operate under shell entities or code names, avoiding public scrutiny.

A looming crisis for Texass water future

The rapid growth of AI infrastructure is outpacing the states ability to regulate it. While Texas lawmakers passed bipartisan legislation (Senate Bill 6) to manage energy demands from data centers during grid emergencies, no equivalent measures exist for water use.

The Stargate project, a $500 billion venture backed by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, epitomizes the problem. When completed, the Abilene campus will span 60 acres larger than New Yorks Central Park and consume enough energy to power 750,000 homes. Though Microsoft claims Stargate will use a closed-loop cooling systemrequiring only an initial 1 million-gallon fill with minor top-offsexperts remain skeptical of this approach's feasibility.

With Texass population expected to grow by 10% every decade, the strain on water resources will only intensify. Already, nearly a quarter of the state remains in drought despite recent heavy rains. The Texas Water Development Boards 2027 State Water Plan does not even account for data center consumption, leaving communities vulnerable to shortages.

Cities like Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, have already taken action by imposing water restrictions on data centers. Texas municipalities could adopt similar measures, such as block water rates or conservation ordinances, to help ease the problem.

As Texas races toward a high-tech future, the question remains: at what cost? The unchecked expansion of AI data centers threatens to drain water reserves meant for future generations, all while residents are told to take shorter showers. Without urgent reforms, the states water crisis will only deepen, leaving everyday Texans to pay the price for corporate excess.

Sources for this article include:

EconomicTimes.IndiaTimes.com

AustinChronicle.com

SACurrent.com
Trump DOJ sets new record for illegal immigrant prosecutions

The DOJ charged over 3,000 illegal immigrants with felony reentry and 3,200 with misdemeanor illegal entry in June 2025the highest monthly total evermarking a stark shift from Bidens lenient policies.

Trump's DOJ enforces felony illegal reentry (punishable by up to 20 years for repeat offenders), moving beyond civil deportations to criminal prosecutions with near-perfect conviction rates.

Under Biden, fewer than one percent of Border Patrol arrests led to charges; Trump's zero-tolerance approach has surged prosecutions (e.g., 277 felony reentry cases in New Mexico in June 2025 vs. <100/month in 2024).

Criminal penalties (jail time) aim to disrupt economic incentives for illegal immigration, correlating with plummeting border crossings and doubled ICE arrests under Trump.

Progressives oppose the crackdown as punitive, while conservatives defend it as necessary for rule of law. The policy signals a broader ideological battle over border security and enforcement.

The Trump administration is wielding the full force of federal law to crack down on illegal immigration, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuting a record number of unlawful border crossers in June.

More than 3,000 illegal immigrants were charged with felony illegal reentry  the highest monthly total ever recorded  while an additional 3,200 faced misdemeanor illegal entry charges. This aggressive enforcement marks a sharp departure from the former President Joe Biden's era, where prosecutions were rare. It also underscores President Donald Trump's hardline stance on securing the border.

For decades, illegal immigration was treated primarily as a civil violation  with most offenders simply deported rather than criminally charged. But under Trump, the DOJ is leveraging existing laws to impose harsher penalties  including jail time  on those who repeatedly violate U.S. sovereignty.

Felony illegal reentry, a charge applied to migrants who return after deportation, carries up to two years in prison for first-time offenders. Those with prior criminal records, meanwhile, could face up to 20 years if found guilty. (Related: Trump administration bars illegal immigrants from taxpayer-funded healthcare and Head Start.)

The surge in prosecutions reflects a coordinated effort between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection and federal prosecutors to target recidivists. Former ICE Acting Director Jonathan Fahey, who served during Trump's first term, notes that these cases have a near-perfect conviction rate because prosecutors only need to prove the defendant was previously deported and reentered illegally.

Biden's lax policies vs. Trump's zero-tolerance approach

The contrast between the two administrations could not be starker. Under Biden, illegal entry prosecutions plummeted, with fewer than one percent of Border Patrol arrests leading to charges at the height of the 2023 crisis.

In New Mexico, for example, felony reentry cases rarely exceeded 100 per month in late 2024. By June 2025, that number had surged to 277  a clear indicator of Trump's renewed enforcement priorities.

Biden and his Democratic allies had pushed to decriminalize border crossings entirely, arguing that illegal immigrants deserved compassion rather than prosecution. During the 2020 primaries, nearly every major Democratic candidate  including Biden  endorsed this position. But Trump's policies have reversed that trend, treating illegal entry not just as a bureaucratic issue but as a criminal offense.

Experts argue that criminal penalties serve as a stronger deterrent than civil deportations. Jail time disrupts the economic incentives driving illegal immigration, preventing migrants from immediately rejoining the workforce after being caught.

Data suggests the strategy is working. Border crossings have plummeted since Trump took office, while ICE arrests have doubled.

The administration's crackdown has drawn fierce opposition from immigration activists and Democrats, who view prosecutions as excessively punitive. But Trump officials counter that the law must be enforced without exception. The DOJ insists it is using every available tool to combat what it calls an "invasion" of illegal immigrants.

The Trump administration's record-breaking prosecutions represent more than just a policy change  they signify a fundamental rethinking of how America handles illegal immigration. By treating border crossers as criminals rather than mere violators of civil law, the DOJ is sending a clear message: Repeat offenders will face serious consequences.

Watch this Newsmax report about the largest illegal immigrant bust in U.S. history, which happened in California.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump administration prepares crackdown on illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities.

Trump administration to launch registry for illegal immigrants: Fines and arrests for noncompliance.

Trump preparing to DEPORT 1.5 million illegal immigrants paroled and let into the country by Biden.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NBCNews.com

WashingtonTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Trump moves to shut down NYCs controversial safe drug injection sites

President Donald Trump signed an order on July 24 to cut federal funding for New York City's supervised drug injection sites, arguing they enable illegal drug use rather than combat addiction. The order could force the closure of two facilities operating since 2021.

The order prioritizes funding for "evidence-based" recovery programs while excluding supervised consumption sites, expands civil commitment for mentally ill individuals and ties federal grants to bans on open drug use. It also opposes "housing first" policies without treatment mandates.

New York became the first U.S. city to open official supervised injection sites in 2021, operated by OnPointNYC. Officials claim the centers have reversed over 1,700 overdoses and reduced deaths, but critics argue they violate federal law and enable addiction.

Critics, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, accuse the sites of fostering crime and addiction. Malliotakis reintroduced a bill to defund such centers, while the Trump administration pushes for enforcement under the new order, setting up a potential legal battle.

The conflict reflects broader ideological divides, with progressive cities advocating harm reduction to curb overdose deaths (over 100,000 annually) and conservatives favoring strict enforcement. The orders impact remains uncertain, but it reignites the "war on drugs" rhetoric and challenges local defiance.

President Donald J. Trump has taken decisive action against New York City's government-sanctioned drug injection sites, signing an executive order on July 24 that could force their closure.

Titled "Ending Crime and Disorder on Americas Streets," the order cuts federal funding for so-called "harm reduction" programs, arguing they enable illegal drug use rather than curb addiction. The two facilities in question are located in East Harlem and Washington Heights.

The facilities have operated since 2021 under the rule of Mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, despite warnings from federal prosecutors that they violate drug laws. Now, with strong backing from Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), the Trump administration is shutting down the locations for good.

Trump's directive is part of a broader crackdown on urban drug epidemics and homelessness. It prioritizes federal funding for "evidence-based" recovery programs while explicitly excluding supervised drug consumption sites, which the administration argues normalize and facilitate illegal narcotics use.

The order also expands civil commitment options for severely mentally ill individuals who pose a danger and incentivizes cities to ban open drug use by tying federal grants to enforcement. Additionally, it eliminates support for "housing first" policies that do not mandate treatment  a direct challenge to progressive approaches that prioritize shelter over sobriety requirements. (Related: NYC opens heroin injection sites for drug addicts.)

NYC drug centers face Trump's crackdown

The Big Apple made history in November 2021 by becoming the first U.S. jurisdiction to officially open supervised injection sites, branded as "Overdose Prevention Centers." Run by the nonprofit OnPointNYC, the facilities allow users to consume drugs like heroin, meth and cocaine under medical supervision, with staff providing overdose reversal drugs, clean needles and referrals to treatment.

City health officials credit the centers with reversing over 1,700 overdoses and reducing deaths, citing a four-year low in fatalities in 2023. Supporters argue they save lives while reducing public drug use and discarded syringes, while critics call the sites a dangerous overreach.

Then-Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams warned in 2023 that the facilities violate federal drug laws, but the city ignored the threat of prosecution. Malliotakis has led the charge against them, reintroducing the Defund Heroin Injection Centers Act of 2025 to permanently strip federal funding.

The congresswoman argues that the centers attract crime, enable addiction and degrade neighborhoods. "They're encouraging people to use heroin in a government-funded clubhouse," she pointed out, urging the Department of Justice to act swiftly under Trump's order.

The clash reflects a deeper ideological divide. Progressive cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia have explored similar sites, framing them as pragmatic solutions to soaring overdose deaths. Conservatives counter that such policies surrender to addiction rather than fight it.

Yet the practical impact remains uncertain. While federal funding cuts could cripple OnPointNYC, local officials might defy the order, setting up a legal showdown.

As the Trump administration moves to dismantle New York City's drug injection experiment, the debate transcends these two facilities. It's a referendum on how America tackles addiction: through harm reduction or zero-tolerance enforcement.

Watch this video about addressing America's drug epidemic.

This video is from NNBLBlog channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden's DOJ mulls opening "safe injection sites" for drug users, where federal officials will watch them shoot up with heroin and meth.

Washington Square Park in NYC has become a lawless "drug den."

NYC launches first "safe drug vending machine" filled with Narcan, fentanyl strips and condoms  crack pipes ran out in first 24 hours.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NYPost.com

ABC7NY.com

Brighteon.com
Zeldin moves to axe EPA endangerment finding, promises $1T in regulatory relief

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to repeal the 2009 "endangerment finding," which classified greenhouse gases as public health threats. He claims it will save $1 trillion in regulatory costs and $54 billion annually for Americans.

The finding established under the Clean Air Act enabled emissions regulations for vehicles, power plants and industries. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden used it to justify fuel efficiency standards and methane rules, while critics called it federal overreach.

Automakers and oil/gas groups praised the repeal for reducing regulatory burdens, while environmental groups warned it could undo decades of climate progress, calling it a threat to public health.

The repeal will likely face lawsuits, citing the Supreme Court's 2007 ruling affirming EPA's authority. States like California may enforce stricter rules, creating a regulatory patchwork.

Zeldin frames the move as ending bureaucratic overreach, while critics accuse him of favoring fossil fuels. The proposal enters a 30-day public comment period, with prolonged legal challenges expected.

In a bold strike against what he calls decades of federal overreach, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin unveiled plans to dismantle the legal foundation of U.S. climate regulations. He claims this will slash $1 trillion in burdensome rules and save Americans $54 billion annually.

The proposal, announced at an Indiana auto dealership, targets the 2009 "endangerment finding." This Obama-era determination rules that greenhouse gases threaten public health  enabling sweeping emissions controls on cars, power plants and industries.

Zeldin framed the repeal as a liberation for businesses and consumers. He accused past administrations of weaponizing science to justify what he termed "hidden taxes" on energy, transportation and manufacturing. (Related: Trump's EPA head Lee Zeldin needs to undo the 'Endangerment Finding.')

The endangerment finding, established under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, declared carbon dioxide, methane and four other gases as threats to public welfare. Though it imposed no direct rules, it empowered the EPA to regulate emissions from vehicles, power plants, and oil and gas operations.

The Obama administration used it to justify fuel efficiency standards, while the Biden administration expanded its reach to methane leaks and electric vehicle mandates. Critics argue the finding was a backdoor for aggressive federal control, while supporters insist it was a necessary shield against climate disasters.

Now, Zeldin's EPA contends the science behind it is flawed. The agency cited updated data from a Trump-era Department of Energy panel, and pointed to the fact that Congress never intended the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases.

Zeldin dismantles the EPA's "climate nonsense"

Zeldin didn't mince words, calling the proposal "the largest deregulatory action in American history. The repeal, he said, would end "16 years of uncertainty" for automakers who have faced shifting rules on everything from tailpipe emissions to electric vehicle quotas.

Industry groups cheered. Automakers long squeezed by competing state and federal standards praised the move as a return to consumer choice, while oil and gas interests hailed it as a reprieve from methane rules they call economically crippling. "This removes the basis for all the climate nonsense weve endured," said Marc Morano of Climate Depot.

On the other side of the fence, opponents warn the endangerment finding's repeal could unravel decades of progress. Peter Zalzal of the Environmental Defense Fund called it "the legal foundation protecting millions from climate threats."

Legal challenges are inevitable. The Supreme Court's 2007 Massachusetts v. EPA ruling affirmed the agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases  a precedent environmental lawyers will definitely invoke.

The state of California, which has used EPA waivers to set stricter tailpipe rules, has already vowed to fight back. "We recognize the science and won't retreat," said Liane Randolph, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board.

The proposal fits a broader pattern. Zeldin  a Trump ally and former New York congressman  has rolled back 31 environmental rules since March. Despite criticism, Zeldin insists that the EPA is refocusing on "real solutions" instead of "twisted science."

He argues the endangerment finding enabled regulators to micromanage everything from pizza ovens to ceiling fans, all while China and India pollute unchecked. "This isn't about the environment; it's about control," he told Newsmax.

Check out EPA.news for more similar stories.

Watch this Fox News report about EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin cutting millions in government waste earmarked for former President Biden's "left-wing friends."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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EPA mulls rescinding climate change "endangerment finding" that justifies federal emissions regulation.

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Sources include:

YourNews.com

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Sacramento utility provider under fire for using SMART METERS as surveillance tools

The EFF sued Sacramento's public utility (SMUD) for a decade-long unconstitutional surveillance program, using smart meter data to flag over 33,000 households as "suspicious" without warrants or individualized suspicion.

Internal communications reveal SMUD disproportionately targeted Asian homeowners, with police assessments overwhelmingly focused on Asians (86 percent of cases, despite being 18 percent of Sacramento's population). Examples included baseless accusations against residents like a Vietnamese immigrant using medical equipment.

Households using as little as 2,800 kWh/month were flaggeda threshold SMUD employees themselves exceeded, undermining the program's legitimacy.

SMUD's actions allegedly breach California's constitution (against unreasonable searches) and utility codes restricting data sharing. Customers had no opt-out option from surveillance.

The case raises concerns about smart meters enabling nationwide surveillance, with utilities like PG&E partnering with controversial firms (e.g., Palantir). The EFF urges courts to halt SMUDs dragnet tactics, setting a precedent for digital privacy rights.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed a lawsuit against the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), accusing the public utility of conducting an unconstitutional mass surveillance program that has targeted tens of thousands of households over the past decade.

The lawsuit, which seeks to dismantle this invasive practice, highlights how SMUD's "smart meters" have been covertly transformed into tools of surveillance. This illegal surveillance disproportionately affected Asian American communities and violated the privacy rights of countless residents.

For over 10 years, SMUD has been sifting through the energy usage data of its 650,000 customers, flagging over 33,000 households as "suspicious" based on their electricity consumption. These tips, often generated without individualized suspicion or judicial oversight, have been routinely passed on to local law enforcement agencies.

The EFF's legal filing reveals that SMUD analysts have sent detailed reports  including names, addresses and usage histories  to police departments. This effectively turns the utility into an arm of law enforcement. (Related: Smart meters really do spy on your use of appliances, industry admits.)

The criteria for suspicion have been alarmingly arbitrary. Initially, households using more than 7,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month were flagged.

However, this threshold has since plummeted to just 2,800 kWh, a level that even SMUD's own employees exceed. One analyst admitted to using 3,500 kWh in a single month, well above the current threshold.

The lawsuit exposes a troubling pattern of racial profiling within SMUD's surveillance program. Internal communications show that analysts specifically targeted homes based on racial cues, with one text message to police requesting information on a household because it was "4k [kWh], Asian." Another message highlighted a location due to "multiple Asians" reported there.

According to the Sacramento Bee, "86 percent of assessments done by Sacramento Police were against Asians between 2017 and 2019, even though Asians represent only 18 percent of Sacramento residents." This discriminatory practice has had severe consequences for innocent residents.

The fight for digital privacy

Alfonso Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant and spinal injury patient who uses electric medical equipment, was falsely accused of growing cannabis due to his high energy usage. When he refused a search, deputies threatened to return with a warrant and arrest him.

Another victim, Brian Decker, was forcibly removed from his home at gunpoint. This came after he was flagged for his overnight electricity usage, which was actually due to cryptocurrency mining.

The EFF argues that SMUD's actions violate California's constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches, and the state's Public Utilities Code, which restricts the sharing of customer data without consent. The utility's "Privacy Policy," buried in a website footer, offers no meaningful opportunity for customers to opt out of surveillance. "There is no mechanism by which a customer can give or refuse consent," the brief states.

The implications of this case extend far beyond Sacramento. As smart meters become ubiquitous, the potential for similar surveillance programs looms large. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), California's largest utility, has partnered with Palantir Technologies, a company with a history of government surveillance contracts, raising concerns about the broader deployment of smart meter data for surveillance purposes.

The EFF is calling on the courts to intervene and halt SMUD's mass data mining. "The whole exercise is the digital equivalent of a door-to-door search of an entire city," the brief argues. "The Court should stop this rogue and unreasonable dragnet."

The outcome of this case will set a critical precedent for digital privacy rights in the age of smart infrastructure. As the lines between essential services and surveillance tools blur, the question remains: Should public utilities have the power to transform every home's electricity meter into a government spy device?

Watch Tony Lambert discussing the unsought and fiercely resisted imposition of dangerous, snooping smart meters.

This video is from the Secret Harbour Sessions channel on Brighteon.com.

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Virginia approves deployment of 1.1 million smart meters, which would expose residents to harmful radiofrequency radiation.

Smart Meters to start tracking dementia patients in the U.K. as Big Brother wields medical surveillance tech against its own citizens.

Smart meters cook us with thousands of microwave pulses every day, while collecting our private information for the utility company.

Sources include:

Technocracy.news

SecureIoT.House

ReclaimTheNet.org

Brighteon.com
Transformer crisis looms as Trumps trade wars cripple global supply chains

Transformer shortage crisis: The U.S. faces a 35 year wait for transformers (vs. weeks in 2020), stalling AI and industrial projects due to Trumps tariffs on India (60% global supply) and China (20%).

The U.S. faces a 35 year wait for transformers (vs. weeks in 2020), stalling AI and industrial projects due to Trumps tariffs on India (60% global supply) and China (20%). Grid instability threat: Domestic production meets only 20% of demand, delaying Trumps $1T AI data-center plan until 2028, risking blackouts and infrastructure collapse.

Domestic production meets only 20% of demand, delaying Trumps $1T AI data-center plan until 2028, risking blackouts and infrastructure collapse. Trade war paradox: Tariffs on transformer materials (e.g., copper, aluminum) and imported factory components hinder reshoring efforts, crippling domestic manufacturing before it starts.

Tariffs on transformer materials (e.g., copper, aluminum) and imported factory components hinder reshoring efforts, crippling domestic manufacturing before it starts. Resource conflicts: AI data centers consume billions of gallons of water and require massive grid expansions, risking household rationing and outpacing U.S. power capacity (1/3 of Chinas output).

AI data centers consume billions of gallons of water and require massive grid expansions, risking household rationing and outpacing U.S. power capacity (1/3 of Chinas output). Desperate solutions needed: Cold fusion or SMRs may help, but deployment is too slowChina could lead AI by 2028 while the U.S. battles shortages and policy failures.

The United States stands on the brink of an unprecedented transformer shortage that threatens to derail President Trumps ambitious plans for AI-driven reindustrialization. With wait times for electrical transformers now stretching to 35 yearscompared to just 46 weeks in 2020manufacturers warn of "catastrophic" grid instability as power demands skyrocket from new data centers, factories, and infrastructure projects. The bottleneck stems from Trumps aggressive trade policies, including a 25% tariff on India (the worlds largest transformer producer, making 60% of global supply) and looming 100% penalties on China (which produces another 20%).

The Transformer Shortage: A Ticking Time Bomb

Transformers are critical for stepping down high-voltage electricity to usable levels, but the U.S. manufactures only 20% of its needs domestically. Industry experts, including the National Association of Electrical Manufacturers (NEMA), confirm that orders placed today wont arrive until 2028far too late to support Trumps pledge of $1 trillion in AI data-center investments. "Without transformers, you cant build factories, power grids, or data centers," said energy analyst Mike Adams. "Trumps tariffs have effectively embargoed the very components needed for his own economic agenda."

Trade Wars Backfire

India and China dominate transformer production, yet Trumps tariffs35% on India (25% base + 10% BRICS penalty) and potential 135% on China (including new energy sanctions)have frozen imports. Meanwhile, attempts to reshore transformer manufacturing face a paradox:

Building new factories requires transformers (mostly imported).

Producing transformers domestically demands copper and aluminum, which Trump hit with 50% tariffs.

"Its economic self-sabotage," said a Schneider Electric executive, noting that small modular reactors (SMRs)touted as a power-grid solutionalso rely on imported materials now priced out of reach.

AI vs. Human Needs: The Coming Conflict

As AI data centers consume 463 million gallons of water annually in Texas alone (projected to hit 400 billion gallons by 2030), states may soon ration household water to prioritize computing infrastructure. "Residents will be told to take shorter showers so data centers can cool servers," Adams warned. Similar competition looms for electricity:

The U.S. power grid has stagnated at ~4,500 terawatt-hours/year for a decade, while China produces 10,000+.

To match AI and industrial demands, America must add 1,000 terawatt-hours/yearequivalent to 100 nuclear plants annuallybut currently has no feasible plan.

Desperation Measures

With conventional solutions inaccessible, hopes turn to declassified energy tech (e.g., cold fusion) or rapid SMR deployment. Yet even SMRs require years to scaletime the U.S. may not have. "China could achieve superintelligence by 2028," Adams noted. "By then, well still be waiting for transformers."

Conclusion: Trumps trade wars have unwittingly triggered a supply-chain time bomb. Without urgent policy reversals or breakthrough energy solutions, the U.S. risks blackouts, industrial collapse, and ceding the AI race to Chinaall while households battle AI data centers for basic power and water.

Watch the Aug. 1 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about Trump slapping punitive tariffs on countries that produce the transformers needed to build U.S. factories and data centers.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump slaps 25% tariffs on key Asian allies Japan and South Korea.

Trump announces steep tariffs on 14 countries, effective August 1.

Trump threatens 200% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, warns companies to bring manufacturing back to U.S.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
U.S. targets Iranian elites global shipping empire in sweeping sanctions crackdown

The U.S. imposed its toughest sanctions since 2018, targeting an Iranian shipping network tied to a top leaders son, involving 15 firms, 52 vessels, and entities across 17 countries.

Officials exposed a vast oil-smuggling operation allegedly run by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, using shell companies to fund Irans regime and evade sanctions.

Iran condemned the sanctions as an attack on sovereignty, vowing defiance, while the U.S. framed them as necessary to curb corruption and terror financing.

The sanctions aim to disrupt Irans shadow oil trade without destabilizing global markets, as exports have already dropped by 600,000 barrels per day this year.

The move highlights the Shamkhani familys global wealth and hypocrisy, with the U.S. signaling no elites offshore empire is beyond its reach.

In a bold move to cripple Irans illicit oil trade, the U.S. Treasury Department unleashed its most aggressive sanctions package since 2018 on July 31, directly striking at a vast shipping network allegedly controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a top adviser to Irans Supreme Leader. The sanctions target 15 firms, 52 vessels, 12 individuals, and 53 entities across 17 nations from Panama to Hong Kong accused of funneling tens of billions in oil profits to Tehran. Irans regime, already reeling from economic isolation, condemned the sanctions as a "blatant assault" on its sovereignty, but Washington insists the measures are a necessary blow against corruption and terror financing.

A network built on corruption and evasion

The Treasury Departments action exposes what officials describe as a sprawling "shipping empire" masterminded by Shamkhani, leveraging front companies and foreign passports to evade scrutiny while moving Iranian and Russian oil to global buyers. "These profits have helped prop up the Iranian regime," the Treasury stated, accusing Shamkhani of exploiting his familys political ties, including his father Ali Shamkhanis role as a sanctioned adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to amass wealth and bankroll Tehrans destabilizing activities.

Layers of shell firms with "no easily discernible connection" to Shamkhanis operations allowed the network to thrive, Treasury officials revealed. Among the sanctioned vessels are the Bendigo, Carnatic, and Spirit of Casper, while entities like Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Companylinked to Irans militarywere also blacklisted. A U.S. official emphasized the precision of the sanctions, stating they were "tailored" to avoid disrupting global oil markets while maximizing pressure on Irans elite.

Iran lashes out, vows defiance

Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei blasted the sanctions as "an evil act aimed at harming Irans economic development," framing them as part of Washingtons "hostility" toward ordinary Iranians. "The Iranian people  will stand firm with all their might to safeguard their dignity and interests," Baghaei declared, accusing the U.S. of violating international law. The regimes defiance echoes past rhetoric, but the sanctions breadth, coupled with existing EU measures against Shamkhani, signals a tightening noose around Tehrans revenue streams.

The Treasurys move follows months of escalating tensions, including U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June and threats from President Donald Trump to strike again if Tehran revives its program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously warned on social media that further aggression would trigger a response "IMPOSSIBLE to cover up," but the regimes capacity to retaliate economically is now further constrained.

While the sanctions avoid directly targeting major oil importers like China, they aim to strangle Irans shadow oil trade by complicating ship registrations, insurance, and port access. A U.S. official noted Irans exports had already dropped from 1.8 million barrels per day to 1.2 million this year, with plans to "bring that number down even more." The EUs parallel sanctions on Shamkhani for aiding Russias oil trade suggest a growing Western consensus, although Tehrans allies may seek workarounds.

The sanctions spotlight the Shamkhani familys global footprint, with its luxury properties, foreign passports, and offshore fronts, as emblematic of the regimes hypocrisy. "The Iranian regime elites leverage their positions to accrue massive wealth," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted, underscoring Washingtons narrative of a corrupt dictatorship profiting while ordinary Iranians suffer.

The Trump administrations sanctions mark a calculated escalation, striking at the financial lifelines of Irans ruling class without destabilizing energy markets. Yet with Tehran vowing resistance and regional tensions simmering, the long-term impact hinges on whether enforcement can outpace evasion. For now, the U.S. is making it clear that it remains committed to economic warfare against regimes it deems adversarialand no elites offshore empire is beyond reach.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

AlJazeera.com

Reuters.com
(Reuters) -French artificial intelligence startup Mistral is in talks with investors, venture capital firms and Abu Dhabi's MGX to raise $1 billion at a valuation of $10 billion, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The company launched in June Europe's first AI reasoning model, which uses logical thinking to create a response, as it tries to keep pace with American and Chinese rivals at the forefront of AI development.

The funding would accelerate the commercial rollout of Mistral's Le Chat chatbot and support continued development of its large language models, the report said.

MGX and Mistral did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The startup raised 600 million euros in a Series B funding round that valued the company at 5.8 billion euros last year.

Industry observers consider Mistral as Europe's best-positioned AI company to rival Silicon Valley leaders, though the French firm has yet to achieve comparable market traction or revenue scale.

Mistral counts Nvidia, Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners among its investors.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
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Footwear stocks, including Deckers (DECK), Nike (NKE), and On Holding (ONON), were under pressure on Friday after the latest details on President Trump's tariff plans were released late Thursday evening.

Deckers led declines in the space on Friday, with shares falling nearly 3% in late-morning trade. Shares of Nike and On Holding were off more than 1.5%.

The new tariff rates, now formally authorized by executive order, set levels from 10% to 40% for nearly all global trading partners.

The apparel giants' key sourcing regions like Vietnam and Indonesia now face a 20% and 19% tariff, respectively, on goods exported to the US. These new rates will go into effect on Aug. 7.

China remains a wildcard for the industry, as no formal trade deal has been announced. Absent another pause, the current 30% tariff rate on Chinese imports is scheduled to kick in Aug. 12.

Many footwear companies have already moved much of their sourcing away from China to Vietnam in response to the first Trump administration's trade efforts, but companies are still looking at sizable tariff-related impacts this time around.

"On tariffs, we are still awaiting final details. But based on the recent updates, assuming Vietnam increases from 10% to 20%, we would expect to face a total of $185 million of unmitigated impact to our cost of goods sold in fiscal year 2026, up from our previously provided estimate of up to $150 million," Deckers CFO Steven Fasching told investors last month.

"As we said last quarter, we put in measures to recapture up to approximately $75 million, and we'll continue to evaluate additional levers for potential further mitigation," he added.

Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

Nike told investors in late June that tariff costs are expected to approach $1 billion as the company plans to diversify its supply chain away from China, which currently accounts for about 16% of the shoes it imports into the US.

It expects to bring that down to the "high single-digit range" by the end of this fiscal year. The company also announced plans for a "surgical price increase" in the US, which is set to begin this fall.

On Holding (ONON), which is based in Switzerland  now facing a whopping 39% tariff  but sources mainly from Vietnam, is set to report earnings later this month. Telsey Advisory Group's Cristina Fernandez said in a recent client note that On passed through a $10 price increase "on many styles in early July in response to tariffs" and did not notice any negative impact during a recent store visit.
The COVID-19 pandemic upended life for individuals and communities worldwide. Social isolation, health mandates, illness, and economic hardships took a toll on the well-being of families and children, but there were also silver linings to people's experiences. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at impacts of the pandemic among youth and parents across the U.S. Midwest. Their findings can help provide insights for future policy and public health measures.

"We were interested in understanding the lived experiences of different types of people during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly families and children. We wanted to come in without preconceived notions and judgment, learning about people's concerns and where they find value and joy," said lead author Jacinda K. Dariotis, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and director of the Family Resiliency Center (FRC), both part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois. Dariotis is also a Health Innovation Professor in the Carle Illinois College of Medicine.

Co-author Rebecca Smith, associate professor of epidemiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and HIP faculty at Illinois, seconded this perspective: "When big outbreaks and pandemics happen, we have mostly studied them from the point of view of disease transmission or financial impact, but people's experiences are just as important. We are documenting lessons learned that will help in the future."

Toward the end of the pandemic in 2022, the researchers surveyed parents with youth aged 12 to 17 as well as the young people themselves to better understand the lived experiences of each during the pandemic. Parents were asked to describe changes they observed in their two oldest children, while youth described changes in themselves. Both groups were asked about their overall experience during the pandemic. Based on responses from 479 participants, the research team identified nine overarching themes.

Major themes

The pandemic's effect on the structures and rhythms of daily life, including public health mandates, altered many aspects of development, interactions and connections with others, feelings of loss and grief, and financial security. Families also found creative adaptations to cope with their situation and shifted their priorities and contexts.

One of the first themes that emerged was about maturity and personal development. Some parents reported their children were developing a little faster than anticipated, showing greater empathy, independence, and willingness to assume responsibilities. Youth also reported they developed greater confidence and self-esteem, although some felt pressure to grow up faster." Dana Eldreth, co-author, senior research scientist at FRC

Conversely, some parents found the pandemic contributed to developmental delays for their children, particularly speech and socialization delays for young children who weren't able to attend daycare and interact with similar-aged peers.

COVID-19 led to widespread anxiety and sadness among adults and youth, driven by fears of illness and death, and further exacerbated by social isolation. This was especially pronounced for adolescents and mothers of small children. "We also heard from women who were pregnant during the pandemic that the isolation, remote health care visits, and lack of being able to rely on support from family members really impacted their experience and created a deep sense of sadness," Eldreth said.

People experienced grief and loss in many ways. "There was grief over the death of loved ones, but also the grief of losing out on social relationships and missing important milestones such as graduations and birthday parties. People are social beings, and these experiences were hugely impactful, not just in the moment but also long term," Dariotis noted.

The pandemic shifted family dynamics and priorities. Some parents and youth appreciated the opportunity to spend more time together and cultivate new activities. However, family time could also lead to increased stress and conflict, particularly for people who had to manage work and childcare responsibilities.

Parents and youth described how differences in views on pandemic policies and vaccines caused strained relationships with family members, friends, and co-workers. These conflicts led to reduced interaction, damaged relationships, and lasting feelings of personal loss.

Families and individuals developed different ways to cope and regulate emotions. "Some people took the time to engage in therapy or consider pharmacological treatment. They experienced positive benefits from taking a step back and focusing on the importance of their mental health," Eldreth said. "Others found less healthy ways to cope, such as substance abuse or excessive use of video games."

Online schooling placed significant strain on families. Parents had to take on additional responsibilities and change family routines to support their children, and they had to adapt to remote learning and new technology. Online schooling also underscored existing gaps in digital access and educational equity.

The pandemic mandates elicited different reactions. "Some people took solace in the fact that there were vaccines and mask mandates. Others felt it was infringing on their personal liberties and implemented too quickly, leading to a distrust in government and public health officials," Dariotis said.

Lessons learned

While the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic was a mixed bag for many families, the study emphasizes the need to honor those experiences and unpack the values and contexts that inform them, the researchers noted.

"One of the big messages for public health is that one size does not fit all. We need tailored responses to meet the unique needs of everyone. The only way you can design effective communication and mitigation plans is by talking to people where they are without judgment," Smith said.

"For people who are very critical of masks and vaccines, the answer is not to provide more information; it's to rebuild trust and relationships, which is much harder to do, but it is more effective. It starts with listening to people and respecting their lived experiences as their truth."

Most respondents reported both thorns and silver linings, but some people disproportionately experienced negative consequences during COVID-19. Those who had structures and resources in place to help them cope were better able to thrive, whereas essential workers or those who faced job loss and financial strain struggled. The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing systemic inequities in access to healthcare, educational resources, stable employment, and other resources, the researchers said.

"Moving forward, were a new pandemic to occur, we should believe in the resilience of individuals while we also make sure that we have the resources and infrastructure in place to create the safety nets that are necessary for people to flourish," Dariotis concluded.

The paper, "Covid Was a Worldwide Pandemic That Caused Trauma for Everyone... There Were Also 'Silver-linings'" - Adult and Youth Qualitative Perspectives," is published in the American Journal of Qualitative Research [DOI: 10.29333/ajqr/16281]. The research was supported by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA; University of Illinois System, under Grant #22910).
The earliest warning signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) may emerge more than a decade before the first classical neurological symptoms occur, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.



Published today in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed the health records of more than 12,000 people in British Columbia and found that those with MS began using healthcare services at elevated rates 15 years before their first MS symptoms appear.



The findings challenge long-held assumptions about when the disease truly begins, offering the most comprehensive picture to date of how patients engage with a range of healthcare providers in the years leading up to a diagnosis as they search for answers to ill-defined medical challenges.

MS can be difficult to recognize as many of the earliest signs-like fatigue, headache, pain and mental health concerns-can be quite general and easily mistaken for other conditions. Our findings dramatically shift the timeline for when these early warning signs are thought to begin, potentially opening the door to opportunities for earlier detection and intervention." Dr. Helen Tremlett, senior author, professor of neurology at UBC's faculty of medicine and investigator at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

The study used linked clinical and administrative provincial health data to track physician visits in the 25 years leading up to the onset of a patient's MS symptoms, as determined by a neurologist through detailed medical history and clinical assessments.



It is the first study to examine healthcare usage this far back in a patient's clinical history. Most previous studies only examined trends in the five to 10 years leading up to a patient's first demyelinating event (such as vision problems) using administrative data. This is a much later benchmark compared to the neurologist-determined date of symptom onset.



The findings revealed that, when compared to the general population, people with MS had a steady build-up of healthcare engagement over 15 years with different types of doctor visits increasing at distinct points in time:

 15 years before symptom onset: Visits to general practice physicians increased, as did visits to any physician for symptoms like fatigue, pain, dizziness and mental health conditions including anxiety and depression.

 12 years before: Visits to a psychiatrist increased.

 Eight to nine years before: Visits to neurologists and ophthalmologists increased, which could relate to issues like blurry vision or eye pain.

 Three to five years before: Emergency medicine and radiology visits increased.

 One year before: Physician visits across multiple specialties peaked, including neurology, emergency medicine and radiology.

"These patterns suggest that MS has a long and complex prodromal phase-where something is happening beneath the surface but hasn't yet declared itself as MS," said Dr. Marta Ruiz-Alguero, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC and the study's first author. "We're only now starting to understand what these early warning signs are, with mental health-related issues appearing to be among the earliest indicators."



The study builds on previous work by Dr. Tremlett and her team to characterize the early stages of MS, or prodromal phase, when subtle symptoms appear before the hallmark signs become recognizable. Prodromal periods are well established in other neurological disorders, like Parkinson's disease, where mood changes, sleep disturbances and constipation often arise years before the more familiar motor symptoms like tremors and stiffness.



While the researchers caution that the vast majority of people who experience general symptoms will not go on to develop MS, they say recognizing and characterizing the MS prodrome could one day help accelerate diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients.



"By identifying these earlier red flags, we may eventually be able to intervene sooner-whether that's through monitoring, support or preventive strategies," said Dr. Tremlett. "It opens new avenues for research into early biomarkers, lifestyle factors and other potential triggers that may be at play during this previously overlooked phase of the disease."
Bangladeshi criminal hiding under guise of sadhu in Bengal held

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 20:45 IST

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Kolkata, Aug 3 (PTI) A Bangladeshi criminal, who had entered India and had been hiding in West Bengal under the guise of a monk, was arrested from Nadia district, police said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of the West Bengal STF, along with the local police, conducted a raid in the Tehatta area on Saturday night and apprehended 60-year-old Mohammed Hashem Mallik, also known as Hashem Ali Mallik, who was wanted in several cases in Bangladesh, an officer said.

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Based on a complaint lodged by Sub-Inspector Mohammed Abdun Noor Chowdhury of the West Bengal Special Task Force, an investigation was started, he said.

Hashem was allegedly involved in heinous crimes in Bangladesh. He created a fake Indian identity and had been hiding in Baliura Purba Para in Tehatta. We had information about him. With the help of local police, we conducted a raid and arrested him on Saturday evening," the officer said.

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The accused was apprehended after he failed to produce valid identity documents to prove himself as an Indian, the police said.

During preliminary interrogation, the Bangladeshi criminal admitted that he had crossed the border to escape legal proceedings in Bangladesh for the crimes he committed there," the officer said, adding that he also confessed to having forged Indian identity documents. PTI SCH BDC

First Published: August 03, 2025, 20:45 IST

News agency-feeds Bangladeshi criminal hiding under guise of sadhu in Bengal held

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Body of Puri girl brought to Odisha from Delhi

Last Updated: August 04, 2025, 00:15 IST

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (PTI) The body of the 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly set on fire by three miscreants in Odishas Puri district a fortnight ago and succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS-Delhi, was brought to the state on Sunday night, police said.

The minors body reached the Biju Patnaik International Airport here before being taken to her native place at Balanga in Puri district, amid tight security arrangements, a senior officer said.

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Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, who were present at the airport here, consoled the girls father and paid floral tribute to her.

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The body of the girl was taken from the national capital by a service flight after the post-mortem examination at the AIIMS, Delhi was conducted earlier in the day.

The girl succumbed to her burn injuries on Saturday. PTI AAM BDC

First Published: August 04, 2025, 00:15 IST

News agency-feeds Body of Puri girl brought to Odisha from Delhi

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Congress workers to travel to Delhi in special train for BC quota dharna

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 20:00 IST

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Hyderabad, Aug 3 (PTI) Ruling Congress workers from Telangana will leave in a special train from here on August 4 to participate in a protest in New Delhi, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on August 6, demanding Presidential assent for the Backward Classes reservation bills passed by the state legislature.

The special train will depart from Charlapalli railway station at 9 am on Monday, party sources said.

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Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and AICC in-charge of state affairs Meenakshi Natarajan are expected to travel up to Nagpur in the same train, the sources added.

As part of the agitation, the Congress has planned a series of protests from August 5 to 7.

On August 5, party MPs will move an adjournment motion in Parliament to demand a debate on the BC quota bills.

On August 6, the chief minister, along with his Cabinet colleagues and other Congress leaders, will stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar.

Revanth Reddy and other senior leaders will seek an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu on August 7 to submit a memorandum regarding the pending bills.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will also seek an audience with the President, state minister Ponnam Prabhakar said earlier.

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The Telangana Legislative Assembly had passed two bills in March to enhance BC reservation to 42 per cent in education, employment, and local bodies.

The bills were forwarded to the Governor and are currently awaiting Presidential assent. PTI SJR SSK

First Published: August 03, 2025, 20:00 IST

News agency-feeds Congress workers to travel to Delhi in special train for BC quota dharna

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Delhi Police arrests man wanted in armed robbery

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 14:45 IST

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New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) A 24-year-old man wanted in an armed robbery case was arrested after remaining on the run for over five months, an official on Sunday said.

The accused, identified as Arbaaz, a resident of northeast Delhis New Seelampur, was wanted in a robbery case registered at Kotwali Police Station in February this year, he said.

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He had been absconding since the incident. The robbery took place on the night of February 22 near Shantivan red light when the complainant, Raju, a resident of New Usmanpur, was returning home in an autorickshaw from Kamla Market," said a senior police officer.

Around 9.30 pm, the driver stopped the vehicle citing a natural call. The two other occupants in the auto then threatened Raju with blades, looted his mobile phone, Rs 10,000 in cash and other belongings," he added.

Two of the accused, identified as Aman and Rahim, were arrested shortly after the incident, while Arbaaz managed to escape and had been evading arrest ever since, police said.

To nab the absconding accused, a police team was formed and Arbaazs movements and possible hideout were checked, they said.

The police team conducted a raid near Zero Pusta Road in Seelampur following surveillance and apprehended Arbaaz, police said.

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He confessed to his involvement in the robbery during interrogation and revealed that he had been frequently changing locations to avoid arrest, they said.

Further investigation is underway in this case, police said. PTI BM AS AS

First Published: August 03, 2025, 14:45 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi Police arrests man wanted in armed robbery

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IHCL puts spotlight on North East for development of new properties

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 10:45 IST

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New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Tata Group hospitality firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is putting the spotlight on the North East for new properties in line with Indias ambition of developing the region, according to its Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal.

The company has a portfolio of 15 hotels with 1,348 rooms in the North East, and six hotels with 634 rooms in the pipeline.

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Developing properties in the East and North East has been a part of a strategic initiative, Chhatwal told PTI.

Like 50 years ago it was Goa, 30 years ago it was Kerala. More recently, you heard about Lakshadweep. Now it is the North East  which is also in line with Indias ambition of developing the North East  our contribution as a Tata Group company," he noted.

Elaborating on some of the new projects that the company is undertaking in the North East, he said,"IHCL has committed to projects like Jagiroad in Assam, opposite the Tata Electronics factory that is coming up." Moreover, he said,"There are also the conversion of two properties  one is the existing Vivanta in Guwahati which will be upgraded to Taj. We will see an extension of that asset with a number of rooms, banquet halls, etc. We will also be building another hotel in Kaziranga (in Assam)." Chhatwal also reiterated that IHCL has signed its first Taj Palace property in the North East with the Taj Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala, Tripura.

The property was signed in May this year in a public-private partnership with the Tripura government. Under the partnership, the Pushpabanta Palace built in 1917 as a holiday home for the king and his guests will be developed to have 100 rooms to be housed in a newly built structure.

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The refurbishment and expansion are expected to be completed in the next three years, IHCL had earlier said.

Last month, IHCL and the Ambuja Neotia Group had announced an agreement for 15 new hotels mostly in the East and North East India. PTI RKL ANU ANU

First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:45 IST

News agency-feeds IHCL puts spotlight on North East for development of new properties

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Railway personnel killed in IED blast in Odisha-Jharkhand border

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 14:45 IST

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (PTI) A railway personnel was killed in an IED blast on a railway track near Odisha-Jharkhand border in Sundergarh district on Sunday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Itua Oram, working as a key man in the Indian railways, the police said.

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Police suspected involvement of Maoists in the blast as Maoist posters were found near the blast site in Sundargarh district.

The blast took place on the railway tracks connecting Karampada and Renjda under the Bimlagarh section. The track got minor damage. However, movement of any passenger train was not affected as it is a loop line, said a spokesperson of the South Eastern Railway.

The Maoists had given a call to observe a martyrs week or Shahid Saptah from July 28 to August 3. The blast site is under Saranda forest range, a local police officer.

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After getting clearance from the local police, we will carry out the maintenance work," he said.

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the demise of the railway personnel in the blast and announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to his family. The financial assistance would be provided from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund (CMRF), the chief ministers office (CMO) said in a post on X. PTI BBM BBM RG

First Published: August 03, 2025, 14:45 IST

News agency-feeds Railway personnel killed in IED blast in Odisha-Jharkhand border

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Tailor who kidnapped, murdered 8-year-old held after 26 years in Delhi

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 16:15 IST

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New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) A man convicted of kidnapping and murdering an eight-year-old boy in 1993 has been arrested by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police after evading law for over 26 years, an official said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Raj Kishore (55) alias Bade Lalla, a resident of Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996 for the brutal murder of a businessmans son.

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He was later granted a six-week parole by the Delhi High Court in 1999 but he never returned to prison," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

The officer further mentioned that after several years of evasion and being declared a proclaimed offender in 2014, Kishore was finally apprehended from Ghaziabads Khoda Colony on August 2.

According to the police, the incident occurred on December 28, 1993, when Kishore and his associate abducted the son of a garment factory owner from Kalyanpuri.

The accused then demanded a ransom of Rs 30,000 from the childs father, promising the boys safe return. However, after receiving the money, the accused strangled the child and dumped his body in a drain in the Kalyanpuri area, the police said.

The case was registered at the Kalyanpuri Police Station. Following investigation and trial, Raj Kishore was convicted and sentenced to life by the Karkardooma Sessions Court in 1996," said the DCP.

Kishore was lodged in Tihar jail when he jumped parole in 1999, following which he kept changing his location to evade arrest. He stayed in Patna for four years, lived in Jaipur for nearly 13 years, and then shifted to Barnala in Punjab for another three years. During this time, he worked odd jobs and kept a low profile, occasionally visiting his native village in Kanpur Dehat, the police said.

It was only during the COVID-19 pandemic that he returned to Kanpur permanently and started a tailoring business under a new identity," the DCP added.

The officer further mentioned that a crime branch team was tasked to track down parole jumpers involved in heinous crimes. The team gathered information about Kishores presence in Kanpur. Several attempts were made to nab him in Kanpur, but local support helped him escape each time.

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After strategic planning, the police managed to lure him out of his hideout and arrested him in Ghaziabad," the officer added.

The arrest came after a two-month-long operation involving over 10 personnel, the police said, noting that Kishores associate in the 1993 crime had already completed his sentence. PTI BM BM MPL MPL

First Published: August 03, 2025, 16:15 IST

News agency-feeds Tailor who kidnapped, murdered 8-year-old held after 26 years in Delhi

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Will take up your demands with railway minister: LS Speaker to PROs

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi, Aug 3 (PTI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has assured public relations officers of the Indian Railways that he would take up their demands, including cadre upgradation, with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Birla, who attended the All India Railway Public Relations Seminar in Rajasthans Kota on Saturday, appreciated the significant" role of the cadre in disseminating information related to train services to the common people.

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Public Relations Officers have shared with me their demands regarding cadre upgradation among others, and I will convey them to the railway minister," Birla said.

He asserted that the Public Relations Department of the Railways is a bridge of trust" between the government and the people.

The seminar  organised by the Railway PRO cadre for the first time  deliberated upon the departments current operational practices, responsibilities, and structural challenges.

Senior Public Relations Officers, Public Relations Officers and Publicity Inspectors from across the country shared their insights, experiences, and practical suggestions regarding cadre-related concerns.

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This interactive session proved to be a milestone in defining the departments future path, enhancing its efficiency, and laying a strong foundation for cadre restructuring," the Bhartiya Railway Jansampark Karmi Kalyan Samiti, a representative body of the cadre, said in a statement.

It not only reflected the unity and collective spirit of the department but also served as a powerful platform to bring the concerns of the Public Relations Cadre to the attention of policymakers," according to the statement. PTI JP DV DV

First Published: August 03, 2025, 08:45 IST

News agency-feeds Will take up your demands with railway minister: LS Speaker to PROs

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NovaGold Resources Inc. (NYSE:NG) is one of the best stocks to buy amid gold rally. On July 21, the company announced the appointment of Ali Erfan to its Board of Directors, following the departure of long-serving director Diane Garrett.

NovaGold (NG) Appoints Industry Veteran Ali Erfan to Board

I am very pleased to welcome Ali Erfan to NOVAGOLDs Board, said Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, NOVAGOLDs Chairman. Mr. Erfan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a long-standing Vice-Chairman of The Electrum Group, investment adviser to Electrum Strategic Resources, which is the Companys largest shareholder and a global leader in precious metals mining, with multi-billion-dollar investments and operations in North America. I also wish to extend my deepest appreciation to Diane Garrett for her valued guidance and significant contributions to the Company over her seven years of committed service.

Erfans resume spans capital markets and energy sectors. He co-founded Leor Energy, sold to Encana for $2.6B, and held board roles at Gatos Silver, Gabriel Resources, and two privately held silver ventures. His previous roles include senior partner at 3i Group and investor in multiple tech firms with global IPO or M&A success. Erfan holds degrees from Oxford and London Business School, and is a Kauffman Fellow.

NovaGold Resources Inc. (NYSE:NG) is a gold exploration and development company. It owns a 50% interest in the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, USA, which is considered one of the worlds largest undeveloped gold deposits. Donlin Gold is designed to be a high-grade, open-pit operation with significant long-term production potential.

While we acknowledge the potential of NG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Top 10 Materials Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 10 Best Organic Food and Farming Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Aries Horoscope Today, August 3, 2025

Written By :

GaneshaGrace

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 06:10 IST

Aries Horoscope Today, August 3, 2025: Get your daily prediction from Chirag Daruwalla. Find out mesha rashifal, luck time, luck number and more on News18.com.

Aries Horoscope Today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for mesha rashi on August 3 2025. (AI generated image)

Aries Daily Horoscope Today, August 3 2025: Ganesha says you will need to focus on your financial fronts today. Today, you should pay attention to your financial investments and think carefully before making any big investments. Your financial condition will be average today, but you do not need to be disappointed by this. With your hard work and time, your financial condition will also improve.

Your interest in traditional subjects will increase, and you will engage more in auspicious works. Networking will benefit you, and you may get valuable gifts. Important offers will come to you, and your work will be better than expected. You will take an interest in collections and preservation, and your status and reputation will increase.

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You will remain focused, and your personality will be attractive. You will work with intelligence, and your morale will remain high. You will maintain sweetness in your behaviour, and your respect will increase. Your health will be better.

Aries Daily Horoscope Today, August 3 2025

1. Positive: The efforts you were making for a long time to achieve your goal, today there will be some hope in it. You will do some creative work to give a new look to your work. You will also have a lot of confidence.

2. Negative: Use time properly. Young people will have to pay attention to their careers. Carelessness and haste will give wrong results. Therefore, try to do your work thoughtfully.

3. Business: Time is good from the business point of view. Due to some personal reasons, the business work that had decreased till now will now improve. Also, pay attention to the advice of colleagues and employees. You can get a good solution.

4. Financial: It will be a satisfactory time for you in financial matters. There will also be chances for extra income. Today, you would like to try a new way of investing, maybe even do online trading of shares for a few days. Today is a good day to experiment, but be careful with the stock market today as it may wobble. Property is a much better option for you in terms of investment. Those doing business are likely to achieve some major success. This time will be progressive for financial matters. This period can be especially beneficial for businessmen.

5. Love: Marital relations will be good and harmonious. People thinking of a love marriage can get some news.

6. Health: Health will be fine. Do not worry. And keep your immunity strong.

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Lucky Colour: Black

Black Lucky Number: 15

(The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla).

About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Num... Read More Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Num... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 06:10 IST

News astrology Aries Horoscope Today, August 3, 2025

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Honda Elevate Elite Pack Launched, Check List Of Features And Other Details

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 15:35 IST

The Elite Pack Elevate comes with a wide list of offers such as 360-degree camera, 7-colour ambient lighting, and allows the customers to enjoy an extended 2-year warranty.

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Representational image. Honda Elevate. (Photo: Paras Yadav/News18.com)

In a move to attract more customers and boost sales numbers, Honda has launched The Great Honda Fest, offering a new accessory package called Elite Pack Elevate. This offer applies to both Elivate and Amaze, making both models better and feature-loaded than before.

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Features

According to the details, the Elite Pack Elevate comes with a wide list of offers. The list includes a 360-degree camera, premium class 7-colour ambient lighting, and allows the customers to enjoy an extended 2-year warranty. It comes into effect from the date of purchase.

Here How To Enjoy

Those who are interested can visit the companys authorised dealership and enjoy the latest offer. The same can also be opted for online, using Hondas official website. Currently, the Honda Elevate comes at the starting price of Rs 11.91 lakh (ex-showroom). It is considered one of the most practical yet hot-selling products from the companys lineup.

Elevate Apex Summer Edition

In order to capture a larger target audience, the company has launched Elevates Apex Summer Edition in May this year. The special edition has been treated with some trending features and elements, such as a 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, and a larger 9-inch touchscreen that supports all the wireless car connect technology.

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About the Author Shahrukh Shah Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. 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.

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 15:35 IST

News auto Honda Elevate Elite Pack Launched, Check List Of Features And Other Details

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As Trump Targets Indias Russian Oil Buys, OPEC+ Raises Output To Ease Markets

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 19:16 IST

The decision comes as global markets respond to rising political pressure from the US, particularly targeting Indias continued purchase of Russian oil

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais in Saint Petersburg. (AFP file photo)

Eight key OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, on Sunday announced a fresh oil production hike of 547,000 barrels per day, starting in September.

The decision comes as global markets respond to rising political pressure from the United States, particularly targeting Indias continued purchase of Russian oil.

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The increase, confirmed in a statement, is the latest move by the so-called Voluntary Eight" (V8)  Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman  who are working to reclaim market share in the face of resilient crude prices.

The eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 547,000 barrels per day in September 2025 from August 2025 required production level," their joint statement said.

The statement said the decision came in view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories."

This marks another shift in OPEC+ policy after years of enforcing strict output cuts to support prices. Since April, the V8 has steadily increased production, moving away from price control in favour of defending market share, especially as non-OPEC supplies  including discounted Russian crude  flow into key markets.

The timing of the announcement is significant, as US President Donald Trump has threatened new sanctions and tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil.

In recent remarks, he gave Russia ten days to end the war in Ukraine or face tougher penalties. India, the second-largest importer of Russian crude, has come under particular scrutiny.

Were gonna put on tariffs and stuff," Trump had said, hinting at a potential 100 percent surcharge on Russian oil buyers, including India, which has been importing around 1.6 million barrels per day this year.

Analysts suggest Trumps threats are adding uncertainty to global energy markets, which are already facing supply concerns due to geopolitical instability.

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While OPEC+ has signalled a willingness to increase output, experts say the group is unlikely to make further changes unless there are actual supply disruptions. OPEC+ will react only to real supply disruptions," said oil market analyst Giovanni Staunovo, not to price increases linked to risk premiums."

(With inputs from AFP)

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 : Saudi Arabia

First Published: August 03, 2025, 18:08 IST

News business As Trump Targets Indias Russian Oil Buys, OPEC+ Raises Output To Ease Markets

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Dividend Stocks: BHEL, MCX, Maruti, Varun Bev, Coal Ind, IOC, HAL To Trade Ex-Dividend In Aug

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 10:12 IST

Investors look forward to August as companies like Amara Raja Energy, Eicher Motors, HUL, HDFC Bank, Bata, Maruti Suzuki and many more trade ex-dividend.

Eicher, Varun Beverages, HAL, HDFC Bank, among several stocks to trade ex-date this month.

Dividend Stocks: Investors are looking ahead to August, as shares of several prominent companies will trade ex-dividend for special or interim dividends. This wave of corporate actions cuts across sectorsranging from FMCG to banking, automobiles to energy.

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A host of firms will trade ex-dividend on August 1, kicking off the month with momentum. Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd has declared a final dividend of Rs 5.20 per share, reflecting stable cash flows. Bata India Ltd follows with a final payout of Rs 9.00 per share. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), despite being a PSU, is offering Rs 0.50 per share.

City Union Bank Ltd will give a dividend of Rs 2.00, while the high-end automobile major Eicher Motors Ltd will distribute a whopping Rs 70.00 per share as final dividend. Marico Ltd and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd are rewarding shareholders with Rs 7.00 and Rs 135.00, respectivelyunderlining strong consumer product and auto sector growth.

Meanwhile, REC Ltd will issue an interim dividend of Rs 4.60 per share, and United Spirits Ltd has announced a final dividend of Rs 8.00. Varun Beverages Ltd will also distribute an interim dividend of Rs 0.50.

Britannia, Gail Lead on August 4

The action continues on August 4 with Britannia Industries Ltd declaring a hefty final dividend of Rs 75.00 per share. Public sector gas giant Gail (India) Ltd has declared a modest Rs 1.00 per share final dividend, maintaining its trend of rewarding long-term shareholders.

Paints and Fertilisers on August 5

Berger Paints India Ltd joins the dividend bandwagon on August 5 with Rs 3.80 per share. Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd is offering a final dividend of Rs. 5.00, signaling a stable outlook in the agri-input space.

Coal, Logistics, and Diagnostics: August 6

Coal India Ltd will go ex-dividend on August 6, announcing an interim dividend of Rs. 5.50 per share. Blue Dart Express Ltd will distribute a sizable Rs. 25.00 per share as final dividend, and Dr. Lal PathLabs Ltd will pay an interim dividend of Rs. 6.00 per share.

Bonus and Financials: August 8 Round-Up

Nestle India Ltd is rewarding shareholders with a 1:1 bonus issue on August 8. On the same day, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd will distribute Rs. 3.00 per share as final dividend. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) India Ltd is offering Rs. 30.00 per share, while Hindalco Industries Ltd is giving Rs. 5.00 per share. Ceat Ltd is also rewarding its shareholders with Rs. 30.00 per share as final dividend.

Mid-Month Dividends: August 1214

ICICI Bank Ltd will go ex-dividend on August 12, announcing a dividend of Rs. 11.00 per share. Grasim Industries Ltd matches with Rs. 10.00 per share. Godrej Consumer Products Ltd is also rewarding with an interim dividend, the value of which is not specified.

On August 13, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) will pay a final dividend of Rs. 10.00, and Page Industries Ltd will distribute an interim dividend. Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd is offering Rs. 10.50 per share on August 14, and NMDC Ltd has declared a final dividend of Rs. 1.00.

HDFC Bank, Apollo Hospitals, and HAL Take the Stage Later

Towards the end of the month, major corporate actions continue. HDFC Bank Ltd has announced a 1:1 bonus issue on August 26. On August 19, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd will go ex-dividend, giving Rs. 10.00 per share. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has declared a final dividend of Rs. 15.00 per share for August 21. Lastly, Federal Bank Ltd will offer Rs. 1.20 per share as final dividend on August 22.

Dividend Stocks In August

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Company Name Security Code Ex-Date Purpose Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd 500008 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 5.20 Bata India Ltd 500043 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 9.00 Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) 500103 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 0.50 City Union Bank Ltd 532210 1-Aug-25 Dividend  Rs. 2.00 Eicher Motors Ltd 505200 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 70.00 Marico Ltd 531642 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 7.00 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 532500 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 135.00 REC Ltd 532955 1-Aug-25 Interim Dividend  Rs. 4.60 United Spirits Ltd 532432 1-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 8.00 Varun Beverages Ltd 540180 1-Aug-25 Interim Dividend  Rs. 0.50 Britannia Industries Ltd 500825 4-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 75.00 Gail (India) Ltd 532155 4-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 1.00 Berger Paints India Ltd 509480 5-Aug-25 Dividend  Rs. 3.80 Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd 500085 5-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 5.00 Coal India Ltd 533278 6-Aug-25 Interim Dividend  Rs. 5.50 Blue Dart Express Ltd 526612 6-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 25.00 Dr. Lal PathLabs Ltd 539524 6-Aug-25 Interim Dividend  Rs. 6.00 Nestle India Ltd 500790 8-Aug-25 Bonus Issue 1:1 Indian Oil Corporation Ltd 530965 8-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 3.00 MCX India Ltd 534091 8-Aug-25 Dividend  Rs. 30.00 Hindalco Industries Ltd 500440 8-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 5.00 Ceat Ltd 500878 8-Aug-25 Final Dividend  Rs. 30.00 ICICI Bank Ltd 532174 ######## Dividend  Rs. 11.00 Grasim Industries Ltd 500300 ######## Dividend  Rs. 10.00 Godrej Consumer Products Ltd 532424 ######## Interim Dividend InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) 539448 ######## Final Dividend  Rs. 10.00 Page Industries Ltd 532827 ######## Interim Dividend Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd 500104 August 14 Final Dividend  Rs. 10.50 NMDC Ltd 526371 ######## Final Dividend  Rs. 1.00 HDFC Bank Ltd 500180 To Be Announced Bonus Issue 1:1 Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd 508869 ######## Final Dividend  Rs. 10.00 HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) 541154 August 01 Final Dividend  Rs. 15.00 Federal Bank Ltd 500469 ######## Final Dividend  Rs. 1.20

About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:11 IST

News business  markets Dividend Stocks: BHEL, MCX, Maruti, Varun Bev, Coal Ind, IOC, HAL To Trade Ex-Dividend In Aug

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PM KISAN 20th Instalment Money Not Received? Heres What To Do Now

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 11:17 IST

PM Kisan 20th installment: PM Narendra Modi released Rs 20,500 crore. Delays may occur due to incomplete e-KYC or land seeding. Check how to resolve them.

PM Kisan 20th installment has been released.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi 20th Installment: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released over Rs 20,500 crore under the PM Kisan 20th installment, at an event in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Under this, each eligible farmer has received Rs 2,000 directly in their bank account.

If youve applied for the scheme but havent yet received your instalment, theres no need to worry. Delays can happen for various reasons, and steps can be taken to resolve the issue and ensure you receive your benefits.

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PM KISAN Instalment Not Received? Heres What to Do

The Ministry of Agriculture had said earlier, Land seeding was made mandatory along with Aadhaar-based payment and e-KYC. The benefits of the farmers, who did not complete these mandatory criteria, were stopped. As and when these farmers complete their mandatory requirements, they receive the benefits of the scheme along with their due installments, if any."

As per the schemes official website, eKYC is MANDATORY for PMKISAN Registered Farmers."

You can complete e-KYC in three simple ways: OTP-based e-KYC, biometric e-KYC, facial authentication.

If you havent received the instalment, you can complain. But first, ensure your name appears in the beneficiary list.

PM KISAN Beneficiary Status Check

Quick Guide to Check Your PM KISAN Beneficiary Status Online:

Visit the PM KISAN Official Website: Open your web browser and go to https://pmkisan.gov.in.

Find the Beneficiary Status" Section: On the homepage, look for the Beneficiary Status" option.

Choose Your Search Method: You can check your status using your Aadhaar number, bank account number, or mobile number.

Enter Your Details: Input the relevant information and click on the Get Data" button.

Check Your Status: Your beneficiary status will be displayed, showing whether you are registered and have received your instalments.

How to Register a Complaint:

You can file a complaint through the PM KISAN Helpdesk. Eligible farmers can submit complaints from Monday to Friday. You can also send your grievance via email to the official support team.

Email ID: pmkisan-ict@gov.in. and pmkisan-funds@gov.in.

Call PM-Kisan Helpline No.: 011-24300606,155261

PM KISANs toll-free number is 1800-115-526.

An online query can also be raised using the direct link: https://pmkisan.gov.in/Grievance.aspx.

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On this link, the eligible farmer will have to enter their Aadhaar, bank account number, or mobile number before clicking on Get Details.

Under the PM-KISAN scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 2,000 every four months, totaling Rs 6,000 annually. The payments are made in three instalments: April to July, August to November, and December to March. The funds are directly transferred to the beneficiaries bank accounts.

About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 11:17 IST

News business PM KISAN 20th Instalment Money Not Received? Heres What To Do Now

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Maharashtras Mismanagement, Not Our Dams, To Blame For Flooding: Karnataka Minister MB Patil

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 20:35 IST

Karnataka's MB Patil said on Sunday that floods in Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts were a direct result of Maharashtra's actions

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis earlier urged the Centre to intervene, warning that raising the height of Karnataka's Almatti Dam could worsen floods in Maharashtra. (PTI File)

A political row has erupted between Karnataka and Maharashtra over flood management, with Karnataka Minister M.B. Patil hitting back at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Patil asserted that mismanagement and not the height of Karnatakas dams were the real cause of flooding in Maharashtras downstream districts.

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Patil, who formerly served as the Water Resources Minister, stated on Sunday that floods in Sangli, Satara, and Kolhapur districts were a direct result of Maharashtras own actions. He specifically cited the simultaneous release of water from the Koyna, Rajapur, and other dams, along with rampant encroachments.

Raising Almatti dam height to 524.256m is well within Karnatakas rightsupheld by the Supreme Court and the Water Disputes Tribunal.Theres no scientific basis to claim it would flood Sangli and Kolhapur districts. Maharashtras objections are politically motivated. Sangli pic.twitter.com/eRKsDCcn4q  M B Patil (@MBPatil) August 2, 2025

Maharashtras report confirmed findings?

Patils comments come days after Chief Minister Fadnavis urged the Centre to intervene, warning that raising the height of Karnatakas Almatti Dam could worsen floods in Maharashtra. However, Patil dismissed this concern and referred to a report from a 10-member expert committee that the Maharashtra government had constituted.

The committee, led by retired Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Nandakumar Vadnere, was formed in 2019 to recommend flood mitigation strategies after severe flooding in the Sangli region. Its report, submitted in May 2022, reportedly found that backwaters from the Almatti and Hipparagi dams did not cause the flooding. According to Patil, the report clarified that these backwaters stay within Karnatakas boundaries and do not submerge any land in Maharashtra.

Patil noted that the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal had already authorised Karnataka to raise the Almatti dams height to 524.56 meters from 519.60 meters. The Maharashtra government, which never objected to this decision so far, has now written to the central government with misplaced intentions," he alleged.

                      ,           .  CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) July 31, 2025

Simultaneous water release blamed

Patil further explained the Vadnere committees findings, stating that the floods were caused by the simultaneous release of massive volumes of waterrunning into hundreds of thousands of cusecsfrom the Koyna dam, Rajapur barrage, and other sources.

The report also pointed to a lack of precaution by the Maharashtra government when releasing water from these dams, a concern that was formally communicated to the then-Chief Minister in August 2019.

The minister also recalled that a writ petition was previously filed in the Supreme Court by a Maharashtra resident seeking joint flood management guidelines. Karnataka responded to the petition, but it was later withdrawn.

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There is no fresh controversy over the height of the Almatti dam. The issue has already been resolved by the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal," Patil asserted. If Maharashtra truly intends to resolve flood-related issues, it should do so through the Inter-State Flood Coordination Committee. Instead, the state has chosen to politicize the matter."

Patil concluded by accusing the Maharashtra government of indulging in negative politics" to stall Karnatakas developmental projects, claiming this was the real motive" behind Fadnaviss letter to the Union Water Resources Minister.

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 19:53 IST

News bengaluru-news Maharashtras Mismanagement, Not Our Dams, To Blame For Flooding: Karnataka Minister MB Patil

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Woman Kills Husband With Lover, Dumps Body In Drain; Cops Crack Case After A Year

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 09:56 IST

During the investigation, officials tracked a mobile number registered to Pritam, which had recently become active after nearly a year.

The police arrested the woman and her lover (Credits: ANI)

Delhi Police has arrested a woman and her boyfriend for allegedly plotting and executing the murder of her husband and dumping his body in a drain in Haryanas Sonipat, an official said on Saturday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Soniya (34), a resident of Alipur in Delhi, and her 28-year-old boyfriend Rohit, who hails from Sonipat, the official said, adding that another accused in the case, Vijay, is on the run.

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The murder was committed over the affair, as well as the victims abusive and criminal behaviour, he added.

Speaking about the case, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Harsh Indora said that there were more than 10 cases registered against the victim, Pritam Prakash, 42. He had also been declared a proclaimed offender by the court.

He had more than 10 cases registered against him, including those under the Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and under various sections of the Indian Penal Code," said the police.

On July 5, 2024, Pritam went to Soniyas sisters home in Gannaur, Sonipat, to pick her up but left following an argument. That same day, Soniya allegedly offered Rs 50,000 to her sisters brother-in-law, Vijay, to kill her husband. Later, when Pritam returned and pleaded with her, she allowed him to stay at the house.

However, on the same night when she slept on the terrace, Vijay killed Pritam and dumped his body in a drain near Agwanpur. He also sent a video of his body to her via social media.

15 days later on July 20, Sonia filed a missing person complaint with Alipur Police, claiming that her husband had gone out and never returned.

The police suspected a foul play when they didnt find any financial or digital footprints of the victim for several weeks.

During the investigation, officials tracked a mobile number registered to Pritam, which had recently become active after nearly a year. Surveillance efforts traced the phones usage to Sonipat, eventually pointing to Rohit. When questioned, Rohit initially tried to mislead the investigators but later confessed to the crime, according to the police.

He also said that he was in a relationship with Sonia and the dup conspired and killed Pritam. He admitted that Soniya allegedly paid Vijay to kill her husband.

A body was also found by Haryana Police around the same time, however, they were unable to identify it.

The case remained unsolved until the Delhi Police connected the dots nearly a year later.

According to police, Soniya later sold Pritams auto rickshaw for Rs 4.5 lakh and handed over his mobile phone to Rohit. DNA samples collected during the Haryana post-mortem will now be used to definitively identify the body.

Soniya was around 15 years old when she fell in love with Pritam and married him against their families wishes. The marriage was never officially reported to the police, but the families eventually accepted the couple. They had three children together, including a 16-year-old son and two daughters, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said.

According to the DCP, Rohit was previously involved in four criminal cases related to murder and arms possession.

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The police are currently searching for Vijay, the third accused.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 09:56 IST

News new-delhi-news Woman Kills Husband With Lover, Dumps Body In Drain; Cops Crack Case After A Year

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Gazas Hunger Pain: When The Body Starts To Eat Itself Due To Lack Of Food

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 13:58 IST

Gaza's hunger crisis explained: What happens when humans get no food? Why is starvation or malnutrition worse for kids? We basically eat our body for nutrition, says expert

Palestinian children collect food aid at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. (AP File)

In what may be termed as the huge cost of the Israel-Gaza war are the deaths from starvation and malnutrition-related conditions. Gazas 2.1 million residents have been subjected to relentless bombardment and mass displacement  many forced to flee multiple times, some even as many as 10 times since the conflict began.

This instability, coupled with blocked aid, has created conditions of extreme hunger.

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How children became the casualty of Hamas-Israel war

Hamas triggered the war when militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, but fewer than half are thought to be alive. Israels military offensive has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry is part of the Hamas government, but the U.N. and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.

Israel enforced a complete blockade on food and other supplies for 2 months beginning in March. It said its objective was to increase pressure on Hamas to release dozens of hostages it has held since its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Why is the aid not really helping Gazans?

Though the flow of aid resumed in May, it is drip fed and is a fraction of what aid organisations say is needed. Aid deliveries have often fallen far below the daily minimum needed to sustain the populationat times dipping to just 10-20 trucks a day, compared to the pre-war average of 500. The result is a humanitarian system that delivers just enough to avoid total collapse, but not enough to prevent widespread hunger, disease, and death.

How do Gazans get aid? Why many die even while getting food? Why is there malnutrition despite aid?

Most of the food supplies Israel has allowed into Gaza go to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American group backed by Israel. Aid seekers (on foot, by cart, or vehicle) travel up to a designated drop-off point, usually 1.5 km from the distribution site, where they must disembark and proceed on foot carrying supplies. From there, they walk to al Jouraa sandy pit where families wait, often for 1224 hours, to receive a drone or military go" signal to move toward the aid point. Once the signal arrives (supposedly indicating safe passage), they proceed roughly another 1 km through lines of Israeli military checkpoints, sniper positions, drones, and barriers to reach the guarded gate of the distribution center. Witnesses have reported fire near or into al Jouraeven before the signal is givenendangering crowds gathered for hours hoping for sustenance.

EXPLAINED: Walking Through The Kill Zone For Food: The 800+ Deaths At Gaza Aid Centres

After the signal, thousands of people who have waited for hours (often overnight) in al Joura or nearby dunes begin sprinting toward the distribution gate to ensure they get aid before the supplies run out, often causing stampede. To reach the gate, people must cross 5001,000 meters of exposed terrain. This area is often surveilled by Israeli drones, surrounded by sniper or observation posts and lined with Israeli army checkpoints or trenches. Despite the go signal," witnesses say that gunfire frequently breaks out, either to control the crowd or for unclear reasons. Many are killed or injured in the chaos  shot by live rounds, rubber bullets, or drone-fired projectiles; crushed in crowd surges or while trying to flee; trampled if they fall.

Israeli soldiers or GHF staff allow only a small number of people through the final gate. The rest are either turned back or forced to wait again until the next day.

Gazas aid-related deaths

According to the United Nations and humanitarian sources, at least 875 people have been killed while trying to access food, water, or medical assistance since late May. The vast majorityover 670 deathsoccurred near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution centers, primarily in Rafah and Khan Younis.

Gaza sees a rise in starvation, malnutrition-related deaths

The United Nations World Food Programme has reported that more than one-third of the population has gone for days at a time without food. At least a quarter of Gazas people are now experiencing what experts describe as famine-like conditions." The World Health Organisation has warned that the worst-case scenario of famine" is no longer a prediction  it has arrived.

Take a look at the numbers: By July 22, 2025, Gazas Health Ministry reported 101 deaths due to malnutrition and starvation since October 2023, including 80 children. As of July 30, 2025, Anadolu Agency reported 154 cumulative deaths from starvation89 were children. Reuters on August 1, 2025 confirmed the figure156 such deaths, including 90 children.

UNICEF statement on July 24, 2025 highlighted that child malnutrition deaths rose from 52 to 80 in just a few months. On August 2, 2025, reports from WHO indicated 21 deaths of children under five due to malnutrition in 2025 up to mid July.

Moreover, UNICEF estimates that 100,000 women and children are currently suffering from severe malnutrition, while other UN agencies warn that disease is spreading rapidly and health infrastructure has almost completely collapsed.

Case study 1: From dawn to dusk, a Gaza family focuses only on finding food

The AP reported one familys search for food from dawn to dusk. Every morning, Abeer and Fadi Sobh wake up in their tent in the Gaza Strip to the same question: How will they find food for themselves and their six young children? The couple has three options: Maybe a charity kitchen will be open, and they can get a pot of watery lentils. Or they can try jostling through crowds to get some flour from a passing aid truck. The last resort is begging. If all else fails, they simply dont eat. It happens more and more these days, as hunger saps their energy, strength and hope.

The predicament of the Sobhs, who live in a seaside refugee camp west of Gaza City after being displaced multiple times, is the same for families throughout the war-ravaged territory.

Aid worker in Gaza says she no longer recognises friends due to hunger

Spokesperson for the UN Agency OCHA which coordinates humanitarian aid in Gaza, Olga Cherevko, told CNNs Ben Hunte that she has no words when she sees her friends in Gaza as they are in such a desperate state.

Situation gone from bad to worse: Paediatric oncologist on starvation in Gaza

Dr. Zeena Salman, a pediatric oncologist and founder of the organization HEAL Palestine, told CNNs Wolf Blitzer whats happening in Gaza is the decimation of a healthcare system".

What happens when human body is deprived of food?

If youre not eating enough, we have evolved mechanisms for how to stay alive," Dr. Kevin Stephenson, a malnutrition expert at Washington University in St Louis, US, explained, while speaking to National Public Radio (NPR). We basically eat our own body for nutrition."

This self-consumption unfolds in five overlapping metabolic stages, as the body adapts to survive without external energy sources.

When the human body is deprived of food, it enters a progressive state of energy conservation and physical breakdown. Heres a timeline of what typically happens, stage by stage:

0-6 hours: Post-meal/ normal state

The body uses glucose from the last meal for energy. Glycogen (stored glucose in liver and muscles) is still available.

60-72 hours: Glycogen depletion and onset of ketosis

Glycogen stores run out in 2448 hours. The body begins breaking down fat stores into ketones (alternative fuel for brain and muscles). Blood sugar levels start to drop slightly. The person may feel intense hunger, irritability, fatigue, headaches, lightheadedness.

3-7 days: Muscle breakdown begins

The body begins breaking down muscle protein to get amino acids for energy and essential functions (especially to feed the brain and heart). Ketones become the primary fuel source. Muscle wasting, slowed heart rate, and lowered body temperature occur. Mental clarity may fluctuate: some report clarity, others confusion or disorientation. Immune system starts weakening.

7-21 days: Severe starvation

Fat stores become critically low, especially in lean individuals. Severe muscle loss including heart, diaphragm, and other organs. Major symptoms include extreme weakness, loss of coordination, drop in blood pressure and heart rate, difficulty breathing, swelling (edema) from protein deficiency (kwashiorkor-like symptoms). Organ failure risk increases. Cognitive decline: confusion, hallucinations, loss of consciousness.

21-70 days: Fatal starvation.

Death usually occurs from cardiac arrest, infection (due to immune collapse), organ failure, dehydration (if no fluids are consumed).

Estimated death time:

Without food, but with water: 4570 days

Without food and water: 3-10 days, depending on climate and health

Can you recover from starvation?

Yes, but refeeding must be gradual. Too rapid nutrition reintroduction can cause Refeeding Syndrome, a dangerous shift in fluids and electrolytes that can be fatal.

Specific starvation conditions in children like in Gaza

Children deteriorate much faster under starvation. Their bodies need a steady stream of nutrients for growth, but their energy reserves are small. UNICEF estimates that 12.2 million children worldwide faced severe malnutrition last year, with South Asia being the hardest-hit region. Gaza is now adding dramatically to those figures.

Children, especially under 5, are more vulnerable:

Marasmus: Severe calorie deficiency which leads to emaciation

Kwashiorkor: Protein deficiency leads to edema, skin/hair changes, liver enlargement

Symptoms include:

Sunken eyes, protruding ribs

Thin limbs but swollen belly

Apathy or constant crying

Skin peeling, hair discoloration

Psychological effects

Irritability, apathy, and depression

Impaired concentration and memory

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Hallucinations and emotional numbness in extreme stages

With Agency Inputs

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 12:46 IST

News explainers Gazas Hunger Pain: When The Body Starts To Eat Itself Due To Lack Of Food

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Johnny Depps Directorial Debut Modi Is A Biopic On Italian Artist: Who Was Amedeo Modigliani?

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 18:30 IST

Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian modern artist; a painter and sculptor known for his simplified and elongated forms

(Clockwise from left) The poster of the movie; Amedeo Modigliani; Johnny Depp. (Red Sea/modigliani.org/News18 File)

Hollywood actor Johnny Depps first directorial effort in 25 years  Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness  released in theatres across the world last month.

The film features Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio in the titular role of the bohemian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani alongside Al Pacino as an art collector, Maurice Gangnat.

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Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian modern artist; a painter and sculptor known for his simplified and elongated forms. Adapted from Dennis McIntyres play, it focuses on a 72-hour period in 1916 Paris when Modigliani awaits a patron whose purchase could change his life.

Who Was Amedeo Modigliani?

Born in Livorno, Italy on July 12, 1884, into a Jewish-heritage family that experienced financial decline in his youth.

Studied in Florence and Venice, rejecting traditional academic styles early on and turning to independent study, especially of Renaissance and African art.

Moved to Paris in 1906, integrating into the avant-garde community of Montmartre and forging connections with Picasso, Renoir, Brancusi, and others.

Artistic Style

Known for modernist portraits and nudes featuring elongated faces, necks, and limbs, with a minimalist yet expressive style that was initially under appreciated.

Transitioned from sculpture to painting: his early sculptural work featured simplified forms inspired by African and classical art, showcased in group exhibitions by 1912.

Personal Struggles & Legacy

Lived in poverty, battling tuberculosis, alcoholism, and substance dependence, and mostly died destitute in 1920 at age 35.

Despite only one solo exhibition during his lifetime, his works now fetch record pricesNu Couche (Reclining Nude)" sold for over $170 million in 2015.

How was the film received?

The film was showcased the San Sebastian International Film Festival (out of competition) on September 24, 2024 . It was premiered in Italy on October 26, 2024 at the Rome Film Festival. It was released in the UK on July 11, 2025

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It has earned $492,740 to $493k worldwide.

Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 29 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating generally unfavorable" reviews.

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 18:30 IST

News explainers Johnny Depps Directorial Debut Modi Is A Biopic On Italian Artist: Who Was Amedeo Modigliani?

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What Is The Doomsday Clock And Why Midnight Is Considered The Point Of No Return

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:00 IST

Every year, it reminds us how close we are to catastrophe. From nuclear war to climate change, heres why the Doomsday Clock now stands at just 89 seconds to midnight

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The Doomsday Clock is a metaphorical timepiece symbolising humanitys proximity to global catastrophe, such as nuclear war or climate collapse. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

In the University of Chicagos Keller Centre, a simple clock sits frozen at 89 seconds to midnight. There is no ticking sound. No countdown timer. And yet, each January, this symbolic clock captures global attention, from newsrooms and nuclear war rooms to climate science labs and policy circles.

This is the Doomsday Clock, not a scientific instrument, but a warning sign, crafted by atomic scientists and artists in the aftermath of World War II. It marks not the passage of time, but how little time humanity may have left before it self-destructs.

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Updated just once a year, the clocks minute hand has become a powerful barometer of global crisis. And in January 2025, it moved again. Just 89 seconds to midnight. The closest weve ever been to metaphorical annihilation.

So what exactly is the Doomsday Clock? Who decides where its hands go? And what will happen if the clock strikes midnight?

What Is The Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock is a metaphorical timepiece symbolising humanitys proximity to global catastrophe, such as nuclear war or climate collapse. Created in 1947 by scientists from the Manhattan Project, the clock is updated each year by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to warn the public of growing existential threats, both man-made and preventable.

The time" on the clock reflects a judgement, not a prediction: the closer to midnight, the greater the danger. This year, the Bulletin moved the hands to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest humanity has ever been to symbolic self-destruction.

Where Did The Clock Come From?

The Doomsday Clock was originally conceived by Martyl Langsdorf, an abstract landscape artist married to Manhattan Project physicist Alexander Langsdorf Jr. In 1947, she was asked to design a cover for the Bulletins first issue as a magazine. Moved by the urgency she sensed from scientists debating nuclear risk, she sketched a minimalist clock with hands set at seven minutes to midnight, purely for visual impact.

Behind the symbolism lay deep regret. Many Manhattan Project scientists, including Leo Szilard and James Franck, had warned against using the atomic bomb on civilians. After the Hiroshima bombing, Szilard called it one of the greatest blunders in history." Within weeks, these scientists created the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by nuclear weapons.

How Is The Doomsday Clock Set?

Initially, the Bulletins founding editor Eugene Rabinowitch, a scientist and arms control advocate, alone decided the clocks time. After his death in 1973, the responsibility passed to the Science and Security Boarda group of 18 experts in nuclear policy, climate science, international security, and emerging technologies.

Today, the board meets twice a year, consulting widely with global experts and Nobel laureates. In addition to scientific data, they consider:

Global nuclear weapons developments

Levels of greenhouse gas emissions

Risks posed by biological threats and AI

The pace of international cooperation

They do not forecast the future but make evidence-based assessments of current threats and societal responses.

Why Was It Moved To 89 Seconds This Year?

On January 28, 2025, the Bulletin reset the clock to 89 seconds to midnight, its closest-ever position, citing:

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and nuclear posturing

Growing nuclear stockpiles and military tensions

Persistent climate inaction, with tipping points approaching

Unregulated artificial intelligence, especially in military use

Global instability worsened by infectious disease risks

The world has not made sufficient progress on existential risks threatening all of humanity," said Daniel Holz, chair of the Science and Security Board. When you are at this precipice, the one thing you dont want to do is take a step forward."

A Brief History: How Often Has The Clock Moved?

Since 1947, the Doomsday Clock has been adjusted 26 times. Some of the most notable moments include:

1949: After the Soviet Unions first nuclear test, the clock was moved from 7 to 3 minutes to midnight.

1991: At the end of the Cold War, after the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), it moved to 17 minutes to midnight, the farthest ever.

2007: For the first time, climate change was formally included in hand-setting discussions.

2018: Citing nuclear uncertainty and international breakdowns, it was reset to 2 minutes.

20202025: A steady worsening of global trends brought the time from 100 seconds to 89 seconds, year by year.

Notably, the clock was not moved during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, as too little was known publicly about the standoff at the time.

What Happens If the Clock Strikes Midnight?

Midnight represents global catastrophenot a literal event, but a metaphor for nuclear war, irreversible climate collapse, or technological meltdown. It is intended to shock, not predict.

Originally tied to atomic warfare, the metaphor has since expanded. As Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, explained in an interview with the University of Chicagos Big Brains podcast: There are tipping points in climate that you cant come back from the clock is a warning that we may not feel the consequences until its too late."

Why Do Some People Dismiss It?

While the Doomsday Clock garners international headlines, critics question its scientific basis. Some argue that the clock is too symbolic and subjective, lacking scientific rigour or a clearly defined methodology. They point out that it does not quantify risk in measurable terms and has no predictive accuracy.

Others see it as Western-centric, shaped largely by American and European perspectives on global threats. Theres also criticism that the clocks once-a-year adjustment feels out of sync with rapidly evolving global crises, and that its dramatic framing may provoke alarm rather than action.

How The Doomsday Clock Entered Pop Culture

Over the decades, the Clock has become more than a scientific symbol; it has become a pop culture icon.

In the acclaimed Watchmen comics and their film and TV adaptations, the ticking clock becomes a literal countdown to nuclear war, mirroring Cold War anxieties. British heavy metal band Iron Maidens 1984 hit 2 Minutes to Midnight" directly references the Clock, critiquing the arms race and political brinkmanship. Even in the X-Men universe, especially in stories like Days of Future Past, time is a recurring symbol of extinction-level threats, echoing the same existential urgency.

Its visual simplicity makes it an enduring metaphor across art, cinema, literature, and political commentary.

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Why The Clock Still Matters

In an age of disinformation and short attention spans, the Doomsday Clock endures because it translates complex global threats into a simple, universal image. When the Bulletin moves the hands, the world takes notice, not because the clock is infallible, but because the danger is real.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 08:00 IST

News explainers What Is The Doomsday Clock And Why Midnight Is Considered The Point Of No Return

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A poor U.S. jobs report led to a broader sell-off on Friday, with leading stock indices falling from record highs.

Friday, August 1st, 2025

Buoyed by Trumps Russia threats and news of Indian state refiners curbing purchases of Russian crude, crude oil futures have been trending above $70 per barrel throughout the week, settling on Friday slightly below the $71 mark. Towards the end of the week, sentiment has been sapped by expectations of yet another OPEC+ production hike, potentially even as high as 548,000 b/d, as the eight output-cutting countries aim to get rid of voluntary quota commitments.

US Slaps New Sanctions on Chinese Ports. The US State Department stated it would impose sanctions on 20 entities it suspects of trading Iranian oil and petrochemical products, including the Chinese oil terminal Zhoushan Jinrun, the fourth port facility in China to be directly targeted by the US.

Indian State-Owned Refiners Stop Russian Imports. Indias state-controlled refiners have stopped buying Russian oil as discounts narrowed to just -$1 per barrel to Dubai, further disincentivized by Donald Trumps announced 25% tariff on India if the country continues its purchases of Russian crude.

Saudi Budget Deficits Shrinks on Higher Oil. Buoyed by higher crude oil production on the heels of OPEC+ unwinding, Saudi Arabias budget deficit shrank to $9.2 billion in Q2 2025, a 40% decline compared to the previous quarter, putting the kingdoms public debt at 370 billion.

Trump Endorses Chevrons Venezuela Return. Confirming rumours from a week ago, the Trump administration has reportedly granted a sanctions waiver to US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX), allowing it to resume operations in Venezuela on the condition that no money reaches the Venezuelan state.

Chinas Polysilicon Industry Launches Its Own Revamp. Top Chinese producers of polysilicon, a key component of solar panels, are reportedly negotiating a $7 billion plan to purchase and shut down a third of the countrys production capacity, equivalent to 1 million tonnes per year, eyeing an industry revamp.

LNG Canada Runs into Problems. Shells (LON:SHEL) $40 billion LNG Canada is undergoing technical issues that halved its liquefaction capacity, with problems reported at the Kitimat plants gas turbine and refrigerant production unit, prompting at least one LNG tanker to divert away from the facility.

Egypts Favourite Oil Majors Expand Their Presence. Seeking to kick-start rapidly depleting offshore gas fields, Egypts state oil company EGPC signed a joint exploration deal with European oil majors ENI (BIT:ENI) and BP (NYSE:BP) to appraise the El Temsah block to the east of Chevrons Nargis discovery.
Air India Cancels Flight AI349 From Singapore To Chennai Due To 'Maintenance Task'

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 23:39 IST

Air India's flight AI349, which was scheduled to operate from Singapore to Chennai on Sunday, was cancelled due to a "maintenance task."

Air India flight (Representative image)

Air India cancelled its flight AI349, which was scheduled to operate from Singapore to Chennai on Sunday, due to a maintenance issue that was discovered before departure, requiring more time to fix, according to an airline statement.

Making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience" caused to the passengers due to this unforeseen disruption, it said.

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Flight AI349, scheduled to operate from Singapore to Chennai on 3 August, has been cancelled due to a maintenance task identified before departure, which required additional time for rectification. Our ground colleagues in Singapore are making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to the passengers due to this unforeseen disruption," the Air India Spokesperson said in a statement on X.

The arrangements were made to fly the passengers to Chennai at the earliest, it said.

Hotel accommodation is being provided, and full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are also being offered to passengers based on their preference. At Air India, the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain top priority," the statement later added.

Air India advised passengers to check the airlines official website and contact customer care for updates.

Earlier today, passengers scheduled to fly from Bhubaneswar to Delhi on Air Indias flight AI500 faced unexpected disruptions as the airline cancelled the service due to a technical issue.

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The airline cited abnormal cabin temperatures on the ground as the reason behind the cancellation.

Flight AI500, scheduled to operate from Bhubaneswar to Delhi on 3 August, has been cancelled due to a technical issue causing high cabin temperature on the ground before the departure. Our airport team in Bhubaneswar is assisting the impacted passengers with alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination, Delhi. We regret the inconvenience caused," an Air India Spokesperson said in an official statement.

First Published: August 03, 2025, 23:39 IST

News india Air India Cancels Flight AI349 From Singapore To Chennai Due To 'Maintenance Task'

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Class 6 Boy Sexually Assaulted By Seniors At Assam School For Three Months, 7 Held

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 14:54 IST

The child initially remained silent due to fear but later wrote a detailed account to guardians his parents, who then approached the school authorities

The survivor's medical examination has been conducted.

In a shocker for Assam, sexual assault of a Class 6 boy in a central government-run school in Kamrup district for three months has come to light. Seven Class 11 students have been detained.

The accused and the survivor are minors and are students of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Rangia in Kamrup, NDTV reported.

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According to the complaint filed by school principal, the Class 6 boy and the accused stayed at the boys hostel. The child initially remained silent due to fear but later wrote a detailed account to guardians his parents, who then approached the school authorities.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at Rangia police station, reported NDTV.

A juvenile court has sent the boys to a correctional home for 14 days. The survivors medical examination has been conducted. Police are recording statements of the accused and school authorities.

Police have said they are also looking at the role of school authorities and whether safeguards to prevent such activities on campus are in place. Footage of CCTV cameras on the school and hostel premises is being scanned for clues, police sources have said.

Incidents of harassment at JNVs in Assam Rangia

At JNV Moran in 2022: A group of 3040 Class XI students from JNV Moran attacked a five-month pregnant teacher, verbally abused and threatened her when she informed their parents about student misconduct. A total of 22 students were suspended, the Navodaya Assistant Commissioner visited to investigate, and parents demanded stronger action against perpetrators. Separately, multiple reports emerged of ragging and abuse of junior students in the hostel, with allegations of beatings with belts and bamboo sticks. Parents complained of cover-ups by the administration.

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At JNV Rangia in 2016: A Class IX student allegedly attempted suicide by consuming phenyl due to harassment by senior hostel students. The students mother filed a police complaint against the school authorities, alleging prior inaction despite informing the principal. The Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan initiated an inquiry, and the school principal was issued a show cause notice.

A 2013 government report had acknowledged growing sexual abuse in JNVs, following a high-profile case of rape in Tripura that resulted in pregnancy. In response, the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti issued a 14-page guideline to all schools clearly defining the forms of abuse, emphasizing zero tolerance, and outlining consequences under POCSO provisions.

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: August 03, 2025, 14:54 IST

News india Class 6 Boy Sexually Assaulted By Seniors At Assam School For Three Months, 7 Held

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'False Figures Being Floated': ECI Refutes Chidambaram's 'Absurd' Migrant Voters Claim

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 20:12 IST

The ECI hit back at Chidambaram, who criticised the poll body over the ongoing SIR exercise in Bihar, and suggested that migrant workers were registered as voters in Tamil Nadu.

Congress leader P Chidambaram (Image: PTI)

The Election Commission of India hit back at senior Congress leader P Chidambarams allegations on the inclusion of migrant voters" in Tamil Nadu, saying that the figures were false and misleading.

The poll bodys response came after Chidambaram lashed out at the ECI over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, questioning how it concluded that several lakh voters in Bihar have permanently migrated", resulting in deletion" of their names from the voters list.

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He also suggested that migrant workers were being registered as voters in Tamil Nadu. While 65 lakh voters are in danger of being disenfranchised in Bihar, reports of adding" 6.5 lakh persons as voters in Tamil Nadu are alarming and patently illegal. Calling them permanently migrated" is an insult to the migrant workers and a gross interference in the right of the electorate of Tamil Nadu to elect a government of its choice," he said on X.

The SIR exercise is getting curiouser and curiouserWhile 65 lakh voters are in danger of being disenfranchised in Bihar, reports of adding" 6.5 lakh persons as voters in Tamil Nadu is alarming and patently illegal Calling them permanently migrated" is an insult to the  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 3, 2025

A person to be enrolled as a voter must have a fixed and permanent legal home. The migrant worker has such a home in Bihar (or another state). How can he/she be enrolled as a voter in Tamil Nadu?" Chidambaram said.

Absurd, Misleading

In a fact-check post on X, the Election Commission said such statements are misleading and baseless. There is no need for political leaders to spread false information with respect to the SIR exercise being conducted by ECI at the national level," it said.

It has come to the notice of the ECI that such information is being deliberately peddled in the media with a view to obstructing the exercise. As far as voters who have permanently shifted from Bihar to other states and are ordinarily resident in those states, the exact figures can be known only after the SIR has been conducted."

The poll body said some false figures are being floated" about the enrollment of 6.5 lakh voters in Tamil Nadu. SIR has not yet been rolled out in Tamil Nadu. It is therefore absurd to connect the SIR exercise in Bihar with TN. Such peddling of false statements with respect to SIR should be avoided," it added.

 The statements made are Misleading and Baseless#ECIFactCheckRead in detail in the image attached  https://t.co/gRVakP610s pic.twitter.com/gKU9a1gB0t  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) August 3, 2025

The ECI also said a person originally belonging to Tamil Nadu, but ordinarily residing in Delhi, is entitled to be registered as an Elector in Delhi as per Section 19(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

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Amid the claims over the deletion of names from the voters list in Bihar, the ECI on Sunday said that not a single claim or objection has been filed by any political party since the publication of the draft electoral rolls on August 1.

The opposition has been protesting in both Houses of Parliament against the SIR, alleging the ECs exercise was aimed at disenfranchising voters" in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. They have been demanding a discussion on the issue in both Houses of Parliament.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 20:12 IST

News india 'False Figures Being Floated': ECI Refutes Chidambaram's 'Absurd' Migrant Voters Claim

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11 Killed, 4 Injured In Road Accident In UP's Gonda, PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 13:49 IST

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath directed that financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh be provided to the families of the deceased.

Image from the accident site (Credits: X)

At least 11 people were killed and four got injured after a Bolero lost control and overturned into a canal in Uttar Pradeshs Gonda. The victims were on their way to offer water at the Prithvi Nath Temple when the accident took place.

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The victims were travelling from Sihagaon in the Motiganj police station area to offer water at the Prithvi Nath Temple in Khargupur when their Bolero vehicle fell into the Saryu canal and drowned.

Passersby saw the Bolero vehicle plunging into the canal and promptly alerted the local police and village head. The Itiyathok police rushed to the scene and recovered the bodies of men, women, and children from the submerged vehicle.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: 11 people died after their vehicle fell into a canal under Itia Thok Police Station limits in Gonda. The vehicle had 15 passengers onboard and they were going to Prithvinath Temple to offer prayers. CM Yogi Adityanath has announced compensation of Rs 5 pic.twitter.com/qePfWaUbK6 ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2025

There were 15 people in the Bolero at the time of the incident, all residents of the Motiganj area in the district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief on the unfortunate incident and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the kin of the victims.

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Gonda, Uttar 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," read an official statement from PMO.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath directed that financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh be provided to the families of the deceased.

Sharing condolences, CM Yogi wrote on X in Hindi, The loss of life in the unfortunate accident in the district of Gonda is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the grief-stricken families."

Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of 05-05 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives in this accident, and to the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital for their proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls attain salvation, the bereaved families find the strength to bear this immense sorrow, and the injured recover swiftly," he added.

                              05-05                 Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 3, 2025

Speaking about the accident, Vineet Jaiswal said, Upon receiving information, local villagers and Police initiated a rescue operation. Four people, including the driver, were rescued alive. 11 bodies have been retrieved by the Police. The four people who are alive have been sent to CHC."

Panchayatnama and postmortem of the bodies will be done, for which it has been sent to District Hospital. The CMO has directed all official to reach the spot and carry out rescue and relief operations and provide proper medical treatment to the injured. A compensation has also been announced," he added.

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Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 12:11 IST

News india 11 Killed, 4 Injured In Road Accident In UP's Gonda, PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia

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India To Continue Russian Oil Imports Despite Trumps Tariff And Penalty Threats: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 07:18 IST

In addition to announcing a new 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports to the US, Trump said that India could face further penalties over its continued purchases of Russian oil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP file photo)

Indian companies will continue importing oil from Russia despite US President Donald Trumps move to impose higher tariffs and penalties on New Delhi, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing two government sources.

In addition to announcing a new 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports to the US, Trump said in a Truth Social post that India could face further penalties over its continued purchases of Russian oil and weaponry.

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However, the sources indicated that no immediate shift in policy is expected. These are long-term oil contracts," one of the sources explained. It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight."

Defending Indias continued oil imports from Russia, a second source noted that these purchases have played a role in preventing a global spike in oil prices, which have stayed relatively stable despite Western sanctions targeting Russias energy sector.

The source also pointed out that, unlike Iranian and Venezuelan crude, Russian oil is not directly sanctioned, and India is procuring it below the price cap set by the European Union.

On Saturday, sources informed news agency ANI that Indian oil refiners will maintain their imports from Russian suppliers, with procurement decisions driven by factors such as price, crude grade, logistics, and overall economic considerations.

Indian oil refiners continue to source oil from Russian suppliers. Their supply decisions are guided by price, grade of crude, inventories, logistics, and other economic factors."

Russian media reports have indicated that the Government of India has not issued any directive to domestic refineries to halt Russian oil imports or seek alternative suppliers.

Meanwhile, a Reuters report on Friday suggested that India, one of the worlds major energy importers, might halt purchases of discounted Russian oil.

Reacting to the development, Trump told reporters it would be a good step" if confirmed.

I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia," he said. Thats what I heard. I dont know if thats right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens."

However, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is guided by what is on offer in the international market while securing its energy needs.

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In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances," he said on Friday.

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 07:09 IST

News india India To Continue Russian Oil Imports Despite Trumps Tariff And Penalty Threats: Report

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Indian Army Stresses 'Highest Standards Of Discipline' After Officer Assaults SpiceJet Staff

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 20:45 IST

The Army's response came after a violent altercation where a senior Army officer assaulted SpiceJet employees over excess luggage, leaving them with grievous injuries.

Army officer on right, injured SpiceJet staff on left (Image: News18)

The Indian Army on Sunday said it was committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and took all allegations seriously, after an FIR was registered against a senior Army officer for allegedly assaulting four SpiceJet staff members at Srinagar airport last week.

The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on 26 July has come to the notice of the Indian Army. The Indian Army is committed to uphold the highest standards of discipline and conduct, and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case," the Indian Army said in a statement.

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A violent altercation erupted at Srinagar airport on July 26 when the senior Army officer allegedly assaulted multiple SpiceJet staff members after refusing to pay for excess cabin baggage, the airline has confirmed in an official statement.

The officer, identified as a Lieutenant Colonel currently posted at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, reportedly lashed out at airline personnel when they informed him of additional charges for baggage exceeding cabin limits.

The incident occurred during the boarding process for SpiceJet flight SG-386 to Delhi. SpiceJet filed a police complaint against the Army officer, accusing him of murderous assault".

ALSO READ: Unprovoked, Violent, Abusive: FIR Against Army Officer Says He Assaulted Multiple SpiceJet Staff

According to the FIR, the Army officers assault was unprovoked", violent", and abusive", and left SpiceJet employees with a spinal fracture and injuries to the jaw. SpiceJet confirmed that it has filed the FIR with the local police and has begun the process of placing the officer on Indias no-fly list.

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The FIR has been registered under sections 115(2), 126(2), 351(2) and 131 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, and assaulting or using criminal force.

The altercation, which was caught on video, has been widely shared across various social media platforms, sparking significant public outrage. The footage has prompted widespread condemnation, with many users demanding swift action and accountability from the authorities involved.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 20:45 IST

News india Indian Army Stresses 'Highest Standards Of Discipline' After Officer Assaults SpiceJet Staff

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Malegaon Blast Case: Here's What Retired ATS Officer Mehboob Mujawar Claimed | Court Order Details

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 05:06 IST

Mujawar, who was one of the investigating officers in the case, claimed that senior ATS officials had explicitly instructed him to detain and arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

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Mujawar said he refused to comply with this 'illegal order', as he found no substantial role or involvement of Mohan Bhagwat in the alleged crime. (Photo: X, PTI)

In the detailed order of the special NIA court of Mumbai in the 2008 Malegaon blast case seen by CNN-News18, the testimony of former ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar has brought to light serious allegations of coercion and internal pressure within the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) during the initial stages of the investigation.

According to the arguments presented by the counsel for accused number 10, ATS officer Mehboob Mujawar, who was one of the investigating officers in the case, claimed that senior ATS officials had explicitly instructed him to detain and arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Mujawar, however, said he refused to comply with this illegal order", as he found no substantial role or involvement of Mohan Bhagwat in the alleged crime. As a consequence of his defiance, Mujawar alleged that he was subsequently implicated in a false case by the ATS, which was filed before a magistrate in Solapur. In support of these arguments, the defence counsel submitted certified copies of the said application and Mujawars statement recorded under Section 313 of the CrPC in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Solapur.

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The courts order further delves into corroborating testimonies. During his cross-examination, prosecution witness PW-320, ACP Mohan Kulkarni, rejected the suggestion that Mehboob Mujawar had been dispatched to apprehend a senior functionary of the RSS. However, Kulkarni did admit that Mujawar was indeed sent to trace absconding accused AA-1 (Ramji Kalsangra) and AA-2 (Sandeep Dange). Kulkarni also denied a suggestion that Mujawar had publicly stated that the ATS had shot dead two persons, which might have been a reason for his exclusion from the charge sheets witness list.

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Further adding to the picture, the cross-examination of prosecution witness PW-321, Dy. SP Anil Dubey, confirmed his awareness that Mehboob Mujawar was indeed a member of the ATS team and that his statement had been recorded by Wankhede.

Considering the entirety of this evidence, the courts order explicitly noted that Mujawar was a member of the ATS team and had investigated the present case under the direction of his senior officers. It was also revealed that he had been questioned in connection with the deaths of Ramchandra Kalsangra (AA-1) and Sandeep Dange (AA-2) concerning his statements made before the media and news agencies. Significantly, the court pointed out that despite his involvement and the critical nature of his allegations, Mujawars name was neither included in the witness list nor was he produced as a witness by either the prosecution or the defence during the trial.

About the Author Yesha Kotak Yesha Kotak, Special Correspondent, CNN-News18, specialises in crime, court and investigative reporting. She describes herself as a print reporter in TV. With six years of experience in journalism, she has been... Read More Yesha Kotak, Special Correspondent, CNN-News18, specialises in crime, court and investigative reporting. She describes herself as a print reporter in TV. With six years of experience in journalism, she has been... Read More

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 05:06 IST

News india Malegaon Blast Case: Here's What Retired ATS Officer Mehboob Mujawar Claimed | Court Order Details

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Man Slapped On IndiGo Flight Goes Missing, Found Later At Assam Railway Station

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:52 IST

A missing complaint was filed, and police found he hadn't taken the flight to Silchar or left Kolkata airport.

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The man is a resident of Arunachal Pradesh

After a video showing a man slapping a fellow passenger aboard an IndiGo flight went viral, the passenger who was slapped went missing.

Identified as Hussan Ahmed Majumdar, a resident of Assams Cachar district, allegedly suffered a panic attack while aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 (Mumbai-Kolkata).

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He demanded to be allowed to deboard. As the cabin crew members were helping him deboard the flight, he was suddenly slapped by a fellow passenger.

The attacker, identified as Hafijul Rahaman, was detained by security personnel upon arrival in Kolkata and handed over to the police.

According to a report by NDTV, when his family, not aware of what has happened on the flight, reached the Silchar airport, they couldnt find him.

They saw the video of the incident that went viral, and tried contacting him.

His family tried to contact him after seeing the viral video, but his phone was switched off, said his father, Abdul Mannan Majumdar, according to a report by NDTV.

A missing complaint was filed, and police found he hadnt taken the flight to Silchar or left Kolkata airport. He was later located at Barpeta railway station in Assam, appearing unwell. Authorities are now escorting him home.

IndiGos Reaction

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Meanwhile, following the incident, IndiGo issued an official statement and said,"In line with our commitment to discourage such unruly behaviour onboard flights, the individual (assaulter) has been suspended from flying on any IndiGo flights, in accordance with regulatory provisions."

At IndiGo, the safety and well-being of our customers and crew remain our foremost priority," it added.

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 07:47 IST

News india Man Slapped On IndiGo Flight Goes Missing, Found Later At Assam Railway Station

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MNS Workers Vandalise Dance Bar In Panvel After Raj Thackerays Speech Against Such Practice

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 12:13 IST

According to police, more than a dozen individuals armed with sticks stormed the Night Riders bar, damaging furniture and smashing liquor bottles.

MNS workers vandalise dance bar in Panvel | Image: PTI

A group of men from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) vandalised a dance bar in Panvel late last night, hours after party chief Raj Thackeray delivered a charged speech against such establishments in the Raigad district.

According to police, more than a dozen individuals armed with sticks stormed the Night Riders bar, damaging furniture and smashing liquor bottles.

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Social media videos showed the bars interior in disarray, with broken tables and shattered glass strewn across the premises.

VIDEO | Maharashtra: MNS workers allegedly vandalised Night Rider Dance Bar in Panvel last night. More details awaited.(Source: Third party) (Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/BBCbSyEiPP  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 3, 2025

The incident occurred shortly after Thackeray addressed a Kisan Mazdoor Party gathering in Panvel, where he denounced the proliferation of dance bars in Raigad.

Raigad district has the most dance bars. They were closed, right? So many dance bars in Raigad, who owns them? Only Marathi people? So, if you are being evicted from here, then you are being trapped by making you habituated to dance bars. This is our Raigad. Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Thackeray said during his speech.

Following the remarks, MNS workers allegedly took to the streets and targeted the bar around midnight. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage and gathering eyewitness accounts.

MNS Defends Vandalism

MNS leader Sandip Deshpande defended the vandalism, calling it a symbolic protest."

This is a symbolic protest, the bars are illegal, thats why it had to be done immediately. The government should pay attention to this," he said.

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The MNS has faced criticism in the past for encouraging vigilantism and has previously been accused of attacking non-Marathi speakers and enforcing linguistic conformity.

Law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed any arrests, but said action will be taken based on evidence collected during the investigation.

First Published: August 03, 2025, 12:13 IST

News india MNS Workers Vandalise Dance Bar In Panvel After Raj Thackerays Speech Against Such Practice

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'Only Thing Dead Is...': BJP Shares Growth Stats As Rahul Gandhi Echoes Trump's 'Economy' Claim

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 13:17 IST

The IMF's World Economic Outlook for July ranked India second only to China among developing economies, projecting a growth rate of 6.7 per cent in 2025 and 6.4 per cent for 2026.

BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for backing Donald Trump's "Indian economy is dead" remark | Image: File

The BJP on Sunday offered a subtle rebuttal to US President Donald Trumps dead economy" remark by sharing Indias strong economic growth, supported by data from the US-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMFs World Economic Outlook ranked India second only to China among developing economies, projecting a robust growth rate of 6.7 per cent in 2025 and 6.4 per cent for 2026.

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Sharing the IMF data on X, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took a pointed jab at Donald Trump over his dead economy" remark on India and mocked Rahul Gandhi for endorsing the claim.

India continues to be the fastest-growing economy in the world, confirmed yet again by the IMFs World Economic Outlook update for July 2025," said Malviya.

The only thing dead is Rahul Gandhis self-respect and, if it exists, his brain," he added.

India continues to be the fastest growing economy in the world, confirmed yet again by the IMFs World Economic Outlook update for July 2025.The only thing dead is Rahul Gandhis self-respect and, if it exists, his brain. pic.twitter.com/js3Ll5aF1N  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 3, 2025

Trumps Claim, Rahul Gandhis Nod

US President Donald Trumps assertion that Indias economy is dead" and his move to impose a sweeping 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports have sparked a major political row.

Announcing the tariff hike on Indian goods and an unspecified penalty over Indias purchase of Russian crude and arms, Trump posted on Truth Social: I dont care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world."

Reacting to the claim, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday agreed with Trumps remarks that the Indian economy is dead" and said he is glad" that the US President stated a fact.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi remarked that everyone around the world acknowledges the Indian economy is dead"except for the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister.

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Yes, he is right. Everybody knows this except the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Everybody knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy. I am glad that President Trump has stated a fact. The entire world knows that the Indian economy is a dead economy," Gandhi said.

However, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor appeared to distance himself from Rahul Gandhis remarks, stating that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha may have had his own reasons" for making such a statement.

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 11:33 IST

News india 'Only Thing Dead Is...': BJP Shares Growth Stats As Rahul Gandhi Echoes Trump's 'Economy' Claim

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Public Keys is a weekly roundup from Decrypt that tracks the key publicly traded crypto companies.

This week: Strategy aims to go even bigger, Metaplanet get more ambitious with Bitcoin buying plans, and Coinbase highlights shifting altcoin drivers amid an earnings miss.

Strategy Double Up

Strategy wants its Bitcoin treasury to be the largest corporate treasury ever.

And yes, that means the company is looking to overtake Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway, which currently had a Scrooge McDuck-worthy $328 billion in cash and cash equivalents sitting in the bank as of Q1.

Well get a better idea of how much cash the Omaha Oracle is sitting on tomorrow, when his company publishes its Q2 results on the internet.

For Strategy to catch up, the company would need to see the value of its BTC holdings more than double. And if Bitcoin manages to hit the $225,000 target that Benchmark is forecasting for the end of 2026, paper gains could do the bulk of the work.

Strategy Stock Price Could Nearly Double as Bitcoin Treasury Aims to Dominate Market: Benchmark

Even if MSTR stopped buying Bitcoinit wont, I knowits current 628,791 BTC would be worth $141 billion if the asset sees those kinds of gains in the next year.

But we know Michael Saylor isnt done buying Bitcoin. In fact, he said during an interview with CNBC on Friday morning that the company is looking to own up to 7% of the total Bitcoin supply.

"I don't think we'll get all of [the Bitcoin]. I don't think in the range of 3-5% or 3-7% is too much," he said. "We wouldn't want to own all of itwe want everyone else to have their piece," he said.

To that end, the company said during its earnings call it plans to raise another $4.2 billion to buy Bitcoin this year with preferred stock offerings.

Metaplanets Bitcoin orbit

Metaplanet, a company about 5% the size of its Bitcoin treasury idol Strategy, is raising almost as much money to buy Bitcoin.

The company announced its $3.7 billion raise through a preferred stock offering on Friday. The perpetual preferred shares would pay up to 6% dividends, the company said.

Metaplanet is giving itself two years to complete the raise.

Keep in mind that the Japanese firm has previously said it wants to hold at least 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027. To do that, it will need to multiply its current holdings by twelvefold.

If Metaplanet were able to magically pull that off now, it would easily be second only to MSTR as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder.

Year-to-date, Metaplanets share price has climbed a staggering 207% and an even more impressive 313% in the past year. But today, news of its monster raise didnt have investors feeling particularly bullish.
Pahalgam Attacker's Symbolic Funeral In PoK Confirms Pakistan's Link To Attack: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:53 IST

The event further confirmed Islamabad's hand in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pahalgam terror attack | File Image

The symbolic funeral (Janaza-Ghaib) for Tahir Habib (Jibran), one of the Pahalgam terrorists killed in Operation Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir, was recently held in his native village of Khai Gala in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reported The Times of India.

The event further confirmed Islamabads hand in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Footage posted on Telegram shows villagers, including elderly locals, gathering for final prayers in memory of Habib, a former Pakistani soldier and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative.

Tahir, designated as a Category A terrorist, had been a key target for Indian security agencies due to his role in cross-border militancy. His death, along with two others in Srinagar last week in Operation Mahadev, marked a significant success for Indian forces.

However, the ceremony took an unexpected turn when local Lashkar commander Rizwan Hanif attempted to attend. According to eyewitnesses, the family rejected the presence of LeT operatives, but Hanif persisted, resulting in a tense exchange.

Lashkar operatives threatened mourners with a gun, sparking outrage among villagers. The residents of Khai Gala, who have long been wary of radicalisation, are now planning a public boycott to oppose terror recruitment," a source familiar with the incident said.

Another source added, A Lashkar commander facing public backlash and being forced to flee is a testament to the changing dynamics in the region."

The tensions surrounding Habibs funeral reflect not just local resentment against terror groups, but also the broader reach of Indias retaliatory operations like Operation Sindoor, aimed at dismantling cross-border terror networks in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre.

Under Operation Mahadev, Indian forces on July 28 neutralised three Pakistani terrorists in the Lidwas forest near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar.

According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the three were behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people.

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Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Shah identified one of the slain terrorists as Suleiman, the key planner of the attack.

The others were named Afghan and Jibran (Tahir Habib)  all senior operatives of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 08:53 IST

News india Pahalgam Attacker's Symbolic Funeral In PoK Confirms Pakistan's Link To Attack: Report

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'Power Of Justice Is Above All': Victim's Family On Prajwal Revanna's Rape Conviction

Reported By :

Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 10:20 IST

The survivor in this case had faced intense abuse and was even kidnapped to a farmhouse when panic set in within the Revanna family about Prajwals victims going public

A file photo of Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna (Photo: PTI)

There is a sense of relief in the houses of the survivors who were victims of Prajwal Revanna and his dastardly acts of rape on several women. When the special court trying the former MPs case pronounced a life term for Revanna, they felt that the courts and the SIT had done right by them.

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Former Janata Dal (Secular) MP from Hassan and grandson of former PM Deve Gowda, Prajwal Revanna, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Bengaluru for raping his house help.

It took a lot of courage to go to the police and file an FIR. They are a powerful political family. Taking them on itself made us shudder. But today we believe that the power of justice is above all," said a family member of the survivor who worked as a house help in the Revanna farmhouse and was subjected to rape and abuse over several years since 2021.

This is the first among the four cases that the SIT is investigating, and the special court has delivered its verdict, sentencing Prajwal Revanna to life imprisonment  considered one of the harshest punishments.

The survivor in this case had faced intense abuse and was even kidnapped to a farmhouse when panic set in within the Revanna family about Prajwals victims going public.

We thought the outcome could go either way. But the police had assured us that they would nail him  and they have done just that. Todays verdict has strengthened our faith in the judicial system and the investigation," said the survivors relative to News18.

The biggest fear among all survivors was that they were taking on one of the most powerful political families in Karnataka. They believed Prajwal used his political power and control to inflict abuse and silence the victims.

We are happy he has been punished with the harshest sentence possible. It was very important for us that the name of my relative be cleared  she had done no wrong. She pleaded to be let go, but they misused their power," said another relative, adding that the verdict has brought some solace through this traumatic ordeal.

The son of the survivor, who worked as a housemaid in the Hassan farmhouse, had earlier recounted how she had managed to escape after being held captive in Mysuru.

The survivor lived in constant fear. Her video was circulated among others in the car, making the crime even more serious. She was even kidnapped to prevent her from being questioned by the police.

She has not stopped crying. Shes terrified that people know about the videos. But we must say Weve received immense support and courage, and this verdict has emboldened us," said another relative.

According to the FIR filed by the survivors son  the case for which Prajwal was convicted  an aide of former minister and JD(S) MLA H D Revanna and his wife Bhavani allegedly kidnapped the survivor.

The son alleged that the aide warned his parents not to speak to the police. He threatened us that wed be booked in a case and told us to alert him if the police came," the son had told News18 earlier.

The FIR states that on April 29 , just days after the 2024 Lok Sabha polling around 9 pm, the aide returned and warned again that if his mother was caught by the police, a case would be filed and the whole family would be jailed. He claimed that H D Revanna had asked for his mother to be brought to him.

He forced my mother to accompany him on his bike," the son said in his FIR to the police based on which the case was built.

It was only hours later that he learned a video of his mother being raped by Prajwal Revanna was circulating.

They told me that despite my mother pleading to be spared, Prajwal raped her.,  the son told News18 earlier.

The son had also told News18, The SIT said they will stand with us. Theyve treated us well and told us not to hesitate or feel ashamed."

The verdict in this case has given hope to other survivors awaiting justice, said another relative of this survivor.

One of the first FIRs filed against the former MP was by a 44-year-old former ZP member and JD(S) worker on May 1, 2024. She accused Prajwal of raping her multiple times over three years and videotaping the alleged acts.

Unlike the case of the house help who was present at the Revanna household , this woman  a JD(S) functionary  had to meet the MP officially. She said she had to frequently interact with Prajwal and his father, H D Revanna, the MLA from Holenarasipura, to get clearances for development works.

In 2021, she had met Prajwal seeking hostel seats for women students at a Hassan college. After being made to wait several hours, she was asked to meet him in his antechamber. Thats when he allegedly used force, recorded her, and warned her not to tell anyone  threatening to use the video and his influence if she didnt obey. She claimed he also threatened her with expulsion from JD(S) if she refused.

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She was subjected to such torture. All we want is for this criminal to be punished. The verdict gives us hope that well get justice too. The SIT has repeatedly told us to trust their investigation  the truth will come out. We hope the court gives him the harshest sentence in our case too," said a relative of the second victim. Cross-examination in this case is now complete and the trial is nearing conclusion.

First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:09 IST

News india 'Power Of Justice Is Above All': Victim's Family On Prajwal Revanna's Rape Conviction

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Spinal Fracture, Broken Jaw: How Army Officer Assaulted SpiceJet Staff Over Excess Luggage

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 14:38 IST

Video footage circulating online shows the officer striking employees with a check-in information board as CISF personnel attempt to intervene.

Four SpiceJet ground staff assaulted by Army officer | Image: News18

Four SpiceJet ground staff suffered serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and a broken jaw, after an Army officer allegedly assaulted them during a confrontation over excess cabin baggage at Srinagar airport, the airline said.

The incident occurred when the officer, preparing to board a flight to Delhi, attempted to carry 16 kilograms of cabin luggagewell above the domestic limit of 7 kg. SpiceJet staff reportedly informed him that additional charges would apply.

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When politely informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges, the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process  a clear violation of aviation security protocols. He was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official," SpiceJet said in a statement.

What followed was a violent altercation at the boarding gate.

Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand," the airline stated.

One employee reportedly collapsed unconscious during the attack and continued to be kicked. Another was injured while attempting to help the unconscious colleague, sustaining facial injuries and bleeding from the nose and mouth.

The injured personnel were taken to a hospital and remain under treatment, it added.

Video footage circulating online shows the officer striking employees with a check-in information board as CISF personnel attempt to intervene.

Murderous Assault

SpiceJet said it filed a police complaint and initiated the process to place the passenger on a no-fly list. The airline has also written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging action against what it described as a murderous assault."

SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion," the statement added.

The CISF confirmed it intervened to contain the situation and ensured that flight operations were not disrupted.

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Senior Army officials told CNN-News18 that they have taken note of the incident and assured full cooperation with the investigation.

The issue has come to the notice of the Indian Army, and we are awaiting the conclusion of the pending investigation. Indian Army is fully committed to maintaining discipline and mutual respect in all civil spaces across the country."

Location : Srinagar, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 14:38 IST

News india Spinal Fracture, Broken Jaw: How Army Officer Assaulted SpiceJet Staff Over Excess Luggage

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'They Tortured Hindus': Sadhvi Pragya Alleges 'Congress Conspiracy' In Malegaon Blast Case

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 11:48 IST

Sadhvi Pragya alleged that when Congress was in power in Maharashtra and Centre, they 'misused all government agencies and turned them corrupt. This was done by the UPA Govt'

Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur (Image: X)

Days after a special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Sunday said that truth has triumphed". The former BJP MP received a warm welcome as she arrived at Raja Bhoj Airport in Madhya Pradesh.

Dharma and truth were on our side, so we were bound to win. Satyameva Jayate! I had said this earlier, and this has been proven now. Vidharmion ke, deshdrohion ke munh kaale huye hain. They have received a reply. The country has always been with Dharma and truth, and it will always be," she added.

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Launching a scathing attack at Congress, she alleged that they tortured" Hindus and jailed them, slapping false cases, and stressed that the case was a conspiracy by Congress.

Congresspeople have always adopted appeasement politics for Muslims. They used this in their regime. They tortured Hindus in every manner, jailed them and slapped false cases on them. They called it saffron terror and Hindutva terror. Congress harbours such a petty mindset. This was a conspiracy by Congress, and this qualifies as treason," she said.

#WATCH | 2008 Malegaon blast case all accused acquitted | Bhopal, MP: BJP leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur says, I have said this again and again that Parambir Singh is a terrible man. He crossed all limits and broke all laws. He tortured me outside the framework of law. I was pic.twitter.com/lx9oIBGFdk ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2025

She further alleged that when Congress was in power in Maharashtra and Centre, they misused all government agencies and turned them corrupt. This was done by the UPA Govt".

Officers of ATS had created this atmosphere of fear in the country, so nobody was able to express themselves It was an attempt to scare people because there was a Congress government in Maharashtra and the Center," she said.

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This was done by the UPA government Several people, who were tortured by ATS, lost their life. But their family doesnt know where their body isSeveral were killed, but their record was scrubbed," she added.

On September 29, 2008, a bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded in Malegaon  a town with a significant Muslim populationkilling six people and injuring around 100 others.

Location : Bhopal, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 11:41 IST

News india 'They Tortured Hindus': Sadhvi Pragya Alleges 'Congress Conspiracy' In Malegaon Blast Case

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Two Terrorists Killed, One Injured As Operation Akhal Enters Day 3 In J&K's Kulgam

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:42 IST

The firing began on Friday after security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on special inputs by intelligence.

An encounter broke out in Kulgam (Representative image)

The operation in Kulgam entered Day 3 as the exchange of fire continued between the terrorists and security forces in the forest area. Two terrorists have been killed, while one has been injured in the ongoing operation.

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One soldier has also sustained injuries during the gunfight. The terrorists are suspected to be part of a group of four to five or more individuals.

Earlier on Saturday, the officials have confirmed about the killing of two other terrorists. The initial probe revealed that a killed terrorist, identified as Haris Nazir Dar, hailed from Rajpora in Pulwama.

Intermittent and intense firefights continued through the night. Alert troops responded with calibrated fire and tightened the noose while maintaining contact. One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces so far," the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said in its latest update on Operation Akhal.

This came after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Akhal forest area of south Kashmirs Kulgam district, acting on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists, a police official had said.

A search operation was launched in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam, based on intelligence received by the security forces about the presence of terrorists in the area.

The firing began on Friday after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a forest area at Akhal in the south Kashmir district. The operation was halted for the night after an initial exchange of fire between the two sides on Friday evening.

The cordon was tightened, and more reinforcements were deployed to the area. According to officials, firing resumed on Saturday morning, leading to the killing of two terrorists.

The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding terrorists opened fire at the forces, who retaliated, an official was earlier quoted as saying by PTI.

Earlier this week, three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack  Suleiman alias Faizal Jat, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani  were killed as part of Operation Mahadev.

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Location : Kulgam, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 08:21 IST

News india Two Terrorists Killed, One Injured As Operation Akhal Enters Day 3 In J&K's Kulgam

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'Want Justice, Help Us': Wife Of Assam Man Who Went Missing After IndiGo Flight Assault

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 10:53 IST

Back home in Katthigorah in Cachar district of Assam, his wife, Sufiana Begum, told News18 how they got worried after not finding Hussain at airport when they went to receive him.

Family of the man who was slapped onboard IndiGo flight (Credits: News18)

Hussain Ahmed Majumdars family were left in anguish after he went missing following a shocking mid-air assault aboard IndiGo Flight 6E 138 from Mumbai to Kolkata.

Hussain, a resident of Lathigaon village in Kathigorah, Cachar district, Assam, was returning home on August 1 when he was allegedly slapped mid-air by a co-passenger. He was reportedly experiencing a panic attack when the incident occurred.

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According to video footage circulating on social media, Hussain appeared to suffer a panic attack while walking through the aisle. Flight attendants tried to calm him, but an unidentified passenger seated nearby allegedly slapped him forcefully in full view of others. The act was immediately condemned by both passengers and crew members.

Meanwhile, back home in Katthigorah in Cachar district of Assam, his wife, Sufiana Begum, told News18 how the family got worried after not finding Hussain at the airport when they went to receive him.

The last call he made was from the airport. He told me that security checks were done and asked me to come receive him at Kumbhirgram Airport. The flight landed at 1:45 PM. Everyone came out, except him. He just vanished. We havent eaten or slept. I want justice. He is helpless, we are helpless. Please help us," expressed Sufiana Begum tearfully.

A missing complaint was filed, and police found he hadnt taken the flight to Silchar or left Kolkata airport. He was later found at Barpeta railway station in Assam, appearing unwell.

Hussain is the sole breadwinner of his family, which includes a three-year-old child and his ailing father, Abdul Mannan Majumdar, currently battling cancer.

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Earlier, IndiGo Airlines condemned the incident and said,"The assault on board Flight 6E 138 was completely unacceptable. The unruly passenger was handed over to security officials in Kolkata. Regulatory agencies have been informed as per SOP."

However, the airline has not clarified whether Hussain Majumdar received any medical attention, psychological support, or protective custody following the incident.

Location : Assam, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:52 IST

News india 'Want Justice, Help Us': Wife Of Assam Man Who Went Missing After IndiGo Flight Assault

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5 Places In Delhi NCR To Visit This Friendship Day With Your Gang

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 09:19 IST

From thrill zones to cozy cafes, here are 5 fab spots in Delhi NCR to celebrate Friendship Day with your gang

The crew, the chaos, and the perfect planFriendship Day calls for fun, food, and your ride-or-die gang

Friendship Day is today, and its the perfect excuse to round up your crew and celebrate the bonds built on laughter, late-night calls, and shared chaos. Whether your gangs into thrill rides, comfort food, cocktails, or cozy cafes, here are five fun and flavour-packed spots in Delhi NCR to make this day unforgettable.

Boombastic Superfun, Gurgaon

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Make memories at Delhi NCRs largest indoor amusement park (50,000 sq. ft) with trampolines, rope courses, VR games, bowling, and more. Chow down at Boom-Bites or book a party at their private venues.

Timings: 12:00 PM  10:00 PM

Cost: Game card from 1500 | F&B for two 1800

Address: JMD Empire Square, Sector 62, Gurgaon

Arabian Delites (Multiple Locations)

Enjoy 20% off on all dine-in and takeaway orders today! Gather your gang over shawarmas, kebabs, biryanis, and Middle Eastern platters for a flavourful celebration.

Offer: 20% off valid only on Friendship Day

Where: All Arabian Delites outlets

Masala Synergy, Gurugram

Celebrate over a limited-edition menu mixing Indian classics with global twiststhink Malabari Tacos, Thukpa Ravioli, and Butter Chicken. Pair with signature cocktails like Star Anise Gin or Aam Papad Picante.

Timings: 12:00 PM  11:30 PM

Cost: 1899 (excl. cocktails)

Address: Ground Floor, M3M IFC, Sector 66, Gurugram

Bomba, Greater Kailash

Bold cocktails meet bold friendships at this vibrant pizzeria-taqueria-bar. Try their Parmesan Martini or Verde Maria, and pair with flavour-packed bites like Elote and Nduja Croquetas.

Timings: 12:00 PM  12:00 AM

Cost: 2200 for two

Address: VIIPS Centre, GK 3, New Delhi

Bloom Cafe & Cakery, Khan Market & Hauz Khas

For sweet conversations over sweeter treats, head to BloomIndias first modern Euro-style vegetarian patisserie. Indulge in eggless desserts, fresh croissants, and specialty coffee.

Timings: 8:30 AM  11:30 PM

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Cost: 1500 + taxes for two

Where: Khan Market & Hauz Khas

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: August 03, 2025, 09:19 IST

News lifestyle  food 5 Places In Delhi NCR To Visit This Friendship Day With Your Gang
5 Waterfalls In India That Are Pure Magic During The Monsoon Season

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 10:55 IST

The monsoon season has turned India's landscapes into verdant paradises. This makes for the perfect time to explore the country's most stunning waterfalls.

Krang Suri Falls in Meghalaya has a stunning aquamarine plunge pool.

As the monsoon paints India in lush shades of green, theres no better time to chase waterfalls. Whether youre a seasoned adventurer or a weekend wanderer, monsoon getaways offer a rejuvenating break from the everyday.

According to a latest research by Booking.com, 51% of Indian travellers look to immerse themselves in natural scenery, and 45% seek scenic viewpoints. Amidst this, waterfalls become more than just a backdrop; theyre the destination. Think Jog Falls thundering down Karnatakas cliffs or Meghalayas Krang Suri shimmering under overcast skies.

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This season, let Booking.com guide you to five must-visit waterfalls that promise awe-inspiring landscapes, crisp monsoon air, and a reminder of natures raw beauty.

Jog Falls, Mavingundi, Karnataka: An Escape in the Heart of the Western Ghats

Jog Falls comes alive during the monsoon, turning into one of Indias most powerful and scenic waterfalls. With water flowing from a height of 253 metres, the four distinct streams  Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket  create a breathtaking view surrounded by lush greenery. Visitors can trek down to the base, explore the nearby Linganamakki Dam or enjoy activities such as kayaking and birdwatching. One can find a range of stays, from nature-inspired cottages to forest-view lodges, making it a perfect getaway for adventure and serenity seekers alike.

Neer Garh Waterfalls, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: A Hidden Monsoon Oasis

Nestled a few kilometres from Lakshman Jhula, Neer Garh Waterfalls is a beautiful monsoon getaway where clear waters flow over two levels into calm natural pools, surrounded by lush Himalayan greenery. A short trek takes you to the first waterfall, while a longer trail guides you to the larger upper tier, offering scenic views and peaceful forest paths alongside cool mountain streams. After the waterfall visit, one can explore Rishikeshs highlights like Ram Jhula, Triveni Ghat, yoga ashrams or try a variety of adventure sports. From riverside camps and budget hostels to boutique stays near Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh remains an ideal destination for monsoon explorers.

Pykara Falls, near Ooty, Tamil Nadu: A Monsoon Gem of the Nilgiri Hills

During the monsoon, Pykara Falls turns into a stunning sight, with its twin streams flowing amidst misty hills and dense shola forests. Located 20 km from Ooty, the falls can be reached through a scenic walk after a relaxing boat ride on Pykara Lake. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful picnic or explore nearby villages to experience the local culture. With cosy cottages, lake-view resorts and welcoming homestays, Ooty continues to be one of the most popular and easily drivable monsoon getaways.

Bhimlat Falls, Bundi, Rajasthan: Rajasthans Unexpected Monsoon Oasis

Breaking stereotypes, Bhimlat Falls in Bundi, Rajasthan, emerges as a surprising monsoon marvel. Cascading gracefully from a height of 60 meters, this hidden gem offers a refreshing oasis amidst the rugged beauty of Rajasthan, especially vibrant after rainfall. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery that comes alive during the rains, the falls form a serene turquoise pool ideal for a cool dip or quiet reflection. Travellers can explore historic Bundi with its palaces and stepwells, finding comfortable stays ranging from heritage hotels to charming local guesthouses tucked away in the old citys winding lanes.

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Krang Suri Falls, Jaintia Hills, near Jowai, Meghalaya: Northeasts Emerald Secret

Beyond the well-trodden paths of Meghalaya lies Krang Suri, a breathtaking waterfall famed for its intensely clear, aquamarine plunge pool. The cascades flow into a natural amphitheatre of lush greenery, offering an almost surreal swimming experience. A short trek through pine forests and rocky trails leads to this hidden gem, rewarding travellers with tranquillity and raw, untouched beauty. Visitors can find charming guesthouses and homestays in the Jaintia Hills, perfect for exploring this vibrant paradise and soaking in the cultural warmth of the local Pnar community.

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: August 03, 2025, 10:55 IST

News lifestyle  travel 5 Waterfalls In India That Are Pure Magic During The Monsoon Season
Indian-Origin Family Of 4, Who Went Missing In US, Found Dead In Car Crash

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 15:00 IST

US officials are searching for four Indian-origin seniors, Asha, Kishore, Shailesh, and Gita Divan, missing since July 29. They were last seen at a Burger King in Pennsylvania.

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Indian-Origin Family Of 4 Missing In US (Facebook/Marshall County Sheriff's Office)

US authorities confirmed death of four Indian-origin family members who went missing during a road trip. Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty confirmed that the family was found dead on Saturday night. They left their house to visit a temple.

As per the missing persons report, the family members  Asha Divan, Kishore Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan  were last spotted six days ago at a Burger King on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania.

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Marshal County Sheriff Mike Doughertys office issued a statement, The four individuals who were reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have been found deceased following a vehicle crash. The victims have been identified as Dr. Kishore Divan, Mrs. Asha Divan, Mr. Shailesh Divan, and Mrs. Gita Divan. Their vehicle was located on Saturday, August 2, at approximately 9:30 PM, off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road. First responders were on the scene for more than five hours. Sheriff Dougherty extends condolences to the families of the victims. Further information will be released upon the completion of the investigation."

The family was travelling to Prabhupadas Palace of Gold in Marshall County, West Virginia, in a 2009 lime green Toyota Camry with a New York license plate EKW2611.

Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty spoke to the Ohio-based station, and said they have not been heard from since July 31, 2025, We have a few leads, which we and surrounding law enforcement agencies are investigating, but have not yet located the missing persons."

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A CCTV footage captures the two members of the family at a Burger King. In a short while, a Pennsylvania State Police license plate reader picked up their vehicle heading south on I-79 at 2:45 pm on Tuesday.

Deputies from both Marshall and Ohio counties in West Virginia have been searching nearby roadways. Officials stated that helicopters will join the operation on Sunday to help in the search.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 03, 2025, 12:17 IST

News nri Indian-Origin Family Of 4, Who Went Missing In US, Found Dead In Car Crash

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Deport To India: Indian-Origin Democrat Ro Khanna Faces Racist Abuse From Trump Supporters

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 19:06 IST

Ro Khannas remarks on economic patriotism sparked attacks from Trump's immigration hardliners and prompted a flurry of racist abuse online.

Ro Khannas call for a new economic vision drew a wave of racist abuse from far-right users demanding his deportation. (IMAGE: REUTERS/X)

Ro Khanna, a Democrat and Congressman of Indian origin, faced a wave of racist abuse on social media after outlining what he called a new vision of economic patriotism" for the United States.

Several far-right accounts targeted him with calls to deport him back to India" and denaturalize" him, accusing him of favouring mass immigration and questioning his American identity.

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The abuse began after Khanna posted a thread urging Democrats to move beyond political revenge and instead focus on a national economic revival. He said the party must choose between a transformative vision" and being consumed by revenge and dripping hatred for MAGA."

Khanna laid out proposals including federal funding for factories, a $1 billion capital fund for towns like Johnstown and Orangeburg and the creation of 1,000 trade schools to build the next generation of skilled workers.

And @StephenM while we may not agree on much, can you at least reject this? My parents will be happy that their son born in Philadelphia in 1976 should not be deported  https://t.co/nlFmS7nyMc Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 3, 2025

Stephen Miller, who currently serves as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, responded to the California representatives remarks, rejecting the idea that economic renewal could happen without immigration control.

Nah, you should be denaturalized and deported. rebornbastard (@unforgivnbastrd) August 3, 2025

He said Khanna and the Democrats supported the mass importation of the entire third world to our cities" and asked whether Khanna supported any limits on immigration. Miller cited Census Bureau data estimating that 53.3 million foreign-born people now live in the US, nearly 16% of the total population.

In reply, the California Democrat said he supports a secure border and legal immigration, adding that his parents had migrated to the US lawfully.

Behave like an American and well spare you Ciro (@akvias_) August 3, 2025

He referenced a recent meeting with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum, Republican Congressman Don Bacon and the US ambassador to Mexico, where they discussed legal pathways for undocumented immigrants working in farms and hotels. Khanna noted that such an approach had previously received support under Trump.

Behave like an American and well spare you Ciro (@akvias_) August 3, 2025

The thread triggered a stream of abuse from anonymous accounts, some calling for Khanna to be deported and stripped of his citizenship.

One user wrote, You have an accent and want to import more Indians." Another posted, Behave like an American and well spare you."

Khanna responded to one such comment by tagging Miller and writing, While we may not agree on much, can you at least reject this? My parents will be happy that their son born in Philadelphia in 1976 should not be deported."

The exchange came at a time when US President Donald Trumps administration has ramped up immigration enforcement. In July, ICE officers raided a cannabis farm in Camarillo, California, arresting over 200 undocumented workers.

One person reportedly died in the incident. In Los Angeles, a recent court ruling limited ICEs ability to detain individuals based solely on appearance or location. According to internal targets, ICE is aiming to carry out up to a million deportations this year.

Khannas comments come amid debate within the Democratic Party following its defeat in the 2024 presidential election.

A section of the party has called for a pivot away from anti-Trump messaging toward concrete economic proposals.

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Khannas push for a new economic patriotism" has found support among moderates and younger voters but has also drawn sharp criticism from the right.

Miller, at the time of writing this report, has not yet publicly responded to Khannas request to denounce the racist messages.

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 : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 03, 2025, 19:06 IST

News nri  usa Deport To India: Indian-Origin Democrat Ro Khanna Faces Racist Abuse From Trump Supporters

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Ore Huiying / Bloomberg / Getty Images I love seeing Bridgewater alive and well without me," the hedge fund's founder Ray Dalio said in a LinkedIn post Thursday

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has officially sold his remaining ownership stake and resigned from the firms board, according to a person familiar with the matter, capping a transition process that began in 2017.

This marks the departure of the founding figure from one of the worlds largest hedge funds and signals full control by a new leadership generation. At $92.1 billion in assets under management, Bridgewater completed the repurchase and has reportedly introduced new majority shareholders, including Brunei's sovereign wealth fund and internal leaders.





key takeaways

Founder Ray Dalio has fully relinquished his stake in Bridgewater and board position.

Control has shifted to employee partners, with Co-CIO Bob Prince now the largest individual partner.

A sovereign wealth fund from Brunei now holds a minority stake in the firm.

Dalio plans to remain a mentor to those at Bridgewater.





Ray Dalio Says He's 'Thrilled' by the Transition

Ray has always described the transition as a dream come true and were excited to have made it a reality together, said Bridgewater CEO Nir Bar Dea and Co-Chair Mike McGavick in letter last week to clients viewed by Investopedia.

Dalios transition away from his duties at Bridgewater began in 2017 with his departure as CEO. He then stepped down in 2020 as the firms co-chief investment officer, before exiting as chair in 2021.

In a LinkedIn post yesterday marking the firm's 50th year, Dalio said, I am thrilled about it because I love seeing Bridgewater alive and well without meeven better than alive and well with me. That's because I see this as a as-good-as-it-gets life cycle, and, from my perspective of being a 76-year-old who loves Bridgewater and the people at Bridgewater (many of whom I have worked with for decades), it's like seeing my kids being strong and healthy without me, which is much better than being a 76-year-old parent having to take care of them."

Bridgewater said the firm has seen double-digit returns in 2025 so far, with its Pure Alpha fund up 17%. The S&P 500, by contrast, has climbed about 6% year-to-date.

So Who Owns the Firm Now?

Dalio is stepping down from Bridgewaters board on top of divesting his ownership in the hedge fund. A minority stake in Bridgewater has also been taken by Brunei's sovereign wealth fund, the Brunei Investment Agency, after redeeming its investments in Bridgewaters funds, Reuters reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

In the wake of Dalios exit, Co-CIO Bob Prince is now Bridgewaters largest individual partner, while majority ownership is in the hands of a broad group of employees. The move marks a rare, full-circle founder exit in an industry known for founder-led investment firms and sets a new course for the decades-old institution.

Read the original article on Investopedia
Opinion | Remembering Lord Meghnad Desai

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 04, 2025, 00:26 IST

Eminent economist Lord Meghnad Desai lived not for accolades or adulation but for the harmony of ideas across borders, ideologies, and disciplines

Lord Meghnad Desai's journey from his birthplace in Vadodara to London was itself the story of modern India's intellectual diaspora. (Image: PTI/File)

Lord Meghnad Desais passing is a deeply personal loss. I will always remember him with the utmost respect and fondness  not just as an eminent economist, thinker, and parliamentarian, but as someone with a rare zest for life.

As someone who could chat as effortlessly and animatedly about finances and fundamental rights as he could about food and films. As someone who crossed thresholds with clarity and purpose, building unseen bridges that spanned worlds and ideas. His passing at 85 marks the conclusion of a remarkable life that consistently defied easy labels and ideological boxes.

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July 2025 marked the first summer in over a decade that I didnt meet him in London. During my annual trips, a lunch at the House of Lords and his birthday celebration  always held the weekend after July 10  had become a permanent fixture in my calendar. Over the years, he graciously attended several of our Foundations events, not only in Delhi but in other cities as well.

In public, be it at book launches, policy discussions, or leadership summits, Desai invariably was the centre of attention. The sparkle in his eyes revealed a man who wore his intellect lightly. Whenever he rose to speak, the atmosphere in the room changed. Here was a man who could quote Marx and Milton in the same breath, pivot effortlessly to Bollywood, and lace it all with wit sharp enough to provoke but never wound. Desai was not just a scholar but a sage who refused to play the part of one.

IDEOLOGIES AND LIVED REALITIES

What I admired most about Lord Desai was his intellectual eclecticism and his sharp sense of humour. I still remember the first time he met my wife at the House of Lords  he quipped, Oh, now I believe those were actually just rumours!" (He was referring, of course, to the fact that my wife rarely accompanies me to public functions)

He had the rare courage to embrace contradiction, to call himself a Marxist while celebrating market reforms, to critique both Left and Right without fear of alienation. His classes at the London School of Economics were legendary, not merely because of his erudition but because of the way he welcomed dissent. Students often recalled how he would turn a pointed challenge into the start of a new debate, ensuring that no one ever left his classroom intellectually unchanged.

His writings have stayed with me. Largely because his books, including his masterpiece, Marxs Revenge, are designed not for blind agreement but deeper engagement. He constantly urged us to re-examine economic orthodoxies, to understand that ideologies must be tested against lived realities.

Then there was Nehrus Hero, his extraordinary biography of Dilip Kumar. Only Desai could have drawn such a compelling parallel between the world of cinema and the sociopolitical fabric of India. In discussing Dilip Kumars films, he offered us a new way of seeing India itself  its aspirations, anxieties, and its evolving identity. He had seen some of these films more than 15 times. Knowing him, it wasnt an obsession, it was simply fieldwork!

NOT CAGED BY ANY ONE IDENTITY

Desai was not one for grandstanding, focused as he was on the silent power of a gesture. This was evident in the typical humility with which he underplayed his work with the Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust, which ensured that Mahatma Gandhis likeness found its place at Parliament Square in London.

Desais journey from his birthplace in Vadodara to London was itself the story of modern Indias intellectual diaspora  anchored in our soil, yet bold enough to shape the world stage. He never lost sight of India, even as he debated in the hallowed halls of the UKs House of Lords. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned in his tribute, Shri Meghnad Desai Ji always remained connected to India and Indian culture. He also played a role in deepening India-UK ties."

Humour was Desais unassuming weapon. His quips, delivered without any superiority complex, had a way of transforming the mood of a room. He wielded wit not as a shield but as a scalpel  cutting through complexity, disarming tension, and leaving his audience with both laughter and a deeper truth.

His scholarship was staggering, of course. Over 35 books, countless papers, and contributions that touched everything from Marxist theory to global governance. Yet, he refused to be caged by any one identity  Indian economist, British Lord, Labour peer, crossbench intellectual. He was all these things and more, and yet somehow always just himself.

I found inspiration in the way he constantly challenged conventional wisdom. At a time when so many seek comfort in ideological certainties, Desai insisted that the world is too complex for easy answers. He was a firm believer in the idea that presupposing ones own opinion before examining the evidence was the sign of a mind that had stopped thinking. This rule of thumb has remained with me as a kind of intellectual compass.

SCHOLARSHIP AS A LIVING DIALOGUE WITH SOCIETY

With Desais demise, India and the UK have lost more than a voice. They have lost a conduit. In his public and private conversations, Desai would often underline the importance of cultural diplomacy  how ideas, art, and history can weave bonds far more enduring than treaties. This belief was not abstract for him. It was why he worked tirelessly to ensure that Indias heritage was visible in Britain, and Britains debates accessible in India.

In his death, I feel a personal void. Not only because we will no longer hear his original speeches in the Lords, nor read his latest provocation in print, but because individuals like him are rare. He belonged to a vanishing tradition of public intellectuals who saw scholarship not as ivory-tower work but as a living dialogue with society.

As I reflect, I am reminded of a line from Rabindranath Tagore: The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence." Meghnad Desais life embodied that spirit. He lived not for accolades or adulation but for the harmony of ideas across borders, ideologies, and disciplines. The last I heard from him was when he mentioned he wouldnt be in London this summer. I never imagined it would be a goodbye forever.

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We will miss you, Lord Meghnad Desai.

(A columnist and author, Sundeep Bhutoria is passionate about the environment, education, and wildlife conservation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)

First Published: August 04, 2025, 00:25 IST

News opinion Opinion | Remembering Lord Meghnad Desai

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Opinion: The Forgotten Loyalists Of Kashmir

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 13:18 IST

Silenced for decades, now heard by the nation, Indias boldest narrative shift in Kashmirs post-independence

The picture of change has existed for some time now, but there has been a spotlight on it emanating from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, writes the author.

For over three decades, Kashmir was not a voiceit was a narrative, hijacked and manipulated by Pakistans propaganda machinery. The pain of this land was never Pakistans concern; it was a tool, a weapon, a theatre script for international forums. While Islamabad paraded selective tragedies before the world, the actual victimsthose who stood by India, whose families were shattered by Pakistan-sponsored terrorismwere pushed into oblivion.

No one asked: Who mourned these loyal sons and daughters of Bharat? Who stood by the mothers who lost not one but four children because they refused to feed terrorists? These families were not statisticsthey were testaments of courage. And yet, they were forgotten. Until now.

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This past month in Jammu & Kashmir, something extraordinary happened. Something that doesnt often make headlines in the noise of national politics but should dominate the conscience of a nation. For the first time in independent Indias history, families of terror victimsthose killed for their loyalty to the Indian Statewere brought to the front stage of justice, remembrance, and restitution.

In Anantnag and later in Baramulla, scores of families who had been living in the shadows of memorywomen who lost husbands, children who never met their fathers, parents who buried sonswere called forth not to be consoled, but to be recognised. Forty of these families, many of whom had never stepped into a government building with hope, were given job orders, legal protection, and public honour. But what they received most profoundly was a return of moral dignitya currency long denied to them by both state apathy and societal betrayal.

The picture of change has existed for some time now, but there has been a spotlight on it emanating from the Honble Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha. He has provided a different narrative to governance in Kashmir. In an atmosphere characterized by soft separatism and bureaucratic inaction, Sinhas administration has done something ethically sound. It has provided state recognition for those who embraced India, and not only embraced, but stood with India in Kashmir state action, which is deserving of state acclamation. Sinhas actions change the Kashmiri narrative and the narrative of integration to India.

What truly struck me is the scene of people from Baramulla. It is the picture of change, and His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor was the subject. His leadership is what incites tears and affection from a large population. The leadership from Delhi coming to listen is what drives emotion. Kissed his forehead. Hugged him. These actions portray love unprecedented to the LG. He did not come to issue state security directives which has been the hub of concern in the past, but to engage with the people and deliver answers that are long overdue.

This stands as an example of individual kindness, strategic humanitarian intervention" or civilian-national reconstruction". Pakistan has pursued an expansive information warfare policy against India, using Kashmir as the primary theatre. Not only has it crossed the threshold of violence by sending gunmen, it has sought to justify such actions through narratives of unending oppression. It has deployed narratives of oppression where the terrorist is a freedom fighter and a patriot is a traitor. It has never only displaced fighters, but exported a vocabulary of ruthless dismantling of truth. The literally unthinking victims of terrorism were absented.

This new initiative reconstructs the narratives of Kashmir by placing these treated, forgotten families at the center of the conversation. The initiative has literally and practically changed the paradigm. It allows the victims of human rights to truly speak of their reality witnessed in Kashmir, not the militants but the genuine martyrs, who didnt take up arms even at the cost of their lives.

Let us remember: many of these victims were killed not in crossfire, but in cold blood, for refusing to feed a terrorist, for waving a flag, for refusing to shelter a terrorist. Some entire families were wiped out. And for years, successive governments turned their eyes away, fearing political backlash, fearing it might disturb the peace". But how can a peace built on silence ever last?

What makes this initiative powerful is not just its emotional resonance but its implications for justice, narrative, and state legitimacy. For the first time, India is not defending itself on Kashmirit is setting the agenda. It is saying that if the world must speak of Kashmir, it must first listen to the mothers whose sons were murdered for loving India by the Pak-Sponsored terrorism.

The symbolism certainly has depth, but the ramifications of policy also matter. When these families received employment, it was more than a job: it was recognition of their participation in the national project. Likewise, when LG Manoj Sinha interacted with them, he was not merely meeting constituents, instead, he was in some way, healing a long-standing wound in the conscience of the country.

These families were mocked and ignored by the political elite, and the shift in ideological thinking is staggering. Kashmir is a region once ruled by a political elite. Many of them infrequently visited these families, and some even scorned them. Some leaders even referred to the victims of terror as collateral" and equated slain terrorists to fallen soldiers. While some might call that mockery, it goes far beyond that; not only is it offensive, but it is also profoundly dehumanizing. This administration has corrected that language with action.

This also has effects on international relations. India no longer needs to struggle on international platforms. India need not shout on world stages anymore. Let these mothers and widows speak. Let the woman from North Kashmir who lost four family members for refusing food to a terrorist cell, tell her story. Let the children orphaned in 1996, now grown into quiet young men, narrate how society shunned them as informers".

These tales counter any document India submitted to the United Nations and so as the women and children provided them, their truths would be bombastic than any document India submitted to the United Nations. It cannot be denied that when the truth finally comes out, the noise will be powerful indeed, way more than so-called propaganda." There is also a spiritual dimension to all of this. This wasnt just governance. It was atonement. A political system that had failed a generation, today bows its head and says: We hear you. We believe you. You matter. That is not just reform. It is resurrection.

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This initiative is not the endit is the beginning of a new Indian imagination in Kashmir. One where every tear matters, every loyalty is honoured, and every silence is broken with justice. As this movement spreads from Anantnag to Baramulla and beyond, one thing becomes clear: this isnt just about healing the wounds of yesterday. It is about building a new architecture of trust for tomorrow. The bullet ends a life. But justice restores a future. And for once, that future belongs to the side that bled quietlyand waited for India to remember.

Mudasir Dar is a social and peace activist based in South Kashmir. He is a Rashtrapati Award recipient in world scouting and has contributed to many local and national publications on a diverse range of topics, including national security, politics, governance, peace, and conflict. He tweets from @DarMudasir10. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 13:18 IST

News opinion Opinion: The Forgotten Loyalists Of Kashmir

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Write Mind | Malegaon Verdict Is A Damning Indictment Of UPAs Saffron Terror Farce

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 10:26 IST

The 2008 Malegaon blast, which took 6 lives and injured over 100, was a tragedy that necessitated meticulous investigation and accountability.

The scene of the Malegaon bomb blast. (Image: PTI/file photo)

In the age of reels, it is flabbergasting to know that it took 17 years for truth to extricate itself from the suffocating grip of political machinations and shoddy investigations. On July 31, 2025, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai delivered a resounding verdict, acquitting all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case: Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Sudhakar Dhar Dwivedi, Ajay Rahirkar, and Sameer Kulkarni. These 7 hapless people, vilified as terrorists, endured nearly two decades of torment, their lives upended by a narrative that was as malicious as it was baseless. The courts ruling was not just a legal exoneration; it was a scathing rebuke of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regimes reckless and politically motivated pursuit of the so-called Hindu terror" narrative.

The 2008 Malegaon blast, which took 6 lives and injured over 100, was a tragedy that necessitated meticulous investigation and accountability. Instead, it became a political weapon bandied by the UPA to crush the looming Hindu renaissance, tarnish the image of Hindu organizations, and counter the rising tide of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), under the late Hemant Karkare, took no scourge in pointing fingers at Hindu nationalist groups, coining terms like Bhagwa Atankwad" (Saffron Terror) and Hindu terrorism." From P. Chidambaram to Prithviraj Chauhan to Digvijaya Singh, Congress stalwarts tripped over themselves to peddle this narrative, painting the Hindu community as perpetrators of terror without a shred of credible evidence.

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The NIA courts verdict is unequivocal: there was no reliable and cogent evidence" to sustain these charges, with forensic reports deemed inconclusive and witness statements riddled with contradictions. Whats staggering is the sheer incompetenceor perhaps deliberate maliceof the investigation. For nine years, no chargesheet was filed, leaving the accused languishing in systemic oblivion. The court reprimanded the ATS (under Congress-ruled Maharashtra) for botching on-the-spot evidence, with accusations of planted RDX traces and custodial torture surfacing repeatedly. Special Judge A.K. Lahoti observed that the prosecution failed to prove that the motorcycle allegedly used in the blast belonged to Sadhvi Pragya, as the chassis number was not fully recovered, and she had renounced material possessions years earlier. Similarly, claims that Lt. Col. Purohit sourced RDX from Kashmir or assembled the bomb were dismissed in dearth of evidence. The ATSs case, built on preconceived notions and ideological motivations," collapsed under scrutiny.

This wasnt just a legal failure; it was a grotesque political ploy. The congress, sensing the BJPs growing prowess under Narendra Modi, then Gujarats chief minister, saw an opportunity to polarize the Muslim vote bank. The saffron terror" theory was a carefully crafted mirage, designed to appease Muslim voters and consolidate the electorate. Though neither in the Maharashtra nor central government at the time, Digvijaya Singh, a Congress heavyweight, claimed publicly that Hemant Karkare was updating him every half hour during the Malegaon investigation. Why would a senior police officer brief a politician with no official role? This only insinuates an insider syndicate of the cops and the congress Netas working on a joint mission to realize a nefarious agenda. Further raising eyebrows over the Congresss conduct is the curious case of Parambir Singh, the former Mumbai Police Commissioner and a tainted cop now a fugitive. Singh, who served as ATS chief during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regimea coalition including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)was reinstated despite allegations of corruption and extortion. His reinstatement under the MVA rule, only to later become a fugitive, fuels suspicion of a Congress-police nexus in Maharashtra. Why was a controversial figure like Singh brought back? Does this point to a deeper, systemic manipulation of law enforcement for political ends?

The Congresss obsession with the saffron terror" narrative is rooted in the Nehru-Ghandhy-Vadra clans long-standing strategy of Muslim appeasement. Yes, Ghandhy, not Gandhithe familys Parsi lineage is often obscured by their adopted surname. From Jawaharlal Nehrus supposed secular posturing to Rahul Ghandhys 2009 remark to a US ambassador that the RSS posed a bigger threat" than Lashkar-e-Taiba, this dynasty has consistently prioritized vote consolidation over national unity. Robert Vadras recent claim that the Pahalgam terror attack was linked to the BJPs Hindutva push" is yet another example of this familys compulsion to exploit communal fault lines for electoral gain. The Malegaon case was no differentby branding Hindus as terrorists, the Congress sought to stoke fear among Muslims, positioning itself as their sole protector. The acquittal of Sadhvi Pragya, Lt. Col. Purohit, and their co-accused is a moment of vindication, but its also a moment of reckoning. The Congresss narrative didnt just fail the accused; it failed the victims of the Malegaon blast, whose quest for justice remains unresolved.

The courts ruling underscores a painful truth: while the UPA played its dangerous game of communal politics, the real perpetrators walked scot-free. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called it delayed justice. " But the moot point here is if m justice ever be fully served when political agendas taint the process? BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Congress of a well-calculated conspiracy" to frame innocents for vote-bank politics, while Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis declared, Atankwad Bhagwa Na Kabhi Tha, Na Hai, Na Kabhi Rahega" (Terrorism was never saffron, is not, and will never be).

The human toll of this travesty is staggering. Sadhvi Pragya, battling cancer and alleging custodial torture, endured years of stigma. Lt. Col. Purohit, a serving military officer, faced accusations of betraying the nation he swore to protect. The other five suffered similar indignities. Their acquittal cannot erase the scars of a justice system manipulated by political expediency. The Congress owes themand the nationan apology, but dont hold your breath. The Malegaon verdict should compel us to confront the broader implications of such political slyness. The Congresss saffron terror" gambit wasnt just about one case; it was about reshaping Indias communal discourse to entrench division. By demonizing Hindus, the UPA sought to secure its electoral fortress, but at what cost? The erosion of trust in institutions, the vilification of an entire community, and the perpetuation of a divisive narrative that continues to haunt our polity. The trial saw 323 prosecution witnesses, 37 of whom turned hostile, and over 30 died before testifying, further exposing the fragility of the case. Former Bombay High Court judge B.G. Kolse-Patil called the acquittal a death of justice," but the real travesty was the UPAs attempt to manufacture a myth at the expense of truth.

As we reflect on this verdict, lets not forget the human cost and the systemic failures it exposes.

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How long will we allow vote-bank politics to dictate justice? Can we afford to let divisive narratives fracture our social fabric? Who will hold the Congress accountable for its role in this travesty? Why did Digvijaya Singh claim such close access to Hemant Karkares investigation? And what does Parambir Singhs reinstatement and subsequent fugitive status reveal about Congresss influence over Maharashtras police? Is this judgement served or justice served? Who will compensate for the blooming and fostering years lost by those entangled in the rigmarole of the system?

Readers, the answers lie with youwill you demand a system where truth triumphs over political agendas, or will you let the shadows of appeasement linger?

About the Author Yuvraj Pokharna Yuvraj Pokharna is a Surat-based author and media panelist who vociferously voices his opinions on issues of Hindutva, Islamist Jihad, politics, policies, and sometimes mules over books. He can be followed on I... Read More Yuvraj Pokharna is a Surat-based author and media panelist who vociferously voices his opinions on issues of Hindutva, Islamist Jihad, politics, policies, and sometimes mules over books. He can be followed on I... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:26 IST

News opinion Write Mind | Malegaon Verdict Is A Damning Indictment Of UPAs Saffron Terror Farce

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Amid 'Bangladeshi' Row, Bengal SIR Buzz Amit Shah To Meet State BJP MPs Tomorrow

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 22:24 IST

The meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP's Bengal MPs is scheduled for the same day the TMC is holding a virtual huddle

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to hold a crucial meeting with BJP MPs from West Bengal in New Delhi on August 4. (Image: PTI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to hold a crucial meeting with BJP MPs from West Bengal in the national capital on Monday. This comes as political tension escalates over the Bangladeshi" row in New Delhi.

The controversy has attracted a barrage of criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress, who have accused the Centre of targeting Bengalis and their language via police verification drive in BJP-ruled states against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

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Although there has been no official statement from the BJP, party insiders indicate that the meeting will focus on addressing these allegations.

During a rally at Durgapur in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it clear that the BJP will not be defensive on this issue.

This is why infiltration is being encouraged, their fake documents are being created. An entire ecosystem has been developed here. This is a threat to West Bengal, the country, and Bengali culture," he had said.

He added: They (TMC) want to challenge the Constitution and constitutional institutions. The TMC is now speaking openly in their favour. Let me make it clear, those who are not citizens of India, those who have infiltrated illegally, will face action under the Constitution. The BJP will not allow any conspiracy against Bengals pride to be successful. This is Modis guarantee."

The TMC has since labelled this stance as BJPs audacity" and intensified efforts to portray the saffron party as Bangla birodhi" (opposed to Bengali speakers), a label the BJP MPs are eager to dismiss.

In another development, sources have suggested that a special intensive revision (SIR) for West Bengal is also likely to be part of the meetings agenda. This voter list revision, akin to the one in poll-bound Bihar, reportedly includes sensitive assessment on demographic shifts and cross-border dynamics, which could impact both electoral strategy and security planning in the region.

The SIR in Bihar has sparked protests from opposition parties. Earlier on Sunday, TMC leader Derek OBrien termed the exercise as silent invisible rigging".

The anticipated meeting between Shah and the Bengal MPs is scheduled for the same day the TMC is holding a virtual huddle. Mamata Banerjee is expected to address all her party MPs, many of whom are in Delhi for the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

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This meeting comes at a time when the BJP is reassessing its approach in West Bengal following a mixed performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Several MPs from the state have expressed concerns about internal coordination, grassroots support, and ideological messaging.

While there is no official confirmation yet of the meetings agenda, political observers believe it could shape the BJPs future strategy in Bengal ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.

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

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 22:24 IST

News politics Amid 'Bangladeshi' Row, Bengal SIR Buzz Amit Shah To Meet State BJP MPs Tomorrow

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
'Bangladeshi National Language': Mamata Flags Delhi Police Wording, BJP Says Don't Politicise

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 21:32 IST

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Delhi Police for referring to Bengali as "Bangladeshi national language" in a purported letter addressed to the state guest house

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BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya (L) called out West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's "shameful" attempt at using language for political gains. (Image: PTI/File)

The BJP on Sunday came down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and accused her of weaponsing" the Bengali language for appeasement and vote-bank politics.

Banerjee earlier lashed out at the Delhi Police for referring to Bengali as Bangladeshi national language" in a purported letter. She alleged that this was insulting, anti-national and unconstitutional".

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The BJP, however, called her out for her shameful" attempt at using language for political gains and pointing a finger at a lawful police action".

It is beyond shameful that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is defending a lawful police action against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators by weaponising language and stoking sentiment," (sic) BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya wrote on X.

It is beyond shameful that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is defending a lawful police action against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators by weaponising language and stoking sentiment.Let us be absolutely clear: all illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas will https://t.co/Ynb5o8cT6n Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 3, 2025

Malviya sought to reaffirm the Centres tough stand on Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegals, and said infiltrators" will be strictly dealt with.

Let us be absolutely clear: all illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas will be dealt with strictly, as per the law of the land. No political grandstanding or vote-bank politics will come in the way of protecting Indias sovereignty and national security," (sic) he said, adding, of all people, Mamata Banerjee should know this." (sic)

WHAT DID MAMATA BANERJEE SAY?

Banerjee drew attention to the Delhi Polices wording for the Bengali language as Bangladeshi national language" in a purported letter, linked to a probe under the Foreigners Act.

According to the letter cited by her, the police sought a translator following the arrest of eight people suspected to have illegally crossed over into India from Bangladesh. It is addressed to the officer-in-charge of Banga Bhawan, which is the official guest house of the West Bengal government in New Delhi.

Sharing this purported letter on her social media, the chief minister and TMC boss accused the Centre of being anti-Bengali and urged all to protest against such anti-constitutional language to insult and humiliate Bengali-speaking people of India".

See now how Delhi Police under the direct control of the Ministry of Home, Government of India, is describing Bengali as Bangladeshi" language!" Banerjee posted on her Facebook account and X.

See now how Delhi police under the direct control of Ministry of Home, Government of India is describing Bengali as " Bangladeshi" language! Bengali, our mother tongue, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, the language in which our National Anthem and the pic.twitter.com/2ACUyehSx8 Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 3, 2025

She said Bengali is not only her mother tongue but also the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda. She added that Bengali was the language in which both Indias national anthem, Jana Gana Mana by Tagore and national song Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay were written.

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 the language in which crores of Indians speak and write, the language which is sanctified and recognised by the Constitution of India, is now described as a Bangladeshi language!!" she wrote. Scandalous, insulting, anti-national, unconstitutional!! This insults all Bengali-speaking people of India. They cannot use this kind of language, which degrades and debases us all. We urge immediate, strongest possible protests from all against the anti-Bengali Government of India who are using such anti-Constitutional language to insult and humiliate the Bengali-speaking people of India."

(With PTI inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 21:32 IST

News politics 'Bangladeshi National Language': Mamata Flags Delhi Police Wording, BJP Says Don't Politicise

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Fadnavis Says Security Law Allows Criticism, But Theres A Rider: 'Act Like Urban Naxal...

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 18:00 IST

Fadnavis has made it clear that the Bill is not for taking action against those who criticise the govt, but warned that those who act like urban Naxals will be arrested under it.

Devendra Fadnavis said government will move Supreme Court in 2006 Mumbai blast case (PTI File Image)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the Special Public Security Bill aims to tackle urban Naxalism" and wont be used for taking action against those who criticise the government.

The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations with a focus on urban Naxalism and passive militancy", was passed by the state legislature during the recent monsoon session of the state legislature.

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The bill has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and a jail term of up to seven years for those found guilty, sparking criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties who see it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security.

Talking to reporters in Nagpur on Saturday, Fadnavis said the law was not against demonstrators or those who criticise the government, news agency PTI reported.

If you act like an urban naxal, you will be arrested," he said when asked about Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackerays challenge to the CM to arrest his party workers under the newly passed legislation.

On Raj Thackerays charge that the CM wanted to forcibly teach young children Hindi but not Marathi to those coming from outside, Fadnavis said Marathi is mandatory in Maharashtra, but an additional Indian language should be learnt along with it.

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I am opposed to laying a red carpet for English instead of an Indian language," he said.

(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

Location : Nagpur, India, India

First Published: August 03, 2025, 18:00 IST

News politics Fadnavis Says Security Law Allows Criticism, But Theres A Rider: 'Act Like Urban Naxal...

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Prajwal Revanna's Rape Conviction Taints JD(S) Patriarch Deve Gowda's Six-Decade-Old Legacy

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 08:00 IST

Deve Gowda publicly stated that his grandson should face the strictest punishment if proven guiltya stance he reiterated in a strongly worded letter to Prajwal

Deve Gowda, a seasoned politician who proudly called himself Mannina Maga, or son of the soil, feels betrayed. File pic/PTI

For former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, the conviction of his elder grandson Prajwal Revanna is a personal and political blow. Known for his unblemished political career and personal life, Deve Gowda is deeply affected by Prajwal Revannas rape case.

Even the letter Deve Gowda wrote to Prajwal when he was absconding in Germany was harsh. Surrender or face the wrath of your family," Gowda had urged Prajwal, who refused to return to India to face charges of sexual abuse by several women.

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Prajwal Revanna, then the NDA candidate from Karnatakas Hassan Lok Sabha seat, fled to Germany on April 27, a day after polling concluded, as he was re-contesting his seat.

Deve Gowda publicly stated that his grandson should face the strictest punishment if proven guiltya stance he reiterated in a strongly worded letter to Prajwal. It took me some time to recover from the shock and pain he has inflicted on me, my entire family, my colleagues, friends, and party workers. I have already said that he should be given the harshest punishment under the law if found guilty," Deve Gowda wrote in that letter.

Many close to the family believe this wont be the end of Deve Gowdas political dynasty. His sonsHD Revanna, a former state minister, HD Kumaraswamy, former Karnataka CM and now union minister, and Kumaraswamys son Nikhil Kumaraswamyremain active in politics.

Kumaraswamy and his family have distanced themselves from the Revanna family. Kumaraswamy, a union minister in the Narendra Modi government, and his son Nikhil have contested elections thrice but lost all of them. What has happened is very unfortunate. We never thought this would happen, but lets say that justice has been delivered," said a senior JD(S) MLA to News18.

Deve Gowda, a seasoned politician who proudly called himself Mannina Maga, or son of the soil, feels betrayed. Another senior JD(S) leader who worked closely with Deve Gowda said the nonagenarian did not deserve this. Whatever happens, JD(S) is Deve Gowdas party, and the grandchildren came later. He did not deserve this. Those in the JD(S) know that JD(S) is Deve Gowda and Deve Gowda is JD(S). We stand by Deve Gowda," said a senior party member.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when Prajwal first contested his debut election, Deve Gowda declared his elder grandson as his political successor. Groomed as a rising star in Karnatakas powerful Gowda family, Prajwals fall has been dramatic. He now stands as a convicted rapist.

Prajwal and Nikhil are like my two eyes," Deve Gowda told this reporter during the 2019 Lok Sabha pollsa declaration that his grandsons were to carry forward the JD(S), after his sons HD Revanna and HD Kumaraswamy had already taken political charge. Prajwal was always considered to be the political heir to his grandfather," said Suresh Gowda, a JD(S) worker from Hassan. He was also regarded as the politically sharpest grandson," echoed several party workers and residents in Hassan.

Deve Gowdas decision to field Prajwal from Hassan and move to Tumkur in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was the first clear sign that Prajwal was his chosen heir. Gowda shifted to Tumkur to facilitate a safer election for himself, while Prajwal took his place in the familys home turf. He was renominated again in 2024that was the level of trust Gowda had in his elder grandson.

The 33-year-old former MP from Hassan and suspended JD(S) leader was convicted by a special court in one of four rape and sexual abuse cases filed against him and awarded life imprisonment until the end of his life. The case involved the sexual assault of a 48-year-old domestic worker at the familys Gannikada farmhouse in Holenarasipura in 2021.

His sudden departurejust days before the allegations became publicraised suspicions. A Blue Corner Notice was issued by Interpol at the behest of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and an arrest warrant was issued by a Special Court. He was investigated on charges of sexual abuse, which triggered a national uproar. Allegations included rape, sexual assault, disrobing women, and forcibly videographing sexual acts to intimidate the victims.

In his letter, Deve Gowdas pain and sense of betrayal were palpable. He recounted the shock and pain inflicted upon his family, colleagues, and supporters before reiterating that if Prajwal was found guilty, he should face the harshest legal penalties. This stance was also supported by Gowdas son and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. Prajwal is the son of Gowdas other son, HD Revanna.

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Deve Gowdas letter to Prajwal culminated in a stern ultimatum: return to India and submit to the legal process. Gowda warned that failing to heed this command would result in Prajwal facing the wrath of his family and complete isolation. He vowed that neither he nor any family member would interfere in the legal proceedings. At this juncture, I can do only one thing. I can issue a stern warning to Prajwal and ask him to return from wherever he is and surrender before the police. He should subject himself to the legal process. This is not an appeal that I am making, it is a warning that I am issuing. If he does not heed this warning, he will have to face my anger and the anger of all his family members. The law will take care of the accusations against him, but not listening to the family will ensure his total isolation. If he has any respect left for me, he has to return immediately," Deve Gowda wrote, revealing how deeply he felt betrayed by his grandson.

For a former PM who stood in Parliament in 1997 while facing a no-confidence motion against him, Deve Gowda said he would rise from the ashes like a phoenix. But that was to save his political career. What happened now was personalan indelible scar in a political career spanning six decades.

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: August 03, 2025, 08:00 IST

News politics Prajwal Revanna's Rape Conviction Taints JD(S) Patriarch Deve Gowda's Six-Decade-Old Legacy

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'Somebody Whom Ruling Party...': Tharoor On Who Would Be India's Next Vice President

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 11:01 IST

The next Vice President's election will be held on September 9. The Election Commission has confirmed that the notification in this regard will be issued on August 7.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that he has no idea who will be the next Vice President of the country. (Courtesy: PTI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said that he has no idea who will be the next Vice President of the country after Jagdeep Dhankhars sudden resignation; however, he added that it is clear that the person will be a nominee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

All we know is that it will be somebody whom the ruling party nominates, as we already know the composition of the electorate. Its the two houses of Parliament. Unlike the Presidential election, where the state assemblies also vote. For the Vice President, its only the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. So we already know the majority. I think its fairly clear that the next vice president will be the nominee of the ruling party," Tharoor said.

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#WATCH | Mumbai | On the next Vice President, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, All we know is that it will be somebody whom the ruling party nominates, as we already know the composition of the electorate We hope they consult the Opposition too, but who knows." pic.twitter.com/UQ3zznGLbq ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2025

Tharoor further said that he hoped the Centre would consult the Opposition in the next Vice Presidents selection. We hope they consult the Opposition too, but who knows," said the Congress leader.

Jagdeep Dhankhars Sudden Exit

On July 21, which was also the first day of the Parliaments Monsoon Session, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the position of the Vice President of India, sending shockwaves throughout the country.

Dhankhars term was supposed to culminate on August 10, 2027.

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The Election Commission said that the next Vice Presidents election will be held on September 9, and they will issue a notification in this regard on August 7.

The nomination papers will be filed till August 21. An Electoral College  comprising nominated and elected members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha  elects the Vice President.

About the Author Prisha Vibhavari Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact storytelling... Read More Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact storytelling... Read More

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First Published: August 03, 2025, 11:01 IST

News politics 'Somebody Whom Ruling Party...': Tharoor On Who Would Be India's Next Vice President

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Digging My Grave: Who Is David? Israelis Protest As Family Shocked Over Living Skeleton Clip

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 13:55 IST

Evyatar David's video has triggered protests at Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, with thousands coming out on the streets to push PM Benjamin Netanyahu to make a deal for the hostages

Clip from the video (left); Israelis seek the release of David and other hostages. (X/AP)

Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday released a disturbing video of a weak Israeli hostage, Evyatar David, 24, showing him digging what he calls his grave" in an underground tunnel. This is the second hostage video circulated within 48 hours.

The videos have triggered protests at Tel Avivs Hostage Square, with thousands coming out on the streets in the largest rally since the start of the war to push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a deal for the hostages.

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How psychopathic is Hamas?It forced starving hostage Evyatar David to DIG HIS OWN GRAVE for the cameras. pic.twitter.com/iMa404St4s  Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) August 2, 2025

What does the video clip released by Hamas show?

In the footage, David is seen using a shovel in the tunnel. He is seen saying in Hebrew: What Im doing now is digging my own grave. Every day my body becomes weaker and weaker. Im walking directly to my grave. There is the grave where I am going to be buried in. Time is running out to be released and be able to sleep in my bed with my family."

He is then seen breaking down. The footage is juxtaposed with images of starving Palestinian children.

In addition to the footage of David, Hamas and Islamic Jihad released another video showing hostage Rom Braslavski, 21, a dual German-Israeli citizen, also appearing weak.

How has Davids family reacted?

Davids family, according to the New York Post, said in a statement sent to the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, We are forced to witness our beloved son and brother, Evyatar David, deliberately and cynically starved in Hamass tunnels in Gaza  a living skeleton, buried alive."

Davids family in a statement said, The deliberate starvation of our son as part of a propaganda campaign is one of the most horrifying acts the world has seen. He is being starved purely to serve Hamass propaganda."

Hamas is using our son as a live experiment in a vile hunger campaign. The deliberate starvation of our son as part of a propaganda campaign is one of the most horrifying acts the world has seen," Davids family was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

A heartbreaking 40-second clip showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David, looking skeletal and frail inside a tunnel, was released with his familys permission, after Hamas published the footage without their consent. The family described him as a living skeleton buried alive" and pic.twitter.com/H77uZcXmI9 ILTV Israel News (@ILTVNews) August 2, 2025

Nazi-like Abuse: Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the family

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with the families of Hamas hostages Rom Braslavsky and Evyatar David. I expressed to them my deep shock at the harsh footage published by the Hamas terror organisation. I told them in the clearest way  we are continuing the effort to bring back all the hostages, relentlessly, with determination, and without tire," he said in a post on X.

Netanyahu said the cruelty of Hamas knows no bounds."

While the State of Israel allows the entry of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, Hamas terrorists deliberately starve our hostages, documenting them in a cynical, humiliating, and malicious manner," he added.

They also deliberately starve the residents of the Strip," Netanyahu alleged. They prevent aid from reaching them, and then lie to the world and conduct a false propaganda campaign against Israel," he said.

Netanyahu called on all the countries of the world  stand against this Nazi-like abuse. Do not stand by. This is a moral test."

Who is Evyatar David?

Evyatar David was reportedly abducted, along with his friend Gal Gilboa-Dalal, during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 that sparked the Gaza war. Both had been attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel.

Palestinian militants killed 370. Of the 251 hostages taken during the Hamas attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27, the Israeli military says, are dead.

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In late February, Hamas had released a video showing David and Gilboa-Dalal being held inside a vehicle and forced to watch a hostage release ceremony a short distance away, AFP reported.

With Agency Inputs

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: August 03, 2025, 13:52 IST

News world Digging My Grave: Who Is David? Israelis Protest As Family Shocked Over Living Skeleton Clip

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Trump Aide Targets India, Alleges It Is Fueling Russias War On Ukraine: 'Tied With China'

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 22:24 IST

Stephen Miller's comments marked one of the strongest criticisms of India from the Trump camp so far.

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US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on India (Image: Reuters/File)

A senior aide to US President Donald Trump has accused India of indirectly funding Russias war in Ukraine by continuing to import oil from Moscow. The remarks were made as Trump stepped up pressure on New Delhi to halt its energy trade with Russia.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security, What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia."

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Miller went on to say that people will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. Thats an astonishing fact."

His comments marked one of the strongest criticisms of India from the Trump camp so far.

India, a key US partner in the Indo-Pacific region, has maintained strong energy ties with Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and growing Western sanctions against Moscow.

According to Indian officials quoted by Reuters on Saturday, New Delhi intends to keep buying Russian oil, arguing it serves the countrys energy security needs.

Last Friday, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing its ongoing defence and energy transactions with Russia. Trump has also threatened to raise tariffs to 100% on imports from any country that continues buying Russian oil, unless Moscow agrees to a significant peace deal.

Despite the criticism, Miller acknowledged Trumps tremendous" relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modis Stance On Russia-Ukraine War

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi has consistently called for peace and diplomacy regarding the Ukraine conflict. He has maintained that India stands for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the war.

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2022 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, PM Modi had said, I know that todays era is not of war and we have talked to you many times over the phone on the subject that democracy and diplomacy and dialogue are all these things that touch the world."

Putin, in response, acknowledged Indias concerns and assured PM Modi that Russia would make efforts to end the conflict, blaming Ukraines leadership for prolonging it.

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I know about your position on the conflict in Ukraine and I know about your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible," Putin had said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 03, 2025, 22:06 IST

News world Trump Aide Targets India, Alleges It Is Fueling Russias War On Ukraine: 'Tied With China'

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Billionaire entrepreneur Amancio Ortega, 89, has a property portfolio in Britain worth 2.5bn - Fotopress/Getty Images

Amancio Ortega, Spains richest man, is not a household name on Teesside. But the billionaire entrepreneur, best known for founding Zara, now looms large over the area.

The 89-year-olds 110bn (95bn) family office, Pontegadea Inversiones, last week snapped up a 49pc stake in PD Ports, paying an undisclosed sum to Canadian investment giant Brookfield for the shares. PD operates major ports at Tees and Hartlepool.

The Spaniard already has a property portfolio in Britain worth 2.5bn, but until now he has mostly stuck to hotels, shops and offices. The PD Ports deal is his first major British foray into infrastructure and logistics.

Ortegas family office insists the investment is simply about good business. But observers note that the push into ports could have an advantageous side effect: lowering the billionaires wealth tax bill.

Spains notorious wealth tax was first introduced in 1977 as an emergency measure, and was reintroduced in 2011 after a three-year hiatus as a temporary measure. It takes an annual slice of between 0.2pc and 3.5pc of the value of every Spanish residents worldwide assets.

The rules say that a Spaniards combined tax bill on wealth and income should not exceed 60pc of their taxable income. That shifts the tax net away from the asset-rich-cash-poor, old-money crowd and more towards the high-earning end of the wealth spectrum  where Ortega stands out.

Ortegas personal fortune, which Forbes estimates at almost $115bn (86bn), largely derives from his 59pc shareholding in his company Inditex, which owns the Zara brand he founded 50 years ago.

After leaving school at 14, he began working for a clothes shop in Galicia and started his first rag-trade business in the early 1960s.

However, it is not just a paper fortune: he also regularly receives billions in dividends, a form of income, from his empire.

Ortega founded the Zara brand 50 years ago - ALBERT GEA/Reuters

This year, his dividend bonanza will top 3bn for the first time thanks to his stake in Inditex, which is held via two of Pontegadeas three subsidiary companies. He tends to reinvest almost all of this in buying properties and companies.

Most of Ortegas British investments are in scope of Spains wealth tax. However, the rules say that if a rich Spaniard has a stake worth more than 5pc in a productive or trading business (which does not include real estate), that wont count towards his or her taxable wealth.

PD Ports is exactly this kind of investment.

Sources close to Pontegadea say most of the family offices assets would still get caught in the wealth tax net. They say it is standard practice to redeploy the dividends and other income into economically productive assets.
New Zealand Woman Arrested After Toddler Found Stuffed In Suitcase, Hidden Under Bus

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 16:39 IST

The toddler had been placed in the undercarriage luggage storage  a separate, sealed-off compartment located beneath the seating area of the bus

The girl was immediately taken to hospital and is currently undergoing an extensive medical assessment. (AP file photo)

A 27-year-old woman on Sunday was arrested for child neglect in New Zealand after a two-year-old girl was found stuffed inside a suitcase in the luggage compartment of a bus.

Police were called to a bus depot in the town of Kaiwaka, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Auckland, after the driver became suspicious of a suitcase moving during a scheduled stop.

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When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl," said Detective Inspector Simon Harrison. The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed."

The toddler had been stuffed into the suitcase and placed in the undercarriage luggage storage  a separate, sealed-off compartment located beneath the seating area of the bus, which typically stores passengers bags and cargo. Temperatures inside such compartments can rise significantly, especially in warmer weather, posing serious risks to health and safety.

According to police, the driver, noticing unusual movement coming from the luggage area, acted quickly to investigate, likely saving the childs life.

The drivers quick actions prevented what could have been a far worse outcome," Harrison said.

The girl was immediately taken to hospital and is currently undergoing an extensive medical assessment. She is reportedly in stable condition but remains under observation.

The woman believed to be responsible for placing the child in the suitcase was arrested at the scene. She has been charged with ill-treatment and neglect of a child. Police say additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.

New Zealands Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki, has been notified and is working with authorities to ensure the childs welfare.

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Authorities have not yet disclosed the relationship between the woman and the child.

(With inputs from AFP)

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 : New Zealand

First Published: August 03, 2025, 16:39 IST

News world New Zealand Woman Arrested After Toddler Found Stuffed In Suitcase, Hidden Under Bus

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Prominent Anti-Khalistan Activist Sukhi Chahal Dies 'Mysteriously' In US

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 05:55 IST

Friends confirmed that Chahal had been receiving frequent death threats from pro-Khalistan groups but remained resolute in his advocacy

The timing of Chahal's death, just before a significant Khalistan Referendum event on August 17 in Washington DC, which he was actively opposing, has heightened suspicions among his associates. Image/Facebook

The sudden and mysterious death of Sukhi Chahal, a notable US-based businessman and social activist known for his strong opposition to Khalistani separatism, has deeply impacted the Indian diaspora and anti-Khalistani communities, according to a Times of India report. Chahals unexpected demise in California has raised numerous questions among his friends and associates.

Jaspal Singh, a close friend, revealed that Chahal attended a dinner at an acquaintances home on Thursday. Shortly after the meal, his health rapidly declined, and he passed away on the spot," Singh explained on Saturday, noting that Chahal had been in good health before the incident.

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As the founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today, Chahal was a prominent critic of Khalistani elements operating abroad. Friends, including Boota Singh Kaler, confirmed that Chahal had been receiving frequent death threats from pro-Khalistan groups but remained resolute in his advocacy. The timing of his death, just before a significant Khalistan Referendum event on August 17 in Washington DC, which he was actively opposing, has heightened suspicions among his associates.

Police are currently investigating the incident, and an autopsy report is awaited to determine the precise cause of death. Chahals passing has brought a wave of grief to pro-India communities worldwide, who regarded him as a brave voice against extremism. He consistently advised Indian immigrants to follow US laws and avoid criminal activities, highlighting the legal consequences for foreign visitors who break the law in the United States.

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: August 03, 2025, 05:55 IST

News world Prominent Anti-Khalistan Activist Sukhi Chahal Dies 'Mysteriously' In US

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$50K Bonus, Student Loan Relief: ICE Hiring Spree Fuels Trumps Crackdown On Illegals

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Last Updated: August 03, 2025, 17:37 IST

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun a new recruitment campaign to enforce Trump's aggressive plans to deport illegal immigrants.

The heavy-handed approach by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents has come under criticism. (Reuters/File)

US federal officials have launched a massive recruitment campaign to hire more than 14,000 immigration agents, attorneys and workers to enforce President Donald Trumps plans to deport a million illegal immigrants annually from the United States.

Trumps aggressive immigration crackdown has received fresh funding after the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law, and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun a new recruitment campaign to help boost the deportation of illegal immigrants from the country, offering significant benefits to people for signing up.

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America needs you," read one of the ICE recruitment posters that features a finger-pointing Uncle Sam, much like the World War I recruitment posters. America has been invaded by criminals and predators. We need YOU to get them out."

People are not required to have an undergraduate degree to join the latest ICE drive to deport illegals. In exchange for joining Trumps immigration crackdown, recruits could receive a $50,000 bonus, up to $60,000 in student loan forgiveness, and a 25% premium pay incentive.

The federal spending plan funds the hiring of 10,000 new ICE agents, making it the single-largest law enforcement agency in the country, larger than the FBI, DEA, ATF and other agencies combined, USA Today reported.

However, the dramatic expansion of ICE operations has upset communities in several parts of the country and raised concerns over the tactics ICE agents have used to catch alleged illegal immigrants. Trumps heavy-handed" approach to illegal immigration has sparked controversy, with naturalised US citizens being swept up in the crackdown.

Local Sheriffs Worried

According to the report by USA Today, the recruitment efforts have also angered local sheriffs, who are worried that deputies in already understaffed offices will be lured away by the big bonuses and higher pay.

It is tone deaf and reflects a total lack of judgment and character on their part," said Jonathan Thompson, the executive director and CEO of the National Sheriffs Association. This is either galactically stupid or purposefully malicious."

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However, federal officials have promised to further flood Democrat-run cities with deportation officers in response to a lack of cooperation in Trumps aggressive approach to curbing undocumented immigration. The Department of Homeland Security has already begun hiring for the new jobs.

Meanwhile, White House officials have warned that there had been an 830% increase in assaults against ICE agents through July 14, compared with the same period last year, and the recruiting materials say applicants should expect a certain level of risk," but that they will be trained to take every precaution" in remaining safe.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 03, 2025, 17:29 IST

News world $50K Bonus, Student Loan Relief: ICE Hiring Spree Fuels Trumps Crackdown On Illegals

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It was probably just a matter of time: Penis filler is getting big. Vice reports that injectable penile girth enhancementonce taboo or fodder for the darker corners of Redditis now one of the most requested procedures among men seeking more size down below without going under the knife. Using the same material found in lip and cheek fillers, these treatments are reversible, lower-risk, and increasingly popular. "It's not about chasing some unrealistic ideal," said Miami-based urologist Dr. Amy Pearlman. "It's about helping people feel better in their bodies with a method that's safe, straightforward, and backed by science." The procedure is so popular, she said, that it's become what she does the most. "These days, the most common procedure I do as a urologist isn't surgeryit's penile girth enhancement using hyaluronic acid filler."

And she's not the only one with business booming; there's demand pretty much everywhere. Manhattan aesthetic nurse practitioner Chris Bustamante told USA Today he performs about three fillers a day, and that his patients come from all walks of life: Most are "high-power money-makers" in their 40s and 50s, while some are young professionals in their 30s with jobs in creative fields like marketing. Others, he mentioned, are sex workers. But he told Business Insider they typically have something in common: The majority already had a penis of average or above-average size, but he said these men want to be "the biggest guy in the room."

But when you're tweaking something so sensitive, there can be consequencesand they can be gruesome. Cosmetic dermatologist Jason Emer told USA Today that botched penis filler procedures are becoming more common, especially when men seek out cheaper providers with little experience or training. He said up to five patients come in for penis filler each day, and more than half are there for corrections to botched treatments from sketchy providers. He's seen everything from deformities to a man with a hole in his body due to necrosis. Still, it doesn't seem to have decreased the buzz around penis filler. He said the men who used to want the procedure had clear reasoning, but that's changed. "What I find is most people actually want it for themselves, their own self-confidence."
A group of US prison officials from North Dakota, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma recently traveled to Germany, touring facilities that, at first glance, might look more like a university campus than a prison. As the New York Times recounts, the inmates wore regular clothes, cooked their own meals, and even worked with animals. One deputy prison warden from North Dakota started cataloguing potential weak points she spotted at the maximum-security Tegel prison, at least from a US perspective, including cell windows that opened and inmates at work beyond the gate.

Yet German prisons report lower violence and recidivism, with officials citing the principle of "human dignity" as foundational. As the Times puts it, "German prison officials say they consider loss of liberty to be punishment enough"; the paper sees the current approach as a reaction to the country's far grimmer use of prisons during its Nazi era as well. A handful of US statesprompted by dire conditions, staffing shortages, and rising violenceare now experimenting with similar approaches.

Projects modeled on European systems have emerged in California, Arizona, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, which now has a unit called Little Scandinavia in which inmates cook their own meals and can exercise alongside officers, per Science. It's set to expand to three other sites in the state. While there's still not much data on the impact, early evidence from one such experiment in South Carolina suggests a steep drop in disciplinary issues. But a meaningful shift will be hard to come by due to just how big the US prison population is (about 2 million people), the cost of implementing some of the changes, and political resistance.
Facing bureaucracy at home in Poland, Magdalena Kujawinska and her Colombian fiance Heinner Valenzuela traveled to Copenhagen to marry. "We realized that it's not that easy to get married in Poland," the 30-year-old Kujawinska said as the couple waited for their 10-minute ceremony at the Danish capital's 19th-century City Hall. "You need a certificate that you are not married," she said. "We tried to get it from Colombia, but it's only valid for three months, and it couldn't get to Poland from Colombia in three months. It was just impossible for us."

The couple, who live in Krakow, had been engaged for more than three years when Kujawinska heard about Denmark's relatively relaxed marriage laws from a colleague, reports the AP. Working with an online wedding planner, the couple prepared the necessary documents. "And in four days, we had the decision that the marriage could be done here," a smiling Kujawinska said. Their story is becoming more typical: Couples who don't live in Denmark, both mixed- and same-sex, are increasingly getting married in the Scandinavian countryprompting some to dub Copenhagen the "Las Vegas of Europe."

The head of the marriage office at Copenhagen City Hall said that about 5,400 of the 8,000 wedding ceremonies performed there last year were for couples in which neither partner was a Danish resident. "That's almost double what we saw five years ago," she said. But the city sees a downside: demand for ceremonies at City Hall now far exceeds the number of slots available, which "poses challenges for Copenhagen-based couples wishing to get married," per Mia Nyegaard, the Copenhagen official in charge of culture and leisure. Local authorities plan to take action: About 40% of wedding slots available at City Hall will be reserved for Copenhagen residents starting from the end of October.

story continues below

While booking a slot there is the most obvious way to get married in the city, arranging a ceremony with a private registrar is also an option, and that won't be affected. Denmark's marriage laws are liberal in several ways:

In 1989, the country became the world's first to allow the registration of same-sex civil unions. The legalization of same-sex marriage followed in 2012.

For unions of all kinds, Denmarkunlike many European countriesdoesn't require a birth certificate or proof of single status to obtain a certificate that grants the right to get married in Denmark within four months. Officials might, in cases where divorce papers don't show clearly that a divorce has been finalized, ask for a civil status certificate.

Non-resident couples can travel to Denmark and get married with just a valid passport and, if required, a tourist visa.
Dreaming of a place to live where trash cans don't overflow and the air and water are pristine? South Bend, Indiana, is your best bet, according to LawnStarter, which examined more than 300 major US cities to see which ones are the cleanest and dirtiest in America. The landscaping site examined all of the entries to suss out pollution levels, inadequate living conditions, inadequate waste infrastructure, and resident dissatisfaction. Indiana's fourth most populous city comes in as the most immaculate, while San Bernardino in California ranks as the dirtiest. Here, the top and bottom 10:
However, many investors' love affair with Starbucks has faded since the company has mostly saturated major U.S. markets like New York and California, reducing chances for sales growth. Its share price is up just 15% over the past five years, while the S&P 500 has climbed 89%. In 2025, Starbucks stock price has fallen nearly 5%.

Longtime shareholders have been handsomely rewarded, given that Starbucks shares have surged since its IPO in 1992. A $10,000 investment then would be worth over $3 million today.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) stock price financed a good chunk of the companys global expansion. Investors eagerly bought shares early in the companys growth phase to profit from the opportunity for its customer-first approach to dislodge market share from rivals like Tim Hortons and Dunkin.

Longtime hedge fund manager Doug Kass is among the doubters. He recently sent a particularly harsh message about Starbucks, suggesting Niccols strategy to get Starbucks back to its roots is unlikely to pan out.

The situation has left many scratching their heads, wondering if Starbucks' new CEO, Brian Niccol, can get things back on track.

The company has faced controversies over worker pay (and what they wear ), as well as customer complaints over inconsistent drink tastes, food freshness, and, more generally, the rise of a less-relaxed cafe vibe, too focused on boosting transactions and profit margin.

With that kind of growth, and plenty of shareholders eager for ever-increasing profits, its pretty unsurprising that Starbucks has dealt with growing pains.

1,800 locations in Latin America, including more than 70 in Colombia, putting Starbucks about as close to the coffees origins as possible.

That approach helped Starbucks grow from a single store in Seattle, Washington, to a coffee powerhouse with 41,000 stores located in just about every nook and cranny of the globe, including:

In its early days, Starbucks approach was unique. Unlike rivals like Dunkin', Tim Hortons, and breakfast diners, its mission wasnt to provide one coffee for everyone as fast as possible. Instead, it treated making coffee like a craftsman makes fine furniture, focusing on the highest-quality product, regardless of how long it takes.

Story Continues

With Starbucks stores seemingly everywhere, longtime hedge fund manager Doug Kass suggests the companys strategy nowadays is less about reimagining coffee houses and more about milking as much money out of existing locations as possible.

Such an approach can boost earnings in the short term, but it poses a significant long-term risk to Starbucks brand.

[Starbucks] morphed into overpriced purveyors of food/coffee  while the quality of their product offering has deteriorated and the selling cost of the product has risen, wrote Doug Kass in a post to investors on TheStreet Pro.

It's not just the coffee, either. While many may think Starbucks bakes its treats on site, many are previously frozen.

I couldn't create a danish as unappealing, said Kass, who has managed money professionally for about 50 years.

Starbucks' worker relationship has soured over time

Some Starbucks employees agree that the company's mission has lost its way. It was once highly recognized as a pioneer in employee pay, offering solid wages and a partner approach to its workers.

Employees, however, have increasingly explored unionization in recent years, saying the faster-paced environment is taking a heavy toll on its once-lauded baristas, and pay hasnt kept pace.

Starbucks' response to unionization has drawn fire from worker advocates who suggest management has engaged in union-busting decisions.

For example, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused the company of firing or disciplining workers, including the high-profile case involving the Memphis 7, seven workers terminated after advocating unionization.

That case went to the Supreme Court, where an earlier court decision to grant an injunction supporting the workers was reversed in Starbucks favor, and the case was sent back to the lower courts.

The first corporate Starbucks location to unionize was in Buffalo in 2021, led by Starbucks Workers United. As of August 2025, workers at over 600 Starbucks stores across the U.S. have voted to unionize, according to Workers United.

Responding to TheStreet, a Starbucks spokesperson said, "Our success starts and ends with our partners (employees). We respect our partners' right to choose, through a fair and democratic process, to be represented by a union or not to be represented by a union, and will continue to work to make Starbucks the best job in retail."

Starbucks turnaround plan faces uphill battle

The companys frayed relationship with some employees isnt the only problem CEO Brian Niccol is trying to fix. Niccol joined Starbucks as CEO in 2024 after over six years at the helm of Chipotle.

Shortly after Niccol took over as Starbucks CEO, he acknowledged a shared sense that we have drifted from our core and announced his Back To Starbucks" plan to get the company back on track, focusing on a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas.

However, those comments and Niccols plans sound hollow to Kass.

When he got to Starbucks, Niccol started off by using fancy jargon to distract from the fact that Starbucks is losing to both value and premium brands/operators, wrote Kass. Starbucks now faces a very expensive overhaul in its physical locations and product offerings.

Starbucks faces fierce competition from big and small rivals

Starbucks competitive advantage hasnt been lost on rivals. Big rivals like Dunkin and McDonald's have expanded menus, including popular refreshers, while local mom-and-pop cafes have leaned hard into the artisanal coffee house vibe.

Related: McDonald's to test five crazy new drinks

Winning back market share from those players wont be easy. As a result, Niccols overhaul could pressure Starbucks profits while ultimately doing little to restore Starbucks's culture, disappointing investors.

The brand is now very weak competitively  they aren't premium (artisans, local brands, etc.) and the previous also-rans are coming in hot with smaller footprints, said Kass. From a product standpoint, they sell more chemicals, sugar and ice  it's not coffee.

Undeniably, many remain loyal Starbucks fans, but there are more choices, and with less connection to the employees, the moat of loyalty isnt nearly as strong as it was in the past.

It is the Regal Cinemas concession stand without the movies. The notion that the baristas want to hang with the customers has been lost, said Kass. I suspect the turnaround in both companies will take a lot longer than the consensus expects.

To be sure, Starbucks' challenges arent unique. Indeed, most companies experiencing the kind of success it has experienced deal with similar issues.

Niccol's turnaround plan generally has Wall Street support. Thirteen analysts rate Starbucks stock a buy, nine rate it a hold, and two rate it a sell, according to TipRanks.

Still, the hyper-competitive coffee market and the challenges facing Niccol leave Kass thinking that there are better alternatives for investors.

I would not bottom fish despite the material share-price weakness, concluded Kass.

Related: Why did stocks tumble this week?

Starbucks' problems may be too big to fix first appeared on TheStreet on Aug 3, 2025

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
UPDATE

Aug 4, 2025 12:16 AM CDT

President Trump was quick to respond to Charlamagne tha God after the radio show host suggested Jon Stewart should run for president in 2028. The broadcaster "knows nothing about me or what I have done," Trump said in response to Charlamagne's criticism of his presidency. He also, per the AP, called the radio host a "racist sleazebag" and a "dope" who should not be using God's name professionally: "Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?"

Aug 3, 2025 8:18 AM CDT

Radio host Charlamagne tha God is floating a well-known name as a 2028 candidate for Democrats: Jon Stewart. In an interview with Fox News' Lara Trump, Charlamagne said he would "love" to see Stewart run, reports the Hill.
China has imposed tighter restrictions on foreign travel for public employees, extending controls well beyond sensitive government positions. Rules now prohibit teachers, doctors, and workers at state-owned enterprises from traveling abroad without permissionwith some required to surrender their passports entirely. Even retirees in some cities must wait years to get their travel documents back, the New York Times reports. Government officials say the measures are meant to protect national security, curb corruption, and save money. Yet the scope has widened rapidly, affecting employees who say their work is far removed from sensitive state matters.

Approvals are mandatory for overseas trips, regardless of whether they're for work or leisure, and business travel for routine research or academic exchange is mostly off the table. The policies reflect Beijing's push for stricter "political discipline" and ideological control, especially regarding foreign contact. A nurse at a hospital in Zhejiang who wants to visit Vietnam told the Times she would need four layers of approvals. The rules, she said, seemed to reflect a fear that rank-and-file workers might flee with sensitive information or illicit funds. "If there are any secrets, would people like us know about them?" she said. "What money do we have to abscond with?"
The director of the White House National Economic Council defended President Trump's firing of the official charged with compiling employment data, saying Sunday that the president needs information he can trust. "The president wants his own people there, so that when we see the numbers, they're more transparent and more reliable," Kevin Hassett said on NBC's Meet the Press, the New York Times reports. Others with knowledge of the job said that, despite Trump's accusations, it's not possible for one person to change the numbers gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And Erika McEntarfer has posted her response to being fired. Developments include:
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Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is included in our list of the 9 Cheap Solid State Battery Stocks to Invest in Now.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) Announces First-Half 2025 Productions, Sales, and Export Performance

Image by Admiral_Lebioda from Pixabay

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) announced its first-half 2025 production, sales, and export numbers on July 30, 2025, highlighting strong year-over-year performance across production, sales, and exports. Compared to the 4.89 million units sold during the same period the previous year, global sales increased by 5.5% to 5.16 million units.

Strong demand for new models like the Crown Estate and a comeback from last years certification issue and recall led to a notable 12.6% year-over-year increase in Japanese sales. Largely driven by strong demand for Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM)s hybrid models, North America, the second-largest market, contributed 1.44 million units, representing a 4.2% YoY increase. With government subsidies for electric vehicles, Toyotas largest market, Asia, had a 5.4% increase, hitting 1.54 million units.

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) produced 4.92 million units worldwide, a 5.8% increase over the previous year. Asia saw a particularly noteworthy increase in production, rising 6.1% year over year to become the largest production segment. With North America remaining the largest export destination, total exports, excluding Lexus, hit 1.01 million units, the most since 2019 and representing an 8% YoY growth.

Serving Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) manufactures passenger and commercial vehicles, along with related parts. It is included in our list of cheap solid state battery stocks.

While we acknowledge the potential of TM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Cheap Value Stocks to Buy Now According to Warren Buffett and 7 Best Potash Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None.
(Bloomberg) -- Swiss stock investors are bracing for Mondays market reopening after US President Donald Trump slapped a punitive 39% export tariff on the country, among the highest in the world.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Trumps tariff rollout landed on a holiday, Swiss National Day, which means any market fallout will only be felt once trading resumes on Monday. While Trumps fresh tariff salvo left baseline rates unchanged for many of the USs trading partners, some like Canada and Switzerland got hit with significantly higher duties.

Switzerland, known for its luxury watches, rich chocolates and banking giants, is one of the USs biggest trade partners. Last year, it exported more than $60 billion of goods to the US, ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to Nespresso coffee. So the 39% tariff rate is likely to roil the market Monday even if some investors cling to the hope that its just another one of Trumps negotiating ploys.

Clearly, the Swiss markets first reaction will be negative, said Andreas Wosol, head of Amundi SAs European equity value strategies. But then attention turns to negotiations. This is an announcement where Trump wants a reaction rather than to impose this level of tariff.

On Friday, several US-listed Swiss stocks fell. Shares of the countrys biggest bank UBS Group AG slid 1.8% and computer hardware maker Logitech International SA dropped 3.5%. American depositary receipts for Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA  owner of luxury maisons like Cartier, Chloe and Van Cleef & Arpels  fell 2.5%. And Watches of Switzerland Group Plc slumped 6.8% in London trading.

What stings more is that Switzerlands European Union counterparts were able to secure a 15% tariff rate. That creates a competitive disadvantage for the Swiss, according to a Friday note from authors including Daniel Kalt at UBS Global Wealth Managements Chief Investment Office.

Last year, the US accounted for a 19% chunk of Switzerlands goods exports, the authors point out. Their base case is for the two countries to reach a similar tariff deal to the EU. But even then, they say a 15% tariff rate is still sizable compared to before Liberation Day, while the US dollars depreciation against the Swiss franc makes matters worse for Swiss exporters.

For Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Germanys Berenberg, its all a prelude to negotiations.
Crypto-linked investment products are making a comeback in the UK, as regulators move to restore retail investors access to markets once deemed too risky.

The Financial Conduct Authority announced Friday that retail traders will once again be allowed to buy exchange-traded notes tied to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, ending a five-year ban imposed in 2021.

The change takes effect on October 8 and will apply only to ETNs listed on regulated UK exchanges.

Unlike ETFs, which are backed by physical holdings, ETNs are debt instruments issued by financial institutions that track the price of an underlying asset or index.

While they work differently under the hood, many investors use them for the same purpose: gaining exposure to crypto without going through the hassle of holding the coins themselves.

Since we restricted retail access to cETNs, the market has evolved, and products have become more mainstream and better understood, said David Geale, executive director of payments and digital finance at the FCA. Were providing consumers with more choice, while ensuring there are protections in place.

However, the regulator stressed that its ban on crypto derivatives for retail investors, which includes futures and options, will remain in place.

Tone shift

Its a notable shift in tone from the UK regulator, which had cited extreme volatility, fraud risks, and valuation challenges when it first banned crypto ETNs and derivatives in January 2021.

The reversal also comes as lawmakers and industry groups ramp up pressure for a more proactive regulatory approach.

Earlier this week, Parliament relaunched its All-Party Parliamentary Group on crypto and digital assets, a cross-party coalition supported by industry body CryptoUK.

The group, now chaired by Labour MP Gurinder Josan and Conservative peer Ed Vaizey, said it plans to scrutinise upcoming digital asset regulations and push for clarity.

Our goal is to make the UK the safest place for consumers and the best place for businesses to invest and build, Josan said in a Wednesday press release.

Regulators and the Treasury have also stepped up efforts. In April, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves published draft legislation aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for cryptoassets, while the FCA launched a consultation in May on how it should supervise digital assets.

Kyle Baird is DL News Weekend Editor. Got a tip? Email at kbaird@dlnews.com.
Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden

Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden. Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden

Virtua Health plans a $500 million renovation and expansion project at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden.

The expansion project includes a new six-story patient care pavilion named for philanthropist Marvin Samson, according to a statement issued by Virtua Health.

The Samson Pavilion is expected to welcome patients at the end of 2027.

The Marvin Samson Foundation has pledged $5 million to support education and workforce development programs at Virtua Health, marking the largest gift in the health systems history.

Samson, a Virtua board member and longtime supporter, is also the namesake of the Virtua Samson Cancer Center in Moorestown.

The nearly 200,000-square-foot addition will increase the hospitals size by 35%, according to Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin.

The new pavilion, attached to the existing hospital at Haddon and Euclid avenues, will support specialized services including advanced cardiovascular care, organ transplantation, and a neurosciences program in partnership with Penn Medicine.

The addition will feature:

78 private patient rooms

10 operating rooms (including two hybrid operating suites)

Four cardiac catheterization labs

Three electrophysiology labs for heart rhythm treatments

Two GI endoscopy rooms

40 surgical prep and recovery rooms

Neuro-surgical stroke intervention suite

Centralized post-anesthesia care unit with 40 private, adaptable patient bays

The Samson Pavilion is part of Virtua Healths organization-wide strategy called Advancing Well into the Future.

Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes is home to the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Neurosciences Program, providing advanced neurosurgical care for stroke, aneurysm, traumatic brain injury, and more.

Additionally, the hospital is Virtuas hub for the treatment of kidney and liver disease, and is South Jerseys only center for liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
A man was in critical condition after he was shot early on the morning of Aug. 2, 2025, authorities confirmed. (Newark police vehicle file photo) Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance M

A man was in critical condition after he was shot in Newark on Saturday morning, authorities confirmed.

The victim, who was not identified, was found by police at about 6:10 a.m. on the 500 block of Elizabeth Avenue after he had been shot, Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

The man was taken to University Hospital for treatment and was in critical condition as of Saturday afternoon, Miranda said.

The shooting is under investigation and no other information was immediately released.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends. Here, they discuss the weeks political events with Star-Ledger editor Enrique Lavin.

Q: Lets start with the renewed calls for transparency in the Epstein investigation. Democrats are urging the Department of Justice to release transcripts from interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell. A YouGov poll shows 82% of Americans across party lines support full disclosure.

What are the political and legal stakes of releasing these transcripts?

Julie: Its not just Republicans who are urging the release of the transcripts. Lets recall that Donald Trump promised to release everything in the Epstein files when he ran. JD Vance said that the files should be released. So did Kash Patel and Dan Bongino. The more the Trump administration resists, the more we should be asking what this president is hiding.

Mike: This ones not going away. It hurts Trump with his base who thought he would promote the transparency he promised, so someone must fear something worse than that disappointment if all files were to be released. Theres no way to know without a full release. Its crazy that the guy who promoted conspiracy theories is now falling victim to them here.

Q: Why might the DOJ resist public pressure, despite bipartisan support? And could this transparency demand backfire politically for either party?

Julie: The refusal to release these files, despite the massive hit Trump has taken from his own base, begs the obvious conclusion that whatever is in there is so damaging to the president that he would rather have this scandal consume his presidency than come clean about what all this shows.

He has dispatched his own former criminal defense attorney and one of the highest-ranking officials in the DOJ to interview Ghislaine Maxwell and has actually floated pardoning her  despite the fact that she is a convicted sex trafficker who ensnared young girls into having sex with countless grown men and then threatened them with violence if they refused. The MAGA Speaker of the House sent his members home just to avoid forcing the DOJ to release these files. Unless you are so red-pilled that you injected bleach intravenously at Trumps behest, you understand exactly why this is all happening.

Mike: Sometimes the most obvious answer is the answer.

Q: Texas Republicans have proposed a mid-decade redistricting plan to carve out five new GOP congressional seats. This is a rare move, especially outside the usual redistricting cycle. Could this trigger a wave of similar mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states? What does it mean for 2026?

Julie: Republicans are playing for keeps. They know they will get blown out next year if we had fair elections, so they are doing everything they can to tilt the playing field in their own favor. If Democrats dont wake up and learn to bring a Bazooka to a knife fight, we wont have a democracy left. Any Democratic state that has the ability to get partisan redistricting on the map for 2026 should move to do that immediately.

Mike: All the mid-decade redistricting is terrible for democracy, simply a partisan game premised on gerrymandering. None of this is in the interest of the voters who will find themselves in new districts.

Q: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declared that the Trump Economy has officially arrived after a 3% GDP growth report  despite signs of weak business investment. Economic reality or political branding?

Julie: I love that Lutnick has branded this the Trump economy. Trumps numbers on the economy are cratering, and thats before the worst of his tariffs go into effect. By Christmas, he will rue the day that he came up with that slogan. Since its the Trump economy, there will be no one else to blame.

Mike: The economy is never about stats. Its about how you feel personally. Trump lovers and Trump haters would be cautious to overreact to too many stats.

Q: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker publicly criticized his own party on the Senate floor, accusing Democrats of being complicit in not doing more to counter Trump. What does this reveal about internal Democratic divisions heading into 2026? Could it hurt Dems in 2026?

Julie: Booker is right. Joe Biden got a lot of good bipartisan legislation passed and voters gave Democrats no credit for it. We are in a battle for the soul of our nation and for our very democracy. You dont cut deals with people who are trying to destroy the republic. You let them fail and then remind the voters who was in charge when everything went to hell.

Mike: I thought it was great. Good for Cory for speaking truth to power to both parties. Where was that anger in 2020 when he could have been the nominee? The Democrats were looking for anger and passion more than unity and love. This Cory Booker can be a serious contender in 2028.

Q: I know you dont like to talk about polls, but a new FDU poll shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill only 8 points ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Some 16% of New Jersey voters are undecided. What about that 16%?

Julie: Sigh... if I must answer polling questions, here is what I would say: These polls are making assumptions about turnout that I dont think are necessarily accurate. They may not be inaccurate, but they necessarily base their sample on prior elections.

A lot has changed since the last gubernatorial race. You only need to look at the New York City mayors race and last years New Jersey presidential election numbers to understand that a large swath of voters is no longer reverting to form, while the right candidate can turn out a whole new set of people who never voted before.

Can Sherrill energize progressives and voters of color? Will Ciattarelli turn out Latino voters the way Trump did? Will that 16% that is allegedly undecided even bother coming out in an election where independent voters seem to hate both parties and partisan voters are either energized or depressed, depending on how they feel about Trump and Gov. Murphy? This is all to say that polling in this environment has become nearly impossible, as we continue to go through a seismic shift in voter attitudes. If you dont believe me, just ask Andrew Cuomo.

Mike: Its hard to get too worked up about any of these polls, but taken in totality it seems like there is general agreement that Mikie has an advantage in this race given Trumps numbers and the Democratic advantage in voter registration. But all the polls also seem to agree that this is a close single-digit race that Jack can win. Its too far from the election to read anything into it other than it should be a close race.

Q: Another FDU poll found about a third of New Jersey voters are concerned about someone close to them could be deported. And 55% say the Trump administration is doing too much to deport undocumented immigrants (10% say its not doing enough). The same poll showed 37% of voters approve of President Trumps job performance. How will this playout in the gubernatorial race?

Julie: The question that this election will answer is whether New Jersey off-year elections are still about state issues or whether they, like everything else in the Trump era, are now nationalized.

Murphy thought he could answer that question by running against Trump in 2021 and he almost lost. But that was when Trump was out of office and voters did not think he was coming back. Clearly, voters are unhappy at the moment, but the question is whom they blame for their unhappiness: the Democrats who have run Trenton for eight years or Trump and his Republican allies, who have set the country  including New Jersey  on fire.

Mike: Great point by Julie. The old adage was all politics are local. With the demise of local newspapers and the dominance partisan cable television, that should change to all politics are national. However, its been 53 years since New Jersey has elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate, but in that time Republicans have won six times in races for governor. New Jersey voters have shown time and again they understand the difference between state and national elections.

A note to readers: Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we prove it every week with this Friendly Fire conversation.

Mike and Julie are deeply engaged in politics and commercial advocacy in New Jersey, so both have connections to many players discussed in this column. DuHaime, the founder of MAD Global Strategy, has worked for Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and George W. Bush. Roginsky, a principal of Comprehensive Communications Group and author of the Salty Politics column in Substack, has served as senior advisor to campaigns of Cory Booker, Frank Lautenberg, and Phil Murphy.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
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CRV has secured $750 million toward the 55-year-old venture firms twentieth flagship fund, it announced on Friday.

The new fund is smaller than the $1 billion early-stage fund CRV closed in the fall of 2022. At that time, the firm also announced a $500 million second Select fund, a capital pool for backing late-stage rounds of existing portfolio companies.

Its no surprise that CRV is not raising a late-stage fund as part of its new fundraise. Last year, the firm told The New York Times it was returning $275 million from its $500 million Select fund to investors. The firm explained that it would not be raising another late-stage vehicle because follow-on rounds for many of its companies would lower its overall returns.

CRVs limited partners were eager to back the firms smaller fund, the firm said. It raised its entire $750 million fund in just four weeks, with demand for double that amount, CRV wrote.

The latest fund will be used to invest in seed and Series A startups and it will focus on backing consumer and devtools companies.

CRV is known for leading DoorDashs seed financing and the Series A rounds for both Mercury and Vercel, a cloud platform for web developers, which was last valued at $3.25 billion.

Since its founding in 1970, CRV has backed over 750 startups, with 80 of them eventually going public.

The firms latest investments include CodeRabbit, a startup for AI code review, and Outtake, a company that uses AI for cybersecurity.
Veteran fund manager turns heads with new Meta Platforms stock price target originally appeared on TheStreet.

On any given day, nearly half the world is on Meta Platforms (META) .

The parent of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Threads and WhatsApp, Meta has dramatically changed the way we live  for better or worse.

Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 

The Menlo Park, Calif., social media giant is moving aggressively with artificial intelligence into areas that some people find just a bit spooky.

"Over the last few months, weve begun to see glimpses of our AI systems improving themselves, and the improvement is slow for now but undeniable," Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said during the second-quarter earnings call.

"And developing superintelligence, which we define as AI that surpasses human intelligence in every way, we think is now in sight."

To build this future, Zuckerberg said the company had set up Meta Superintelligence Labs, "which includes our foundations, product, and fair teams as well as a new lab that is focused on developing the next generation of our models."

Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg sees AI 'efficiency and gains across our ad system.'

Meta CEO says AI creating greater efficiency

The company seems to be on the right track. Meta Platforms handily beat Wall Street's quarterly forecasts and the stock is up nearly 52% this year.

Zuckerberg said the quarter's strong performance stemmed largely from "AI unlocking greater efficiency and gains across our ad system."

More AI Stocks:

Chris Versace, TheStreet Pro portfolio's lead manager, liked what he heard from Zuck & Co. and boosted his price target for Meta shares to $850 from $725.

"The hike in our target reflects a combination of a few factors, including the companys still expanding reach, advertising gains, and improving monetization efforts," he said.

With trade tensions appearing to cool as the Trump administration announces deals and other conversations are extended, Versace said, "the reduced uncertainty tied to an economy that is still expanding should foster more normalized advertising spend."

"In that environment, we continue to see Meta benefiting, especially as advertisers continue to shift increasingly toward digital platforms," he said. "They also want to tap the 3.48 billion in daily active people across all of Metas platforms vs. 3.27 billion at the end of June 2024."

While many were in awe of the companys impressive top- and bottom-line beats, Versace said the year-over-year five-percentage-point improvement in its consolidated operating margin caught his eye.
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The $30 million project to turn the historic century-old Bank Calumet tower in downtown Hammond into The Banc apartments and The Reserve: A Grand Venue events space was the first transit-oriented project to cross the finish line in light of the South Shore Line's double-track and West Lake expansion projects.

But it won't be the last.

More transit-oriented development projects are already planned in Michigan City, Gary, Munster and Dyer. Officials say the success of The Banc redevelopment project will likely pave the way for even more development along the South Shore Line, especially since the apartment building is already four-fifths rented out months before the new downtown Hammond train station will even open. They said The Banc project shows there's a market, which will likely result in more bank financing for more multifamily housing and mixed-use projects near train stations.

The 11th at Franklin Street and SoLa developments in downtown Michigan City should follow soon, said Purdue University Northwest Director of Economic Development and Community Relations Don Babcock, one of the project's developers with NWI Development Group.

"I hope we get more along the way, like in Gary and maybe Ogden Dunes," Babcock said. "The track is going in, and it's a big catalyst for Northwest Indiana. I hope we see similar construction all the way down to Dyer and Munster. The point of getting to Chicago in a reasonable time and connecting our economies is huge. It's a big catalyst for anybody who wants to live in Northwest Indiana for a lower cost of living and the same quality of life."

About half of the residents who are moving into The Banc, just steps away from the future South Shore Line station to downtown Chicago, hail from Illinois.

"A lot of people doubted this project," Babcock said. "There were challenges. Without the state and city incentives, you can't make the economics work, and it's hard to get the financial institutions to invest if you don't have a proven concept. Getting to 80% rented in the first few months is a huge proof of concept. Many people were uneasy about whether you could charge market rate for apartments in Northwest Indiana. This is the proof of concept that makes the next project easier."

South Shore Line President Michael Noland said the project likely would spur interest in more transit-oriented developments from other developers.

"The first developers always have it the hardest," Noland said. "You have to have the vision and the courage and the strength to make it work. When you have something like this and make it work, you attract more and more and more."

The new train station next door should open by the end of the year, giving people a short commute to the Loop, he said.

"It's the beginning of transit-oriented development in the Region," Noland said. "We're already seeing the growth here and in Michigan City. Gary's going to come along. All the communities up and down the line are going to come along. Until somebody builds it, they don't know if it makes any sense. The skeptics say no one's going to rent market-rate apartments in Hammond. But they're already 83% rented out. That's incredible. That sends a signal to the market. When somebody goes to the bank for financing, they can point to what happened in Hammond. It's already a success. I can guarantee you more and more and more is coming."

Hammond and Michigan City jumped in first to transit-oriented development, but other communities like Munster, Dyer and Gary are working on plans as well.

"When people see the success, they'll start to copy it," Noland said.

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority estimates that the South Shore Line projects will draw 11,000 new residents to Northwest Indiana. Peoples Bank President and CEO Ben Bochnowski said it should drive demand for housing. The quickness with which The Banc apartments have been snatched up shows the viability of transit-oriented development projects, in which multifamily housing is built near train stations so people can quickly commute to generally higher-paying jobs in downtown Chicago.

"I would say that having 83% occupancy is just impressive. That is such a strong number in such a short period of time," Bochnowski said. "In a place and market where we've never seen any project like this before in Northwest Indiana or Hammond, to see that type of demand and that type of uptake so quickly really shows there is a market and place for this type of development. We, as banks, the city, the state, the developers, the investors, all came together to say this could be something really special. There could be a ton of demand here. It's a really great project. But there's also risk. Let's take the risk together and see if it works. They've shown that it does work."

The Banc will likely result in future transit-oriented development projects getting financed, he said.

"I would anticipate that there will be a lot more development and a lot more people wanting to live close to transit and a lot more people wanting to live in Indiana," Bochnowski said. "Now that we've proven it can work, there's a whole new market so we can all compete. That's exactly what we wanted to happen. We're proud to have been part of this and to provide a little bit of capital to help bring this to Northwest Indiana."
A MAN must donate 1,500 to charity if he is to avoid a conviction for dangerous driving, Judge Andrew Cody ordered at Tullamore District Court.

Craig Nolan (28), Mooney Terrace, Kilcormac was detected driving at 106kph in a 50kph zone at Clara Road, Tullamore on June 10 last.

Aisling Maloney, defending solicitor, said Mr Nolan, a father of five, had made a mistake on the day and because of anxiety he had overtaken a car in front of him.

Though he was out of work short-term, he normally worked in Dublin and drove from Kilcormac at 4.30am so his licence would be vital to him.

Ms Maloney said Mr Nolan would be willing to make a financial contribution to the court.

Asked by Judge Cody how much he was willing to pay, Ms Maloney consulted with her client and said it was 1,000.

The judge responded: Ask him a second time.

The offer was then increased to 1,500 and Ms Maloney said the man would need time to pay because of his family commitments.

He would be returning to work and could pay 250 to 300 a month. Mr Nolan, who had no previous convictions, assured Judge Cody he was serious about making the full payment.

READ NEXT: Houses and apartments in new development in Tullamore set hit the market soon

The judge remanded him on continuing bail to appear in court again on November 5 next when the 1,500 will be paid to a charity nominated by the court.

Judge Cody said he would only reduce the charge to careless driving on that basis.

A conviction for dangerous driving carries a mandatory disqualification from driving.
Met Eireann has issued a series of Weather Warnings with Storm Floris set to hit Ireland in the early hours of Bank Holiday and last until the afternoon.

Met Eireann has issued three warnings which warn of very strong and blustery southwest winds veering westerly, with some damaging gusts.

A Status Yellow Wind warning for Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo comes into effect at 2am on Monday and remains in place until 1pm on Monday.

A Status Yellow Wind Warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim comes into effect at 4am and remains in place until 4pm.

Met Eireann is warning of dangerous travelling conditions, Outdoor events may be impacted, structural damage, fallen trees, debris and loose objects, power outages and wave overtopping

A Status Yellow Rain warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo comes into effect at 2am on Monday and remains in place until 10am. It warns of difficult travelling conditions, lightning damage and localised flooding.

The UK Met Office meanwhile has issued a Status Yellow Wind Warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from 6am on Monday until 11.59pm on Monday night

You can track the path of Storm Floris as it approaches Ireland here
Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) July 31, 2025: In the present wide-ranging OEN article, I discuss the famous Swiss psychiatrist and psychological theorist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) and his not so famous account of two kinds of thinking in Part One, Chapter II: "Two Kinds of Thinking" in his 1952 extensively revised and re-titled book titled Symbols of Transformation: An Analysis of the Prelude to a Case of Schizophrenia, second 1967 edition, translated by R. F. C. Hull (Princeton University Press, pp. 7-33).

Jung first published the chapter "Two Kinds of Thinking" as "Concerning the Two Kinds of Thinking" in his 1912 book in German that was translated into English as the book titled Psychology of the Unconscious by the American psychiatrist Beatrice M. Hinkle of Cornell University in 1916 (Moffat, Yard, and Company, pp. 8-41) - with an informative "Introduction to Psychoanalysis and Analytic Psychology" by Beatrice Hinkle (pp. vii-xlvi).

The original German title of Jung's 1912 book was Wandlungen und Symbole der Libido. So, symbols of libido (sexual energy, broadly conceived).

The backstory of Jung's 1912 book is important to note here in connection with his account of the "Two Kinds of Thinking." The two kinds of thinking are (1) fantasy thinking involving images and associative thinking and (2) directed thinking involving logic. In the present wide-ranging OEN article, I will honor the spirit of what Jung refers to as fantasy thinking involving images and associative thinking by engaging in wide-ranging associative thinking - as I have also done in numerous other OEN articles in which I have discussed Jung's account of the two kinds of thinking, including my OEN articles about the fantasy skits in mom-son porn videos that are available free on the internet.

See my OEN article "On Interpreting the Ubiquitous Mom-Son Porn on the Internet" (dated December 19, 2024; viewed 1,463 times as of July 29, 2025):

Click Here

Now, in Jung's dangerous self-experiment, he experimented with a free-wheeling form of meditation that he came to refer to as active imagination. Jung's free-wheeling form of meditation involved images that he evoked from his personal unconscious and from the collective unconscious in his psyche. Jung's practice of this free-wheeling form of meditation was dangerous because it could cause him to experience a psychotic break in which the forces of his unconscious would overthrow his ego-consciousness. Jung understood this danger, and he undertook elaborate measures to avoid this danger by working through and processing the images that his free-wheeling fantasies evoked from his unconscious by writing out detailed accounts of those images and the associations that they called forth in his ego-consciousness in his Black Books - and by further working through and processing certain images in works of art that he made in his Red Book.

In 2021, W. W. Norton and Company published Jung's Black Books: 1913-1932: Notebooks of Transformation, edited by Sonu Shamdasani, translated by Martin Liebscher, John Peck, and Sonu Shamdasani, in seven handsome volumes.

In 2009, W. W. Norton and Company published Jung's Red Book: Liber Novus, edited by Sonu Shamdasani, translated by Mark Kyburz, John Peck, and Sonu Shamdasani, as a handsome oversized artbook with the works of art that Jung made to work through the striking fantasy images that his free-wheeling meditations had evoked from his unconscious.

In any event, Jung's various statements about the dangerous free-wheeling form of meditation known active imagination over the years have been collected in the volume titled Jung on Active Imagination. Edited by Joan Chodorow (Princeton University Press, 1997).

Now, when I was in the Jesuits (1979-1987), I made a 30-day directed retreat in silence (except for the daily conferences with the retreat director) following the Spiritual Exercises of the Spanish Renaissance mystic St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Jesuit order (known formally as the Society of Jesus). It was one of the most memorable events of my life. In the meditation periods each day, the person on retreat meditates on the assigned biblical passage of the day. I refer to this kind of meditation as guided meditation - as distinct from the free-wheeling kind of meditation that Jung engaged in in his dangerous self-experiment.

For an English translation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, see The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius: A Translation and Commentary by George E. Ganss, S.J. (Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1992).

In 1939-1940, the prolific Carl Jung delivered a series of lectures on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola in 1939-1940. See the book Jung on Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises : Lectures Delivered at the ETH Zurich: Volume 7: 1939-1940, edited by Martin Liebscher, translated by Caitlin Stephens (Princeton University Press, 2023).

In the early 1950s, Father Ong published two close studies of the language of St Ignatius Loyola: (1) "'A.M.D.G.' [Abbreviation of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the greater glory of God)]: Dedication or Directive?" in the now-defunct Jesuit-sponsored Review for Religious, volume 11, number 5 (September 15, 1952): pp. 257-264; and (2) "St. Ignatius' Prison-Cage and the Existentialist Situation" in the Jesuit-sponsored Theological Studies, volume 15, number 1 (March 1954): pp. 34-51.

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I'm thrilled to be supporting Mikie Sherrill, the just-nominated Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, who has just cemented her presence on the national scene. While advancing immigration reform and measures that benefit working- and middle-class families, the state has become more hospitable to both visitors and small companies under her leadership. The principles that keep me returning to the Democratic Party, election after election, are embodied by leaders like Mikie.



The Democratic Party's dedication to a dynamic, inclusive and progressive vision of America is the foundation of my support for it. This party is committed to creating free markets, increasing opportunity and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse nature of our nation. According to the democratic perspective, progress is achieved by embracing fresh perspectives, fresh vitality and individuals from all backgrounds rather than by excluding others.



The Democratic Party's position on immigration is one of the main reasons I vote Democratic. Democrats embody America's fundamental identity as a nation of immigrants, whether it is via their support of refugees or their advocacy for intelligent, compassionate immigration reform. When a nation closes its doors, it becomes unproductive. One that remains receptive to contributions, talent and culture continues to be a source of inspiration and creativity.



Another essential component of democratic values is education. The cornerstone of any flourishing democracy is a robust and easily accessible educational system. The party is investing in future generations by giving public schools and universities first priority, fostering not just workers but also knowledgeable citizens who are aware of their rights, obligations and authority.





However, democracy is about people, not simply about structures and methods. Democratic policies aim to improve our country's social cohesion. These are more than just campaign pledges, whether they be to uphold human rights, defend a free press, assist working families or increase access to health care. They are essential elements of a just, caring and equitable society.These principles are diametrically opposed to the current administration's course. Many of the policies in place today are incompatible with democracy itself, from discriminating against immigrants to reducing funds for education and undercutting the demands of the working class. They pose a threat to the things that make America great: our shared quest for justice for everyone, our belief in second chances and our unity in diversity.
Ever since the atomic bombings of Japanese cities in August 1945, the world has been living on borrowed time.

The indications, then and since, that the development of nuclear weapons did not bode well for human survival, were clear enough. The two small atomic bombs dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed between 110,000 and 210,000 people and wounded many others, almost all of them civilians. In subsequent years, hundreds of thousands more people around the world lost their lives thanks to the radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing, while substantial numbers also died from the mining of uranium for the building of nuclear weapons.

Most startlingly, the construction of nuclear weapons armadas against the backdrop of thousands of years of international conflict portended human extinction. Amid the escalating nuclear terror, Einstein declared: "General annihilation beckons."

Despite the enormity of the nuclear danger, major governments, in the decades after 1945, were too committed to traditional thinking about international relations to resist the temptation to build nuclear weapons to safeguard what they considered their national security. Whatever the dangers, they concluded, military power still counted in an anarchic world. Consequently, they plunged into a nuclear arms race and, on occasion, threatened one another with nuclear war. At times, they came perilously close to it-- not only during the 1963 Cuban missile crisis, but during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war and on numerous other occasions.

By contrast, much of the public found nuclear weapons and the prospect of nuclear war very unappealing. Appalled by the nuclear menace, they rallied behind organizations like the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy in the United States, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Britain, and comparable groups elsewhere that pressed for nuclear arms control and disarmament measures. This popular uprising secured its first clear triumph when, in the fall of 1958, the governments of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Britain agreed to halt nuclear weapons testing as they negotiated a test ban treaty. As the movement crested, it played an important role in securing the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963 and a cascade of nuclear arms control measures that followed.

Even when U.S. and Soviet officials revived the nuclear arms race in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a massive public uprising halted and reversed the situation, leading to the advent of major nuclear disarmament measures. As a result, the number of nuclear weapons in the world's arsenals plummeted from about 70,000 to about 12,240 between 1986 and 2025. At a special meeting of the UN Security Council in 2009, the leaders of the major nuclear powers called for the building of a nuclear weapons-free world.

In recent decades, however, the dwindling of the popular movement and the heightening of international conflict have led to a revival of the nuclear arms race, now well underway. As three nuclear experts from the Federation of American Scientists reported this June: "Every nuclear country is improving its weapons systems, while some are growing their arsenals. Others are doing both." The new nuclear weaponry currently being tested includes "cruise missiles that can fly for days before hitting their targets; underwater unmanned nuclear torpedoes; fast-flying maneuverable glide vehicles that can evade defenses; and nuclear weapons in space that can attack satellites or targets on Earth without warning." The financial costs of the nuclear buildup by the nine nuclear powers (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea) will be immense. The U.S. government will reportedly spend over $1.7 trillion on its nuclear "modernization."

To facilitate these nuclear war preparations, the major nuclear powers have withdrawn from key nuclear arms control and disarmament treaties. The New START Treaty, the last of the major U.S.-Russian nuclear agreements, terminates in February 2026.

Furthermore, over the past decade, the governments of North Korea, the United States, and Russia have issued public threats of nuclear war. In line with its threats, the Russian government announced in late 2024 that it had lowered its threshold for using nuclear weapons.

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COIN plunged 17% on Friday, just a day after Coinbase posted mostly disappointing earnings results. But investors shouldnt rush to sell shares of the companys stock just yet, according to several analysts.

The U.S. crypto exchanges shares could gain ground again as it closes several strategic partnerships and acquisitions that stand to broaden its customer base for its growing crypto and non-crypto services, according to these analysts.

Those deals should enable Coinbase to post stronger financial results in subsequent quarters, offsetting the negative impact of the company's lower-than-expected revenue and weaker trading volumes for the second quarter on its stock price, they added.

COIN finished Friday trading at $314.69, about 25% below its 52-week high of $419.78 reached in July, Yahoo Finance data shows.

The decline came a day after Coinbase clocked $1.5 billion in total revenue, or 6% less than analysts estimates, according to the companys latest financial report. Its adjusted earnings (ebitda) were $512 million in the same period, down 13% from the second quarter of 2024.

Coinbase's lackluster financial results coincided with a drop-off in cryptocurrency trading volumes as the Iran-Israel conflict came to a head and U.S. President Donald Trump's back-and-forth tariff talks stoked investor jitters. But, the trading platform also reported a few silver linings in its latest report that could position the exchange to see significant revenue growth in the near future. Bernstein analysts highlighted those initiatives in a note dated July 31.

XRP Edges Out Ethereum in Coinbase Transaction Revenue as Token Shifts Persist

For starters, Coinbase acquired crypto-focused derivatives exchange Deribit, which will allow the platform to roll out perpetual futures in the U.S. and capitalize on the highly profitable derivatives market, the analysts noted.

This should drive improved trading volumes in H2-already reflected in guided July transaction revenues, Bernstein analysts said in their note.

They added that Coinbase recently unveiled its plans to become an everything exchange" that would enable betting on real-world events and trading tokenized real-world assets, equities, derivatives, and early-stage token salesa major expansion beyond the firm's core services.

The initiative would diversify the crypto exchanges revenue, potentially reducing the effect of crypto trading volume dips on Coinbase's revenue during downturns in the digital asset market, Bernstein analysts noted.

In a note dated August 1, H.C. Wainwright & Co. analysts also pointed to Coinbase's recent partnership with J.P. Morgan, the U.S. largest bank, as another bright spot in the company's second-quarter report.


Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic party candidate for mayor of New York City.

(Image by YouTube, Channel: MSNBC) Details DMCA



By Bob Gaydos

Mamdani's his name. Remember it. Get it right. Two 'm's and then an 'n.' Next mayor of New York City. His first name is Zohran.

This all needs a little explaining.

Given a choice in the June primary of Andrew Cuomo, a former governor who had resigned in disgrace because of numerous accusations of sexual misconduct, and Eric Adams, a mayor whose administration was awash in corruption and who personally had federal bribery and corruption charges against him dropped by the Trump administration in exchange for a promise to cooperate with the ICE roundup of anyone who looks suspiciously Hispanic, New York City Democrats chose a young, Ugandan-born Democratic Socialist, Muslim, naturalized citizen, state legislator as their candidate for mayor.

Zohran Mamdani.

It wasn't close and it wasn't strictly by default. A bright, personable 33-year-old who has mastered social media skills, Mamdani also clearly had a message that resonated with New Yorkers who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to live in the city they love.

While Cuomo and Adams talked about their experience in government, Mamdani spoke of free bus service and free child care for children between six weeks and five years old and "baby baskets" for new parents that would include educational resources as well as diapers and baby wipes.

He talked of a city-owned grocery store in each borough. The stores would operate on city-owned land or in city buildings, buy food wholesale and be exempt from property taxes, which would keep the cost of the food down.

He said he would freeze rents for nearly one million New Yorkers by strategic appointments to the board which decides on increases for rent-stabilized apartments. He also promised to triple the number of available affordable housing units, with 200,000 new homes to be built over the next decade.

You get the picture. He talked to New Yorkers about things that were really bothering them and offered a plan to pay for it all.

Mamdani said he would raise the corporate tax rate to 11.5 percent, which he says will bring in an additional $5 billion. And, he plans a 2 percent tax on the wealthiest 1 percent of New Yorkers.

Cuomo called Mamdani's plans "unrealistic." So did the wealthy city dwellers and corporations, not to mention old guard Democratic politicians who depend on their campaign contributions. After Mamdani's surprise victory, big money began pouring into Cuomo's now independent campaign for mayor. They also desperately began looking for a candidate who wasn't a - gasp! - socialist.

In fact, establishment Democrats sounded just like typical Republicans and that's a terrible thing for a politician in New York City and much of the country these days. Dismissing progressive ideas as too left, too radical and looking for the comfortable middle of the road, in the process offering nothing to contrast with today's devastating Republican scorched-earth agenda, is a recipe for loss. The status quo is a no go.

To be clear, Mamdani is a Democrat who shares the same Democratic Socialist values as Bernie Sanders, a Brooklyn boy: Tax people fairly according to their wealth for the greater good of all people. Make New York City a great place to live and work and raise a family even if you're not super wealthy. A democracy for everyone. It's not communism; it's not socialism. Today, in the age of ever greater corporate power, it's realism.

Apparently, a lot of registered Democratic voters agree. They don't want used or tainted goods. Since Democrats far outnumber Republicans in the city, the Democratic candidate is always heavily favored to win.

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It's oddly encouraging that the New York Post had to bring up its kookiest rightwing propagandist on Friday to argue that nuking Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved lives. It's almost as if the New York Times' kookiest rightwing propagandist's claiming that killing Palestinians is not genocide had to be one-upped by the Post. It's even more encouraging that the Post felt obliged to expand the usual definition of "lives" to include the lives of Japanese people, claiming that nuking people saved not only U.S. lives but also Japanese lives -- an argument it would have been very hard to find even being attempted during the early decades of this myth.

But it isn't true that claims that nukes saved lives or nukes ended the war are only made by fringe crackpots. Those claims may be fading out among serious historians, but they are basic accepted fact to the general public, even the most educated sections of the general public; so they continue popping up like zombies in books and articles whose authors seem to have no idea they're even writing anything controversial, much less utterly debunked. (The Post calls it "one of the most controversial historical questions in American history.")

The argument in the Post (quoting an author named Richard Frank) is this:

"Not only has no relevant document been recovered from the wartime period, but none of them," he writes of Japan's top leaders, "even as they faced potential death sentences in war-crimes trials, testified that Japan would have surrendered earlier upon an offer of modified terms, coupled to Soviet intervention or some other combination of events, excluding the use of atomic bombs."

Well here's a relevant document. Weeks before the first bomb was dropped, on July 13, 1945, Japan had sent a telegram to the Soviet Union expressing its desire to surrender and end the war. The United States had broken Japan's codes and read the telegram. Truman referred in his diary to "the telegram from Jap Emperor asking for peace." President Truman had already been informed through Swiss and Portuguese channels of Japanese peace overtures as early as three months before Hiroshima. Japan objected only to surrendering unconditionally and giving up its emperor, but the United States insisted on those terms until after the bombs fell, at which point it allowed Japan to keep its emperor. So, the desire to drop the bombs may have lengthened the war. The bombs did not shorten the war.

It's odd for the Post to build its case entirely on the absence of a certain type of testimony by proud Japanese defendants facing trials for their lives with zero motivation to admit that the Japanese government had been wanting to surrender, and for the Post to completely omit the testimony of all U.S. authorities.

Defenders of nuking cities may now claim the nukes saved lives, but at the time the bombs were not even intended to do any such thing. The war ended six days after the second nuke, six days into the Russian invasion of Japan. But the war was going to end anyway, without either of those things. The United States Strategic Bombing Survey concluded that, -- certainly prior to 31 December, 1945, and in all probability prior to 1 November, 1945, Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated."

One dissenter who had expressed this same view to the Secretary of War and, by his own account, to President Truman, prior to the bombings was General Dwight Eisenhower. Under Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bard, prior to the bombings, urged that Japan be given a warning. Lewis Strauss, Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy, also prior to the bombings, recommended blowing up a forest rather than a city. General George Marshall apparently agreed with that idea. Atomic scientist Leo Szilard organized scientists to petition the president against using the bomb. Atomic scientist James Franck organized scientists who advocated treating atomic weapons as a civilian policy issue, not just a military decision. Another scientist, Joseph Rotblat, demanded an end to the Manhattan Project, and resigned when it was not ended. A poll of the U.S. scientists who had developed the bombs, taken prior to their use, found that 83% wanted a nuclear bomb publicly demonstrated prior to dropping one on Japan. The U.S. military kept that poll secret. General Douglas MacArthur held a press conference on August 6, 1945, prior to the bombing of Hiroshima, to announce that Japan was already beaten.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William D. Leahy said angrily in 1949 that Truman had assured him only military targets would be nuked, not civilians. "The use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender," Leahy said. Top military officials who said just after the war that the Japanese would have quickly surrendered without the nuclear bombings included General Douglas MacArthur, General Henry "Hap" Arnold, General Curtis LeMay, General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, Admiral Ernest King, Admiral Chester Nimitz, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, and Brigadier General Carter Clarke. As Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick summarize, seven of the United States' eight five-star officers who received their final star in World War II or just after -- Generals MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Arnold, and Admirals Leahy, King, Nimitz, and Halsey -- in 1945 rejected the idea that the atomic bombs were needed to end the war. "Sadly, though, there is little evidence that they pressed their case with Truman before the fact."

On August 6, 1945, President Truman lied on the radio that a nuclear bomb had been dropped on an army base, rather than on a city. And he justified it, not as speeding the end of the war, but as revenge against Japanese offenses. "Mr. Truman was jubilant," wrote Dorothy Day. We have to remember that in the U.S. media of the time, killing more Japanese people was decidedly preferable to killing fewer, and required no justification of supposedly saving lives or ending wars. Truman, the guy whose action is being defended and whose diary is being carefully ignored, made no such claims, as he was not doing restrospective propaganda.

So, why then were the bombs dropped?

Presidential advisor James Byrnes had told Truman that dropping the bombs would allow the United States to "dictate the terms of ending the war." Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal wrote in his diary that Byrnes was "most anxious to get the Japanese affair over with before the Russians got in." Truman wrote in his diary that the Soviets were preparing to march against Japan and "Fini Japs when that comes about." The Soviet invasion was planned prior to the bombs, not decided by them. The United States had no plans to invade for months, and no plans on the scale to risk the numbers of lives that the Post will tell you were saved.

Truman ordered the bombs dropped, one on Hiroshima on August 6th and another type of bomb, a plutonium bomb, which the military also wanted to test and demonstrate, on Nagasaki on August 9th. The Nagasaki bombing was moved up from the 11th to the 9th to decrease the likelihood of Japan surrendering first. Also on August 9th, the Soviets attacked the Japanese. During the next two weeks, the Soviets killed 84,000 Japanese while losing 12,000 of their own soldiers, and the United States continued bombing Japan with non-nuclear weapons -- burning Japanese cities, as it had done to so much of Japan prior to August 6th that, when it had come time to pick two cities to nuke, there hadn't been many left to choose from.

Here's what the Post claims was acomplished by killing a couple of hundred thousand people and commencing the age of apocalyptic nuclear danger:

"The end of the war made unnecessary a US invasion that could have meant hundreds of thousands of American casualties; saved millions of Japanese lives that would have been lost in combat on the home islands and to starvation; cut short the brief Soviet invasion (that alone accounted for hundreds of thousands of Japanese deaths); and ended the agony that Imperial Japan brought to the region, especially a China that suffered perhaps 20 million casualties."

Notice that the Post feels obliged to blame (at the time it would have been credit) the Soviet invasion with killing hundreds of thousands of Japanese people, even while claiming, pace Truman, that it did not influence the Japanese decision to surrender. Notice also that the only alternative to the war ending after the nukes, in this view, would have been the war continuing for a great long time costing millions of Japanese lives. But the facts above do not bear this out. The 2025 propagandist is disagreeing with the consensus of the leaders of his beloved military in 1945.

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Karen has become code for an angry, entitled, racist white woman. Karen is "the kind of woman who asks to speak to the manager," and polices others' behavior said a piece in the Atlantic.

But Karens have not always been privileged busy bodies. In 1974, labor union activist and radiation whistleblower Karen Silkwood was killed in a suspicious car accident on her way to show a reporter a binder of evidence about safety lapses at the Kerr-McGee Cimarron Fuel Fabrication Site in Oklahoma where she worked. Silkwood's family received an out-of-court settlement from Kerr-McGee who admitted no liability. The plant closed in 1975.

The next year, Karen Ann Quinlan, an early "Terri Schiavo," provoked a right-to-die controversy after she lapsed into a coma caused by alcohol and benzos. For months her headshot was plastered across newspapers, symbolizing to adults the ethics surrounding euthanasia and to young people...the importance of not partying too hardy. She lingered in a coma for nine years.

Then there was Karen Carpenter who vaulted to the top of pop music in the 1970s which was still dominated by men, playing the "unladylike" drums no less. Officially, her 1983 death was caused by heart complication of the barely-recognized disease of anorexia leading to early discussion of "body image" and the pressure to be thin. But according to her brother, the real reason was emotional pain from a string of devastating romantic disappointments she had suffered.

Then there was Karen Pendleton the only "Mouseketeer" to remain on the ABC television Mickey Mouse Club the entire time it aired and one of the two youngest members of the club. Pendleton threw herself into working for battered women and disability rights as an adult after became a paraplegic due to a 1983 car accident.

And we can't forget the sound-alike "Carrie" made famous by the horror thrill movie of the same name in 1977 starring Sissy Spacek and adapted from a Stephen King book. Tricked into becoming prom queen by her peers only to be doused in pig blood (hah!) Carrie was also bullied at home by her mother who never tells her the facts of life so when she gets her first period she thinks she is dying. (Which provokes more bullying.)

After her prom ordeal, Carrie goes home to clean up only to be stabbed with a butcher knife by her mother. Carrie then starts a fire and immolates both of them.

What's in a Name?

Names, Karen and otherwise, follow trends. In the late 1970's and early 1980's there was the gem name craze for girls (Tiffany, Crystal, Amber), followed by the gothic novel name craze (Emma, Abigail and Emily) and the most recent Great Britain/Ireland-inspired names like Kaitlynn, Kailyn and yes Kayleigh. For boys the Justin and Jason craze was followed by the Kyle and Ryan craze and now the Liam and Noah craze.

So it is no surprise that right now there's a bivouac of grown up, pushy Karens since Karen was the third-most-popular US girls name in 1965. As Karen becomes an instant, hurled insult, few remember that 40 years ago, Karens were not privileged, lucky or asking to "speak to the manager." Disclosure: my given name was Karen.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a plan: it's called Vision 2030. The underlying infrastructure of his visionary project calls for regional stability.

Syria had been in chaos and a deadly civil war beginning in 2011, but when the Assad regime fell, that opened the door to peace and stability. Saudi Arabia has reached out a hand to help Syria recover and prosper.

The Saudi $6.4 billion commitment to Syria is not just a financial investment, but is sign of the Saudi commitment to keep Syria from falling victim to Israeli plans of partitioning Syria into weak sections which can be exploited to benefit Tel Aviv.

Syria's Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir arrived in Saudi Arabia on July 26 for meetings with Saudi officials for talks on expanding joint initiatives in oil, electricity, and water management, as well as identifying new investment prospects.

On July 24, the Syrian-Saudi Business Council was announced during an investment forum held in Damascus. Mohammad Abunayyan, the council chairman, revealed a five-year action plan to deepen economic collaboration between the two countries.

"The council is being established at a critical time, as Syria prepares for a new phase that requires joint efforts to rebuild the country and restore safety, stability, and prosperity to the Syrian people," Abunayyan said.

The 2025-2030 goals are to promote economic cooperation, while shining a light on investment opportunities, partnerships and facilitating trade and logistics for exports of Saudi goods and services to Syria.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, met with Mohammad Al Bashir, Minister of Energy of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Both sides discussed joint opportunities across energy sectors and plans to revitalize the existing resources in Syria which have been neglected during the 14-year civil war. Oil, electricity, renewable energy and methods of energy efficiency were all discussed.

Investment opportunities in developing projects

The meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support energy cooperation between the two countries. Areas of joint interests include oil and gas, petrochemicals, electricity, electrical interconnection, and renewable energy.

The signing followed the conclusion of the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum 2025 in Damascus, which resulted in the signing of 47 agreements totaling $ 6.4 billion. This forum marked the beginning of what officials describe as "a new chapter" in bilateral economic relations.

Energy Sector and Technological Exchange

Saudi and Syrian officials emphasized cooperation in energy transition strategies and advanced technologies, alongside human capital development and innovation. During his visit, Minister Al-Bashir toured the Sudair Solar Plant, operated by ACWA Power. Spanning 36 square kilometers and featuring 3.3 million solar panels, the facility boasts a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts. Inspired by its success, Al-Bashir expressed interest in replicating such a model in Syria.

Investment Boom Across Sectors

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Updated and originally printed in the Rutland (VT) Herald

By Robert Weiner and Charles Rutledge

The release of the 2025 Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees report has rekindled fears of Social Security going bankrupt. Although these fears have sparked some legitimate discussions about how to fix the program's funding, the fact is that neither this report nor any other honest assessment has found that Social Security is going bankrupt. Instead, the report found that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund would only be able to pay out 77% of promised benefits starting in 2033.

Yet the actual contents of such reports haven't stopped the Republicans (and an increasing number of Democrats) from spending the past two decades fear mongering about the imminent collapse of Social Security. Since Bush proposed his plan to cut and partially privatize Social Security in 2004, Republican leadership has used the rhetoric of 'crisis' and 'bankruptcy' to justify cuts.

President Trump, for his part, has decided that the best way to address the problems facing Social Security is to make the largest cut to Social Security Administration staff in history. Trump's planned cuts include the loss of 12% of SSA workers, hollowing out IT and hiring departments, and leaving some local offices with less than half their operating staff. By debilitating SSA offices, the Republicans have found a way to effectively dismantle Social Security without technically reducing benefits. However, the damage of these cuts will not fall evenly on all parts of the country. Rural communities depend more on local SSA offices, meaning residents of highly rural states like Vermont will face even greater challenges accessing benefits.

Worse still, the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill will make Social Security lose money even faster . Despite how much Congressional Republicans talk about financial responsibility and cutting waste, their new budget will burn through the $2.7 trillion OASI trust fund in only seven years. Congress's reckless budgeting will hurt citizens of every state, but will be especially harmful to Vermont, whose population of seniors is growing at the second fastest rate of any state in America.

As misinformed and ill-intentioned as the Trump administration's attacks on Social Security are, they wouldn't be possible if there weren't a real issue underlying them. As the ratio of Social Security beneficiaries to active workers continues to decrease with declining population growth, beneficiaries will receive a smaller and smaller percentage of their promised benefits. That means the 22 million Americans kept out of poverty by Social Security (including a third of elderly Americans and nearly a million children) will see some of their lifeline gradually dissolve.

The unfortunate truth is that Social Security will eventually be partially in the red, and its trust funds are going to decrease-- it may be some 20% short in about 2033. Cutting costs by reducing benefits is not a reasonable option -- not only because millions depend on benefits to keep them out of poverty, but also because taking benefits from those who have already paid their fair share is little better than theft. Senator Sanders put it well when he said , "at a time when half of older Americans have no retirement savings and 55 percent of seniors are trying to survive on less than $25,000 a year, our job is not to cut Social Security."

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Behind the iron curtain of Russia's political elite lies a shadowy truth that defies the official narrative: a hidden network of powerful gay and bisexual figures-- often dubbed the "gay mafia-- "quietly pulling the strings of the Russian Federation. While the Kremlin publicly wages war against LGBTQ+ rights with repressive laws and harsh rhetoric, some of the very architects of these policies live secret double lives, thriving within the corridors of power. Therefore, I would like to present you a few examples that reveal the contradictions, hypocrisies, and untold stories of the elite minority shaping Russia's destiny from behind a mask of traditionalism and intolerance.

One of the key figures of the Russian gay mafia is German Gref, the head of Sberbank and former Minister of Economic Development and Trade -- widely portrayed in the media as a devoted family man, exemplary husband, and father of three -- has nevertheless been repeatedly cited in both independent and opposition-aligned outlets as one of Russia's most prominent rumored gay politicians.

In 2015, during a live broadcast on a popular radio station, Nikolai Alekseev, head of the website GayRussia.Ru, openly stated that Gref is homosexual. Although Gref has never publicly commented on such claims, persistent rumors have circulated behind the scenes -- particularly within the walls of Sberbank -- suggesting that he shows unusual favoritism toward a certain attractive young man identified only as "T." This individual, who reportedly holds the position of a personal aide, is said to enjoy privileges and access far beyond what would typically be afforded to someone in such a junior role.

While no concrete evidence has ever surfaced, the whispers around Gref's personal life have fueled ongoing debate about the deep disconnect between public policy and private reality among Russia's elite -- especially when it comes to the state's aggressively anti-LGBT agenda.

As well as Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma, a current State Councillor, and a United Russia MP is one of the prominent members of the Russian gay mafia. Although he is married to the daughter of the First Secretary of the Communist Party in the Ershovsky District of Saratov Oblast, and he is raising three children, recently Russian social media outlets have published information that he is a homosexual. However, rumors that Mr. Volodin is more interested in men than women have been circulating online for several months already.

Moreover, not long ago, in an interview with Gordonua, well-known Russian political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky publicly stated that the speaker of Russia's main legislative body, Vyacheslav Volodin is also a gay. He added that Volodin is far from the only person of such orientation in the highest ranks of the Russian government -- suggesting that there are quite a few others as well.

Interestingly, at one point, banners proclaiming that "Volodin is not gay" were seen on the streets of Moscow. However, they disappeared rather quickly.

One of the most eccentric and scandalous figures in Russian politics, notorious member of the Russian gay mafia Vladimir Volfovich [Zhirinovsky] was known not only for his temper and fondness for spicing up his speeches with coarse language, but also -- according to rumors -- for being part of the gay community. He is perhaps the one political figure about whom internet "legends" are most widespread.

In an interview with Gordonua (previously mentioned), former State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev stated outright that the LDPR leader was gay, adding that his faction consisted of two kinds of people: "his lovers and his sponsors."

An interesting post was also published on the LDPR blog on LiveJournal. The author noted that Zhirinovsky's party had always included very few women, while the overwhelming majority of its members were well-groomed young men under the age of 40 -- men, the author joked, who "look ready to star in gay porn at any moment."

The blog also mentions the fact that the LDPR leader repeatedly advocated for holding a gay pride parade in Moscow and even issued internal party rules prohibiting members from having sex more than four times a year. And, of course, the video of Vladimir Volfovich inspecting Moscow bathhouses once caused a storm of rather unambiguous reactions online.

A well-known Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov, founder of the "Civic Platform" party, and a participant in the 2012 presidential election, where he received 7.98 percent of the vote, is also one of them.

Rumors about Prokhorov's affiliation with the gay community began circulating particularly regularly after the head of his campaign headquarters during the presidential elections became NTV journalist A. Krasovsky, who openly declared his homosexuality. According to many media outlets, over the years the businessman's inclination toward men has become more noticeable; this was even once remarked on by S. Mironov, who stated on the "Russia 1" channel: "Unlike others", I'm fine with my orientation."

Furthermore, Vitaly Milonov, a member of the State Duma and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg, who currently is known for his scandalous legislative initiatives -- in particular, the law against the propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors, which was supported by, among others, Zhirinovsky and Volodin, is gay too. However, according to media reports, the very person so fervently fighting against the "propaganda of homosexuality" is rumored to be gay himself.

The well-known music producer Max Fadeev once claimed that Milonov is a closeted member of the gay community, arguing that a person who constantly lashes out at homosexuals and shows them such hatred is, in fact, revealing his own affiliation with them.

It's worth noting that Vitaly Milonov became the only member of the Legislative Assembly whose resignation was actively demanded by the public due to a series of his "absurd initiatives and bizarre antics."

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Trump: Russia has less than two weeks to end war President Trump issued a new warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he has less than two weeks to end the war ...

(Image by YouTube, Channel: NBC News) Details DMCA



US President Trump issuing ultimatum to Russia to end war in Ukraine in ten days, July 31, 2025

There is one country above all others that creates havoc in the world. Of course it's the US and with Trump at the helm it's sure to get worse.

Let's not forget Israel not far behind the US committing genocide against the Palestinian's in Gaza, then attacking Lebanon, Syria, and Iran with the IDF attacking the Islamic Republics nuclear sites. Throw in Trump's sending in bunker buster bombs at several Iranian nuclear sites he's opened up Pandora's Box with these unprovoked attacks.

The latest has Trump issuing an ultimatum to Russia threatening additional sanctions if they don't reach a peace agreement with Ukraine in ten days This after his initial ultimatum of fifty days was reduced to ten.

Russia has adapted to US sanctions against it for years. What that has done Russia increased its domestic production to offset the sanctions.

Yesterday Trump announced a 25% tariff on India starting August 1 claiming that countries tariffs are too high plus New Delhi's energy and defense trade with Russia.

On Monday we got this from Bloomberg, "The global fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariffs is set to wipe out $2 trillion from the world's economy by 2027 as a result of trade and investment disruptions". [1]

The news outlet claimed Trump's tariff campaign on all imports are deemed as unfair trade practices by all the countries effected.

Again from Bloomberg," The overall level of US tariffs is now the highest since the 1930's , about six times what it was when Trump took office".

"The policy is already causing companies to freeze capital spending, reroute supply chains, and trim margins to absorb rising costs".

"Worldwide, foreign direct investment, considered key for long term economic growth, is headed for another decline this year, adding to an 11% drop in 2024 according to a recent UN report".

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Police found the car on its side in shallow water when they arrived at the scene. Courtesy of Portland Police Bureau

A person is missing after a car crashed Saturday along Northeast Marine Drive and landed in the Columbia River, police say.

The crash  which happened around 8 a.m. near Northeast 122nd Avenue  careened the car into a shallow part of the river, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement.

When officers arrived at the scene they found a broken guardrail and the car empty and on its side, police said.

Portland Fire & Rescue, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Coast Guard searched the waters around the crash but didnt find the driver, police said.

Police said the Major Crash Team is investigating the incident due to the possibility that the driver is deceased, and police ask anyone with information to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 25-207638.

 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.
The Oregonian/OregonLive intern Quinton Prudhomme took this picture while reporting on police and crisis negotiators searching Eastmoreland Golf Course for a man who allegedly shot at Milwaukie police in late June. Quinton Prudhomme/The Oregonian

For the past few months, regular readers of The Oregonian/OregonLive have probably noticed a handful of new bylines.

Its intern season -- one of the best times of the year for our newsroom and our readers. This years crew of six college students and recent graduates are spending 10 weeks here, teamed with an experienced mentor and deployed on a variety of stories. The energy and excitement these young journalists bring is exhilarating, their different perspectives on topics of the day are enlightening and the help they provide covering our Sunday breaking news shifts is greatly appreciated by staff reporters.

Our interns are from Oregon and across the country and theyre not here to write briefs and obituaries. These journalists dig into tough issues including deep cuts to various education programs, wildfires igniting across Oregon, environmental issues pitting nature lovers against a Portland institution, tragic breaking news and community reaction to the gutting layoffs at Intel.

And theyre industrious: Quinton Prudhomme, who wrapped up his internship in June, racked up more than 30 stories on our Express Team that covers breaking crime and community news.

Prudhomme is a Clackamas Community College student and co-editor-in-chief of The Clackamas Print. He was an addition to our lineup thanks to a partnership with the community college and a generous donation from its foundation.

Eddy Binford-Ross, a senior at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., wrapped up her internship on the busy politics and education team earlier this month. Binford-Ross, who is studying international politics and journalism, helped cover the legislative session, the May election and a wide variety of education issues.

One of the first people in the newsroom each morning and one of the last to leave, Binford-Ross piece on a difficult growing season for Oregon farmers  A disaster of a year: Oregon farmers say 2025 is a sour season for sweet cherries  was a hit with readers.

Kimberly Cortez, a recent University of Portland graduate and editor of its student newspaper, The Beacon, joined us after an internship at Street Roots. For her work there, she won first place in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 10s business and economics reporting category for her story, Whats affordable to the city of Portland?

Cortez, who also completed the multi-year New York Times Corps program, also worked on our Express Team. Shes taken on one of the hardest journalistic tasks  interviewing people who have just lost a loved one or faced a traumatic experience to humanize victims and provide context for news events unfolding in our community.

Tristin Hoffman is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where she studied journalism and law, and served as editor-in-chief of the Daily Emerald student news organization. In early June, Hoffman broke a meticulously reported investigative story in the Daily Emerald about questionable spending by the journalism dean, Juan-Carlos Molleda, as the university faces a significant budget deficit. He resigned from the university last month.

Hoffman came to us through a partnership with the universitys Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism that honors a longtime editor at the Oregon Journal and The Oregonian who died in 1997. The program places Oregon college students -- more than 20 this year -- in internships at news organizations across the state and in Vancouver, Wash.

Hoffman works on our Business Team, tackling stories illustrating the tough times businesses and industries are facing, data analysis on Oregons unemployment rates and the death of one of Portlands more beloved business owners.

Maddie Khaw is on our public safety watchdog team after graduating from Emerson College in the spring. A seasoned student journalism, shed already completed internships at The Chronicle of Higher Education and had worked as a metro correspondent for The Boston Globe.

Shes stayed busy so far wrangling stories on wildfires, extreme weather, crimes, scams and wild stories from this place we call home  an Eastern Oregon mans tale of his dogs scary encounter with a mountain goat on a camping trip along the Grande Ronde River.

Well have one more intern, Abigail Landwehr, joining us later this summer on our visuals and Here is Oregon teams. Landwehr, who grew up in Wyoming, recently graduated from the University of Missouri with a journalism degree in cross-platform editing and has interned at several newspapers across the West.

And thanks, too, to Elliot Njus, our managing producer for business and newsroom development, who coordinates the internship program and organizes awesome training sessions with our journalists.

Its heartening to work with this next generation of journalists who already care so much about this important work we do and are putting in long hours to hone their craft. I know youll continue to enjoy their work!

Until next time, keep reading and sharing our stories. (Gift a story to someone without a subscription by clicking on the wrapped-present icon above the byline.)

~ Laura Gunderson
This image released by Netflix shows characters Zoey, from left, Rumi and Mira in a scene from "KPop Demon Hunters." (Netflix via AP) AP

In the colorful, animated, musical world of KPop Demon Hunters, everyone is a fan. The general public rocks T-shirts supporting their favorite idols. They hold light sticks and stare starry-eyed at stadium stages; they scream, they cry, they cheer, they buy the merch.

It shouldnt come as much of a surprise, then, that the Sony Pictures/ Netflix film itself has inspired similar fanfare, having topped the streamers global rankings. Fans have flooded the internet with art, covers, cosplay and choreography in response to the movie, which follows the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X as they fight demons.

And its not just the film thats a summer hit. The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack has topped the charts  debuting at No. 1 on Billboards Soundtracks chart and No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

Heres how KPop Demon Hunters became the years surprising success story.

Musical tradition  and K-pop  are honored

The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack utilizes some of the best and brightest in the genre. That included a partnership with K-pop company The Black Label, co-founded by super producer Teddy Park, known for his work with YG, Blackpink and 2NE1  empowered girl groups used as references for the films protagonists, the trio HUNTR/X.

Its one of the many reasons the musical films soundtrack stands on its own. Filmmakers really did their homework, says Jeff Benjamin, a music journalist who specializes in K-pop.

Indeed, they did a lot of research. One of the films directors, Maggie Kang, said that her team prioritized representing the fandom and the idols in a very specific way, as to not disappoint K-pop fans.

They pulled from a treasure trove of influences heard at every corner: The fictional, rival boy band Saja Boys hit song Soda Pop, for example, references the 90s K-pop group H.O.T.

And it has worked. KPop Demon Hunters is the highest charting soundtrack of 2025, with eight of its songs landing on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200. To put that in perspective: Lordes Virgin and Justin Biebers Swag did the same.

In some ways, it recalls Disneys Encanto, which topped the Billboard 200 and produced a No. 1 hit, We Dont Talk About Bruno  in 2022. Similarly, KPop Demon Hunters embraces the original soundtrack, which is a lost art form, adds Benjamin.

Tamar Herman, a music journalist and author of the Notes on K-pop newsletter, says the movie succeeds because it embraces animated musical tradition and authentic K-pop music production styles in equal measure. She considers Kpop Demon Hunters to be a musical with songs inspired by K-pop, not unlike a Jukebox musical, where the songs of ABBA are reimagined for Mamma Mia.

Audiences hunger for something new

The novelty of the film, too, seems to be resonating. Where many animated films rely on adapting existing intellectual property, KPop Demon Hunters is original. And it comes from an original perspective. Its not completely Korean, its not completely Western and its kind of right in that middle, says Kang. Its like not pulled from one side; its kind of flavors of both. So, I think thats what makes the movie feels a little different.

And the core story is whats drawing everybody in, says Kang.

San Francisco-based cosplayer and content creator Nanci Alcantar, who goes by Naanny Lee online agrees. Its not only a K-pop group, but it also tells a story of their journey, of how they transform into powerful warriors, said Alcantar in Spanish. For her, it goes beyond K-pop  its about the narrative.

Kangs approach to cultural authenticity, too, may have contributed to the films crossover appeal. Rather than explaining Korean elements like HUNTR/Xs visit to a traditional medicine clinic or translating K-pop light stick culture for Western audiences, she opted for full immersion. We just wanted everybody to just accept that they were in Korea, Kang said.

The director said this method of throwing people into the deep end of a culture breaks down barriers better than heavy-handed explanation. We just wanted to keep everything feeling normal, she explained. If you dont shine a light on it, it just becomes more easily accepted.

Inventive animation connects

Zabrinah Santiago, a San Diego-based longtime K-pop fan and freelance illustrator who goes by ItmeZ online, was so inspired by the animation style of the movie that she raced to make fan art. She sold illustrated fan cards of HUNTR/X and Saja Boys at her booth at the Los Angeles Anime Expo, held in July, two weeks after the movie was released on Netflix.

And she wasnt the only one. A search of #kpopdemonhunters on Instagram yields thousands of fan illustrations of HUNTR/X and Saja Boys.

Japan-based Youtuber Emily Sim, also known as Emirichu online, says the character designs and original plot drew her to the movie. Sim, with more than 3.5 million subscribers on YouTube, posted a 35-minute video about the movie. In a week-and-a-half, it garnered nearly 450,000 views.

I love seeing all the fan art and just the ways that this movie has creatively inspired people, Sim said.

Kang says for KPop Demon Hunters, her team wanted to bring together demons and Jeoseung Saja  the grim reaper in Korean mythology  for a film that could look both very traditional and modernized  what she says is common in K-dramas but not in animation.

Herman compares the movie to another Sony animation: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which also attracted a broad audience with its creative animation. And its a fun, animated musical, which we havent had in a while, she says. Its campy, its engaging, its universal.

And K-pop fans see themselves represented

Santiago was initially skeptical of the title KPop Demon Hunters.

I feel like with big companies they kind of like to use K-pop as a bait. They kind of like to take advantage of K-pop fans sincerity, said Santiago. But I felt like with this one, it was such like kind of a love letter to K-pop fans.

Indeed  if the film wasnt authentic to K-pop fans experience, or mocked them, it is unlikely to have become so popular, says Benjamin. Instead, there are Easter eggs for the dedicated K-pop listener.

Herman agrees, and says that the film has in-jokes for K-pop fans, not unlike a childrens movie that features some humor meant to appeal specifically to parents.

Figuring out what makes K-pop tick in a way that resonates with musical fans was really important to this movie, said Herman.

For Kang, that was always at the heart of the project. Fandom plays a huge part in the world being saved at the end of the movie, she said. So, we were really confident that we were doing that justice.

-- By MARIA SHERMAN, KARENA PHAN and JUWON PARK Associated Press

Karena Phan reported from Los Angeles. Juwon Park reported from Seoul.
Key Points

A new round of tariff news from the Trump administration frightened investors Friday.

Centrus Energy imports uranium for enrichment and resale to nuclear power companies in the U.S.

Fluor's decision to start selling its NuScale stake may have investors in other nuclear stocks feeling nervous today.

10 stocks we like better than Centrus Energy 

Centrus Energy (NYSEMKT: LEU), a supplier of low-enriched uranium nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants that's also developing the ability to produce high-assay, low-enriched uranium for use in advanced reactors, closed 3.3% lower Friday on what was already a red day for the stock market.

Image source: Getty Images.

What's ailing Centrus?

There was no obvious Centrus-specific news behind the day's decline, although a few factors were likely weighing on the stock. First and foremost was the Trump administration's announcement of new tariffs on imports from dozens of countries around the world, and the threat to tighten sanctions on Russia in particular. Centrus' role as an importer of uranium, and Russia's role as a primary source of most uranium for nuclear fuel, puts Centrus in an awkward position here.

Second, Fluor hinted today at plans to start selling shares in its own advanced reactor-building subsidiary, NuScale Power. Investors may take this as a cue that the momentum trading frenzy in nuclear stocks could be nearing an end.

Finally, uranium prices are down about 10% from their recent high hit in late June -- and have stayed down for most of the month of July, a second suggestion that atomic power might not be the next big thing.

Should you sell Centrus stock?

All that said, Centrus doesn't look to me anywhere near as risky as other nuclear stocks. It's got more cash than debt on its balance sheet, is generating positive free cash flow, and is earning decent profits -- $106.5 million over the past year.

While hardly cheap at 35 times earnings, it's also hardly the most expensive nuclear stock in this industry. I expect Centrus shares to recover quickly.

Should you buy stock in Centrus Energy right now?

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Pressed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Moda Center stands, attendees felt a familiar energy Saturday: cheers, applause, arms lifted high, just like at any sold-out concert in Portlands largest arena. But this show didnt promote a star-studded musician or new album.

The headliner was Jesus Christ.
It was another eventful week in the Trump presidency. The adult cartoon satire South Park took aim at Donald Trumps association with the jet-setting sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Trumps personal attorney, now a top official in the Justice Department, met twice with Epsteins jailed co-defendant, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jack Ohman leads this weeks editorial cartoon gallery with his depiction of South Park-a-Lago, drawing Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, attorney Todd Blanche and Maxwell as South Park characters. Nick Anderson draws Trump atop the rubble of Americas social and political norms, complaining that the South Park guys went too far. On a visit to Scotland, Joey Weatherfords Secret Service agents protect Trump from Epstein questions ... and the Loch Ness monster. In another Anderson offering, Trump makes like Indiana Jones and tries to outrun a boulder of Epstein allegations. Trump is also the subject of cartoons about his fight with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and negative view of wind farms.

A new set of tariffs kicked in at weeks end. Dana Summers depicts Trump as having bagged a big trade trophy: the European Union. Michael Ramirez ridicules the presidents answer to every question: more tariffs.

Another big topic this week: the reverberations of Trumps cuts to the federal government. Walt Handelsman views the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as switching from protecting the environment to fouling it. Bill Bramhall draws EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin burning clean air regulations in a coal furnace.

Other news events covered in this weeks gallery include Texas flood recovery and redistricting; the Democratic Partys messaging troubles; former Vice President Kamala Harris decision not to run for California governor; and the deaths of satirist Tom Lehrer and Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg.

Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
Mismanaged megaprojects, like the Abernethy Bridge, are at the heart of ODOTs financial crisis, writes economist Joe Cortright. While ODOT says it cannot use money for construction on maintenance, legislators can fix that in the upcoming special session. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

Joe Cortright

For The Oregonian/OregonLive

Cortright is an economist, director of urban policy think tank City Observatory and co-founder of No More Freeways. He lives in Portland.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is a financial mess, but not because of electric vehicles or fuel-efficient cars cutting into gas tax revenues, as the agency and legislators are claiming.

In fact, motor fuel tax revenues, which support both ODOT and local agencies, are $73 million higher than five years ago. The tax increases that Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking in an upcoming special session wont resolve the underlying issue. ODOT doesnt have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem.

The real financial crisis is ODOTs excessive spending and dramatic cost overruns on a handful of billion-dollar-a-mile highway expansion projects. The cost of widening Interstate 5 at the Rose Quarter in Portland has more than quadrupled to $2.1 billion from the $450 million estimate in 2017. The I-205 Abernethy Bridge in Clackamas County has more than tripled from $250 million to $815 million and the price tag could still increase, ODOT warns.

And this problem is getting worse, not better, in spite of claims about more accountability: ODOT acknowledged a year and a half ago that the cost of the I-5 Interstate Bridge Replacement previously figured at $7.5 billion, was going upprobably to $9 billion or morebut has repeatedly missed its own deadlines to release a new estimate.

ODOT pushes these bloated mega-projects with low-balled cost estimates and wildly optimistic revenue assumptions. When these dont pan out  or tolling plans are canceled  theyve piled on debt; ODOT has added $270 million in short term debtto be repaid from future gas tax revenues -- and diverted $100 million meant for bridge preservation to cover overruns.

As a result, with a complicit Legislature, the agency has persistently neglected basic preservation of infrastructure, contributing to the massive backlog of needed maintenance. Gas tax money that could go to snowplowing, road repair and other needs is carved out for high-profile projects and debt service. And together, ODOT and elected leaders are now effectively holding ODOT employees and the traveling public hostage for more money.

Case in point: even though the agency has sent layoff notices to hundreds of employees, it is still blundering ahead with the largely unfunded Rose Quarter project, which just lost more than $400 million in federal funding and now has a $1.5 billion funding gap. If youre laid off from your job, you dont go out and buy a new $85,000 pickup; unless, apparently, you are ODOT.

ODOT claims its hands are tied by the Legislature in how it may use dollars and cannot use money set aside for construction projects on regular maintenance. But it has repeatedly used flexible funds, savings and discretionary money in addition to reallocating operating and maintenance money to pay for construction projects. Even though the Legislature didnt allocate a dime to the Abernethy Bridge project in 2017, ODOT found $50 million to get it started.

Regardless, the upcoming legislative session could fix this problem with a stroke of the pen, by giving ODOT flexibility to use state dollars that have been earmarked for construction of these projects.

Its time to press pause on highway megaprojects  to insist that they be right-sized instead of bloated. We should demand that all of the money for such a project be in hand, and a defensible cost estimate, before construction is started. And the Legislature should establish in law that ODOT is required to preserve and maintain our existing roads before spending money widening them. If the Legislature increases transportation taxes and fees, the revenue ought to be shared with cities, counties and transit agencies and strictly dedicated to restoring basic services  fixing potholes, plowing roads and running buses.
I am troubled by the Republican proposal to use emergency funds to cover the transportation funding gap as outlined in a recent op-ed, (Opinion: Use emergency funding account to prevent ODOT layoffs, July 27).

Its undeniable that Oregons roads are suffering from decades of chronic underinvestment, and I agree that the Legislature must come up with a plan to avoid laying off hundreds of vital state employees who fill potholes and keep the snowplows running on our mountain passes. But there could not be a worse time than the present for the state government to pilfer our cautiously guarded emergency funding, which is needed for wildfire response and other critical services.

At a time when the Trump administration is eliminating billions of dollars in funding to the states for health care, education and social services, Oregons government needs to be clear-eyed about the challenges ahead  not self-administering our own version of DOGE and weakening our ability to invest in the vital social services and infrastructure on which our communities depend.

In the years ahead, I welcome a bipartisan, candid conversation about how to invest in infrastructure that leads to more affordable and reliable transportation options across the state, along with better oversight of the Oregon Department of Transportation. For now, with Oregonians paying among the lowest transportation-related taxes in the country, asking motorists for six more cents at the pump is a small price to pay for safer streets and the peace of mind that Oregon will be more prepared to backfill the federal governments withdrawal.

Khanh Pham

Pham represents District 23-Outer Southeast and Northeast Portland in the Oregon Senate and is co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Editor's note: This story was updated at 6:04 p.m. Aug. 5 to reflect the inmate capacity of the Cleveland County Detention Center.

Cleveland County Commissioners will discuss on Monday a proposed agreement with the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority that would allow Oklahoma City to house its inmates at the Cleveland County Detention Center.

If approved, the authority would pay $68 a day for each inmate housed in the detention center, as well as costs for transportation and hospital watch if emergency medical attention were necessary for a detainee, the proposal reads.

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The contract would last for the 2025-26 fiscal year with the option to renew for two additional one-year terms.

Melissa Smuzynski, county director of communications, wrote in an email to OU Daily the contract was originally presented in March. County commissioners interpreted the contract to mean that detainees would be from Oklahoma City areas within Cleveland County boundaries.

After reviewing the contract with amendments requested by Oklahoma City at its June 28 meeting, the commissioners realized the language of the proposal allowed for detainees from any area within Oklahoma Citys jurisdiction, raising questions of how many detainees would be taken to the detention center, Smuzynski wrote.

The Oklahoma County jail has a capacity of 2,890 detainees, as first reported by the Oklahoman. In December, the total number of inmates was 1,454. The Cleveland County Detention Center has a capacity of about 580 inmates, Sheriff Chris Amason confirmed to OU Daily.

County officials voiced their concerns regarding transportation for inmates back to Oklahoma City following their release.

The contract, as it is currently worded, could result in individuals who are experiencing homelessness, are repeat offenders or simply do not have the reliable transportation, Smuzynski wrote. Being released in Cleveland County after their time in custody with no contractually agreed upon way to transport them back to the part of Oklahoma City where they reside or were initially detained.

NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $125,000 in recent years to support our independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM

Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman told OU Daily that he shared these concerns over a lack of transportation for detainees arrested in Oklahoma City.

Are (inmates) going to be released into Norman to fend for themselves as far as getting back home goes? Holman said. At the very minimum, I think there should be a requirement that anyone transported to the Cleveland County jail from Oklahoma City should have to be taken back to Oklahoma City and then released from that point.

Holman also noted Cleveland County residents fund the detention center by paying taxes.

I would err on the side of our county jail being for Cleveland County, Holman said. The Cleveland County jail is paid for by Cleveland County residents and taxpayers and its supposed to be for housing inmates of Cleveland County and people that have had issues with the law in that regard.

As the proposal is revisited, Holman said he hopes there is clear communication between Oklahoma City, Cleveland County and Norman officials.

I would hope that any discussions that are being had about this idea are including the Norman Police Department administration, the city manager of Norman, the Oklahoma City Police Departments Chief,  Holman said. I hope theres a real clear line of communication and that everythings being completely transparent with how theyre dealing with it.

OU Daily reached out to Oklahoma City Police Department, which declined to give a statement until a final decision was reached.

This story was edited by Ana Barboza.
Key Points

One popular medication in particular might soon receive support from on high.

A media report stated that the Federal government is planning to launch an experimental program to test subsidies for Medicare and Medicaid obesity patients.

10 stocks we like better than Eli Lilly 

Although mighty American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has a dizzying number of commercialized products, it's a recently approved medication that's attracted outsized attention lately. This is its GLP-1 weight-loss drug, Zepbound. On Friday, thanks to news of a large Federal subsidy program apparently in the works, shares of the drug's maker leaped more than 3% higher in value.

A half-decade experiment

That morning The Washington Post, citing official documents it had obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provided details of that program.

Image source: Getty Images.

The agency aims to launch a five-year pilot initiative under which Medicare Part D insurance providers and state Medicaid programs would be permitted to cover the costs of obesity drugs. This would help remove a major hurdle for some otherwise qualifying patients, as expenses for the regularly administered Zepbound can add up significantly.

The report comes a day after President Trump sent a series of letters to top U.S. healthcare company CEOs insisting that they lower the prices of important treatments. If implemented, this apparent experimental program would fit with the White House's recent cost-saving push for the many Americans using medications.

Details wanted

It wasn't much of a surprise that investors cautiously bid up Eli Lilly stock -- and that of its GLP-1 drug making rival, Wegovy developer Novo Nordisk -- following the article's publication. Any such program would certainly be a boon for both products and their manufacturers, although much remains to be parsed when and if more details about the CMS's program become available.

Should you invest $1,000 in Eli Lilly right now?

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A former Middletown man was arrested Thursday in connection with a 2013 animal cruelty case by authorities in New York.

Lower Swatara police charged Lamont Harris, 49, with two counts of animal cruelty after a Nov. 11, 2013, incident when construction workers found a dog bound and dumped in the Swatara Creek near the Vine Street Bridge. The dog was rescued and transported to a local veterinary hospital, where it was treated for multiple injuries, police said.

Harris was listed as the dogs owner on its microchip, police told PennLive in 2013.

Harris was arrested after being flagged for his warrant on a flight from the Caribbean to John F. Kennedy International Airport. He will be extradited to Pennsylvania, police said.
A 34-year-old Harrisburg woman was charged with three felonies this week after police said she stole over $145,000 in jewelry while working as a package handler for UPS in Dauphin County.

On July 21, Lower Swatara Township Police were contacted by UPS security about several thefts at the Middletown UPS Hub, at 2110 North Union Street, according to a criminal complaint.

UPS started a weeks-long internal investigation after a New York City business complained about empty packages being delivered to its customers.

Shaylee Garber, who had been working as a package line handler for UPS since 2022, was seen on surveillance footage opening packages with jewelry inside, removing the contents and retaping the boxes to be sent to their destination, the complaint said.

Surveillance footage also captured Garber putting the stolen jewelry into her backpack.

When UPS workers arrive and leave work, their personal belongings are scanned with an X-ray machine, which showed the stolen jewelry in Garbers backpack, the complaint said.

On July 24, UPS security called police to the Middletown hub again after Garber tried to steal a pair of Beats headphones valued between $150 and $175.

On July 30, Garber admitted to stealing the headphones and jewelry during an interview with a UPS security officer.

After stealing the goods, Garber would either pawn the items herself or have people on the street sell them at pawn shops, splitting the profits or receiving about 100 bucks per transaction, police said.

It was weird, just one day it was like free money, Garber told UPS security.

The total value of the stolen goods was just over $145,745, the complaint said. Garber is charged with theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking and mail theft.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug 13. As of Saturday, Garber is not incarcerated after posting her $20,000 bond.
Police tape surrounds The Owl Bar in of Anaconda, Mont., on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, following a fatal shooting. (Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP) AP

By MATTHEW BROWN, COLLEEN SLEVIN and LISA BAUMANN, The Associated Press

Authorities were scouring a mountainous area of western Montana on Saturday for a military veteran who they say opened fire at a bar, killing four people.

Michael Paul Brown, 45, fled The Owl Bar in the small town of Anaconda in a white pickup truck but ditched it at some point, said Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is overseeing the case.

On Saturday, authorities released a photo of the suspect, barefoot and shirtless, walking down what appeared to be a flight of outdoor concrete steps. The photo showed Brown, wearing black shorts, fleeing after the shooting Friday, according to the Division of Criminal Investigation.

This photo provided by Montana Department of Justice shows Michael Brown, who authorities say opened fire at a bar, killing four people on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 in Anaconda, Mont. (Montana Department of Justice via AP) AP

While law enforcement has not received reports of Brown harming any other individuals, he is believed to be armed, and he is extremely dangerous, Johnson said.

Anaconda-Deer Lodge Police Chief Bill Sather said Saturday that businesses in the area could open, but he urged caution.

Authorities said they would release the names of the victims once all of their families have been notified.

This is a small tight-knit community that has been harmed by the heinous actions of one individual who does not represent what this community or Montanans stand for, Johnson said.

Police and other emergency personnel are seen after a reported shooting in Anaconda, Mont., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP) AP

Law enforcement personnel respond to a reported shooting in Anaconda, Mont., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP) AP

Anaconda, about 25 miles northwest of Butte, is hemmed in by mountains. The town of about 9,000 people was founded by copper barons who profited off nearby mines in the late 1800s. A smelter stack that is no longer operational looms over the valley.

Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar, said owner David Gwerder, who wasnt there during the shooting Friday morning. Gwerder told The Associated Press that a bartender and three patrons were killed and didnt think anyone else was inside. He also said he wasnt aware of any conflicts between Brown and any of the victims.

He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that, Gwerder said. He didnt have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.

Brown served in the U.S. Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005, said Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson. Brown was in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009, Castro said. He left military service in the rank of sergeant.

Browns niece, Clare Boyle, told The Associated Press on Friday that her uncle has struggled with mental illness for years and that she and her other family members repeatedly sought help.

This isnt just a drunk/high man going wild, she wrote in a Facebook message. Its a sick man who doesnt know who he is sometimes and frequently doesnt know where or when he is either.

A helicopter hovered over a nearby mountainside as officers moved among the trees, said Randy Clark, a retired police officer who lives there.
The politics over appraisals is emerging at a time when the homeownership rate in the US is at its lowest in more than five years, and affordability for first-time buyers remains about as bad as its been since the 1980s. Contracts signed for home purchases hit a 13-year low this spring, which is normally the busiest season in real estate.

The changes have made it much easier for the borrower, said Michelle Rogers, New Americans chief valuation officer. Its more transparent and the borrower knows they can initiate it.

New American Funding, which also isnt planning to change its approach, was the only financial institution of more than 10 contacted by Bloomberg to disclose information about disputed home valuations. The Tustin, California-based mortgage lender, which provided roughly $14 billion of mortgage loans last year, said an average 2.5% of its customers request new valuations each month. Of those contested, roughly 22% are found to need an adjustment. New American didn't share a breakdown of borrowers requests by race.

Some of the countrys biggest lenders, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp. and U.S. Bancorp, said they would make no policy changes as a result of the rollback.

With their decision to end some of the requirements related to home valuations, however, Trump and his cabinet members may have little impact on lenders practices. Thats because theres fresh evidence that the changes the Biden administration put in place are supported by the industry.

Many financial professionals agree that home appraisals can be unreliable, and that Black homeowners and other minorities are often put at a significant disadvantage. This can be especially damaging given that home ownership is the top wealth-creation tool in the US  and an appraisal is a key determinant of how much, if anything, someone can borrow.

Its an industrywide issue that has historically penalized minority groups, and now President Donald Trump has offered lenders the chance to ignore his predecessors attempts to make it easier for homeowners to question the valuations assigned by property appraisers. Trump has scrapped some of the guidelines, part of his teams vow to stamp out what it sees as initiatives that support diversity, equity and inclusion.

(Bloomberg) -- At one midsized US mortgage lender, almost a quarter of customers who dispute property appraisals find that the value of their home had been miscalculated.

Story Continues

The appraisal directives were put in place following a deep dive by the Biden administration into prejudices in the business. One of Trumps housing regulators, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, said rolling them back was part of an attempt by the president to put an end to the obsession with DEI. The administration also has vowed to make deep cuts to the federal apparatus that enforced fair housing and fair lending laws, from slashing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau staff to gutting the Justice Departments Civil Rights division.

A HUD official who spoke on background said the departments recent reforms simply reverted its stance to the way things were before Biden-era regulators imposed their standards. Lenders arent being barred from letting borrowers dispute their appraisals, said the official who declined to be identified. The White House hasnt responded to a request for comment.

Black homeowners have long reported having their homes valued more highly after taking down all evidence of their race. Research from the Brookings Institution and the federally controlled housing finance agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has shown that home appraisals can be affected by racial bias, which in turn affects the value of homes in entire neighborhoods.

Brookings found, for example, that homes in neighborhoods where the majority of residents are Black are valued between 21% and 23% lower than comparable homes in white neighborhoods, with appraisal bias as one of several contributing factors. Economists at Freddie Mac reported in 2021 that greater percentages of homes in majority Black and Latino census tracts were undervalued compared with those in white census tracts, leading them to conclude that there was a valuation gap between homes in different neighborhoods.

The appraisal problem for minority borrowers also is a problem for lenders, since having low appraisals can prevent a homeowner from qualifying for a mortgage refinancing or a new home loan. That means the lender loses out on valuable business. Banks also suffer when appraisers make mistakes in the opposite direction, valuing properties too highly, because it means the bank cant safely rely on the value of a property as collateral for a loan.

The reforms that the mortgage industry recently adopted to try to make the appraisal process fairer originated with a Biden administration task force called PAVE (for Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity), which was formed in 2021. The group consisted of public officials from 13 different agencies, and its goal was to produce a report with recommended changes to a suite of different mortgage industry standards.

PAVE recommended more training for home appraisers and higher standards for appraisers seeking to qualify for professional licenses. Those changes were handled by the Appraisal Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves as the regulator for home appraisers.

A spokeswoman for the foundation declined to comment on the Trump administrations recent changes, but said that new education and licensing standards put in place last year are still in effect.

PAVE also called for an industrywide requirement for mortgage lenders to let borrowers request a reconsideration of value (ROV) if they disagreed with an appraisers determination. Last year, regulators began requiring mortgage lenders to decide how they would standardize their procedures and to explain them clearly to their customers. In a rare win for the government, the policy received support from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Federal housing regulation includes a web of rules issued by different agencies, including HUD and also Fannie and Freddie. The new home-appraisal guidance went into effect for all of the housing agencies. But so far, the Trump administration has only rolled back the policy for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which help low- to moderate-income families attain home ownership.

On July 17, Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, proposed a bill that would make mortgage lenders ROV policies required by law. It also would expand public access to data on mortgage appraisals by forcing a federal housing regulator to more regularly share details.

While fair-housing advocates support the proposal, the bill also has backing from a more unlikely source: the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

The group represents more than 500,000 mortgage brokers across the US. Its president, Jim Nabors, called the proposed bill critical for ensuring fairness for homebuyers and added: "Our entire board of directors and membership applaud Senator Warnock."

(Updates to add recent sales information for the US housing market in the eighth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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FILE - First responders work at the scene after a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) AP

By Ryan W. Briggs, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Insurance claims for the Jan. 31 plane crash that killed eight and left a swath of destruction in Northeast Philadelphia will likely far exceed $10 million, according to a new federal court filing.

An insurance provider for Mexican medical airline Med Jets, S.A. De C.V.  which operates under the trade name Jet Rescue Air Ambulance  filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania last month indicating that claims will far exceed the remaining liability limits of the companys policy, valued at $10 million per aircraft.

The action comes in the wake of dozens of claims already filed on behalf of property owners, people injured or killed in the crash, or their next of kin. The suit says the company anticipates potentially hundreds more are likely to be filed.

The complaint seeks to consolidate the claims under a single court case and compel a federal judge to divvy up the remaining funds, which are unlikely to be sufficient to resolve all claims against the company.

Attorney Konrad Krebs, who is representing El Aguila Compania de Seguros, which is Med Jets Mexico-based insurance company, said the complaint was meant to streamline claims for compensation.

A spokesperson for Med Jets did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Learjet 55 departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport on Jan. 31, carrying six occupants, including Valentina Guzman Murillo, 11, and her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna, who were on their way home to Mexico following Valentinas treatment at Shriners Childrens Philadelphia.

Shortly after takeoff, around 6 p.m., the aircraft dived sharply, crashing at a severe angle near the Roosevelt Mall along Cottman Avenue, leaving an eight-foot impact crater. All those aboard the plane, including two pilots and two medical staffers for Med Jets, were killed, as was Steven Dreuitt Jr., 37, a motorist. Dreuitts fiancee, Dominique Goods Burke, who had been in the car with him, died three months later.

Others on the ground suffered burns from ignited jet fuel, and numerous nearby homes and businesses caught fire or were struck by debris.

The cause of the crash is still not known.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. A preliminary report, issued in March, was largely inconclusive but found that the aircrafts voice recorder had been inoperable for years.

Many of those affected by the crash say they have suffered emotional trauma or financial hardship.

18 1 / 18 Small plane crashes in Philadelphia

The July complaint indicates that attorneys for the estates of the young patient and her mother, as well as onboard medic Raul Meza Arredondo, are already seeking damages.

So is the City of Philadelphia, which engaged in a lengthy emergency management process, as are a string of businesses near the Roosevelt Mall, including a Raising Canes franchise.

Arthur Wolk, a Philadelphia-based aviation attorney and pilot, said that the complaint was a reasonable step, given the extraordinary nature of the crash.

The insurance company is saying, This is all we have and were offering it to court. We have more claimants than coverage, and we want the court to equitably distribute in anyway you see fit, he said. Ten million dollars is a lot. But they dont anticipate the airplane crashing into a city street.

 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit www.inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
FILE - Voters check in to cast ballots in the New Hampshire presidential primary at a polling site in Derry, N.H., Jan. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) AP

By Steve Peoples, Linley Sanders and Hyojin Yoo, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Many Democrats see their political party as weak or ineffective, according to a poll that finds considerable pessimism within Democratic ranks. Republicans are more complimentary of their party, although a small but significant share describe the GOP as greedy or say it is generally bad.

The poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in July reveals warning signs for both major U.S. parties as the political focus shifts to elections in New Jersey and Virginia this fall and the midterm contests next year.

Respondents were asked to share the first word or phrase that came to mind when they thought of the Republican and Democratic parties. Answers were then sorted into broad categories, including negative and positive attributes. Overall, U.S. adults held a dim view of both parties, with about 4 in 10 using negative attributes, including words such as dishonest or stupid.

But nearly nine months after Republican Donald Trump won a second presidential term, Democrats appear to be harboring more resentment about the state of their party than do Republicans. Democrats were likelier to describe their own party negatively than Republicans. Republicans were about twice as likely to describe their own party positively.

Theyre spineless, Cathia Krehbiel, a 48-year-old Democrat from Indianola, Iowa, said of her party.

She believes the partys response to the Trump administration has been scattershot.

I just feel like theres so much recently thats just going abhorrently wrong, Krehbiel said. And they speak up a little bit and they roll right over.

Democrats speak out against their own party

Overall, roughly one-third of Democrats described their party negatively in the open-ended question.

About 15% described it using words like weak, or apathetic, while an additional 10% believe it is broadly ineffective or disorganized.

Only about 2 in 10 Democrats described their party positively, with roughly 1 in 10 saying it is empathetic, or inclusive. An additional 1 in 10 used more general positive descriptors.

It is unclear what impact the Democrats angst may have on upcoming elections or the political debate in Washington, but no political organization wants to be plagued by internal divisions.

Still, the Democrats frustration appears to reflect their concern that party leaders are not doing enough to stop Trumps GOP, which controls Washington.

There is little sign that such voters would abandon their party in favor of Trumps allies in upcoming elections, and the vast majority of Democrats described the GOP negatively. But disaffected Democrats might decide not to vote at all. That could undermine their partys push to reclaim at least one chamber of Congress in 2026.

Jim Williams, a 78-year-old retiree from Harper Woods, Michigan said he typically supports Democrats, but he is disappointed with the party and its murky message. He feels much worse about the Republican Party, which he said has lost it under Trumps leadership.

All he does is bully and call names. Theyve got no morals, no ethics. And the more they back him, the less I like them, the self-described independent, said of Trump.

What do Republicans say about their party?

Republicans are about twice as likely as Democrats to describe their party positively, with many also using straightforward ideological descriptors like conservative.

About 4 in 10 Republicans used positive attributes to characterize the GOP, making general mentions of words such as patriotic or hardworking, or offering associations with the word freedom.

Samuel Washington, 65, of Chicago, said he typically votes Republican. Washington praised Trumps leadership, even while acknowledging that the presidents policies on trade and spending might be creating short-term economic hardship.

Theres a lot of pain, but the pain is the result of 12 years of misuse and misguided leadership from the Democratic Party, he said. Im feeling really good about Republicans and the direction that theyre going.

But views were not uniformly good. About 2 in 10 Republicans said something negative about the party, including phrases such as greedy, for the rich or corrupt.

FILE - Arizona Democratic party supporters walk to the exit after attending a watch party on election night Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) AP

Republican Dick Grayson, an 83-year-old veteran from Trade, Tennessee, said he is disappointed by his partys fealty to Trump.

Among other things, he pointed to the price tag of Trumps tax-and-spend package, which will add nearly $3.3 trillion to the nations debt over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Ive always been a Republican, but Im disillusioned about both parties, Grayson said.

How Americans view the parties overall

Among all Americans, the poll finds that the Republican Party is viewed slightly more negatively than the Democratic Party. The different is not large: 43% used negative words to describe the Republicans, compared with 39% for the Democrats.

Much of the negativity is driven by the opposing party  and independents distaste for both. Independents are much likelier to describe both parties with negative attributes rather than positive descriptors, though a significant share did not offer an opinion at all.

Curtis Musser, a 60-year-old unaffiliated voter from Beverly Hills, Florida, said both parties have shifted too far toward the extreme for his liking.

He said he is ready for a serious third party to emerge before the next presidential election, pointing to Elon Musks new America Party, which has been slow to launch.

Maybe he would get us headed in the right direction, the retired schoolteacher said.

Peoples reported from New York.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,437 adults was conducted July 10-14, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.
The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Pittsburgh Steelers slot cornerback Grayland Arnold, the team announced.

Arnold was with the Steelers last training camp but did not end up making the team after suffering a calf injury. He was in the competition to the teams starting slot cornerback before suffering the injury.

Arnold suffered the calf injury during a kick coverage drill.

During the drill, Arnold went to tackle returner John Rhys Plumlee, but as he stepped, he went down to the ground in a heap. He would limp off the field and exit practice on a cart. The next day, the Steelers placed Arnold on injured reserve.

A veteran option, Arnold was signed after the Houston Texans opted not to keep him around. He has been a journeyman cornerback, but now, he will get a chance with the Falcons.
The third movie in Lifetimes series on women finding resilience through their faith despite harrowing circumstances premieres tonight.

Adapted from the best-selling Christian suspense book, Terri Blackstocks If I Run, Kat Graham stars as Casey Cox, a woman on the run after discovering her best friend is murdered  and she is being framed for it. She must turn to her faith to guide her through the obstacles before her."

Terri Blackstocks If I Run premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, on Lifetime.

LIVE STREAM: Fans can watch Lifetime without cable on Fans can watch Lifetime without cable on Philo, which offers a seven-day free trial; and SlingTV.

Graham stars as Casey Cox, a woman on the run after discovering her best friend Brent has been murdered  and she is being framed for it. Not knowing who to trust, Casey flees, using her intelligence and resourcefulness to stay hidden and the signs of divine guidance to help her in her journey.

Meanwhile, Dylan Roberts (Evan Roderick), a war-weary veteran and private investigator with PTSD, is hired to track her down. As Dylan digs deeper into the case, he begins to suspect that Casey might actually be innocent and that the real story is far more complex  and dangerous  than it first appeared." James Tupper also stars in the movie.

What is Philo?

Philo is a streaming service that offers more than 70 live channels and more than 70,000 titles on demand for $28 a month. Philo has a SEVEN-DAY FREE TRIAL. Channels include AMC, AMC+, A&E, MTV, BET, Discovery, VH1, Food Network, History, Nickelodeon, OWN, TLC, Lifetime, Hallmark, Paramount and TV One. Add-on packages include EPIX, STARZ and Movies and More. Philo offers an unlimited 1-year DRV.

What is Sling TV?

Sling streaming service is $45.99 a month for the Orange (35 channels) or Blue (43 channels) Levels. Orange plus Blue is $60.99 a month. Premium subscribers also can get a month of Showtime, STARZ and EPIX for free. Channels include CMT, Bravo, BET, Comedy Central, A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, Discovery+, Hallmark, History, National Geographic, Lifetime, TLC and USA.
This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with:

The chart of the day

What we're watching

What we're reading

Economic data releases and earnings

I have had a checkered history with Starbucks (SBUX).

As an analyst during the Howard Schultz CEO era, I would camp out in stores for days studying everything the chain was doing wrong (and right). The stock was always priced for perfection, and I was trying to ensure that clients wouldn't be left holding the bag. My ensuing critical research reports weren't well-received by Starbucks.

I still remember Schultz telling me to f*** off at an analyst day. I wasn't amused in the moment by a billionaire's lack of verbal control, but the next morning, I was back to my chipper self. You can't take this stuff personally.

More than a decade later, I'm now a journalist with no bones to pick with Starbucks  just one providing context on this important stock.

Current Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is hard to root against. I originally met him at a Taco Bell investor day in New York City, maybe nine years ago. He was a good leader then and a better one today with a successful Chipotle (CMG) turnaround under his belt.

The problem is that Starbucks' business isn't yet showing the Niccol magic. You can see the seeds he planted beginning to sprout  service times improving, sales not falling off a cliff, menus streamlining. In the quarter announced this week, the company teased a "wave" of innovation such as protein cold foam coffee, shorter mobile order pickup times, and a potential sale of part of the struggling China business.

But again, Niccol's magic beans have barely sprouted green shoots, with Niccol almost one full year into the job.

What Starbucks delivered in the quarter:

Operating profit margins crashed in every business segment year over year.

Overall operating margins plunged 660 basis points from a year ago.

US same-store sales fell 2% on the back of a 4% traffic drop.

Earnings per share tanked 46% from a year ago.

No guidance provided.

"Unfortunately, I think there were some choices made before me that really set us back on our ability to create that great customer connection between our barista and customer and provide the type of customer service that the Starbucks brand, frankly, is known for," Niccol told me on Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid (watch above).

Some investors are clinging to the positives Niccol noted during the earnings call.

They include low double-digit percentage same-store sales growth at college locations, improved transaction trends in the US toward the end of the quarter, and the aforementioned "wave" of menu innovation. Starbucks will also spend $500 million during the next year on increased labor investments  shy of Street whispers of about $1 billion.
Jenny Westerlund Wins Record-Breaking WSOPC Main Event in Tallinn

Eliot Thomas Content Executive Copy link

Jenny Westerlund is the latest winner of a WSOP Circuit Main Event ring after a breathtaking final table performance at the record-breaking 2025 WSOPC Tallinn.

The Swede came into the day second in chips and wasted no time asserting herself, playing an aggressive style that saw her rise to the top of a record 888-entry field at OlyBets Olympic Park Casino.

For the win, Westerlund takes home 200,200, by far her biggest live result, along with the 5,000 Ticket to Paradise package. Her previous best cash was $42,451, at the Nordic Masters of Poker over ten years ago.

Westerlund would seal the title in remarkable fashion as on the very first hand of three-handed play, all the chips went in preflop. Westerlund, with AJ, called off both Krzysztof Chmielowski QQ and Igor Pihela Sr A6. Chmielowski was in a strong spot to double through both and take control of the final table, and the 293 flop kept him in front, though Westerlund picked up a flush draw.

The A on the turn swung the pendulum, putting Westerlund ahead with the top pair. When the 5 landed on the river, it was all over.

Chmielowski finished runner-up for 128,500, while Estonias Pihela Sr, the last local left in the field, earned 90,200 for third.

2025 WSOP Circuit 1,500 Main Event  Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Jenny Westerlund Sweden 200,200 + $5,000 Ticket to Paradise 2 Krzysztof Chmielowski Poland 128,500 3 Igor Pihela Sr Estonia 90,200 4 Martin Surovec Czech Republic 62,500 5 Elias Vaaraniemi Finland 46,000 6 David Vinaya Norway 33,100 7 Jari-Pekka Juhola Finland 25,060 8 Stephen Groom England 19,500 9 Karolis Kutkauskas Lithuania 14,200

History Maker Westerlund Reacts

Speaking to Andreas Hoglund on the OlyBet stream, Westerlund admitted she was still trying to process the moment after topping such a large WSOP Circuit Main Event field.

I dont think I really recognize the feeling yet, she said. Itll be a couple of days before I realize I actually won all that money. Itll make a big difference in my life.

Westerlund came into the final day second in chips and played fearlessly throughout, using her stack to apply pressure at every opportunity. On her style, she added, Because I had a big stack, I wanted to pressure the middle stacks and small stacks  and it worked.

Despite banking a career-best 200,200, Westerlund was clear it wasnt the money that meant the most, explaining, The ring was most important. The money is amazing, but the ring is most important.

The Swedish player also added that "I wasn't nervous at all" coming into the final day and explained she would celebrate the landmark victory tonight by going for a meal with friends and then heading the the OlyBet Players' Party.

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After three tough, gruelling days of poker inside the Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino, the record-breaking $5,300 High Roller has crowned a winner here at the 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series. Frances Cedric Schwaederle came out on top of the field of 318 entries, the largest ever recorded for a Merit Poker High Roller.

Schwaederle took home the title and a career-best score of $310,000, defeating Mauritania's Mohamed El-Wely in a heads-up match that lasted over two full levels. Schwaederle maintained the chip lead throughout heads-up play, eventually closing out the victory without ever relinquishing his lead.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Cedric Schwaederle France $310,000 2 Mohamed El-Wely Mauritania $216,500 3 Aren Bezhanyan Armenia $155,000 4 Xuming Qi China $111,000 5 Adrian State Romania $81,000 6 Salah Assi France $60,500 7 Mehmet Demirkol Turkey $45,700 8 Sakis Adrianopoulos Greece $35,000 9 Roman Pshyk Ukraine $27,500

Winner's Reaction

Fresh off his victory, Schwaederle spoke to PokerNews about how it feels to walk away with a career-best $310,000 and the record-breaking High Roller title.

It feels really good, Schwaederle said, smiling. Ive had a lot of close calls before and this is my biggest score, so its pretty great.

The road to victory was anything but smooth. Schwaederles chip stack fluctuated throughout the final table, and at one point, he was down to just over ten big blinds. But rather than panic, he remained focused and found the right spots when it mattered most.

In the middle of the final table, I didnt have much expectation because I was short-stacked, he explained. That makes the win even better. When youre the shortest stack and end up winning, its just amazing.

Cedric Schwaederle

When asked about his overall experience at the Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series, Schwaederle had nothing but praise for the resort and its atmosphere.

The facilities are very good. I go to the gym, all the staff are friendly, he said. Im here with my wife and she likes it too. She goes to the beach, the pool, and we can spend time together. Thank you, its amazing here.

Final Day's Action

When the final day of the $5,300 High Roller began, 43 players returned with their eyes on the $310,000 top prize and a min-cash of $9,500 secured for the final 41. Once Grzegorz Kozieja fell on the bubble, eliminations came quickly. Schwaederle wasted no time climbing the ranks, scoring three knockouts before the final table, including the elimination of start-of-day chip leader Jakub Michalak, whose ace-jack couldnt hold against Schwaederles five-four.

At the start of the final table, Schwaederle, El-Wely, and Aren Bezhanyan were virtually tied at the top, separated by less than a small blind. Schwaederle vaulted into the chip lead by knocking out Roman Pshyk in ninth with pocket jacks, but he soon lost momentum after a check-raise from Xuming Qi in a three-bet pot cost him almost half of his stack.

Roman Pshyk

Schwaederle spent much of the middle stages nursing a shorter stack, but a double-up with ace-queen suited against Salah Assi gave him new life. He regained the chip lead four-handed after El-Wely check-jammed third pair into Schwaederles top pair and flush draw. A few hands later, Schwaederle sent Qi to the rail with ace-king and now held over half the chips in play.

With three left, Schwaederle applied some ICM pressure, as El-Wely and Bezhanyan were neck and neck, and seemingly battling for second place. El-Wely eventually got the better of that exchange, eliminating Bezhanyan in third with ace-nine against queen-eight.

Aren Bezhanyan

Heads-Up Battle

Schwaederle began heads-up play with just over a 2:1 chip lead. El-Wely chipped away at the deficit by winning a lot of the small limped pots. However, Schwaederle halted the comeback by spiking fifth pair on the river to win the pot against El-Wely's combo-draw. From that point on, El-Welys stack continued to dwindle, and Schwaederle edged closer to the title.

Down to just four big blinds, El-Wely moved all in with queen-trey and was called by Schwaederle holding ten-eight. Two tens on the flop sealed it, and moments later, Schwaederle was crowned the $5,300 High Roller champion at the 2025 Merit Poker Dolce Vita Series, collecting the biggest score of his career.

Mohamed El-Wely

That wraps up coverage of the largest-ever High Roller in Merit Poker history. But the action is far from over. Stay tuned to PokerNews for full coverage of the $3,300 La Notte Degli Assi Main Event, with updates, chip counts, and all the biggest stories from the floor.
Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star reporter

Bianca Moorman is a reporter for the Post and Courier North Augusta/The Star with a focus on community focused stories, arts, businesses, non-profits, events and any story with a human element. The Roanoke, Virginia native has journalism degrees from James Madison and Syracuse universities. She has written for papers in Georgia, Mississippi, Upstate New York and Virginia. Follow her on X at @biancarmooman.

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Jason Ryan is a senior enterprise reporter covering the Lowcountry and South Carolina. He has reported for three South Carolina newspapers and has written several history and true crime books about the Palmetto State and Hawaii.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is included among the 11 Best Income Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

Why Williams-Sonoma (WSM) Deserves Attention in the Income Stocks Space

An interior of a modern home with a wide selection of cookware, tools and cutlery on display.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is an American retailer known for its portfolio of upscale home goods brands, including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, and Rejuvenation.

Despite a challenging retail environment and slower sales, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) has continued to perform well under the leadership of CEO Laura Alber. It has preserved strong profit margins by sticking to a full-price strategy, managing inventory effectively, and optimizing its store footprint. The company is also expanding its presence through business-to-business initiatives and by growing Rejuvenation, a lighting brand it acquired in 2011, with the goal of turning it into a $1 billion business.

On June 12, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.66 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. It is among the best dividend stocks for consistent income as the company has raised its payouts for 16 consecutive years. As of July 31, the stock has a dividend yield of 1.41%.

While we acknowledge the potential of WSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Shipping Stocks with Dividends and 10 Best and Safe Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None.
The Francis Beidler Forest, one of South Carolina's only old-growth forests with ancient trees that have never been logged, could be under thr

Rising Waters Lab

The Post and Couriers Rising Waters Lab focuses on impacts of climate change and related policies and practices. It is supported by donations and grants to the nonprofit Public Service and Investigative Fund, whose contributors are subject to the same coverage we apply to everyone else. For more information and to donate, go to postandcourierfund.com.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 2, 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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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 3, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the "Western Asset US Core Bond Fund" mutual fund classes - Class I (ticker:"WATFX"), Class A (ticker:"WABAX"), Class C (ticker:"WABCX"), Class FI (ticker:"WAPIX"), Class IS (ticker:"WACSX"), and Class R (ticker:"WABRX") - and the "Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund" mutual fund classes - Class A (ticker:"WAPAX"), Class C (ticker:"WAPCX"), Class C1 (ticker:"LWCPX"), Class FI (ticker:"WACIX"), Class R (ticker:"WAPRX"), Class I (ticker:"WACPX"), Class IS (ticker:"WAPSX") between January 1, 2021 and October 31, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 5, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased WAMCO mutual funds 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 WAMCO class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 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 September 5, 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, throughout the Class Period, defendants failed to warn investors that: (1) defendants favored certain WAMCO strategies, like Macro Opps, over other WAMCO strategies, like Core and Core Plus; (2) defendants disfavored certain WAMCO strategies, like Core and Core Plus; (3) any "compliance policies and procedures" that WAMCO maintained "to result in fair allocations of investment opportunities to clients" were either insufficient to ensure that Leech and his WAMCO Team fairly allocated trades among the strategies they managed or were expressly disregarded by defendants in order to allow the favoring of certain WAMCO strategies at the expense of other WAMCO strategies; (3) any "oversight mechanisms" that WAMCO maintained were either insufficient to monitor Leech and his WAMCO Team or were expressly disregarded by defendants in order to allow the favoring of certain WAMCO strategies at the expense of other WAMCO strategies. As a result, defendants' actions operated as a fraud or deceit on the Class, artificially reducing the price of the "Western Asset US Core strategy" mutual fund classes during the Class Period, damaging Class members.To join the WAMCO class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 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.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 2, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., August 2, 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 Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the federal governments new National Industrial Relations Policy, accusing it of seeking to suppress workers rights to protest through strikes.

In a statement signed on Friday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said it was in shock that the Federal Government focused on curbing strikes, out of a catalogue of hundreds of workplace issues in the newly approved policy.

The federal government recently approved the new policy intended to reduce industrial disputes and promote stable labour relations. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced the decision after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Mr Idris, the policy aims to guide trade unions, employers, and government agencies by encouraging structured dialogue and aligning Nigerias labour practices with international standards. He described the policy as a major step forward in addressing long-standing gaps in managing labour relations.

The congress referred to a government press release that stated that the policy aims to stop frequent industrial actions, particularly strikes by trade unions.

The NLC described the statement as very reprehensible and said it exposed the mindset of officials elected to protect the interests of the ordinary citizen, including workers.

We are in shock that from a catalogue of hundreds of workplace issues contained in the National Industrial Relations Policy, the Federal Government singled out industrial strikes as its headache. The unfortunate press statement exposes the mindset of those who were elected to protect the interests of the ordinary citizen, including workers, the statement read.

The Congress accused the government of trying to use strong-arm tactics to override agreements reached through social dialogue.

We recall that there were attempts during the development of the National Industrial Relations Policy for Nigeria to insert certain clauses in the policy that criminalised strike actions. The trade unions, the employers and even the Federal Ministry of Labour representatives rejected such insertions as anomalous to the 1999 Constitution and the Trade Unions Act, which give trade unions the power to withdraw their services in line with the law, the union stated.

The NLC said it appeared that there are personalities in the corridors of power who want to enjoy the fruits of constitutional governance and, at the same time, reject the principles of constitutionality, the rule of law, and respect for international labour standards.

It stressed that the right of workers and trade unions to withdraw services is fundamental and inalienable, warning that the policy cannot override the Constitution or the Trade Unions Act.

That government is celebrating the clandestine insertion of such a toxic clause in a National Industrial Relations Policy, which, anyway, is inferior to the Constitution and Trade Union Act, reveals the depth of mischief that some people in government can sink just to feed their fantasy on chains and whips, the NLC said.

The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers rights under national and international laws.

While the Nigeria Labour Congress and Organised Labour in Nigeria condemn and reject this new low in industrial relations in Nigeria, we assure Nigerian workers that the leadership of the Congress and the Labour Movement remain watchful on our mandate of protecting the rights, interests and hard-won industrial liberties guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our labour laws and indeed fundamental international labour standards which Nigeria is signatory to.
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari lost power after just about 20 months as the military head of state in the mid-1980s, but the public persona of a no-nonsense leader that he cultivated during the stint survived three decades.

He preserved the reputation of a hater of corruption and corrupt officials, which became his rallying force when he began offering himself for election to be president on the nations return to civilian rule in 1999.

In the three election cycles from 2003 to 2011, he contested and garnered millions of votes at each round but always fell short of clinching the presidency.

But he ran again in 2015, memorably telling Nigerians that corruption was a threat to Nigerias survival. He urged citizens to vote him into office, reiterating that the country must defeat corruption or be destroyed.

He won the election, becoming the first person to defeat an incumbent president in Nigerias electoral history. His administration wasted no time delivering on its anti-corruption promises. Matching his rhetoric with action, he took on serving and retired military officers, many officials of the previous administration, and political allies accused of diverting arms funds. This became his iconic anti-corruption effort.

Judges and top political figures also faced charges. Mr Buharis government implemented measures like the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to curb the diversion of public funds and successfully overturned the $11 billion P&ID judgement against Nigeria.

But before Mr Buhari left office, the anti-corruption war had faltered. The war, initially thought to be unsparing, became selective. People facing corruption investigations got high-level appointments. Although Mr Buhari was not accused of corruption in person, his circle swelled with people accused of corruption. Public perception of his intolerance for corruption increasingly waned, as the administrations actions and inactions increasingly distanced it from the presidents avowed stance against graft.

By 2022, his final full year in office, Nigeria had dropped to 150th out of 180 countries on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a decline from the 136th position it held in 2015 when he assumed office. In the 2023 ranking, Nigeria improved slightly to 145th placebut still nine positions lower than its 2015 standing.

death in July, his legacyincluding his anti-corruption efforts, considered his forte  has faced renewed scrutiny. It brings back memories of how Mr Buhari inadvertently promoted corruption, or at least jeopardised efforts to fight it, against his promise to fight the menace. Following Mr Buharis, his legacyincluding his anti-corruption efforts, considered his forte  has faced renewed scrutiny. It brings back memories of how Mr Buhari inadvertently promoted corruption, or at least jeopardised efforts to fight it, against his promise to fight the menace.

Dasukis trial

Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel, served as National Security Adviser (NSA) under former President Goodluck Jonathan, overseeing coordination and arms procurement in the fight against terrorism, which was then restricted mainly to the North-east.

Accused of diverting $2.1 billion meant for arms, Mr Dasuki became one of the first prominent figures to be probed in the Buhari administrations anti-corruption war. The arms scandal probe stood as the administrations index of anti-corruption efforts. The administration also projected it as the mirror image of the large-scale corruption nurtured by the previous governments.

The State Security Service (SSS) arrested Mr Dasuki in December 2015. Then, the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation charged him at the Federal High Court in Abuja with money laundering and illegal possession of firearms. Subsequently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him and a host of others at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, with diversion of arms funds entrusted to his office. The SSS held Mr Dasuki in custody until 2019 in defiance of court orders for his release.

In a sign of internal conflict and lack of leadership, EFCC and the SSS worked at cross purposes regarding Mr Dasuki, ending up derailing his trial. While EFCC scrambled to prosecute Mr Dasuki, SSS presented him for trial at will. Mr Dasuki, too, capitalised on the illegality of his detention by occasionally insisting he would not attend his trial until court rulings ordering his release were obeyed. These led to a series of adjournments that contributed to stalling the case.

With the governments unseriousness about the case, the judiciary turned the case into a ping-pong game, passing it from one judge to another and adjourning the trials incessantly. Almost ten years after the government instituted these charges against Mr Dasuki and his co-defendants amid a publicity blitz, the cases have made no tangible progress, much less been concluded.

Mainas scandal

The Abdulrasheed Maina saga exposed the deep moral crisis of the Buhari administration early.

In 2012, Mr Maina, who was engaged to sanitise the corrupt federal pension system, was accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme worth more than N100 billion.

On 21 July 2015, the EFCC charged him, along with Stephen Oronsaye, a former Head of Service of the Federation, and two others, before the Federal High Court on 24 counts of procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

Mr Maina was nowhere to be found. The trial of Mr Oronsaye and other co-defendants would later be separated from Mr Mainas.

He was later believed to be in the United Arab Emirates, from where he kept lobbying to win the favour of the new Buhari administration.

Remarkably, in 2017, fugitive Mr Maina, formerly an assistant director at the Ministry of Interior, was secretly recalled and promoted to director of Human Resources. A PREMIUM TIMES investigation exposed how Mr Maina pulled the strings for his reinstatement through top officials of the Buhari administration, including the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

The backdoor deal sparked public outrage. Mr Maina would later speak of Mr Buharis knowledge of the reinstatement move. Recounting and justifying his role in the Maina saga, AGF Malami corroborated Mr Mainas claim, but said Mr Buhari only came to be aware of his meeting with Mr Maina much later.

The renewed public attention in the case following the exposed secret reinstatement heightened the search for Mr Maina. The State Security Service (SSS) arrested him in 2019, after he reportedly sneaked into the country from Dubai. He was later prosecuted by the EFCC and jailed for eight years.

Although Mr Maina was successfully prosecuted and jailed during the Buhari administration, the secret moves to reinstate him cast doubts on the administrations anti-corruption stance. The charges against Mr Maina would probably not have succeeded without the secret deal being exposed early.

In-fighting between Buharis anti-graft team

Unbridled inter-agency rivalry and turf battle between top-level officials was a fixture of Mr Buharis administration.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, battled the presidents Chief of Staff, the late Abba Kyari. There was also a battle for supremacy between Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, a professor, and the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, also a professor, just as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, were similarly engaged in a turf battle.

However, none of these demonstrated a lack of leadership and cohesion within the upper echelon of Mr Buharis government more than the effort to appoint a substantive EFCC chair.

Top administration officials were sharply divided between backing and opposing Ibrahim Magu, appointed as the acting EFCC chair in 2015. On two occasions, Mr Buhari sent Mr Magus name to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive EFCC chair. On both occasions, the Senate rejected Mr Magu, citing the security report sent by SSS, an agency that reports to the president, to frustrate his appointment.

The internal conflict persisted. For more than three years after the second rejection, Mr Buhari kept Mr Magu in office in an acting capacity. Mr Magu was only removed in July 2020 after his antagonists in the government got the president to set up a panel to probe him and the EFCC. The president removed him from office before the probe started.

In November 2020, the panel chaired by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, submitted its report to Mr Buhari. The president never acted on a line from the document until he left office in May 2023.

For the five years of Mr Magus acting period, EFCC, Nigerias flagship anti-corruption agency, was enmeshed in uncertainties. It was not until 2021, almost two years into the second half of Mr Buharis second and final term in office, that the president decided to appoint a substantive chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Also, in his memoir, Traversing the Thorny Terrain of Nigerias Justice Sector: My Travails and Triumphs, which he released weeks before the end of his tenure in office, Mr Malami documented his hostility with key anti-corruption figures in the government and how they allegedly derailed his key anti-corruption plan.

Abuse of state pardon

Nothing rubbished Mr Buharis anti-corruption avowal than the pardon he granted to convicted former Governors Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State while they were still serving their jail time for corruption. The pardon was granted with little regard for public interest and public sensibility regarding entrenched corruption in Nigeria.

As of the time the government pardoned them in 2022, the Supreme Court had affirmed 10-year jail time for Mr Dariye and 12 years imprisonment for Mr Nyame.

The pardon reversed two of the countrys most symbolic anti-corruption war successes. It placed an indelible question mark on the genuineness of Mr Buharis timeless anti-corruption stance.

Withdrawal of charges and selective war against corruption

The Buhari government did not just pardon high-profile corruption convicts; it also withdrew corruption charges against influential defendants based on personal and political considerations.

In July 2019, the Buhari administration withdrew corruption charges against former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje.

The government took the step some weeks after Mr Goje met Mr Buhari in the State House. The meeting was believed to centre around persuading Mr Goje to step down from the race for the Senate President, which was underway for Mr Buharis preferred candidate.

What Mr Goje apparently got in exchange for dropping his ambition to be senate president was to have his trial terminated.

Mr Malami initially said the charges were withdrawn because they lacked merit. But later, in his memoir, released in May 2023, he confirmed that it was done as a bargain for Mr Goje to withdraw from the senate president race for Mr Lawan. He insisted that it was done in the public interest.

Also, on 3 May 2023, less than a month before the end of the Buhari administration, Mr Malami terminated the N1.84 billion corruption charges filed against Nicholas Ashinze, a former military assistant to former NSA Dasuki, and eight others.

The AGF office swiftly withdrew the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, immediately after taking over the trial from the EFCC, which charged the defendants over their use of the money allocated to the NSA office.

The steps kept with the general belief that Mr Buharis anti-corruption efforts were selective, informing the confidence crisis that characterised the administrations anti-corruption war.

An instance was the appointment of former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs in 2019 despite allegations of corruption pending against him.

Before Mr Akpabio was appointed minister, the EFCC detained him in 2015 on allegations of corruption. In 2018, he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Buhari administrations promise that defection would not shield investigation and prosecution of anyone suspected of corruption was apparently suspended in Mr Akpabios case.

Appointees who enjoyed protection from probe, prosecution

Despite Mr Buharis anti-corruption proclamation, he ignored public outcry about corruption cases involving many of his top-level appointees. Some of these officials, believed to enjoy his confidence, only faced investigations or charges after his tenure ended.

Among these are former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Usman Yusuf, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadia Umar-Farouq, and former Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen.

The former Minister of Aviation, Mr Sirika, who hails from Katsina State, like Mr Buhari, faced investigations after leaving office in 2023. He was charged before two separate courts at the end of the inquiry. In the first case, he faces prosecution on N2.8 billion contract fraud charges alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika, Fatimas husband, Jalal Hamma, and the couples firm, Al Buraq Global Investment.

In the other case, he stands trial alongside his brother and two companies on charges of abuse of office and contract fraud, allegedly involving N19.4 billion.

In June 2023, the former Minister of Women Affairs, Ms Tallen, was detained over allegations of money laundering, misappropriation of funds, and corrupt enrichment, with N2 billion allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project.

In January 2024, the EFCC detained the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms Umar-Farouq, for questioning over allegations of corruption in the handling of N37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure.

Six months later, in July 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered Ms Umar-Farouq to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months. The court also ordered the former minister to provide the list and details of the beneficiaries who received the payments, the number of states covered and the payments per state.

Mr Buharis inaction towards the ministrys suspicious handling of social intervention funds was not due to a lack of public concern.

In 2020, a civil society group went to court to demand accountability for the N523 million the ministry claimed to have spent on feeding school children during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Mr Buharis administration also disregarded allegations against the then-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The new Tinubu administration probed Mr Emefiele and the CBN shortly after it came on board in 2023.

The Special Investigator commissioned by the Tinubu administration, Jim Obazee, submitted his report, which led to the multiple charges later filed against Mr Emefiele.

The former CBN governor now faces four separate criminal cases  one in Lagos and three in Abuja.

The EFCC is prosecuting him on six counts of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others.

Mr Emefiele is also being tried at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja for alleged abuse of office, receiving gratification, and corrupt demands.

In May 2024, the anti-graft agency arraigned Mr Emefiele on four counts of unlawful printing of Naira notes.

The anti-corruption agency charged Mr Emefiele with eight counts, including stealing and forgery, brought against him at the FCT High Court.

Similarly, in January, the EFCC arrested the former NHIS Executive Secretary, Mr Yusuf, over fraud charges filed against him on 29 November 2024 at the FCT High Court in Abuja.

On 3 February, the EFCC arraigned him on five counts of fraudulently awarding contracts worth N90.4 million to companies in which he and family members had interests. The EFCC alleged that he committed the offences between 2016 and 2017 while serving as the NHIS executive secretary. But he has denied all charges.

Also, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) received a petition detailing corruption allegations against former AGF Mr Malami, including the handling of forfeited assets by the EFCC. Many of the allegations were contained in a petition sent to Mr Buhari in 2020, which Mr Malami subsequently denied.

Failure to release, implement NDDCs forensic audit report

In 2019, the Buhari administration launched an ambitious forensic audit of the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2001 to 2019. The interventionist agency was believed to have little to show for the trillions of naira it received for the period.

The then-AGF, Mr Malami, while receiving the report of the forensic audit on behalf of the government in July 2021, said the probe uncovered 13,777 compromised Niger Delta projects and 362 unreconciled accounts of the NDDC.

Mr Malami, who noted that the NDDC received as much as N6 trillion from 2001, when it was established, to 2019, said the government was concerned with the colossal loss occasioned by uncompleted and unverified development projects in the Niger Delta region, in spite of the huge resources made available to uplift the living standard of the citizens.

He assured Nigerians that the federal government would, without hesitation, strategically implement all aspects of the audit exercise that will promote probity and greater prosperity for the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria as a whole.

He said the government would keep citizens informed on the issues and apply the law to remedy the deficiencies outlined in the audit report as appropriate.

He also promised criminal investigations, prosecution, and recovery of funds not properly utilised for the public purposes for which they were meant.

He also expressed the governments commitment to reviewing the laws to reposition and restructure the NDDC for efficiency and better service delivery, among other things.

Contrary to these promises, the government not only ignored all entreaties to make the forensic report public, but it also failed to implement any of its recommendations or launch its avowed criminal enforcement and assets recovery actions.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed the dismissal of Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Efe Onakpoya for alleged whistleblowing.

Mr Onakpoya was an officer attached to the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Afikpo, Ebonyi State.

Sahara Reporters exclusively reported that Mr Onakpoya was dismissed for exposing a colleague, Ogbule Obinna, who took an inmate out of the Ebonyi facility illegally to see his girlfriend for a conjugal visit.

The newspaper reported that Mr Obinna, who illegally took an inmate out of custody, was pardoned, while the whistleblower, Mr Onakpoya, was dismissed.

In its response to the story, in a statement issued on Saturday, the NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the dismissal of Mr Onakpoya but claimed that the officer was dismissed for making false allegations against the Service, essentially claiming that Mr Onakpoyas claim was investigated but found to be untrue.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Mr Umar said Mr Onakpoya was particularly found guilty of taking unauthorised photographs of an inmate, Ibuchi Eze, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Afikpo, and uploading them online.

The spokesperson added that Mr Onakpoya also made false allegations against the Service, including the claim that an inmate was taken out for a conjugal visit.

The NCoS added that the officer was found guilty of acts unbecoming of a public officer.

The agency, however, did not comment on Mr Obinna, the officer who was exposed for wrongdoing.

Citing internal Service documents, Sahara Reporters said Mr Obinna, who illegally took the inmate out of the facility to meet his girlfriend, was pardoned and directed to be posted out of the command.

Whistleblowers suffer despite the law protecting them.

Whistleblowers in Nigeria face severe risks, including harassment, job loss, and even death, due to the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks to shield them.

Although Nigeria has a law protecting whistleblowers, PREMIUM TIMES reported several instances that show many of them suffer from exposing wrongdoings in government agencies.

Anti-corruption experts and advocates have also identified secrecy in government as one reason that corruption thrives in the country.

Journalists and civil society organisations sometimes rely on such leaks to expose corruption and wrongdoing within the government.

In 2024, the Nigerian government threatened to jail whistleblowers who leaked government documents. One of the clauses used to indict whistleblowers is the breach of oath of secrecy in the Public Service Rules (PSR).

Section 97 (2) of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria also provides: Any person who, being employed in the public service, without proper authority abstracts, or makes a copy of, any document the property of his employer is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year.

Nigerians losing interest in whistleblowing.

In 2016, the federal government launched a whistleblowing policy, domiciled in the federal Ministry of Finance, to tackle corruption.

The policy seeks to compensate whistleblowers for exposing corruption.

Between 2017 and 2023, the government, through the whistleblowing policy, said it recovered funds totalling N83 billion, $609 million, and 5.49 million euros.

However, the number of willing whistleblowers is said to be on the decline.

A report by the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) indicated that the initial progress made by the policy is waning.

The report acknowledged that while many Nigerians are aware of the whistleblowing policy, they are hesitant to come forward as whistleblowers.

This hesitancy may be attributed to the lack of comprehensive legal protection, which has led to a loss of confidence in the effectiveness of the current framework, the report said.
The militant organisation Hamas on Saturday said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

The resistance and its weapons are a national and legal right as long as the (Israeli) occupation continues, the Palestinian group said in a statement.

It added that it would not give up the resistance and its weapons until our full national rights are restored, foremost among them the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Hamas was responding to statements reportedly made by US envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with hostage families in Tel Aviv.

Mr Witkoff reportedly cited Hamas as saying it was ready to demilitarise, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

We are very close to ending this war, the group quoted him as saying.

According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages remain in the custody of Hamas and other groups, with at least 20 believed to still be alive.

Months of efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages through indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are currently considered to have failed.

The unprecedented attack on 7 October 2023 triggered the Gaza war.

The attackers killed more than 1,200 people and abducted another 250 to the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza, 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so far.

The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, though the vast majority of victims are said to be women, minors, and the elderly.

France, Britain, and Canada, in a shift in their policies, have in recent days announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

London and Ottawa have attached conditions to the plans, including the disarmament of Hamas, its release of all remaining hostages, and its exclusion from any future government of Gaza.

(dpa/NAN)
Nigeria has launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oyo State, marking a major milestone in the countrys efforts to boost agricultural transformation, job creation and rural industrialisation.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held in the Ijaiye community near Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by national and international dignitaries, including the President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, who was making his final official visit to Nigeria in that role. Also in attendance were the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and Nigerias Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari.

The Oyo site is the third to be developed under the national SAPZ programme, and the first in southwest Nigeria. It follows earlier launches in Kaduna and Cross River States in April 2025.

According to Mr Adesina, I believe that Nigeria can and must be a global powerhouse in agriculture. But you need investments to be able to do that. You also need industrial platforms that will connect primary agricultural production all the way to how you store products, how you process and add value, and how you ship to be able to sell. And that is what the special agro-industrial processing zones are really about.

The programme is financed by the African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Nigerias federal and state governments. Together, they have committed $538 million to the first phase of the programme, covering seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Covering 3,000 hectares, with 300 hectares designated for immediate development, the Oyo SAPZ is expected to host up to 40 agro-processing industries, create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and benefit half a million farmers.

Oyo State Governor Makinde hailed the launch as a fulfilment of promises made: Today is about promises kept. It is a strategic step on the journey of sustainable development. These hubs bring producers closer to processors and link farms to markets. They reflect our governments belief that agriculture is not just about food, it is about infrastructure, enterprise and national relevance. Were building a future where agriculture feeds not just homes, but industries; where it doesnt just sustain families but entire economies.

Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigerias Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the SAPZ initiatives alignment with national priorities: Todays event exemplifies the spirit of partnership and shared vision that is vital to our nations progress. The SAPZ initiative is one of the cornerstones of the renewed hope agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a vision rooted in restoring Nigerias dignity, unlocking our vast potentials and creating opportunities for every citizen.

Mr Adesina underscored the transformative vision behind SAPZs, calling them essential to unlocking agricultural value chains and lifting millions out of poverty.

The export of primary commodities is the door to poverty. The export of value-added commodities and products is a highway to wealth. It doesnt really matter what you have in terms of agricultural commodities, whether it is cocoa or coffee or grains; if youre not adding value to it, its actually going to make you poor. So, what were doing here is to be able to unlock that value, Mr Adesina stressed. Our goal is very clear. Its to reduce massive post-harvest losses, develop logistics, and improve linkages between farm production, agro-processing, and value addition, transform rural economies, and, of course, to create jobs.

He outlined three critical pillars for the success of the SAPZs: political will, resource mobilisation, and strategic partnerships. What we are witnessing today would not have happened without intense collaboration, he noted.

Reflecting on his 10-year tenure as President of the African Development Bank, Mr Adesina highlighted milestones achieved under his leadership, including the Banks capital increase from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024, and the two-time ranking of its sovereign portfolio as the most transparent among multilateral development banks globally

The SAPZ initiative is a flagship of the Banks Feed Africa strategy, launched by Mr Adesina in 2015. The zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigerian programme being the largest.

The chairperson of the Ijaiye Farm Settlers Association, David Olatunji, described Saturdays groundbreaking ceremony as a memorable opportunity for the community and the state. We have a lot of unbroken forests around us, and the farmers are ready to work! he declared.

Adebowale Adeyeye, an agripreneur specialising in soyabean and cashew production and processing, said: The SAPZ project in Ijaiye is a strategic boost for businesses like ours. With targeted government support in areas like power, road access, and security, it creates the kind of enabling environment we need to scale operations, reduce costs, and attract long-term investment. Its a move that will strengthen agribusiness value chains and enhance overall competitiveness.

The SAPZ Programme is working to transform Nigerias rural economy into zones of prosperity by facilitating industrial processing, expanding market access, and attracting private sector investment. The zones are being developed in 28 sites across 11 African countries, with the Nigerian programme being the largest.

Kabir Yusuf, national coordinator of SAPZ Nigeria, announced plans to expand the programme to an additional 10 states from September 2025, marking the beginning of the second phase that will cover the remaining states in the country.

Mr Adesina was accompanied by senior bank officials, including the Director General for Nigeria, Abdul Kamara; Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka; and Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department, Richard Ofori-Mante.
WisdomTree Inc. (WT), a top-20 ETF issuer, said second-quarter assets under management jumped 8.9% from the previous quarter, mostly due to market gains and inflows in its Europe-listed exchange-traded products.

The New York-based companys global assets rose $10.3 billion from quarter to quarter, to $126.1 billion, WisdomTree said in a statement. About two-thirds of the gain was due to asset values being lifted by riding equity markets while the rest was inflows. From the year-earlier period, global AUM rose 15%.

Assets in its U.S. business, which are more than double those of the European side of the company, jumped $4.64 billion, a 5.8% gain, to $85.2 billion. More than two-thirds of the gain in AUM was due to market increases, as inflows dipped by $737 million to $1.11 billion.

From the year-earlier period, inflows into the companys 81 U.S. exchange-traded funds were little changed.

European Assets Surge

Among its 285 European exchange-traded products, second-quarter assets rose 15%, or $5.4 billion, to $40.5 billion, mostly on market gains. Assets have soared 35% from last years second-quarter figure of $30 billion.

In the U.S., investors poured into equity markets as the economy emerged from a brief bear market, surging to record highs. WisdomTrees lagging U.S. inflows relative to its European business are reflected in its largest fund, the $18.8 billion WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR), a safe-harbor fixed-income fund, which pulled in $184.8 million during the quarter, down from $272.6 million last year.

WisdomTree's Largest Funds

Ticker Fund Issuer AUM Expense Ratio 3-Month Total Return USFR WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund WisdomTree, Inc. $18.80B 0.15% 1.2% DGRW WisdomTree US Quality Dividend Growth Fund WisdomTree, Inc. $16.08B 0.28% 10.0% DLN WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund WisdomTree, Inc. $5.13B 0.28% 8.8% DON WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Dividend Fund WisdomTree, Inc. $3.70B 0.38% 7.9% DXJ WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund WisdomTree, Inc. $3.59B 0.48% 11.2%

Source: etf.com & FactSet

During a quarter in which investors poured billions into large crypto and leveraged ETFs, the companys second-largest U.S. fund, the $16.1 billion WisdomTree US Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW), pulled in $208.5 million, down from last years $277.4 million. WisdomTrees spot bitcoin fund, the $185 WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund (BTCW), saw outflows of $56.4 billion.

Ceres Acquisition

WisdomTree also said its entering private markets with the purchase of Ceres Partners, a farmland manager based in South Bend, Indiana. The company said in a statement that Ceres manages $1.85 billion in assets, including 545 U.S. farmland properties in 12 states, and has delivered a 10.3% net average annual total return since its inception in 2007.
The police in Ondo State have arrested an 87-year-old man, identified as Chief Kogbona, for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to suspected armed robbers.

His arrest followed the earlier apprehension of suspects linked to the murder of Nwike Sabbat, male, aged 25, on 29 July in Ondo town.

Mr Sabbat was not only murdered, but the robbers also took away his motorcycle.

According to a statement by the police Spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, actionable intelligence and sustained investigation by operatives of Yaba Division, one Adeife Adewumi (male), a native of Idanre but resident in Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State was apprehended, after the deceaseds stolen motorcycle was found in his possession.

He said a discreet and coordinated follow-up operation led by the Commander, Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), further exposed a wider criminal network.

During interrogation, Mr Adewumi revealed information implicating his accomplices who were still at large within Ondo State.

Acting on this lead, at about 0200hrs today, an intelligence-led team proceeded to Ilaramokin in Ifedore LGA, where two additional suspects, namely Johnson Mathew (male), 24 years old, from Osogbo, Osun State, and Disu Sunday (male), of Ekiti origin, were arrested at their hideout, Mr Ayanlade said.

Both suspects, who currently reside in Ilaramokin, confessed to being part of the gang responsible for the robbery and murder of the victim. Their confessions corroborated earlier statements made by the first suspect.

Upon arrest, the following items were recovered from the suspects:

 Two (2) cut-to-size locally made guns (barrels)

 One (1) live cartridge

 One (1) expended cartridge

Subsequently, at about 1000hrs, further investigation led to the arrest of one Chief Kogbona (male), 87 years old, of Odole Street, Ododo, Idanre, who has been identified as the illegal supplier of arms and ammunition to the gang. A search conducted at his residence resulted in the recovery of ten (10) live cartridges.

The police image maker added that all suspects are currently in custody, while the exhibits have been securely documented as evidence.

He said, The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Lawal Adebowale, psc(+), mnips, commends the swift action and synergy displayed by the officers involved in this operation. He reiterates the commands unwavering commitment to the vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, which emphasises people-centred policing, intelligence-led operations, and the uncompromising pursuit of justice.

We urge members of the public to continue cooperating with the police by providing timely and credible information that can aid in crime prevention and resolution.

The Ondo State Police Command remains steadfast in its duty to protect lives and property and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a safe and secure society for all.

Police arrest immigrants

Meanwhile, the police command has also arrested 10 illegal immigrants who smuggled themselves and one other individual into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin and Congo.

It said the illegal immigrants conspired to unlawfully bring one Nzaou Yelica Christ-Olse, a 29-year-old Congolese man, into the country without his consent.

ALSO READ: Court orders Ondo govt to pay N30 million to motorcyclist shot by Amotekun

According to the police, the victim was reportedly deceived under the pretence of being assisted to start an online business, but was later abandoned by the group upon arrival in Nigeria.

It was also revealed that some of the individuals possessed expired international passports. In contrast, others had no valid travel documents at all, constituting a clear violation of Nigerias immigration and anti-trafficking laws.

The police said the case has been transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Federal Government plans to demolish and rebuild the old international terminal at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos as part of a broader effort to modernise Nigerias busiest airport and improve passenger experience, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced.

Mr Keyamo, who shared details of the plan on his verified X and Facebook pages on Thursday morning, said the overhaul was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). He described the project as a major step towards meeting international standards and addressing the terminals decades-long decline.

The MMIA in Lagos currently has two international terminals. Terminal One  the old building directly facing the main airport road was built and commissioned in 1979 under the Obasanjo-led military regime. It houses two wings, D and E, which have served millions of passengers for over four decades but have struggled to cope with the airports growing traffic.

According to Mr Keyamo, years of neglect and overcrowding have left the buildings facilities totally decrepit, despite frequent repair work.

What we simply want to do is to totally strip down that building, including the entire roof, then re-design and build a brand-new airport for the nation, he said.

The planned demolition and redesign come just days after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the reopening of the newly refurbished D Wing at MMIA.

The move indicates that while a major reconstruction is in the pipeline, short-term improvements are already underway to ease congestion and modernise parts of the ageing terminal.

Expansion

Besides rebuilding Terminal 1, Mr Keyamo said the government has also secured approval to expand Terminal 2, the newer building on the right-hand side as travellers approach the airport.

The terminal was initiated under former President Goodluck Jonathan with a Chinese loan, completed under former President Muhammadu Buhari, and became operational during President Bola Tinubus first month in office.

The planned expansion will include enlarging the apron area where aircraft park, allowing the terminal to accommodate more flights, including wide-body aircraft.

To address persistent traffic bottlenecks, the minister said two new independent ring roads would be constructed for departures and arrivals. A new bridge will also connect travellers directly to the upper floor of Terminal Twos departure lounge, eliminating the current design flaw that forces passengers to haul luggage up escalators.

Mr Keyamo said the redesign will introduce smart solutions that will allow MMIA to compete with top airports globally. He also emphasised that the project would not require fresh loans, but instead, it will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, which the government says is backed by savings from the removal of petrol subsidies.

To ensure public oversight, the minister said the government would invite journalists, civil society groups, lawmakers and interested Nigerians to inspect the site as work progresses. He urged Nigerians to compare the projects cost with similar airport upgrades worldwide and said the Bureau for Public Procurement had done a fantastic job scrutinising the plan.

He also pointed out that while Nigeria has new terminals in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, they remain underused, with passenger traffic below 30 per cent of their designed capacity.

A short explanatory video detailing the proposed redesign has been released alongside the announcement.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Saturday seized banned, expired, and unregistered items worth over N1.5 billion in Lagos.

The operation was conducted by NAFDACs Investigation and Enforcement team at the cosmetics section of the Trade Fair market.

A truckload of counterfeit NAFDAC-regulated products was also intercepted by the team during the operation.

Martins Iluyomade, director of Investigation and Enforcement, led the team and addressed journalists after the exercise.

He said the operation was part of NAFDACs national action plan to eliminate harmful products from markets nationwide.

Weve received many complaints from Nigerians about unsafe products, and this exercise continues our efforts to remove such items from circulation.

Some of the confiscated goods are banned products that entered illegally, bypassing required testing procedures.

We discovered many expired products still displayed for sale in warehouses. The total value exceeds N1.5 billion, he said.

According to him, owners of the warehouses with unwholesome items have been invited for investigation.

If found guilty, they will face appropriate legal consequences, he said.

He explained that NAFDAC, as a scientific agency, uses visual inspection and lab tests to assess product safety.

We first carry out visual checks to confirm if products meet basic regulatory requirements.

Then we send samples to the laboratory to verify contents before approving products as safe, Iluyomade said.

He warned that some items may appear normal but contain harmful or carcinogenic chemicals.

All imported or locally-made products must comply with NAFDAC standards before distribution.

Some traders bypass proper registration, putting Nigerians lives at risk, he said.

He described food and drug regulation as a matter of national security.

One way to silently harm people is through contaminated food or skincare products, he noted.

He called for serious national attention to such threats.

Mr Iluyomade urged Nigerians to stop harmful practices that endanger public health.

He clarified that NAFDAC supports business but prioritises consumer safety.

Our mission is not anti-business. We aim to guide and protect everyone, including the business owners, he said.

He assured the public that NAFDAC would continue its fight against fake, banned, and expired products.

(NAN)
The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, on Saturday, graduated 120 personnel for special intervention mission from its special Company Strength Training at the Divisions Training School, Enugu.

Speaking at the culmination of the training at the Divisions Shooting Range in Udi near Enugu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Oluyemi Olatoye, commended the graduating personnel for their resilience and commitment.

Mr Olatoye, a major-general, who is also the commander, Joint Task Force South-East, code-named Operation UDO KA, said that intensive eight-week combat training was designed to enhance personnel expertise for both conventional and asymmetric warfare.

The GOC said that the training, which was an initiative of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, aligned with the COAS Command Philosophy.

Mr Olatoye said that the COAS Command Philosophy was aimed at consolidating the transformation of the Nigerian Army to a well-motivated and combat-ready force that could effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

He added that the training was part of the Nigerian Armys ongoing efforts to enhance professionalism, leadership and ensure combat readiness across all theatres of operation.

The GOC urged the graduates to apply the skills and knowledge acquired as they embarked on future tasks.

He noted that the Division remained committed to building a formidable force through rigorous training, strategic leadership and unwavering dedication to national service.

Earlier, the Division Training Officer, MJ Abubakar, lauded the personnel for their exceptional endurance, teamwork and fighting spirit.

Mr Abubakar, a brigadier-general, emphasised that the training was designed to simulate real-world combat scenarios, with a strong focus on jungle warfare, counter-insurgency operations and internal security tactics.

He noted that the graduating soldiers had been scheduled for deployment to a special intervention mission where they would apply the acquired skills in support of national security objectives.

The event featured demonstrations on rifle stripping and assembly, armed combat drills, and the presentation of certificates.

(NAN)
The Katsina Emirate Council has appointed Hadi Sirika, a former aviation minister who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for multi-billion naira fraud, as a traditional ruler.

Mr Sirika was appointed as Marusan Katsina or District Head of Shargalle in the Dutsi Local Government Area.

Mr Sirika, who served as minister in the late President Muhammadu Buharis administration, was investigated by the EFCC after leaving office in 2023.

He was subsequently charged before two separate courts at the end of the investigations.

In the first case, he is accused of a N2.8 billion contract fraud. The other defendants in the case are Mr Sirikas daughter, Fatima Sirika, her husband, Jalal Hamma, and the couples firm, Al Buraq Global Investment.

Mr Sirika is accused of using his power to confer an unfair advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, the company linked to his daughter and her husband.

This allegedly involved a N1.5 billion contract for the Katsina Airport apron extension.

The EFCC said the act violates Section 12 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act.

In the other case, Mr Sirika is charged alongside his brother and two companies with abuse of office and contract fraud, allegedly involving N19.4 billion.

All the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Traditional title

Mr Sirikas appointment was announced in a statement issued by Bello Ifo, the Secretary to the Katsina Emirate, on Saturday in Katsina.

The emirate also appointed Governor Dikko Raddas son, Umar, as the Gwagwaren Katsina, the district head of Radda in the Charanchi Local Government Area.

Other district heads announced are Sanusi Kabir-Usman as Karshin Katsina, district head of Shinkafi in the Kaita LGA.

Also, Ahmad Abdulmumini-Kabir was appointed as the Dan-majen Katsina, district head of Dankama, in the Kaita LGA.

Others are Abubakar Dardisu, Sarkin Mudurun Katsina, district head of Muduru, in Mani Local Government Area and Gambo Abdullahi, Dausayin Katsina, District Head of Dabai, Danja Local Government Area.

The statement said their appointments took effect from Saturday.

The roles are mainly ceremonial and have no constitutional executive responsibilities. However, Mr Sirikas appointment, while being prosecuted for fraud, raises questions about the ethical considerations given to such appointments in a country where over 40 per cent of the 200 million-plus population lives in poverty.
The suspension of Badeggi FM, a privately owned radio station in Minna, Niger State, continued to draw criticism from political parties and rights groups, even as the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appealed for calm.

Governor Mohammed Bago ordered the shutdown of the station during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting on 1 August, accusing the broadcaster of unethical practices and incitement against his administration.

Dspite having no such powers, the governor also revoked the stations license, directed its sealing, and threatened to demolish its premises.

While acknowledging concerns over the stations operations, the minister, in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is empowered by law to suspend broadcasting licenses.

He welcomed the state governments decision to formally report the stations alleged misconduct to the NBC and urged all parties to await the commissions resolution of the matter.

The minister appeals to all parties to remain calm, assuring that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner, the statement reads.

Action undemocratic, says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the governors action as undemocratic and an affront to press freedom.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Saturday, said the move was a brazen assault on the rule of law reminiscent of military dictatorship.

Mr Abdullahi argued that under the NBC Act, only the commission can sanction broadcasters, warning that the precedent set by Mr Bagos directive could endanger media freedom nationwide.

The party demanded the immediate reopening of Badeggi FM and an independent probe into what it termed the misuse of security operatives for political retaliation.

SERAP condemns governors action, gives 48-hour ultimatum

Also, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Mr Bago to reverse what it called the arbitrary and unlawful shutdown of Badeggi FM.

In an open letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the governor to reinstate the stations license, withdraw the threat to demolish its premises, and end what it described as a crackdown on freedom of expression in Niger State.

The rights group condemned the profiling of the stations owner, Shuaibu Badeggi, and warned that silencing critical voices under the guise of national security violated both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties.

SERAP further cautioned that the closure could have a chilling effect on press freedom ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to take legal action if the government fails to comply.

We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and your government to comply with our request in the public interest, it threatened.

The organisation said Mr Bagos restrictions on Badeggi FM have seriously undermined the publics right to be meaningfully informed.

It added that the stations capacity to engage in the public discourse that sustains a democratic society is also at stake.

Your brutal attacks on Badeggi FM, its owner and other staff members of the station constitute a serious restriction on the development of democracy in the country, since it impedes free debate over ideas and opinions, SERAP noted.

Media outlets in Niger State must be free to enable debate on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.
A prolonged land dispute between residents of Jaji in Kaduna State and the Military Cantonment in the area has climaxed following the eviction and demolition of houses by soldiers.

Residents said the soldiers, last Friday night, stormed the community in the Igabi Local Government Area and flattened several homes, despite a court order restraining them from the demolition. The exercise left scores of residents homeless and traumatised.

But the army denied the allegations.

Residents of several communities in the area, including Ungwan Yohanna, Ungwan Aboki, Sabon Ungwan Loya, Ungwan Railway, and Ungwan Alhassan, have been locked in a land dispute with the military cantonment since 2020.

The dispute started after the army constructed a perimeter fence around the Jaji Military Cantonment. Residents protested that the fence encroaches on their farmland and ancestral homes. They accused the military of unlawful occupation and seizure of their land without due process and legal compensation.

Justice Hannatu Balogun of the Kaduna State High Court reportedly restrained construction activities and instructed the army to allow residents access to their lands.

However, counsel to the community, Kimi Appah, told reporters that the Nigerian Army allegedly ignored the court orders and demolished structures in the areas and arrested some of the residents in alleged violation of the court order.

Mr Appah said some of his clients informed him that several houses have been demolished without notice or compensation, and community members detainedactions he described as intimidation and unlawful occupation.

Mr Appah called on the federal government, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff to intervene as he urged the military to respect the rule of law and cease all unauthorised actions against the communities.

He demanded the enforcement of court orders, a halt to demolitions, and the release of those detained.

Armys response

However, the army stated it had not demolished the structures under contention before the court.

The spokesperson for the cantonment, Olusegun Abidoye, a captain, on Saturday, said the army only dismantled drug cartels and arrested suspected dealers operating in communities within areas under the cantonment.

He said the arrested suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Mr Abidoye said the army authorities were concerned about the exponential rise in social vices, particularly drug trafficking and substance abuse, in the demolished communities.

These include Railway settlement, Unguwan Loya, Unguwan Aboki, Unguwan Alhaji and Unguwan Alasan.

These communities, while offering informal support services to the cantonment, also pose significant security and social risks.

Some of the areas occupied by these settlements overlap with areas earmarked as training areas, thereby exposing both the residents and personnel to physical danger during field exercises involving live ammunition, Mr Abidoye said.

He added that intelligence reports and internal assessments had highlighted the presence of organised drug cartels operating from within the settlements.

According to him, this is contributing to a disturbing increase in substance abuse cases among both the children of soldiers living within the cantonment and civilians.

He said the military authorities had to conduct an investigation and field surveillance, during which they confirmed the existence of extensive drug networks, particularly within Railway settlement and Unguwan Loya.

These cartels are reportedly operated by over 15 identified individuals involved in the trafficking, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs within and outside the cantonment.

Some of the common substances trafficked include Indian hemp, skunk, Exol, ice (Crystal meth), crack cocaine, tramadol, and other psychotropic drugs, Mr Abidoye said.

He said the arrest of some members of the cartels was to stem the disturbing rise in drug abuse in the area.

On the alleged demolition of civilian properties reported by some online media platforms, Mr Abidoye said the claim was bereft of truth and an attempt to spite the image of the military as no such exercise was conducted by the cantonment.

Mr Abidoye explained that the disputed land was currently a subject of litigation, and the cantonment has been obeying the court order to maintain the status quo.

He alleged that the plaintiffs violated the court order by constructing new buildings and allowing a construction company to excavate laterite from the disputed land.

Mr Abidoye said the cantonment had to file an interlocutory injunction to restrain the plaintiffs and the construction company from further excavating or mining laterite from the land pending the conclusion of the court case.

READ ALSO: NOA warns Kwara residents on counterfeit N1000 notes

He said the cantonment relocated some businesses to a centralised market to ensure proper surveillance and enhance security.

On the alleged disconnection of electricity to communities within the cantonment, Mr Abidoye said the military has no hand in it.

The Jaji Military Cantonment is a critical hub for the Nigerian Armed Forces, housing various institutions, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Headquarters, Infantry Corps Centre, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, the Warrant Officers Academy, and the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

The cantonment also hosts key operational units, including the 4 Demonstration and 601 Aviation Battalions.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) strongly condemns the directive by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, to revoke the licence of Badeggi FM Radio and shut it down. This action represents a grave assault on press freedom and a direct contravention of the Nigerian Constitution.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, in a statement issued on Friday, 1 August, said the governor gave the directive to close the privately owned radio station, revoke its license, and profile its owner.

Following the governors illegal directive, the state government has also marked the building housing the radio station and its management for demolition.

The CJID views this rather worrisome directive of the governor as an act of executive overreach and an outright abuse of state powers. As noted by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the responsibility to regulate and revoke the license of a broadcast station rests exclusively with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and not on a state governor.

This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of intimidation against journalists by the Niger State government under the Governor Umaru Bago-led administration documented by the CJIDs Press Attack Tracker, including the November 2023 assault on a Voice of America reporter, Mustapha Batsari, and the repeated detention of the Peoples Daily correspondent in January and April 2025 by the state security apparatus.

The governors action is a predictable escalation in a state that already ranks a dismal 11th on the recently launched CJID Subnational Openness Index, highlighting its status as one of Nigerias hostile environments for journalists and independent media.

The unilateral order by the governor constitutes an attack on the right of the people of the state to be informed and the right of the broadcast station to carry out its lawful duties of informing the public. Any grievances against the stations content or alleged unethical conduct should be directed to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman or to the NBC through the proper legal channels.

These systematic attacks create a climate of fear, aiming to silence critical voices and prevent the press from fulfilling its constitutional duty to hold the government accountable. Using state security agencies to harass the media is a diversionary tactic from pressing issues, including the pervasive insecurity ravaging the state.

CJID demands that Governor Bago immediately rescind the unlawful directive against Badeggi FM. We call on the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State to reject illegal orders and cease the harassment of journalists. A free press is not an adversary to a functioning government; it is a fundamental pillar of democratic accountability.

Signed,

Busola Ajibola,

Deputy Director, Journalism Program,

Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his vow to serve only one four-year term if elected President of Nigeria, describing the promise as sacrosanct and anchored on his vision of impactful, accountable leadership.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Peter Obi dismissed scepticism surrounding his one-term pledge, insisting that transformative leadership does not require prolonged occupation of office, but rather focus, integrity, and the political will to deliver real change.

Referencing leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, Peter Obi said history had proven that greatness in leadership is not measured by the length of time in power, but by the quality and purpose of service rendered.

Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service  however brief  that defines true statesmanship, Peter Obi wrote. My vow to serve only one term of four years if elected President is sacrosanct.

Acknowledging the publics cynicism towards political promises, Mr Obi said he understands why some Nigerians doubt him, citing recent comments that mocked his one-term vow. One individual reportedly said that even a shrine oath wouldnt make the public believe him, while another suggested that any politician making such a vow needs psychiatric evaluation.

I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards  where political promises are made to be broken, Peter Obi said. But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth.

Recounting his track record as governor of Anambra State, Mr Obi listed various campaign promises he made and fulfilled  including improving education, expanding healthcare access, constructing rural roads, and managing public finances prudently  as evidence of his commitment to integrity in governance.

If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, Mr Obi said, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our Constitution, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure.

The former governor said he believes 48 months is enough for any focused and prepared leader to initiate and drive transformative reforms. If elected, he pledged to focus his one term on:

 Sanitising the countrys governance system

 Addressing insecurity through accountable use of national resources

 Prioritising education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation

 Empowering small businesses as growth engines

 Fighting corruption with unflinching resolve

 Driving Nigerias transition from a consumption-based economy to a production-driven one, with agriculture, manufacturing, and technology at its core.

These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years, he said.

Peter Obi ended his statement by reaffirming his belief in a reformed and prosperous Nigeria: A new Nigeria is POssible.

BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY PETER OBI

My One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is Sacrosanct

One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self. Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service  however brief  that defines true statesmanship.

It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.

I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words  whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.

Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldnt be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.

I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards  where political promises are made to be broken. But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation.

In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence. I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word.

My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity.

If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our Constitution, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure.

I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal.

We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances.

Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises to: sanitise our governance system; tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation; catalyse small businesses as engines of growth ; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve.

Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors.

These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.

A new Nigeria is POssible.

 PO
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Sunday called on Niger State Governor Umar Bago to unseal an independent media outlet, Badeggi FM Radio he ordered to be shut down.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Bago on Friday directed the Commissioner of Police in the state and the States Commissioner for Homeland Security to seal the media outfit, having been unhappy with its broadcasts.

He also ordered the stations license to be revoked and for the owner to be profiled.

In a press statement signed by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatima Agwai, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, expressed disappointment over the shutdown of the station without following due process, describing it as a suppression of press freedom.

Mr Ojukwu criticised the closure as a violation of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by both Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

NHRC calls on NBC, NGE, warns of consequences

According to Sundays statement, Mr Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), warned of the consequences of suppressing press freedom. He noted that this could lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, obstacles to accountability and weakening of democratic institutions.

The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.

He also appealed to the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to exercise its statutory mandate, ensuring that it is not abused. Mr Ojukwu called on the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to provide professional guidance to curb unprofessional conduct.

He charged media organisations to maintain professionalism to avoid censorship. He reaffirmed the NHRCs commitment to monitor the situation.

Others condemn the closure of the station

The Governor of Niger State had accused the stations owner of inciting the people against the government.

However, the Director of Operations of Badeggi FM, Abubakar Shuaib, implored the governor to channel his complaints through proper channels rather than directing security operatives to harass the owner and staff of the radio station.

Many residents of Niger State, civil society organisations like Amnesty International and a Minna-based CSO, the Accountability Ambassadors, have condemned the governors decision, describing it as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression.

Amnesty International said targeting independent media was aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also condemned the shutdown of the media outlet, noting that Mr Bago had no judicial backing.

Describing the act as a threat to democratic values, the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) cautioned the governor.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) similarly condemned the governors action.
After several years of discussion and research, plans are proceeding for the RIVERE Ecological Center, the first of its kind on the Eastern seaboard.

The center recently received a $72,000 planning grant from GO Virginia Region 6, which fosters new jobs by offering state incentives for regional collaboration.

Economic development officials from Fredericksburg and Stafford County are working with the nonprofit RIVERE, which will use the grant to determine how many ecopreneurs the complex could house.

Thats our little catch phrase for entrepreneurs in the ecological sector, said Mikel Manchester, RIVEREs executive director. Were just so excited to get the ball rolling with the Go Virginia grant and hopefully can roll that into an implementation grant where we get to do more.

RIVERE is pronounced revere, as in revere the river, Manchester added.

The 25,000-square-foot center is the brainchild of Henry Buck Cox, a retired environmental engineer and entrepreneur who grew up in Fredericksburg. He envisions the center being built on the banks of the Rappahannock River, off Caroline Street, at the site of the historic Embrey Power Plant.

The land is owned by the Whelan family, which has gifted 1 acre to RIVERE. Manchester said that after looking at space needs, the nonprofit will look into acquiring all 4 acres and the building.

The Embrey plant was constructed by 1910 for the express purpose of generating electric power  and it did so through the 1960s when it was decommissioned. The nearby Embrey Dam, which had diverted water to power mills in the city, was removed in 2004, allowing native fish, such as shad and striped bass, to spawn in the Rappahannock once more.

Cox had hoped to put shovels in the ground last year on the RIVERE Center after upwards of $7 million had been raised, he told The Free LanceStar in July 2023.

But theres been no digging or fundraising. The nonprofit does have a staff and advisory board, which operates in a small industrial complex off Harrison Road in Spotsylvania County.

The project team will work with architects and technology leaders, first on a virtual center, then a brick-and-mortar one with immersive experiences, Manchester said. Participants could look at an urban area thats landscaped with nothing but native plants or be surrounded by water as if they were in the river with fish floating by, she added.

Its an opportunity to give people a glimpse of what they dont see on a regular basis, Manchester said.

Another possibility would be looking at the Fredericksburg area in 100 years, with projected growth rates upstream, Lori Blanc, RIVEREs environmental consultant, said in 2023.

Projections would show what that might look like in terms of increased potential for flooding or increased potential for sedimentation, what that might look like in their backyard, she said. Its one thing to read about it or hear about it, but if you can have an immersive experience where you come in, and then you can see the changes over time, and you can walk around and you can engage with it.

The RIVERE Center would house individuals and organizations that focus on its four pillars of research, education, technology and eco-culture. Thats the recommendation from Wipfli, a consulting and accounting firm, that studied about 100 organizations that might be interested in working at the center.

Wipfli also noted theres a need in the research community for real-time data about watersheds, Blanc said. Monitoring waterways for phosphorous, nitrogen and sediments can determine what impact population growth and industrial usage has on freshwater. From that data, researchers can predict the impact of various types of growth, and government officials can factor those scenarios into their plans.

In addition, studies done on the Rappahannock could benefit other water systems nationally and worldwide, Manchester said.

Likewise, professionals who develop sensors that monitor water activity could collaborate on ways to manufacture the devices more affordably, such as through 3-D printing, she said.

If it works, this kind of thing can start to bring technology companies into the area to manufacture these kinds of devices, test those devices on the Rappahannock and take them to market, Cox said in 2023. This is an area that really needs to be expanded because there are lots of needs for various types of sensors.

Plans also call for the center to have indoor and outdoor spaces for environmental education with partners such as Friends of the Rappahannock, Rivers Region Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Patawomeck Tribal Center in Stafford County.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has addressed the concerns raised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) over the appointment of directors and relocation of some departments of the apex bank from Abuja to Lagos.

The forums chairperson, Bashir Dalhatu, alleged that the northern region significantly contributed to the victory of President Tinubu in the 2023 elections, but has not adequately been compensated for its support.

Mr Dalhatuu said the federal government took some decisions that are painful to the northerners.

He alleged that since 1999, the region has been neglected by the federal government, especially in budget allocations and infrastructural development, with the worst of which he said is the northeast region, with poor road networks among other problems.

On the CBN, Mr Dalhatu said, We are not happy about government officials who make decisions that are painful to us.

We want to know the reasons for the relocation exercise? Why are the voluntary retirements, why the recent employment of 16 directors, of which only four are from northern Nigeria, by the Central Bank of Nigeria?

Mr Dalhatu said this on Tuesday at an Interactive Session on Government-Citizens Engagement at the Arewa House, Kaduna.

The session, organised by the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, was to assess President Bola Tinubus administrations performance in the northern region in the first half of the administrations term.

Reacting to Mr Dalhatu on Wednesday, the Deputy Governor of the CBN, Economic Policy Directorate, Mohammed Abdullahi, said many Nigerians like Mr Dalhatu misconstrued the happenings in the central bank, which led to the allegations.

He said some of the departments were relocated to Lagos to decongest the Abuja head office following the mass employment of staff by the previous administration.

When we arrived at the central bank, one of the first documents that we looked at was a document that had been submitted countless times to the management by the facility manager of the bank, saying that between 2019 and 2023, the central bank had hired 4,000 people.

There was a workforce of 5,000 in 2019. By 2023, it was a workforce of over 9,000. Now, what that meant was that we had offices that were fuller than this hall (Arewa House Hall) that we were standing in, he said.

Conference rooms had been turned into offices, and staff had to retain seats because there was virtually no space. Our insurance providers could not insure the building because key exits and entries for fire had been blocked by desks and chairs, and people had no work to do.

We did an assessment of the organisation, and we have a huge office in Lagos and different parts in Nigeria, we decided on what we need in the Abuja office and what is required in the Lagos office and the rest of the country and that is how we did the man power planning and redistribute staffs Mr Abdullahi, who is also from Kaduna, stated

He said the outcry is from people who dont want to go to Lagos, while the apex bank believed that the staff redistribution would help them grow their careers in the banking sector.

The programme has no any agenda whatsoever against any region, he said.

On voluntary retirements, Mr Abdullahi said the CBN has practised early exit in the last 20 years, wherever the management deems that the top is heavy.

When we came, we had a numbers of town hall meeting with staffs, the junior staffs suggested for early exit programme for staff, they came over with a proposal and the early exit was offered for only the people who want to take it. It was not done to a particular target at any people. It was an opportunity for people who wanted to do other things in life.

There were also misconceptions in the news regarding the 16 directors that are from particular parts of the country. That is very far from the truth. A very competitive process was put in after several processes of interviews and examinations, and the top emerged.

Some of the best directors are from this region, (the northern region), I dont want to mention their names so that I can not put them on the spot, but they are very, very good and they are much in numbers from what has been put out in the news, Mr Abdullahi said.
Credit ratings have become a dominant factor in shaping the global perception of Africas economic health and investment climate. But what exactly are these ratings? Who defines them? And more importantly, do they truly reflect the realities, complexities, and aspirations of Africa, or are they merely external lenses shaped by distant observers? We have to understand that credit ratings are not just statistical judgments, they are narratives, opinions, and reflections shaped outside Africa, often failing to align with our on-the-ground potential and realities.

Africa has been viewed through an external telescope for too long: distant, misunderstood, and undervalued. Credit ratings, issued by global agencies like Moodys, S&P, and Fitch, have frequently amplified this skewed view by branding African nations as high risk even when the fundamentals tell a more nuanced, hopeful, and investable story. To move forward, Africa must boldly challenge, recalibrate, and redefine this external gaze. This is a call for an intellectual, economic, and strategic revolution to recalibrate how Africa is seen and how it sees itself.

Why Credit Ratings Matter

Credit ratings are a gateway to global capital. A country rated investment grade can access funds more cheaply; a country labeled junk pays a higher premium or is locked out altogether. For many African countries which rely on external borrowing for development financing, these ratings directly influence debt sustainability, budgetary planning, infrastructure investments, and social spending.

But beyond their economic impact, credit ratings are perception tools. They shape how international investors, development partners, multilateral agencies, and even domestic policymakers view a nation. A downgrade can trigger capital flight, discourage foreign direct investment, and spark currency depreciation. They can reinforce negative stereotypes and feed into the Afro-pessimism narrative.

Structural Bias and Systemic Blind Spots

While rating agencies claim objectivity, its logical to say that they are often clouded by bias, limited data, and a lack of contextual appreciation for our unique realities. Heres why:

Legacy Eurocentrism: Rating agencies emerged from Western financial systems with frameworks calibrated for industrialised, stable, market-driven economies. Applying the same yardsticks to emerging African economies often with informal sectors, unique fiscal structures, and developmental state priorities can result to misalignment.

Pro-cyclicality: Ratings tend to amplify economic trends rather than mitigate them. When things go wrong ratings are downgraded. This increases borrowing costs, worsens the crisis, and limits policy flexibility which traps African nations in a vicious cycle.

Undervaluation of Assets: African countries are often judged heavily on debt-to-GDP ratios without factoring in the latent value of natural resources, demographic dividends, and informal economy resilience. Sovereign wealth in minerals, arable land, or strategic geopolitical positioning is poorly integrated into risk assessments.

Lack of Representation: No African rating agency holds global clout. The Big Three (Moodys, S&P, Fitch) dominate the narrative, yet none are headquartered in Africa or significantly staffed by African experts familiar with the continents intricacies.

Case in Point

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how detached global credit ratings can be from real economic behaviour. In 2020, 18 African countries were downgraded or placed under negative watch, more than any other region in the world. Yet, many of these countries demonstrated extraordinary fiscal discipline, innovative social protection strategies, and effective public health responses.

For instance, our beloved Nigeria maintained macroeconomic stability in the face of dual oil price shocks and a global pandemic, but faced skeptical reviews from rating agencies. Similarly, our neighbour, Ghana, was downgraded multiple times despite introducing innovative measures such as digital revenue mobilisation, e-levy taxation, and aggressive COVID-19 containment.

These cases reveal a troubling inconsistency: performance and ratings are frequently misaligned, driven not just by fact but by fear, expectation, and external narratives.

The Cost of a Skewed Narrative

The consequences of being misrepresented in the global credit space are deep and lasting:

Higher Interest Payments: African nations pay up to 510 per cent more in borrowing costs compared to similarly situated countries outside Africa.

Crowding Out Development: Higher debt servicing squeezes budgets for education, healthcare, and infrastructure which ironically increases the very risks that rating agencies claim to measure.

Investor Hesitation: Conservative institutional investors rely heavily on ratings, so poor scores limit Africas ability to attract long-term, patient capital.

Sovereign Stigma: Once downgraded, countries struggle to regain previous status. This rating trap can deter reforms, reduce fiscal creativity, and lead to overdependence on emergency loans from multilateral institutions.

Building Our Own Rating Ecosystem

Africa must not wait for external validation. Instead, the continent should build its own framework to measure creditworthiness, one that balances risk with resilience, and debt with development. Several steps can lead the way:

Establishing African-Led Rating Agencies: Its refreshing to know that Africa is in the process of launching its own credit rating agency, the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), which is expected to begin operations by September 2025. This initiative is spearheaded by the African Union (AU) and we hope it will incubate continental rating systems that are contextual, inclusive, and developmental.

Expanding Data Sovereignty: African countries must invest in reliable, timely, and transparent data systems to provide accurate fiscal and economic information. Better data leads to better risk assessment.

Creating Pan-African Indices: A Continental Resilience Index or Development Potential Score could highlight structural strengths and reform trajectories overlooked by conventional ratings.

Building Regional Investor Pools: Through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and African Sovereign Wealth Funds, countries can support each other financially, reducing reliance on foreign capital markets.

Negotiating With Power: African governments, through the African Union and regional blocs like ECOWAS and SADC, must engage with rating agencies, challenge unjustified assessments, and assert their right to a fair hearing.

Reimagining Sovereign Credit

What if credit ratings focused not just on debt levels but on how effectively a nation uses borrowed funds to uplift its people? What if a countrys youthful population, renewable energy potential, digital innovation ecosystem, and entrepreneurial culture were rated as assets?

Africa is the worlds youngest continent, the next global growth frontier, and home to the fastest-growing urban markets. Yet, these positives are rarely reflected in ratings. A mindset shift is needed from risk aversion to opportunity capitalisation.

Instead of viewing Africa through a deficit lens, global capital must start seeing the continent as an engine of innovation, transformation, and inclusive development. Ratings should evolve to reflect this paradigm shift.

A Future-Forward Vision Where Africa Speaks for Africa

It would be refreshing to see a situation where an African Sovereign Risk Observatory (ASRO) analyses continental risks from an Afrocentric lens. And countries rated poorly by foreign agencies can appeal decisions through a multilateral African Financial Standards Board.

Africa should no longer be a subject of analysis but an author of its own financial story. Just as Africa is demanding a seat at the UN Security Council and pushing for fairer trade rules at the WTO, it must also seize control of how its creditworthiness is portrayed.

Policy Recommendations Towards a Fairer Credit Ecosystem

The proposed African Credit Rating Agency should be supported by the AfDB and UNECA.

Encourage Domestic and Regional Credit Enhancement Schemes to boost investor confidence.

Institutionalise Sovereign Credit Appeal Mechanisms at multilateral levels, allowing countries to contest unjust ratings.

Invest in National Statistical Systems for transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness in public finance data.

Launch Capacity-Building Programs for African journalists, economists, and public officials to challenge flawed narratives with data-driven counterpoints.

Promote Innovative Financing Models like diaspora bonds, green bonds, and blended finance that bypass the conventional rating bottlenecks.

Rewriting the African Credit Story

Credit ratings are not just economic tools; they are instruments of power. They influence who gets money, how much, and on what terms. They can uplift or marginalise, include or exclude. In Africas case, they have often done the latter.

But the continent is not powerless. A new generation of African economists, technocrats, thinkers, and leaders is rising, armed with data, dignity, and a deep belief in the continents potential. Africa should no longer wait for permission; it must assert its own vision.

Its time to stop letting others tell our story. Its time to stop being evaluated by those who do not walk our streets, understand our economies, or feel our aspirations. Its time to flip the script: from credit ratings as external views to sovereign narratives of internal strength.

Africa is not a continent of risk. It is a continent of promise, purpose, and progress. The world must see that or we will show them.

Dovish Okojie is a management consultant and public affairs analyst. He writes from Abuja and can be reached through [email protected]
That Kemi still shows concern through her provocative taunts, is for me, very welcome. We should not all accept leadership deficit and corruption as normal in a transactional exchange of silence for droppings from the greedy munching with more than ten fingers at the dinner table as national patrimony is depleted. There are ways in which Mrs Badenoch could make life uncomfortable for those who pocket(ed) the resources meant for infrastructural developments in Nigeria

There is this viral video of a monkey that took on a huge predator  a tiger. I could not help but pause with amusement and watch that video repeatedly whenever it pops up on my WhatsApp. In that video, the tiger uses up its total strength in trying to catch the monkey perching on a tree branch. The monkey easily swings forward or backward or changes to a new branch altogether, making the tiger miss. As the tiger nurses its failure, the monkey launches a quick taunt and jumps away. The monkey enjoys itself to the chagrin of the frustrated tiger.

It seems Mrs Kemi Badenoch, the British Conservative Party leaders recent assertion that she, as a British woman of Nigerian descent, cannot pass Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender, is another case of the monkey taunting the tiger. I would like to believe that Kemi, after her interview, was laughing, expecting that Nigerians would soon start leaping on her case as she got media attention.

Nigerias 1999 Constitution gave an advantage to a woman married to a Nigerian man and not vice-versa. While Mr Badenoch is not asking for Nigerian citizenship, it should be noted that the Nigerian Constitution allows even him to acquire Nigerian citizenship by naturalisation, if he so desires under Section 27.

If Kemi had renounced her citizenship and given birth to her children outside of Nigeria, they would not qualify under section 26 (2) (a). The only potential beneficiary who could be at a disadvantage would be a male spouse of a Nigerian woman. Mr Badenoch would not be in a position to file for citizenship by registration.

The portion of the 1999 Constitution under citizenship does not in any way put Kemis children at any disadvantage. In fact, Sec. 26 (2) (b) cures the unfortunate patriarchal orientation of the 1999 Constitution with respect to the offsprings of a Nigerian. Kemi Badenochs children by virtue of Sec. 26 (2) (b) of the Nigerian constitution are entitled to citizenship by registration based on any of their grandparents being or having been Nigerian. Not only is Kemis mother alive as a Nigerian, her late father, Dr Femi Adegoke, aka Farigas pedigree and love for Nigeria is well known.

Kemi, having identified and connected with her Yoruba roots, should be a role model on integrity as expected of an Omoluabi. Integrity  olu-iwa  involves honesty, consistency, and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. In a world of quick fixes and shortcuts, integrity helps build trust, both in ones career and relationships. Corruption, which erodes integrity, is the antithesis of being an Omoluabi. Corruption is destructive, harming society while benefiting selfish individuals who lack conscience. Kemi had no business telling a blatant lie for whatever reason to the whole world on something the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is noticeably clear about. Mrs Badenochs children are entitled to be Nigerians should they elect so, when they are of age.

With several aides and tools available to her, it is impossible that Kemi could not have used Google or ChatGpt for the true position of the Nigerian Constitution before she went on CNN. Aside from a monkey-tiger taunting provocation the situation suggests to me, that she may just be attempting to exploit certain weaknesses in the Nigerian Constitution that had patriarchal trappings to serve whatever her interests may be.

Though the Nigerian Presidency was right to swiftly rebut Mrs Badenochs claim, which misrepresents Nigerian law and fuels harmful stereotypes about gender discrimination in Nigerias nationality laws, I wonder if we are not allowing Kemi to exploit us for media attention. Were this the case, it would constitute a needless distraction from real issues affecting Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

Even though I had, in an earlier piece, submitted that, Kemi Badenoch being Yoruba does not make her Nigerias Ambassador to the United Kingdom. We should please let her be, on this occasion where she has acted so wrongly and in total disregard for facts, we all should point out her error.

However, I wish Mrs Badenoch more strength in her monkey taunting our tiger displays. It is good there is someone of Nigerian descent who counts outside of Nigeria and willing to continue to call attention to the misgovernance in Nigeria that continues to drive our children into seeking alternatives to building a viable Nigeria from within Nigeria, as opposed to looking for a better life in the larger world.

Kemis provocative taunting is useful since the yearning and cries for good governance in Nigeria by some of us are either being ignored or met with bogus statistics, just as we were inundated with similar bogus statistics in the IBB/Olu Falae years, which was about the time Kemi left our shores to exercise her British citizenship.

That Kemi still shows concern through her provocative taunts, is for me, very welcome. We should not all accept leadership deficit and corruption as normal in a transactional exchange of silence for droppings from the greedy munching with more than ten fingers at the dinner table as national patrimony is depleted. There are ways in which Mrs Badenoch could make life uncomfortable for those who pocket(ed) the resources meant for infrastructural developments in Nigeria and easily use the ill-gotten wealth to enjoy unimaginable qualities of life in the West as many among our best brains, who would otherwise have been nation-builders, pursue the japa option.

Babafemi A Badejo, the author of a number of books, including a best seller on politics in Kenya as well as why peace has been elusive in Somalia, was a former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Somalia, and a former professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chrisland University, Abeokuta. He is currently Chairman of the national NBA Anti-Corruption Committee and a Consultant at Yintab Strategy Consults. He is the recipient of the 2025 Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist Award of the African Annual Conference at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Christian marriage is no longer till death do us part. It is now till divorce do us part.

I wrote a book entitled, Why Christians Wont Go to Heaven. Some Christians complained that my book is too absolute. They said I should have written: Why Some Christians Wont Go to Heaven.

No, I replied. I mean no Christian will go to heaven. Christianity is not a criterion for heaven.

Then, I wrote an article entitled Christians Make Terrible Husbands. Some self-righteous Christian husbands shot back, saying I should have said, Some Christian Make Terrible Husbands.

No! No! No! I mean all Christian husbands.

Gods prophetic word is appropriately expressed in absolute terms. Jesus says:

The sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12).

He does not say some of the sons of the kingdom. It is not the job of the prophet to give you the option whereby you can exclude yourself from his prophecy.

Option of Divorce

Man specialises in turning Gods truth into a lie. Take, for example, the question of divorce. Moses knew God was against divorce. Nevertheless, he permitted the Israelites to divorce their wives. What gave Moses such audacity?

Jesus says:

Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery. (Matthew 19:9).

Gods command on the question of divorce is absolute, but man turned it into a relative command. When the disciples discovered that God is absolutely against divorce, they replied: If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry. (Matthew 19:10). In short, they would rather not marry than obey God in marriage.

But if we do not marry, we are confronted with another absolute commandment. We must not have sex outside of marriage. We must not fornicate. What then is the way out? Sin!

Relative marriages

Most Christians contract relative marriages, even though the marriage covenant is couched in absolute terms. When we say, For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, we are speaking absolutely and not relatively. Nevertheless, we retain the option of divorce if things get worse or poorer.

When we quarrel one year down the road, we play the divorce card. But if divorce was an option in Gods plan for marriage, He would not have asked Hosea to marry a prostitute. As to be expected, Hoseas prostitute wife was unfaithful to him. She even had children by other men. Nevertheless, divorce was not an option for Hosea.

In short, the Christian marriage has become a farce. We talk the talk but do not walk the walk. We make the absolute commitment, even before God, knowing full well that we have no intention of keeping it. We promise to be faithful, forsaking all others, but have no qualms whatsoever about having affairs. We even have one or two children out of wedlock.

We promise to love and to cherish, yet we are not averse to beating up our wives, sometimes to the point of hospitalisation. No wonder then that the Christian marriage is no longer till death do us part. It is now till divorce do us part. It is till problems do us part, or till economic adversity do us part, or till the bondwoman do us part.

As usual, Jesus foresaw all this hypocrisy. He would not have us deceive ourselves by signing a legal agreement, or by going before a pastor and a church to make our marriage binding. Precisely because we choose to swear the oath of marriage, that implies we are not trustworthy and cannot trust others. In the scriptures, marriages were not determined by oaths, but by sexual intercourse.

Jesus says:

You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is Gods throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37).

Rationalising Absolutes

Christians specialise in converting Gods absolutes to mans relatives. A famous Nigerian pastor is divorced from his wife. He then commits adultery by remarrying a divorced woman. Nevertheless, he told his congregation that the Holy Spirit ministered to him that his new wife had never been married before. The woman who was married before is dead, and this newly married wife is born again. So, old things are passed away, (including her previous marriage), behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then, some years later, he divorced this new wife.

Pauls scriptures are often twisted by those inclined to contradict Jesus. Sometimes, people twist Paul to contradict Jesus. When you quote Jesus to them, they accuse you of heresy. One pastor with a vested interest said forbidding a Christian to remarry because he is divorced is a doctrine of demons. Where did he get this from? Paul says:

The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry. (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

Paul says, forbidding to marry, but he says, forbidding to remarry.

When queried by a journalist about his remarriage after divorce, a famous Nigerian pastor had this to say:

Some argue that the bible says you must remain unmarried for as long as your spouse is alive The bible doesnt say so. It doesnt say so. I think a lot of people dont study the Word of God enough. There is a difference between a man who marries a woman and the woman leaves him, and the one that divorces. There are so many people who are parading themselves as preachers of the scriptures who dont know the bible enough, particularly in the area of marriage.

Absolute Marriage

However, marriage is Gods institution. It is not man-made. Gods marriage plan is absolute; there is no divorce. It is till death do us part. Indeed, everything about Gods concept of marriage is absolute. Gods absolute marriage has one prototype. It is between Adam and Eve. It is not between Adam and Steve.

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a man to hate his wife?

Under absolutely no circumstances!

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a man to beat his wife or for a wife to slap her husband?

Under absolutely no circumstances!

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband or a wife to commit adultery?

Under absolutely no circumstances!

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband and wife to abuse one another?

Under absolutely no circumstances!

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband and wife to deceive one another?

Under absolutely no circumstances!

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband to kiss his wife?

Under absolutely all circumstances!

[email protected]; www.femiaribisala.com
As the world watches Nigerias digital evolution, one thing is clear: the groundwork has been laid for a tech-powered transformation. With Tijani at the helm and a government committed to digital equity, Nigeria is not merely participating in the global digital race  it is well on its way to becoming a front-runner.

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Dr Bosun Tijani as minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in 2023, his decision signalled a bold commitment to harnessing technology for national development. A seasoned tech ecosystem builder and co-founder of Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), Tijani brought with him not just impressive credentials but a deep conviction that digital innovation is the gateway to economic renewal. His vision aligns seamlessly with Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, which champions inclusive growth, technological advancement, and transparent governance.

In just under two years, Tech Digest, a digital innovation journal, reports that Tijani has emerged as a transformative force in Nigerias digital economy. His leadership has revitalised key government agencies under the ministry  Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Galaxy Backbone, and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). Each of these institutions now plays a more strategic role in driving Nigerias digital future  regulating telecommunications, advancing satellite innovation, safeguarding data, and extending access to digital infrastructure nationwide.

One of Tijanis flagship initiatives, the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, aims to equip young Nigerians with globally relevant digital skills. With over 270,000 learners already onboarded, it is quickly becoming a cornerstone of job creation, entrepreneurship, and technological self-reliance. From urban centres to rural communities, the programme is redefining access to opportunity in the digital age.

Another milestone is the rollout of the Nigeria Web Design Standards (NWDS)  a bold step toward standardising public-sector digital platforms for improved user experience and trust. In addition, Tijanis advocacy for infrastructure investments has supported key projects like MTNs proposed $150 million Dabengwa Data Centre, which is expected to enhance cloud capabilities and unlock opportunities for startups, fintechs, and digital creators.

Tijanis strategic approach also extends to shaping Nigerias position in emerging technologies. He has championed national frameworks on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), signaling Nigerias readiness to compete and collaborate on a global scale. Through initiatives such as the Smart Women Nigeria programme and targeted partnerships with global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, the ministry is fostering inclusive innovation, while empowering women and marginalised communities.

Much of this progress has been driven in synergy with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the strategic guidance of its Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. NITDAs renewed vigor under Tijanis ministerial watch is anchored in the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0)  a policy blueprint for Nigerias digital journey between 2023 and 2027. SRAP 2.0 prioritises digital literacy, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and inclusive access, ensuring no Nigerian is left behind.

Through its AI and Robotics Centre, NITDA has also unveiled the countrys first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. By funding 45 AI research teams across Nigeria with a focus on gender and regional equity, the government is ensuring that Nigerias future in AI is both homegrown and inclusive.

Inspired by Indias Aadhaar and UPI models, the Nigerian government, through NITDA and NCC, is building ethical, open-source digital public infrastructure that can power both public service delivery and private sector innovation. These digital foundations are reshaping governance, education, agriculture, and even national security  setting Nigeria on a path toward resilience and relevance in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The effort to digitise public institutions has also gained momentum through partnerships like the one with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, which is helping streamline workflows in the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Industry. This marks a shift toward smarter governance, with data-driven decision-making replacing bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Meanwhile, the formalisation of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and the review of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) are reinforcing trust in digital systems. By safeguarding citizen data, the ministry is laying the foundation for a secure and privacy-conscious digital economy.

Under Tijanis leadership, NITDA has continued to evolve from a policy institution into a participatory platform engaging citizens, startups, and civil society through open consultations and policy co-creation. This collaborative spirit is redefining the relationship between government and the tech ecosystem, fostering a culture of trust and innovation.

Most impressively, this administrations digital agenda is not confined to elite urban enclaves. From grassroots tech hubs to rural empowerment schemes, leadership is making digital inclusion a lived reality. By decentralising access to tech education, Nigeria is not just expanding opportunity  it is building a truly people-centered digital economy.

The synergy between Bosun Tijanis strategic focus and President Tinubus Renewed Hope blueprint is undeniable. Together, they are not just implementing policies, and reshaping Nigerias identity as a nation that innovates, includes, and leads.

As the world watches Nigerias digital evolution, one thing is clear: the groundwork has been laid for a tech-powered transformation. With Tijani at the helm and a government committed to digital equity, Nigeria is not merely participating in the global digital race  it is well on its way to becoming a front-runner.

Fatimah Yusuf Usman is a serving NYSC member in Wuye, Abuja.
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New Delhi, Aug 3 : The annual Amarnath Yatra has been suspended from Sunday, nearly a week ahead of its scheduled conclusion on August 9, which was to coincide with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

Authorities cited persistent adverse weather conditions and the deteriorating condition of the Yatra tracks as the main reasons behind the early closure.

The pilgrimage had already been temporarily halted three days ago due to heavy rainfall in the region.

On Saturday, officials announced that the Yatra would not resume from either of the two traditional routes, Baltal or Pahalgam, due to the unsafe condition of the tracks and the need for urgent repair work.

According to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, the terrain has been severely affected by recent downpours, rendering the route unsafe for pilgrims. He stated that both routes required immediate repair and maintenance, and continuing the Yatra while deploying men and machinery for those repairs was not feasible.

Despite the premature conclusion, around four lakh pilgrims managed to visit the revered cave shrine this year, according to figures from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. However, officials acknowledged that the number of pilgrims had sharply declined in the past week, likely due to weather-related disruptions.

Security for this yearas Yatra was heightened significantly in the wake of a major terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The government deployed over 600 additional paramilitary companies in addition to existing forces, making it one of the most heavily guarded pilgrimages in the country.

Pilgrims were moved in tightly monitored convoys from Jammu to the twin base camps, and civilian movement was halted during convoy hours along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

The Amarnath Yatra, which traces its roots to the discovery of the cave in the 1850s by a Muslim shepherd named Bota Malik, has historically been seen as a symbol of Kashmiras syncretic culture.

Until 2005, the Malik family was responsible for organising the pilgrimage before the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board took over. However, recent years have seen reduced interaction between yatris and the local population, as stringent security arrangements have confined most pilgrims within heavily guarded enclosures. Residents note that only those directly involved in the Yatra, such as pony handlers and palanquin bearers, still maintain regular contact with the pilgrims.
Seoul, Aug 3 : Pak In-chol, chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, has held talks with his counterparts from Russia and three other countries in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of a global meeting of assembly chiefs, state media reported Sunday.

Pak met with the chairperson of Russia's Federation Council, as well as the heads of the Mongolian and Vietnamese assemblies and a deputy chairperson of the Lao parliament, during his attendance at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament from last Tuesday to Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

During her talks with Pak, Valentina Matvienko, the Russian parliamentary speaker, cited the "close friendship" between the North Korean and Russian leaders as the "fundamental element" that has elevated bilateral ties to their highest level in history, the KCNA reported.

The agency also quoted her as saying that Russia-North Korea ties "have overcome all kinds of challenges and proved their value since the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty." She also reaffirmed Russia's solidarity with North Korea.

China's top legislator Zhao Leji also attended the global event, but no talks took place between him and Pak, a possible sign that bilateral ties have yet to fully recover after being strained by Pyongyang's close alignment with Russia over the war with Ukraine, Yonhap news agency reported.

The international event has been hosted every five years since 2000 by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an international organization of national parliaments, with North Korea consistently dispatching a representative.

South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also attended this year's event, but no meeting took place between him and Pak either.
Seoul, Aug 3 : The South Korean interior ministry said Sunday it has taken steps to abolish a police bureau under its oversight, formally reversing a policy by the previous government that has been criticised for undermining the political neutrality of police.

The police bureau at the Ministry of Interior and Safety was established in 2022 under the government of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. It marked the first time in 31 years for the ministry to have an organisation overseeing police.

At that time, the Yoon administration said the bureau was necessary to keep police power in check as police were set to take on more investigative power from the prosecution, Yonhap news agency reportred.

However, critics argued the bureau has influenced the police agency by recommending candidates for senior police positions and taking other support measures for police.

Abolishing the police bureau at the ministry was one of the election pledges by President Lee Jae Myung.

Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said abolishing the police bureau is a "task that should be swiftly carried out to strengthen the neutrality and democratic control of the police."

A revised ordinance to abolish the bureau is expected to be approved at a Cabinet meeting by the end of this month, according to officials.
Chennai, Aug 3 : After a five-year hiatus in citywide canine vaccination, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to roll out a massive 50-day immunisation drive from August 7, targeting one lakh stray and pet dogs in a concerted effort to curb rabies and other canine diseases.

The civic body aims to vaccinate around 3,000 dogs per day across various city zones.

Until now, only sterilised stray dogs were routinely vaccinated at Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres. However, this special drive will extend coverage to unsterilised stray dogs and pet dogs, with the goal of breaking the rabies transmission chain.

"To ensure Chennai is rabies-free, several steps are being taken, including sterilisation and vaccination. A recent survey found over 1.8 lakh stray dogs in the city. Until now, only those brought to ABC centres have been vaccinated. This special mass vaccination camp, starting August 7, will cover the remaining unvaccinated stray population," said Dr J. Kamal Hussain, Veterinary Officer, GCC.

The drive will initially cover three zones and later expand citywide. Ten specially trained teams will carry out the vaccinations, with each team expected to inoculate at least 100 dogs per day.

Kamal Hussain further noted that the rabies shot will be administered as a five-in-one vaccine, which also protects against canine distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and leptospirosis. In addition, dogs will be treated with endectoparasiticide to prevent tick and parasite infestations.

"We aim to cover at least one lakh dogs through this intensive campaign," he added.

Chennai sees an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 dog bite cases annually. During a recent council meeting, several ward councillors raised concerns over the rising stray dog population and the need for regular anti-rabies vaccination.

"Sterilisation alone doesn't prevent dog bites. After surgery, the dogs are released back into the same areas. Without proper vaccination, the risk remains high," animal rights activist and social worker Christine Thomas said.

However, animal welfare activists have welcomed the GCC's move. "Had this vaccination drive been initiated earlier, a larger section of the dog population could have been protected. Still, this is a much-needed step to reduce human-animal conflict," said C. Rajeev, an animal rights activist.
Indore, Aug 3 : Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Congress following the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, saying the court's verdict is a "slap on the face" of the Congress, which he alleged had tried to trap innocent people to promote a narrative of "Hindu terror".

Speaking at the Chhadi Nishan Poojan programme of Goga Dev on the occasion of Goga Navami at Hansdas Math in Indore, Vijayvargiya said, "These innocents were harassed for years by trapping them in false cases, and today the court's decision is like a slap on the face of big Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi and P. Chidambaram."

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on July 31 acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, including former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit.

The court dropped all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), citing a lack of sufficient evidence to support the prosecution's claims.

Accusing Congress of torturing the accused, Vijayvargiya added, "These people behaved very cruelly with Sadhvi Pragya Singh due to which she still has back pain, and Congress tortured innocent people by keeping them in jail by calling it 'Bhagwa atankwad (saffron terror)'. They were asked to take the names of the people of the Sangh (Rashtra Swayamsevak Sangh), but they did not relent."

"This decision is a slap on the face of Congress leaders," he added.

Vijayvargiya further said that "no condemnation would be enough" for the years of alleged harassment inflicted by Congress on the accused, reiterating his stance that they were falsely implicated.

The blast took place on September 29, 2008, near Bhikku Chowk mosque in Malegaon city, Nashik district of Maharashtra. A bomb strapped to a motorcycle exploded during the holy month of Ramzan and just days before the Hindu festival of Navratri.

The explosion killed six people and injured over 100 others in the communally sensitive town.

After nearly 17 years of legal proceedings, the verdict was delivered in a packed courtroom with all the accused present, as directed by the court.

In addition to the acquittal, the court also ordered compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of the six deceased and Rs 50,000 for every injured victim.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : Police have launched an intense search for a man who allegedly stabbed his wife to death and injured two of her relatives at Pullad in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district.

The incident happened late Saturday evening. The accused, identified as Jayakumar, fled the scene after the violence and remains absconding.

According to the Koipuram Police, the victim, 38-year-old wife, Sharimol, a native of Pullad, was brutally attacked by her husband during a domestic altercation at her residence.

The dispute quickly escalated, leading to a physical assault in which Jayakumar allegedly used a sharp weapon to stab his wife multiple times.

When her father, Sasi, and her sister Radhamani attempted to intervene, they too were attacked and sustained serious injuries.

All three victims were immediately rushed to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital (MCH) for emergency medical care. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Sharimol succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Sunday.

Her father and the other injured relative continue to receive treatment and are said to be in stable condition, though still under close observation.

The shocking incident has sent ripples through the quiet locality of Pullad, where residents have expressed outrage and disbelief over the brutal nature of the attack.

Neighbours told the police that the couple had frequent quarrels in recent months, though they never anticipated such a violent outcome.

The Koipuram Police have registered a case of murder and attempt to murder, and a special team has been formed to trace Jayakumar.

"We are actively searching for the accused. All checkpoints have been alerted, and we are pursuing multiple leads to apprehend him," said a senior police officer involved in the investigation.

Forensic experts have examined the crime scene, and CCTV footage from nearby locations is being reviewed to track the suspect's movements. Police have also appealed to the public to provide any information that may help in locating Jayakumar.

Sharimol's body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and her funeral is expected to take place after the report is received. The investigation is ongoing, and police are hopeful that the accused will be brought to justice soon.
Puri, Aug 3 : The body of a 15-year-old girl from Odisha, who was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified men and later succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Delhi, will be brought back to her native village for final rites.

Following her tragic death, police personnel have been deployed near her house, as the family prepares for the funeral.

The incident has cast a pall of grief over the entire village, with the community mourning the loss of the young girl.

Her uncle, speaking to IANS, expressed profound sorrow and anguish. "We are devastated. Ever since my niece passed away, our hearts have been shattered," he said.

Recalling the days of her treatment, he mentioned that the family was holding on to hope as the girl initially showed signs of improvement at AIIMS.

"We were happy to hear she was recovering. But the sudden news of her death left us completely broken," he added with a heavy heart.

He also said that the entire village is standing in solidarity with the bereaved family and sharing in their pain.

The tragic incident occurred on July 19, when the girl was reportedly returning home after visiting a friend. She was allegedly abducted by three assailants near the banks of the Bhargavi River in Puri. The miscreants took her to a secluded location, doused her with a flammable substance, and set her on fire.

The girl, suffering from severe burns, managed to run to a nearby house. Locals came to her aid, alerted her family, and rushed her to a local hospital. Given the critical nature of her injuries with over 70 per cent burns, she was airlifted to New Delhi the following day and admitted to the Burn ICU of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department at AIIMS on July 20.

Doctors at AIIMS had earlier reported that she was conscious, oriented, and stable, though dependent on oxygen support. She also underwent a skin grafting procedure as part of her treatment. Despite the medical team's best efforts, she passed away on Friday night.

The brutal nature of the attack has sparked outrage across the state. Police have launched an intensive investigation to arrest the perpetrators. So far, no arrests have been made.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Google on Sunday said it is reviewing the Competition Commission of India (CCI) orders into its conduct in the online display advertising market.

The trade regulator ordered a thorough probe over a complaint filed by the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF). The CCI said it has decided to club the complaint with ongoing investigations in similar cases and directed the Director General (DG) to carry out a consolidated probe into Google's conduct in the AdTech ecosystem.

In a separate order, the CCI dismissed a complaint filed by ADIF against Google, concluding that the allegations raised were already examined and settled in previous cases. The regulator said it is not convinced by the reasons stated by ADIF for distinguishing its allegations from the issues examined in previous orders passed by the regulator.

"We are reviewing the CCI's orders. We welcome the CCI's decision to dismiss one part of the complaint," a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

"We remain confident that our ongoing work with the CCI will affirm that Google's advertising practices have consistently benefited advertisers, publishers, and users, and are fully compliant with competition law," the company added.

ADIF alleged in its complaint that Google has engaged in anti-competitive practices across various layers of its advertising technology stack.

ADIF further alleged that Google, through its multiple group entities, has engaged in anti-competitive conduct by self-preferencing its own services in the AdTech ecosystem, including tying and bundling of its publisher ad server (DFP) with its ad exchange (AdX), and linking access to YouTube ad inventory with the use of its demand-side platform (DV360).

The CCI said it was prima facie satisfied that Google's conduct warranted scrutiny under Section 4 of the Competition Act, which deals with abuse of dominant position.

IANS

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Srinagar, Aug 3 : After two terrorists were killed and another critically injured during the last two days, the security operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday.

Srinagar, Aug 3 (IANS) After two terrorists were killed and another critically injured during the last two days, the security operation in Jammu and Kashmiras Kulgam district continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday.

Joint forces, including the Army, CRPF and J&K Police, started a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Akhal forest area of Kulgam on Friday following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

After cordoning the area, the security forces came under fire, and an encounter started in which one terrorist was killed on Friday, while the second terrorist was killed on Saturday.

Officials said the third terrorist was critically wounded. Senior police officers said on Saturday that the operation will continue since the number of hiding terrorists could be more than three.

The officials said firing exchanges continued intermittently during the night, indicating that either the injured hiding terrorist or more terrorists are responsible for the firing exchanges in the area.

Security forces are using drones, thermal imaging, etc., to help the cordoning ground forces close on the hiding terrorists.

Officials said the two slain terrorists are locals.

Security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against the terrorists in the hinterland, while the Army has been on maximum alert guarding the Line of Control (LoC) in the union territory.

The elimination of three hardcore Pakistani terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed, is part of the aggressive operations being carried out by the joint forces.

Three hardcore Pakistani terrorists, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Suleman Shah and his two associates, Abu Hamza and Jibran Bhai, responsible for the Pahalgam attack, were killed on July 28 in the higher reaches of Dachigam national park on the foot of Mahadev mountain peak in Harwan area of Srinagar.

The Army code-named this operation as 'Operation Mahadev'.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, the security forces are carrying out anti-terrorist operations against gun-wielding terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers.

Drug smugglers and drug peddlers are also on the radar of the security forces because it is believed that the funds generated by the hawala money racket and drug smuggling are finally used to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The coordinated and information-backed operations of the joint forces are aimed at dismantling the ecosystem of terrorism in the UT rather than focusing on just the elimination of the gun-wielding terrorists.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, recently acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, on Sunday claimed that she was tortured for refusing to spread false information during the investigation.

Speaking to the media at Bhopal airport on Sunday, the former Bhopal MP said, "I was asked to spread fake information, which I did not do. That is why I was tortured so much," she said.

She also targeted former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, calling him unfit to hold public office.

"Paramveer Singh is a bad, the worst kind of person. He is not fit to be an officer," she said, in a direct and scathing criticism.

Thakur's comments come in the aftermath of her acquittal by a special NIA court, which found insufficient evidence to support the terror charges against her.

The Malegaon blast in 2008 had killed six people and injured over a hundred, and the case had become a focal point in debates over so-called "saffron terror" in the years that followed.

In her first public statement on Saturday, Thakur delivered a scathing indictment of the investigative process, alleging custodial torture, coercion, and politically motivated targeting by senior police officials.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Thakur claimed she was subjected to 24 days of sustained torture while in custody, naming former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh as the principal perpetrator.

"The atrocities they committed cannot even be described because words have a limit," she said, adding that she had submitted written complaints naming officers involved.

Thakur alleged that investigators pressured her to implicate prominent figures, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and BJP leaders Ram Madhav and Indresh Kumar.

"They told me, 'If you name these people, we will stop torturing you.' Their only purpose was to make me tell lies," she said.
Sydney, Aug 3 : An emergency search is underway for a woman who was swept away in floodwater north of Sydney.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Sunday that the woman believed to be in her 20s was one of the two people in a car that became stuck while attempting to drive through floodwater near the town of Rothbury, 130 km north of Sydney, at around 7:50 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Both occupants were attempting to exit the vehicle when the female passenger was swept away. The driver, a second woman aged 27, was uninjured.

An emergency search commenced but was suspended overnight before resuming on Sunday morning.

During the initial search on Saturday night, crews from the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) located a 40-year-old man stuck in a nearby tree after he also became trapped in floodwater, reports Xinhua news agency.

The man was swept from the tree but was eventually rescued and taken to the hospital for assessment.

The NSW SES responded to over 1,400 calls for assistance amid heavy rain, wind and snow that hit the Hunter, Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast regions north of Sydney on Saturday.

In a severe weather warning issued at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology said that damaging winds were expected to ease by early afternoon.

More than 27,500 homes in New South Wales were without power because of damage from heavy rain, strong winds and snowfall, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Saturday evening.

ABC quoted local power provider Essential Energy as saying that impacted customers should prepare for the power outages to continue overnight, because though its crews were working to restore power "where it is safe to do so," severe weather would cause delays.

The NSW SES said on its website that moderate to heavy rainfall was forecast to persist in the Coffs Coast, Mid North Coast, Upper Hunter and New England regions in the state Saturday afternoon, and it had issued 28 warnings about storms, and predicted minor flooding, as well as possible moderate flooding.

Nicole Hogan, assistant commissioner of NSW SES, said that heavy and persistent rainfall could cause roads to become flooded and impassable.

ABC also reported that snow had never been seen at these depths in the Northern Tablelands, and there were reports of up to 200 vehicles stuck in heavy snowfall.
Moscow, Aug 3 : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday announced a sweeping plan to expand the country's railway network, including major projects in the Arctic, as part of a broader effort to strengthen Russia's position as a key logistics hub across Eurasia.

Speaking in a video address marking Railway Workers' Day, Putin said Russia's railway sector is undergoing significant development.

"There are plans to lay new routes and upgrade existing ones in northern Arctic territories, including the Komi Republic and the Yamal region," Putin said, noting that the projects are strategically important not only for improving domestic connectivity but also for bolstering Russia's role in global supply chains.

"These efforts will reinforce Russia's status as a major logistical link across the entire Eurasian continent and create new opportunities for globally competitive transport corridors, including the Trans-Arctic corridor," he said.

Putin also highlighted plans to build a high-speed rail line between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Set to launch by 2028, the project is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 15 minutes, reports Xinhua news agency.

"This will be the country's first high-speed rail line, to be followed by an entire network of such routes," Putin said, expressing confidence that the projects will meet the growing transportation needs of both Russian citizens and the national economy.

Earlier, on July 31, Putin instructed the government to develop a roadmap for building Russia's high-speed rail network by March 31, 2026, according to directives published on the Kremlin's website.

"The Government of the Russian Federation, together with Russian Railways, the open joint-stock company, shall formulate a development model for Russia's high-speed rail network. This includes specific timelines and parameters for implementing each project to create high-speed rail lines," the website said.

Putin also ordered the government and SberBank, Russia's largest lender, to outline plans for utilising 300 billion rubles (about 3.7 billion US dollars) allocated from the National Wealth Fund as initial funding for the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed rail line. A report on the funding is due by October 1.

The Moscow-St. Petersburg route will be Russia's first high-speed railroad, a specialised electrified double-track line on which trains can travel at speeds from 200 to 400 kph. Trains are expected to cover the distance between the two cities in two hours and 15 minutes.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov have been appointed as the responsible parties.
Damascus, Aug 3 : The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched rocket and artillery attacks in northern Syria, injuring at least seven people, including four Syrian soldiers and three civilians, state media reported, citing the Syrian Ministry of Defence.

The attacks targeted a village near Manbij in the northern Aleppo province, using multiple rocket launchers and artillery shells "irresponsibly and for unknown reasons," said the ministry.

A barrage of rockets and artillery shells reportedly damaged civilian homes and prompted a swift military response from Syrian army units in the area, it said.

The defence ministry said that the Syrian forces repelled an infiltration attempt by SDF fighters near one of its military posts west of Manbij, reports Xinhua, quoting Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

In response, the Syrian forces launched "precise strikes" against SDF artillery positions, including a rocket launcher and field cannon detected in eastern Aleppo.

The flare-up comes despite recent coordination efforts between Damascus and Kurdish authorities aimed at presenting a unified stance on national and security issues.

The reasons behind the sudden escalation remain unclear.

In March, the Syrian interim government and the SDF reached a deal on merging all civil and military institutions in the Kurdish-controlled region under state institutions, according to SANA, the Syrian state news agency.

Last month, the Syrian interim government reaffirmed its rejection of any form of partition following a meeting between Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the top commander of the Kurdish-led SDF, in Damascus.

In a statement carried by al-Ikhbaria TV, a government source had said the administration welcomes the integration of SDF fighters into the national army within legal frameworks. It also called for the restoration of state institutions in northeastern Syria to end the administrative vacuum and ensure essential public services.

Abdi and al-Sharaa struck an accord for integration in March with US backing, but its implementation has been delayed due to disagreements between the two parties.

Warning against delays in implementing the accord, the statement said that "betting on separatist projects or foreign agendas is a losing wager" and urged a return to a unified national identity.

It reiterated that Kurds are an integral part of Syria's social fabric and that the rights of all Syrians must be protected within the state structure.
Moscow, Aug 3 : The Krasheninnikov Volcano on Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula has erupted for the first time in recorded history, local authorities said on Sunday.

Some media reports also suggest that this volcano erupted for the first time in over 450 years.

The eruption began at 2:50 local time on Sunday, sending ash plumes up to 3-4 km above sea level, Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) said on its Telegram Channel.

The ash plume has drifted eastward toward the Pacific Ocean, officials said. No inhabited settlements lie in the path of the ash cloud, and there have been no reports of ashfall in populated areas. An orange aviation warning was issued.

The plume is reported to have ascended to a height of 6,000 metres (19,700 feet), according to a post from Kamchatka's Ministry of Emergency Situations on Telegram.

"The plume is spreading eastward from the volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path, and no ashfall has been recorded in inhabited localities," the ministry said.

Located about 200 km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and 13 km south of Lake Kronotskoye, Krasheninnikov is part of the Eastern Volcanic Zone of Kamchatka, reports Xinhua news agency.

Earlier, the regional branch of the Emergency Ministry warned of possible ash emissions of 6-10 km from several other active Kamchatka volcanoes. Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid travelling within 10 km of these volcanoes' summits.

The eruption came just days after an 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula. The quake triggered tsunami warnings and prompted a state of emergency in parts of Kamchatka and the Severo-Kurilsk district.
Seoul, Aug 3 : Heavy rain is expected to affect most regions of South Korea on Sunday, with downpours of up to 150 millimetres forecast in southern areas through Tuesday, the state weather agency said.

Rain will begin in the southwestern provinces and Jeju during the day, then gradually spread to the southeastern and central regions before covering most of the country, except for areas along the East Sea, reports Yonhap news agency, quoting the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

The rainfall is expected to continue through Tuesday, with precipitation reaching up to 150 mm in the southern regions, including the southern port city of Busan. The administrative city of Sejong and other central regions are forecast to receive up to 100 mm of rain.

In particular, heavy downpours of 50 to 80 mm per hour are expected at night along parts of the southern coast of South Jeolla Province, around Mount Jiri and in Jeju's mountainous areas, the agency added.

Strong winds are also forecast for the west coast of South Jeolla Province, with gusts exceeding 20 meters per second later in the day.

In preparation for heavy rains, the agricultural ministry has activated a 24-hour emergency response system through Tuesday in coordination with local governments and relevant agencies. On-site response efforts have been strengthened in flood- and landslide-prone areas.

South Gyeongsang Province raised its emergency response posture to Level 1 earlier in the day, as a preliminary heavy rain advisory was issued for parts of its region.

Heavy rainfall is expected to be concentrated on southern coastal areas and around Mount Jiri, which suffered significant damage during torrential rains in July, raising concerns over potential additional damage.

North Jeolla Province also activated a Level 1 emergency response system after a preliminary heavy rain advisory was issued for 10 cities and counties in the province.

"Residents are urged to monitor the weather updates frequently, avoid unnecessary outings as much as possible and steer clear of risky areas, such as riverside trails, slopes and low-lying roads. Visitors at beaches and campgrounds should exercise caution and evacuate in advance, if needed," a local government official said.

Last month, South Korea was hit by heavy rains and landslides, which took 23 lives and left five others unaccounted for nationwide.

As the rain moves in, heat wave advisories are expected to be gradually lifted or eased.

Daytime high temperatures will range between 29 and 34 degrees Celsius, similar to or slightly higher than seasonal norms, the KMA said.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : At an 'Investors Roundtable Conference' in Bengaluru, the DPIIT Secretary told industry stakeholders and state officials that robust Center-State partnerships are essential to accelerating industrialisation and luring international investments.

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) At an aInvestors Roundtable Conferencea in Bengaluru, the DPIIT Secretary told industry stakeholders and state officials that robust Center-State partnerships are essential to accelerating industrialisation and luring international investments.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia highlighted the growth of DPIIT-recognised startups, support for MSMEs, and the role of deep-tech ventures in shaping future industries.

Apart from strengthening Centre-State collaboration for industrial growth, the conference has held to realise the vision of aViksit Bharat @2047a and showcase the potential of southern industrial nodes under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP), according to an official statement.

These greenfield industrial nodes are designed with advanced infrastructure, digital governance, and investment-ready ecosystems to aid growth for sectors such as electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, clean-tech, food processing, and logistics. These industrial nodes are Tumakuru, Krishnapatnam, Kopparthy, Orvakal, Palakkad, and Zaheerabad.

The secretary met with senior officials from southern states and union territories and discussed accelerating industrial node development, aligning state policies with national objectives, and addressing key implementation requirements to fast-track investments and infrastructure creation, according to the official statement.

Industry leaders, MSMEs, and startups engaged in state-specific dialogue, explored opportunities, shared challenges, and discussed how NICDCas smart industrial cities can serve as platforms for advanced manufacturing and innovation, the release said.

Senior DPIIT officials also shared updates on national initiatives including Start-Up India, Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP), National Single Window System (NSWS), Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), and Invest India, which are enabling reforms and strengthening investor confidence, said the government.

The officials also interacted with startups and incubation leaders to understand emerging innovations, challenges, and opportunities for policy support.

a"IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 3 : Actor Chunky Panday is celebrating Friendship Day with his school gang. On Sunday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a bunch of pictures from his reunion with his friends from St Andrews.

In the pictures, the actor can be seen having a great time as he shared laughs and some unforgettable moments with his friends.

He wrote in the caption. " With all my schoolmates, the Andrean Boys. A night of Biryani, Booze and Bull****. Love these guys. St Andrews class of 1978. Thanks Robin K for hosting us".

Chunky was born into a medical elite family, his parents were doctors, with his father Sharad Panday being a renonwned heart surgeon, who came up with mitral valve replacement in India.

Meanwhile, Chunky's nephew Ahaan Panday has emerged as a Bollywood star with the release of his debut film 'Saiyaara'. The film witnessed a terrific opening collecting INR 21.5 crore in India. 'Son of Sardaar 2', which stars Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur, opened to a third figure of 'Saiyaara' at INR 7.25 crore, as per industry tracker Sacnilk. The film had pushed its release date after witnessing the storm unleashed by 'Saiyaara' at the box-office. However, it still couldn't capitalise on the delayed release.

'Saiyaara' has done to this generation what 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' did to the millenials or 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' did to Generation X with its debutants.

Earlier, Mohit Suri, who has directed 'Saiyaara', had shared that owing to the film's success, he has not been able to give time to his family. His evenings are spent tracking the numbers, occupancy and the footfall in theatre for the evening shows of his film.

Naturally, his wife, actress Udita Goswami has some complaints about him being superbusy. But it's a nice feeling to have.

He told IANS, "Every evening I sit with my phone from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock because I know the evening shows get over and I wait for people to call but everyone's calling, they're calling up crying and to hear their response. I don't know, forget myself, I don't know when there'll be a film like this where people will get so much love and I think that's just something very special".

The film is now inching towards the INR 300 crore mark, a first for Mohit and the industry with regards to its debutants.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : Dr A.K. Ryru Gopal, affectionately known as the "Two Rupee Doctor" for his decades-long service to the poor and underprivileged, passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and selfless medical care that touched thousands of lives in Kannur, northern Kerala. He was 80.

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (IANS) Dr A.K. Ryru Gopal, affectionately known as the "Two Rupee Doctor" for his decades-long service to the poor and underprivileged, passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and selfless medical care that touched thousands of lives in Kannur, northern Kerala. He was 80.

For over 50 years, Dr Ryru Gopal served patients by charging only a nominal fee. It was for years, he charged Rs 2, which earned him the enduring nickname. Later, he charged between Rs 40 to Rs 50, whereas for a single consultation, other doctors would charge several hundred rupees.

At a time when healthcare has largely become commercialised, he remained a symbol of generosity and ethics in medicine. His journey into voluntary service began after he witnessed the dire condition of a patient during a house visit.

From then on, he committed himself to offering medical care that was both accessible and affordable, especially for daily wage earners, students, and the poor.

Understanding the time constraints of workers, he began seeing patients as early as 3 a.m., and at times attended to over 300 people a day.

Dr Gopal's daily routine was marked by simplicity and discipline. He woke up at 2.15 a.m., first attending to his cows, cleaning the shed, and collecting milk. After prayer and milk distribution, he would begin consultations from his home near the Thaan Manikkakavu temple by 6.30 a.m.

The patient queue would often stretch into the hundreds.

His wife, Dr Shakuntala, and an assistant supported him in managing the crowd and dispensing medicines.

As his health began to decline, the number of patients reduced, but his commitment never wavered. He remained guided by the principle his father, Dr A. Gopalan Nambiar -- also a respected doctor in Kannur -- instilled in him: "If it's about making money, do some other job." That belief defined his career.

Rejecting all corporate incentives and refusing to entertain pharmaceutical representatives, Dr Gopal only prescribed low-cost, effective medicines.

Along with his brothers -- Dr Venugopal and Dr Rajagopal -- he continued the family's tradition of medical service without profit.

Kannur bids farewell to not just a doctor, but a legend who proved that healing is a service, not a business.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : Amid an ongoing standoff between the Kerala government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar over Vice-Chancellor appointments, Law Minister P. Rajeev and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu met the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Sunday and urged him to adhere strictly to the Supreme Court's directives in the matter.

The meeting, which lasted for nearly an hour, was held on the instructions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The ministers pressed for the appointment of regular VCs from the list of candidates recommended by the government, emphasising that such appointments must be based on high academic credentials and in line with constitutional and judicial norms.

They also expressed strong reservations against the Governor's recent reappointment of interim VCs to Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), bypassing the governmentas proposed panels.

Raj Bhavan sources, however, maintained that the interim appointments were in compliance with the Supreme Court's order, which requires the continuation of academic administration until regular appointments are made.

The meeting is the latest episode in the prolonged power struggle between the Raj Bhavan and the LDF-led government over control of higher education institutions. The conflict intensified after the Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor, repeatedly rejected the state's recommendations and proceeded with appointments independently - a move the government considers unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of cooperative federalism.

The state government argues that the Governor's unilateral actions violate Supreme Court guidelines that emphasise transparency, merit, and the elimination of political influence in VC appointments. It has accused the Raj Bhavan of bypassing established norms and undermining the autonomy of the university system.

The ministers also conveyed the government's decision to challenge the Governor's actions legally and confirmed that the state is preparing to approach the Supreme Court.

This comes even as Chief Minister Vijayan has, for the second time, written to the Governor requesting that all appointments be made from the government's recommended list.

With both sides refusing to budge, the deadlock over university appointments in Kerala continues, raising concerns over governance and academic stability in the state's higher education sector.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, which increased the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies from 10 per cent to 27 per cent.

The petition, filed through advocate Sudhanshu Prakash, under Article 32 of the Constitution, contended that the amendment violates constitutional principles, lacks empirical backing, and contravenes previous apex court judgments governing reservations in local bodies.

The petitioners -- Vora Jaimin and others -- said that while the Gujarat government formed a Commission led by Justice K.S. Jhaveri (retired) in July 2022, its report, submitted in April 2023, has not been made public.

"Since the report of the Commission, which forms the basis of the Amendment Act, is not in the public domain, it follows that the Amending Act is not backed by any verifiable data. Absence of the report from the public domain means there is no yardstick by which to judge the validity of the reservation provided by the Amending Act," the petition stated.

It alleged that the state government failed to comply with the "triple test" laid down by the Supreme Court in Vikas Kishanrao Gawali vs. State of Maharashtra, mandating that any OBC reservation in local bodies must be preceded by: (1) A dedicated Commission conducting a rigorous empirical inquiry; (2) Local body-wise specification of reservation based on that data; and (3) a ceiling ensuring the total reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs does not exceed 50 percent.

The petition claimed that the amendment appears to mechanically increase OBC reservation to 27 per cent without assessing the actual political backwardness or representation needs of the community.

"The blind transplantation of servicelaw percentages (e.g., 27 per cent) into the electoral sphere is impermissible," the plea said.

The petitioners, all aspiring candidates from the unreserved category in the upcoming local body polls, claimed that they are being unfairly excluded from contesting elections due to the excessive reservation.

With elections in several Gram Panchayats and Taluka Panchayats scheduled for August-September, they have sought urgent intervention from the Supreme Court.

The petition sought a direction to strike down the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, and urged the top court to lay down guidelines for assessing OBC political backwardness to prevent excessive reservation in local bodies. As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi will take up the matter for hearing on Monday (August 4).
Los Angeles, Aug 3 : Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, who are reprising their roles as witch sisters Gillian and Sally Owens in the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 classic 'Practical Magic', revel in a terrific chemistry as co-actors.

Kidman, who was recently named a global ambassador for luxury skincare brand, revealed that she and Bullock, 61, have such a close bond that they are "like sisters", reports 'People' magazine.

It's insane", she said of their dynamic. And as all siblings do, the actresses enjoy poking fun at each other.

She told 'People', "I can tease her, and she teases me. We're both living in London, very close to each other".

She said the pair can hardly believe they are back in the 'Practical Magic' world again after 27 years. "We're both like, 'What?' But we were just right back into it", she explained, adding of Bullock, "I adore her and she is so funny and so lovable. And we're just having the best time together".

As per 'People', Kidman also had high praise for others involved in the making of the sequel. She said, "We have this wonderful female director, Susanne Bier. Warner Bros. is behind the film. And they've been incredibly supportive in making this, going back and then expanding it. And then we have beautiful Joey King, who I've worked with before and who's just lovely. So it's a group of amazing, amazing women and some great men who are creating the next phase, the next stage of the witches' life".

Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are set to reprise their roles as the Owens sisters' aunts, Franny and Jet, respectively. Along with King, new additions to the cast include Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Mariduena and Solly McLeod.

While details about the sequel's plot are being kept under wraps, the 1998 film, based on Alice Hoffman's 1995 book of the same name, follows the Owens sisters.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 assistance to those injured.

Eleven people were killed and several others injured after a vehicle carrying at least 14 people plunged into the Saryu canal in Gonda on Sunday, officials confirmed.

Taking to X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) posted (quoting PM Modi), "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Gonda, Uttar 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," it added.

Earlier in the day, expressing deep sorrow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also posted on X, "The loss of life in the unfortunate accident in the district of Gonda is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the grief-stricken families."

"Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives in this accident, and to the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital for their proper treatment," he said.

"I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls attain salvation, the bereaved families find the strength to bear this immense sorrow, and the injured recover swiftly. Om Shanti!" the Chief Minister wrote.

Authorities continued to investigate the cause of the accident.

Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal said, "11 people travelling in a Bolero from Sihagaon of Motiganj police station area to offer prayers at the Prithvi Nath temple of Khargupur died when the vehicle fell into the canal and drowned."

SP Jaiswal also informed that four individuals were rescued from the canal with minor injuries and have been admitted to the District Hospital for medical care.
Colorado Springs native John Haney has revised the book he originally published alongside the late Morris Cafky in 1983, "Pikes Peak Trolleys: A History of the Colorado Springs Streetcar System."
New Delhi, Aug 3 : A 15-year-old girl, who was kidnapped from the Meena Bazar Market area in Delhi, has been rescued by the police within 72 hours of her abduction, and the accused is now in custody, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The operation, which spanned across state lines, involved a mix of technical surveillance, local enquiry, financial tracking, and coordinated raids.

The accused, identified as 28-year-old Subhan, a vagabond living on the footpaths near Daryaganj, was traced and arrested from the Nizamuddin area of the national capital.

In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District), Nidhin Valsan, said, "On 28.07.2025, a complaint was received at Police Station Jama Masjid wherein the complainant reported that her younger sister had gone towards Meena Bazar Market while they were near Jagat Cinema, Urdu Bazar, and did not return. Accordingly, a case under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered, and the investigation was taken up on priority."

The investigating team immediately launched a multi-pronged operation. CCTV footage from Urdu Bazar, Meena Bazar, Daryaganj, and adjoining areas was meticulously reviewed.

Suspicious mobile numbers were examined through call detail records (CDRs), and ground-level enquiries were carried out in localities such as Daryaganj, Minto Road, and Shastri Park.

"During the investigation, Subhan, a local vagabond from Daryaganj, was identified as the suspect who had lured and abducted the minor girl. Based on surveillance inputs, vital CCTV footage was secured, and the suspect's mobile number was tracked," the police said in its statement.

Subsequent local intelligence pointed investigators toward Subhan's native village in Mohammadi, district Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, around 400 km from Delhi.

A police team conducted a raid at Mohalla Nai Basti in Mohammadi on July 31, but the accused was not found there. However, his family disclosed that he had recently requested a money transfer of Rs 200 to an outlet near Zaki Market in Nizamuddin, Delhi.

Acting on this lead, police visited the money transfer shop, where the shopkeeper confirmed that Subhan, along with a young girl, had collected Rs 200 on July 28.

Investigators then reviewed CCTV footage from the Nizamuddin area and located the minor girl near the Nizamuddin Bus Stop, accompanied by the accused.

The girl was safely rescued, and Subhan was immediately apprehended.

Further details are awaited.
Mumbai, Aug 3 : Finolex Industries Ltd has reported a sharp decline in both profit and revenue for the first quarter of the current financial year (Q1 FY26), according to an exchange filing.

The Pune-based PVC pipes and fittings manufacturer posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 98.16 crore, down 80.4 per cent from Rs 500.73 crore in the same period last year (Q1 FY25), the filing said.

The decline marks a significant contraction in earnings, with margins nearly halving on a year-over-year basis.

Revenue for the quarter fell 8.5 per cent to Rs 1,043.15 crore from Rs 1,140.49 crore a year ago.

At the same time, operating performance also deteriorated sharply, with EBITDA plunging 54.7 per cent to Rs 93.59 crore, compared to Rs 206.65 crore in Q1 FY25.

The EBITDA margin contracted to 9 per cent, down from 18 per cent in the same period last year, as per the filing.

Despite the revenue dip, total expenses rose slightly to Rs 981.68 crore in Q1 FY26 from Rs 966.50 crore a year earlier, highlighting cost pressures amid subdued top-line growth.

On a sequential basis, the company's net profit also dropped from Rs 164 crore in Q4 FY25, representing a 40 per cent decline.

Revenue fell 11 per cent quarter-on-quarter from Rs 1,171.81 crore in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, Saurabh Dhanorkar, Managing Director of Finolex Industries, has resigned, effective from October 25.

The company has also announced the appointment of Udipt Agarwal as an Additional Director cum Whole-time Director and Managing Director of the Company, the filing stated.

The Shares of Finolex Pipes closed 2.55 per cent lower at Rs 201.00 on Friday on the NSE. The stock has lost over 30 per cent in the past 12 months and is down nearly 20 per cent year-to-date.
Mumbai, Aug 3 : Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor is having a great time on the sets of his upcoming film 'Masti 4'. On Sunday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a series of BTS pictures from the shooting of the film.

In the pictures, the actor can be seen with the crew members of the film. The actor also expressed his gratitude to the film's team for extending a warm welcome to him for the film franchise.

He wrote in the caption, "#Masti4 .with the people who mattered the most this past month! Thank you team #Masti for the warmest welcome into the franchise for this one, my brother @milapzaveri with his kindness and passion for his work, and to my team for being there through thick and thin".

The film is directed by Milap Zaveri, and marks the instalment in the 'Masti' franchise.

Prior to this, the actor was seen in'Kapkapiii', a horror-comedy. The film also starred Shreyas Talpade and was directed by the late Sangeeth Sivan.

Earlier, Tusshar had celebrated the moment and said that he feels incredibly blessed, believing he must have done a lot right to have manifested such a wonderful gift. Tusshar took to Instagram, where he shared an endearing picture capturing the very first moments of Laksshya's life, with the fertility specialist Firuza Parikh, who facilitated his son's birth via surrogacy, cradling the newborn.

Tusshar wrote in the caption, "9 years since this angel came into my lifethank you to the universeI must've done so much right to have manifested this! Thank you @fertiltree for being there for me! Happy birthday son! #laksshyakapoor#laksshyakapoorbirthday pic credit #drfiruzaparikh".

The actor had opted for IVF and welcomed his son Laksshya Kapoor through surrogacy in June 2016.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Senior BJP leaders have strongly condemned Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar for his recent remarks questioning the success of India's diplomatic efforts to expose Pakistan's role in terrorism. Aiyar's comments have drawn heavy criticism, with the BJP accusing him of "speaking Pakistan's language" and undermining the country's fight against terror.

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Senior BJP leaders have strongly condemned Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar for his recent remarks questioning the success of India's diplomatic efforts to expose Pakistan's role in terrorism. Aiyar's comments have drawn heavy criticism, with the BJP accusing him of "speaking Pakistan's language" and undermining the country's fight against terror.

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh led the attack, stating, "Congress leaders from Mani Shankar Aiyar to P. Chidambaram have often echoed the language of Pakistan's media and military. Sometimes they demand explanations from our own Armed Forces, sometimes they seek NOCs, and at other times, they lay out red carpets for Pakistan. Unfortunately, whether it's Congress or the INDI Alliance, they seem visibly pained by the destruction of terror camps and the setbacks suffered by the Pakistani Army. One must ask: what exactly is the relationship between Congress and Pakistan?"

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal also criticised Aiyar's remarks, saying the condition of opposition leaders in our country is worsening.

"It is unfortunate that Mani Shankar Aiyar is speaking the language of Pakistan. What has happened to our opposition leaders?" said Khandelwal.

The controversy stems from an interview Aiyar gave to IANS earlier on Saturday, in which he criticised the government's diplomatic outreach initiative post 'Operation Sindoor'. The outreach involved sending Indian leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, to various countries to highlight Pakistan's hand in cross-border terrorism.

"Shashi Tharoor and his friends can roam around as much as they want, but apart from Israel, no one else has said that Pakistan was behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Everyone is condemning the terrorism, but no one is willing to blame Pakistan," Aiyar had said.

Aiyar also accused the government of lacking the courage to call out misinformation from global powers.

"Trump has claimed several times that the US brokered the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, but our government is not ready to say that he is lying. The government does not dare to speak the truth," he remarked.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra on Sunday hit out at the Congress "ecosystem" for what he called its determination to defame Sanatan Dharma and use terms like "Hindu terror", citing the latest controversial statement by leader NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad.

Addressing mediapersons, Patra said, "Awhad is a leader from Maharashtra and belongs to Sharad Pawar's party. Once again, he has used derogatory language for Sanatan Dharma. Awhad said that Sanatan Dharma has destroyed India and that there was never a religion called Sanatan Dharma."

Criticising the MLA, Patra said, "You have insulted the truth, spoken against Shiva, and opposed the beauty of India - an India whose beauty lies in its respect for all. Today, I want to ask respected Sharad Pawar Ji and his daughter Supriya Sule, who is also a Member of Parliament, if this is the official line of your party, or is this just Jitendra Awhad's personal opinion."

The BJP MP blamed the Congress "ecosystem" for the latest "disrespect" of Sanatan Dharma.

"The objective of appeasement drives the entire Congress ecosystem to make such controversial remarks time and again," he said.

They want to insult Sanatan Dharma, eradicate and oppose Sanatan Dharma and want to deliberately use the term "Hindu terrorist" and "Saffron terrorist", he said.

The BJP MP also trained his guns on Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan for using the terms "Hindu terrorist or Sanatan terrorist".

"Nowhere else in the world is the majority community assailed like this and taunted as intolerant," he said.

Patra said it is the greatness of Sanatan Dharma that its followers are voicing their protest against such provocative remarks through a press conference.

"I think Sharad Pawar Ji and his daughter Supriya Sule ji need to ask Jitendra Awhad as to who is the real intolerant and what kind of behaviour should be followed in the country," he said.

After the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts, Nationalist Congress Party a" Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) legislator Awhad had sparked a controversy by claiming that "Sanatan Dharma's ideology is perverted and it has ruined the country".
Srinagar, Aug 3 : As Jammu and Kashmir marks six years since the abrogation of Article 370, India has reiterated its constitutional and sovereign right to integrate the region fully into the Union, while spotlighting Pakistan's persistent role in destabilising peace efforts.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Kashmir, particularly Resolution 47 of 1948, called for Pakistan to withdraw its forces from the region as a prerequisite to any plebiscite. However, Pakistan's refusal to comply with this foundational condition has rendered the resolution "unimplementable".

Despite repeated international appeals, Islamabad has continued to maintain and support terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC), undermining diplomatic efforts and regional stability.

India's decision to revoke Article 370 on August 5, 2019, was upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2023 as constitutionally valid and consistent with the principles of Indian federalism.

The Court emphasised that Article 370 was always intended as a temporary provision, designed to facilitate the transitional integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union.

The move, therefore, does not violate any international agreements or the UN Charter, contrary to Pakistan's assertions.

Security agencies have reported a notable shift in the operational tactics of Pakistan-based terror groups. With dwindling local support in Kashmir, these outfits -- such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF) -- have increasingly relied on foreign fighters to execute attacks.

The recent Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 innocent lives, was carried out by Pakistani nationals, as confirmed by recovered identity documents and training footage from Lashkar's Muridke headquarters. This trend underscores the waning appeal of militancy among Kashmiri youth and the growing disconnect between local aspirations and Pakistan's proxy war.

India has responded with targeted counter-terror operations and intensified diplomatic engagement.

The designation of TRF as a global terrorist organisation by the US in July is seen as a major diplomatic win for New Delhi.

While Pakistan continues to project Kashmir as a disputed territory, India maintains that the region is an integral part of its sovereign territory.

The abrogation of Article 370, far from being a provocation, is framed as a constitutional correction -- one that affirms democratic governance and rejects externally sponsored violence.
Hyderabad, Aug 3 : A fresh round of war of words has erupted between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over sharing of river waters after Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh defended the controversial Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project and declared that the government is determined to take Centre's approval for the same.

Two weeks after the Telugu states agreed to form a committee to address river water issues, Lokesh's comments have triggered new tension between the two neighbours.

The remarks by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's son not only drew strong reaction from the Congress government in Telangana but also provided more ammunition to Telangana's opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which has been accusing Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of mortgaging Telangana's interests to his "political guru", CM Naidu, by agreeing to a committee.

Lokesh, who is minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology, not only questioned Telangana's objections to the project but also asked the neighbouring state if it had the approvals to build the Kaleshwaram project on the Godavari River.

Maintaining that Andhra Pradesh will be diverting Godavari water flowing into the sea to the Rayalaseema region through the Banakacherla project, Lokesh remarked, "Why should anyone have an objection to it?"

"We will be diverting the river water, which is coming to Andhra Pradesh after flowing through Telangana, and going into the sea. I am surprised why they should have an objection to it. Why did you build the Kaleshwaram project? Do you have regulatory committee approval?" he asked.

He alleged that some leaders were deliberately inciting regional animosities in the name of Banakacherla for political mileage.

Lokesh did not name any party, but BRS was quick to hit back at him. Claiming itself to be the only party which can protect the water rights of Telangana, BRS vowed to fight legally to stop the Banakacherla project.

"Speaking about our water rights is not inciting regional animosities. How is it wrong to speak about the future of our people? As the party that achieved Telangana, we will speak about our rightful share of water," said BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao.

On Lokesh's claim that Andhra Pradesh did not obstruct the Kaleshwaram project of Telangana, Harish Rao advised him to ask his father if he did not write seven letters to the Centre to stop the project.

Referring to Lokesh's remark that they have the "required power" to get the Centre's approval for Banakacherla, Harish Rao alleged that CM Naidu was acting as per his wish, as Revanth Reddy was maintaining silence.

"Revanth Reddy is busy paying 'guru dakshina' to Chandrababu Naidu," Harish Rao said, referring to the past relationship between the two chief ministers.

Lokesh's remarks also drew the ire of Telangana ministers and Congress leaders. They warned that his comments could harm the harmony between the two states.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka termed as "misleading" the statement by Lokesh that the Banakacherla project will divert water which is flowing into the sea. He argued that river basin states have a share in flood waters.

Vikramarka blamed the "incompetence" of BRS for the water going to the downstream. "The BRS during its 10-year rule failed to take up projects to utilise the state's share," he said.

He also made it clear that Telangana would not entertain further discussions about Banakacherla until its rights and needs were met.

Dismissing the BRS allegations of a secret understanding with the TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, Vikramarka said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy went to Delhi to stop the Banakacherla project.

The Congress leaders also alleged that BRS, during its rule, mortgaged Telangana's water rights to Andhra Pradesh and claimed that their government is now trying to reclaim those rights.

The Union Government told Parliament last week that construction on Banakacherla has not begun as the Telangana government continues to raise serious objections to it.

Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said in reply to a question that the ministry received a proposal seeking a grant of Terms of Reference for undertaking an environmental impact assessment study for the proposed project.

The proposal was appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydro-Electric projects in its meeting held on June 17.

The EAC recommended that the project proponent should approach the Central Water Commission for examining the inter-state issues and grant of necessary clearance/permission/NOC before submitting the proposal for framing the TOR for conducting the EIA study. Accordingly, the EAC recommended the return of the proposal.

The Rajya Sabha was told that the project is being assessed by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in consultation with all concerned authorities and co-basin states.

Giving a new twist to the row, Lokesh said that the Andhra Pradesh government will ensure that the CWC gives its clearance for the Banakachelra project.

As the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, Congress and BRS leaders in Telangana have the apprehension that Chandrababu Naidu may influence the Centre to approve the project.

The Banakcherla project aims to divert 200 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari floodwater to irrigate 7.41 lakh acres, stabilise 22.58 lakh acres in drought-prone Rayalaseema and south coastal districts, and supply industrial water.

During his meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently, CM Naidu sought the Centre's help to complete the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 80,000 crore.

He explained that the project proposes to divert 200 TMC of floodwater from Polavaram to the Banakacherla regulator in Kurnool district. He stressed that, as the last state on the river's course, Andhra Pradesh has the rightful claim to fully utilise this surplus water from the Godavari.

CM Naidu maintained that the proposed project poses no harm to Telangana's interests. He has been stating that 2,000 TMC of Godavari water is flowing into the sea, and that if this water is utilised, it will benefit both the states.

Telangana is opposing the Banakacherla project as it fears that it will impact water availability and violate inter-state water sharing agreements.

At a meeting in Delhi on July 16 in the presence of the Jal Shakti Minister, the chief ministers of the two states agreed to constitute a committee to address all issues concerning Godavari and Krishna river waters.

It was announced that the committee will comprise senior officials, engineers and experts from both the Telugu states. It was to be formed in 3-4 days and come out with a way forward on all issues in 30 days. The committee has not yet been constituted.

While Telangana Chief Minister stated after the meeting that Banakacherla was not discussed in the meeting, Andhra Pradesh's Irrigation Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu claimed that it was the first item on the agenda and that the proposed committee will look into all issues, including Banakacherla.
Phnom Penh, Aug 3 : An ASEAN interim observer group on Sunday launched the second-round two-week-long inspection at conflict-hit areas on the Cambodia-Thailand border, a Cambodian defence spokesperson said.

Led by the military attache of the current chair of ASEAN, Malaysia, the group included the defence attaches from Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said the group will visit several locations in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces to monitor the implementation of a recent ceasefire agreed by Cambodia and Thailand.

"The participation of these partner countries reflects a common desire to ensure that the ceasefire is successful and lasting with the goal of bringing back peace, stability, cooperation, and development for the benefit of the peoples of both countries," she said in a press briefing.

On July 24, armed clashes erupted between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in border areas. The two countries agreed on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the afternoon of July 28, taking effect at midnight of the same day.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has welcomed Thailand's proposal to hold talks on border issues in Malaysia next week, a Cambodian defence ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that Cambodia welcomes Thailand's proposal to hold a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Kuala Lumpur," Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said at a press briefing.

"We're very confident that this meeting will be constructive and yield fruitful outcomes," she said.

According to Socheata, Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand's Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit will attend the upcoming meeting. The office of the spokesperson of Thailand's Ministry of Defence said Thursday on social media that Deputy Minister of Defence Nattaphon Narkphanit had officially responded to "Cambodia's invitation" for a special GBC meeting.

In his reply, Nattaphon welcomed the opportunity to join the meeting and emphasised a shared commitment to reduce tensions and resolve border security issues in a peaceful and constructive manner.
Seoul, Aug 3 : South Korea's average daily maximum power demand hit a record high last month as the country endured one of the most severe summer heat waves on record, data showed on Sunday.

The country's peak power demand in July averaged 85 gigawatts, up 5.6 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Power Exchange.

The reading marked the highest level for any July since 1993, when the government began compiling relevant data. The monthly high was recorded in August 2024, when the figure came to 87.8 GW.

The record in July was driven by increased electricity consumption for air conditioning, as the heat wave persisted throughout the month.

According to the state weather agency, the number of days with daily high temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius or higher totalled 15 days last month, more than four times the July average of 3.4 days over the past 53 years, since record-keeping began in 1973.

Tropical nights, where nighttime temperatures stayed above 25 degrees Celsius, persisted for a total of 23 days in July, the longest stretch since 1973.

The government expects peak electricity demand this summer to reach up to 97.8 GW in the second week of August and is maintaining a power reserve of around 10 GW.

The government is operating a comprehensive electricity supply control centre in cooperation with the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and other related agencies, activating an emergency response system, officials said.

Additionally, according to the health authorities, a total of 19 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves.

More than 3,100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Wednesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, and 19 have died, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
Kolkata, Aug 3 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee, will hold a virtual meeting with the party MPs on Monday, to finalise the floor strategy for the ongoing monsoon session of the House.

"The virtual meeting will start at 4.30 p.m. on Monday and will continue for about an hour. In the meeting the Chief Minister is expected to give directions to the party MPs on how to use the floor of the House to highlight various issues against the Union Government especially the proposed special intention review by the Election Commission of India and the issue of harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states," confirmed a party Lok Sabha member, who refused to be named.

Meanwhile, it has also been decided that the party's general secretary and the Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee will be representing Trinamool Congress at the crucial meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc at New Delhi on August 7, where the strategy will be finalised for the protest demonstration in front of ECI office by all the opposition parties at the national capital against the special intensive revision on August 8.

Trinamool Congress sources said that in the crucial meeting of the INDIA bloc, Abhishek Banerjee is also expected to develop a consensus among all the opposition parties on the issue of "harassment" of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.

Another issue that might come up for discussion at the INDIA bloc at New Delhi on August 7 will be the elections for the post of the country's Vice President.

However, it remains uncertain how far the opposition parties would be able to raise and discuss the issue of the special intensive revision on the floor of the Parliament, since the Union government has already made it clear that there is virtually no scope for discussion on this issue on the floor of the Parliament at this point.

The monsoon session of Parliament, which began on July 21, is scheduled to conclude on August 21.
Evacuation orders for a wildfire that sparked in western Colorado near Carbondale in Garfield County have been lifted, as fire crews on Monday afternoon achieved 100% containment.

As of Monday morning, the fire reached 20% containment with 107 acres burned, according to the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District.

At 4:25 p.m., fire officials announced the fire reached 100% containment after crews on the ground and air fought the blaze.

County Road 113 between County Road 100 and County Road 121 reopened on Monday, officials said.

The blaze grew north of Panorama Drive below the Ranch at Coulter Creek subdivision Sunday afternoon. Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District were first called at 11:04 a.m. to a wildland fire in the Missouri Heights area, according to a news release.

"Upon arrival," officials said, "firefighters found an active fire burning in grass, pinyon, juniper, and sage moving at a fast rate of spread."

"Crews immediately began suppression efforts from the ground while air resources were deployed to assist," officials said.

Around noon Sunday the Garfield County Sheriff's Office issued the evacuation order for residences in the Panorama subdivision and areas east of County Road 100 to Upper Cattle Creek Road.

While the fire is not contained, "the rate of spread has slowed due to coordinated efforts by ground crews and aerial resources," officials said in a news release Sunday afternoon.

Crews on Monday were expected to focus on "cold trailing" the fire. According to a news release, "cold trailing is a mopup technique used to ensure the fire is fully extinguished by carefully inspecting and feeling along the fires edge to detect any remaining heat or hot spots."

The blaze was initially threatening structures. According to the latest update, no homes were lost, though one outbuilding was destroyed.

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Firefighters on the ground worked aggressively to build fireline and protect homes while air crews made repeated water and retardant drops to slow the fires spread, said Incident Commander Bill Gavette in news release posted to Facebook. This was a true team effort. Ground crews worked with air crews attacking the fire from multiple angles. That coordinated response was key to stopping the Coulter Creek Fire.

No injuries have been reported and the cause is under investigation by Carbondale Fires investigation team.

Authorities believe the fire possibly ignited from lightning strikes in the past few days.

The sheriff's office expects to fully determine the cause throughout the week, officials said.

The quick actions of firefighters combined with the support of air resources stopped this fire before it could cause greater damage, Carbondale Fire Chief Rob Goodwin said in a statement Monday afternoon.

This was a strong team effort that demonstrates the value of our mutual aid partnerships and the training our crews do yearround to prepare for these situations," he said. "I am grateful there were no injuries and no homes were lost in this fire.

The Ranch at Coulter Creek fire comes amid several other large-scale fires nearing containment in the Western Slope and parts of Utah.

As of Monday, three other fires have burned nearly 5,000 acres in northwestern Colorado.

More than three weeks ago, lightning strikes sparked five wildfires that has, so far, consumed over 46,318 acres, according to U.S. government website InciWeb.

The wildfires have slowed in growth as crews continue to corral the flames, only burning an additional 3,887 acres since July 24.

This story is developing and will be updated.
Chennai, Aug 3 : Senior BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, accusing him of adopting a confrontational approach towards the BJP-led Union government.

Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport, she said that if late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi was alive, he would have maintained a cordial relationship with the Centre in the interest of Tamil Nadu.

"Karunanidhi had allied with the BJP in the past and would have extended cooperation even without a formal alliance if it benefited the state," she said.

"Stalin, who claims to follow in his father's footsteps, should introspect before constantly opposing the Centre," she said.

Tamilisai criticised CM Stalin's frequent letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and protests by the DMK-led government, questioning the justification behind such opposition.

"What injustice has the Union government done to Tamil Nadu? The DMK, which has failed to deliver in the past four years, is suddenly rushing to conduct welfare camps just ahead of elections," she said.

Highlighting civic issues, she pointed to the "poor" maintenance of the Poondi reservoir and garbage "mismanagement" in areas like Velachery, which she said are affecting the daily lives of Chennai residents.

"People deserve better. The state government has failed to address even basic issues like sanitation," she said.

Responding to expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's comment that BJP state president Nainar Nagenthiran did not respond to his calls, Tamilisai said, "OPS should have exercised greater political caution. Our party leaders are honest, and we do not accept his (OPS') claims."

She also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, ridiculing his frequent statements.

"Rahul Gandhi says the economy is dead, the Election Commission is dead. Before talking about others, he should first explain whether Congress is still alive."

Tamilisai further criticised actor-politician Kamal Haasan's remarks on honour killings and asked what the so-called Dravidian model had achieved in curbing such crimes during its decades of governance.

She accused those who oppose the AIADMK-BJP alliance but align with the DMK of betraying their ideology.

"Switching sides for political gain shows a lack of commitment to one's principles," she added.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Citing the latest Air Quality Index of 74, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to reduce the city's pollution, and claimed that for the first time in a decade, the index has come down to such a satisfactory level.

Inaugurating a "Jan Seva Kendra" in the Greater Kailash Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister said, "Apart from cleaning the air, we are also committed to cleaning the Yamuna and ending the mountains of garbage."

She said her government, after taking note of the public concerns over the proposed ban on end-of-life (EOL) vehicles, approached the court and got a stay on the ban till November 1.

"Going forward, bringing the public's voice to every platform, addressing their needs and demands, is our responsibility. As this is not the same government that only made hollow promises. Today's government is genuinely working to reduce Delhi's pollution," she said.

CM Gupta said she aspires to make the city so beautiful and habitable that people are not forced to shift out of here.

Calling her government's decision to allow commercial establishments to operate 24x7 historic, the CM said, "The licensing process is also going to be simplified and replaced with a single-window system."

The CM slammed the earlier AAP government and legislators, saying, "Earlier, MLAs remained confined to their offices and homes. But each MLA of the BJP is now working tirelessly for the public."

At an earlier event, she said the government is aiming to ensure that the bed per 1,000 patient ratio should improve to 5 from the current level of around 2.7.

CM Gupta also announced her government's plans to introduce a PPP model for purchasing medical equipment in hospitals and complete the development of the 24 hospitals whose construction was suspended midway by the previous government.

Later, taking to the social media platform X, the CM said, "Today, the Jan Seva Kendra was inaugurated in the Greater Kailash Assembly constituency and dedicated to public service."

"This centre will serve as an effective medium for resolving the problems of the common people, providing information about the schemes of the Central and State Governments, and delivering prompt assistance to those in need, in line with the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to service and good governance," she wrote.

"The BJP's double-engine government is committed to ensuring that development, service, and rights reach the last person in line in a time-bound manner," she wrote.
Dhaka, Aug 3 : The Bangladesh Awami League on Sunday denounced the charges brought against its leadership, calling them a "politically motivated" move orchestrated by the Muhammad Yunus-led "illegitimate" interim government.

Awami League leader Mohammad A. Arafat stated that neither former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina nor him have received any formal notice of the trial proceedings against the party members, which he said, highlights the "absurdity" of the "unelected" government.

"This is part of a broader campaign by an unelected usurper heading an illegitimate government, intent on erasing democratic legitimacy, silencing opposition, and clinging to power. Such a regime has no legal or moral authority to prosecute a government elected by the people's mandate. An illegitimate regime cannot amend legislation passed by Parliament. Only Parliament has that authority," Arafat said in a statement.

The party's statement comes after a Bangladeshi court on July 31 brought charges against Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and several others in connection with six cases over alleged corruption under the Purbachal New Town project. The court also issued arrest warrants against them and fixed August 13 to record the testimonies of prosecution witnesses.

The party leader called the events that happened in July last year "tragic and chaotic" and said that the law enforcement responded to escalating mob violence with the tools available.

"By then, the elected government had effectively collapsed. To suggest Sheikh Hasina was directing real-time tactical decisions is absurd," he added.

He said that no democratically elected leader should be "prosecuted for upholding constitutional duties in the face of violent insurrection."

Arafat called the charges of abetment, incitement and complicity "baseless" and said that these were based on testimony from "compromised figures and unauthenticated audio clips."

The party leader mentioned that the Hasina government had initiated an independent inquiry to understand the root of the "criminal acts," but the investigation was "later dismantled by the current regime."

He also claimed that this is not the only investigation that the Yunus regime has cast aside. "During the 1971 War of Independence, collaborators committed atrocities: mass killings, rape, arson, looting. The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act of 1973 was passed by Parliament to prosecute these crimes. Yet the interim government has halted these trials and is instead using powers outside its jurisdiction to bring fabricated and politically motivated cases against its political rivals," he said.

Arafat said that the Tribunal's rejection of defence submissions and its fast-tracked indictments "expose this process as a political show trial." He also described the amendments to the ICT Act, which he claims are politically motivated, as an "abuse of power, designed to target a specific political party and undermine democratic rights."

"Even issuing contempt rulings over unverifiable audio clips shows how the judicial process is being weaponised against the Prime Minister."

The Awami League leader claimed that it was Sheikh Hasina who had initiated the prosecution of war criminals; however, those who once backed these criminals are now leading the tribunals.

"This blatant conflict of interest makes a fair trial impossible. This is an assault on Bangladesh's democratic institutions. The interim regime has banned our party, silenced millions, and trampled due process to cement its grip on power. Its agenda is clear: eliminate dissent and erase the Awami League from politics," he added.

Arafat urged the international community to recognise the Tribunal as "a tool to criminalise political opposition and rewrite lawful governance as criminality."

The party leader also said that he welcomes an impartial, international investigation into all acts of violence before, during, and after July 2024, including "ongoing political killings ignored by this regime."

"Justice must never be selective. History will judge those who destroy democracy in the name of law," he added.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Two cases of justice have jolted the nation. Justice, it is said, is delivered on the basis of evidence, and when the same is either botched up or fabricated, we get the 2006 Mumbai train blasts verdict by the High Court and the 2008 Malegaon blasts judgement.

Both verdicts have been mindboggling and exposed how a motivated system can ruin the fate of people.

Though the Supreme Court has stayed the 2008 Mumbai blasts case verdict by the High Court, and victims in the 2006 Malegaon blasts are preparing for more legal fights, the cases have a numbing effect.

What appears to be true on the surface may, in fact, be far more complex beneath. We have heard about stories of schemes and plots, but this time, the same has been exposed through the court verdicts. The verdicts do not say this, but the inferences can be drawn. The judgements, through their reasoning and findings, point to systemic failures.

The 2006 Mumbai train blasts killed 187 people and injured more than 800 people. On July 21, the Bombay High Court acquitted 12 men who were previously convicted in the case. The court ruled that the prosecution had "utterly failed" to establish guilt and set aside the 2015 judgement of a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court, which had sentenced five to death and the rest to life imprisonment.

But this raises critical questions: If the evidence was so weak, how did the MCOCA court issue such harsh sentences in 2015? If these 12 men were not involved, then who carried out the deadly blasts? If they were not involved, why were they arrested? Questions like these are being raised, but the answers are not there.

These are not just rhetorical questions -- they demand accountability. Shouldn't the investigators and officials who prepared the case be held responsible? There are more questions and doubts. Almost two decades after the blasts wrecked the economic capital of the country, will there be any relevant follow-up or fact-finding, or will it also end up one among those unsolved cases and ultimately become like, 'No one killed the 187 people and they just died in blasts which were caused by invisible people'.

If the evidence in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings was botched up, in the 2008 Malegaon case, the opposite seems to have happened. The police were accused of planting evidence, torturing witnesses, and becoming a tool in a wider political game, allegedly directed by influential politicians of the time.

The plot was exposed by no other than Mehboob Mujawar, a former policeman who had worked in the Maharashtra ATS.

He said that he was given orders by former IPS officer Parambir Singh and "higher officials" to arrest RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and was given confidential orders regarding a few RSS men.

Mujawar has said that he was given 10 people to work with, got money from the Service Secret Fund, and there was pressure on him to follow the arrest orders, which he did not. "But I didn't act on it. They talked about 'saffron terror'. How could I have done something completely wrong?" he said.

He told the media that he received the orders within 15 to 20 days of the Malegaon blasts, and Mohan Bhagwat was going to be included in the case to make it appear like a saffron terror case.

After he defied, the ex-ATS officer said that false cases were registered against him in this case, but his name was cleared later. The NIA court, however, did not consider Mujawar's statement in its verdict, "because it was not recorded before this court."

But the court in its over 1,000-page judgment, has mentioned a witness, Milind Joshi Rao's testification that he was pressured by the Maharashtra ATS officials to falsely name Yogi Adityanath, RSS member Indresh Kumar, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Hindu seer and former RSS member Swami Aseemanand, and Professor Deodhar in the case. Rao also said the ATS illegally kept him in custody for a week and told him he would be freed only if he named the above five people.

These details from the judgement give a chilling view of how far the system can be misused to build a pre-decided narrative -- regardless of its truth or consequences.

One of the accused in the case, Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, spent nearly nine years in jail before being granted bail in 2017. He was arrested for allegedly masterminding the blasts, sourcing RDX from Jammu and Kashmir, and assembling it at his home. The Lieutenant Colonel had claimed that ATS had tortured him and forced him to take the name of senior BJP and RSS leaders, including Yogi Adityanath.

The Malegaon verdict reveals the frightening possibility of political plots being masked as terror investigations. Greedy politicians, driven by vote-bank politics and a hunger for power, may have manipulated the justice system to push false narratives -- risking innocent lives in the process.

The 12 men in the 2008 Mumbai train blasts, if proven innocent in the Supreme Court, and the seven people acquitted in the Malegaon blast case, are the test cases of the nefarious politician-police nexus.

While some political parties may use the Malegaon verdict to their advantage, the issue goes far beyond politics. The nation deserves to know: Who were the real perpetrators? Who crafted the "bhagwa aatankwaad" theory?

And most importantly, will those responsible be unmasked and punished to set an example?

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
Kabul, Aug 3 : A total of 400 individuals who had been struggling with drug addiction have made a full recovery and rejoined their families in Herat province, western Afghanistan, according to a statement issued late Saturday by the office of the Deputy Minister of Interior for Counter-Narcotics.

The recovered addicts, who were gathered from various districts of the province, underwent a three-month medical treatment and rehabilitation program before reintegrating into their families, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the statement.

Earlier this week, another 516 former drug users in Herat and neighbouring Nimroz provinces also completed rehabilitation and reunited with their families.

As part of ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction, Afghan police have recently rounded up 125 drug users in the provinces of Farah, Balkh, Ghazni, Sari Pul, and Samangan. These individuals have been transferred to rehabilitation centres for medical care and support.

The Afghan interim government has banned the cultivation of poppy and the trafficking of narcotics as part of a broader initiative to eliminate drug abuse and its impact on society.

Earlier on July 27, Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior Affairs said that Afghan counter-narcotics police have discovered 57 kg of opium and arrested a suspected drug smuggler in Badakhshan province. The contraband was discovered during a series of operations conducted on the outskirts of the Argo district of the province, said the statement, adding that one individual was arrested in connection with the case.

On July 24, Afghan security forces 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. 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.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) of Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a life convict and parole jumper who evaded authorities for 26 years.

Raj Kishore alias Bade Lalla, 55, was convicted for kidnapping and murdering an eight-year-old boy in 1993 and had been absconding since 1999 after being released on parole.

According to police, Raj Kishore, a resident of Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, had abducted the young son of a garment factory owner and demanded a ransom of Rs 30,000.

After collecting the money, he strangled the child and dumped the body in a drain near Kalyanpuri.

A case was registered under IPC Sections 302, 363, and 364A at PS Kalyanpuri. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996 by a Delhi court. However, in 1999, he was granted six weeks' parole by the Delhi High Court, after which the accused escaped.

His appeal was dismissed in 2009, and he was declared a proclaimed offender in 2014.

The ARSC team, led by Inspectors Mangesh Tyagi and Robin Tyagi under the supervision of ACP Pankaj Arora, launched an intensive manhunt. Head Constable Mintu Yadav received a tip-off about Kishore's presence in Kanpur.

Despite several failed attempts due to local support for the accused, the team finally nabbed him from Khoda Colony, Ghaziabad, on Saturday.

During interrogation, Kishore revealed he had been hiding across India - in Patna for four years, Jaipur for 13, and Barnala for three.

"During this hiding period, he occasionally used to visit his hometown in Kanpur. Later, during Covid period, he started living in his native place and adjoining area in Kanpur Dehat (UP) and established his shop of tailoring," said Delhi Police in a statement.

The police said the arrest marks the culmination of a two-month-long operation involving over 10 officers and a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : The Irinjalakuda Diocese in Kerala on Sunday issued a sharp rebuke to Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pamplany over his remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their purported role in securing the release of two nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh.

Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan, head of the Irinjalakuda Diocese, made it clear that only authorised Church leadership is empowered to express the official position of the Church.

"Only Church heads are entitled to state the Churchas stand. Individual opinions do not reflect the official view," the bishop said, implicitly criticising Pamplanyas public endorsement of the Centre.

Pamplany had on Saturday told the media that the Central government made "genuine efforts" to ensure the release of the nuns and took a veiled swipe at the Chhattisgarh government for allegedly obstructing the process.

Contradicting that position, the Irinjalakuda Diocese issued a pastoral letter on Sunday during Mass in all churches under its jurisdiction, strongly criticising both the Central and Chhattisgarh governments. The letter expressed deep disappointment over the arrest of the nuns and slammed the Centre for its silence, despite widespread protests across the country and in Parliament.

The pastoral letter stated that although the nuns were eligible for bail, they were entangled in unwarranted legal complications.

"The bail granted to the nuns is not a relief but comes with stringent conditions. The charges must be withdrawn, and the charge sheet quashed," Bishop Kannookadan demanded.

The diocese also called for legal action against right-wing organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, which was behind the original complaint. The Bishop further urged the Centre to curb the activities of such extremist groups and take action against the train ticket examiner allegedly involved in the incident.

Sisters Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis were arrested by railway police at Durg station on July 25, along with Sukaman Mandavi, following a complaint from a Bajrang Dal functionary who accused them of trafficking and forcibly converting three tribal girls. The nuns were released nine days later after securing bail from a special NIA court.

A protest rally is scheduled to take place in Chalakudy on Sunday evening as part of the dioceseas continued demonstrations against what it termed an "unjust and communal" targeting of the Church.

--IANS

aal/vd
New Delhi, Aug 3 : As part of an ongoing probe into illegal trade activities related to Axis Mutual Fund, the ED arrested scam mastermind Viresh Joshi and seized proceeds of crime (POC) in the form of shares, mutual funds and bank balance worth Rs17.4 crore during multi-city searches, an official said on Sunday.

Joshi, the then Chief Dealer of Axis Mutual Fund, was arrested on Saturday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

He was produced before the Competent Court, which granted his custody to the ED till August 8, said the official in a statement.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Headquarters Office, New Delhi, conducted the search operations on Friday and Saturday at multiple locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram, Ludhiana, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Kolkata.

The search operations were part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal profits made by certain entities/persons by indulging in front-running trade activities in scrips traded by Axis Mutual Fund during 2018 to 2021.

The ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by the Mumbai Police in December 2024, which alleged that Viresh Joshi, the then Fund Manager of Axis Mutual Fund, exploited confidential information on trades to be executed on behalf of Axis Mutual Fund to pre-emptively trade stocks, generating substantial illicit gains.

The accused has, thereby, cheated the investors of Axis Mutual Fund, which holds assets under management of more than Rs 2 lakh crore, the ED said.

The accused had utilised a terminal in Dubai to punch the front-running trade orders through mule trading accounts obtained from various brokers.

In addition to the accused Viresh Joshi, investigation has revealed that many other traders/brokers had also misused the advance inputs on Axis Mutual Fund Trades and indulged in front running to generate illicit trade profits, which is nothing but POC.

The POC generated by various traders/brokers, as identified till date by the ED, is more than Rs 200 crore, which could be much higher.

The proceeds of the fraud were funnelled through multiple shell entities and bank accounts beneficially owned by the accused persons/entities and their family members, which is under investigation by the ED.

Front-running refers to an unethical and illegal practice in the securities market where brokers or traders execute orders for their own benefit using advanced knowledge of pending client orders. This malpractice compromises market integrity and disadvantages other investors.
Bengaluru, Aug 3 : The ED seized incriminating documents related to diversion and misappropriation of township project fund during searches at 10 premises in Bangalore and Mumbai linked to Ozone Urbana Infra Developers and its key management personnel, an official said on Sunday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bangalore Zonal Office, conducted the searches on August 1, 2025, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The main promoter of this group is Satyamoorthi Vasudevan, the ED said.

During the search operation, various incriminating documents related to diversion and misappropriation of project funds have been found and seized from various premises.

The ED initiated an investigation under PMLA on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the various Police Stations of Karnataka against the company and its promoters, on allegations of cheating, cheating by impersonation and criminal conspiracy.

The investigation under PMLA revealed that the accused company, along with its key management personnel, have cheated hundreds of gullible customers by taking money from them for its project by the name Ozone Urbana in Devanahalli Taluk, Bangalore and failing to deliver promised flats to them.

The money was collected from customers by inducing them and promising to pay EMIs to the banks against the loans taken by the home buyers till completion of the project, the ED statement said.

The company had also promised many buyers huge discounts in the name of various schemes, such as the buyback scheme and 2X- scheme, it said.

However, the money collected from the customers meant for the completion of the project was diverted by the promoters to other group entities and individuals not connected to the project.

The integrated township project was to be handed over to buyers in 2018. However, till 2024, only 49 per cent of the project was completed. Thus, the company neither handed over the project nor returned the money to the buyers.

Evidence with respect to the double sale of a few flats has also been gathered and seized during the course of the investigation, the ED said.
Chandigarh, Aug 3 : Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Sunday called the Vigilance action against party leader Ranjit Singh Gill a blatant act of political vengeance.

He demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann investigate corruption allegations against his minister, Sanjiv Arora, for alleged misconduct as a land developer. Jakhar accused CM Mann of outsourcing Punjab's governance to Delhi leaders, warning that when governments change, it's the Chief Minister and ministers who face consequences for looting public funds, while "contractors" escape unscathed.

Jakhar claimed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, instead of tackling gangsters, is operating like a political gang itself. He labelled the action against Gill a violation of democratic norms, suggesting the government is intimidating opponents to deter them from joining rival parties or deviating from its agenda. He emphasised that everyone has the right to choose their political path in a democracy.

Jakhar questioned whether the raid on Gill's residence and office was driven by AAP's financial interests or tied to collusion with another builder in land pooling deals. He also reminded the Chief Minister of the 2016 SEBI ruling that found Minister Sanjiv Arora guilty of misleading shareholders, and the 2023 Enforcement Directorate raid on Arora, which AAP had called a vendetta. Yet, Jakhar noted, the government is now targeting Gill in a similar manner.

The BJP leader further highlighted that the late Ludhiana MLA Gurpreet Gogi had raised concerns about Arora's company converting industrial land into residential colonies. He argued that this was clear evidence of wrongdoing, as even AAP's own legislators questioned Arora's actions. Jakhar suggested that AAP should register itself as "Aam Aadmi Builder and Developer Private Ltd" instead of a political party.

He accused the government of seizing farmers' fertile land and now trying to provide a justification for Arora's misconduct through a June 26 Cabinet decision on an industrial plot conversion policy. The land in Mundian Kalan in Ludhiana was acquired for industrial purposes, which was instead used for building a residential colony, a move he called entirely illegal, as land acquired for one purpose cannot be used for another.
A high-profile experiment in citizen journalism is playing out in Denver right now, triggering animated argument on X and Instagram and at least one prominent podcast, as well as prompting an effort by a local media outlet to identify who is behind the anonymous posts.

The platform in question is DoBetterDNVR, which bills itself as a citizen journalist reporting crowdsourced content, with the added tagline Lets find compassionate, tough-love solutions to homelessness.

The "citizen" is actually a host of contributors who have gained boatloads of attention, and more than 144,000 followers, by posting unvarnished videos and photos of homeless people and drug users on the streets of Denver, as well as crimes in progress accompanied by impassioned pleas for Denver to do better.

The platform has faced criticism for shaming and bullying some of the people in its videos, and it has been subject to investigations by other media and possibly police, some of which it claims are attempts to silence its voice.

There is inevitably a political component to this. The platform sharply criticizes Denvers Democratic political leaders for not doing more to eliminate homelessness and crime, and its contributors tend to lean right.

A commentator on the progressive-leaning City Cast Denver podcast described DoBetterDNVR this way: The voice of the conservative suburbs. The id of the conservative suburbs. Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl is a big supporter, as are other high-profile conservatives.

I would argue that is not a bad thing in a town and a state led almost exclusively by liberals. Counter voices of accountability and skepticism are as necessary to the functioning of a Republic as fresh gusts of air are to lungs.

Despite the controversy it has generated, I dont expect that DoBetterDNVR is going away anytime soon. The controversy may likely gain it followers. And citizen journalism is here to stay.

Acts of citizen journalism can be extremely important as the Pulitzer board recognized in 2021 when it gave a special citation to Darnella Frazier, who was 17 when she recorded the murder of George Floyd, Jeff Roberts, head of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, told me in an email. The board praised 'the crucial role of citizens in journalists quest for truth and justice.

Roberts works with people every day who use public records laws and open meetings law to shine a light on what government is doing.

Some post their findings on the internet or pass along what theyve learned to professional journalists. That can be very valuable, he said.

We are all journalists now, in other words, given the revolutionary access to information the internet has opened up. And the ubiquity of phones everywhere has changed the way the world is able to document breaking news such as crime, catastrophe and political misbehavior in real time.

But if youre going to call yourself a journalist, that comes with a lot of responsibility, Roberts reminds. To have any credibility as a source of news, people need to know who you are, whether you have an editorial point of view, the ethical standards you abide by, and whether youve verified the information youre reporting.

Roberts would argue against the anonymity that DoBetterDNVR claims is so important to their ability to convey unfiltered truths. But I like the statement they posted Friday after a news article identified three of its contributors and reported on some of the controversy around its methods and the anonymity of those contributors. The statement tells us what their standards and aims are.

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DoBetterDNVR was born from growing unease among residents about the direction of our city and the lack of open dialogue on pressing challenges, the statement said. Supported by thousands of contributors, DoBetterDNVR is a collective driven by a shared commitment to truth and transparency. Everyday citizens submit videos, photos and information to spotlight issues like crime, homelessness and government failures. We share these responsibly to foster constructive conversation, not to target individuals or incite harm.

That sounds like a solid first step toward adopting ethical standards to me.

DoBetterDNVR has also been criticized for reporting active crimes in progress that werent actually happening, and active fires that didnt turn out to be real, according to City Cast. Sometimes contributors jump the gun and overstate what they know about a situation in progress.

They would do well to admit when they are wrong.

Above all, you must correct your mistakes, Roberts said. And journalism isnt just about putting facts out there  its also about understanding and accurately relaying the context.

Ive said before that what sets apart professional journalism from other forms is editors. Editors who fact check, proofread and vet stories for balance, fairness and accuracy. Ironically, citizen journalism, while a welcome addition to the mediascape, highlights the importance of editors and professional journalism even more.

What would be really cool is if DoBetterDNVR morphed itself into a professional journalism site, I think, maybe even adding some editors. The immediacy and real-time reporting of what they do is a welcome addition to the current conversation on homelessness and crime in our state, and such sites might be able to fill in the gaps where professional journalism has been cut back.

The Poynter Institute once put out a report on citizen journalism that held out great hope for such symbiosis.

Its this vision of citizen journalism complementing and adding to professional journalism that is so compelling  at least in theory, Steve Outing wrote in the report. Few news organizations have the staff manpower to cover everything that their readers are interested in, but by tapping the volunteer (or cheap) resources of the citizenry, a news organization can potentially provide coverage down to the Little League team and church-group level, as well as offer better and more diverse coverage of larger issues by bringing in more voices and perspectives.

All of this puts much more of a burden on citizens to know a lot more about how journalism works.

The flip side of all this is, of course, media literacy, added Roberts. People need to be able to discern what is professional journalism that upholds a set of standards and citizen journalism that might not do so.

My best advice to people still interested in good, verifiable journalism is to triangulate sources of news. If you see something on social media, such as a protest breaking out, dont stop there, at the first draft. Look for the second and third draft of history, too. See how the citizen journalists and different professional journalists are reporting it, adding context, illuminating the larger forces at work in the breaking news. Find sources you really trust and can go back to again and again.

Its actually pretty interesting to compare how different sites and reporters and media outlets present the news, like looking at Monets very different interpretations of the Rouen Cathedral depending on the time of day and year and the quality of light. I think Monet painted more than 30 different paintings of the exact same view.

In the end, its up to you to discern whats most accurate and useful.

But I still firmly believe The X Files had it right. Keep looking hard enough and youll still find that The Truth is Out There.

Vince Bzdek, executive editor of The Gazette, Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics, writes a weekly news column that appears on Sunday.
Mumbai, Aug 3 : Actor Saad Bilgrami, who essays the antagonist in the recently released film 'Dhadak 2', has shared how the Internet served as a huge catalyst to his craft as an actor.

The actor recently spoke with IANS during the promotions of 'Dhadak 2', and said that he is "very fortunate" to be born in a generation where the internet existed.

He told IANS, "When the internet came, I didn't have any guidance. I didn't know anything, it was God's grace. The internet has been a game-changer for me. Even today I am in touch with a lot of directors from South India, big directors, big producers, because of Instagram I send them my work, they see it, they reply, they know of me and my skills. The initial phase of my career also started on Instagram. When I came to Bombay I used to live in a small place. The internet worked for me".

He further mentioned that his struggling phase as a naive artiste in Aaram Nagar started started as he met people on the Internet, reading on YouTube where to go, where not to go for auditions.

He went on, "When YouTube cam.e I started making videos on YouTube, I was enjoying it. I didn't have any idea of coming to Mumbai. Gradually my subscribers increased".

He then shared how one of India's top YouTubers, Bhuvan Bam was also going through the same trajectory.

"I started doing it, Bhuvan Bhai was also doing it. He was making videos from home, I thought, 'What can I do differently?'. I started making videos on the streets, I used to wear Burkha, I used to apply tilak, I used to play a reporter, and all those things. I have all those videos. What I didn't know was that all those things were helping me get ready for the industry as an actor. It's almost like my YouTube videos served as my audition tapes", he added.
Kochi, Aug 3 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led the tributes as veteran Malayalam literary critic, writer, orator, academic, and former MLA M.K. Sanoo (97) was laid to rest with full state honours at the Ravipuram crematorium here on Sunday evening.

The funeral procession began at around 4 p.m. from the Ernakulam Town Hall, where thousands gathered to pay their final respects.

Sanoo passed away on Saturday while undergoing treatment at Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

He had been in the intensive care unit following complications from a hip fracture sustained in a recent fall.

His death marked the end of an era in Keralaas literary and cultural landscape.

On Sunday morning, his mortal remains were brought to his residence, aSandhyaa, from the hospital mortuary.

The body was kept there for two hours from 8 a.m., allowing close relatives and neighbours to offer their final respects.

Minister for Irrigation Roshy Augustine paid homage at the residence.

From 10 a.m., the body of Sanoo Masha"as he was fondly knowna"was laid at the Ernakulam Town Hall. People from all walks of life, including students, writers, political leaders, and admirers, came in large numbers to pay tribute to the revered scholar, who was known for his humility and brilliance as a teacher, writer, and public intellectual.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid last respects at the Town Hall to Sanoo, who was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1987 as a Left-backed independent candidate from the Ernakulam constituency.

Ministers P Rajeeve, M.B. Rajesh, V.N. Vasavan, and R. Bindu also paid floral tributes, along with Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan.

Senior CPI-M leaders including party general secretary, M.A. Baby, M.V. Govindan, Vaikom Viswan, Gopi Kottamurickal, Suresh Kurup, and C.N. Mohanan were present.

AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, and former Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai also paid their respects.

MLAs T.J. Vinod, Roji M. John, Uma Thomas, and K.J. Maxy were among the mourners.

Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil and other religious leaders from various faiths paid homage.

From the film industry, actors Devan, Siddique, and Renji Panicker were present to honour the literary icon.

M.K. Sanoo leaves behind a towering legacy of literature, scholarship, and public engagement. His passing is mourned deeply across Kerala and beyond.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 3 : Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday shared excerpts of Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar's interview with IANS to take potshots at the grand old party over its 'irresponsible' posturing on matters of national security.

Pahalgam terror attack followed by Operation Sindoor and India's extensive diplomatic outreach to more than 33 nations has found the government and Opposition at loggerheads, with former calling India's firm response to Pakistan a new normal while the latter pointing fingers at the Centre not just over security lapse but also outreach programme, claiming that no nation rallied behind India in denouncing Pakistan.

Sharing a portion of the IANS Interview, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs quipped, "Inside as well as outside the Parliament", referring to the Congress party's refusal to acknowledge positive outcomes of India's diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.

Manishankar Aiyar, in a recent interaction with IANS, said that India was not able to present its case globally, and evidence of Pakistan's involvement in Pahalgam attacks, and no country was willing to hold it accountable for the ghastly attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We are chest-thumping, claiming a Pakistani hand behind the Pahalgam attack. Nobody is willing to buy our claims. We are not able to present any evidence. We are not able to nail any Pakistani agency which was behind this barbaric attack. The world is not accepting what India is saying," Aiyar said.

"In the UN Security Council meeting, the final statement condemned the terrorism, but they did not mention who was behind it -- Pakistan's name was not mentioned. No one to date has said that Pakistan is responsible," he further added.

The government has maintained that the multi-party delegation, in the wake of Operation Sindoor, firmly presented the country's war on terror approach on the world stage and it also drew positive support from the global community, with the biggest achievement being the banning of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy - The Resistance Front (TRF) by the United States.

TRF, a Pakistan-based terror outfit, had initially taken credit for the Pahalgam attacks on April 22 but then retracted its claim, apparently under some pressure from the Pakistani establishment.

Aiyar, who served as Union minister in former Congress-led governments, also advocated for talks with Pakistan while questioning the 'gaps' in the Centre's approach to hold dialogue with the neighbouring nations.

"When India and Pakistan were engaged in a military conflict following Operation Sindoor, the Chinese Army was backing the Pakistani Air Force. If dialogue is possible with Beijing, then why not with Islamabad?" he asked.
Mandi, Aug 3 : Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, on his second day of his visit to disaster-hit areas, on Sunday visited Thunag, Bakshyar, and Janjehli in the Seraj Assembly Constituency of Mandi district.

The Governor met the affected families and distributed essential relief materials.

Governor Shukla first interacted with disaster victims in Thunag and remarked that the subdivision has suffered the most damage in the recent natural calamity, with extensive losses to private property, land, and livestock.

He said that cases amounting to over Rs 3 crore of compensation have been approved for final sanction.

Commending the resilience of the local residents, the Himachal Pradesh Governor said: "Despite the massive loss, the courage and determination of the residents here are truly commendable. While complete compensation for the damage is not possible, every effort will be made to provide assistance at all levels."

He emphasised the need to consider both internal resources and additional arrangements to tackle such situations effectively.

Governor Shukla also visited the relief camp at Bakshyar and held discussions with affected residents at the PWD Rest House in Thunag.

He later visited Panchayat Ghar Pakhred and reviewed the situation in Jhundi and Pakhred panchayats.

The Governor also met disaster-hit families in Janjehli and offered words of comfort.

He informed that five truckloads of relief material had already been dispatched to Mandi and one to Kullu from Raj Bhavan in Shimla.

He assured that more assistance would be sent promptly if requested by the district administration.

Calling the calamity a major disaster, the Governor said immediate restoration is a challenge, and there is a pressing need to take preventive measures to avoid such situations in the future.

Referring to the Supreme Court's observations on environmental protection, he said they must be taken seriously and acted upon collectively.

The Governor also mentioned that a Central team has been sent by the government of India to assess both the causes of the disaster and the extent of the damage, which will help guide future planning and mitigation efforts.

Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, who also accompanied the Governor, said the people are still in deep shock as their sources of livelihood have been destroyed.

He appreciated the state government for restoring essential services like roads, electricity, and water supply through the district administration.

He also thanked the Governor for extending support through the Red Cross.

Thakur said rehabilitation remains a major challenge as most affected people are still living in temporary arrangements.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 3 : Continuous rains over West Bengal, coupled with the slowing down of the supply chain, have led to prices of vegetables skyrocketing in Kolkata markets, as well as in several other cities and towns across districts.

In Kolkata markets, a cauliflower, which was being sold at Rs 30 a few days ago, is now being sold at Rs 50 to 60. Pointed gourd is being sold at least Rs 50 per kg, as against Rs 30 a few days back. A large-sized brinjal is being sold at Rs 100 per kg, while being sold at Rs 60 some days back.

Farmers' associations and West Bengal Task Force members blamed the phenomenon on a prolonged spell of heavy rain, which damaged locally produced crops.

State task force member Rabindranath Kolay, however, claimed that the prices have already come down. "The day before yesterday, we visited the markets to inspect the price of vegetables. The prices that had gone up have come down a little bit. The heavy rains have damaged a large quantity of crops. Therefore, the supply chain has been hit, resulting in the rise of vegetable prices. However, efforts are on to bring it further down," he said.

From Kolkata to the districts of Bankura and North 24 Parganas, the reality remains the same.

Vegetable sellers claim that the price hike is due to the effect of excessive rain in the districts as well. "Heavy rains have been occurring in districts in the past few weeks. The continuous rains have caused extensive damage to vegetable cultivation. Due to this, the price of vegetables is soaring," said a seller.

Bitter gourd, which was being sold for Rs 50 per kg a few days ago, is now selling at Rs 80 per kg. Kohlrabi, which was also being sold for Rs 50 per kg, is now selling for Rs 80. Cucumber is being sold for Rs 80 per kg, and tomatoes are being sold for Rs 70 per kg in the Kolkata markets. Ladies' finger is also being sold for around Rs 80 per kg, while green chilli costs between Rs 100 and 120 per kg.
Dhaka, Aug 3 : At least 637 people, including 41 police officers were killed in mob lynching incidents in Bangladesh from August 2024 to July 2025, marking one of the deadliest waves of extrajudicial killings in country's recent history. The political transition after the August 2024 uprising, which saw ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her office, has seen a rise in mob violence in Bangladesh, said a report by leading Canadian agency.

"A total of 51 lynching deaths were recorded in 2023, under the Sheikh Hasina-led government. Mob lynching deaths rose more than 12 times in comparison to 2023," Canada-based Global Center for Democratic Governance said in a report on Saturday.

As many as 24 people were burnt to death at 'The Zabeer Jashore Hotel' in Jashore on August 4, 2024. Among 637 deaths, 182 people were burnt in Gaji Tyres in Rupganj, Narayanganj on August 25, 2024. According to the report, the names and details regarding the victims were not published. In the report, Global Center for Democratic Governance stated that they could not gather complete information on all mob lynching deaths due to strong media censorship and stressed that the list should be considered incomplete.

In the report, Global Center for Democratic Governance stated, "This sharp increase underscores a dangerous erosion of law and order during a period of political instability and weakened state control. The fall of a longstanding regime created both a power vacuum and a public crisis of confidence in the countryas justice system, which many now perceive as either absent or co-opted by political agendas. With police forces overstretched, court systems paralyzed, and local leaders either targeted or in hiding, citizens increasingly took justice into their own hands."

According to the report, public spaces which were once protected by law have now become flashpoints for mob killings, often caused by nothing more than suspicion, rumour, or political resentment. The report noted that a large portion of the violence had political or communal undertones while many incidents stemmed from accusations of theft or harassment.

Local human rights organisations have said that more than 70 per cent of lynching victims since August 2024 had links with Bangladesh's former ruling party Awami League or its affiliated student and labour wings. Other victims included religious minorities, especially Hindus and Ahmadiyya Muslims, accused of blasphemy or conspiracy through viral posts on social mediaa"often with little or no evidence.

One of the most horrific incidents involved the public lynching of a Hindu social worker, Lal Chand Sohag, outside Mitford Hospital on July 9. His death was livestreamed on social media platforms, sparking public outrage and fear. As per the report, misinformation and inflammatory content have played an important part in mobilising mobs within minutes.

A post shared on Facebook claimed that a Hindu person had desecrated the holy book, leading to a mob attack, that claimed two lives while led to torching of several houses. After a few hours, the claims made in the Facebook post were proven false. However, the damage caused due to it was irreversible.

Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has vowed crackdown on vigilante justice but its promises proved hollow. violence. Only a handful of arrests have been made over mob killings and only a few got convicted. Critics have stressed that Yunus-led government has prioritized political consolidation over the rule of law, with a focus more on purging remnants of the former regime than restoring judicial order. People's confidence in institutions of Bangladesh continues to decline.

A recent survey by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) revealed that 71 per cent of Bangladeshi youth believe that mob violence has become a regular part of public life, and 47% fear becoming a target of politically motivated attacks.

The report warned that the mob justice may become a permanent feature of Bangladesh's political landscape if urgent and systemic reforms are not made, including police restructuring, judicial independence, digital misinformation controls and civic education.
Chandigarh, Aug 3 : To impart quality health services, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced the government would open 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, taking the total number of such clinics to 1,081.

Addressing the gathering at a function to mark inauguration of WhatsApp Chatbot for 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, the Chief Minister said "it is a historic day in the healthcare sector of Punjab as a total of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state have been connected to a WhatsApp Chatbot".

He said these clinics cater to nearly 70,000 patients daily and in today's digital age, the WhatsApp Chatbot will be most beneficial for patients. Mann said this initiative is expected to bring revolutionary changes in healthcare services.

The Chief Minister said as approximately 90 per cent of Punjabis own a smartphone, they can now be directly reached through WhatsApp.

He said patients would now receive complete health-related information via WhatsApp and doctor's prescription slips would be accessible through the chatbot.

CM Mann said diagnostic test reports would also be shared and patients would receive reminders about their next consultation dates from the doctor.

The Chief Minister said regular WhatsApp updates will be provided on care for elderly people with diabetes or blood pressure, pregnant women, and newborns.

He said it would eliminate the need for patients to physically store prescriptions or medications, as they can access the information anytime on WhatsApp.

Most importantly, Mann said, the patients can instantly share their reports with family members or consult another doctor through WhatsApp.

The Chief Minister said the Health Department will also maintain a digital database of patients, their ailments, and treatments.

He said Punjab would soon be launching 200 more Aam Aadmi Clinics to ensure quality healthcare services for all, adding the government is committed to providing free medical treatment to every citizen.

CM Mann said Punjab is also the first state in the country to implement the 'Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana', which provides medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family.

The Chief Minister said in the manifestos of previous governments, there was no mention of the health sector, due to which people were left to fend for themselves.

He said the situation had deteriorated to the point where patients suffering from serious illnesses in villages did not even want to seek treatment because the high cost of treatment made them hesitant to push their families into debt.

Mann said it is the duty of governments to provide quality health services free of cost, and that they are fulfilling this responsibility with dedication.

During the event, the Chief Minister also appealed to the visiting team from the World Health Organization (WHO) to visit the state's Aam Aadmi Clinics and health institutions to share their valuable experiences.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday, echoed the Prime Minister's appeal urging all Indians to buy products that are made within the country in order to give the fast-growing economy a further push.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, during the disbursement of the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi in Varanasi, urged the nation to buy indigenous products.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening the economy, the Union Agriculture Minister reiterated the Prime Minister's appeal, saying: "We must live for our country. Living for the nation is what the Honorable Prime Minister taught us yesterday. He appealed to us to buy only those products for our homes that are made in our own country."

"Dear sisters and brothers, whether something is made in your village, in a nearby city, in your district, in your state, or anywhere in our countrybuy only those things," he remarked.

He further stated that the Indian economy, which is growing rapidly, is currently ranked fourth in the world and very soon, will reach the third position.

"This nation of 1.44 billion people is a huge market. If we resolve to buy and use only things made in our country, then our farmers, our small-scale producers, self-help groups, and local artisans- everyone will see their income increase. And when their earnings grow, our economy will become stronger," the minister said in a statement.

"Why should our money go abroad? Let it provide livelihoods to our own children. I will live for my country, and you too should live for the countrywhich means, buy only products that are Made in India," he added.

The Prime Minister has also earlier given the call to become "vocal for local," asking Indian citizens to buy indigenous goods to strengthen the economy and improve the livelihoods of poor artisans and workers across the nation.

The fresh exhortation made by PM Modi on Saturday comes in the backdrop of the tariff turmoil triggered by US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy which has created uncertainty in the global market.

He also assured the country's farmers that his government would not enter into any trade agreement that went against the interests of India's farmers, youths and small enterprises.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : The government on Sunday termed "untrue" a WhatsApp message that claimed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had ordered banks to cease issuing Rs 500 notes via ATMs by September 30, saying no such instruction has been issued.

The deceptive message also claims that 90 per cent of ATMs will cease issuing Rs 500 notes by March 31, 2026, and 75 per cent will do so by September 30.

Additionally, it advises people to begin "liquidating" their Rs 500 notes and implies that only Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes will be accessible through ATMs in the future.

Responding to the message, the government media arm Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit said that the RBI has not issued any such instructions, and Rs 500 notes are still legal tender.

In a post on X, it clarified that the widely shared claim is untrue and advised people not to believe such false information.

"Has RBI asked banks to stop disbursing Rs 500 notes from ATMs by September 2025? A message falsely claiming exactly this is spreading on #WhatsApp. #PIBFactCheck, No such instruction has been issued by the @RBI, Rs 500 notes will continue to be legal tender," the post said.

The Fact Check Unit stressed the significance of confirming any financial updates from official sources and cautioned that such messages are intended to deceive.

"Donat fall for such misinformation. Always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it!" it stated.

A similar claim went viral on social media last month. The previous message, which was widely shared on WhatsApp as well, implied that the RBI had a phased plan to stop issuing Rs 500 notes to ATMs by 2026.

PIB Fact Check had denied the allegation at that time as well, claiming that no such directive had been issued.

Authorities have emphasised the importance of exercising caution when consuming and disseminating unconfirmed information. Users are advised to rely only on reliable sources, such as the RBI's official communications or PIB's fact-checking handle, for any updates regarding currency, as misinformation about it has become more prevalent.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly rebutted allegations made by senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, terming them "misleading and baseless".

Chidambaram, in a social media post on X, had raised concerns over alleged disenfranchisement of 65 lakh voters in Bihar and accused the ECI of adding 6.5 lakhs of persons as voters in Tamil Nadu.

He claimed that categorising migrant workers as "permanently migrated" was both alarming and potentially illegal, further alleging political misuse of the electoral roll revision process.

Responding through its official fact-check handle on X, the ECI clarified that as per Article 19(1)(e) of the Constitution, all citizens have the right to reside anywhere in India, and Section 19(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, allows a person who is an "ordinary resident" in a constituency to be registered as a voter there.

The Commission stated: "Therefore, a person originally belonging to Tamil Nadu but ordinarily residing in Delhi is entitled to be registered as an elector in Delhi. Similarly, a person originally belonging to Bihar but is ordinarily residing in Chennai is entitled to be registered as an elector in Chennai."

Rejecting Chidambaram's claim of "permanent migration" being a tactic to manipulate voter rolls, the ECI stressed that such categorisation aligns with legal definitions under Section 20 of the RP Act.

"As far as voters who have permanently shifted from Bihar to other states and are ordinarily resident in those states, the exact figures can be known only after the SIR has been conducted," it said, adding, "that there is no need for political leaders to spread false information with respect to the SIR exercise being conducted by ECI at the national level".

The ECI also clarified that the SIR has not yet been implemented in Tamil Nadu, and connecting the Bihar and Tamil Nadu data at this stage was "absurd".

It urged political leaders not to spread misinformation that may obstruct or politicise a Constitutionally mandated exercise.

"Such peddling of false statements should be avoided," the ECI asserted.
As fire conditions in northwest Colorado approach near-record levels, Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday issued a disaster declaration to support emergency response efforts for the Elk Creek fire in Rio Blanco County, according to a news release.

The wildfire, burning on private- and state-owned lands, was about 100 acres as of Sunday morning, officials said.

The declaration allows the state to mobilize resources and personnel to support the interagency aviation and ground crews that have been battling the blaze since Saturday, the release stated.

A Type 3 incident management team, designed to focus a large number of resources toward an incident, has been mobilized to assume command of the fire, according to the release.

The weather forecast in Rio Blanco County calls for fire conditions throughout the coming week, with temperatures reaching the high 80s or low 90s and little to no precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.
Hyderabad, Aug 3 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao on Sunday cautioned people that if they vote for the ruling Congress party in by-elections, it would stop even the existing welfare schemes.

He strongly criticised the Congress party's 20-month rule in Telangana, calling it incompetent, anarchic, and riddled with corruption.

Rama Rao was addressing a meeting of party workers from the Jubilee Hills constituency, where the vacancy arose following the death of sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath recently.

KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known, urged the public to teach a fitting lesson to the Congress for betraying every section of Telangana society through false promises and deceptive declarations.

He alleged that top Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge misled the people of Telangana with fake declarations during the elections.

"Congress leaders, including (CM) A. Revanth Reddy, have failed to fulfill the promises they made and have instead cheated the people," KTR said, adding: "Such a deceitful government must be shown its place."

KTR warned that if people vote for Congress again in by-elections, even the existing welfare schemes may be discontinued. He reminded the gathering that several welfare programs have already been stopped since the Congress came to power.

"The Congress believes that people have accepted their scams and corruption and hence have even halted developmental works," he said.

He also accused both the BJP and Congress of colluding in Telangana politics.

"The BJP-led Central government is shielding Revanth Reddy's corruption, which is why the Prime Minister hasn't filed a single case against him," KTR pointed out. He alleged that the only agenda of these two parties is to defeat the Telangana-based party, BRS.

Expressing outrage over the demolition of poor people's homes in Hyderabad, KTR said, "If a poor man builds a small shelter on government land, it's ruthlessly demolished. But the government turns a blind eye to the illegal constructions of the rich."

He accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, his brother, ministers, and Congress leaders of building homes in lakes and tanks without facing any action, while poor people's homes are bulldozed on weekends without even serving notices.

He lamented the suicide of an elderly woman in Kukatpally out of fear that her house would be demolished.

KTR highlighted that under the BRS government, Hyderabad was developed into a leading metropolitan city. "Through G.O. 58, we gave legal ownership to over 1 lakh poor families and secured their livelihoods. We also implemented welfare schemes like Shaadi Mubarak and Kalyana Lakshmi for girls' marriages," he said.

He asserted that former chief minister KCR never indulged in religious politics, and that's why there were no Hindu-Muslim or Andhra-Telangana clashes during BRS rule.

During the meeting, KTR paid tribute to the late Maganti Gopinath and said that the by-election, necessitated by his untimely demise, should be taken seriously. He called on the cadre to work hard to ensure victory. "Let us hoist the pink flag once again in Jubilee Hills as a tribute to Gopinath garu," he told the party workers.

He directed each worker to take responsibility for at least 100 votes or 25 households and explain the difference between KCR's administration and the current Congress regime to the public.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Sunday questioned as to why the police could not arrest the perpetrators of the seven blasts that rocked the country's financial capital, Mumbai.

Addressing media persons, he said, "Terrorists commit the heinous act and escape, and the police fail to nab them. It is a slap on our capability."

When asked about his take on the terms "Hindu terrorism" and "saffron terrorism", he said, "Terrorism has no colour. A terrorist is a terrorist. Will you worship a terrorist with saffron robes? Those identifying terror with colours are biased."

He suggested that a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted to curb the menace.

On Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) MP Jitendra Awhad's claim that the Sanatan Dharma is "dividing" the country, he said, "Those who were instrumental in the Partition of the country, their followers are making such claims".

Notably, after the Malegaon blast case verdict, Awhad said, "Sanatan Dharma has destroyed India and that there was never a religion called Sanatan Dharma."

The Shankracharya said that Hindus are peace-loving people and believe in peaceful coexistence.

On the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation covering Dadar Kabutarkhana with plastic and planning to shift them, he said, "Pigeons are an integral part of our life. Even if we want to translocate the pigeons, an emotional and just approach should be taken."

When asked about his view on the acquittal of all seven accused in the Malegaon bomb blast case, Swami Avimukteshwaranand said he has full faith in the judiciary.

"I won't comment on the judicial proceedings. However, he said that a blast cannot happen on its own. Why are the state government and the Union government unable to arrest the people who indulge in such acts?

Notably, six people were killed and over 100 were injured in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : India's smartphone export momentum has hit a record high in the April-June quarter (Q1FY26), with shipments reaching $7.72 billion, up 58 per cent from $4.9 billion in the same period last year, according to reports.

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Indiaas smartphone export momentum has hit a record high in the Aprila"June quarter (Q1FY26), with shipments reaching $7.72 billion, up 58 per cent from $4.9 billion in the same period last year, according to reports.

During the quarter, Apple Inc. exported $6 billion worth of iPhones through its contract manufacturers, representing an 82 per cent increase from the previous year, the reports stated.

This quarter was not only Apple's top period, but it also saw the highest quarterly export total of smartphones from India. Almost 78 per cent of all smartphone exports during the quarter came from Apple alone.

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) programme, which was introduced in 2020 and has greatly increased local manufacturing, is the reason for this increase, the reports said.

India exported $3.1 billion worth of smartphones in FY21. By FY25, that amount had increased to $24.1 billion, of which $17.5 billion came from Apple.

In Q1FY26, India's total electronics exports reached $12.4 billion, up 48 per cent year over year. Up from 58 per cent in the same quarter last year, smartphones accounted for 62 per cent of this, highlighting the transition from simple assembly to value-added electronics manufacturing, according to the media reports.

Other significant contributors include Padget Electronics, a Dixon Technologies subsidiary, which exported $175 million worth of smartphones, and Samsung, which contributed 12 per cent of smartphone exports.

Import duties on national security grounds could result from a current US investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which is expected to conclude by August 14.

Global supply chains could be disrupted by any such action. According to the reports, smartphones, which were ranked 167th in India's export list in FY15, are now the nation's top export item by HS code in FY25, demonstrating India's increasing power as a global centre for electronics manufacturing, the reports highlighted.
Seoul, Aug 3 : A total of 19 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves, health authorities said on Sunday.

More than 3,100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Wednesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, and 19 have died, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The number of patients and deaths has more than doubled, compared with the same period last year, it added.

Among the patients reported this year, heat exhaustion, commonly known as sunstroke, accounted for 61.3 per cent, followed by heat stroke at 16.2 per cent, and heat cramps at 12.8 per cent.

By age group, those aged 65 and older accounted for 31.9 per cent of the total patients, the KDCA said.

South Korea's average daily maximum power demand hit a record high last month as the country endured one of the most severe summer heat waves on record, data showed on Sunday. The country's peak power demand in July averaged 85 gigawatts, up 5.6 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Power Exchange.

The reading marked the highest level for any July since 1993, when the government began compiling relevant data. The monthly high was recorded in August 2024, when the figure came to 87.8 GW. The record in July was driven by increased electricity consumption for air conditioning, as the heat wave persisted throughout the month.

According to the state weather agency, the number of days with daily high temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius or higher totalled 15 days last month, more than four times the July average of 3.4 days over the past 53 years, since record-keeping began in 1973.

Tropical nights, where nighttime temperatures stayed above 25 degrees Celsius, persisted for a total of 23 days in July, the longest stretch since 1973. The government expects peak electricity demand this summer to reach up to 97.8 GW in the second week of August and is maintaining a power reserve of around 10 GW.
Kolkata, Aug 3 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, on Sunday, condemned the BJP after a letter from Delhi Police referred to Bengali as a "Bangladeshi language".

Both described the issue of such language by the Delhi Police as "anti-national" and "unconstitutional".

In a social media post, the Chief Minister said the move was an insult to Bengali-speaking people in the country. She also urged Bengalis nationwide to register their strongest possible protest.

"See now how Delhi Police under the direct control of the Ministry of Home, Government of India, is describing Bengali as 'Bangladeshi' language!" Banerjee wrote, sharing a photocopy of the Delhi Police letter.

"Bengali, our mother tongue, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, the language in which our National Anthem and the National Song (the latter by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) are written, the language in which crores of Indians speak and write, the language which is sanctified and recognised by the Constitution of India, is now described as a Bangladeshi language!!" Banerjee added.

Accusing the BJP government in Delhi of using anti-Constitutional language to insult Bengalis, the Chief Minister said, "Scandalous, insulting, anti-national, unconstitutional!! This insults all Bengali-speaking people of India. They cannot use this kind of language, which degrades and debases us all. We urge immediate, strongest possible protests from all against the anti-Bengali Government of India, who are using such anti-Constitutional language to insult and humiliate the Bengali-speaking people of India."

Hitting out at the BJP for its "calculated attempt" to defame Bengal and Bengalis, Abhishek Banerjee, also the party MP and the Chief Minister's nephew, said that the move was a direct violation of Article 343 and the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Abhishek Banerjee also demanded the "immediate suspension of Investigating Officer Amit Dutt and a formal public apology from @DelhiPolice, @BJP4India, and the Home Ministry led by @AmitShah."

"For months now, Bengali-speaking people have been targeted, harassed, and detained across BJP-ruled states. Now, in a shocking escalation, @DelhiPolice has officially referred to Bangla as a 'Bangladeshi language' in an official letter," he said in a post on X.

The Trinamool leader further said that Bengalis are not outsiders in the country.

"This is not a mere clerical error; it is yet another CALCULATED ATTEMPT by the BJP to defame Bengal, undermine our cultural identity, and equate West Bengal with Bangladesh for narrow political propaganda. It is a direct violation of Article 343 and the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. There is no language called 'Bangladeshi'. To call Bangla a foreign language is not just an insult- It's an attack on our identity, culture, and belonging. Bengalis are not outsiders in their own homeland," Abhishek Banerjee said

BJP's state president in West Bengal and the party's Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya, had, however, come in defence of Delhi Police, citing the difference in the accent and style of Bengali spoken and written by an "Indian Bengali" and a "Bangladeshi Bengali".

"You read a book written by a 'Bangladeshi Bengali' writer or poet and compare the same with a book written by an 'Indian Bengali' writer or poet. You will understand the difference. Any individual cannot be included in the voters' list just because he or she speaks in Bengali," Bhattacharya said.
Seoul, Aug 3 : South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Sunday last-minute coordination to set a date for a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump is under way, noting the envisioned meeting will not be delayed to next month.

Last week, Trump announced that Lee will visit the White House in two weeks, as he announced Washington has agreed to lower "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea to 15 per cent from the proposed 25 per cent in return for massive investments and market opening.

Cho made the remark as he arrived in Seoul after back-to-back visits to the US and Japan for his first talks with his counterparts since the launch of the Lee administration in June, Yonhap News Agency reported.

He said his US visit, which included meetings with senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, served as an occasion to reaffirm Washington's commitment to extended deterrence.

"(We) reaffirmed the steadfast South Korea-US combined response posture, and extended deterrence and agreed to continue to cooperate going forward," Cho said.

Asked about the Trump administration's push to "modernise" the alliance, Cho said the move involves taking various necessary measures, such as strengthening defence capabilities in the face of a stern international security environment, while brushing off concerns that such a push will affect Seoul's ties with China.

Cho said in-depth talks over a possible role change of US troops in South Korea did not take place, saying the two sides agreed to discuss additional matters in working-level talks going forward.

Addressing the possibility that the US may seek to reset security issues following the tariff deal, Cho said he believes the allies could reach mutually beneficial agreements in the defence sector.

Cho Hyun met US Senators and White House officials to discuss alliance and security issues, including North Korea's nuclear programme, his ministry said Saturday, after the two countries reached a tariff deal this week.

Cho met Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and spoke with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) by phone Friday during his visit to Washington for talks with his US counterpart, Rubio, earlier in the week, according to the ministry.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Sunday praised the Indian security forces for their relentless anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, there is "zero tolerance" for terrorism.

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Sunday praised the Indian security forces for their relentless anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, there is "zero tolerance" for terrorism.

Speaking to IANS in Delhi, Khatana said: "Our army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces are working with utmost professionalism in the toughest terrain. It is a difficult task, but our forces are doing a commendable job."

Referring to Pakistan's role in fuelling terrorism, the BJP Spokesperson drew a sharp contrast between the two nations. "We have no issues with the people of Pakistan. But the Pakistani generals have, over the last 35-40 years, turned the region into a graveyard. Because of them, children have become orphans, and women have become widows," he said.

He added that while Pakistan exports terror, India, under PM Modi, is emerging as a global development hub. "Blood and water cannot flow together. Everyone remembers what they did in Pahalgam," Khatana remarked, referring to the pause in the Indus Waters Treaty.

Commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks over the Bihar SIR (Special Investigation Report) controversy, Khatana maintained that inclusive development is at the heart of PM Modi's vision.

"You cannot exclude a large communitybe it minorities, Dalits, or backward classes from development. They want to contribute to India's growth through initiatives like Start-Up and Stand-Up India," he said.

On the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, resuming tomorrow, Khatana accused the opposition of deliberately stalling proceedings.

"They don't want the Parliament to function. They just want disruption," he stated.

Khatana reiterated that the BJP remains focused on development, national security, and inclusive growth.

The Parliament has seen little business since the Monsoon Session commenced on July 21.

The Monsoon Session is set to continue till August 12.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast intense rainfall activity across Kerala over the coming days, triggered by a cyclonic circulation over the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining south Tamil Nadu.

Several districts in the state have been placed under Orange and Yellow alerts till August 7, with southern Kerala likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall.

According to the IMD, the weather system currently lies at an altitude of 5.8 km above mean sea level and is expected to bring widespread downpours to the state.

Strong westerly and northwesterly winds are also likely to prevail over Kerala and the Lakshadweep areas in the lower levels of the atmosphere, further contributing to the rain activity.

On Sunday, the Met department issued an orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts. An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm in a 24-hour period.

Meanwhile, yellow alerts, indicating expected rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm, have been sounded for Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

The alert levels are expected to persist in the coming days, with Ernakulam and Idukki districts likely to remain under orange alert until August 5.

In a bulletin, the IMD stated: "Under the influence of the cyclonic circulation and prevailing wind patterns, Kerala is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next several days, with extremely heavy rainfall likely at isolated places on August 5."

Authorities have urged residents, particularly in southern and hilly districts, to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions in view of potential flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging. Disaster response teams are on standby to address emergencies arising from the weather conditions.

--IANS

aal/vd
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Apart from the education bill, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is expected to table two CAG reports in the Delhi Assembly during the Monsoon Session starting on Monday, said a leader of the ruling BJP.

The CM may table the Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts of the Government of NCT of Delhi for the year 2023-24, Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on aState Finances for the year 2023-24a relating to the Government of NCT of Delhi for the year ended March 31, 2024 and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on aWelfare of Building and other Construction Workersa for the year ended March 31, 2023.

The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill is the BJP government's bold move to rein in private schools which fail to comply with the education department's order against arbitrary increases.

"The education Bill will be brought in the Assembly for detailed discussion," CM Gupta had announced on Saturday.

The Third Session (Monsoon Session) of the Eighth Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi will he held from August 4 to 8, according to the schedule announced by Speaker Vijender Gupta.

However, depending on the exigencies of legislative business, the session may be extended beyond these dates.

Each sitting of the House will begin at 2 p.m. and continue until the scheduled business is concluded for the day.

In a major stride towards digital governance, this Monsoon Session will be conducted as a fully paperless session through the National eVidhan Application (NeVA) platform.

The Speaker has directed that Members intending to raise matters under Rule 280 (Special Mention) must submit their notices exclusively through the NeVA Portal (https://cms.neva.gov.in/) by 5 p.m. on the working day prior to the intended date.

A balloting process to determine the inter-se priority of the first 10 notices will be held at 11 a.m. in the Secretaryas Room on the respective day.

In continuation of the Speakeras emphasis on digitisation and transparency, all notices, including Questions and Resolutions, shall be submitted only through the NeVA Portal.

A dedicated facilitation centre is functioning at the NeVA Sewa Kendra, where Members or their authorised staff may seek technical assistance for online submissions.
Dehradun, Aug 3 : The women-led Self-Help Group (SHGs) in Haldwani district of Uttarakhand are churning out 'silk rakhis' ahead of the pious Raksha Bandhan festival. They have gained prominence not just in the state but also across the country because of the silk-made rakhis.

In a special gesture, the women members of SHGs have sent a rakhi, made of silk, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The silk-made rakhis are getting recognition and acceptance across a broad spectrum and are also witnessing huge demand from across the country. The SHGs are also dispatching 'silk rakhis' to Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Rajasthan, Lucknow, Gujarat and Chandigarh.

The women functionaries of SHGs said that they have made special silk rakhis for PM Modi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, as well as Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi and want to see them tie these rakhis on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

The SHGs have also done a good business by making rakhis this year.

"We have done business of around Rs 15,000 in the past few days. People are liking these rakhis, due to which the group is getting orders," said a SHG member.

Kiran Joshi, president of Mahila Sahayata Samuh, says that the women of the group have been engaged in making rakhis for the last several months, through which their economic condition is getting stronger.

"There is a demand for this rakhi from other states of the country. These rakhis are eco-friendly," she said.

Meanwhile, Hemchandra, Deputy Director of the Silk Department, said that the women of the SHG group are becoming self-reliant with this initiative.

He further informed that such products were being made for the first time in the country.

"Women of Mahila Swayam Sahayata Samuh have succeeded in doing a business of more than Rs 9 lakh in just nine months," he said.
Kabul, Aug 3 : A drug trafficker has been arrested and 75 kg of opium poppy seized in the northern Afghanistan Takhar province, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said on Sunday.

The alleged drug smuggler, according to the official, was attempting to sell the opium poppy, but police captured him red-handed and took him into custody for investigation, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In a similar drive against illegal drugs, police arrested three drug smugglers and discovered six kg of hashish in their possession in the eastern Khost province, police said.

Meanwhile, a total of 400 individuals who had been struggling with drug addiction have made a full recovery and rejoined their families in Herat province, western Afghanistan, according to a statement issued late on Saturday by the office of the Deputy Minister of Interior for Counter-Narcotics.

The recovered addicts, who were gathered from various districts of the province, underwent a three-month medical treatment and rehabilitation programme before reintegrating into their families, the statement said.

Earlier this week, another 516 former drug users in Herat and neighbouring Nimroz provinces also completed rehabilitation and reunited with their families.

As part of ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction, Afghan police have recently rounded up 125 drug users in the provinces of Farah, Balkh, Ghazni, Sari Pul, and Samangan. These individuals have been transferred to rehabilitation centres for medical care and support.

The Afghan interim government has banned the cultivation of poppy and the trafficking of narcotics as part of a broader initiative to eliminate drug abuse and its impact on society.

On July 27, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that Afghan counter-narcotics police have discovered 57 kg of opium and arrested a suspected drug smuggler in Badakhshan province. The contraband was discovered during a series of operations conducted on the outskirts of the Argo district of the province, said the statement, adding that one individual was arrested in connection with the case.
Hyderabad, Aug 3 : The rift within the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) widened further on Sunday with party President and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter and MLC K. Kavitha launching an open attack against party MLA and former minister G. Jagadish Reddy.

Kavitha blamed some "insiders" for derogatory comments made by suspended Congress MLC Chintapandu Naveen alias Teenmaar Mallanna against her.

Talking to media persons, she alleged that a top leader of BRS was behind the comments, and that is why the BRS leaders remained silent.

In a personal attack on Jagadish Reddy for his certain comments, she called him "Lilliput".

Kavitha remarked that the leader "who survives only in the shadow of KCR (as Chandrasekhar Rao is popularly known)" destroyed the BRS in the Nalgonda district. "If KCR is not there, who are you?" she asked.

Jagadish Reddy had reportedly made certain remarks about her position, recognition, and deviation from the party.

"Another small leader who joined the party later is also questioning my credibility. Telangana society will not spare such leaders," Kavitha said.

Kavitha said that some leaders stooped so low to encourage derogatory comments against her. "Your efforts to sideline me and make me lonely will be paid back as I believe in Karma," she said.

Kavitha, who heads the Telangana Jagruthi, seen as the cultural arm of the BRS, has been targeting a section of senior leaders, including her brother and BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao, since her confidential letter to KCR was leaked a few months ago. Calling KCR a "god", she had remarked that he is surrounded by devils.

Meanwhile, Jagadish Reddy responded to Kavitha's comments. He wrote on X that he salutes her for her knowledge about his journey in the Telangana movement. He also said he expressed sympathy for her efforts to use the words spoken by KCR's enemies.

Responding to BJP MP C.M. Ramesh's comments on the BRS-BJP merger, Kavitha said his comments were taken out of her leaked letter written to KCR.

The BRS MLC said that the government has not yet given her permission for a dharna over the demand for 42 per cent reservation for BCs and hoped that the High Court would protect her rights. The High Court will be hearing, on Monday, the Telangana Jagruthi's petition for direction to the government to give permission for a 72-hour hunger strike.

She said that the hunger strike would follow the Gandhian path of peaceful resistance. Stating that there are 112 BC castes in Telangana, she said that the idea behind the 72-hour dharna is to give 40 castes every day an opportunity to express their problems.

Kavitha said if Congress was sincere in its fight for 42 per cent reservation for BCs, its leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, should have raised their voice in the Parliament.

She slammed the BJP for not approving the two Bills sent to the Centre by the state for 42 per cent reservation of BCs in education, employment and local bodies.
New Delhi, Aug 3 : Air India cancelled its flight from Singapore to Chennai on Sunday as the Airbus A321 plane operating on the route developed a technical snag.

Air India said in a statement that the flight AI349 scheduled to operate from Singapore to Chennai has been cancelled due to a maintenance task identified prior to departure, which required additional time for rectification.

"Arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to Chennai at the earliest. Hotel accommodation is being provided, and full refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are also being offered to passengers based on their preference," the statement said.

The airline further said that Air India ground staff in Singapore are making every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to the passengers due to this unforeseen disruption.

The incident follows a series of disruptions in Air India flights in recent days.

On Friday, an Air India flight from London to Delhi was delayed by more than 11 hours, stranding passengers at the airport. The flight was originally scheduled to depart at around 8.35 p.m. on August 1 but was rescheduled for the next day.

A London-bound Air India flight from Delhi was also forced to return to the bay on Thursday after the cockpit crew detected a suspected technical fault before take-off.

The flight, callsign AI-2017, was preparing to depart when the pilots halted the departure and brought the aircraft back for checks.

"Flight AI-2017 operating from Delhi to London on July 31 returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks," the airline said in a statement.

The airline said that all necessary safety procedures were followed and that an alternative aircraft was arranged to fly the passengers to London as soon as possible.

The incidents come just days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) flagged 51 safety lapses at Air India during its annual audit.

These included outdated training manuals, incomplete pilot training, unqualified simulators, and irregularities in low-visibility operation approvals.

Of these lapses, seven were classified as critical Level I breaches, which the airline was instructed to address by July 30. The remaining 44 non-compliances must be rectified by August 23.

The DGCAas action followed recent enforcement measures, including the grounding of an Air India aircraft found to have an overdue inspection of its emergency slide -- a crucial safety feature.
Kolkata, Aug 3 : Rampant corruption, rising incidents of crime against women and the frequent communal violence in minority-dominated pockets of West Bengal will be the counter-attack points of the BJP Parliamentarians from West Bengal on the floor of the Parliament during the remaining days of the on-going monsoon session of Parliament against the Trinamool Congress' views on special intensive review (SIR) and Bengali-harassment claims in the BJP-ruled states.

The leadership of both parties will be finalising their respective war strategies on Monday. On one hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be holding a virtual meeting with all the party Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members on Monday to finalise the floor strategy of the party within the Parliament on the SIR and Bengali-harassment issues.

On the other hand, on Monday, members of the BJP's Parliamentary team from West Bengal in both the Houses of the Parliament, led by the party's state president in West Bengal and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya, will attend a meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, confirmed Bhattacharya on Sunday.

Although he refused to divulge the probable content of the meeting to be chaired by HM Shah, Bhattacharya said that the current burning issues in West Bengal would surely be discussed at the meeting.

Meanwhile, an insider from the state committee of the BJP in West Bengal said that points raised or to be raised against the Union Government on the floor of the Parliament by the Trinamool Congress MPs, all concentrated on West Bengal issues, need to be countered adequately, and immediately on the same day, on the floor of the Parliament.

However, he added, that the required counter-argument is not always possible since not on all days BJP Parliamentarians from West Bengal are listed among the speakers.

"So our MPs, on Monday, will request the Union Home Minister to arrange so that at least one party MP from West Bengal is enlisted as speaker on each day of the remaining days of the Monsoon Session," the state committee member said.
Seoul, Aug 3 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has instructed the government to draw up measures to fundamentally prevent the spread of fake news through online platforms, like YouTube, minutes from a Cabinet meeting held in June showed Sunday.

"There are too many instances where fake news is used to earn money," Lee was quoted as saying in the minutes from the June 19 meeting disclosed by the Interior Ministry. "Resorting to illegal actions to earn money should be fundamentally prevented."

Lee suggested imposing punitive measures, such as exemplary damages, on such YouTubers, urging the Justice Ministry to review relevant measures, Yonhap News Agency reported.

During the meeting, Lee asked then Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul about whether the Vietnamese people request an apology from South Korea, in an apparent reference to the massacre of civilians by South Korean troops during the Vietnam War.

He then said South Korea should do its best in its ties with Vietnam and ordered the government to review measures, such as accepting more foreign workers from the Southeast Asian country, as part of humanitarian efforts.

Lee also called on the Land Ministry to reform the public housing system to prevent property price hikes and retrieve returns from such housing projects to the public sector, according to the minutes.

Meanwhile, the South Korean government is expected to postpone its decision on whether to allow Google to export the country's high-precision map data overseas after the outcome of the upcoming summit between South Korea and the United States, according to officials on Sunday.

In February, the US tech giant submitted an application to the state-run National Geographic Information Institute, seeking approval for the transfer of 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data to its data centres abroad.

According to relevant regulations, the review panel is required to notify Google of its decision within 60 days of the application date, with the option of a 60-day extension. The South Korean government exercised the extension and was expected to reach a decision by the second deadline of August 11.

"Despite the timeline, there is a high possibility that the decision deadline will be further extended," an official said. "Reaching a conclusion before the Korea-U.S. summit could influence other agenda items to be discussed at the meeting."

Consultations are underway between Seoul and Washington to set a date for a summit between President Lee and US President Donald Trump, as Trump said last week that Lee will visit the White House in two weeks.

The proposed map transfer has sparked heated debate over national security, digital sovereignty and broader trade concerns, while the US has cited the issue as a key non-tariff barrier. But the matter was excluded from the recent tariff negotiations between the two nations.

"Security-related concerns, including the map issue, would be on the table for the upcoming Korea-US summit," an official of Seoul's presidential office said.

The decision on the Google issue will be made by the map data export review panel, which involves officials from major ministries, including Defence, Foreign Affairs, Industry and Science, as well as the National Intelligence Service.
Gandhinagar, Aug 3 : The Directorate of Agriculture, Gujarat, has activated control rooms at the state, district, and taluka levels to to address farmers' grievances on fertiliser distribution. A dedicated state-level helpline number - 079-23256080 has been announced, enabling farmers to directly report issues related to fertiliser availability, delivery delays, or any distribution-related grievances.

Gandhinagar, Aug 3 (IANS) The Directorate of Agriculture, Gujarat, has activated control rooms at the state, district, and taluka levels to to address farmersa grievances on fertiliser distribution. A dedicated state-level helpline number a" 079-23256080 has been announced, enabling farmers to directly report issues related to fertiliser availability, delivery delays, or any distribution-related grievances.

This line will remain operational daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ensuring quick redressal during peak agricultural demand periods. The initiative aims to ensure transparency, accessibility, and timely problem-solving across the fertiliser supply chain.

Similar control rooms have also been made operational at the district and taluka levels, where farmers can access localised assistance and updates on fertiliser stocks.

Officials from the Directorate confirmed that these helplines are part of a statewide monitoring mechanism, designed to not only facilitate grievance redressal but also track fertiliser availability across Gujarat.

Farmers are encouraged to use the helpline numbers published in the official list for their respective regions. As of the latest available data, Gujarat is home to over 43 lakh farming households, with agriculture forming a key pillar of the stateas economy and employment.

Nearly 55a"60 per cent of Gujaratas population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture and allied activities.

The stateas agro-climatic diversity allows for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including cotton, groundnut, wheat, rice, millet (bajra), maize, sugarcane, and various horticultural produce.

Gujarat is one of Indiaas leading producers of cotton and groundnut, often ranking in the top three states nationwide.

The average landholding size in Gujarat is approximately 2.2 hectares, higher than the national average, and a significant portion of farmers fall under the small and marginal category.

The state has made notable progress in irrigation infrastructure, especially through the Sardar Sarovar project, canal networks, and micro-irrigation schemes.

Still, a large percentage of farmers remain dependent on rain-fed agriculture, making monsoon patterns critical for crop success.
Surat, Aug 3 : Surat Municipal Corporation has emerged as the first civic body in India to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Drone Technology, 3D Printing, and AR/VR in its classrooms from grades 9 to 12.

This smart education model is being implemented as a pilot project across 18 Suman schools, with 12 state-of-the-art AI labs already functional, benefiting over 11,000 students with free-of-cost technical education.

The initiative aligns with India's New Education Policy and the Gujarat Government's vision of merging innovation and smart learning.

Under this model, students in municipal schools are now actively engaging with futuristic technologies that are reshaping sectors like defence, agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing.

From building robots to flying drones, and designing in 3D environments, studentsmany from economically modest backgroundsare not just studying textbooks but are gaining hands-on, project-based experience in cutting-edge fields.

Weekly lectures in AI, design thinking, and STEM-based curricula are helping these students develop real-world problem-solving skills. "Smart education is not just a trendit is a necessity," said Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal, who has been instrumental in rolling out this transformation.

"The objective is not just to create job seekers but to empower a new generation of job giverstechnologically savvy entrepreneurs and innovators."

In 2023, under the Mission Schools of Excellence initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat inaugurated over 50,000 smart classrooms and 19,600 modern computer labs, signaling a state-wide shift towards tech-integrated education.

Now, Surat has taken it a step further -- students are being trained in front-end development, drone aviation, robotics programming, and AI application development.

The AI labs were inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who called the initiative a "gateway to new possibilities".

Principal Mahendrakumar of Suman High School No. 6 described the program as a "turning point" for students from lower and middle-income families.

"Our students are not just learning about technologythey're experiencing it. They're building robots, exploring virtual worlds, and designing innovations that could define tomorrow," he said.

The impact is already visible -- 34 students from Suman schools have been selected for national-level competitions, and their projects in AI, robotics, and 3D printing were recently showcased during the CM's visit to Sanjivkumar Auditorium, Adajan. Last month, Delhi's Education Minister Ashish Sood also expressed admiration for Surat's tech-empowered education model.
Lucknow, Aug 3 : As floodwaters continue to disrupt life across large swathes of Uttar Pradesh, the state government has intensified its relief and rescue operations under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Acting on his instructions, ministers have fanned out across the worst-hit districts, personally inspecting camps, interacting with victims, and ensuring that aid reaches every affected household with speed and sensitivity.

The Chief Minister has reiterated that this is a time for empathy and unwavering public service. He has emphasised that no effort will be spared to protect lives and restore normalcy.

His directive"Government to Every Victim"has become the guiding principle for the on-going operations, which are being carried out by the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, and Provincial Armed Constabulary in close coordination with district administrations.

Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh visited Jalaun and Hamirpur on Sunday morning, where he toured submerged areas and inspected relief camps.

He instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, food, electricity, medical care, and sanitation.

In Prayagraj, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' reviewed the flood situation by boat, distributed aid, and directed officials to accelerate rescue efforts and reinforce camp infrastructure.

Minister of State Dharmveer Prajapati reached flood-hit villages in Etawah, navigating submerged zones by boat to engage directly with residents.

He assessed the availability of food, water, medicines, and fodder for livestock, stressing the need for transparency and timeliness in all relief measures.

In Ballia, Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu' surveyed embankments along the Ganga, reviewed boat readiness and health services, and ordered round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable areas.

Sanjay Gangwar, Minister of State, visited camps in Jalaun, distributed essential supplies, and instructed medical teams to remain alert against waterborne diseases.

He emphasized that every concern raised by victims must be addressed without delay.

In Varanasi, MLA and former Minister Dr Neelkanth Tiwari personally delivered relief materials to families in Konia and Rajghat, reaching them by boat and on foot.

Each household received food grains, tarpaulins, sanitary items, and other essentials.

He directed officials to maintain a steady supply of milk, fruits, and tea in camps and asked local police to patrol regularly to prevent theft.

According to official data, floods have affected over 84,000 people across 402 villages in 37 tehsils.

Seventeen districtsincluding Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ballia, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Etawah, and Fatehpurare currently grappling with high water levels and displacement.

More than 900 flood shelters are operational, housing over 11,000 displaced individuals. Relief efforts include the distribution of over 76,000 lunch packets, 6,500 food kits, and the deployment of 757 health teams.

Nearly 500 boats and motorboats are being used to reach stranded populations, while embankments and flood posts are under constant surveillance.

Chief Minister Yogi has deployed an 11-member ministerial team to oversee operations in the most affected districts.

He has instructed district magistrates, superintendents of police, and chief medical officers to remain on-site and ensure 247 monitoring.

The government has also prioritised livestock safety, relocation of animals, and veterinary care.

Aid for farmers affected by crop loss and land erosion is being processed within 24 hours, with strict instructions to maintain quality and transparency in distribution.

As rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna continue to flow above danger marks in several districts, the state's response remains focused on urgency, compassion, and accountability.

The coming days will test the resilience of both the administration and the people, but the government has vowed to stand firmly with every citizen in this hour of need.
Imphal, Aug 3 : To further strengthen policing capabilities, the Manipur government on Sunday announced to set up a new police station in the state capital Imphal and to create 12 posts of Sub Divisional Police Officers (SDPO) across nine districts of the state.

A senior police officer said that the strategic move is intended to bolster policing capabilities, improve supervision of investigation, and enhance overall law and order management in both existing and newly created districts for administrative convenience.

With the impending relocation of the State Civil Secretariat and Police Headquarters to Mantripukhri in Imphal West district, there is a growing need to ensure adequate security coverage and effective law enforcement presence in the area, a statement from the police headquarters said.

It said that the proposed Secretariat Police Station would provide essential policing services to not only the new Secretariat complex and Police Headquarters but also to several other critical institutions in the vicinity such as the Manipur High Court, IIIT and the Forest office complex.

In view of the administrative complexity and increased security demands in the Mantripukhri area, the government has also approved the creation of a dedicated SDPO, New Capital Complex, under the jurisdiction of Imphal East District.

This officer (SDPO) would be responsible for supervising the proposed Secretariat Police Station and the existing Heingang Police Station, thereby ensuring coordinated command, effective case monitoring, and timely response to emerging law and order situations.

The statement said that to address the longstanding shortage of supervisory officers in several districts-particularly the newly created ones such as Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Pherzawl, and Noney the government has approved the creation of additional SDPO posts to improve the administrative and operational efficiency of district policing units.

The existing single SDPO structure in districts such as Chandel, Churachandpur, and Tamenglong has been found inadequate to meet the growing challenges of crime investigation, force deployment, and law and order supervision, it added.

The statement said that the Manipur government and the state Police Department remain committed to modernising and enhancing policing infrastructure in a sustainable and citizen-centric manner.

The creation of the Secretariat Police Station and additional SDPO posts marks a progressive step toward this objective, it stated.

--IANS

sc/pgh
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep grief over the tragic death of six workers from the state in a massive blast at a stone quarry in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

As many as Odia migrant labourers -- Danda Badatya, Banamala Chehra, Bhashkar Bishoi, Santosh Goud of Ganjam district and Takun Dalai, Musa Jan of Gajapati district -- have lost their lives in this tragic mishap.

As per X handle of the Chief Minister Office, CM Majhi on Sunday extended his condolences and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs each for the bereaved family members of the deceased persons.

The financial compensation will be paid from Chief Ministeras Relief Fund (CMRF).

Meanwhile, this incident again brought forth the sorry state of Odia workers who migrate to other states every year in search of livelihood.

As per official data, as many as 403 migrant workers of Odisha have died while working in other states between 2015 to 2024. Notably, at least six workers were killed when massive boulders collapsed on them at a granite quarry in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

The accident occurred at a private quarry near Ballikurava in Bapatla district during routine operations. Some other workers were reportedly injured and taken to various hospitals.

Eight critically injured people were admitted to a hospital at Narsaraopeta.

The workers had come to duty at 9 a.m. on Sunday, and a few minutes later, boulders fell on them during the blasting operation.

Lack of adequate safety precautions is believed to have led to the tragedy.

Similar incidents were reported in granite quarries in Andhra Pradesh in the past.

Three persons died in a blast in a private granite quarry at Dabbaguda in Melaiputti mandal in Srikakulam district on May 16. Use of gelatine sticks was suspected to have led to the blast.

The quarry management had allegedly tried to mislead the police by claiming that lightning was responsible for the deaths of the trio.
Hyderabad, Aug 3 : Telangana has been ranked number one state in organ donation in India during 2024.

A total of188 brain-dead donors contributed organs in Telangana during the year. As many as 725 lives saved through successful transplants

According to officials 4.88 donations per 10 lakh population in the state is far above the national average of 0.8

Telangana received the NOTTO Award at the National Organ Donation Day event in Delhi on Saturday. The award was presented by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda to representatives of Jeevandan, Telanganaas organ donation programme.

National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) presented the award to state with the highest organ donation rate at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day.

Telangana has been presented the award for the exceptional contribution in the field of organ donation and transplantation.

Telangana Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha expressed joy at the recognition, recalling that Jeevandan was launched in united Andhra Pradesh in 2012.

He emphasized the stateas adoption of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) to ensure fair and transparent organ allocation across economic backgrounds.

He also urged citizens to come forward and pledge organs, especially in cases of brain death, to prevent precious organs from going to waste. He affirmed that free organ transplant surgeries are being provided under Aarogyasri.

In March this year, The Telangana Transplantation of Human Organs Bill, 2025 was passed in the Legislative Assembly to bring the Stateas organ transplantation regulations in line with the Central Act and curb organ trade.

It replaced Telangana Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1995, which was originally enacted in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The 1995 Act, which has been in force in Telangana since its formation, was modelled on THOTA 1994, a law enacted by the Parliament of India to regulate organ donation and prevent commercial transactions in human organs.
Lucknow, Aug 4 : In a significant moment for public sector recruitment in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday handed over appointment letters to 1,374 assistant operators and 120 workshop employees selected for the UP Police Telecom Department.

The ceremony, held at "Indira Gandhi Pratishthan", marked another stride in the state's commitment to transparent, merit-based recruitment under "Mission Rozgar."

Addressing the newly appointed personnel, the Chief Minister emphasised that the era of nepotism and corruption in recruitment is over.

He recalled how, prior to 2017, irregularities in hiring had eroded public trust and weakened law and order. "Today, Uttar Pradesh stands as a model for fair recruitment. Every deserving youth is being given an opportunity to serve the state with dignity and pride," he said.

The appointments come on the heels of the historic recruitment of 60,244 constables earlier this year, and are part of a broader push to modernize the police force and expand employment opportunities.

Since 2017, over 2.17 lakh personnel have been inducted into the UP Police through transparent processes, making it the highest recruitment figure for any state police force in India.

The newly recruited assistant operators and workshop staff will play a crucial role in strengthening the technical backbone of the police communication system.

Their induction reflects the government's focus on digital infrastructure and efficient public service delivery, he said. For many of the appointees, the moment was deeply personal.

A newly recruited candidate Sandhya Singh from Shahjahanpur credited her success to the transparent process, saying it gave her the confidence to pursue her goal.

Brajesh Kumar Valmiki from Daliganj, Lucknow, called the recruitment a symbol of fairness, while Vaishali Gupta from Krishnanagar said the Yogi government had restored faith in hard work.

Kanchan Saini from Muzaffarnagar, who had previously been appointed as a woman constable, described her dual achievement as a matter of pride.

Anjum Parveen from Saharanpur said receiving her appointment letter directly from the Chief Minister was an honour, and Bhupendra Singh from Aligarh, selected as a workshop employee, expressed gratitude for the government's efforts in recognizing years of dedication.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the expansion of police training infrastructure, noting that while only 3,000 personnel could be trained annually prior to 2017, the state now accommodates over 60,000 recruits within its own facilities.

He reiterated that the recruitment model adopted by Uttar Pradesh has become a benchmark for other states, not just in numbers but in integrity and efficiency.

With over 8.5 lakh government jobs created and more than two crore employment opportunities facilitated in the private and MSME (micro small and medium enterprise) sectors, the Yogi administration continues to position Uttar Pradesh as a leader in youth empowerment and institutional reform.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Nagpur, Aug 4 : The NIA court has acquitted seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, including Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. After being acquitted, she claimed that while she was in jail, she was pressured to name many big people.

In her first public statement on Saturday, Thakur alleged that investigators pressured her to implicate prominent figures, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and BJP leaders Ram Madhav and Indresh Kumar.

Again on Sunday, she claimed that she was tortured for refusing to spread false information during the investigation.

Speaking to the media at Bhopal airport, the former Bhopal MP said, "I was asked to spread fake information, which I did not do. That is why I was tortured so much," she said.

Reacting to the development, veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi said, "When Sadhvi has said it, it must be correct, because this conspiracy has been going on for a long time. But, now, after the court's decision, it has been proved that it was a conspiracy. Now it is the job of the agency and the government to find out who has done this conspiracy."

On the ongoing Hindi-Marathi language dispute in Maharashtra, he said, "All the languages in the country are Indian languages. We respect all of them. There should be one language that unites. We have said for a long time that the language which unites the country is Hindi."

On the issue of conversion, Bhaiyaji Joshi said, "The issue of conversion is very serious. It has been going on in Nagaland and Mizoram, not just from today but for the last 200-250 years. It is still going on today. We are happy that some organisations from the Christian community have come forward, saying that they are against conversion. We welcome such people."

He said, "We are calling back those who have been converted. We are creating awareness. We are explaining. This process is also going well. Efforts are also being made to stop conversion. The biggest reason for conversion is poverty and ignorance. Along with this, the ignorance of the people by the society is also a reason to some extent."
Nearly a year after a young woman doctor was raped and murdered inside a locked seminar room at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, her grieving parents, whose wounds have only deepened with time, await justice.

IMAGE: Doctors along with Citizen Forum take out a silent rally from College Square to Shyambazar against RG Kar rape-murder case on the victim's birthday, in Kolkata on February 9, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Her father said that their only hope is in the judiciary now.

"We have lost all faith in the police and the CBI. For reasons best known to them, the CBI appears compromised, either politically or otherwise. They are just parroting what the Kolkata Police had said," her father told PTI.

On August 9 last year, the 26-year-old postgraduate trainee's body was discovered inside the Chest Medicine Department's seminar hall on the fourth floor of the hospital's emergency building.

The nature of her injuries, which indicated brutality, and the fact that it happened within a state-run hospital, sent shock waves across West Bengal and beyond.

Widespread protests erupted across campuses, drawing students, doctors, and civil society to the streets. But a year later, the family says, justice remains elusive.

"It wasn't just a murder... it was a message that even the brightest women aren't safe, not even inside a hospital," the woman's father said.

A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested and sentenced to life for rape and murder. But the victim's family and several rights activists insist the case is far from closed.

"From day one, we have said there was more than one person. She was a strong girl. There is no way only one man could have done this inside such a secure building. All the early cover-ups point to a bigger nexus," her mother said.

Her father alleged that attempts were made to destroy evidence.

"There were three bodies at the crematorium that day. Yet our daughter's body was cremated first. Why the hurry? Steps were taken to wipe out evidence," he alleged.

Two other arrests followed -- Sandip Ghosh, the then principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mondal, former officer-in-charge of Tala police station, on charges of misleading the probe.

But Mondal was released on bail after the CBI failed to file a charge sheet within 90 days.

"We were foolish to trust the CBI... they repeated what the Kolkata Police fed them. No new names, no new arrests, no answers," the woman's father said bitterly.

"That alone tells you how seriously the CBI is taking this... they couldn't even file the charge sheet on time. Now they claim they are probing a 'larger conspiracy'. But we doubt they will ever file a supplementary charge sheet," he said.

The family also points to the Supreme Court's observation, which raised questions about the handling of the case.

"Those questions still remain unanswered... all they (CBI) say is, 'investigation is ongoing'. That's not enough," he said.

His wife added, "We are ordinary people, but not fools. Our daughter was raped and murdered in a room that's supposed to be locked inside a government hospital. How does that happen without protection from powerful people?"

"What we got wasn't justice, it was a charade, it was a mockery of justice," father said.

What pains the parents more than the crime is the slow erosion of truth.

"They say they are probing a larger conspiracy. But what conspiracy takes a whole year to even file a supplementary charge sheet?" the father asked.

"They will drag this for ten, twenty years, until we are dead and gone. That's their strategy. Exhaust the parents. Exhaust the people who are seeking justice," he said.

Lashing out at the ruling Trinamool Congress, he cited the recent Kasba Law College gang rape case.

"All three arrested have links with the ruling party. Incidents like these are happening again and again. Even after the outcry over my daughter's death, nothing has changed. That tells you how little this government cares. The accused must be severely punished," he said.

"What makes our tragedy unbearable is that my daughter wanted to serve the poor. Her dreams now lie locked inside a wooden trunk, her stethoscope, half-written thesis notes, and medals from the medical school," he said.

"She wanted to open a clinic for the poor people... she just wanted to heal others," the victim's father said.

"We lost our only daughter. She was all we had... now we just want justice before we die. But we'll keep fighting till the end," he said.

The street protests that once shook the city have dwindled. Social media has moved on. Even political leaders who had once marched with candles and posters have fallen silent.

"The state used our daughter's death like a talking point," the father said.

"Now, as the cameras have gone, so have they. But people from all walks of life stood with us. And the people's movement will rise again," he said.

Two public events are scheduled on August 9 to mark the first anniversary of the incident. Protesters are expected to march to Kalighat area, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee resides.

'Abhaya Mancha', a forum formed in the wake of the incident, will observe Raksha Bandhan that day. On August 14, it plans a 'Reclaim the Night' march across Kolkata and the suburbs from 9 pm to midnight.

When asked what justice would mean to them, he said, "Justice means truth, naming everyone who was involved directly or indirectly. It means jail, not bail. And restoring the dignity they tried so hard to erase... I do not seek revenge. I ask for the truth before I die."

"Our only hope is the judiciary... we are confident it won't let us down," he added.
Healthcare services at AIIMS-Patna remained affected for the third consecutive day on Sunday as resident doctors continued their strike against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand.

IMAGE: AIIMS doctors protest during an indefinite strike against the alleged assault on hospital staff by JD-U MLA Chetan Anand, in Patna, August 1, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Representatives of the Resident Doctors Association have called a general body meeting on Sunday to discuss their future course of action.

A delegation of the RDA members met with senior officials of the hospital on Saturday as efforts are being made to break the logjam.

"During the meeting, we were given assurances. We demand full transparency and accountability through the immediate public release of the CCTV footage related to the incident. This is essential to ensure truth prevails and justice is served," the RDA said in a statement on Saturday.

"The administration assured us of full institutional legal assistance for resident doctors and security staff who have been falsely implicated. The administration also assured us that the process to install CCTV cameras in high-risk areas such as the trauma centre, emergency department, labour room, and ICUs will be initiated within 72 hours," it added.

The RDA said that it was demanding the immediate quashing of the "false FIR" against a doctor.

"We demand the invocation of sections of the Arms Act in the investigation, considering the grave threat posed by the presence of weapons in a healthcare setting," it said, adding that the strike will continue "until further notice".

Emergency, OPD and other services were affected as a result of the strike.

The RDA had earlier alleged, "The MLA, his wife and his armed guards forcibly entered the hospital area, physically assaulted security staff, threatened resident doctors with death and brandished a firearm within hospital premises. A hospital guard was brutally injured, and resident doctors were subjected to threats and abuse inside their own workplace."

Anand, the RJD-turned-Janata Dal-United legislator, had lodged a police complaint, alleging that staffers of AIIMS-Patna misbehaved with him and his wife during a visit to the hospital on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, he told PTI that he and his wife were mistreated by hospital staffers when they went to visit a supporter admitted to the facility.

"My wife and I went to see one of my supporters admitted at AIIMS on Wednesday night. I was not allowed to enter the hospital with my security guard. This prompted my wife to intervene," he had said.

"At that moment, other staff members came and started misbehaving with my wife. They literally thrashed her. I had to intervene. My wife sustained injuries to her wrist and back. I was also held hostage by the staffers for some time. Finally, we went to the local police station and lodged a complaint," he added.

The MLA's mother, Lovely Anand, is the JD-U MP from the Sheohar Lok Sabha seat.

Both sides have filed FIRs in connection with the incident, police said, noting that an investigation is underway.
In a tragic incident, four senior Indian-origin persons were killed in a car crash in West Virginia, authorities said on Sunday.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Chris Keane/Reuters

Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan were found dead following a vehicle crash, Marshal County Sheriff Mike Dougherty said in a statement.

The four individuals were reported missing from Buffalo, New York.

Their vehicle was located on August 2 at approximately 9:30 PM off a steep embankment along a road in Marshal County, West Virginia.

First responders were on the scene for more than five hours. Dougherty extended condolences to the families of the victims.

Sibu Nair, Director of Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs at Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, had posted an 'Missing Persons - Please Help' alert on Facebook Saturday, asking for help to locate the four senior individuals who had gone missing.

Nair said that the Divans, 'beloved members of our community', had gone missing.

They were last seen on Tuesday after visiting a temple in Pittsburgh, travelling to Palace Lodge Hotel in Moundsville, West Virginia.

"Sadly, they never arrived," Nair added.

Giving further details, Nair said they were driving a light green coloured car and were last spotted at a fast food joint in Erie, Pennsylvania, according to security footage.

"It has now been over 3 days with no contact," Nair had said.

He had asked people travelling in the area or along the expected route the seniors would have taken to keep an eye out for them, 'especially the final 22-minute stretch near the hotel, which is known to be difficult terrain.'

Nair had also uploaded photos and details of the family and their last-known clothing.

"Let's come together and do all we can to bring them home safely," Nair had said.
The Election Commission on Sunday asked Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav to 'hand over for investigation' a voter ID card that he claimed to be in possession of despite having been 'not issued officially'.

IMAGE: LoP in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, addresses a press conference as EC releases the draft voters list, in Patna on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly had on Saturday demonstrated an online search, with the EPIC number, to claim that his name was missing in the draft electoral rolls published as part of special intensive revision (SIR) and, upon rebuttal from the authorities concerned, alleged that his voter ID card number was 'changed'.

In a letter addressed to the former deputy CM, the Sub Divisional Magistrate of Patna Sadar-cum-Electoral Registration Officer for Digha assembly constituency said, "Our preliminary investigation suggests that the EPIC number you mentioned at the press conference on August 2 was not issued officially. You are therefore requested to hand over the EPIC card in original for detailed investigation."

The RJD leader, thereafter, alleged that his EPIC number had been 'changed', but District Magistrate Thiyagaraja S M repudiated the claim.

"The EPIC number in the electoral rolls is the one that was submitted by the honourable leader of the opposition in his affidavit in the 2020 assembly polls. If he is in possession of another EPIC card with another number as well, then it is a matter of investigation," the district magistrate said.

Meanwhile, at a press conference in Patna, spokespersons of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in the state Ajay Alok (Bharatiya Janata Party), Neeraj Kumar (Janata Dal-United) and Rajesh Bhatt (Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas), among others, demanded that a case be registered against the RJD leader.

They said Yadav should be booked for having two EPIC cards, which is not allowed.

The NDA functionaries said they want to know from his alliance partner Rahul Gandhi whether this 'fraud' by the RJD leader is the 'atom bomb' he was threatening the Election Commission with.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday claimed that his party has an 'atom bomb' of evidence to prove 'vote chori' by the Election Commission for the BJP.

The NDA leaders claimed that the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was 'staring at a certain defeat' in the upcoming assembly polls, and its leaders are trying to look for an 'excuse', by raising doubts over the special intensive revision carried out by the EC.

It was comparable to 'anticipatory bails sought by criminals', they claimed.
India has opened eight new consular centres across the US, significantly expanding the delivery footprint for visa, passport and other services and streamlining them to make them more accessible and efficient for the Indian diaspora in the country.

IMAGE: India's ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra virtually inaugurates the new Indian Consular Application Centres in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh and San Jose, August 2, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy X

India's ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra on Friday virtually inaugurated the new Indian Consular Application Centres in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh and San Jose. An additional ICAC will soon open in Los Angeles.

Starting August 1, 2025, all consular services, including passport, visa, OCI, surrender certificate, life certificate, birth/marriage certificate, police clearance, attestations, and more, will be provided exclusively through VFS Global Centres.

The expansion brings the total number of ICACs across the US to 17, making consular services more accessible to Indian and American citizens in the country.

Kwatra described this as a very significant expansion of the consular services delivery footprint offered by the Embassy of India across the United States, which is home to a nearly five million-strong Indian diaspora.

Kwatra said that the expansion underscores Prime Minister Narendra Modi's deep regard for the Indian diaspora, which the Indian leader has described as the strongest brand ambassador of India and is at the heart of a strong India-US partnership that is manifested through people-to-people ties between the two societies.

We are confident that these centres will play a crucial role in fostering and continuing a strong relationship with our diaspora, but at the same time also empower our diaspora to engage more deeply between our two countries, Kwatra said.

He added that the diaspora plays a significant and crucial role in strengthening and contributing to the India-US relationship.

Highlighting the very strong political engagement between the two countries in recent months, Kwatra noted PM Modi's visit to Washington in February, visits by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, as well as the visit by US Vice President J D Vance and his family to India in April.

Kwatra said these visits have "really deepened not just the discussions, but also the scope and the depth of our partnership.

It is my belief, as has also been stated by the Prime Minister, that you are a living bridge between our two societies, two countries. You contribute to the development and enrichment of this relationship, as also of the two countries. And I hope that you will continue to play this important and irreplaceable role, he said.

India's Consul General in New York, Binaya Pradhan, attended the special inauguration ceremony at the Indian Consular Application Centre in Edison that was attended by Edison Mayor Sam Joshi as well as prominent members of the Indian-American community.

Kwatra inaugurated the centres and addressed the diaspora who also joined virtually from across the new centres that have been opened.

Head of North America and Caribbean, VFS Global, Amit Kumar Sharma told the gathering in Edison that the agency's focus has been to make our services more convenient, comfortable and more accessible and to serve the community better.

Noting that the centres will now be open on Saturdays as well, Sharma pointed out, amid applause, that VFS has worked with 70 governments across 150 countries, and this will be the first time that it is going to work for any government on a Saturday.

This commitment reflects the mindset of the leadership, what they want to achieve, Sharma said.

"And they came up with a process that addresses these concerns, Sharma said.

He stressed that various services like call centres will be improved and streamlined to ensure enhanced deliveries for the community members.

I am very hopeful that these new expansions will help the community, help the diaspora take these services in a much efficient way. This is a testament to our commitment as well. We take pride in making these services comfortable, convenient and accessible for people, and we will continue to do that, Sharma said.

In addition to the new centres, the Embassy of India is enhancing operational accessibility and service deliveries effective immediately.

As part of this, all 17 ICACs will operate six days a week, including Saturdays, offering flexibility for applicants to access these consular services without causing disruption to their work schedule during weekdays.

To further streamline access, a number of miscellaneous consular and attestation services will be provided through the application centres, which Kwatra said will add to the convenience and administrative efficiency of the delivery of consular services in the US.

Referring to PM Modi's announcement that two additional consulates will be opened in Boston and Los Angeles, Kwatra said we are currently working very intensely to ensure that these two consulates begin their work as early as possible and are functional soon.

The opening of the two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles captures our intent that given the nature of our growing strength of India-US partnership, there is a need to expand the diplomatic footprint across the United States, and the opening of these two consulates captures that objective of ours, the Indian ambassador said.
Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

Former MP Raju Shetty led the march, which began from Nandani in the morning and culminated outside the district collectorate, where memorandum was given to the authorities to facilitate the elephant's return.

"Madhuri was in tears when she was being taken away. The place where she has been relocated has 225 elephants but still they wanted her as she is beautiful," Shetty said, addressing the march participants.

At a meeting in Kolhapur on Friday, Vantara officials assured that they will cooperate in efforts to bring Mahadevi back to Nandani in the district, state health minister Prakash Abitkar had told reporters.

Mahadevi, who was with the Shri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Jain 'math' (monastery) at Nandani for over three decades, was relocated to Vantara's Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust earlier this week following a court ruling.

The Bombay high court on July 16, ordered Mahadevi to be rehabilitated at Vantara's facility in Jamnagar, after concerns raised by an NGO with the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Supreme Court appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) on her deteriorated health and psychological suffering.

The Supreme Court on July 25 upheld the HC order.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Dhananjay Mahadik on Thursday met Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and submitted a memorandum for bringing back Mahadevi to Nandani.

Madhuri's journey at Vantara begins with gentle care and close attention. We're taking the time to understand her: what keeps her calm, what makes her comfortable, and what she enjoys, Vantara said in a post on Instagram.

'It's not just about treatment; it's about helping her settle in, feel at ease, and live life on her own terms. Step by step, at her pace, with the care and respect she truly deserves,' Vantara said.

Mahadevi, who was reportedly brought from Karnataka to the Kolhapur math in 1992 when she was around three years old, allegedly killed the chief priest in 2017 by repeatedly slamming him against a wall.

Mahadevi suffers from foot rot, overgrown toenails, arthritis, and stereotypic behaviour such as constant head bobbing which is a sign of psychological trauma due to long-term solitary captivity.

The Vantara facility offers hydrotherapy, expert veterinary care, and socialisation with other elephants, which the HPC deemed essential for the elephant's recovery.

The last few days have seen several people in Kolhapur porting out their Jio mobile numbers to protest the elephant being taken to Vantara, a local leader said.

Congress MLC Satej Patil said that people of Kolhapur want the elephant back.

More than 2 lakh persons have signed forms demanding Mahadevi's return to the Jain math at Nandani. These forms will be sent to the President's office via speed post from Kolhapur, he said.

In a statement on Saturday, Vantara said it holds the 'deepest respect for the emotions and spiritual sentiments surrounding the revered elephant', recently relocated from the Jain math.

'We recognise that her presence there was more than symbolic, it was sacred to many. We want to clearly and respectfully state that Vantara acted solely in compliance with the binding orders of the Bombay High Court, which were subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court,' Vantara said.

'We were not the initiators of this move, but the facility directed to carry out the court's decision and provide her with care. The statement said Vantara's only intention has been to act in the best interest of Madhuri's health and long-term welfare.

Her transition into our care was carried out with love, responsibility, and complete adherence to both legal and welfare standards,' it said.

'We fully understand and empathise with the public's strong emotional response. That is why, in a spirit of compassion and unity, we have opened a direct dialogue with the Jain Mutt and the respected Swamiji. Together, we are exploring, through legal and veterinary guidance, all possibilities for Madhuri's future, including a peaceful resolution that prioritises both her wellbeing and the feelings of the community,' it said.

The statement said, 'Vantara exists not in opposition to any faith, region, or tradition, but in service of voiceless beings who rely on human kindness. We remain committed to transparency, legality, and above all, compassion.'

'We invite the public to stand with us, not in conflict, but in care, for Madhuri and every animal who deserves a life of dignity and peace,' it said.

Vantara has been developed by Vantara Reliance as part of their large-scale conservation efforts.

Spread across around 3,000 acres, the Vantara area offers a secure and natural environment for the care and recovery of rescued animals, reads a description of the facility on Vantara's website.

The Vantara meaning comes from Sanskrit, where 'Vana' means forest and 'Antara' means within, together signifying 'within the forest' or a sanctuary-like space dedicated to animals, it says.

The Vantara owner, Reliance Industries, has made a remarkable contribution to wildlife protection and welfare through this visionary project, the website says.
Not even an enemy can question my patriotism and loyalty towards the nation, Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case after a bruising 17-year battle, said in Pune on Sunday amid a rousing welcome by kin and well-wishers as he arrived home.

IMAGE: Lt Col Purohit, one of the accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, speaks to the media after being acquitted by a special NIA court in the case, in Mumbai on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

A special Mumbai court on Thursday acquitted Purohit, former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pragya Singh Thakur and five others who were accused of involvement in a blast that killed six and injured 101 in Malegaon in Nashik district on September 29 that year.

Outside Shantisheela Housing Society on Law College Road, where he lives, the military officer was mobbed by friends, family members, supporters, members of various right-wing organisations and others.

He rode an open jeep, accompanied by his wife Aparna, amid the beating of 'dhol-tasha' (traditional drums) and showering of flower petals, with participants raising slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram' and 'Sanatan dharm ki jai' as well those hailing his acquittal.

Several of them waved saffron flags.

Addressing the gathering, a visibly emotional Purohit said, "I never imagined that I would get such a grand welcome from all of you. I am speechless and unable to gather my thoughts or express my feelings."

"One can only imagine the pain one endures when false allegations are levelled. But I never had any difficulty in facing them," he said defiantly.

Purohit said he could never tell his wife and mother about the torture he endured and the insults he was subjected to but they always understood.

Through all these years, his kin, friends and a huge number of well-wishers always stood by him, the Lt Colonel added.

"As a soldier, what I can say with conviction is that not even an enemy can question my patriotism and loyalty towards the nation. During my submission (in court), I insisted that I be called anything but not aatankwadi (terrorist) or deshdrohi (traitor)," he said.

Taking about the years of incarceration, Purohit said his health deteriorated after arrest as he was mentally unable to come to terms with the questions that were being raised about him.

Purohit, a fitness enthusiast for long, further said, "During one of the early court meetings after my arrest, my wife saw my condition and asked whether I was still exercising. I said no. She then took special permission from the court, arranged for some exercise equipment, and encouraged me to work out daily."

Earlier, after arriving at his housing complex, Purohit offered prayers at the Hanuman temple.

Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, who was present at the site, said Purohit's acquittal was a 'tight slap' from the court to those who coined the term 'bhagwa aatankwad' (saffron terror).

"Just like films such as The Kerala Story and The Kashmir Files, a movie titled Malegaon Stories should be made to expose these fake narratives," she added.
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's remarks suggesting the use of the term 'Sanatani or Hindu terrorist' instead of 'saffron terrorism' and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar MLA Jitendra Awhad's 'sanatani terrorism' barb have triggered a row in Maharashtra, evoking sharp rebuke from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

IMAGE: Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. Photograph: ANI Photo

Adding fuel to the fire, another NCP-SP leader, Rohit Pawar, on Sunday drew parallels between Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, and the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Addressing the media on Thursday after the NIA court acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, former chief minister Chavan said, "I request, don't use the term 'saffron terrorism'. If you must, then say 'Sanatani terrorist' or 'Hindu terrorist'".

He, however, stressed that terrorism has no caste or religion.

Echoing Chavan, Awhad on Saturday stated that "Sanatani terrorism must be acknowledged."

"It is not a recent phenomenon; it has existed since ancient times,' Awhad posted on X and cited various historical incidents where, according to him, thinkers and social reformers were persecuted by what he described as 'Sanatani terrorists'.

'Those who harassed Lord Buddha, killed Buddhist monks, opposed the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and conspired against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj were all sanatani terrorists,' Awhad alleged.

'Those who threw cow dung at Savitribai Phule, boycotted Mahatma Phule, attacked Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, M M Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh, and denied water to the oppressed were Sanatani terrorists,' he alleged.

Awhad claimed that those who shot Mahatma Gandhi while he was going to prayer, and those who view Manusmriti as more important than the Constitution written by Dr Ambedkar, are the same (sanatani terrorists).

On Sunday, Rohit Pawar echoed similar views.

'Whether it was Nathuram Godse who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi or the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, the root of terrorism lies in extremist ideology. Terrorism has no colour, only radical thought is its foundation,' Pawar posted on X.

He stated that Hinduism has always supported equality, humanity, and the teachings of saints, stressing that the tradition based on Manusmriti cannot be part of Hinduism.

'We burnt Manusmriti in the past, we burn it today, and we will continue to burn it in the future,' he added.

Pawar, grandnephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, questioned the 'silence' of so-called Hindutva leaders over various social issues concerning farmers, women, and youth.

'Today, farmers are in distress, women's safety and unemployment are pressing issues. Why don't the so-called Hindutva leaders raise their voices on these? Don't they see Hindu farmers committing suicide or Hindu youth wandering for jobs?' he questioned.

Hitting back, Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye on Sunday evening accused Awhad and Pawar of peddling 'Hindu hatred' for 'appeasement politics'.

'Pawar and Awhad's Hindu hatred and appeasement politics are not stopping. The examples they give are not supported by the Hindu community. In fact, those people were considered criminals. But it was Awhad who once glorified terrorists like Ishrat Jahan. Have you forgotten Batla House, where terrorists were killed in an encounter and Sonia Gandhi was reportedly in tears?' Upadhye posted on X.

He alleged that the Congress tried to associate terrorism with the saffron colour, which symbolises sacrifice. 'It was an attempt to label Hindus as terrorists.'

The BJP leader asked Awhad if he would mention Muslim terrorists and condemn the brutal killing of Hindus in Pahalgam.

"You have repeatedly used the phrase 'Sanatani terrorist'. Can you once mention Muslim terrorists and condemn those who killed Hindus in Pahalgam? You are quick to defame Sanatan Dharma but hesitate to name Muslim terrorists. Those who glorify Ishrat Jahan have no moral right to talk about Sanatan Dharma," he added.

He accused Rohit Pawar of trying to frame a Hindu terrorism narrative.

"Did you remember Hindus when their place of worship was desecrated in Daund (a town in Pune district)? When your government (MVA) jailed Navneet Rana for reciting Hanuman Chalisa, did you think of Hindus then? Now you remember Hindu farmers and youth just to spread a narrative of Hindu terrorism. People will not fall for this hypocrisy. The Hindu community sees through your true face," he said.

The BJP had described the acquittal of all the seven accused in the Malegaon blast case as a slap on the face of Congress for defaming Hindus by coining the term saffron terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday called on President Droupadi Murmu separately within hours at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Courtesy @rashtrapatibhvn/X

It was not known the reasons behind the subsequent meetings of the prime minister and the home minister with the President.

'Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan,' the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on X.

Hours later, the Rashtrapati Bhavan again wrote on X, 'Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.'

The home minister also wrote on X sharing a picture of his meeting with President Murmu.

'Called on Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji at Rashtrapati Bhavan.'

However, there is no words so far from the prime minister's office.

IMAGE: Union home minister Amit Shah meets President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Photograph: Courtesy @rashtrapatibhvn/X

This was the first meeting of the prime minister with the President after his recent visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives.

The meetings came against the backdrop of the logjam in Parliament over the Opposition's demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Except discussions in both Houses on Operation Sindoor, Parliament has seen little business ever since the Monsoon session began on July 21.

Also, the Lok Sabha last week approved the extension of the President's rule in Manipur for six more months, while the Rajya Sabha is yet to take up the motion for discussion. The President's rule was imposed in the Northeastern state on February 13.

The prime minister's meeting with the President also came days after US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on exports from India and an unspecified penalty because of New Delhi's purchases of Russian military equipment and oil.

The meetings also came nearly two weeks after Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 tendered his resignation as vice president to the President citing health grounds.

The vice president also functions as the chairman of Rajya Sabha.

The Election Commission last week announced that election of vice president will take place on September 9.

The electoral college for the vice-presidential election comprises all elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and all members of the Lok Sabha.
The 15-year-old girl who was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified miscreants in Odisha's Puri district a fortnight ago succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Saturday.

IMAGE: A view of the AIIMS Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

The girl was allegedly kidnapped and set ablaze on the banks of Bhargavi River in Puri district on July 19.

The incident took place when the minor was walking down to her house after meeting a friend.

She was allegedly intercepted and abducted by the three persons who poured an inflammable substance and set her ablaze, her mother stated in an FIR at Balanga police station.

She had sustained over 70 per cent burn injuries. She was rushed to Pipili community health centre on July 19. Later in the day, she was shifted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and airlifted to AIIMS-Delhi the next day, where she underwent at least two surgeries and skin grafting.

Odisha Police, in the presence of a magistrate, had recorded her statement on Friday.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the state capital in the wake of the girl's death.

Dukhisshyam Senapati, a villager who first saw the burning girl and doused the fire on her clothes, quoting the victim had said that three people had abducted her and set her on fire after pouring inflammable substance on her.

However, Odisha Police, after a 15-day-long investigation claimed that no other person was involved in the case.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of the Balanga incident victim. Despite the best efforts of doctors at AIIMS-Delhi, her life couldn't be saved. May her soul attain sadgati and God bless the family with immense strength in this difficult time," Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said in a X post.

Majhi in a post on X said: "I am deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of the girl from Balanga area. Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavours of specialist medical team at AIIMS Delhi, her life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of the girl's soul and pray before God to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss."

Odisha's Deputy Chief Ministers - KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida - also expressed condolences over the demise of the girl.

BJD president and leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed his deep grief over the demise of the girl and conveyed his condolences to her family.

"Deeply saddened and anguished to know that the young girl set on fire in #Balanga area of #Puri District passed away while undergoing treatment in AIIMS. My condolences for the young girl and prayers are with the family members in the hour grief. May God give the family members strength to bear this irreparable loss," Patnaik posted on X.

A delegation of BJD MPs led by its Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said they were rushing to the AIIMS-Delhi.

BJD leader and former minister Sanjau Das Burma asked the state government to pay an ex gratia of Rs 2 crore to the victim's family and arrest of the three accused within seven days.

Talking to some Odia news channels in Delhi, the victim's father said the state government has done a lot for his daughter.

"I have lost my daughter. She has taken her life for mental agony. I appeal all not to politicise her death and pray for her eternal peace," the father said to TV channels.

Odisha Police also expressed grief over the incident and claimed that the investigation into the girl burning incident has reached the last stage.

Police claimed that there was no other person involved in the incident and requested all not to make any sensational statement over the matter.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das also expressed his condolences and demanded the arrest of the three culprits involved in the burning of the girl within seven days. "We will gherao the DGP office if the culprits are not held within seven days," Das said.

Though 15 days have passed since the girl was set on fire, police have not been able to nab any of the culprits involved in the case, he said.

Das described August 2 as a "Bad Saturday" as the girl was also set on fire on Saturday (July 19).

Meanwhile, sources said Puri police has deployed some personnel near the deceased girl's house and also at Balanga town.

Police have also tightened security in Bhubaneswar and sealed the roads in front of CM's residence.

The incident had sparked outrage as it came close on the heels of a 20-year-old college student resorting to self-immolation and succumbing to 95 per cent burn injuries in Balasore over a sexual harassment incident.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday condemned the alleged poisoning of drinking water at a government school in Hulikatti village of Belagavi district reportedly to force the transfer of a Muslim headmaster.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

In a post on 'X' Siddaramaiah termed it a 'heinous act' driven by religious hatred and fundamentalism.

In a statement, Siddaramaiah said, "The headmaster of the government school in Hulikatti village, Savadatti taluk, Belagavi district, belongs to the Muslim community. With the malicious intent of having him transferred elsewhere, Sagar Patil, the Taluk president of Shriram Sena, along with two others, has been arrested for poisoning the drinking water of school children."

The incident occurred about 15 days ago, during which several children fell ill, though no casualties were reported.

Calling the act a 'grave threat' to communal harmony, Siddaramaiah said, "Religious fundamentalism and communal hatred can lead to heinous acts, and this incident, which could have resulted in the massacre of innocent children, is a testament to that. In the land of the Sharanas, who proclaimed, 'Compassion is the root of religion,' how could such cruelty and hatred arise? Even at this moment, I cannot believe it."

Taking on Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and right-wing organisations, he said those who spread hatred in the name of religion for political gains should engage in self-reflection.

'Will Pramod Mutalik (Sriram Sena head) take responsibility for this incident? Will @BYVijayendra take responsibility? Will @RAshokaBJP take responsibility? Leaders who always support such socially destructive acts should now come forward and atone for their sins,' Siddaramaiah sought to know.

The chief minister warned that all forms of extremism pose a threat to society.

"All forms of fanaticism and fundamentalism are dangerous to human society. To curb hate speeches and communal riots, we have formed a special task force, and we are taking all possible legal measures against such elements," he said.

Appealing for public cooperation, he said, "For all our efforts to bear fruit, the public must also raise their voices against such forces, resist them, and file complaints. I still believe that the number of people who wish to live together in harmony is a hundred times greater than the number of communalists."

Siddaramaiah also appreciated the swift action by law enforcement officials.

"Congratulations to the police personnel who foiled the evil plot to massacre children. I have full confidence that the judicial system will deliver appropriate punishment to the culprits who committed such a heinous act," he said.

According to police sources, the incident came to light after children at the government primary school in Hulikatti village reportedly took ill under suspicious circumstances after consuming water provided on the school premises.

Preliminary inquiry pointed towards deliberate contamination of the drinking water source.

Police investigations led to the arrest of three individuals, including Sagar Patil, a local leader of a right-wing group.

The motive behind the act, according to officials, was to target the school's headmaster, allegedly due to his religious identity.

The accused are believed to have attempted to create communal tension in the area by fabricating circumstances that would lead to the transfer of the headmaster.

All the affected children have since recovered.
Activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena launched an attack at a dance bar in Navi Mumbai and vandalised the premises, the police said on Sunday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The incident occurred in Panvel late on Saturday night, an official said.

A group of MNS workers stormed into Night Riders Bar on the outskirts of Panvel, and allegedly vandalised furniture, smashed liquor bottles, and caused severe damage to the property, he said.

A video of the attack surfaced on social media, which showed broken tables, shattered glass, and ransacked interiors of the establishment.

"Dance bars have no place in the sacred land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We will not allow such obscenity to thrive in Panvel or anywhere else in the state," an MNS functionary said on the condition of anonymity.

The Panvel police have taken cognisance of the incident and a probe has been initiated, a senior official said.

"We are collecting the CCTV footage and taking statements from witnesses. No one is above the law," the official told reporters.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mainly clear. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
Ukrainian forces continued to hit military-linked infrastructure deep inside Russia, as Kyiv and Moscow traded strikes ahead of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the Kremlin to accept a peace deal with Ukraine.

Russian authorities in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi said Ukrainian drones had set a regional oil depot on fire early on August 3, but the fires were later extinguished after more than 120 firefighters battled the flames. Sochi Mayor Andrei Proshunin said there were no victims.

In the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolayiv, a Russian missile strike destroyed homes and civilian infrastructure, the regional governor said on August 3. At least seven civilians were reported injured in the attack. Ukraine's State Emergency Service said three of the wounded were being treated in a hospital.

In the front-line regions of Zaporizhzhya and Kherson, at least three people were killed and more than 12 injured in Russian attacks over the 24 hours into August 3, regional Ukrainian governors said.

This latest round of attacks comes as Ukraine appears to be stepping up drone strikes deep inside Russia at a time when Trump is pressing Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a cease-fire and an end to the war, now in its fourth year.

In July, Trump said Putin had 50 days to end the war or Russia would face severe tariffs targeting its oil and other exports, but he said earlier this week that he had set a new "10 or 12" day timeline, later clarifying August 8 as the deadline.

This corresponded with a deadly week for civilians in Ukraine, including a July 31 attack on Kyiv involving more than 300 drones that killed at least 31 people, as Ukrainian forces also increased strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Russian authorities said the recent drone attack on the Sochi oil refinery was one of several launched by Ukraine over the weekend, targeting energy and military installations in the southern Russian cities of Ryazan, Penza, and Voronezh.

Russia's Defense Ministry also said on August 3 that its air defenses intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, 60 of which were over the Black Sea region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force said on August 3 that Russia fired 76 drones and seven missiles throughout the night, 61 of which were shot down.

It added that 16 drones and six missiles struck targets in eight locations.

Ukraine Announces New Prisoner Exchange Agreement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on August 3 that Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners.

There is an agreement to exchange 1,200 people," he wrote on X, saying the lists of individuals to be swapped were being worked on and that they were working to "unblock the return of our civilians."

Zelenskyy made the announcement after a meeting with his national security team to discuss "the negotiation track -- specifically, the implementation of the agreements reached during the meetings with the Russian side in Istanbul," referring to Russia-Ukraine talks in July hosted by Turkey.

He added that "preparations for a new meeting" had also taken place.

There was no immediate comment from Russia.

Each of the three rounds of talks around ending the war in Ukraine this year has resulted in some form of prisoner exchanges but has failed to yield a diplomatic breakthrough for a lasting cease-fire.

What Will Happen With Trump's Truce Deadline For Putin?

The escalating attacks and the approaching deadline for a deal set by Washington come as Trump said on August 1 that he had deployed nuclear-capable submarines to the "appropriate regions."

That announcement was in response to a threatening social media post by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, that suggested he would be ready to launch a nuclear strike as tensions rise over the war in Ukraine.

In an August 1 post on Truth Social, Trump said he had decided to reposition the nuclear submarines "closer to Russia" because of "highly provocative statements" by Medvedev.

The US president did not specify whether these were nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines.

Asked later by reporters why he ordered the submarine movement, Trump said that "a threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we're going to protect our people."

He was referring to a July 28 post on X by Medvedev where he accused Washington of playing a "game of ultimatums" in response to Trump's announcement that he shortened the deadline for the Kremlin to accept a cease-fire from 50 to 10 days, writing that "each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war."

Trump has voiced frustration with Putin more recently after initially appearing more conciliatory toward striking a deal with Moscow following his return to office in January.

The US president has since said that he believes Putin is not negotiating in good faith and earlier this week described Russia's continued attacks on civilian areas as "disgusting."

Putin has not publicly responded to Trump's latest deadline. He has periodically claimed to be interested in peace, but only on terms wholly unacceptable to Kyiv.

In an apparent reference to Trump's comments, Putin said on August 1 that "all disappointments arise from inflated expectations. This is a well-known general rule."

It is not immediately clear what will happen should Trump's August 8 deadline not be met.

In an effort to perhaps strike a last-minute deal, Trump said he is sending his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow following his current trip to Israel, although a specific itinerary has not been disclosed.

Trump has spoken of imposing further sanctions on Russia and crippling secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian oil.

Given that these would include targeting China and India, the two largest buyers of Russian oil, some analysts have expressed skepticism that Washington will take this measure.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
On the morning of RFE/RL's scheduled interview with archivist Oleksandra Buzko, her phone rings unanswered. Later that day, when we eventually connect, Buzko explains she slept through her alarm after working late into the night. "My body is refusing to serve me anymore," she says. "I'm exhausted."

Buzko heads a team of three women in the archive of the Institute of Archaeology at Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv who are racing to get their institute's visual heritage online, lest the unthinkable happens. "We have to scan, scan, scan to save those materials because you don't know if tomorrow a missile will destroy the archive and its materials," she says.

The project the women are creating is named the Digital Memory Storage, which draws from physical materials held by the archive, including thousands of photographs from the personal estates of Ukrainian archaeologists, which had never been digitized. Many of the photos depict arcane details of research digs, but others are stunning portraits of Ukrainian villagers and street life made during expeditions from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

"When I look through these images of people it creates such strong feelings," Buzko says of her work leafing through prints and negatives of her long-deceased compatriots. "I'm 39 and my generation was not really a fan of [traditional Ukrainian culture]. For us it was seen as a bit rural, it was never fashionable."

Images of Ukrainians wearing their national dress while living under the rule of Tsarist Russia hold new potency today amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Buzko says she is often overwhelmed with fondness for her photographed forebears who, through toil and tradition, laid the foundations of modern Ukraine. "I love them so much," Buzko says.

The Digital Memory Archive began during the pandemic after Buzko and her colleague Volodymyr Mysak hit on the idea to make their institute's precious collections available online, rather than letting them remain the dusty preserve of a few scholars with visitor's passes to the Kyiv archive.

Buzko sourced scanners and a small budget from sponsors, including an Austrian bank, while Mysak worked on building a website. In 2023 Mysak was drafted into the military, but he still checks in frequently to offer advice and keep up to date with the progress.

Buzko and her team have a generator that keeps their scanners going through blackouts, and the women work through the air-raid alerts that frequently interrupt public life in Kyiv. "When there are students in the archive of course I take them to the bomb shelter because I'm responsible for them," the archivist says. "But for my colleagues, it's their own decision."

Buzko says the sciences in Ukraine are currently "starving" for funds since the lion's share of public funds are going toward Ukraine's war effort. Her team, she says, "is sort of volunteering."
Kenneth Fox

A man in his 50s has appeared in court in Cork, following the seizure of approximately 107kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of 2.1 million.

In a joint operation, Gardai and Revenue seized the drugs that were hidden in a truck that arrived into Cork Port from Belgium last Sunday.

They were found in a trailer which had originated in Croatia and had disembarked a vessel arriving from Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Investigations are ongoing.
Carrick Sprint Regatta will be the place to be for rowing today, Sunday, August 3rd, as over 250 crews have entered for the 2025 gathering in Carrick-on-Shannon.

This, the last regatta of the year, will bring the curtain down on a very long, exciting season for Carrick Rowing Club. The past year has brought the club all round the country to many Heads of the River, regattas aplenty and also the running and hosting of Carrick Head at Lough Rinn, Lough Rinn Regatta and the Rowing Ireland 1K Classic all the Mohill venue.

Whilst Carrick regatta is always a popular favourite with all ages, the reintroduction of the Rowing Ireland/Waterways Ireland Row for it League has ensured the return of some extra competitors to Leitrim for the final round of this League this year. The league finale in Carrick carries double points for winning crews after previous rounds at regattas in Limerick, Carlow, Castleconnell and Athlone. Many of these host clubs will be amongst those battling it out for league honours today. The league is primarily a grow the sport initiative as part of the Rowing Ireland and Waterways Ireland strategic partnership for Junior Coxed Quads at Under 13, 14 and 15s.

Carrick Sprint Regatta is the place to be for rowing today, Sunday, August 3rd. Pic: Keith Nolan

Speaking of the Row for it League at its launch John McDonagh Chief Executive Waterways Ireland noted: Waterways Ireland is delighted to work with our partners in Rowing Ireland to grow participation in on-water activity on the inland waterways. Rowing, organised through the huge number of clubs across the waterways provides significant local, easy access to leisure and competitive sport with social, health, and well-being advantages for all the participants.

The league will only feature as part of the programme on the day with sculling, double scull, 4s and 8s across the age categories and grades on offer.

For those not familiar with the regatta, racing will take place south of the bridge in Carrick and is best viewed from the Boardwalk or the Quays adjacent to the Moon River mooring area as crews strive for the line.

The Regatta will run today, Sunday, August 3rd until 5.30 p.m..
The annual auction in aid of the Lecarrow Benevolent Fund will take place this Sunday, August 3rd from 8 p.m. outside Coffeys Pub, Lecarrow.

There will be live music in a marquee prior to the auction (from 6 p.m.) with approximately 250 auction lots anticipated.

The auction will be conducted in a large marquee adjacent to the bar with full audio and visual displays throughout.

Lots up for auction include livestock, ewe lambs, fuel vouchers, drinks vouchers, service vouchers, loads of turf, straw/hay and silage bales, agricultural products and much, much more.

Chairperson of the Lecarrow Benevolent Fund committee, Billy Kelly, expressed his thanks to sponsors and supporters this week.

We are looking forward to our auction and would just like to say a big thank you to Sarah Jane and everyone at Coffeys for hosting us again this year. Thanks also to all our sponsors and supporters for the backing they have given us over the years, he said.

The Lecarrow Benevolent Fund was devised when a small group of community-minded people came together in 2001 to assist groups and individuals in difficulty. Since then, the fund has raised and distributed over 700,000 to worthy causes.

While a significant portion of the funds raised are distributed throughout the parish, Lecarrow Benevolent Fund has also reached out to a wider area, including Roscommon, Castlerea, Monksland, Dysart, Brideswell, Curraghboy, and as far away as Dublin.

The fund has also paved the way for the purchase of life-saving equipment, including the installation and maintenance costs of defibrillators throughout the area.

The fund was established to assist those who may find themselves in a difficult financial position through no fault of their own or in other cases where people are facing significant costs in relation to medical treatment.

All support for this years auction at Coffeys Pub in Lecarrow would be gratefully appreciated.
Tributes have been paid to a County Roscommon man who died, peacefully, at Portiuncula University Hospital on Thursday, July 31st, following a sudden illness.

Thomas (Tom) Moran, Grange, Fourmilehouse (and formerly of Drumlahard, Drumboylan), was actively involved in Community Games in the county for many years.

Roscommon Community Games have expressed deep condolences to Bridie, Michael, Anne Marie, Ciaran and all the Moran family at this very sad time. Tom was very active and involved in Community Games for many years. He was chairperson at county level for a number of years. He will be very sadly missed as a great friend by all of us. Tom we will miss you and always remember your gentle smile, said a message of condolence from Roscommon Community Games.

He was also actively involved in the GAA life of the parish and the launch of Kilbride GAA Clubs strategy was postponed as a mark of respect.

The club, in expressing sympathy to his family, said: Toms connection to our community and club was deeply valued, and his passing has left a void felt by many.

Described as a gentleman and a friend to everyone, he took great interest in the workings of Fourmilehouse parish and contributed greatly to parish life, including the local community centre where he was treasurer.

Kilbride Community and Leisure Centre stated: It is with great sadness that we at Kilbride Community Centre mourn the passing of our beloved colleague friend and treasurer for the last 28 years. Our thoughts prayers and condolences go out to Bridie, his beloved wife and family.

Treasured husband of Bridget (Bridie nee Finnerty), much-loved father of Michael (New York), Ann-Marie (Mullingar) and Ciaran (Grange); father-in-law of Noel Heduan and Benjamin Gillespie; adored grandfather of Edith and Meabh and cherished brother of Charles (Rita) (Templeogue) and Michael (Drumlahard). Pre-deceased by his parents, Charles and Annie-Jane (nee Molloy), and his infant brother, John Joseph.

Tom will be forever loved and greatly missed by his heartbroken wife, children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nephews, niece, nephews-in-law, nieces-in-law, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Tom reposed in Cuan Mhuire Oratory, adjacent to the Fourmilehouse Community Centre this evening, Saturday. Removal from his home in Grange (F42 DK23) on Monday, August 4th, at 11,15 a.m. to St. Brigid's Church, Fourmilehouse (F42 AY92), to arrive for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St Comans Cemetery, Roscommon Town, alongside his beloved uncle, and aunt, Joe and Josephine Moran.
22-Year-Old's Body Found at IIT Bombay, Police Suspect Suicide

His death has saddened the entire community on the IIT campus. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

22-Year-Olds Body Found at IIT Bombay, Police Suspect Suicide

A 22-year-old student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay was found dead on the Powai campus on Saturday, Hindustan Times reported, citing police sources.

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The deceased is suspected to have fallen from the rooftop of a hostel building. To ascertain the exact cause of death, investigations are underway as of Sunday morning.

The student hailed from Delhi and was a fourth-year student of the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering program.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 10), Datta Nalawade, as quoted in the report, said the incident was reported at 2:30 a.m. by hostel authorities.

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The deceased and a few other students had reportedly ordered dinner and taken it up to the rooftop of the hostel building on Friday night. After dinner, everyone left except for the deceased. At around 1:00 a.m., his colleagues reportedly found his body at the base of the building, according to police.

The police added that the student appears to have fallen from the terrace, and that his colleagues took him to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead by the doctors.

The body has been sent to Rajawadi Hospital for post-mortem examination.

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As per the preliminary report, no foul play has been detected, and no suicide note was found.

Police are investigating the incident as a possible case of suicide or accident.

IIT-B posted a message on social media saying, His death has saddened the entire community on the IIT campus. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

(For more news apart from U22-Year-Olds Body Found at IIT Bombay, Police Suspect Suicide, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Bengaluru College Student Accuses Paying Guest Owner of Rape, Had Moved In Just 10 Days Ago

The report added that a similar case occurred last month, when another PG owner was accused of raping a student residing on the premises.

Bengaluru College Student Accuses Paying Guest Owner of Rape, Had Moved In Just 10 Days Ago

Bengaluru College Student Accuses Paying Guest Owner of Rape Latest News: A college student in Bengaluru has accused the owner of her paying guest accommodation of raping her, NDTV reported.

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According to the report, the student lodged a complaint at a local police station, following which an FIR was registered and the accused, identified as Ashraf, was arrested.

In her complaint, the student stated that she had moved into Ashrafs property as a paying guest just 10 days ago.

"On the night of August 2, 2025, around 12:41 a.m., while I was sitting at our PG, Ashraf approached me and said he would provide food and accommodation and asked me to cooperate with him. When I refused, he held my hand, dragged me, and forced me into a car, took me to a room. There, he sexually assaulted me," she said in her complaint, as quoted in the report.

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She also said she tried to share her location with a friend but was unable to do so. She added that Ashraf dropped her back at the PG between 1:30 a.m. and 2:15 a.m.

This is the second such incident reported in Bengaluru in recent times.

The report added that a similar case occurred last month, when another PG owner was accused of raping a student residing on the premises.

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In that case, a 21-year-old nursing student alleged that Ravi Teja Reddy raped her. after she reportedly admitted to stealing three gold rings from another woman living in the same PG. It is alleged that the accused sexually assaulted her when she pleaded with him not to report the theft to the police.

(For more news apart from Bengaluru College Student Accuses Paying Guest Owner of Rape, Had Moved In Just 10 Days Ago, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Operation AKHAL: Two Terrorists Neutralised in Akhal Forest, Kulgam (J&K)

the search operation is still in progress.

Operation AKHAL: Two Terrorists Neutralised in Akhal Forest, Kulgam (J&K)

Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir  Operation AKHAL is ongoing in the Akhal forest region of Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, two terrorists have been neutralised, while another is believed to be injured.

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Blasts and intermittent gunfire reportedly continued throughout the night in the dense Akhal forests, with sources stating that this could turn out to be one of the biggest anti-terror operations of the year.

One Indian Army soldier has sustained injuries during the operation.

High-tech surveillance systems and elite Para Special Forces are involved in the ongoing mission. Senior officials from both the police and army are closely monitoring the situation on the ground.

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On August 1, the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army confirmed that contact had been established with terrorists in the General Area of Akhal, Kulgam, and a joint operation was underway.

On the morning of August 2, the Chinar Corps further reported that intermittent and intense firefighting had continued through the night.

A statement from the Corps read, "Alert troops responded with calibrated fire and tightened the noose while maintaining contact. One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces so far. Operation continues."

As of now, two terrorists have been eliminated, and the search operation is still in progress.

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(For more news apart from Operation AKHAL: Two Terrorists Neutralised in Akhal Forest, Kulgam (J&K), stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Assam: Woman, 14-Year-Old Daughter, and Two Boys Arrested for Husband's Murder

"If he died of a stroke, how did he sustain a cut on his ear?"

Woman, 14-Year-Old Daughter, and Two Boys Arrested for Husbands Murder in Assam Latest News

A woman in Assam has reportedly been arrested, and her Class 9 daughter detained, along with two boys, on charges of murdering the womans husband, NDTV reported.

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According to the report, the deceased, identified as Uttam Gogoi, was found dead in the Borbaruah area at Lahon Gaon in Dibrugarh on July 25.

Uttam's wife, Boby Sonowal Gogoi, and her daughter initially informed Uttam's brother that he had died of a stroke  one of the two stories they allegedly fabricated.

"I immediately rushed to his residence but found his ear cut. I also saw an open umbrella. Then I was told that a robbery had taken place in the house. If he died of a stroke, how did he sustain a cut on his ear?" the victim's brother was quoted as saying in the NDTV report.

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"We approached the police, and today we learned that his wife, daughter, and two others were arrested on charges of murdering him," he added.

The two boys are reportedly close to Boby and her 14-year-old daughter, the NDTV report added.

Dibrugarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Reddy stated that all the accused have been arrested and that the daughter has confessed to the crime.

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Local residents in Borbaruah reportedly staged a protest at the Borbaruah police station, demanding strict punishment for the accused.

According to Northeast Live, the two boys accused in the murder have been identified as Dipjyoti Buragohain and Gouranga Patra, who are allegedly involved romantically with Boby and her daughter.

The murder is believed to have taken place on July 24. The report noted that the alleged motive behind the murder was an extramarital affair as well as a dispute over property belonging to the deceased.

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The accused were arrested 10 days after the murder, the report said.

Boby reportedly tried to make the murder look like a robbery and initially told police that her husband was killed by robbers who stole her ornaments. However, the police reportedly recovered the so-called stolen ornaments from her own residence.

It remains unclear when exactly the murder took place, as the timelines reported by the two news outlets differ. While NDTV reported that the body was discovered on July 25, Northeast Live stated that the murder was allegedly carried out on July 24. Authorities have yet to confirm the precise time of death.

(For more news apart from Operation AKHAL: Two Terrorists Neutralised in Akhal Forest, Kulgam (J&K), stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
BSF Nabs Two Narco-Smugglers with Heroin in Tarn Taran, Recovers Drone in Ferozepur

In a separate incident last evening, acting on specific intelligence, BSF troops recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone.

BSF Nabs Two Narco-Smugglers with Heroin in Tarn Taran, Recovers Drone in Ferozepur Latest News: In two separate anti-smuggling operations along the India-Pakistan border, Border Security Force (BSF) troops seized narcotics and recovered a drone, foiling attempts to smuggle drugs into Punjab, the ANI reported citing BSF source.

According to the report, early this morning, BSF troops launched a search operation after detecting drone movement near village Kalsian in Tarn Taran district. During the operation, two narco-smugglers were apprehended while hiding in a paddy field. On interrogation, they revealed the location of a heroin consignment nearby.

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Following their disclosure, BSF personnel recovered one packet of heroin, weighing approximately 610 grams, from an adjoining irrigated field. The packet was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, a packaging style typically used for aerial drops via drones.

In a separate incident last evening, acting on specific intelligence, BSF troops recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from a farming field near village Barreke in the Ferozepur district. The drone is suspected to have been used for cross-border narcotics smuggling.

(For more news apart from BSF Nabs Two Narco-Smugglers with Heroin in Tarn Taran, Recovers Drone in Ferozepur, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Punjab Weather Updates: Expected to Remain Pleasant Throughout the Week

"An upper-east circulation has formed in the region adjoining Northeast Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh."

Punjab Weather Updates: Expected to Remain Pleasant Throughout the Week

Punjab Weather Updates Today  The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh, has issued no alerts for any districts of Punjab for today, August 3 in its general cast.

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Similar weather conditions are expected to continue over the next five days in most parts of the state. However, the State Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for three northeastern districts of Punjab  Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar  warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, squalls, and more, as per its latest update on 5th of August.

Now Cast:

In its nowcast, IMD Chandigarh has issued an orange warning for Sangrur district, forecasting moderate rain accompanied by light thunderstorms, with maximum surface wind speeds below 40 km/h. This nowcast is valid until 3 PM today.

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Additionally, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Patiala, warning of light rain. No alerts have been issued for the remaining districts in todays nowcast.

Weather Observed in the Past 24 Hours:

In the past 24 hours, there has been a 0.9C change in the average minimum temperature, which remains near normal.

The lowest minimum temperature in the state was 23.2C, recorded at Thein Dam (AWS), Pathankot, while Hoshiarpur recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 44.5 mm.

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Rainfall patterns across the country

Speaking to ANI about rainfall patterns across the country, IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava said, "An upper-east circulation has formed in the region adjoining Northeast Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Today, many areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may witness heavy rainfall. A red alert has been issued for the region. Areas such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya may also receive heavy rainfall. Tamil Nadu and Kerala could witness heavy to very heavy rainfall. Delhi-NCR may experience light to moderate rainfall over the next three days."

(For more news apart from Punjab Weather Updates: Expected to Remain Pleasant Throughout the Week, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Gagandeep Singh death in Saudi Arabia news

Locally known as Gagan Pehlwan, young man was a familiar figure in his village due to his involvement in wrestling and physical fitness.

Punjabi Youth Dies of Heart Attack in Saudi Arabia Latest News  Tragedy has struck a family in Gurdaspur district after news emerged that a 27-year-old Punjabi youth, Gagandeep Singh, died of a heart attack in Saudi Arabia, where he had gone in search of better employment opportunities.

The deceased hailed from Kotli Surat Malli village in Gurdaspur and had been working in Saudi Arabia for the past year. According to sources, Gagandeep suffered a sudden heart attack, leading to his untimely demise.

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Locally known as Gagan Pehlwan, the young man was a familiar figure in his village due to his involvement in wrestling and physical fitness. He had previously displayed remarkable strength and skill in local wrestling competitions. Following the death of his elder brother, Gagandeep had become the sole support for his aging parents.

The tragic news has left the entire village in mourning. In the wake of this devastating loss, the family has made an emotional appeal to social welfare organizations and the Punjab government to assist in the repatriation of Gagandeep Singhs body from Saudi Arabia to his native village for last rites.

(For more news apart from Punjabi Youth Dies of Heart Attack in Saudi Arabia, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Four Senior Citizens of Indian Origin in Their 80s Go Missing During U.S. Road Trip

We have a few leads that we and surrounding law enforcement agencies are investigating, but have not yet located the missing persons,

Four Senior Citizens of Indian Origin in Their 80s Go Missing During U.S. Road Tri

New York/Pennsylvania: Four senior citizens of Indian origin have gone missing during a road trip from New York to Pennsylvania, India Today reported, citing reports.

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The missing individuals  Dr. Kishore Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84)  were last seen on July 29 at a Burger King outlet on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, according to the report. Their last known credit card transaction also took place at this location.

The group was reportedly travelling in a light green Toyota Camry with a New York license plate (EKW2611). They were headed to the Palace of Gold in Marshall County, West Virginia, where they had planned to stay the night on July 29. However, they never checked in, the report said, citing WTEF.com.

Authorities say the group has not answered their phones since that day. Cell tower data last picked up signals from their devices around 3 a.m. on Wednesday in Moundsville, West Virginia.

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Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty said that search efforts have been intensified.

We have a few leads that we and surrounding law enforcement agencies are investigating, but have not yet located the missing persons, Dougherty told WTOV News9, as per the report.

(For more news apart from Four Senior Citizens of Indian Origin in Their 80s Go Missing During U.S. Road Tri, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
August 3, 2025

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 03.08.2025, 14:00

GAZA  The head of the EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, on Sunday denounced the horrifying images of Israeli hostages in Gaza, demanding their immediate release, following the publication of videos by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, France Presse reports. Hamas must lay down its arms and end its domination of Gaza, said Kaja Kallas. At the same time, large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need, she said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his dismay at the videos and spoke to the hostages families, an official statement announced. On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to support the families of the hostages and demand their release. Also in Tel Aviv, the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met with relatives of the Israeli hostages, whom he assured that changing the strategy of the negotiations and moving from releasing the hostages in stages to releasing them in a single phase is also President Donald Trumps option.

RESTORE  The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragos Paslaru, announced, in a post on a social network, that he will activate the European RESTORE Mechanism, put in place for major natural disasters, in the context of the floods in the Romanian counties of Suceava and Neamt. This is the first time that this instrument will be used in Romania and will allow the rapid relocation of millions of euros of European money to the affected areas, to support the restoration of infrastructure, housing and small entrepreneurs in the area, the minister said. Three people died, hundreds of houses were destroyed or damaged, and the road and electrical infrastructure in the affected localities suffered major damage. So far, humanitarian aid from the state reserve, food, drinking water, modular buildings, clothing, diesel and other essential products have been sent to the two counties. The government allocated amounts of up to 30,000 lei (6,000 euros) per family and deployed emergency personnel in the area.

AUSTERITY  The Romanian authorities remind that the package of fiscal measures that came into force at the beginning of this month also includes the elimination of some categories from the list of those who benefit from free health insurance. Thus, people who receive certain forms of support will have their contribution withheld, while for co-insured persons, that is, the husband, wife or parents without income of a person who pays the health contribution, an annual amount of 2,430 lei per year (about 500 euros) must now be paid, which covers 10% of the value of six minimum gross salaries in the economy. Also, some pensioners will now pay health insurance as 10% will be withheld from pensions higher than 3,000 lei (600 euros). Also from the beginning of this month, VAT has increased from 19% to 21% and there is a single reduced VAT rate of 11% for basic food, firewood, medicines, books, thermal energy or in the hospitality sector. Excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and fuels have increased by 10%. On the other hand, in education, the teaching norm has increased by 2 hours, the amount for hourly payment has decreased, and the school scholarship system has been modified, with a decrease in the number of beneficiaries.

CHILDREN  The Government in Bucharest has recently approved new measures to prevent the separation of children from their families, including those with parents working abroad. According to the Ministry of Labor, the initiator of the legislative changes, the concrete steps that underlie the procedure for identifying children at such risk have been established. Thus, all cases will be registered in the National Child Observatory, part of an IT system developed by the national authority in the field, for centralization and monitoring. If, following the assessment of a child and their family, the public social assistance service finds them in a situation of vulnerability, a service plan is drawn up for at least 12 months, a period during which it is mandatory to support the parents in raising and caring for the child, the Ministry of Labor also announced.

CORRUPTION  Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies said Saturday they had uncovered a major fraud scheme in which military drones and signal jamming systems were purchased at inflated prices. Four suspects were arrested, including a lawmaker from President Volodymyr Zelenskys party. He called the corruption uncovered absolutely immoral. The independence of these anti-corruption agencies was restored on Thursday after the Kyiv parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of a law promoted by President Zelensky, following the largest demonstrations in the country since Russias invasion in 2022. The new legislation repeals the previous one proposed last week, which provided for the transfer of the two agencies under political control. Ukraines European allies praised the move, after expressing concern over the initial modification of the agencies status.

VATICAN  Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air mass in Rome on Sunday in front of more than 1 million young pilgrims, at the close of the Jubilee of Youth, an event held as part of the Holy Year organized every 25 years by the Catholic Church and which has attracted believers from around the world, France Presse reports. The Vatican said that 450 bishops and about 700 priests took part in the mass. The pilgrimage of young Catholics took place about three months after the beginning of Pope Leo XIVs pontificate and 25 years after former Pope John Paul II organized the previous similar gathering in Rome. (EE)
August 3, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 03.08.2025, 20:00

MEASURES  The second package of measures to reduce the budget deficit remains in the attention of the Bucharest Government and the coalition in the coming week. At the same time, the first budget rectification is expected and, at the request of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), significant funds could be redirected for some local development projects. Discussions will also continue on the draft law proposing to increase the standard retirement age of magistrates to 65 years, but also to reduce the amount of pensions for this professional category. The Executives announcement triggered a wave of protests by magistrates. The Higher Magistracy Council (CSM) believes that the expected changes will lead, in the long term, to the destruction of the justice system. In turn, the Judges Forum Association estimated that the changes proposed by the Government could lead to the immediate retirement or resignation of over 1,000 magistrates.

AUSTERITY  The Romanian authorities remind that the package of fiscal measures that came into force at the beginning of this month also includes the elimination of some categories from the list of those who benefit from free health insurance. Thus, people who receive certain forms of support will have their contribution withheld, while for co-insured persons, that is, the husband, wife or parents without income of a person who pays the health contribution, an annual amount of 2,430 lei per year (about 500 euros) must now be paid, which covers 10% of the value of six minimum gross salaries in the economy. Also, some pensioners will now pay health insurance as 10% will be withheld from pensions higher than 3,000 lei (600 euros). Also from the beginning of this month, VAT has increased from 19% to 21% and there is a single reduced VAT rate of 11% for basic food, firewood, medicines, books, thermal energy or in the hospitality sector. Excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and fuels have increased by 10%. On the other hand, in education, the teaching norm has increased by 2 hours, the amount for hourly payment has decreased, and the school scholarship system has been modified, with a decrease in the number of beneficiaries.

EVALUATION  The work of department heads in state hospitals will be evaluated according to performance criteria, just like that of the managers of hospital units. The announcement was made by Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete, after serious irregularities were discovered at the burns centre of a hospital in Bucharest, where several patients were infected with a dangerous bacteria. The Health Ministry launched an investigation there after a relative of a patient with serious burns complained about poor hygiene conditions. The hospital and the cleaning company it had contracted were fined 60,000 lei (12,000 euros).

RESTORE  The Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragos Paslaru, announced, in a post on a social network, that he will activate the European RESTORE Mechanism, put in place for major natural disasters, in the context of the floods in the Romanian counties of Suceava and Neamt. This is the first time that this instrument will be used in Romania and will allow the rapid relocation of millions of euros of European money to the affected areas, to support the restoration of infrastructure, housing and small entrepreneurs in the area, the minister said. Three people died, hundreds of houses were destroyed or damaged, and the road and electrical infrastructure in the affected localities suffered major damage. So far, humanitarian aid from the state reserve, food, drinking water, modular buildings, clothing, diesel and other essential products have been sent to the two counties. The government allocated amounts of up to 30,000 lei (6,000 euros) per family and deployed emergency personnel in the area.

CHILDREN  The Government in Bucharest has recently approved new measures to prevent the separation of children from their families, including those with parents working abroad. According to the Ministry of Labor, the initiator of the legislative changes, the concrete steps that underlie the procedure for identifying children at such risk have been established. Thus, all cases will be registered in the National Child Observatory, part of an IT system developed by the national authority in the field, for centralization and monitoring. If, following the assessment of a child and their family, the public social assistance service finds them in a situation of vulnerability, a service plan is drawn up for at least 12 months, a period during which it is mandatory to support the parents in raising and caring for the child, the Ministry of Labor also announced.

VATICAN  Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air mass in Rome on Sunday in front of more than 1 million young pilgrims, at the close of the Jubilee of Youth, an event held as part of the Holy Year organized every 25 years by the Catholic Church and which has attracted believers from around the world, France Presse reports. The Vatican said that 450 bishops and about 700 priests took part in the mass. The pilgrimage of young Catholics took place about three months after the beginning of Pope Leo XIVs pontificate and 25 years after former Pope John Paul II organized the previous similar gathering in Rome. (EE)
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Watches of Switzerland slid after Trump announced a 39% tariff on Swiss exports to the US, above the 31% announced on so-called Liberation Day.

Playtech advanced as it lifted it expectations for first-half adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

JPMorgan Cazenove reiterated its overweight rating on Ocado on Friday and lifted the price target to 437p from 400p.

It said the companys operational performance, particularly within its Technology Solutions segment, continues to improve, while bearish arguments are increasingly losing traction.

JPM said that after changing its view on Ocado earlier this year and turning OW for the first time since 2018, it now sees more and more data points for improvements in operational performance coming through that should drive a continued, sustained re-rating.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 292.80p 5.02%

Ocado Group (OCDO) 325.60p 3.07%

Playtech (PTEC) 409.00p 2.76%

Spectris (SXS) 4,070.00p 2.01%

Endeavour Mining (EDV) 2,334.00p 1.48%

WH Smith (SMWH) 1,039.00p 1.37%

PayPoint (PAY) 734.00p 1.10%

Victrex plc (VCT) 694.00p 1.02%

Pollen Street Group Limited (POLN) 852.00p 0.95%

Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 242.40p 0.92%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 324.20p -7.53%

RHI Magnesita N.V. (DI) (RHIM) 2,275.00p -5.01%

Carnival (CCL) 1,989.00p -4.65%

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 1,089.00p -4.39%

Drax Group (DRX) 678.00p -4.17%

Dr. Martens (DOCS) 77.50p -4.14%

Trustpilot Group (TRST) 240.60p -3.99%

Senior (SNR) 194.00p -3.96%

Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 210.00p -3.67%

Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 223.50p -3.66%
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Federal authorities allege that a 37-year-old man from Staten Island was among individuals who attempted to obtain over $18 million from more than 350 victims as part of a nationwide scam that targeted seniors.

Jingbin Jiang, was arrested on Staten Island on Thursday, and Su Jian Liu, 38, of Edmond, Oklahoma, remains at large. The pair allegedly participated in the scheme where more than 70 victims lost over $5 million, according to an announcement by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI Christopher Raia and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Jiang lives in New Springville, according to public records.

The indictment unsealed Thursday in Federal Court in Manhattan alleges that Jiang and Liu participated in the scheme from 2023 to July 2025 that defrauded seniors in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, California, Connecticut, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Montana and other states.

Jiang (Fatty) and Liu (Ah Pang) allegedly supervised the couriers who picked up cash and gold from the victims. The defendants provided updates to other members of the scheme about the couriers activities that often included transporting fraudulent proceeds to New York City, according to the indictment.

Members of the scheme allegedly used text-messaging platforms to provide information about potential victims, often including the zip codes and the amounts of cash or gold to be collected from each victim. The defendants would decide whether to accept the pickup, and if they did, accomplices would provide specific details such as time and location, prosecutors allege.

After the couriers obtained the valuables, the indictment alleges that Jiang and Liu arranged for the criminal proceeds to be distributed to other members of the scheme. Cash and gold sometimes were converted into cryptocurrency that was transmitted to accomplices located overseas, including in India and China.

Pop-up messages used in scam

The con typically started with a pop-up message that appeared on seniors computer screens indicating that they needed to call a particular phone number controlled by members of the scheme. The pop-up message would typically claim to come from a technology company, a bank, or the government.

When victims called the phone number, they were told a fictitious story that would induce them to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Some victims were falsely told that their computers had viruses or had been hacked for use in serious crimes such as downloading materials related to the sexual abuse of children.

Others received bogus claims that their bank accounts were hacked and, thus, vulnerable to unauthorized withdrawals. To avoid arrest or protect their bank accounts, victims were instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash from their bank accounts or purchase big quantities of gold. Some seniors were told that their money would be safely held in the custody of a consumer protection agency, such as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Victims even were sent notices with fake letterheads of government agencies and bogus official signatures.

Victims often were told that a courier would be arriving at their homes or another location to collect the valuable. The marks were provided with fictitious names for each courier and sometimes a password and description for that scheme member.

Other victims were told to purchase and transfer cryptocurrency or gift cards in ways that did not involve a pickup. The marks often were led to believe that they could access their gold and/or cash in the future since those valuables would be deposited on their behalf into new and safe bank accounts or held by an organization such as the Federal Trade Commission.

Funds were never returned to victims, some of whom made multiple transactions before realizing that they were being defrauded.
Family Fruit in Grant City will be closing after serving the borough for over 35 years. The inventory is on sale and a public auction will be held later this week. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A beloved Grant City institution is preparing to close its doors. Family Fruit, located at 2270 Hylan Blvd., will permanently close its doors on Monday, Aug. 4, after serving the community for more than 35 years.

Signs posted outside the store announce the closure and advertise a 50% off sale on remaining merchandise. Despite the impending shutdown, a staff member confirmed that the store will maintain its regular hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. through its final day.

The auction will take place on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 1 p.m. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

An auction of equipment and remaining inventory is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. A representative from the company handling the sale said payments will be accepted via cash, Venmo, or bank check.

While store ownership did not respond to requests for comment, employees appeared visibly downcast as they continued organizing fresh produce and packing deli inventory. Staff members expressed uncertainty about the future of the property.

Customers in the store scooped up pantry staples as the inventory was marked half off. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Family Fruit has long been known across Staten Island for its daily fresh produce and meats, a full-service deli with prepared foods, and a wide selection of grocery items. Even as closure approaches, the store continues to offer its signature items, including Sicilian rice balls, fried cauliflower, Buffalo rice balls, mozzarella en carrozza, potato croquettes, and a variety of salads.

The grocer was among the first during the COVID pandemic to serve customers with curbside pickup. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Family Fruit earned praise for its customer service, offering curbside delivery and becoming one of the first local businesses to implement contactless pickup options.

In 2014, the business expanded to Arthur Kill Road in Huguenot, responding to demand from South Shore customers. That location closed in March 2022.

The market was known for its catering and Italian deli. Neighbors will miss the store's convenience, seasonal bargains and discount programs. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

The store has created lasting memories for many Staten Islanders. Midland Beach resident Paul Chudnovskiy recalls, As a kid, I remember walking down Greeley Avenue with my sisters to get food from there. Their Italian bread always had a good scent when I walked into the store. The mozzarella marinated in olive oil was also a top-notch favorite of mine. One of my fondest memories is when my parents would buy greens for my late guinea pig  she loved them."
Massimo Felici is the chef and owner of Don Cheech which has been recognized for two years in a row by Wine Spectator. True to the oenophile spirit, Felici wants to turn some attention on the Rosebank restaurant's French wine selections with a special tasting dinner to be held next Thursday. Silvestri

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Chef Massimo Felici is inviting Staten Islanders to expand their palates with a first-ever French wine dinner at Don Cheech in Rosebank on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The five-course dining experience, beginning at 7 p.m., continues Felicis tradition of monthly wine dinners that originated at his former restaurant, VINUM, an acclaimed eatery acknowledged by Michelin. Also, Don Cheech has won the Wine Spectator Award for the second year in a row.

Id like to introduce Staten Islanders to a few popular French wines, Felici said, noting that while Don Cheech carries French selections, customers rarely order them.

According to Felici, this hesitation stems from several factors: unfamiliarity with French wines, reluctance to spend money on unknown bottles, limited availability at local restaurants, and the typically higher price points of quality French vintages.

The tentative menu showcases classic French cuisine paired with celebrated wines. Diners can expect oysters with mignonette served with Champagne, moules marinieres (mussels in white wine broth) paired with Sancerre, classic tenderloin steak tartare accompanied by red Beaujolais, and duck a lorange paired with Cotes du Rhone. Dessert options include creme brulee or apple tart tatin, served with pastis on ice.

Tickets cost $150 per person. Felici emphasized that a comparable dining experience would cost around $250 outside of Staten Island.

The evening will feature jazzy French music, and a certified sommelier will guide guests through each wine pairing. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase the featured wines through Don Cheechs license.

Don Cheech, located in Rosebank, blends Americanized Italian fare with modern presentation. The restaurant features a curated selection of unusual spirits, including rare Italian liqueurs, which complement its broad menu of steaks, pizza, pasta and housemade desserts. Through events like this, Felici aims to elevate the local dining scene while keeping it accessible.

Beyond his culinary ventures, Felici is the founder of Rosebank Merchant Association and the vice chair of Bay Street & Beyond. The latter organization hosts forums and community events such as neighborhood cleanups.

Don Cheech is located at 1271 Bay St., Rosebankand can be reached at 718-285-4401 or via their website at doncheechnyc.com. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from noon to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.
Investigators are seen outside a home on Upper Kingtown Road in Franklin Township on Saturday, Aug. 2, where two people were found shot to death. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

Two people were found dead Saturday with gunshot wounds in what authorities described as a double homicide.

Lauren Semanchik, 33, of Pittstown, and Tyler Webb, 29, of Forked River, were killed in an apparent targeted shooting in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township, according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office.

The time of the shooting was not provided by authorities, but neighbors told NJ Advance Media they heard loud bangs on Friday night that they initially believed to be fireworks.

While a prosecutors office representative would not say if theyve identified a suspect or arrested anyone in the killings, officials said there is no danger to the public.

Franklin Township police responded to the house on Upper Kingtown Road at about 12:22 p.m. Saturday for a report of an unconscious female with apparent physical trauma, according to a news release.

When officers arrived at the home, they found two people dead with gunshot wounds.

There was heavy police activity outside the two-story home on Saturday afternoon. Police at the scene declined to share any details about what occurred at the house.

Five or six police cars were parked in the driveway, and another five to six police cars were in the street near the house earlier in the day.

Police could be seen at this home on Upper Kingtown Road in Franklin Township on Saturday as they investigated a double homicide. Victoria Gladstone for NJ Advance Media

The residence is located on a hill in a quiet, wooded area of Pittstown.

Its calm  nothing ever happens. Its very family oriented and very safe, neighbor Luis Luna told NJ Advance Media. Its sad and shocking. Its very surprising to hear this happening.

Another neighbor reported hearing what sounded like gunshots Friday night around dusk. The man, who did not want to provide his name, said he initially thought it was firecrackers.

I was inside somewhere before dark and I heard some sounds that sounded like gunshot, firecrackers, he said.

He also said he heard somebody yelling like being surprised, like a high-pitched voice. Again, I was inside, so its a little hard. And a couple more noises and then it was quiet.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Sgt. David Petelle or Detective Quayshaun Brooks at 908-788-1129. Information can also be sent anonymously to the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010.

Hunterdon County mobile command post outside a crime scene in Franklin Township where two people were found dead on Saturday. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

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Victoria Gladstone may be reached at vgladstone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @TorigNJAM. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
A Middlesex County town is moving forward with plans to take a dozen acres of a 175-year-old family farm to build affordable housing  despite fierce opposition from the owners and an ongoing lawsuit.

Earlier this month, Cranbury Township notified the owners of the farm on South River Road that it had hired a company to appraise the site for possible purchase or condemnation.

The farm is managed by brothers Andy and Christopher Henry, whose family has owned the property since 1850. Though they now live in New Mexico, the brothers grew up in Cranbury and visit regularly to check on the farm, which is maintained by a local tenant who raises sheep and cattle.

Township officials have said they plan to acquire the land through eminent domain to meet Cranburys state-mandated affordable housing requirement. Appraising the property is typically the first step in that process, which allows the government to take private land for public use. Owners must be compensated at fair market value, even if they refuse to sell.

Timothy Duggan, the familys attorney, said the township is premature in moving forward with plans to condemn the farm, noting a pending lawsuit in court.

Andy and I are disappointed that the township is proceeding down the condemnation path before the affordable housing plan is even reviewed by the court, Duggan said in a statement.

We hope the township will spend more time working with the Cranbury Housing Associates and residents to find the win-win scenario, which is building the necessary homes on other property.

Cranbury officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Henrys, whose great-grandfather bought the land nearly two centuries ago, have repeatedly pleaded with township leaders to let them keep the property. Since April, theyve urged the committee to reconsider. But last month, the committee passed an ordinance to begin the eminent domain process.

A historic image of the Henry farm in Cranbury. Henry Family

According to township documents, a developer has plans to build a 130-unit affordable apartment complex on 12 acres of the farm. The project would include six multifamily buildings, a community center and recreational space.

Cranburys housing plan is part of a broader, court-mandated effort to expand affordable housing across New Jersey. Under a state directive, municipalities must add or rehabilitate more than 146,000 affordable units by 2035.

The requirements have sparked controversy, with some municipalities unsuccessfully suing the state over what they argue are unfair obligations to build affordable units.

Cranbury must allow developers to add 265 affordable housing units over the next 10 years, according to the states new calculations.

The Henry brothers said they have invested more than $200,000 in the property since taking ownership in 2012. Over the past 30 years, as warehouses have sprouted around them, the family has turned down offers as high as $30 million from developers, insisting they have no intention of selling.

In a lawsuit filed this week in Middlesex County Superior Court, the Henrys argue that the farm is still an active agricultural site and a vital part of Cranburys rural identity. The suit claims the location  near the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 130, surrounded by warehouses and far from schools, shops and public transit  is poorly suited for housing.

The complaint also claims that Cranbury gave the Walters Group, a New Jersey-based private developer expected to build the project, too much control over the site selection process.

Cranbury Mayor Lisa Knierim has previously defended the decision, stating during past meetings that the committee reviewed more than 50 possible sites over the course of a year before selecting the Henry property.

She said choosing the farm was necessary to avoid a costly builders remedy lawsuit, which could strip the township of control over where and how affordable housing is built.

The dispute has drawn national attention, with the Trump administration stepping in as the U.S. Department of Agriculture investigates Cranburys plan for potential Farmland Protection Policy Act violations.

Local residents and supporters have rallied behind the Henry family, raising thousands of dollars and organizing petitions to preserve the land. And, the New Jersey Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental group, recently joined the fight.

Taylor McFarland, the groups conservation and program manager, called the move an abuse of power and urged the township to explore alternatives such as redeveloping vacant warehouse properties.

Using eminent domain to kick a family off of their farm that they have owned for generations is despicable, McFarland said. This is a massive overreach by the Township to unjustly seize land that has been in a family since 1850, displacing their livelihood and erasing their history.
A minke whale died Saturday in a Jersey Shore bay a short time after videos showed it collide with a boat, nearly capsizing the vessel and throwing a person overboard.

The dead whale was still seen in Barnegat Bay as of Saturday night, Sheila Dean, director of the Brigantine- based Marine Mammal Stranding Center, told NJ Advance Media on the phone at 8:30 p.m.

The center  the only federally authorized rescue, rehabilitation and release facility for marine mammals in New Jersey  was notified of the incident involving the whale at about 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dean said.

We know the whale has died. Were not really sure why, but were going to find that out, said Dean, noting that resources are being gathered to move the animal out of the water in order to conduct a necropsy.

In an online update shortly after 10 p.m., the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said the roughly 20-foot whale was first seen near the inlet before a boater reported that a vessel had struck the whale around 3:40 p.m.

While the stranding coordinator was still en route, Sea Tow, who had remained on scene to observe the whale, reported that the animal was deceased, the center said.

A minke whale died Saturday in Barnegat Bay, a short time after videos showed the large animal collide with a boat and nearly tip it over, a Jersey Shore rescue center confirmed. Screenshot from video courtesy of Kim Manicini

It looks like the whale was in shallow water and of course people in their boats surrounded it and someone got very close. I dont know how they even got where the whale was because it was so shallow, Dean said, referring to footage of the scene.

Additional information, including the exact cause of death, will be available after an investigation.

First responders said on Saturday a stranding coordinator boarded a New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers vessel to assess the whale, which later in the day was on a sandbar in very shallow water outside of the channel.

They were able to approach within 30 yards of the whale, but due to the tidal conditions they could not safely access the sandbar for further direct examination, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said in a statement.

The center confirmed with officials at a nearby state park that the whale can be towed to the park for a necropsy. However, due to the availability of necessary equipment and the upcoming tide, the whale is not expected to be moved until Monday morning.

The necropsy will follow, the stranding center shared, and will likely take several hours to complete.

While its unclear exactly what took place Saturday, several videos showed the whale butting up against one boat and a person could be seen falling overboard. No injuries have been reported.

The whale could then be seen thrashing against the small vessel and nearly tipping it over. The whale then flailed in the water as onlookers shouted for the boat to turn off the engine.

The whale had gone under our boat then it went under the other boat and I took the video, Kim Mancini, a resident who posted short clips of the scene, told NJ Advance Media.

Minke whales can reach about 20,000 pounds and be as long as roughly 35 feet.

The last time a minke whale stranded in New Jersey was in December 2024 in Cape May Point, according to the rescue center.

One pilot whale and a humpback whale died after stranding at the Jersey Shore in separate incidents this year as well, the stranding centers data showed.

Dean said the minke whale was possibly cut by the boat Saturday and those near it should have not approached or kept their engines running given the animals proximity.

Boaters were advised Saturday to use caution in the area north of Double Creek Channel in Barnegat Bay and to keep away from the whale carcass for their safety. Any marine mammal sightings should be reported to the centers hotline at 609-266-0538.

If the whale approaches you, you shut your engines off and just lay dead in the water until the whale swims away, Dean said. You should never approach a whale.

In the U.S., minke whales are not listed as endangered or threatened, but they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

You have to stay 150 feet away from marine mammals in the wild, Dean said. Thats the law.
So, you think youre a real Staten Islander?

If in doubt, just check out this list of things that make for a true Staten Islander.

I know I forgot a few, so feel free clue me in at wrobleski@siadvance.com.

OK, lets go. Youre a real Staten Islander if:

You scream at other drivers for breaking the same traffic laws you do.

You know that the Staten Island Ferry is free, but you secretly exult when clueless tourists get scammed into paying for it.

Youve moved to New Jersey.

You still spell Verrazano with one z.

Youve received at least one speed camera ticket.

Youve never taken a swim off a Staten Island beach.

You remember when you could buy loose joints for a dollar on the Staten Island Ferry.

You went to school with Pete Davidson.

Youve put a traffic cone, garbage can or other object in the street in order to preserve a parking space.

You still call Historic Richmond Town Richmondtown.

You still call the town of Richmond Richmondtown.

You remember when Sears was an anchor store at the Staten Island Mall.

Youve moved to Pennsylvania.

You went to the movies at the Amboy Cinemas in Sayreville, N.J. (and at Cinema 9 in Sayreville, wink, wink).

You remember when you could smoke on the Staten Island Ferry.

Youre actually too young to know what over by Al Deppes means.

You went to school with an Impractical Joker.

You remember when there was a McDonalds in the St. George Ferry Terminal.

You remember Pete Smiths Hall of Fame bar in the Whitehall Ferry Terminal.

Youve moved to North Carolina.

You remember when conductors collected your fare money on the Staten Island Railway.

You remember when the Staten Island Railway was called the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority.

You couldnt care less who the Outerbridge Crossing and the Goethals Bridge are named after.

You cant for the life of you figure out why the windows on the Ollis class ferries dont open.

Sal Vulcano from Impractical Jokers was your bartender at Cargo.

You delivered the Staten Island Advance when you were a kid.

Youve never walked across the Bayonne Bridge or the Goethals Bridge.

You remember when the College of Staten Island campuses were in Sunnyside and St. George.

You turn the air-conditioning on the first day it hits 75 degrees, and you dont turn it off before Halloween no matter how chilly it gets outside.

You hate the tourist hordes on the Staten Island Ferry, especially the groups who hold hands and form a human chain when theyre boarding.

You remember the smell from the Fresh Kills landfill.

You remember Pergament.

You remember the Middle Earth Lounge.

You bought your first LP at Korvettes.

Youve moved to Florida.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  While the summer sun still hangs high and the trees remain green, the long days are already beginning to shorten, signaling that the end of Daylight Saving Time is approaching.

According to TimeAndDate.com, clocks will fall back from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, giving individuals an extra hour of sleep and marking the official end of Daylight Saving Time for 2025. This means the clocks will change a day earlier than last year, when Daylight Saving Time ended on Nov. 3.

This semi-annual clock adjustment, where Americans spring forward in March and fall back in November, has been a staple of timekeeping in the United States for over a century.

The practice was first introduced in 1918 under the term Fast Time, but was repealed less than a year later. Despite this, cities like New York, Boston, and Pittsburgh kept the custom alive.

The clock change returned during World War II, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented War Time in 1942. Still, it wasnt until 1966, when the Uniform Time Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, that the U.S. adopted a standardized, nationwide system. This established the daylight saving practice we know today, according to MassLive.com.

Still, not everyone is on board. Over the years, debate has persisted over whether its worth the hassle to keep changing the clocks.

During the fall 2023 legislative session, lawmakers introduced a pair of bills in the New York State Assembly and Senate to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but both bills remained trapped in committee, and no vote took place. So, neither has become law.

Among those hoping to see an end to the practice in New York are state Sen. Joe Griffo, of Rome, and state Sen. Angelo L. Santabarbara, of Schenectady.

Griffo told the Advance/SILive.com that people are overwhelmingly telling him: Lets stop springing forward and falling back.

President Donald Trump also chimed in, writing on X in December 2024, Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our nation.




Schenectady, N.Y.  An Upstate New York man was charged Tuesday with a 2013 arson in Schenectady that killed a father, three young children and injured a fourth child.

The father was in a relationship with the girlfriend of the man now charged with his death, federal prosecutors said.

Edward Leon, 53, of Fultonville, was indicted in federal court with setting a fire in a rental property at 438 Hulett St. in Schenectady causing the death of four people on May 2, 2013, according to a news release from federal prosecutors on Saturday. He was arraigned on Thursday.

The fire killed David Terry and three of his children, including 2-year-old Michael Terry, 3-year-old Layah Terry and 11-month-old Donovan Duell. The fire also seriously injured a fourth child.

Leon sent threatening messages to the father days before the fire. He was upset that his girlfriend of four years was planning to marry Terry, federal prosecutors said. On the day of the fire, Leon went to Terrys home to confront him.

In 2016, Leon was convicted of making false statements to a federal grand jury regarding the 2013 arson, according to a 2016 news release from federal prosecutors.

He lied about his whereabouts at the time of the fire, telling a grand jury that he was not in Schenectady. He also denied sending threatening messages to David Terry between April 25 and 29, 2013, federal prosecutors said.

Evidence in his perjury trial showed he sent anonymous messages to Terry, including youre not going to make it to your wedding day, and die, Dave, die.

Leon went to confront Terry on May 2, 2013, after the messages did not deter the relationship between Terry and Leons girlfriend, federal prosecutors have said.

When his lies were uncovered, Leon said that he saw a small porch fire at the home when he came to confront Terry, federal prosecutors said. He said that he left without alerting anyone so he would not be suspected of starting the fire, they said.

In a sentencing memorandum from the 2016 conviction, federal prosecutors said there is significant evidence Leon was involved in another arson.

On March 17, 2013, the apartment he had shared with his girlfriend and her children in St. Johnsville was destroyed by a fire, according to the memorandum. The fire was initially ruled accidental but was later considered suspicious.

Leon had been overheard threatening to burn down the apartment with his girlfriend and her kids in it if she ever left him, according to the memorandum. The day of the fire, he helped the woman and her children escape.

Federal prosecutors also noted in the memorandum that there was significant evidence he was involved in the fatal arson in Schenectady, including the threatening messages and his plan to confront Terry.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the perjury. He was released in 2022, according to federal court documents.

At the time of his sentencing, federal investigators confirmed the homicide was still under investigation, according to a news release.

Over a decade later, Leon was charged this week with starting the fatal fire.

Leon was arraigned Thursday. He is charged with malicious use of fire to destroy property resulting in death, federal prosecutors said.

If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty, federal prosecutors said.

Leons attorney, Kevin Luibrand, was not immediately available for comment.
(Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via Associated Press).

This undated image made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large grouping of Legionella pneumophila bacteria (Legionnaires' disease). The germ spreads into the lungs through water vapor or mist. (Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via Associated Press).

The New York City Health Department has confirmed a community cluster of Legionnaires disease in Central Harlem, with 22 cases diagnosed since July 25 and one death reported.

Health officials are investigating the outbreak, which affects ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, as well as neighboring communities.

All cooling towers in the area have been tested and building owners with positive preliminary results have been ordered to begin remediation within 24 hours.

Anyone with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne said.

Legionnaires disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin, Eyssallenne went on to say.

Health officials are urging residents and workers in the affected area who experience symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing to seek immediate medical attention.

Legionnaires disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water environments.

The disease spreads when people inhale water vapor containing the bacteria. It cannot be transmitted from person to person. and is treatable with antibiotics, especially when the treatment begins early.

The bacteria commonly grows in plumbing systems including cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.

The disease was first discovered in 1976 after people were infected following a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion, according to Bloomberg.
Melbourne Storm have apologised to First Nations communities over the events of Anzac Day when the NRL clubs Welcome to Country ceremony was cancelled at the last minute.

The Storm said they had been in ongoing communication with members of the Wurundjeri community since April 25, when the ceremony that had been slated to take place before the match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs was cancelled, causing distress among Indigenous communities.

Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day. Credit: Getty Images

In the days that followed, the Storm took responsibility for what they said was an internal miscommunication that meant the Welcome to Country ceremony at AAMI Park was cancelled at the last minute.

The Storm said on Monday they will have an Acknowledgement of Country before Thursday nights clash against the Brisbane Broncos.

To read more from sport reporter Scott Spits, click here.
Scientists have developed a world-first mRNA vaccine in NSW that protects cows against foot-and-mouth disease, a virus that would devastate Australias beef exports and wipe $80 billion from the economy if a widespread breakout struck.

The announcement of the $2.5 million vaccine comes after beef biosecurity was thrust into the spotlight last month when the government scrapped a ban on cow meat imports from the US.

NSW scientists have developed a world-first RNA vaccine for foot and mouth disease. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty and Dr Peter Kirkland at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute. Credit: Max Mason-Hubers

Infected cattle suffer blisters to their mouths, hooves and skin, robbing cows of their ability to eat or walk.

Just the cost of managing the number of sick animals will be huge because its extremely infectious. It spreads really quickly, said Dr Michael Laurence from Meat and Livestock Australia, which co-funded the research alongside the NSW government.
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 I take exception to the words of Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin, who described participants in the march for Gaza as extremist by nature (Josh Lees raises the ire of Chris Minns, August 1). Over the years, I have occasionally taken part in protest marches and gatherings when the call to do so was urgent. The imperative to attend this demonstration goes beyond urgent. Every day, Gazans are dying from starvation and sickness, or being shot killed taking desperate measures to get food. I am a humanist, not an extremist, as Ryvchin would categorise me and everyone else who marched. Taking part in the protest was the least I could do for the starving people of Gaza. Dilhara Gonsalkorale, Redfern Credit: Megan Herbert Once again, Alex Ryvchin has cast too broad a brush in declaring the pro-Palestinian protesters extremist by nature. As someone who took part in the march, I refute that baseless accusation. Many of us who walked were calling for peace and humanity for Palestinians and Israelis alike, something that would be obvious to Ryvchin if hed bothered to read the Herald letters pages this week. Tim Overland, Castle Hill Is it a misnomer for the Herald to name todays Sydney Harbour Bridge demonstration a pro-Palestine rally (Motorists urged to avoid CBD as pro-Palestine march gets green light? August 2). Perhaps a better title might be: Ending the war in Gaza rally. That way, whether you are pro-Palestine or pro-Israel, what you are rallying for is for the age-old war between these peoples to come to an end. Glenn Larner, Freshwater Brutal hypocrisy The cruelty of Hamas has no boundaries, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said after talking to the Israeli hostages family (Walking to my grave: Outrage after Hamas releases video of emaciated Israeli hostage, August 3). While the state of Israel is allowing the entry of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, the terrorists of Hamas are deliberately starving our hostages and document them in a cynical and evil manner. The entire world must take a stand in a clear message against the criminal Nazi abuse perpetrated by the Hamas terror organisation. Regardless of any heinous actions by Hamas, the bare-faced hypocrisy of Netanyahus statement is unbelievable, and quite shocking. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

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Do the Israelis expect Palestinians to take food from their own starving children to feed the hostages? Starvation for everyone in Gaza, including hostages, is being intentionally manufactured by the Netanyahu government. Graeme Finn, Campsie Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit: AP Messenger shot Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner Erika McEntarfer for doing her job, simply because the adjusted figures didnt fit well with the vision he had painted (Trump firing adds to jobless total, August 3). It didnt suit his narrative. The erosion of truth in favour of Trump-speak has been one of Trumps dirtiest deeds. Many people faithfully doing their jobs have suffered the same fate, particularly through the imprimatur Trump gave to Elon Musk, when he was sent to trash government employees. As author Michael Koziol points out, Trump undermines trust in public institutions throughout these actions. The weather bureau, air traffic controllers, now duly appointed bureaucrats simply doing their jobs. Chaos reigns. Hopefully, Trump Mk2 is in its final season of reality television. Geoff Nilon, Mascot While the international community frets over Trumps chaotic, inconsistent tariff policies, the more critical, long-term issue for all countries is the gutting of the US Constitution and the rise of authoritarian power. The Republican Congress has abdicated its role, the legal system is compromised and rulings ignored, departments, agencies and institutions are being defunded and the political system is being reorganised on the basis of fidelity to Trump. Australias focus should be on structuring political and economic policies for these immediate disruptions, while recognising that there is no longer reliable precedent from the past. A fresh, strategic look at our geography, political compatibility and global technology trends should inform the governments approach to our future security and opportunities. Robert Caraian, Crows Nest US President Donald Trump speaks to the media after telling officials to fire Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Credit: Bloomberg If Donald Trumps statisticians can be shafted when their figures dont add up as required, whats next? Banishing bishops when his prayers arent answered? Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor (Vic)

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It is increasingly clear that Trumps use of tariffs has little to do with trade (After gaining lowest tariff, Farrell aims for zero rate August 2). He is using them for any situation that raises his ire. He doesnt like the way Brazil is treating their ex-president  slap on an increased tariff. Hes annoyed by the conflict between Thailand and Myanmar  threaten them with tariffs. Canada proposes to recognise Palestine  increase their tariff. He has the whole world guessing what he will do next, a situation he absolutely loves because he is the centre of attention. Rather than press our luck, Trade Minister Don Farrell should maintain a low profile, lest the eye of Sauron turn in our direction. Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove Would all media please refrain from parroting (and incorrectly using) the word deal when reporting on the see-sawing trade arrangements dictated by the Trump administration. There is no indication of mutual advantage. Lewis Kaplan, Birchgrove Energy strategy Further to Peter Hartcher, whether the Coalition adopts net zero by 2050 is inconsequential (Coalition must address climate change for its own survival, August 2). What they need is a plan to replace the energy deficit that will occur when most coal-fired plants reach their end of life by about 2035. Additionally, more energy supply is required to cater for AI and data centres and EV take-up. Discontinuing reliance on imported transport fuels from geopolitically contested areas is a security no-brainer. The Coalition could possibly regain power, at the earliest by in 2031, giving a short time to provide that extra electricity by 2035. Accordingly, it would be prudent during the intervening period to constructively support the Albanese governments renewable energy transition rollout rather than fostering dissent. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic) Peter Hartcher described the three options available to the Liberal Party. Option three, separating from the Nationals, wasnt adequately addressed. The Nationals split with the Liberals this year was an ill-judged tantrum because there was no way the Nationals would be able to capture city seats. However, the Liberals with their conservative agenda would be able to capture country and regional seats, particularly if country voters see that as the only way they will be represented in government. If the likes of Helen Haines, a progressive independent, can capture the rural seat of Indi, the Liberals should cast off the moribund Nationals and seek enthusiastic, like-minded people to join and represent them in country electorates. Otherwise, the dead weight of the Nationals will make them a permanent opposition party, to the detriment of the nation. Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill Dr Helen Haines, independent member for Indi. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen As a Labor supporter, I cant say my heart bleeds to read Peter Hartchers bleak assessment of the Coalitions chances of getting out of the hole they are in on climate policy and generally, but I have to admit that it is not healthy politically to have such a demoralised opposition, so I wish Sussan Ley well in her efforts to reform the Liberal Party. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer

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Education elites The article by Jordan Baker on private schools not paying rates and buying adjoining residential properties is another example of the massive chasm between these exceptionally wealthy private schools and the rest of the schooling system (Rich schools must learn to pay rates, August 2). Besides the impact on councils and neighbouring residents, the more important impact is that the students of these schools are growing up in an insular world of extreme privilege. There is a danger that they would have little or no notion of the daily challenges experienced by less privileged households. Post-schooling, their economic and social capital will result in many of these students moving into influential positions. The question is, will they empathise with their fellow citizens and be willing to contribute to a more just and equal society? Alan Morris, Eastlakes Assets valued at a combined almost $760 million and no rates charged. What a disgrace. Councils work for the whole community, while Shore, Redlands and Wenona clearly do not. Exemptions from council rates for the privileged are unfair and wrong. Councils need money to create and maintain public assets and spaces for all of us. This archaic law must be changed. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill The headline says it all but Jordan Baker, in her article, explained it beautifully. Especially at the end of the article, when she says Christian schools are teaching their students an odd lesson; if we are privileged, we should hoard our wealth and give back only on our terms. Arthur Hennessy, Gymea Bay Private boys school Shore in North Sydney. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Congratulations to Jordan Baker on her well-researched article on rate exemptions for private schools. For too long, we have seen private schools in Sydney colonise whole suburbs and contribute nothing in rates to help maintain the environment, facilities and infrastructure used by these schools. These institutions are able to enhance their status, influence and profit by effectively relying on the public purse. Susan Daniels, Rozelle Jordan Bakers article implies that independent schools are unChristian in not volunteering to pay rates to local councils. This misses the essential point. Legal advice indicates such payments would be unlawful, a contravention of the infamous Section 83C of the Education Act. Similarly, schools are required to charge market rates to any who rents their facilities. Baker also says schools like Shore are rich. This is misleading, as the assets quoted are almost all tied up in land and buildings. If they were to be liquidated, the school would close. Independent schools are, with one exception, not-for-profit entities. Banks require a small surplus as a condition of loans. Such surplus usually is directed towards paying down these loans at the end of each financial year. The article says Shores purchase of the historic Graythwaite a decade ago expanded its school footprint by 50 per cent. Five per cent would be more accurate. Shores current request is to buy, at market rate, just 75 metres of a street enclosed on three sides by the school. Local residents would benefit as the drop-off and pick-up zone for parents can be moved off the street. Shores charter requires it to serve the community. The many ways this is done cannot be quantified in dollars. John Collier, Headmaster, Shore School

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AUKUS self-interest Deborah Snows article on defence consultancies, established by former politicians since the AUKUS deal hove into view, is long overdue (Cashing in on Australias defence spending bonanza, August 2). The article repeatedly emphasises that no one is accused of wrongdoing, but lets face it, at the political level, it stinks. AUKUS was conceived in a rush to meet political ends, with no rigorous assessment of its efficacy in meeting Australias real defence needs. It was never properly costed and it was never discussed with the public. Its initial $386 billion commitment is the biggest contract ever awarded yet, as Nick Hine says from a cost perspective, whatever number you thought of, double it and add zero, which will mean quite a lot fewer schools and hospitals. Little wonder that most Australians and credible defence experts want to reduce our subservience to the US and get out of AUKUS fast. But having created the AUKUS monster, those ex-politician consultants are fighting to ensure it survives, now in their own interests, not the national interest. Time to clean out this Augean stable. Ian Dunlop, Gordon Ride on, Father Riley After reading Sue Williams wonderful tribute to Father Chris Riley (I was Father Chris Rileys biographer. Im so sad, but glad he got his dying wish August 2), I felt compelled to write about my first experience with him and one of his many programs. In 2000, my husband, Patrick and I participated in a Sydney to Southport bike ride, which raised money for Father Rileys Youth Off The Streets program. Young people from that program cycled with us and to hear their stories was heart-rending but also inspiring, how they could overcome such odds to be where they were now. And all of them attributed this to one man, Father Riley. When he visited our group part-way through the ride, the young people flocked to him with so much love and respect it was palpable. It is a memory I will cherish. Tania Barrett, Winmalee Share bikes dumped in Sydney. Bike blockages Every time I venture onto the streets of Sydney, I wonder how the complete lack of meaningful regulation of dockless bike-share operators accord with principles espoused by the City of Sydney Council in its 20252029 Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan? Its a simple question for the Lord Mayor: how do dozens, if not hundreds of rental bikes strewn across footpaths assist in maintaining the accessible path of travel on our footpaths, as per the Citys well-considered action plan? Michael Wright, Ultimo

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Rachael East took her feverish nine-year-old son Caleb to a new general practitioner, who did not take her concern seriously. When she took him to an emergency department a few days later, staff initially dismissed his elevated temperature.

Caleb had pneumonia. And when East refused to be sidelined, staff listened. Her vulnerable son was admitted to hospital, where he has remained for the past 12 days.

Rachael East and her nine-year-old son Caleb. Credit: Courtesy of Rachael East

I said [to the GP], He needs antibiotics, he needs something, hes really unwell, East said. She kind of laughed at me, and was saying, Hes fine, hes just got the flu.

But East knew this was not typical for her son. She just wasnt listening to me, East said.
Thanks for joining us today for live coverage of news in and around Brisbane. Well be back tomorrow morning with more live updates but in the meantime, these are some of the stories making headlines today:

A 21-year-old man accused of abusing a young child at a Brisbane childcare centre has had his case heard in court for the first time.

Queenslands scandal-plagued forensic testing lab continues to be riddled with systemic contamination and testing delays, with DNA results for murder and rape investigation samples delayed by more than 400 days, according to the latest report into the states testing regime.

A brick homestead in Bracken Ridge held by a family for nearly a century has smashed the suburb house price record by more than $700,000 after 10 bidders battled it out at a red-hot auction.

Nikki Green says her daughters Brisbane state primary school was excellent. But when Pixie wasnt coping in the school environment, the decision was made to home-school her instead  a growing trend that has contributed to shrinking public primary schools.

The next step towards linking public transport to Brisbane Airport has been revealed in a new plan  which appears to include flying taxis.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pursuing a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after 90,000 people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge calling for an end to the war in Gaza, as pressure builds within Labor for recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The Panthers have been hit with a $50,000 fine, and trainer Corey Bocking has been handed a five-match ban for running in front of a goal-kicker in the match against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.
While home-education surged, the Brisbane School of Distance Education  where learning is delivered through online lessons  had one of the biggest drops, with Prep to Year 6 enrolments declining 26 per cent. English, a researcher at QUT, said families were increasingly looking for choices that better met their young persons needs rather than automatically choosing the local state school. She said the pandemic gave parents a window into their childs classroom that exposed bullying and other concerns, and also gave some professionals greater work flexibility. They look at the local state school, and they think, youre so constrained by overarching forces of what you can and cant do, she said.

They think their child is a square peg in a round hole, and they dont want their child to lose those edges. Green said her daughter Pixie, 11, had ADHD and autism and dreaded going to school. But home-schooling meant the quirky, sweet kid who loved reading, writing and music was finally able to be herself. There was nothing more you want than for your childs wellbeing to be good, she said. It was heartbreaking what we went through. Theres not a lot of other options for kids who are struggling in mainstream unless youve got money to maybe go to an independent school.

Nikki Green and Pixie. Griffith University Professor Beryl Exley said families were making conscious decisions to align education to their students needs, considering teaching philosophies, logistics, and where their child would thrive academically and socially, with some seeking specialised subjects, inquiry-based learning, or a focus on the International Baccalaureate. Many parents and carers are strategically enrolling their children in recognised feeder primary schools to improve their chances of gaining admission to certain state or independent secondary schools, she said. Changing demographics, including housing affordability in certain catchments, also had an impact on school trends, English said. Brisbane families are also having fewer children  there were 416 babies fewer born in 2019 compared to 2016  but this is offset by increasing migration to the city.

Loading Some shrinking schools did have smaller Prep cohorts. For example, Aspley State School had 114 Prep students in 2021 and only 84 last year, as it shrunk by 6 per cent overall. While some state schools shrunk, there were hundreds more students enrolled in private primary schools in 2024 compared with 2021. Some, such as Brigidine College, have recently introduced year 5 and 6 to their high school offerings. Meanwhile, state schools in the affluent suburbs of Graceville and Ascot had noticeably fewer students enrolled in Year 5 last year compared to Year 4 the year before  suggesting some had left for Year 5 entry at private schools. The biggest shrink at a state primary school was at Hendra State School  already Brisbanes smallest state primary school  where enrolments halved.

Hendra State School is Brisbanes smallest state primary school. Credit: Felicity Caldwell It was not just tiny schools that became smaller, with larger schools shrinking, like Jindalee (down 20 per cent to 587 students), Bulimba (down 18 per cent to 660 students), and Grand Avenue in Forest Lake (down 16 per cent to 983 students). Enrolment management plans kept a lid on some schools, with strict rules that did not allow children living out of the local catchment area to enrol. For example, Ironside State School had 1080 students in 2021, and dropped 13 per cent to 937 last year. Some state primary schools bucked the trend, including Pallara State School, which surged by 48 per cent to 1283 students, while Stafford Heights, Hamilton, Petrie Terrace, Moorooka, Kenmore, Newmarket and Mayfield state schools all increased by more than 20 per cent. Among the top 20 primary schools for growth, six were over-capacity last year  Kenmore, Enoggera, Sunnybank Hills, Mackenzie, Wishart and Brisbane Central state schools.

Pixie started home-schooling last year. An education department spokesman said they were committed to ensuring all students had access to a world-class education, and pointed out demand for state schools remained strong, with almost two-thirds of Queensland students attending a state school. Many schools are subject to fluctuations in enrolments as a result of demographic factors in the communities they serve, he said. Changes in the school-aged population as well as local population movements affect individual school enrolments. The spokesman said the department prioritised relief for schools experiencing catchment pressures by expanding existing schools or building new ones.
For Clara*, the road to homelessness was marked by signs that went unnoticed by her teachers while she was at school.

Her grades suffered, and as her mental health deteriorated, she often fell asleep in class. She stopped brushing her hair and wearing a clean uniform.

Clara says more help is needed to support at-risk young people. Credit: Justin McManus

As her world quietly unravelled, these tell-tale signs, she says, failed to raise any alarm. She fell through the cracks, she says.

Clara is not alone. Data released on Monday by Melbourne City Mission paints a picture of a fragmented support system. Of the 179 young people accessing the missions homelessness services on April 8, a third of the 15 to 24-year-olds surveyed had lost their home at 16 or younger, 66 per cent were disengaged from work and education, and four out of five had fled because of family violence.
A Melbourne legal academic who was charged after child abuse material allegedly flashed on the screen during a lecture at a city university has been named.

Justice Alan Boulton, 74, is the former senior deputy president of the Fair Work Commission and has been charged over the material displayed during a university lecture in the CBD on February 5.

Monash University says it has suspended the academic from all teaching duties. Credit: Wayne Taylor

He was interviewed by police, who seized his electronic devices during a search of his Middle Park home on February 12.

Victoria Police have now charged Boulton with one count of possessing child abuse material as a Commonwealth offence and two counts of possessing child abuse material.
As the crowd approached the police line, organiser Mohammad Sharab called on protesters to prove to the world that this is not a movement that will clash with police and told them to stay back or sit down. We are sitting here for Palestine  peacefully, he said. We need to calm down, show everybody who we are. We have women, children, vulnerable people. We are responsible people. The vast majority of protesters remained at a distance from the police line. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui They are holding their guns, their weapons, against people who are protesting peacefully. Shame on Victoria Police, shame. One woman wearing a keffiyeh approached the police line to say keep our children safe and another protester told the heavily armed officers the police blockade was a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Protest marshals formed a line to keep distance between the police and protesters. Demonstrators chanted Free Palestine and Not a target. Thank you for blocking the bridge. You did our job for us! one masked protester shouted at the police. Standing on the bridge a few metres from the police line, Kevin Bracken said he had attended most protests and all had been peaceful. Its right over the top, isnt it? he said. Its sending the message, who runs Victoria? They couldnt stop it in NSW, but the politicians here are puppet masters. This is about whats happening in Gaza. This is about starving children. Police on the King Street Bridge. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

After the larger protest dispersed about 3pm, a small spin-off group stopped traffic and started burning an Australian flag and spray-painting Abolish Australia on Spencer Street. When asked whether they represented the broader protest movement, one person in a grey hoodie and black mask shook her head and walked away. Were just concerned citizens, said another. No group. They chanted Too many coppers, not enough justice and Free Palestine before police arrived and the crowd of fewer than one dozen people dispersed. Pro-Palestinian protesters on the way to the bridge. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Earlier in the day, Samantha Ratnam, the Greens former state leader and former candidate for the fedral seat of Wills, addressed the crowd to roaring applause and clanging pots, a symbol of food shortages in Gaza. She said Labor was feeling pressure amid rising calls for Israeli sanctions and greater scrutiny on contracts for military parts. The protest started at midday at the State Library and reached the King Street Bridge shortly after 2.30pm. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui The more they minimise us ... the more and more theyre being overwhelmed [by the] community telling them theyre on the wrong side of history, she said. Rally organiser Mohammad Sharab said the protests were about peace and humanity, criticising the media and politicians for calling the protesters extremists.

We stand for justice ... We are not ashamed of it. For those who call us extremist and antisemitic for standing against genocide, these extreme comments make you the extremist. Thats my message to [Premier] Jacinta Allan, he said. Protesters banged drums on their march towards the bridge. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Palestinian activist Basil El Ghattis held up pictures of children aged from six months to 17 years old, suffering severe malnutrition from the aid blockade in Gaza. The starvation of Palestinians today is a page out of the colonial playbook, he said. We must hold our government to account. Earlier, a police spokeswoman said the force repeatedly engaged with Melbourne protest organisers to persuade them not to gather on the King Street Bridge, but rally plans had not changed.

She said officers would have a visible presence in the city on Sunday, with additional police brought in from outside metropolitan Melbourne. Police confirmed there were no arrests, but they were following up a report that an egg was thrown at a person during the protest Organisers from the Free Palestine Coalition said the police decision to bring in hundreds of additional officers was a waste of resources for a peaceful protest. A protester speaking to rallygoers in Melbourne on Sunday. Credit: Charlotte Grieve Gaza is suffering from an ongoing forced man-made famine and ongoing bombing of civilians, the coalition said.

This is exactly why organisers are holding the protest to King Street Bridge ... to let the good people of the city of Melbourne know that there are atrocities happening in Gaza, and that we as a community have an opportunity to change the status quo, and bring about change. Loading The Israeli government has denied claims of genocide and starvation in Gaza, claiming the war is an act of self-defence. Premier Jacinta Allan warned protesters there would be consequences for anyone who caused chaos in the CBD. There are strong operational arrangements in place for today. Those are in place to support peoples safety, she said at a press conference on Sunday morning before the protest.

Anyone who breaks the law, anyone who compromises community safety will be dealt with swiftly by Victoria Police. Opposition Leader Brad Battin said it was vital that rallies had to receive a permit to go-ahead and police were given powers to move on protesters, to avoid circumstances where major roads were closed. [The state government] hasnt brought the legislation in to ensure weve got registration of protests here in our state  to keep the community moving and keep the community safe, he said. Last week, Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush ruled out introducing protest permits in Victoria, saying they had not been a game-changer in other states.
Edith Cowan Universitys new campus in the heart of Perths CBD is due to open in a matter of months after years of meticulous planning and building.

There is hope the $853 million development will not only cater for students but for local businesses too and transform the sleepy city into one more reminiscent of its eastern states rivals.

Juno House general manager Christy Foo. Credit: Holly Thompson

But with housing prices climbing and rentals scarce, particularly closer to the city centre, it has become more important than ever to create enough student accommodation to realise the dream of invigorating the city.

Near the new campus on Mount Street, Juno House has just set up shop inside what was once the Rendezvous Hotel, opposite the headquarters of mining giant Woodside.
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InspirationCruises Seven of the worlds wackiest cruise ship cabins Nicole Carmichael August 4, 2025  5:00am 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

This article is part of Travellers Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories .

Cruise lines offer everything from almost too-good-to-be-true bargain breaks to luxury every step of the way (often with a hefty price tag to match). Virtually every distraction is available onboard, from thrill rides and tattoo parlours to face lift services and art auctions. Icon of the Seas family suite includes a cinema, karaoke and a spiral tube slide. Royal Caribbean But what about the staterooms? While most feature more or less the same combination  bed, chair, somewhere to put your clothes, an en suite  some cruise companies like to do things a little differently. Weve selected some of the wackiest rooms youll find at sea  from one thats actually inside a ships funnel, to one dripping in gold, and another with computerised windows. Funnel vision The Four Seasons Hotel groups inaugural yacht will feature a four-storey suite housed in a glass-enclosed funnel.

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The Four Seasons Hotel group recently announced that its inaugural yacht will feature a four-storey suite housed in a glass-enclosed funnel. On completion, the three-bedroom 9975-square-feet suite will include a living room and dining area for six people as well as a sprawling terrace with an outdoor gym and plunge pool. Oh, and a fully operational kitchen, in case you fancy knocking up a Sunday roast. Book it Four Seasons Yachts has a seven-night Grand Mediterranean voyage from $US29,000 ($44,885) for a Seaview suite (or $US299,900  about $AU460,000  for up to five people for the Funnel suite). From Valletta, calling at stops in Italy, the French Riviera and Monaco. Departs March 29, 2026. See fourseasonsyachts.com Magic porthole Disneys Magic Porthole inside staterooms have computerised windows that reflect the outside view. Disney The Four Seasons isnt the first cruise ship to offer a funnel suite. Disney Cruise Lines Concierge Tower Suite onboard Disney Wish and the Tomorrow Tower suite on Disney Treasure feature grand staircases, two-storey windows and all the top suite touches of a luxury cruise. For a lighter pocket, Disneys Magic Porthole inside staterooms have computerised windows that reflect the outside view, with Disney characters popping up at random. Far more fun than your average porthole.

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Book it A four-night Spain Cruise from Southampton to Bilbao from $8434 for a family of four, staying in a Magic Porthole stateroom on Disney Dream. Departs August 10, 2026. See disneycruise.disney.go.com/en-au Bright sparks Bold use of colour on the Costa Toscano. Costa Cruises When Costa Cruises was deciding on a colour palette for their newest ship, Costa Toscano, they obviously donned sunglasses and said, lets make a statement!. Bold primaries feature in the striped wallpaper and curtains, and theres a bonkers tree mural and more orange than Jetstar. Book it Costa Cruises has an eight-day Mediterranean cruise on-board Costa Toscana from 1169pp ($2070pp). Round-trip from Marseilles calling at Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples, Civitavecchia/Rome and Genoa. Departs July 25, 2026. See costacruises.eu

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Family fun Icon of the Seas Ultimate Family Suite looks to keep children entertained. Royal Caribbean Famous for its family-friendly facilities, Royal Caribbean really pushes the boat out when it comes to its family suites. On Icon of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Suite does exactly what it says on the tin. The suite includes a cinema, karaoke, a spiral tube slide, and direct entrance to the stay-all-day family neighbourhood, Surfside. Returning home may be something of a disappointment. Book it Royal Caribbean has the seven-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise from $15,862, for a family of four staying in the Ultimate Family Suite. From Florida, calling at Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Departs April 11, 2027. See royalcaribbean.com/aus/en Worlds apart

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Grand suite  decor aboard the SS Sphinx is informed by ancient Egyptian heritage. Uniworld Uniworld always goes the extra mile with their destination-inspired interiors, so visually they are completely unique to other river ships. We particularly like the interiors on the SS Sphinx, which purrs along the Nile. The carpets are inspired by the geometric shapes of the pyramids and all the ceilings were hand-carved in locally sourced blond wood. Elsewhere, the sun is shaded by tented drapes inspired by those on ancient Egyptian barges. Book it Uniworld has the 12-day Splendours of Egypt and the Nile cruise which includes four nights in Cairo and a seven-night cruise along the Nile on the SS Sphinx. From $16,079pp (early-bird pricing). Departs May 23, 2026. See uniworld.com/au Rewriting the rules Aqua Mares suites channel Italian megayacht design. Aqua Expeditions

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The Aqua Expeditions website describes its staterooms on the Aqua Mare ship as a tale of subtle opulence  though serious over-the-top bling might be more accurate. Conceptualised by Italian megayacht designers, the suites reflect the Wallace and Darwin (as opposed to Wallace and Gromit) era of exploration, with heavy wood panelling, rich wall coverings and gold trimmings. Book it Aqua Expeditions has the seven-night East or West Galapagos Cruise onboard Aqua Mare from $15,890pp in Category II suite, including all excursions and food and drinks. Departure dates throughout January to December 2026, and explores the Galapagos Archipelago. See aquaexpeditions.com Unique cheek A Cheeky Corner suite on a Virgin Voyages cruise stateroom. Virgin Voyages Virgin Voyages have always tried to do cruising a little differently, and all their staterooms include touches to set them apart from those of traditional lines. Their selection of Rockstar Quarters includes the Cheeky Corner suite, which offers wraparound panoramic views, woven hammocks on the terrace, a curated in-room bar and a record player. Book it Virgin Voyages has a five-night Dominican Daze cruise, from $US6150pp ($9528pp) for two people in a Cheeky Corner suite on the ship Scarlet Lady. Round-trip from Miami, calling at Puerto Plata and the exclusive Beach Club at Bimini. Departs January 30, 2026. See virginvoyages.com

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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 Samraong, Cambodia: Teuk Buntoeun was picking through shrapnel and rubble when his still-ringing ears caught the spin from Bangkok. It went like this: Thailand had sent an F-16 fighter jet over the dividing Dangrek mountains, precision-pounding Cambodian military positions. The news was all over the global media. The Thai military reported that the mission was successful  and fair. Unlike Cambodia, which it has accused of breaching the Geneva Conventions, Thai strikes do not target civilian areas or any locations unrelated to military operations, the military claimed. But this is not true, Buntoeun says, gesturing to the damage all around him. This is a pagoda. In his telling, more than 20 people were at the Ta Moan Sen Chey pagoda, a Buddhist place of worship, when the bombing began shortly before 5pm on July 24, the first day of what would become a five-day war between Thailand and Cambodia. One of those people, a lay worker, was crushed under the collapsed walls of a dormitory, and killed. Prum Chenda, deputy chief of the local Achar, holds a section of a statue at the destroyed Ta Moan Sen Chet Pagoda. Credit: Kate Geraghty His name was Kheang. He was 73 years old, says Buntoeun, the pagodas chief achar  a lay person responsible for a temples good order and certain rituals. Kheang had been homeless until Buntouen offered him shelter three years ago. The pagoda, built in 2011, is now a mess of steel and shattered roof tiles. The concrete at the front is gouged and strewn with debris. Among it all is piece of bomb printed with the words for use on MK82, made in 2023.

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Buntoeun and his deputy, Prum Chenda, hurry us along through giant boulders to the obliterated dormitory where Kheang died and two others were injured. Abandoned orange robes belonging to the monks who fled lie tangled in twisted tin and timber. The cost of war Ta Moan Sen Chey Primary School, which held classes for its 30 young pupils right up to July 23  the day before the fighting  is a short walk away. The kindergarten room is the worst hit. School principal Lay Phalla crunches over tiles, past a shrapnel-pocked whiteboard and walls covered in torn, dangling posters, and scoops up a shorn laptop near a tiny pink chair. He flings the broken equipment onto the teachers desk. Ta Moan Sen Chey primary school principal Lay Phalla takes in the kindergarten classroom that was destroyed by Thai military bombing. Credit: Kate Geraghty Teacher Srun Ngep inspects the damage in the kindergarten classroom. Credit: Kate Geraghty We dont know what will be the next step, he says. We will ask for donations.

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The school and pagoda are a few kilometres from the ancient Ta Moan Thom temple, which proved to be at the centre of the five-day war that ended last week after claiming dozens of lives, including civilians, and displacing hundreds of thousands of Thais and Cambodians. Both sides claim Ta Moan Thom as sovereign territory, along with several other temples along swaths of ambiguous border between the two countries. Importantly, these temples are on the Dangrek mountain range, the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge in the 1990s, and vital geography should Thailand and Cambodia ever enter into full-scale war. It was on to Ta Moan Thom that a group of Cambodian citizens descended in February to sing patriotic songs, infuriating the Thai troops stationed there and politicians in Bangkok. Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, now the acting prime minister, worried at the time that the stunt could needlessly escalate Cambodian-Thai tensions. It did. Civilian Khek Vin, 65, was wounded by shrapnel when his house, near Ta Krobei Temple, was hit by artillery. Credit: Kate Geraghty Khek Vin holds a piece of shrapnel removed from his body after his house was hit by artillery. Credit: Kate Geraghty The most serious precursor to the armed clashes was a May 28 border skirmish at an area known as the Emerald Triangle  the convergence of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos  that left a Cambodian soldier dead.

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As in the most recent fighting, both sides accused each other of striking first that time. The rhetoric and war posturing mounted. Asked why his school was bombed, Lay Phalla suggests confusion. He says the initial May 28 incident prompted his staff to dig a rudimentary bomb shelter at the front of the school, made of sandbags and tarpaulin  just in case. When they saw the bunker, maybe they thought it was a military base, he says of the Thai military. This is just my thinking. Luon Chanthak inside the ruins of his home, damaged by the explosion of an MK-84 bomb fired by the Thai military. The Cambodian soldier was off-duty and at home near Thma Daun village when it exploded. Credit: Kate Geraghty A Cambodian Mine Action Centre officer inspects an unexploded MK-84 bomb fired by the Thai military that remains in the ground at the rear of the home of a farmer near Thma Daun village. Credit: Kate Geraghty Phalla and achars (officials) at the pagoda insist there were no soldiers or military installations anywhere near their school and temple when they were bombed. Thai Major General Winthai Suvaree countered that the temple was only 1.6 kilometres from the border, and therefore in the scope of the combat zone. In addition, the area was used as an assembly point and command post for Cambodian troops, he claimed.

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Despite the accounts from civilians, he added: During periods of active combat, this area is no longer inhabited by civilians, as it is an extremely dangerous zone. Breaches defy Trumps ceasefire The true death toll from the five-day war remains unclear, though it is believed to be upwards of 40. Thailand appears to have borne the bulk of civilian casualties. In one incident  an alleged Cambodian rocket attack on a petrol station in Si Sa Ket province  eight people, including children, were killed, Thai media has reported. Thoeun Sida (second from right) and her children Lok Vina, 4 (second from left), and Lok Chanthy, 5, (right), in their shelter. Credit: Kate Geraghty Elsewhere, Thailand has accused Cambodia of firing heavy artillery towards hospitals and schools, which the government says breaches the Geneva Conventions on war. Towns on both sides of the border emptied when the fighting broke out, as terrified citizens sought shelter with faraway families, or at camps set up for internally displaced people. The fighting has quietened since a ceasefire came into effect at midnight on July 28. US President Donald Trump, who told Thailand and Cambodia to stop fighting or suffer terrible trade deals, has both claimed and been given credit for the truce. On the day Trumps administration announced a 19 per cent tariff rate for both countries  well below the 36 per cent he had earlier indicated would come into force  this masthead spotted a giant electronic billboard in the middle of a Siem Reap roundabout labelling Trump the President of Peace.

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A toddler who was discovered in the luggage compartment of a New Zealand bus was stashed in a suitcase and was wearing only a nappy when she was found.

The bus driver made the discovery after the InterCity bus stopped in Kaiwaka, north of Auckland. The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed, police said on Sunday.

The toddler was found inside a bag in the luggage compartment of an InterCity bus. Credit: Stuff

A 27-year-old woman is due to face court on Monday in Aucklands North Shore on charges of ill-treatment/neglect of a child.

InterCity said it was aware of an incident involving a passenger on one of its services on Sunday, and said nobody was harmed, and the service had since resumed.
Australia was among the first countries to recognise the state of Israel, but regrettably looks set to be among the last to recognise the state of Palestine. Three-quarters of the world  more than 140 countries  already recognise Palestine is a state, as does the United Nations. Australias close allies may soon follow, including France, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is weighing up whether Australia will join France by recognising Palestine. Credit: Aresna Villanueva

The momentum is driven by horror at Israels relentless destruction in Gaza, the failure of more than 30 years of negotiations for a two-state solution since the Oslo Accords in 1993, Israels persistent denial of Palestinian self-determination, de facto annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank by illegal Israeli settlements and the extremism of the Netanyahu government. Also, no-one believes that the United States is an honest broker for peace, having fuelled Israeli war crimes with an endless supply of weapons and even threatening to seize Gaza.

Current moves are a long-overdue circuit-breaker in a century of conflict when everything else has failed. The Palestinians were first promised a state over a century ago. A 1947 United Nations proposal to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into two states did not go to plan.

Israel unilaterally declared statehood in 1948 after an insurgency against the British, terrorism against civilians and even assassination of UN officials. It established effective control and independence after a war with invading Arab countries. Australia recognised Israel within six months.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As the new school year rapidly approaches, MP Lacroes is sounding the alarm on worsening traffic congestion across the island, particularly in the densely impacted Cul-de-Sac corridor. A surge in both swelling vehicle numbers on narrow roads, school buses, and old cars has resulted in prolonged gridlock and escalating public frustration.

In a recent opinion article, MP Lacroes previously highlighted the urgent need for immediate solutions to traffic congestion and vehicle regulation on St. Maarten. He once again calls on government authorities to take decisive action to tackle:

The traffic Chaos in the CuldeSac area, Airport, Simpson bay and Cole bay has always caused local commuters from these areas daily delays exceeding an hour for travel within just a few kilometers.

Health Risks from Aging Vehicle Fleet:

A heavy presence of older cars, some over a decade old and emitting excessive smoke, poses growing public health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular concerns.

Mp Lacroes' Proposed Government Actions:

Building on past efforts, MP Lacroes suggests a sustained and systematic deployment of traffic enforcement officers, particularly the VKS and TEATT inspections, in hotspots like cul-de-sacs and school zones. Their presence during peak hours is critical to streamlining flow. Restricting some of the side roads by placing Retractable Bollards on key locations that go onto the L.B. Scott road, and creating a big roundabout in the whole area. The introduction and implementation of Ritsen in our traffic rules and regulations. Diversifying the starting hours of the schools in the area. How far are we with the plans to open the new link on Way Mount Hill to the Dutch Quarter. MP Lacroes insists that a comprehensive management traffic strategy plan be implemented before the new school year begins. This plan should include officer deployment schedules, enforcement of noparking zones, and public education initiatives.

In alignment with international models such as Japan, MP Lacroes calls on authorities to explore the possibility of prohibiting the registration or licensing of vehicles older than ten years, while offering a subsidy for the sale of the vehicle, a measure that would help phase out high-polluting and inefficient older cars over time. With tourism rapidly rebounding and private vehicle imports climbing sharply, as chronicled in recent statistics and public sentiment, MP Lacroes argues that the status quo is unsustainable and negatively affects our one-pillar economy.

The government must finalize the review and upgrade its vehicle inspection regulations to enforce stricter standards on emissions, mechanical safety, and overall roadworthiness. These enhanced criteria should aim to discourage the continued use of unsafe and environmentally unfriendly vehicles. How far are we with the St. Maarten Transport Authority?.

MP Lacroes also took the opportunity to thank the Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling and the KPSM for their continued efforts in the past weeks to deal with the illegal scooters and reaffirms his commitment to working with all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organizations, and transport experts, to deliver sustainable and immediate traffic solutions. St. Maartens safety, mobility, and future depend on our collective response now.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Omar Ottley is expressing deep concern over the Government of St. Maartens decision to dismiss the supervisory board of NV GEBE, a board composed of dedicated local professionals. Meanwhile, the companys new CEO will remain untouched, despite being at the helm of decisions that can bring relief to our people.

Ottleys call follows revelations that NV GEBE paid over $15,000 for an international USA Today feature promoting the utility company, despite the ongoing blackouts, unresolved billing chaos from the 2022 cyberattack, and growing public frustration. Ottley condemned the move as a publicity stunt, saying GEBE's CEO has offered no meaningful improvements for residents to justify such spending or inviting the media into GEBE at this challenging time for the Company and Country.

Instead of fixing the utility company and providing relief, the CEO chose to spend thousands on an interview that serves him more than it serves our people.

All the issues that are mentioned as the governments reasoning for dismissing the board are the responsibilities of the CEO. Instead of facing the public with real solutions, this CEOwho has no historic or emotional stake in this islandchooses to fund PR stunts in the U.S. That money could have been used to fix the broken billing platform, assist low-income families, or invest in load stability. Instead, it was spent on a foreign publication that does nothing to ease the suffering of the average St. Maartener, said Ottley.

When the Prime Minister needed photo opportunities to appear in control during the GEBE crisis, he had no issue standing beside the very same Board he now wants to dismiss, the late CEO he once tried to remove but later publicly praised, and the Management Team he now refuses to hold accountable. Where is the consistency in leadership? Where is the accountability across the board? Why are we so quick to crucify our own, while remaining silent when outsiders are at fault?
Senegal strengthens eastern gendarmerie amid Mali border threats



Dakar, Aug 2 (AFP) Aug 02, 2025



Senegal said Saturday that it is positioning new gendarmerie units in the east of the country as it faces growing security threats along its border with Mali.

Jihadist attacks early last month in Mali's west included an assault on Diboli, a border community less than 500 metres from the town of Kidira in Senegal.

The attacks were claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its Arabic initials JNIM, which analysts say has ambitions to expand into Senegal.

Senegal's National Gendarmerie said in a post on Facebook it had opened new units in Tambacounda, Kedougou and Saraya in ceremonies this week conducted by the minister of the armed forces, General Birame Diop.

The new units are meant to address "cross-border crime, trafficking of all kinds, and the many security challenges specific to this part of the country", the post said.

It added that their creation reflects "the will of the senior authorities to guarantee the protection of populations and property as well as the security of the territory".

Among the new units are an investigation brigade in Tambacounda, a rapid action group for surveillance and intervention plus a gendarmerie company in Saraya and a gendarmerie legion in Kedougou.

Diop "emphasized the need to establish a climate of trust with the population for better collaboration", according to the Facebook post.

Jihadist groups have recruited members in the Sahel by playing on populations' sense of marginalisation, with JNIM being particularly active in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Senegalese officials recently imposed a nighttime ban on motorcycles in the eastern Bakel region, which stretches along the border, after jihadists used motorbikes in their attacks in Mali, including in Diaboli.
Denver resident Katherine Jenkins speaks to the Denver City Council on Monday during a public hearing on Mayor Mike Johnstons proposed Vibrant Denver general obligation bond.
John Kellner is the former district attorney for Colorados 18th Judicial District and an Owens-Early Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute. He is the managing partner at Dan Caplis Law, specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Bookings for first class seats on flights from China and India during the first half of the year were up 27% and 17% respectively, compared with the same period in 2024, according to the carrier.
The national survey found overall people were very positive towards the species, even if they had never seen storks before, although there was a lack of knowledge about things such as the storks diet, and even what they looked like.
We need a major overhaul of the appeal [process] and thats what we are going to do in the autumn If we speed up the decision-making appeal system and also then keep increasing returns, we hope to be able to make quite a big reduction in the overall numbers in the asylum system, because that is the best way to actually restore order and control, Ms Cooper said.
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More than 30 years ago, a horrific crime shattered Austin's peaceful facade, and now, the Yogurt Shop Murders are back in the spotlight. An upcoming four-part HBO original documentary, titled "The Yogurt Shop Murders," directed by local filmmaker Margaret Brown, is slated to debut on Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. on HBO and HBO Max.

The series delves into the events of December 6, 1991, when four teenage girls  Amy Ayers, 13; sisters Jennifer, 17 and Sarah Harbison, 15; and Eliza Thomas, 17  were found brutally murdered inside an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt! shop in Northwest Austin. New episodes will air each Sunday at 9 p.m.

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A billboard advertises a reward of $125,000 for leads in the Yogurt Shop murders. The billboard was at South Congress Avenue and Ben White Boulevard. American-Statesman file

Episodes trace investigation: false leads, wrongful arrests, confessions

Filing cabinets at the Austin Police Department's Homicide Cold Case Unit are still filled with documents and information on the Yogurt Shop Murders, one of the cities most notorious cases in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. American-Statesman 2011 file Bob and Pam Ayers, left, look as Barbara Suraci, right, explains new brochures and videos available to teens, parents and employers to improve on the job safety for teenagers. The trio formed We Will Not Forget SAJE, Inc. with the proceeds from a settlement with TCBY (NOTE: CHECK!) after their daughters were killed at the Austin yogurt shop five years ago (Dec. 6, 1991). American-Statesman 1996 file James Thomas (l), Robert Ayers, Pam Ayers and Barbara Ayres meet the press at a news conference today to discuss the arrests of suspects in the Yogurt Shop murders. American-Statesman 1999 file A 3-D model of the Yogurt Shop Murder is one of several pieces collected over the years investigating the cities infamous homicides in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. American-Statesman 2011 file

The documentary will explore the way the case played out over the years. Episode one, "Fire and Water," details the immediate aftermath of the murders and the initial attempts by law enforcement to find hard evidence.

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The investigation saw many twists and turns, including the initial arrest of Maurice Pierce and the subsequent implication of friends Forrest Welborn, Robert Springsteen, and Michael Scott. Episodes will trace the investigation's long and winding road, including false leads, wrongful arrests, and the confessions obtained from Springsteen and Scott.

A turning point came in 2008, when new DNA evidence emerged, casting doubt on Springsteen and Scott's convictions. Episode four, "In Your Time," airing Aug. 24, chronicles their release in 2009 and the subsequent decision to drop charges. Despite these developments, the Texas Supreme Court, as recently as June, rejected Springsteen's bid to be declared innocent, highlighting the ongoing legal and emotional complexities of the case.

Court appearance for Maurice Pierce (left) appearing with his attorney Guillermo Gonzalez. Tom Lankes

What to expect from 'The Yogurt Shop Murders' documentary?

Directed by Austinite Margaret Brown, "The Yogurt Shop Murders" promises a comprehensive look at the case, drawing on archival footage, news coverage, and interviews. Brown, who moved to Austin years after the murders, was inspired by the resilience of those grappling with grief.

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As she told the Statesman in March,"All of the family members always said to me, There never is closure. You learn how to live alongside it, but it never loses its potency."

The Dec. 6, 1991, murders of (clockwise from top left) Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, Amy Ayers and Eliza Thomas remain unresolved. HANDOUT

Beyond the details of the investigation, the series examines the lasting effects of grief and the impact of an unsolved crime. It features original Austin Police Department lead investigators John Jones and Paul Johnson, "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty, and a host of legal experts, family members and friends.

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The visit to Austin last week by U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, which included both a private meeting with legislative Democrats and a news conference to call even more attention to the Republican-led redrawing of the Texas congressional map, is a sign that the state is in play for the 2026 election cycle.

But not necessarily in the context of what "in play" generally means in political discourse.

Let's set aside for now the question of whether Republicans will continue their winning streak in statewide elections that began in 1998, or whether one Democrat or another can lead the party out of its long sojourn through the wilderness.

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What Jeffries trip shows  triggered by the Trump administrations push to toss out congressional districts drawn in 2021 is that Texas Democrats are not without influence in Washington. That influence is not diminished; in fact, it could spell trouble for Republicans on the national stage.

U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks against Texas redistricting efforts at a news conference at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Thursday. Listening are U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Al Green. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Anyone paying attention to Texas politics already knows that Republicans are trying to add five additional winnable seats in Texas, and that they have the votes in the Legislature to do just that. And it goes without saying that those new seats could help Republicans withstand a backlash in the 2026 midterm elections, which historically go badly for the party in the White House.

Democrats need to flip only two seats next year to gain control of the U.S. House, which would likely lead to the election of Jeffries, a New York Democrat, as speaker. Under the present map, Jeffries could count on 13 Democratic votes (including the expected win in a special election this November for the seat vacated by the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston).

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But if five of those seats were somehow out of reach for Democrats, Jeffries' path to the head of the House becomes more narrow. On the Republican side, if the five new seats give the GOP a majority, Texas could become the linchpin for advancing the Trump administrations second-term agenda.

And let's look at some of the Democrats who would be drawn out of a job next year.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin is the dean of the Texas delegation and has been in Congress since 1995. This term, he serves as the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee subcommittee on health. That's the panel that handles legislation relating to health programs under Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

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If Democrats win control of the U.S. House, Doggett would be in a position to chair that committee. It's not too much of an exaggeration to say that nearly everyone in every district has a family member or a close friend who relies on the federal health programs.

The proposed map would pit Doggett against a relative newcomer, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, who was elected in 2022 after serving on the Austin City Council. In only his second term, Casar chairs the House Progressive Caucus. The national Democratic Party, it seems, is always in a tug-of-war between progressives on the left and moderates in the middle.

As chairman of the progressives, Casar has both hands  and a loud voice  on that rope both sides are pulling on.

U.S. Rep. Al Green of Houston, elected in 2004, is the most senior Black member of the Texas delegation. Now, he's the ranking member of the House subcommittee on oversight and investigations. In the spring, Green filed a resolution (unlikely to pass) to again bring impeachment charges against Trump.

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Were he chairman of that panel, Green would likely have a louder megaphone with which to amplify those charges.

On the other hand, if the GOP loses the House in 2026, powerful Texas Republicans would become the ones filing symbolic legislation. They would hold no committee chairmanships, and just like their time in the minority in 2021, Republicans would be powerless to block things like the Jan. 6 committee hearings or other actions of the Trump administration.

Given all that's at stake in the upcoming election cycle, Texas is very much in play in how it all might turn out.
Austin police arrested a man Saturday after a fatal stabbing near downtown, the citys 36th homicide case of the year. Austin American-Statesman

The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide early Sunday morning after a man was found severely injured on the side of a North Austin road.

Officers found the unidentified man at 2:38 a.m. along the frontage road near the 9800 block of northbound Interstate 35, according to Officer Aaron Townsend. Authorities responded to a call reporting a Hispanic male with injuries to his body, Townsend said.

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Both police and EMS attempted to revive the man, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 3:25 a.m.

The frontage road around the scene will remain closed for a few hours while police finish investigating the area, according to Townsend.
This image taken from video provided by Blue Origin shows the New Shepard rocket blasting off April 14 from West Texas. Blue Origin

Blue Origin is launching another brief space flight from Texas, this time with a cryptocurrency billionaire and five other successful professionals.

This will be the first commercial space flight since June 29. Blue Origin went viral in April for its first all-woman crew, which included pop star Katy Perry and television personality Gayle King. The New Shepard spacecraft will once again travel more than 60 miles from the launch site, past the Karman line  the internationally recognized boundary of space. This flight will give passengers several minutes of weightlessness and panoramic views of Earth.

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Here's what to know about Blue Origin's NS-34 launch.

When is the next Blue Origin launch?

Blue Origin's next crewed flight, NS-34, is scheduled to lift off around 7:30 a.m. CDT on Sunday, Aug. 3.

Watch live: How to livestream the Blue Origin launch

The livestream will appear on Blue Origin's YouTube channel around 30 minutes before the scheduled liftoff.

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Who is on the Blue Origin space flight?

The crew of Blue Origin's NS-34 mission includes Arvi Bahal, Gokhan Erdem, Deborah Martorell, Lionel Pitchford, J.D. Russell and H.E. Justin Sun. Blue Origin

Six people will be on the NS-34 mission. Blue Origin reports the funds from the flight's "tickets," which total about $28 million, will go to "19 space-focused charities to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEAM and help shape the future of life in space.

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Arvinder "Arvi" Singh Bahal , a real estate investor born in Indian and now naturalized U.S. citizen

, a real estate investor born in Indian and now naturalized U.S. citizen Gokhan Erdem, a Turkish businessman and board member of Erdem Holding

a Turkish businessman and board member of Erdem Holding Deborah Martorell , an award-winning Puerto Rican meteorologist and journalist

, an award-winning Puerto Rican meteorologist and journalist Lionel Pitchford , an English philanthropist who spent decades in Spain working as a teacher, translator and tour guide

, an English philanthropist who spent decades in Spain working as a teacher, translator and tour guide James "J.D." Russel , an entrepreneur who founded Alpha Funds, a technology-based venture capital company, as well as Alpha Aerospace, an aerospace consultant

, an entrepreneur who founded Alpha Funds, a technology-based venture capital company, as well as Alpha Aerospace, an aerospace consultant H.E. Justin Sun, a Chinese cryptocurrency billionaire and businessman who founded TRON

Where is the Blue Origin launch site?

The launch is happening at Launch Site One, situated in the desert southwest, 30 miles north of Van Horn in Far West Texas.

Who owns Blue Origin?

Blue Origin is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

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You are the owner of this article.
A Camp Mystic sign is left near the camp's entrance on the banks of the Guadalupe River, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Reopen Camp Mystic

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Camp Mystic sounds like a life transforming experience and must be resurrected in honor of the precious lives lost in the flood.

There's a saying, "When one door closes, another one opens." In tribute to those lost, open the doors at Camp Mystic a bit wider. Wide enough to accommodate more diversity among the campers.

It's my understanding that getting a seat at the table depends in large part on legacy, recommendations from former campers and the ability to pay (the fees seem reasonable for an upper middle class family).

According to former campers, the benefits of attending Camp Mystic have been life changing and that's great, but don't girls of every race, color and family background deserve to say that? Campers describe a sense of unity, recognition, encouragement and confidence that stayed with them through life.

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There are some girls who don't get those self image boosters at home. It's the perfect time for Camp Mystic to reach out to those who may need what the camp offers.

Turn a horrible tragedy into a new beginning.

Valerie Goranson, Round Rock

Out to lunch on taxpayers

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City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Council Member Ryan Alter should be ashamed of themselves.

Broadnax seemed to feel having us pay for pricey lunches, even before he had actually started on the job, was perfectly fine.

At least he said he will pay back the thousands he spent after initially trying to justify it (I hope someone follows up to make sure he does).

Alters excuse for the same behavior, that if he works through lunch we should pay for him to eat at his desk, is the height of hubris.

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When I worked in corporate America in a management position I never expected to expense my lunch. He should also reimburse taxpayers.

Apparently these two are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this entitled profligate spending. Both Broadnax and Alter need to be replaced and the rest of city staff need a better watchdog.

Rona Distenfeld, Austin

Grant King, an artist and parent of three school-age children, protests in May against Texas' school voucher bill that will allow public dollars to go to private schools. "I think public schools are very important and need to be preserved and funded," King said. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

Stand with Austin ISD

Its not enough to teach children their rights if the adults entrusted with their future wont defend them.

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The Austin Independent School District sits at a crossroads. This moment isnt just about leadership  its about recognition. The rights of students, parents and educators are already written into district responsibilities. Theyre foundational.

There is opportunity now.

Act on the responsibilities that already exist. Stand in defense of the trust placed in local hands. Honor a duty that does not vanish under state pressure.

The state of Texas continues pushing districts toward quiet forfeiture  especially those serving high-need campuses.

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Austin ISD is not powerless. The board only needs the clarity and courage to follow what is already written and already owed to the people of Austin.

To the board: Hold the line. Well stand with you when you do.

Steve Swanson, Austin

Attitudes must evolve

Last week marked the 35th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). The act brought better physical access to stores, businesses and medical offices; audio description for those with blindness and low vision; open and closed captioning for those with hearing impairments; and sidewalks, curb cuts and audible pedestrian signals to improve pedestrian travel.

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On the other hand, unemployment for blind and visually impaired adults of working age remains high, despite advances in technology. Laws can change, but that does not mean that attitudes change. Even though it is now illegal to ask an applicant about their disability, some employers will focus on a disability and ignore an applicants abilities.

Anyone could wind up being part of the blind community. Our group grows every day as older adults develop cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes and other conditions.

The population of Americans with disabilities is the only protected class that anyone could find themselves entering if their circumstances change due to aging, accident or illness. Lets move forward as a people and improve the attitudes of the non-disability community toward the disability community.

Chris D. Prentice, Levelland, president of American Council of the Blind of Texas

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System operators at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas monitor the state's power grid. AMERICAN-STATESMAN FILE

Revisit grid reliability

The reliability of the electric grid should be considered during this special session of the Legislature.

The necessary gas-fired generation plants aren't being built for control and stability of the grid. These plants are needed, especially during the long winter nights during freezing conditions where wind and solar are not available.

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The existing fleet of generation plants has been winterized, but there are not enough of them, and batteries are limited to only four hours of operation.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas consultant E3 in a study April 17, 2024 has calculated the need for 13,000 megawatts of dispatchable generation plants, taking into account all weather conditions and plant improvements.

The grid is at increased risk of blackouts 32 times what is normal. And these plants can be built at a savings and improve the environment.

Expected growth in population, data centers and large industrial facilities make such plants vital in the future along with batteries, renewables and demand side initiatives.

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Thomas L. Darte, former ERCOT board member and retired general manager of the Greenville Electric Utility System

Save money somewhere else

Im appalled the Rescissions Act of 2025 passed.

Appropriations for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are denied after they had already been promised.

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The U.S. contributing $1 for every $2 contributed by others would have helped continue the progress to bring these diseases under control.

Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. The Global Fund treated 7.1 million people for tuberculosis in 2023. Additionally, 25 million received HIV treatment, enabling parents to work instead of leaving orphans. Some 227 million mosquito nets were distributed to prevent malaria.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett voted against the Rescissions Act. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz did not stand up for saving lives and families, even though humanitarian aid is less than 1% of U.S. spending.

Both have said we must reduce our spending. I suggest we cut their access to the Congressional health plan.

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Eloise Sutherland, Austin

Protesters listen to speakers during the Fight The Trump Takeover Rally on July 24 outside the Texas Capitol. Several hundred people gathered to protest against President Donald Trumps request for redistricting in Texas. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Give the power back

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Every day, President Trump strips power from Congress and the Constitution. We declared independence from a tyrannical, corrupt monarchy so that we could be free from taxation without representation, stop abuse of power, pursue individual freedoms, and speak out against an unjust government.

We no longer have checks and balances. Lawmakers are being directed by the executive branch. Court orders are being ignored. Tariffs are slapped on foreign goods. Life-saving programs are slashed for tax cuts for the wealthy. People are being snatched off the streets and thrown into camps without due process. The military is deployed to peaceful protests. Opposing elected officials are being arrested. Student activists are jailed or deported.

Trump's regime penalizes nonprofits, law firms, news outlets, universities, civil servants and scientists who don't comply.

Congress must make this right and give power back to the people.

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Rebecca Brownlow, Austin

Don't overlook Allred

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The article about state Rep. James Talarico considering a run for U.S. Senate should have mentioned that former Democratic congressman Colin Allred is already an announced candidate for that seat. Allred previously represented District 32 in the U.S. House. He defeated U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions in 2018 by a 6-point margin. Allred announced his run July 1 for Sen. John Cornyn's seat. He deserved a mention in that article, too!

Karen Conyngham, Austin
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, left, and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Texas Rep. James Talarico and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Texas Rep. Gene Wu, left, and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Texas Rep. James Talarico and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Texas Rep. Ann Johnson and other Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A plane at Signature Aviation carrying Texas Democratic lawmakers takes off from the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A plane at Signature Aviation carrying Texas Democratic lawmakers takes off from the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A plane at Signature Aviation carrying Texas Democratic lawmakers takes off from the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Democratic lawmakers board a plane at Signature Aviation at the South Terminal on Sunday, August. 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Dozens of Texas House Democrats flew to Chicago Sunday in a bid to block state Republicans from passing a proposed redistricting map that could give the GOP five additional seats in Congress.

The walk-out denies the House the quorum needed to conduct business and escalates Democrats conflict with Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump, who is pushing redistricting in Texas to help Republicans withstand any backlash in the 2026 midterm elections.

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At a press conference in Illinois, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said the decision to leave was not made lightly.

SEARCH OUR MAP: Could your congressional district change as Republicans push redistricting?

The only thing we have in our minds is what do we need to do to protect Texans," said Wu, D-Houston. "We will not be complicit in the destruction of our own communities... We're not here to play political games, we're here to demand an end to this corrupt process."

The unusual but not unprecedented mid-cycle redistricting has put Texas at the center of a Republican campaign to retain control of the U.S. House in 2026. Trump has publicly encouraged the GOP-controlled Legislature and Abbott to squeeze out five more Republican seats from a state where the party already controls 25 of the 38 congressional districts.

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It is set to come up for its first floor debate on Monday in the Texas House, where Republicans hold a 88-62 majority.

A spokesperson for the Democratic caucus said more than 51 members, but fewer than the entirety of the chambers 62 Democrats, left the state Sunday  enough to block Republicans from reaching a quorum of 100 members required to be present for the House to do its business.

In addition to Illinois, some members also went to Boston and Albany, N.Y., while others remain "elsewhere, but they are not in Austin," said state Rep. Chris Turner, a former leader of the House Democrats, at a Sunday night press conference. "And they are not going back to the Capitol together. We are united in this fight that none of them plans to return to Texas before the special session ends."

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Asked whether Democrats who are outnumbered in both chambers of the Legislature have any hope in derailing redistricting, Wu was noncommittal.

"We don't know what the what the next steps are. We're trying to take this day by day," he said. "We have never given up trying to talk to our colleagues on the other side. We've never stopped trying to have negotiations and try to work out something that will actually benefit the people of Texas. And we will continue to do that."

Their absence also threatens to derail the other issues Gov. Greg Abbott put on the special session agenda, including hemp THC regulation, an overhaul of the STAAR test and disaster relief after to the deadly Central Texas floods last month.

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The state's top Republicans slammed Democrats' decision to break quorum, and some warned of stiff penalties of they don't return.

Late Sunday, Abbott threatened to try and remove missing House Democrats from office if they aren't in by Monday afternoon.

Attorney General Ken Paxton suggested the fleeing Democrats should be found, arrested and brought back to the Capitol immediately.

"The Texas House will be convening at 3:00pm tomorrow. If a quorum is not present then, to borrow the recent talking points from some of my Democrat colleagues, all options will be on the table. . ." House Speaker Dustin Burrows said on social media.

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Democrats have accused Abbott and GOP lawmakers of using the tragedy as political cover to pass a map they say is racially gerrymandered, and they expressed frustration that multiple public hearings were convened before the maps were released but only one was held after.

Governor Abbott has turned the victims of a historic tragedy into political hostages in his submission to Donald Trump, Wu said in Sunday's statement. He is using an intentionally racist map to steal the voices of millions of Black and Latino Texans, all to execute a corrupt political deal.

Nothing is stopping Abbott, a third-term Republican, from calling another special session after this one ends. The governor alone is in charge of setting the sessions legislative agenda.

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The Democrats move comes after weeks of news conferences, rallies and fundraising letters by Texas Democrats in office and out that were long on outrage but short on specifics on how that might seek to derail redistricting.

The situation is reminiscent of 2021 when party members packed up and flew to Washington for 38 days to prevent passage of an election law overhaul bill that included several restrictions on voting access.

In the end, the voting rights bill that sparked the walkout passed when Abbott ordered another special session, but Democrats claimed something of a moral victory for getting the measure stripped of some of its provisions.

By going to Chicago, Texas House Democrats would be setting up camp in friendly territory.

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READ MORE: In Austin, top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries says public awareness is key to Texas redistricting fight

At the news conference in Illinois Sunday night, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the quorum break "a righteous act of courage," and he promised to support the members' cause. Pritzker, whose party enjoys a 74-40 majority in the state House and holds 40 of the 59 Senate seats, has said hes open to calling a redistricting session of the Illinois General Assembly to add to the Democrats already whopping 14-3 majority in Congress.

But the governor sidestepped questions about whether he was providing financial support to the Texans.

"We are very pleased to welcome you and to stand in solidarity with you and send a clear message to All Americans, we will not let power go unchecked, or let your voices and their voices go unheard," Pritzker said.

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The Democrats are getting some financial assistance from Beto O'Rourke's Powered By People political operation, according to spokesman Chris Evans. Fundraising is ongoing, Evans said, "with every dollar pitched in going towards helping the Texas Democrats remain out of state" to block redistricting.

Breaking quorum in the Texas House is not without consequences. After the 2021 walkout, the chamber imposed rules that threaten members who leave for the purpose of thwarting House business to be fined up to $500 per day for each day of absence. That could add up to $8,000 per person if members stay away through the end of the special session. Under House rules, members could not pay the fines out of their campaign accounts.

Absent members could also face expulsion from the House, but that would require a two-thirds vote.

SEE THE CHANGE: Toggle between the current and proposed congressional maps
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Postal Code
COLUMBIA, S.C.  President Donald Trump has downplayed the influence of Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur known for her incendiary social media presence, in his administration's decision-making.

But the list of administration officials who have drawn Loomer's ire and swiftly thereafter gotten the axe from Trump has been growing.

Among the latest is Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administrations polarizing vaccine chief, who announced this past week he was leaving the agency after a brief tenure that drew the ire of biotech executives, patient groups and conservative allies of Trump. Prasad recently become a target of right-wing activists, including Loomer, who flagged Prasads past statements criticizing Trump and praising liberal independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.

On Wednesday, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll directed the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to remove Jen Easterly, a newly announced hire who led the nations cybersecurity agency under President Joe Biden, shortly after Loomer criticized her.

Loomer, who publicly encouraged Trump to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the Make America Great Again agenda, has taken credit for some of the ousters, tearing into some of Trumps allies and advisers and calling out what she calls a vetting crisis within the White House. Trump, meanwhile, has long praised Loomer while distancing himself at times from her most controversial comments and downplaying her direct impact on his choices.

Heres a rundown on connections between Loomer's criticism and Trump administration departures:

Health and Human Services

Two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that Prasad was ousted following several recent controversies. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters.

Last week, Loomer posted on X of Prasad, How did this Trump-hating Bernie Bro get into the Trump admin???

Prasad did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday. He joined the FDA in May after years as an academic researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, where he frequently criticized the FDAs approach to drug approvals and COVID-19 vaccines.

Loomer was also vocal in opposition to Trumps first choice for surgeon general, whose selection was ultimately withdrawn.

Trump pulled the nomination of former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat just before Senate confirmation hearings in May. Loomer posted on X that we cant have a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee who is currently embroiled in a medical malpractice case and who didnt go to medical school in the US as the surgeon general.

Biden holdovers

Driscoll's directive that West Point remove Easterly, shared on X, came just a day after she was announced as the Robert F. McDermott Distinguished Chair in West Points social sciences department. Easterly had served as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, facing harsh criticism from Republicans who argued that her work to counter misinformation about elections and the COVID-19 pandemic amounted to censorship.

On Tuesday, Loomer posted on X about Easterlys new role at West Point, saying Biden holdovers at the Defense Department were undermining Trumps administration.

National Security Council

On April 3, Loomer presented research findings to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, chief of staff Susie Wiles and others including then-national security adviser Mike Waltz, during an Oval Office meeting, according to people speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

A day later, Trump said he fired some White House National Security Council officials, downplaying Loomers influence on the moves. The departures included the director of the National Security Agency, Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, who also oversaw the Pentagons Cyber Command, along with Haughs civilian deputy at the NSA, Wendy Noble.

When reached for comment, Loomer referred The Associated Press to an X post, saying she was not going to divulge details about her Oval Office meeting with Trump out of respect for the president.

In a subsequent X post, Loomer appeared to take credit for the firings, writing, You know how you know the NSC officials I reported to President Trump are disloyal people who have played a role in sabotaging Donald Trump? She noted, the fired officials were being defended by Trump critics on CNN and MSNBC.

Loomer called for Waltz's ouster in the weeks following revelations he mistakenly added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans. As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration  he was ultimately nominated as United Nations ambassador  she appeared to take credit, writing SCALP in an X post.

Justice Department

Adam Schleifer, an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, received an email in March saying he was being terminated on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. The email came exactly an hour after Loomer called for him to be fired in a social media post that highlighted Schleifers past critical comments about Trump while Schleifer was running in a Democratic primary for a congressional seat in New York.

Earlier this month, Loomer took a victory lap after the Justice Department fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey and a federal prosecutor in Manhattan who worked on the cases against Sean Diddy Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, three people familiar with the matter told The AP.

Comey's ouster, Loomer said on X, followed her two-month pressure campaign.
Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guards 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. Family and friends gathered with welcome home signs to greet their soldiers after a year-long deployment to the Middle East. (Emily Simonson/Oregon National Guard)



Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard received a warm welcome Saturday in Happy Valley after a yearlong deployment to Iraq and Syria.

About 250 members of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment had deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve  the name for U.S. militarys intervention against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. While deployed they conducted rocket, artillery, mortar and drone defense operations.

Its an honor to welcome this group back, Command Sgt. Maj. Adrian Gonzales, the command sergeant major for the 2-218th Field Artillery rear detachment, said in a service news release. They did an outstanding job out there.

Friends and family, some holding signs welcoming their soldier home, were on hand at the Camp Withycombe.

Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guards 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. (Michael Flordelis/Oregon National Guard)

Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guards 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. (Michael Flordelis/Oregon National Guard)

Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guards 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. (Michael Flordelis/Oregon National Guard)



The 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment was organized Feb. 3, 1866, as the Portland Light Artillery. Federal service action has included tours in France during World War I, the Europe and the Pacific theaters in World War II, and numerous missions in the post-9/11 era in the Middle East.
View of a barge that hit a sailboat that sank off Miami Beachs Hibiscus Island in Biscayne Bay July 28, 2025. (Pedro Portal, Miami Herald/TNS)



MIAMI (Tribune News Service)  The tugboat pushing a barge that slammed into a sailboat carrying summer campers in Biscayne Bay  killing three children  may not have been operated by a licensed captain because of loopholes in Coast Guard regulations, maritime experts told the Miami Herald.

If a commercial tugboat is under 26 feet, it is subject to fewer requirements and restrictions, a retired ferry, barge and tugboat captain and a longtime South Florida barge/tugboat company said. A Herald review of Coast Guard navigational rules confirmed the loophole.

Under federal law, these types of vessels do not require the operator to be a licensed captain. The only requirement is that the operator is a U.S. citizen.

Tugboat companies often advertise No Licensed Captain Required! for pushboats or truckable tugs. When barges are used to transport equipment in construction work  and the tugboat pushing the barge is under 26 feet  they dont require a licensed captain, commricial maritime experts say.

The barge in Mondays crash was transporting a crane and other construction materials; the large crane could have obstructed the tugboat operators view from the pilot house. A review of photographs taken by Herald photojournalists and analysis by two AI tools estimate the tugboat is under 26 feet. The Coast Guard declined to confirm the tugboats length when reached Friday afternoon.

Companies try to take advantage of these rules, said the retired tugboat and barge captain, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the crash. The Coast Guard has to reevaluate [the regulations] to avoid a tragedy like this from happening again.

The barge also should have had a lookout on board, according to Coast Guard Navigational Rules.

Rule 5: Look-out: Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision, the Coast Guard rules say.

Its unclear whether the barge had a dedicated lookout person. In the minutes leading up to the crash, eyewitnesses interviewed by the Herald said they saw a barge crewman warning the tugboat operator only at the last moment.

There should have been a proper lookout and a proper speed maintained to not get close enough where youd have take evasive action like that, said Brett Rivkind, a longtime Miami maritime personal injury attorney.

Coast Guard rules also call for boat operators to use horns to signal they are coming. Two of three roofers interviewed by the Herald on Tuesday  who were working on a Hibiscus Island home in Miami Beach and witnessed the crash from the roof and the minutes leading up to it  said they heard no horn prior to the crash.

Coast Guard rules specify when sound signals should be used, particularly when boats near each other: When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle, Coast Guard Rule 34 states. This signal may be supplemented by a light signal of at least five short and rapid flashes. 

The Coast Guard declined to answer the Heralds queries about its rules and the crash investigation.

We understand the publics desire for answers, and we ask for patience as the formal investigation proceeds, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg said Friday.

Barge runs over sailboat

Shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, a 60-foot barge pushed by a tugboat operator slammed into a 17-foot Hobie Getaway filled with five summer campers and a camp counselor from the Miami Yacht Club, a nearly 100-year-old club on Watson Island that teaches children how to sail.

Mila Yankelevich, 7, and Erin Victoria Ko Han, 13, were killed in the aftermath of the collision, which occurred between Hibiscus and Monument islands in Biscayne Bay off Miami Beach. Two other girls were rushed to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. A 12-year-old girl and the 19-year-old female camp counselor were treated at the scene.

The Miami Yacht Club announced Sunday that a third child had died.

The barge ran over the sailboat, officials said. The five girls and the counselor were wearing life jackets, the Coast Guard said Tuesday in a news conference.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiners Office concluded Mila and Erin accidentally drowned. The Coast Guard, which is leading the investigation into the crash, has yet to publicly identify the victims or indicate the girls conditions at Jackson.

The tugboat operator and another person on the barge were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol after the Coast Guard conducted a blood-draw sobriety test, the agency said. The blood-alcohol test results of the camp counselor came back negative as well, the Coast Guard said.

READ MORE: Captain who crashed barge into sailboat in Miami Beach not impaired: officials

The Coast Guard has not released the names of the tugboat operator, the barge crew or the company that owns the barge or the tugboat.

Duty to avoid a collision

The retired captain told the Herald the lax atmosphere frustrates him and many other captains in the industry, especially because many tugboats under 26 feet are not subject to Coast Guard inspections. Some of these vessels may also be designated workboats, subjecting them to fewer regulations if they are moving materials within a worksite or to and from a site, according to a Coast Guard memo.

The captain said he also believes the tug operators visibility was obstructed by the crane  and questioned why the lookout didnt notice a flotilla of small sailboats with summer campers aboard sailing in the narrow channel in Biscayne Bay before the crash. Photos and video immediately after the crash show several small sailboats filled with children in the bay.

He said he had been in similar situations while piloting vessels during his decades-long career. They require situational awareness, not only from the operator, but from the person looking out, he said.

Before the collision, the counselor and girls on the Hobie were yelling and waving for the barge to stop, witnesses told the Herald. The three roofers working at the home on Hibiscus Island also were yelling to get the barge to stop.

We were screaming and screaming, but we were just too far  he wasnt going to hear us, William Cruz, one of the roofers, told the Herald Tuesday. They were headed straight for the children and by the time the man realized, the barge was already right on top of them.

The operator likely couldnt hear from inside the pilot house atop the towboat, the captain said. But the person looking out should have immediately informed the operator about the girls and witnesses frantically pleading with the vessel to stop. If they had time to warn, then [the barge operator] had time to change direction, he said.

The captain emphasized that this crash is not about which vessel had the right of way and compared the incident to defensive driving on roadways. The operator had a duty to avoid a collision... All mariners must avoid a collision regardless of who has right of way, the retired captain told the Herald. Its sad, tragic for the kids and their parents. It now falls on the Coast Guard to change and enforce these regulations.

Obligation to the children

For Stuart Ratzan, a Miami civil attorney of more than three decades, Mondays crash is part of a larger problem on South Floridas waterways. Florida has had a surge in boating activity since the pandemic, leading to several high-profile fatal boat crashes in recent years, said Ratzan. South Floridas waterways  especially Biscayne Bay  have become increasingly congested.

Florida has more registered vessels than any other state in the country, topping 1 million, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions 2024 annual report.

Commercial vessel operators, Ratzan said, must take precautions to guard the safety of recreational boaters, particularly children.

Its outrageous that a commercial vessel pushed by a tugboat was operating in an area where children are sailing, Ratzan said. This is basic negligence. At the end of the day, ...they had an obligation to the children.

Miami Herald staff writer David Goodhue and Miami Herald writer CD Goette-Luciak contributed to this report.

2025 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Sunday World can also reveal that detectives are probing if the Black Forge was specifically targeted because it is owned by the former MMA fighter

Dublin Fire Brigade and gardai at the Black Forge, which is owned by Conor McGregor

Gardai have identified a chief suspect for an arson attack on Conor McGregors Dublin pub  who is also suspected of carrying out an unprovoked assault in the capital.

The Sunday World can also reveal that detectives are probing if the Black Forge was specifically targeted because it is owned by the former MMA fighter.

Emergency services were called out to a fire at the boozer in Crumlin, on Dublins southside, in the early hours of Friday, July 25, and quickly extinguished the small blaze.

Its understood the suspect set fire to some cardboard and placed it at the front entrance of the pub before leaving the scene.

The perpetrator made no efforts to hide his identity and detectives began treating the incident as one of criminal damage.

It can now be revealed that investigators have identified a chief suspect for that arson attack.

The man is also under investigation for an unprovoked assault in Dublin for which he has been arrested and charged.

The exact details of that incident cannot be outlined for legal reasons at this time.

Progress

While no arrests have yet been made in relation to the arson at the Black Forge pub, sources said last night that good progress is being made in the investigation.

Conor McGregor

A number of lines of inquiry are being followed and the investigation progressed significantly in recent days, a source confirmed.

A suspect has been identified and the investigation will advance further in the near future.

Investigators are now also probing if the Black Forge was specifically targeted because it is owned by the controversial MMA star.

McGregor has repeatedly said that he will run in this years presidential election and has shared strong anti-immigrant rhetoric online.

The 37-year-old this week lost his legal challenge to a High Court jurys finding that he was civilly liable for raping Nikita Hand at the Beacon Hotel in south Dublin in December 2018.

Last week, gardai said that no injuries were reported during the incident at the Black Forge and confirmed that it is being investigated as one of criminal damage.

A spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade said a report of a fire at a premises on the Drimnagh Road was made around 3am on Friday morning, July 25.

Firefighters from Dolphins Barn were mobilised to the address and on arrival found a small fire at the front of the building, they said.

Using a high-pressure hose reel, one fire engine dealt with the incident and no injuries were reported.

Workmen could be seen later in the morning repairing damage to the entrance of the pub.

McGregor bought the Black Forge Inn for 2m in 2020 and later spent an additional 1m on renovations.

In January 2022, the pub was targeted in an unrelated petrol bomb attack which failed to ignite, and no damage was caused in the incident.

McGregor later shared a social media post in which he offered a 50,000 reward for information on the person responsible.

Deleted

In the since-deleted social media post, the fighter asked for help identifying the little deli-chicken head suspected of carrying out the arson.

The Black Forge Inn in Crumlin was targeted shortly before midnight on January 12, 2022, when a bottle containing an accelerant was lit and thrown at the rear of the property.

Gardai said no significant damage was caused, and no arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Sunday World has learned that a man in his 20s who was interviewed in relation to alleged voyeurism at a holiday home in Co Down where McGregor was renting last year, could be facing charges.

A probe was launched last November after Mr McGregor made a complaint to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) when he became aware of the clips showing him and his partner Dee Devlin at a holiday home in Rostrevor.

The footage is understood to feature McGregor during an intimate moment with his partner. It was filmed from outside the luxury property he was renting while spending time with Ms Devlin and their children.

In February, the PSNI confirmed that a Co Down man volunteered himself for interview in relation to the footage. At the time, the mans legal representative said that he strenuously denies all these allegations and did so at interview.

We contend that there is no evidence to link our client to these offence and fully expect our clients name to be vindicated, solicitor Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, added.

This week the PSNI told the Sunday World that they have now submitted a file on their investigation to the prosecution service in the north who will consider whether charges should be brought.

A man in his 20s was interviewed by police on Monday, 27th January 2025 in relation to a report of voyeurism in the Rostrevor area in November 2024. A file was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service in July for their consideration, the spokesperson said.

Dublin Fire Brigade and gardai at the Black Forge, which is owned by Conor McGregor

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
The corporation lost a major defamation case earlier this year after Mr Adams took them to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after he won his libel action against the BBC (Brian Lawless/PA)

The BBC has been criticised for not yet having paid court-ordered damages to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.

The corporation lost a major defamation case earlier this year after Mr Adams took them to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story.

They contained an allegation that Mr Adams sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams denied any involvement.

In May, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euros (84,000) after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article.

The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leaders legal costs.

BBC Northern Ireland director Adam Smyth (centre) outside the High Court in Dublin after the court case (Brian Lawless/PA)

Adam Smyth, director of BBC NI, expressed disappointment in the verdict and said the corporation believes it supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial process and journalistic diligence applied to the programme and accompanying online article.

After the decision, the broadcasters legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award as it took time to consider an appeal, subject to paying half the damages (50,000 euros or 42,000) and 250,000 euros (210,000) towards solicitors fees.

In June, the BBC confirmed it would not pursue an appeal.

However, it is understood that by August 1 the BBC had not paid the damages.

Mr Adams previously indicated that he planned to donate what he receives to good causes.

He specified that these would include for children in Gaza as well as groups in the Irish language sector and those who are homeless.

A source close to Mr Adams told the PA news agency: The delay by the BBC is deplorable and it should move speedily towards discharging the order of the court.

A BBC spokesperson said: Total costs will be finalised and payable in due course.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after he won his libel action against the BBC (Brian Lawless/PA)

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
Mircea Alexe had 14 prior convictions including one for having no motor insurance and another under the Theft and Fraud Act

A naive motorist who got another person to sit his drivers theory test which led to him being issued with learners permit has been spared jail.

Mircea Alexe, 58, of OConnell Avenue, Phibsboro, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty to deception by inducing an official to issue a learners permit in the belief that he had completed a drivers theory test to make again for himself on August 14 last.

At Dublin District Court, Judge Treasa Kelly fined the married construction worker 300, warning him that it must be paid in three months.

Pleading for leniency, defence solicitor Michael Kelleher said that during the COVID pandemic there had been long waiting list for the theory test and he naively made a bad choice.

The judge noted that this prosecution formed part of a wider investigation which has led to multiple defendants coming before the courts.

Mr Kelleher described his client has the main breadwinner in his family and needed to drive for work and has subsequently sat and passed the theory test legitimately.

He added that Alexe deeply regretted his actions and has had this case hanging over him for years.

Alexe had 14 prior convictions including one for having no motor insurance and another under the Theft and Fraud Act.

Judge Kelly noted some one else had done his driver theory test on his behalf, which sh said could not be tolerated but noted he had taken responsibility on the first day it came before the court.

Mircea Alexe

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
Darius Langas (37) of Main Street, Ballinasloe, was convicted following a week-long trial at the Central Criminal Court

A man has been jailed for nine years after he walked in on a woman while she was in the bathroom and pushed her into the bathtub where he raped her.

Darius Langas (37) of Main Street, Ballinasloe, was convicted following a week-long trial at the Central Criminal Court having denied one charge of rape of the woman on August 13, 2022.

This week, Mr Justice Tony Hunt handed Langas a 10-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for five years.

An investigating garda told Lorcan Staines SC, prosecuting, that the victim presented at the garda station in the immediate aftermath of the rape.

She said she had been drinking earlier in a local park with two men, including Langas and voluntarily went back to an apartment with them where they continued to drink alcohol and take cocaine.

The woman later told gardai that both men asked for sex and she said no to both to them.

Langas followed her into the bathroom, where he pulled at her clothes, unbuttoned his trousers and tried to force her to perform oral sex on him.

She said no and told Langas she was on her period.

He pushed her into the bathtub before raping her from behind. She was shouting and screaming at him attempting to fight him off.

The woman was able to point out the apartment she had been taken back to by gardai and Langas was arrested.

He initially denied that he had sex with the woman and described her as crazy. He was re-arrested after semen taken from the womans examination at the sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) matched his DNA.

Langas admitted having sex with the woman at this point but claimed it had been consensual.

Mr Staines said the report from the SATU outlined that the woman had extensive injuries which were consistent with her account of struggling with the accused and being struck by him.

Mr Staines said the woman, who was not in court, had prepared a victim impact statement, which he read into the record.

She said she had anxiety, depression, nightmares and panic attacks and she fears every man and fears what they are going to do to me.

She said it feels like he is still part of me like he broke something inside of me.

She acknowledged that she had issues with alcohol and drugs before the rape but said her addictions have gotten worse.

He brought me to such a darker place. I wished it never happened, she continued.

She said she lost her children who are now in care.

I wanted to get better for my kids but he broke me, she said.

The woman said she would like an apology but doesnt want to look at Langass face.

She said she is getting better now and has attended counselling. She said she got a dog.

I just couldnt cope. I got so much more used to the dark hole, the woman said.

Bernard Madden SC, defending, said his client does not accept the verdict of the jury.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said this was a serious offence which had had serious consequences for the woman.

Referring to her victim impact statement, the judge said she was frank and candid about her problems, which existed before this incident.

He said the court was satisfied that Langus made the woman's problems much worse, adding that the court was delighted to hear the woman says she is improving.

The judge set a headline sentence of 10 years. Mr Justice Hunt said there really isn't any mitigation noting that Langus does not accept the jury's verdict.

The judge noted the probation report states Langus continues to deprecate the woman's difficulties and proposes to deceive others in his life about why he is in prison, which the judge said is of concern.

Mr Justice Hunt said there was nothing good to be said out of the probation report, but that the court had to allow there might be a chance of the penny dropping in time.

The judge also placed Langus under the supervision of The Probation Service for three years post-release and backdated the sentence to when he went into custody.

Mr Justice Hunt expressed the court's hope that the woman's dog would give her pleasure and comfort. He asked gardai to extend the court's best wishes to the woman and hope that she would have success in addressing her demons and find some peace.
If I ever see you locally again, God help you, happy Christmas you English b******

A plumber issued a grossly offensive and menacing threat to a client on Christmas Eve, warning him a near 1,400 bill for works carried out on his home had been passed onto a Dublin based crime gang before telling him: If I ever see you locally again, God help you, happy Christmas you English b******.

Stephen McGuinness, Ballytoohey, Tarmonbarry, Roscommon was convicted and fined 1,500 at a sitting of Longford District Court for his part in an incident that saw the self-employed tradesman deliver an unsolicited text message to his victim on December 24, 2022 at Fisherstown, Clondra, Co Longford.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the prosecution, said in the wake of receiving that message, gardai initiated an immediate investigation after McGuinness victim attended Longford Garda Station in order to give a statement.

Stephen McGuinness told his victim on Christmas Eve how 1,400 for plumbing works had been sold onto a Dublin gang

The man stated how McGuinness had been recommended to him to undertake works at his home.

Sgt Mahon said the accused first assessed the scale of the works to be carried out before going on to spend around two full days plumbing at the mans property.

The court heard how those endeavours had only gone so far as to complete a first fix on the house ahead of further anticipated plumbing works.

Judge Vincent Deane was told how the 42-year-old never returned and never answered his phone despite repeated attempts by his victim to contact him.

Those frustrations led the man to seek out and find an alternative plumber to come and finish the job McGuinness had left behind.

Sgt Mahon said the man failed to hear from McGuinness in over 12 months until he received an invoice from the accused on April 14, 2021 amounting to almost 1,400.

McGuinness victim admitted to gardai of overlooking the bill and putting it on the long finger, owing to other factors which had been linked to the building of a new house.

The court heard how it wasnt until December 24, 2022 when the man next heard from McGuinness, initially by way of a phone call which he missed.

Sgt Mahon said that was followed by a text message from McGuinness, warning him the four figure payment was one which had since been sold onto a Dublin based gang.

The menacing nature of the text also alluded to how it was a nice time of the year to remind c***s like you your position in society.

In a further ominous vow, McGuinness warned him of what potentially awaited him if he ever came face to face with him again.

If I ever see you locally again, God help you seeing as youre afraid to answer the phone. You will need this for the guards, happy Christmas you English b******.

Stephen McGuinness exiting Longford Courthouse.

McGuinness later made a voluntary caution statement to apologise for his behaviour, something defence solicitor Michelle Reynolds contended had been given further weight by a formal letter of apology.

In continuing her mitigation to the court, Ms Reynolds said her client hasnt come to any further garda attention since the case first came before the court just over a year earlier and very much regretted his actions.

Judge Deane consequently fined McGuinness 1,500, giving him six months to pay.

Stephen McGuinness exiting Longford Courthouse.

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
Natalie Ennis tells of callous gangs abuse

Interview with Natalie Ennis, who saw five men who tortured and attacked her jailed this week

A woman who was beaten, slashed, kicked and burned after being imprisoned in a Dublin flat has recounted how her attackers stopped for chips during a harrowing three-hour torture session.

Natalie Ennis was taken by a gang of men to a flat in Henrietta House in Dublin 7 in September last year after she was falsely blamed for missing drugs.

Five gang members were jailed last week for between eight and 14 years for the depraved attack on the 38-year-old mother of one.

In an interview in the Sunday Independent, she said during her harrowing ordeal her attackers were all ordering chippers for themselves and going to the shops for bottles of coke and Lucozade.

Its something I live with every day. You are talking to me now and I can still see it happen to me, she said.

From above, Braxton Rice, Mark McMahon, Mark Keogh, Sean Conroy and Kian Walshe  five of the eight men involved in the horrific assault

Mark McMahon

Mark Keogh

Sean Conroy

Kian Walshe

The attack occurred on Thursday, September 26, when the man she was renting a room in an apartment came in and said: Right, lets go. He had a gash on his face and thats when I knew there was something wrong, she said.

She was driven to Henrietta House in the north inner city, and to a squalid flat. She was whacked across the head with metal bars, a hammer was heated up and pressed against her bare skin. She was repeatedly kicked her in the face and had a hatchet held to her head.

One of her attackers looked up her personal details on Facebook, looked up her family, and threatened to rape her daughter, who was just 17.

Ms Ennis, who had been pummelled, slashed and burnt, found the courage to speak out: I said youse wont be doing nothing to my daughter. Youll do it to me, she said.

Jesus. That got me big time.

Ms Ennis believed she was going to die. In my head, I was going to ask them could I just ring and say goodbye to my Ma and my daughter, she said.

Out of nowhere, armed gardai rammed open the door and swarmed the flat. By coincidence, they were coincidentally executing a warrant relating to a completely different matter.

Ms Ennis spent weeks in hospital with severe injuries including burns, severe bruising, fractures to her cheekbone and eye socket, a broken nasal bone, broken elbow. She had to have spinal surgery to have a disc removed.

She was terrified when she was discharged because she had nowhere to go, and has been living for the last 10 months in a crisis accommodation centre for woman escaping domestic violence run by Sonas.

Apart from ongoing pain and medical issues, she said she is constantly terrified and suffers night terrors.

Natalie Ennis stood up to the torturers threats against her daughter

I barely go outside the door. When I do its in a taxi. Im afraid of every fella that walks by me, she said.

I dont feel safe once I leave this building. This is my safe place.

Having waited 10 months for a psychiatric appointment, she was finally given one on Friday, the day after she was interviewed on RTEs Prime Time.

Braxton Rice (21), was sentenced to 14 years in jail. Mark McMahon (55) was jailed for 12 years. His son, 33-year-old Mark Keogh, was jailed for nine. Sean Conroy (21), from Ballymun, was jailed for 12 years. Kian Walshe (22) from Dublin 7 was jailed for eight-and-a-half years.

The men apologised to Ms Ennis, and one wrote to her. That means nothing to me. Evil demon devil, she said.

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
Mark McCourt (34) pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court this week to firearms offences

A gunrunner who supplied a range of firearms and pipe bombs to the criminal underworld was previously involved in a stolen car ring with the gang behind the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.

Mark McCourt (34), who is from Dundalk, Co Louth, but has an address in Edenrieve, Newry, Co Down, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court this week to firearms offences and participating in a criminal organisations efforts to import restricted weapons.

A senior garda told the court he was fully satisfied there was a criminal organisation in existence under the control and direction of McCourt, whose function was the importation of firearms components from the USA to Ireland, and the reassembly of these restricted firearms for onward distribution to other criminal organisations.

McCourt grew up in Fr Murray Park in Dundalk but has lived at numerous addresses on both sides of the Border and has been involved in crime for years, amassing 47 convictions since his teens.

He was previously involved in a stolen car ring operating in the Border region and had links to the gang behind the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, in 2013.

82 gun parts were re-assembled by a firearms technician

He was not suspected of any involvement in Det Garda Donohoes murder but was one of many associates of the gang questioned by gardai as part of a painstaking probe into the callous killing.

McCourt also had links to Aaron Brady from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, who is serving a life sentence for the Donohoe murder, and Brendan Benny Treanor, who was found to be a member of the gang behind the attack but was acquitted of involvement in robbery.

The gang had been involved in creeper burglaries and McCourt, who is a self-confessed motoring enthusiast, became involved in a stolen car ring with the crew.

He was on the periphery of that but was linked to them. He wasnt considered a high-level criminal, a source said.

Garda Donohue was shot dead

In 2008, when he was 17, McCourt was hospitalised after scaffolding fell on him in Dundalk.

He suffered a broken neck bone, a broken shoulder and several broken ribs, and spent his 18th birthday in hospital.

McCourt recalled in a newspaper interview how he pushed his girlfriend out of the way and could have died in the incident if a parked taxi hadnt borne the brunt of the falling equipment.

If the car wasnt there, I was dead, McCourt said at the time.

He took a personal injury claim over that incident and another incident, and was awarded a total of 155,000 from the two claims.

McCourt previously told how he was obsessed with cars and spent the money on a lavish lifestyle for him and his friends.

Gardai at the scene of the murder of Garda Adrian Donohue in 2013

He left school early and got into trouble from an early age, regularly appearing before the courts for matters like assault, theft, high-speed chases and threatening behaviour.

He has served several prison sentences, including a three-year term for ramming the car of an off-duty garda at her home.

The stolen car ring McCourt was involved in was with Treanor and Bradys gang.

He was arrested after a high-speed chase in Louth on August 11, 2011, after gardai tried to stop him when they saw he was driving in a dangerous manner.

McCourt attempted to drive at an officer, who jumped out of the way, and gardai had to use a stinger device in the incident.

He was caught after going down a cul de sac. Gardai discovered stolen car parts in the vehicle and subsequently found two stolen BMWs worth 55,000 at his property.

McCourt was sentenced to two years with one year suspended.

His father, Mark McCourt Snr, has also been before the courts in the past over crimes related to car theft.

McCourt Snr pleaded guilty to several charges related to the theft of a car, car radios and stolen cheques to a total value of IR36,900 and was ordered to do 240 hours of community service in 1993.

Killer Aaron Brady

McCourt Jnr also had links to other criminals operating in the Border areas and around the country, and became more heavily involved in serious crime in recent years as he moved into arms trafficking.

He was selling firearms and pipe bombs to criminal gangs in Derry, Dublin and Limerick.

The firearms were sourced in the US, broken into various components and then smuggled into Ireland before being re-assembled here.

Detective Inspector Shane McCartan of the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who led an investigation into the gangs activities last year, told the Special Criminal Court this week that a firearms technician had been able to assemble 82 gun parts seized in a raid on a property in Co Louth last year into six assault rifles and a dozen pistols.

Det Insp McCartan said McCourt and his co-accused both flew to Las Vegas, Nevada on three occasions in April and May 2023.

In April that year, following their return from the trip, McCourt told one prospective customer  who used the alias The Keeler  we got sorted this evening and that it would take a few hours to stick them all together, the court was told.

So get the cash ready lol, McCourt added, before telling The Keeler to get another phone as a burner.

Mark McCourt

In further text exchanges with The Keeler, McCourt wrote: 75k cash is [the] best price and that he had another man there for them today.

He then added: Tell them 75k and Ill throw in the 10 pipes for free.

Det Insp McCartan said: Its my belief that refers to pipe bombs.

Prosecuting counsel, Simon Matthews BL, said that after a trip to Las Vegas in May 2023, a text from McCourts phone to a prospective buyer under the alias Vladimir Putin said: I can get an AR-15 shell drop a deer at 900 yards, no problem.

Vladimir Putin then asked about buying a 7.62 sniper and about the source of the weapons.

We ram raid the place across the water, McCourt replied, adding: Yeah mate, dont know, but I can get a price.

In another exchange stored on the seized phone, another prospective customer using the alias Duff asked: Sweet bro, and if I need another AR [assault rifle] how soon can I get it?

Thatll be next monthbut theyre definitely there to be got, came the reply by voice note, which was played to the court.

Sentencing will be finalised at a later date.

Mark McCourt and the seized weapons

News in 90 Seconds - Monday, August 4th
The 21-year-old was left with life changing injuries following a violent assault

Teenager Alanna Quinn Idris has said she doesnt forgive the man who instigated a violent attack on her which led to her losing her eye.

The 21-year-old was left with life changing injuries following a violent assault on December 30, 2021, including a ruptured eyeball, broken cheekbone and a shattered tooth.

This week, Jack Cummins, 22, who orchestrated the attack on the then 17-year-old and her friend Louis OSullivan, was sentenced to six years for bringing assailants to the scene and being the catalyst for all that ensued.

Judge Pauline Codd said on Tuesday while sentencing Cummins, of Rossmore Road, Ballyfermot, that the phone call he made to his cousin, Josh Cummins, that night had disastrous and tragic consequences for Ms Quinn Idris and that all the tragedy and heartbreak from that evening unfolded from that particular call.

Speaking from the family home, Ms Quinn Idris said she does not accept Jack Cummins apology which he made this week in court, expressing his sorrow and wishing her well in her recovery.

Jack Cummins and Alanna Quinn Idris

The aspiring model said: I thought it was a p*ss take to be honest, I didnt think anything of it. I just thought it was ridiculous.

I think he just did it for the sake of it, I certainly wouldnt be forgiving him for what he done, absolutely not, not in a million years."

And when it comes to the six year sentence handed down to Jack Cummins, she said she is happy with the jail term given.

She added: It was a lot better than we thought it was going to be, but it is still not comparable to what I have had to go through.

We were told he was only going to get two or three years and he ended up getting six.

Im delighted that its finally all over, Im so relieved. It was a long few years which dragged out for me.

The sentencing of Jack Cummins comes after years of torment and bullying by him, according to Ms Quinn Idris, as she recalled one particular incident which involved him and gang of boys throwing fireworks at her and a few friends.

Victim Alanna Quinn Idris with mother Jamie

She said: There was an incident where Jack Cummins approached myself and a few friends on the main road in Ballyfermot and started shouting and screaming. It was probably in 2017.

He tried to pick up an orange traffic cone and throw it at us but it flicked back at him because hes very small. He was probably 17 at the time. We laughed because of what happened as he was the one shouting at us and then that happened.

As we laughed at him he went around the corner and there was a group of say 15 boys there and the next thing they came around and started to throw fireworks at us.

They followed us down the whole main road of Ballyfermot and threw fireworks at us to the point we had to run into a shop and take cover.

They lit a firework and threw it in at me. There were other people there in the shop and I ran into the stock room for safety.

This all started back when I was very young, they used to torment me and they didnt like it when I stood up against them. They made a kind of game out of it then but then it went too far and it started to get physical.

Ms Quinn Idris said she is happy to finally have some closure following this week's final sentencing. And after years of trying various prosthetic eyes, she has found one which she is happy with.

I decided to go with a full white one, I didnt want one that had a pupil and looked like an actual eye. I was struggling with it looking like that.

Since the sentencing on Tuesday, Ms Quinn Idris said the public support she has received has been amazing.

Alanna Quinn Idris (17) who was attacked outside the Civic Centre on the Ballyfermot Road

She went on: So many people have been sending nice messages of support. I havent managed to get back to them all just yet.

The 21-year-old also revealed how she is set to star in the new season of the Netflix hit Wednesday staring Jenna Ortega.

She said: I have signed with a modelling agency, Not Another, just over a year ago now and I have been doing a few jobs here and there.

I did a Charlotte Tilbury job and I was recently a background extra for the next season of Wednesday.

Im going to be in the last episode of the next season so I cant wat to see that. It was great fun.

Jenna Ortega was there but I didnt get to say hello to her. Its out in the next few weeks i think.

The part Im in is a large ballroom scene and I had to stand in the background in a huge dress.

I would love to do more work on screen like that.

Alanna Quinn Idris

News in 90 Seconds - Monday, August 4th

Jack Cummins pleaded guilty to procuring an assault causing serious harm to Alanna Quinn Idris on Ballyfermot Road on December 30th, 2021.

He also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing harm to Mr OSullivan. He had no previous convictions and was 18 at the time.

His cousin Josh Cummins, who is now 20, of Raheen Drive, Ballyfermot, was handed a five year sentence with the final two suspended in November 2023 and Darragh Lyons, 21, of Weir View, Glenaulin, Chapelizod, Dublin 20 was given a four and a half year sentence in March 2023 for his role in the attack.

While a fourth man, who struck Alanna with the e-scooter saddle, has never been identified.
In recent months, Dubliner Jonathan Finlay has been encouraging his social media followers to sign up to the Seychelles-registered service

Irish influencer Jonathan Finlay has said he is not aware of any ongoing investigation by the Central Bank into his affairs or his promotion of an unregulated trading platform.

Mr Finlay (25), who goes by Nasti_2k online, has amassed 856,000 followers on his TikTok and Instagram accounts from posting food content.

The Dubliner has repeatedly claimed he makes no money whatsoever from social media and his main source of income is from trading.

In Ireland, they [Instagram and TikTok] dont pay; you dont get paid for your likes, views or followers, he said in a video posted on instant messaging app Telegram.

Mr Finlay said he has been able to afford to fly first-class on 11 or 12 holidays this year, all because of trading.

In recent months, the influencer has been encouraging his followers to sign up to T4Trade, an offshore platform registered in the Seychelles.

He has a VIP group on Telegram, where he charges a 1,000 entry fee to join so users can copy the trades he uses to make money. The TikToker had been making the group free to join to celebrate his own successful investments, with subscribers told they need minimum starting funds of 300.

Im taking on these people free of charge once you follow these steps

This is your funds that you will trade with, NOT a fee or anything! Im taking on these people free of charge once you follow these steps, he says.

By joining the VIP youll get access to: my daily trades, 24/7 support to help you get up and running and help with any issues; and educational material.

Send a screenshot of your dashboard to me when you complete the sign up and deposit. Ill get you added into the trading channel and get you started ASAP.

In another video, he referenced how his VIP group has more than 2,000 members who are making hundreds week-on-week from trading.

Are you happy with how much money youre making? Ninety per cent plus people said theyre not and I think back to that time when I was working like a slave, 7pm to 7am, five or six days a week, and I just wish someone gave me an opportunity to make a side income that could potentially turn into your main income, and I wanna do that for you guys, he said

T4Trade states its website is not directed at EU residents and falls outside the European regulatory framework.

The site includes a risk warning that says its products carry a high level of risk and it is possible to lose all your capital.

Several regulators have issued warnings against the company.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK said: This firm may be providing financial services or products without our authorisation. You should avoid dealing with this firm.

Last year, the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) claimed Danish influencers were soliciting their followers to invest with T4Trades investment platform and warned that people would not get their money back if things go wrong because the company is not authorised to offer financial services in Denmark.

The Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin. Photo: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

When asked if it was investigating any complaints against T4Trade, the Central Bank of Ireland said it is bound by strict statutory obligations of confidentiality and is precluded from commenting on the specific investigations it undertakes.

While it had been reported that the Central Bank was looking into the matter, Mr Finlay said he had not been made aware of any investigation.

In response to queries from the Irish Independent, Lavelle Solicitors, instructed by Mr Finlay, said: Our client is not aware of any ongoing investigation by the Central Bank into his affairs, nor has he received any contact from the Central Bank in relation to any ongoing investigation into T4Trade.

Mr Finlay, who has a masters degree in digital marketing from UCD, said he has not been giving any financial advice.

We have instructions to take all necessary steps to protect our clients reputation

In so far as your queries relate to T4Trade or contain allegations against T4Trade, we suggest that you direct your queries to that entity, Lavelle Solicitors said. The statement went on to claim that factually inaccurate information had been previously published about Mr Finlays relationship with T4Trade.

In the event that any defamatory content is published about our client, we have instructions to take all necessary steps to protect our clients reputation.

The Irish Independent contacted T4Trade for comment.

If consumers deal with a financial firm that is not authorised, there is no recourse to statutory compensation schemes or the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.

Whether a particular entity or individual requires to be registered or authorised by the Central Bank depends on the exact nature of the services provided by the entity or individual, the Central Bank said.

T4Trade advises people about different trading methods, including Forex trading, which involves buying one currency while selling another. Traders try to speculate on how these will change in value.

Jonathan Finlay, aka Nasti_2k, has 856,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram from posting food content

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
Around 200 people gathered outside the Chimney Corner Hotel

Around 200 people gathered outside the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.

Pictures from Saturday's protest

Many held banners and placards with slogans including Demographic replacement is genocide, Stop the invasion and Illegal migration threatens our families and our nation.

Pictures from Saturday's protest

Among the protesters was addiction-recovery influencer Lynsey Brown and west Belfast activist Tony Mallon, who recently founded political group NI Peoples Party.

Pictures from Saturday's protest

After being arrested in relation to arson attacks on 5G masts across west Belfast, he told a newspaper last month there is absolutely no evidence to connect him with the fires.

Pictures from Saturday's protest

Posting on Facebook about yesterdays protest, Mallon said: Happy to support pocket rocket Lynsey Brown speaking up at Chimney Corner, where the government thinks its OK to place illegal immigrants in a hotel facing a nursery as our homeless are left living on the streets in tents.

Pictures from Saturday's protest

Stephen Baker, one of the event organisers, spoke to the crowd via a loud-hailer. His words were greeted with chants of Get them out.
Fr Gary Donegan says hes thinking of the couples sons

The Catholic priest who married TV presenters Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley in Italy 13 years ago has told of his sadness at their split.

Last week it was announced the RTE Late Late Show host (54) and his 48-year-old wife, who presents This Morning on ITV, had ended their marriage.

The couple, who are said to have been living separate lives for over a year, have two sons, Milo (9) and James (6). They hadnt been photographed together for more than a year.

Dubbed PatCat, the celebrity couple first met while co-presenting BBC Ones singing competition Fame Academy but didnt get together until 2011 when the Dundrum comedian flew out to Los Angeles where she was living to have lunch with her on her birthday.

It has been reported demanding work schedules drove them apart.

North Belfast priest, Father Gary Donegan, who officiated at their wedding ceremony in Rome in 2012, told Sunday Life: They were a lovely couple, very easy to deal with. They wanted a private wedding at the time and took it very seriously.

They only moved from the States to Britain quite recently and they both have very demanding jobs which were very high profile.

I was surprised like many others to hear the news (of them splitting) and saddened. Its sad when any marriage ends and I especially will be thinking of their two boys.

I hope they find peace and do their best by the children, the people I know no doubt will do that.

They live in the limelight and people need to just allow them to deal with that and Im especially thinking of Patrick who only lost his mum earlier this year.

Patricks dad Jack was murdered by the UDA in 1988 while his mum Mary died in March this year. At her funeral in March Cat Deeley was noticeable by her absence. It was said she remained in London to handle school drop-offs and pick-ups for their two sons, alongside her hosting duties on This Morning with Ben Shephard.

Her now ex-husband was off-air yesterday in the wake of his marriage break-up.

The Co Down man normally hosts a two-hour Radio 5 Live slot every Saturday morning on the BBC.

Last week he was on duty and was his usual cheerful self but local presenter Holly Hamilton stepped in yesterday.

She posted a snap of her smiling in the hot seat on her social media and said: Always a pleasure to sit in for Mr Kielty. Have a great Saturday.

Fr Gary Donegan, Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley

News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd
As people enter Te Ara Matauranga, Waihi Beachs new library, service centre and community hub, they are greeted by a large harakeke weaving with a powerful message.

Kairaranga (weaver) Marino Magee, who grew up in Athenree, said they made the piece to inspire the next generation of kaitiaki (guardians) and get our whole community to learn, to practise our tikanga [traditional Maori values] and to advocate for our taiao [environment].



Kairaranga (weaver) Marino Magee, who grew up in Athenree, with their piece named Nga Tikanga o te Taiao at Waihi Beachs new library. Photo / Merle Cave

The piece is named Nga Tikanga o te Taiao, meaning the rules or guidelines of how we could behave and interact with our natural environment, said Magee, who currently resides in Mount Maunganui. And Ive tied it all together with our connections as people to the taiao.

Three aspects

Magee said the weaving is inspired by three aspects of tikanga. They believed it best represented our people when we come together and be in the natural environment.

The three tikanga are korero, karakia, and koha, which each have important meanings and can guide us on how we interact in the taiao.

The top piece in blue represents Ranginui, our sky father, and the bottom piece in green represents Papatuanuku, our earth mother. In the world of Maori, these are our parents, whove been made to be apart so that we can exist, making us all connected to each other and especially to our environment.

The middle

Magee said the three middle pieces are the tikanga the community could practise to not just survive but thrive sustainably for future generations to come.

The first, korero, means to talk, said Magee. My interpretation of korero for this piece is before you enter the taiao, talk to people you trust about where youre going, what youre doing and most importantly, when youll be coming back.

The second, karakia, is prayer in te ao Maori. The reason we karakia for the taiao is to first give our thanks and acknowledgment to Ranginui and Papatuanuku for their existence and for the space we are gifted to live on today. We then thank our atua Maori for creating places like the forest and sea and all its creatures within. Karakia connects us to our spiritual wellbeing; and gets us focused on the correct mindset of the kaupapa for our day.



Nga Tikanga o te Taiao, weaved by Marino Magee, takes centre stage along the desk in Te Ara Matauranga, Waihi Beachs new library, service centre and community hub. Photo / Merle Cave

The last, koha, one of the most important tikanga, roughly translates to gift, said Magee. When kaitiaki work or when theyre in the taiao, they always think of ways to give back  like picking up rubbish, water monitoring or planting trees.

Even when they collect kai from our taiao, a kaitiaki will leave the baby and its parents of all creatures; they will leave the smaller pipi and mussels, give back their first fish or leave enough flowers and berries on a tree for the birds and the bees.

This is to look after the taiao but also ensure creatures people rely on for kai continue living alongside them, Magee said.

The plaits in between represent all people and our connection to our taiao. Ive entwined muka, signifying our spiritual connection inside all of us, just like the muka you find inside the harakeke leaf Ive extracted to show a beautiful white fiberous string, tying us all together as one.

Growing up

The weaving takes centre stage in the new facility for the community where Magee grew up. I went to kohanga at Otawhiwhi, Waihi Beach for primary school and finished at Waihi College.

The 24-year-old grew up around weaving. Ever since youre young at kohanga [reo] you do weaving pieces. My mum [Kararaina Sydney] has also always been interested in a raranga [traditional Maori weaving].

After college, Magee donated a woven piece to their primary school. Its a bright yellow piece worn over the shoulders of the lead boy in the Waihi Beach school kapa haka group.

This piece was worn by Waihi Beach primary student Hunter Wilson, 9, at the opening of Te Ara Matauranga on July 1.



Waihi Beach primary student Hunter Wilson, 9, wore the woven piece, donated by Marino Magee, at the opening of Te Ara Matauranga on July 1. Photo / Merle Cave

But Magee said it wasnt until 2021, when they studied Level 4 and 5 Toi Paematua at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, in Tauranga, that their passion for raranga grew.

Level 4 covers weaving using harakeke to make kete [bags] and whariki [mats]. Level 5 is pieces you see worn by kapa haka groups  the piupiu, keke, korowai.

The opportunity to weave a piece for Waihi Beachs new library had come about via community connections and luck, said Magee, who with their sisters, harvested harakeke from a spot near Bowentown under tikanga. It was a massive undertaking, said Magee, who harvested harakeke from five bushes.

Everything

The weaving took Magee one working week  but first they had to create the design using different patterns and techniques. I also cut out a draft model to have a visual. All up the project took nearly three months.

Magee said raranga is now a very big part of them. Its one of my major passions  the other is Maori art. They described creating the symbolic piece for their communitys new space as unreal.

Its amazing to be born and raised in this place, to grow up how I did and to be given these opportunities; and I feel very honoured to be given this experience to be part of the beginning of the creation of my own legacy. Being allowed to imprint a piece of myself and give back in my own way to my own community, it was everything.
Cook Islanders in the Bay of Plenty were aiming to connect with one another and the wider community using their official language week from August 3-9.

BOP Pacific Island Community Trust chairman Bevan Rakoia said two main events were planned  a Tivaevae Exhibit and a community cultural show  both at Taurangas The Cargo Shed.

The Tivaevae Exhibit, created by the local Cook Island Mamas group, is on show for the public at The Cargo Shed from August 6-8. The event will showcase tivaevae  traditional, brightly coloured, woven and treasured quilts  from 10am to 4pm daily. Entry is via a gold coin donation.

Rakoia said the Mamas were using the event to celebrate 20 years since they first came together to learn the traditional art of tivaevae making.

This exhibit is a special opportunity to showcase their treasured handmade pieces and share their cultural knowledge with the wider community. Their efforts ensure the art of tivaevae continues to thrive for generations to come.



Cook Island Mamas group members Janine Lowe and Rosa Rakoia are ready to celebrate the official Cook Islands language week from August 3-9.Photo / Brydie Thompson

The Mamas often engage with schools, retirement villages and textile groups to inspire others to learn and carry forward these cultural traditions.

Throughout the week, the group will be available to schools to teach students how to make tivaevae and ei katu  traditional head garlands, encouraging children to participate in Cook Islands Maori language and culture.

A community cultural event at The Cargo Shed on Saturday, August 9, from 10.30am to 2pm will show Pacific youth groups and the Tauranga Moana Cook Island Culture Groups performances.

Rakoia said the language weeks theme  Atuituiia au ki te raurau a toku matakeinanga", which translates to Connect me to the offerings of my people  was chosen to encourage Cook Islanders in New Zealand and further afield to reconnect with their cultural, linguistic and spiritual gifts.

Furthermore, he said, the week was an opportunity for Bay-based Cook Islanders to connect with one another, as well as the 100 seasonal workers who journey here to work in the kiwifruit sector.

They tend not to have the opportunity to engage with the community. This is an opportunity to bridge that gap because they contribute to our region just as much as the resident [Cook Islanders] do.

The week also had much deeper meaning, said Rakoia. It celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Cook Islands nations self-governance.

Rakoia said its for Cook Islanders to reaffirm their pride in being Tangata Kuki Airani and acknowledge the resilience, adaptability and vision of their leaders and communities since the 1965 signing of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.

This theme speaks to identity, inheritance, and unity. It invites our people, young and old, to draw from the collective strength of our matakeinanga [extended family, tribe, or village community] and to actively participate in revitalising our reo Kuki Airani and cultural practices.
Two lucky Lotto players from Tauranga and Taupo are amongst 26 players who each won $12,672 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw.

Both players bought their tickets on MyLotto, while the Taupo player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $23,990.

Powerball and Strike roll over

Powerball and Strike have both rolled over on Saturday night, meaning there is a combined prize pool of $18.4 million up for grabs on Wednesday.

Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $17 million.

Lotto First Division will be $1 million and Strike Four will be $400,000 on Wednesday.

26 Lotto players win Second Division

As well as the two Bay of Plenty winners, another 24 lucky Lotto players had luck on their side after each winning $12,672 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw.

A second lucky player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $23,990. Their winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold at New World Rangiora in Rangiora.

The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores:

Store Location MyLotto (x2) Northland Swanson Superette and Post Centre Auckland Esplanade Foodmarket Auckland Victoria Dairy Auckland MyLotto Tauranga MyLotto (x10) (+PB) Taupo Westown Lotto New Plymouth Woolworths Hastings Hastings MyLotto Hastings Molesworth Goods and Lotto Wellington PAK'nSAVE Kilbirnie Wellington MyLotto Nelson New World Rangiora (+PB) Rangiora MyLotto Christchurch MyLotto Otago New World Centre City Dunedin

Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible instore, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App.

Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board.
Traces of blood on the wall of a house in the street where the incident happened.

Eugenio Cabezas Sunday, 3 August 2025, 08:40 Share

There was a violent early morning attack on a pair of holidaymakers in Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol over the weekend. Two young Irish tourists suffered serious injuries to their faces and other parts of their bodies after being victims of a brutal robbery, allegedly perpetrated by a group of four young Nerja local residents, one of whom is a minor.

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning, when the two Irish tourists were walking down a central street in the easternmost coastal town of Malaga province, towards the hotel where they were staying.

At one point they were approached by the group of assailants, who allegedly threatened them with a knife, without actually stabbing them, and punched them in the face and other parts of their bodies. Due to their state of inebriation, the two Irish tourists were barely able to defend themselves, according to SUR sources.

Fractures of bones in the face

The attack was extremely violent, with numerous traces of blood left on the facade of one of the nearby houses. The alleged thieves managed to steal cash and mobile phones and fled the scene in a hurry. It was the local residents in the street who, hearing the screams and blows, alerted the Local Police and the Guardia Civil.

Both victims were taken by police officers to a health facility in Nerja, where the holidaymakers were treated for facial injuries, with fractures of several bones to the faces of both.

The Guardia Civil has taken over the investigation and has identified the group of alleged assailants.
An alleged British 'hitman', wanted in connection with several murders, has been arrested by Spanish police in Mijas on the Costa del Sol

It was a road traffic accident that gave him away. The driver crashed his car in a street in Riviera del Sol, in Mijas, and tried to flee on foot when he saw a police patrol approaching, but without success.

He was not carrying any identification documents, but he did have firearms, a silencer, ammunition and a notebook with addresses. A few minutes later, at the Guardia Civil headquarters in the municipality, the alarm bells went off: the man was wanted in connection with several murders and was allegedly linked to one of the most dangerous mafias based in London.

The chain of events began a few hours earlier, at around midday on Thursday 31 July, when a Mijas Local Police patrol was called to an altercation at a petrol station. When they arrived, two Dutch women told the officers that a man with a British accent had insisted that they buy cocaine. CCTV cameras confirmed their story. The suspect was driving a Nissan Qashqai and had left the area before the officers arrived.

Shortly afterwards, the same vehicle crashed into a wall in Calle Orfebres. The driver, municipal sources have told this newspaper, staggered out, with visible injuries, and started to flee. But he did not get far. The officers intercepted him and proceeded to search the car. Inside, they found two pistols, one with a silencer, several magazines, ammunition and a notebook with names and addresses.

The individual was not carrying any identification documents, but investigators were able to identify him by biometric means. According to sources, the suspect was wanted for several murders and had a warrant for immediate imprisonment issued by a court in Fuengirola.

The detainee was then brought before a court and sent directly to prison. The police investigation into his links to international organised crime remains open.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for Sunday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

The smoke is expected to bring elevated levels of fine particulate matter, causing hazy conditions across parts of New York state, according to a news release from the DEC.

The advisory will be in effect for the entire day Sunday.

Regions expected to be impacted include:

Western New York: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Eastern Lake Ontario: Northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego and Wayne counties.

Adirondacks: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Warren counties.

Fine particulate matter refers to microscopic solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter.

Breathing in these particles can lead to short-term health effects such as eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, or shortness of breath, the DEC said.

Poor air quality can also aggravate existing conditions like asthma or heart disease. Children, older adults and people with respiratory or heart conditions may be especially sensitive to the smoke.

Health officials recommend minimizing outdoor activities and avoiding strenuous exercise in areas affected by the advisory.
Washington  The Senate left Washington Saturday night for its monthlong August recess without a deal to advance dozens of President Donald Trumps nominees, calling it quits after days of contentious bipartisan negotiations and Trump posting on social media that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer can GO TO HELL!

Without a deal in hand, Republicans say they may try to change Senate rules when they return in September to speed up the pace of confirmations. Trump has been pressuring senators to move quickly as Democrats blocked more nominees than usual this year, denying any fast unanimous consent votes and forcing roll calls on each one, a lengthy process that can take several days per nominee.

I think theyre desperately in need of change, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said of Senate rules Saturday after negotiations with Schumer and Trump broke down. I think that the last six months have demonstrated that this process, nominations is broken. And so I expect there will be some good robust conversations about that.

Schumer said a rules change would be a huge mistake, especially as Senate Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass spending bills and other legislation moving forward.

Donald Trump tried to bully us, go around us, threaten us, call us names, but he got nothing, Schumer said.

The latest standoff comes as Democrats and Republicans have gradually escalated their obstruction of the other partys executive branch and judicial nominees over the last two decades, and as Senate leaders have incrementally changed Senate rules to speed up confirmations  and make them less bipartisan.

In 2013, Democrats changed Senate rules for lower court judicial nominees to remove the 60-vote threshold for confirmations as Republicans blocked President Barack Obamas judicial picks. In 2017, Republicans did the same for Supreme Court nominees as Democrats tried to block Trumps nomination of Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Trump has been pressuring Senate Republicans for weeks to cancel the August recess and grind through dozens of his nominations as Democrats have slowed the process. But Republicans hoped to make a deal with Democrats instead, and came close several times over the last few days as the two parties and the White House negotiated over moving a large tranche of nominees in exchange for reversing some of the Trump administrations spending cuts on foreign aid, among other issues.

The Senate held a rare weekend session on Saturday as Republicans held votes on nominee after nominee and as the two parties tried to work out the final details of a deal. But it was clear that there would be no agreement when Trump attacked Schumer on social media Saturday evening and told Republicans to pack it up and go home.

Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the Radical Left Lunatics, to GO TO HELL! Trump posted on Truth Social. Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country.

Thune said afterward that there were several different times when the two sides thought they had a deal, but in the end we didnt close it out.

Its the first time in recent history that the minority party hasnt allowed at least some quick confirmations. Thune has already kept the Senate in session for more days, and with longer hours, this year to try and confirm as many of Trumps nominees as possible.

But Democrats had little desire to give in without the spending cut reversals or some other incentive, even though they too were eager to skip town after several long months of work and bitter partisan fights over legislation.

We have never seen nominees as flawed, as compromised, as unqualified as we have right now, Schumer said.
Vietnam flooding death toll rises to 10



Hanoi, Aug 3 (AFP) Aug 03, 2025



The death toll from floods in Vietnam's mountainous north has risen to 10, disaster authorities said Sunday.

Heavy rain led to flooding in recent days in the provinces of Son La, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang and especially Dien Bien, isolating several communities.

The agriculture ministry confirmed 10 people were killed and seven others injured in Dien Bien province's Tia Dinh and Xa Dung communes.

State media quoted local authorities as saying rain was heavy from Thursday to Saturday, triggering flash floods.

On Saturday, local authorities deployed helicopters to access isolated communities and deliver basic necessities.

Residents were relocated to safe areas while electricity and telecommunication services were mostly restored by Sunday evening.

Late July, similar flash floods claimed five lives in Son La province, inundating crops and washing away poultry and cattle.

Vietnam is now in its tropical storm season, which often causes deadly floods and landslides.

Scientists say human-driven climate change is causing more intense weather patterns that can make destructive floods more likely.

In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi devastated northern Vietnam, killing 345 people and causing an estimated economic loss of $3.3 billion.
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Comedian Harry Hill has revealed that his stepfathers death from cancer inspired him to switch from medicine to stand-up.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, the television personality told host Lauren Laverne: "I thought, here's a man who's worked all his life. And [my stepfather and mother] had always talked about what they were going to do in retirement.

"And how old was he? Maybe 54. And I thought, I don't want that to be me."

Hill said that his rigorous schedule in healthcare instilled a relentless pursuit of success in his new profession.

"I was absolutely driven," he told Laverne.

"I had gone from doing 80, 100 hours a week as a doctor, getting up at the crack of dawn. Suddenly I had all this time free during the day, so I really felt like I had something to prove. So I would get up and I would write jokes."

open image in gallery Harry Hill made the switch from medicine to stand-up in the early 1990s ( Getty )

Hill said he would make repeated calls to get bookings when he started doing stand-up in the early 1990s.

I would just bug them and bug them, he said.

I was absolutely merciless in my pursuit of it. Its not the funniest people that get on, its the pushiest. And I was pushy.

Hill, whose real name is Matthew Hall, had his first stand-up gig at a Mexican restaurant in Londons South Norwood.

My first gag got a laugh, and it completely threw me because I had been rehearsing it without laughs.

However, he recovered and continued his routine, and even got another booking from it.

Hill went on to win the Perrier Award for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1992.

open image in gallery Harry Hill at 'The Harry Hill Movie' premiere in London

He then created and presented Harry Hills TV Burp on ITV from 2001 to 2012.

Being a comedian means I can get away with just about any silly behaviour, he said.

Describing how he felt about being a doctor, he told Laverne about an incident soon after he qualified, when he had to break the news to a man that his wife had unexpectedly died during an operation.

I was completely out of my depth, he said.

I told him and he started crying, and I started crying. I thought this is  this isnt good. What it makes you do is bottle up your emotions.

Among the songs he chose as his desert island discs were Hey Bulldog by the Beatles, Life During Wartime by Talking Heads, and Gay Bar by Electric Six.

Hill said a thick book you could use to kill small mammals would be useful, and chose Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

He said his luxury item would be a bucket and spade: Wheres the fun of a sandy beach without the ability to make sandcastles?
GUEST INTERVIEW: From being bullied in school for being autistic, dyslexic and neurodivergent, and for using fidget toys, Kai Seymon has channelled bullying into business, creating purpose-built sensory tools for teens and adults to growing global demand. A man on a mission, Kai has also just won second place in the 2025 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards: our compelling video interview with Kai, and his mother, co-founder Jo, is must-watch, and below!

As an autistic and dyslexic individual, young Australian Kai Seymon was bullied as an 11-year old in school, back in 2017, for playing with fidget toys - and because of his neurodivergence.

Although Kai tolerated this bullying for some time, the line was crossed when super-hot wasabi paste was smeared into his eyes by his cruel tormentors.

Kai was determined at that moment to break this cycle, and while it took months to craft the first product and bring it to market, Kai has now created not just toys but actual "fidget tools", which today are known as sensory tools for teens and adults, with a strong focus on function, age-appropriate appeal and durability.

These tools assist in managing anxiety and emotional regulation, they support focus, and provide a "safe ouch" to reduce harmful behaviours, replacing habits that users would prefer to halt. Today, the range of over 700 items, from $3.95, is extensively used by clinicians, therapists, organisations such as Headspace, school networks and homes around Australia to support mental health, assist in reducing anxiety and increase focus.

This has turned bullying into what is now a globally successful business, KaikoFidgets.com, and as you'll see at the site, these tools are stylish, practical, genuinely useful - and in high demand!

Kai founded the company with his occupational therapist mother, Jo Seymon, who was late-diagnosed with AuDHD (autistic and ADHD), and today, the company not only employs aKai's family members, but as you'll see in the video interview, Kaiko Fidgets has grown to hiring a CEO, and employs refugees with meaningful work making a real difference to the whole community in so many ways.

Below, we'll learn more about autism and neurodivergence, but first, here's our video interview, which explores Kai's fascinating story, his challenges, growing pains, his mother and family's input, and what is was like to not only be the sole Australian finalist in the "Start It Up" Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, but to also come second globally in this excellent program - with the finals video of the Start It Up series also embedded further below.

But first, here's my interview with Kai and Jo!

So, what does being neurodivergent mean, and what are some stats?

In Australia, the most common neurodivergent conditions are dyslexia, at approximately 10% of the population, ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, at approximately 6% of the population, with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder at 0.4% of the population.

Autism has been on the rise for the last few decades, with Australian Bureau of Statistics showing 1 in 40 people are autistic, estimated to be 290,000 people. Indeed, the WHO suggests this figure is 1 in 100 people globally, but this figure varies regionally.

The figure is listed as 1 in 65 in the Asia Pacific region, 1 in 163 in Latin America and 1 in 100 in Europe, while the US CDC estimates 1 in 31 children aged 8 are autistic - so the chances are high that you personally know someone autistic, or know of others whose families are living with this reality.

When it comes to neurodivergence slightly more broadly, the Australian Parliamentary Workplace Support Service shows estimates that that 15 to 20% of the population, or up to 1 in 5, is neurodivergent, meaning that the brain functions, learns and processes information differently.

One of the things that autistic or otherwise neurodivergent people do is to fidget, as a way to provide sensory input to their minds via their bodies and body parts in various way, to cope with a range of situations.

Google's AI overview notes "fidgeting, often referred to as "stimming," is a common behaviour among autistic and other neurodivergent individuals, serving as a way to regulate sensory input and manage situations."

So this is a real issue for people globally, and genuinely useful tools have emerged for people to cope.

Tell me more about Kai and Jo!



The products that Kai and his Mum Jo, who has an Occupational Therapy background as mentioned above, are most proud of the Wrist Spikey bracelets that are specifically designed to replace non suicidal self-harm, providing safe ouch options that are portable and discreet - but there are hundreds more products you must see at the site.

As you'll learn in the video above, what started from Kai creating designs for himself when he was teased at school for using traditional fidget toys, quickly progressed to selling hundreds of his therapeutic gadgets at local market stalls after the very peers that bullied him then wanted some!

Now, the family-owned and run business is selling around 250,000 products per year and averaging a growth year-on-year of 50%.

Their products, at their core, are for everyone; they meet so many needs  from pen click replacement to skin picking supports, there are sensory fidgets to cover the needs. For example, a tool that has hair-like structures within a silicone exterior which allow users to pick and pull the fragments out.

Jo explained: We are extremely proud of Kai, he has started a movement and developed products that have the capacity to help so many teens and adults. They are stylish, aesthetically pleasing, and can be tailored to almost anyone based on their particular needs.

"The psychological premise behind Kaiko Fidgets is that the products can stop a repetitive circuit in the brain, those that are anxiety-prone, are neurodivergent, like myself as an autistic ADHS adult, and can re-focus on something in their hands. It provides comfort."

And now comes the Start It Up 2nd-place win in the Global Student Entrepreneur awards, with Kaiko Fidgets recognised on a global stage, from a whopping 1200 competitors, with Kai the only Australian in the competition finals.

Kai said: I cant believe that I came second in the world out of over 1200 gifted entrepreneurs! The biggest win for me though is the people I met and mentoring I received. I hope that this might inspire others that are neuro divergent like me to follow their passions!

You can watch the grande finale episode of the 2025 Start It Up awards below, along with Kai and Jo appearing on the Ch 7 Morning show in Australia after that. You can also visit the Kaiko Fidgets YouTube page here.

The Start It Up 2025 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards FINALE:

Kai & Jo on the Channel 7 Morning Show in Australia:
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RuPauls Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon has brutally mocked JK Rowlings views on transgender people.

The author, 60, has been publicly criticized for her controversial statements about transgender people, including celebrating the UK Supreme Courts April ruling that trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act. However, the Harry Potter author has denied being transphobic.

Many famous faces have hit back at Rowlings views, including Monsoon, who identifies as non-binary. During Thursdays episode of comedian Ziwes podcast, he asked Monsoon if Rowling would make a good Roxy Hart in Chicago, the Broadway musical.

The drag performer responded: Who is this? Who is this Jake? Who is he? JK Rowling.

When Ziwe said Rowling is a she, Monsoon then mocked the authors name. Rowling notably goes by her initials, JK, which stands for Joanne Kathleen.

Jinkx Monsoon jokes JK Rowlings pen name is not feminine after the author was criticized for her trans views ( Getty Images )

That is not a feminine name in the slightest, they said about Rowling. I know that oftentimes, female authors use initials so that people assume its a male writer.

Monsoon continued to throw shade at Rowlings views about transgender rights and issues.

I have to presume that J.K. Rowling was unsatisfied with the way that the world saw her, and then she transitioned herself into a new personality so that the world would perceive her the way she wanted to be perceived, they continued.

After a moment of silence, Ziwe responded to the remark with: Gagging, prompting Monsoon to burst out laughing.

Rowling has previously opened up about going by the pen name, telling CNN in 2017 that it wasnt her idea to use it. Instead, it was her publisher who was trying to disguise [her] gender.

I was so grateful to be published, if they told me to call myself Rupert, I probably would have done to be honest with you, she said. But now, I actually quite like having a pen name, because I feel thats  to an extent, that feels like an identity and then Im  in private life, Im Jo Murray. And it feels like quite a nice separation.

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Rowling also uses the pen name Robert Galbraith when publishing her ongoing detective series, Cormoran Strike. She uses the pseudonym because she wanted to take [her] writing persona as far away as possible from [her], as noted on her website.

Since December 2019, Rowling has also hit the headlines for her views on transgender issues. She came out in support of Maya Forstater, who worked as a tax expert at the Centre for Global Development, an international think tank, and was sacked after tweeting that transgender people cannot change their biological sex.

Since then, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, the trio of child actors who played Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger in the film series, have all publicly shunned Rowling over her apparent anti-transgender views. The author has said she would not forgive them for criticizing her, telling them to save their apologies.

Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, was recently asked whether Rowlings views impact you at all or impact your work in the world of Harry Potter at all.

No, I cant say it does, he replied. Im not really that attuned to it.

In May, Rowling announced the launch of the J.K. Rowling Womens Fund. The legal fund, which doesnt specifically mention transgender people, will support individuals and organizations fighting to retain womens sex-based rights in the workplace, in public life, and in protected female spaces, its website says.

However, many bookstores in San Francisco later responded to the fund in with protest by pulling Harry Potter books from stores shelves.
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Sheriff's deputies in Tennessee found 14 improvised explosive devices in the home of a man who allegedly was planning to detonate them when law enforcement arrived, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives accompanied deputies on Friday to the home of Kevin Wade O'Neal, 54, to arrest him on active warrants. O'Neal is accused of threatening to kill public officials and law enforcement personnel.

While the deputies were arresting ONeal, the noticed that something was burning in the bedroom where they found him, according to NBC News. They examined the object and determined that it was an improvised explosive device (IED).

The deputies requested assistance from the state's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and local bomb squad officers.

The agents and officers searched the property and allegedly found 14 IEDs inside O'Neal's home, as well as a woman hiding in a dryer, according to ABC News 9.

open image in gallery Several of the 14 improvised explosive devices that Polk County, Tennessee deputies allegedly found at the home of Kevin O'Neal on August 1, 2025. O'Neal was arrested and charged with numerous counts, included attempted first-degree murder. ( Polk County Sheriff's Office )

ONeal allegedly planned to detonate the devices when law enforcement arrived, according to detectives

The affidavit claims that, if the bombs had gone off, they would have sent shrapnel flying 2,500 feet and would have put nine deputies and two women inside the house in serious danger.

O'Neal is facing numerous charges, including 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 14 counts of prohibited weapons, and one count of possession of explosive components, according to the sheriff's office.

open image in gallery Kevin O'Neal, 54, of Tennessee, was arrested and charged with numerous crimes, including 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder, after he allegedly tried to detonate 14 improvised explosive devices in his home in an apparent attempt to kill members of the Polk County Sheriff's Department ( Polk County Sheriff's Department )

ABC News 9 reports that O'Neal allegedly made threats on his social media pages.

In one post from July, O'Neal allegedly wrote "Steve Ross, Josh Stroud you better get your Wiccan Snitch out of my life or you can die with em."

Steve Ross is the Polk County Sheriff, according the the outlet.

open image in gallery Explosives allegedly found at O'Neal's home. ( Polk County Sheriff's Office. )

In another rambling post from July 8, O'Neal allegedly voiced his frustration with Polk County officials, his ex-wife, and various other people before saying he would die killing them all.

"I will die killing you before I take comfort in life surrendering to your wishes," he allegedly wrote. "I consider it an honor to kill each of you and to give my life in the process of the battle against you."

The sheriff's office said that O'Neal is currently being held at the Polk County Jail. No bond has been set at the time of this report.
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Two men have been charged in connection with the murders of four people in Tennessee that saw an infant abandoned on a strangers front lawn.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has charged Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Deputies from the Dyer County Sheriffs Office responded Monday afternoon following reports that a dark-colored minivan had dropped off the child in a car seat at a random individuals front yard. The seven-month-old girl is now safe.

Just hours later, four people were found dead. They have since been identified as James Wilson, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15.

open image in gallery Two men have been charged in connection with the murders of four people in Tennessee that saw an infant abandoned on a strangers front lawn. The seven-month-old girl is now safe ( Dyer County Sheriff's Office )

Wilson and Adrianna Williams were the infants parents, and Rose was Adrianna and Braydon Williams mother.

On Friday, investigators named 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond as the suspect in the murders. The two men arrested allegedly assisted Drummond in the killings, though authorities did not specify or elaborate on how.

It is also still unclear as to the manner in which the four relatives were killed and how the baby ended up in a car seat on a front lawn roughly 40 miles away.

As of Sunday law enforcement officers were still searching for Drummond.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, the TBI said in a Saturday news release announcing charges against Thomas. Brown, who also faces one count of tampering with evidence, was arrested a day earlier.

open image in gallery On Friday, investigators named 28-year-old Drummond as the suspect in the murders. He is still at large and should be considered dangerous ( Tennessee Bureau of Investigation )

Thomas was in custody at the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge and would be transferred to the Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges, authorities said. A listed phone number for Thomas could not be located Sunday.

Brown was booked into Lake County Jail, according to authorities. A listed number for Brown could not be located Sunday. Email messages seeking comment were sent to Brown on Sunday.

On Friday, authorities said they found the car they believe Drummond was driving. It was located in

open image in gallery As of Sunday law enforcement officers were still searching for Drummond

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said authorities believe it was a targeted attack by Drummond, who had a relationship with the family. The baby is safe and being cared for, authorities have said.

Authorities obtained warrants for Drummond charging him with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping and weapons offenses. His criminal history includes prison time for robbing a convenience store and threatening to go after jurors. He was also charged with attempted murder while behind bars.

No listed number for Drummond could be found. An attorney who represented him as a teenager has not returned messages from The Associated Press.
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The manhunt for a military veteran accused of fatally shooting four people at a Montana bar stretched into the third day Sunday, as authorities warned locals to be vigilant as the violent gunman may return to town.

Authorities believe the suspect, Army veteran Michael Paul Brown, killed four people Friday morning at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, about 25 miles northwest of Butte.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said Sunday that Brown lived next door to the bar and was a regular. Authorities believe he used his own weapon in the shooting.

Knudsen warned residents in the town of 9,000 to stay vigilant, as Brown may try to return to the area. He was described as being armed and extremely dangerous.

This is an unstable individual who walked in and murdered four people in cold blood for no reason whatsoever. So there absolutely is concern for the public, Knudsen said.

open image in gallery The manhunt for Michael Paul Brown entered its third day Sunday, as authorities warned the violent suspected gunman may return to the small Montana town where he allegedly killed four people. ( AP )

Several public events were canceled over the weekend, and parts of a national forest nearby were shuttered as authorities manhunt for the gunman entered its third day.

Barker Lake and the surrounding area inside the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest were on lockdown, as investigators say they are considering all possibilities for Browns whereabouts.

Browns niece, Clare Boyle, told the Associated Press that her uncle has struggled with mental illness for years  despite her and other relatives repeatedly seeking help on his behalf.

This isnt just a drunk/high man going wild, she said. Its a sick man who doesnt know who he is sometimes and frequently doesnt know where or when he is either.

Authorities also said Sunday that Brown, who served in the Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005, was known to local law enforcement before the shooting.

Its believed he knew at least some of the victims, though authorities have not provided any information about the deceased.

open image in gallery Authorities released a photo of Michael Paul Brown, barefoot and shirtless, walking down what appeared to be a flight of outdoor concrete steps. Brown is suspected of shooting and killing four people in a Montana bar. ( AP )

Law enforcement shared a photograph of Brown taken on surveillance footage just after the shootings. In the image, he appeared gaunt and wearing minimal clothing.

Brown fled the area in a white pick-up truck, but ditched the vehicle sometime after, according to Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.

However, authorities now say he may have stole a different vehicle that held camping gear, shoes and clothing  meaning he may now be clothed.

He was last seen Friday afternoon near Stump Town, authorities said.

Theres a $7,500 reward for any information that leads to Browns capture.

This is still Montana. Montanans know how to take care of themselves. But please, if you have any sightings, call 911, Knudsen said.

With reporting by the Associated Press.
The Rhode Island School of Design is one of the top art schools in the world, and when Brisbane artist Tianzheng Day Dang received his letter of acceptance last December he wasted little time in applying for his US visa.

After a four-month wait and a 10-hour drive to the US Consulate in Sydney, Dang was excited to be in a line of prospective students waiting to be interviewed for F-1 student visas.

One by one, every student in front of him had their application declined.

Brisbane artist Tianzheng Dang. Dang hopes to study at the Rhode Island School of Design but has encountered problems due to new visa regulations. Credit: Nick Dent

I was thinking, I shouldnt get declined, because I think I have all the documents and stuff, Dang said.
This is the moment weve all been waiting (many, many, many hours) for, folks  its the Gold Logie! The big kahuna! The real deal!

This year, it goes to Home and Aways Lynne McGranger, who has played the lovely Irene for a whopping 33 years  now thats an innings!

Lynne McGranger accepts the Gold Logie and gives presenter Rebecca Gibney a hug. Credit: Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards

For anyone who was hoping for some drama with a Hamish Blake win, sorry, but this time its for the ladies. No controversy here. Plus, McGranger literally came dressed as the Gold Logie, so you could say she had already manifested this win.

Wear a pretty dress, they said. Itll be fine, they said, McGranger said as she took to the stage, looking a bit dazed.

Thirty-three years Ive done this amazing show and Im thrilled and honoured  I want to acknowledge all the other nominees, all the fierce women of all ages. And Im the oldest! If you live as long as I have, its fantastic. And of course, the lovely Hamish  youre a brave man. Thank you.

Lynne McGranger poses with the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television and the Silver Logie Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama in the press room. Credit: Getty Images

The timing of McGrangers win couldnt be more perfect, as she prepares to leave Home and Away after over three decades on the soap. At the age of 72, she is the longest-serving female cast member in an Australian drama series.

For those who remember last year, former Gold Logie winner Larry Emdur promised that, if he won, he would have all the initials of his fellow nominees tattooed on his bare buttocks on national television. To his credit, he followed through with it, much to the pleasure of all those viewing. McGranger, however, learned from his mistake.

I did promise that if I won the Golf Logie, I would carry it around in my handbag for a year, which is better than bearing my white ass on morning television, Larry, she teased.

I also thought what I could do is, in a few years time when I die, I might chop the head off, scoop it out, put my ashes in there, screw the top back on and give it to Clancy, my beautiful daughter, who is here tonight, and she can put it on the mantle piece. Good to know, Lynne.

McGranger then took the opportunity to thank the many people she has worked with over her three decades in the business, paying particular attention to the crew behind Home and Away, who she says work tirelessly to get the show on TV each year.

Then, of course, she turned to those who have ensured the soap opera could remain on-air for 38 years  the fans.

To the fans, bloody hell. To all the fans who voted, thank you. For those of you out there who keep free-to-air TV alive  please keep doing what youre doing.

Well keep doing what were doing as long as you keep doing what youre doing, Lynne  shining like gold.
Assyrians Call for International Recognition of ISIS Genocide

Twelve years after the genocide that uprooted nearly half a million indigenous Christians from Iraq's historic Nineveh Plains and Mosul, Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian leaders are once again calling for formal recognition of the atrocity and urgent international action to safeguard the existence of their people.

On August 4, 2014, just one day after the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) launched its campaign of terror against the Yazidis in Shigur (Sinjar), the extremist group turned its guns and ideology against the Christians of the Nineveh Plains. What followed was a systematic campaign of ethnic and religious cleansing, targeting one of the world's oldest Christian peoples.

Speaking to Agos ahead of this year's commemoration, Joseph Sliwa, President of the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA), and former Member of the Iraqi House of Representative, emphasized the gravity of what transpired. "This was not just displacement. It was an attempt to wipe out the very existence of our people from our ancestral homeland," he said.

A Genocide Rooted in Historical Erasure

The Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people, among the oldest inhabitants of Beth Nahrain (Mesopotamia) and among the first to embrace Christianity, have faced waves of massacres, forced conversions, and displacement for centuries. The 2014 assault on the Nineveh Plains, which unfolded alongside ISIS's brutal campaign in Mosul and Shigur (Sinjar), stands as one of the most devastating chapters in this long history.

ISIS initially offered the Christians of Nineveh a grim choice: convert to Islam, pay a jizya tax, or abandon their homes and belongings without resistance. When these conditions were rejected, mass displacement ensued. Local militias, including Peshmerga forces who had pledged to protect the region, ordered Syriac villagers to hand over their weapons -- a disarmament that left them vulnerable to the oncoming ISIS advance.

In a matter of days, hundreds of thousands fled, often on foot, leaving behind everything they owned. ISIS quickly moved in, destroying 85 churches across Mosul and the Nineveh Plains, burning cemeteries, and looting homes. Even graves were desecrated -- coffins opened, and relics stolen.

"A People Nearly Erased"

The human cost was staggering. Jospeh Sliwa recounts how "thousands were killed, women and children taken hostage, and those who survived had no choice but to leave." Most fled to Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian-majority towns in the Kurdish region -- Arbil, Nohadra (Duhok), Ankawa, and Shaqlawa. Others sought refuge abroad, leading to a massive decline in Iraq's Christian population -- fewer than 500,000 today.

While Chaldeans-Syriacs-Assyrians have since returned to the Nineveh Plains, Sliwa notes that the overall return rate is less than half. In Mosul, the spiritual heart of many Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian Christians, nearly no one has gone back. "ISIS may have lost militarily, but the mindset -- the social and religious intolerance -- is still deeply rooted in parts of Iraqi society," he said.

A Call for Autonomy and Recognition

Despite the Iraqi Parliament officially acknowledging ISIS's crimes, no formal steps have been taken to recognize the events as genocide under international law. For Sliwa and many others in the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people, this silence is not only unjust -- it is dangerous.

"If Nineveh is not granted autonomous status with proper protections, we fear that what remains of our people will disappear," Sliwa warned. "The ideologies that gave rise to ISIS are still alive in the region. Without structural guarantees, more tragedies will come."

He underscored that preserving Syriac culture and community life cannot be left solely to non-state actors or NGOs. "This is a state responsibility," he insisted. "The state must rebuild trust and provide security so that our people can live with dignity in their own homeland."

"Before It's Too Late"

The HBA President's plea is clear: international recognition of the genocide, and concrete steps to ensure that the Nineveh Plains becomes a protected, self-administered region for its indigenous inhabitants.

"Our identity has been misrepresented for too long," he said. "We are the descendants of Babylon, Assyria, Akkad, and Sumer. Our people have paid the price for simply trying to survive as Christians in their native land."

On this twelfth anniversary of the Nineveh Plains Genocide, Chaldeans-Syriacs-Assyrians around the world remember the lives lost, the homes destroyed, and the culture nearly extinguished. But remembrance, they insist, is not enough. Without international accountability and local autonomy, the risk of another genocide remains tragically real.

"We must protect what remains," Sliwa said, "or there will soon be nothing left to protect."
Palestine Action Group spokesperson, Josh Lees, has lauded the March for Humanity over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a monumental and historic moment, but says theres no plans for another demonstration over the landmark.

Lees estimated between 200,000 and 300,000 people participated in the mass demonstration on Sunday  considerably higher than police estimates of 90,000  and said the event had been without incident.

Today was just a huge display of democracy. If anyone thinks thats a bad thing ... then Id say they have a fundamentally undemocratic view of the world today, he said.

PAG spokesperson, Amal Naser, said efforts by Premier Chris Minns and NSW Police to stop the event from going ahead fuelled the huge turnout by members of the public.

The reason why that number quadrupled was because the police and the premier issued a co-ordinated campaign to attack the right to protest, and people took the urgency to come out today. They [Minns and NSW Police] gave us more publicity than we could have ever asked for this week, she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers are facing a political headache as the peak body for unions pushes for drastic reductions in negative gearing and higher taxes on family trusts  moves that are being fiercely resisted by the business lobby.

Adding to Labors challenge is a fresh call from the Productivity Commission to relitigate a carbon price at the governments upcoming economic roundtable on making Australia more productive, while calling for it to ditch popular subsidies for electric vehicles.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus will outline a broad agenda of tax increases and regulation overhauls. Credit: Penny Stephens

Senior Labor minister Murray Watt on Sunday said his government would not rule out any ideas before industry and union figures gathered in Canberra later in August, but stressed it was looking for consensus on thorny issues.

The ACTUs agenda is unlikely to win corporate or government support, but national secretary Sally McManus  who will occupy one of the unions two seats at the roundtable  said younger generations priced out of an increasingly expensive housing market had to be paramount in any discussion about productivity reform.
Victorian Labor Party members have again issued an edict to the Allan government against selling any public land as it knocks down and rebuilds Melbournes mid-century housing commission towers.

Debate over how to best to redevelop the high-rise sites will shift from the weekends Labor state conference to federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers Economic Reform Roundtable in two weeks time, where housing advocates will push for tax changes to stimulate government investment in public housing.

The state conference passed a resolution on Sunday calling on the Victorian government to retain public ownership of all land at the housing commission tower sites and lobby Canberra to create a GST exemption for materials and services used to build and maintain public housing.

Resident Awatif Taha outside one of the Racecourse Road, Flemington, towers. Credit: Chris Hopkins

The proposed tax change, which would also extend Commonwealth Rent Assistance to public housing tenants, is intended to halt a 30-year-slide in the supply of public housing stock, which is being replaced by community housing where not-for-profit landlords can charge higher rents.
Sperling studied at St Marys University in Twickenham, and became an NHS nurse specialising in paediatric care at Evelina London Childrens Hospital. The Princess of Wales has been a patron of the hospital since 2018. Despite finding such an admirable vocation, in a 2009 interview with the Daily Mail for an article about young women and faith, Sperling confessed that her faith had become dormant when she moved to the capital. She said: Somehow it didnt seem relevant to my life in London, going to famous nightclubs and spending a lot of time in Ibiza during the summer. I was a real party girl. But the end of a seven-year relationship marked a turning point: I went to church as I felt there was something missing. Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling at The Royal Charity Polo Cup. Credit: Kate Green/Getty Images She chose St Pauls in Onslow Square, west London, Sperling said, because of its intimate feel and its active engagement with the wider community. It had brought her a sense of fulfilment and peace, she said, adding: I pray not only on Sunday, but all the time, often just quietly to myself. That helped her with her job, which could be quite stressful and emotionally engaging. Sperling once told a magazine she had a particular passion for early brain development, and in 2010 she was part of a heroic medical team that helped save the life of critically ill baby Phineas, who had been struck down by a deadly virus.

Speaking in 2012, Sperling said: Just 20 minutes after receiving the call to collect Phineas, the retrieval team were on our way in an intensive care ambulance. In 2012, Sperling, who was previously married to fitness instructor Antonio St John Sperling, gave birth to her own child: daughter Georgia. But, writing for Christian magazine Woman Alive in March last year, she revealed that she had brought Georgia up on her own. Resources were scarce and the future was uncertain, she said. Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true, selfless love. She said: My daughter and I journeyed 10 years with only each other. I liken us to an island and it has often felt hard to imagine anyone joining that island. However, at around this time, someone new did enter her life. Sperling reportedly met Phillips, 47, at a sporting event involving their similarly aged children. Phillips has two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13, with his Canadian ex-wife Autumn Kelly (the pair divorced in 2021). Phillips and Sperlings public debut in May 2024 at the Badminton Horse Trials was also a family affair, attended by Phillipss daughters, his sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, and the Queen. It was Sperlings first time in the media spotlight, yet she appeared to take it all in her stride.

A friend of Phillips told The Telegraph the pair were enjoying each others company and spending time together like any normal couple, while an onlooker said of Sperling: She looked very happy and relaxed in his company and pleased to be shown off at one of the biggest social events in the equestrian world. Sporting occasions played a large part in the couples summer of love. In the June, they were spotted in the VIP tent at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire, and that month they also attended Royal Ascot, where Sperling met the King and Queen. One year on from their first public outing, Sperling and Phillips returned to the Badminton Horse Trials, this time cheering on Zara Tindall, who was being awarded the events Armada Dish. Sperling also joined the family at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, where she spent time with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; in Wimbledons royal box, alongside the Queen; and at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor, in support of Prince William. But it was another event that truly cemented Sperlings place as a future royal bride. In June, she made her royal carriage debut in the procession at Ascot, accompanying Phillips in carriage three. That suggested Sperling, who appears to have slotted naturally into the Firm, had been given the official seal of approval.

Even so, it was a surprise on Friday when she and Phillips announced their betrothal. The news came via Hello! magazine, which published two photographs of the couple (in which Sperling showed off her diamond engagement ring, estimated by one expert to cost at least 10,000) shortly after Phillips and Sperling had spoken to the King and Queen. The choice of magazine prompted reminders of Phillipss first wedding, in 2008, when he caused controversy by selling the exclusive photographic rights to Hello! for a reported 500,000, allegedly angering the late queen, who had not been consulted in advance. The pictures marking Phillips and Sperlings engagement, however, are said to have been taken privately and it is understood no commercial arrangement was made with Hello! or any other publication. The couple have yet to announce a date for their wedding. Leading designers will surely be champing at the bit to dress Sperling. She has won praise for the elegant way in which she mixes high street brands such as Zara with royal-approved British designers.

In her engagement photos, Sperling is wearing a white cheesecloth top and skirt set by Me+Em, a home-grown label favoured by the Princess of Wales. Loading Its likely that the couples new blended family will be highlighted in the ceremony, perhaps with their three daughters acting as bridesmaids. Savannah and Isla previously took that role at Princess Eugenies wedding in 2018. As both an elegant figure, coolly unfazed by public duties, and a hard-working NHS nurse and single mother, Sperling is the ideal fit for a gradually modernising institution. It appears shes not just a great match for Phillips: she could be the royal familys shining new star. The Telegraph, London
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 Kamianske, Ukraine: When Diana Koshyk checked into the maternity ward at City Hospital 9 in the eastern city of Kamianske, 26 weeks pregnant and worried about her baby, she didnt know Ukrainian soldiers were using a building nearby. The hospital was full of patients: other expecting mothers, women who had just given birth and their newborns. Diana Koshyk was killed in a Russian strike on a maternity hospital in eastern Ukraine. Credit: Facebook Diana, 23, and her husband, Oleksandr, 27, tried for a year to conceive this baby  a boy they had already named Damir. When she started experiencing extreme pain in her lower abdomen, they werent taking any chances. But early on Tuesday, Diana called Oleksandr, who goes by Sasha, in a panic. A Russian missile had just torn through the building across the street. Diana stayed on the phone as she ran downstairs for cover. Then the second missile hit. Sasha heard Dianas phone fall. The line stayed connected, but she stopped speaking. It was after 2am. Sasha, who was 25 minutes away at home in the village of Auly, rushed to the hospital by car.

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The maternity hospital lies empty after the missile strike. Credit: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP Someone told him two pregnant women were wounded and a third was dead. He frantically checked two ambulances for Diana. Then he saw a body on the ground near the entrance, covered with a sheet. Dianas green slippers were on the feet poking out from underneath. Sasha collapsed next to her and her pooling blood, which he can still smell, and started to scream. There had been no time to try to save the baby. We were waiting for a son and then in one minute, the ... Russians, he said, using an expletive, his voice trailing off as he described the horrific scene. And they were killed. Paramedics treat a civilian injured when a missile hit a maternity hospital in Kamianske, Ukraine. Credit: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP The military target next door

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Russia launched the missiles at Kamianske, a busy city in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, hours after United States President Donald Trump announced he would give Russia 10 to 12 days to agree to a ceasefire before imposing new sanctions. Locals said the strikes probably targeted the first building that was hit, a former medical dispensary that they said was well-known as a makeshift military base. Soldiers used it, they said, despite the maternity hospital next door. The presence of the hospital also did not stop Russia from firing missiles indiscriminately into the centre of the city. Washington Post reporters found several military uniforms and piles of supplies in the remnants of that damaged building, which sat about 200 metres from the hospital. A sign on the door warned visitors to turn their phones to aeroplane mode, a common rule at military sites. A pile of dusty drone controllers sat outside. A handful of soldiers at the scene on Thursday, mostly in civilian clothes, denied it had been used as a base. They said it was a warehouse for non-lethal supplies. Only one said he was there when the missiles hit. Ukrainian military officials did not respond to requests for comment. On Friday, the Russian Defence Ministry bragged that it struck several high-value military targets, including warehouses and drone workshops, between July 26 and August 1.

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Under international conventions on war, military personnel are required to avoid placing military objects near civilian infrastructure or in heavily populated areas. The conventions also ban attacks that put civilians at disproportionate risk of harm. I wouldnt dare bring her to the maternity ward if I knew there were soldiers near there, Dianas mother, Lina Dranko, said after her funeral. I would have brought doctors to our home. Wartime dreams of a family Sasha and Diana met in 2019  he was just home from his mandatory military service, while she was a new and pretty face on a visit to her mothers native village. After weeks of sharing walks and kisses, Sasha told her he wanted to celebrate one month of dating. Loading Were dating? she replied. It was October 25. The next year, he proposed on the same day  the ring a perfect fit because he had tested it on his pinkie, which he knew was the right size. On September 25, 2021, they were legally married. When Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, they both felt moved to perform a church wedding to consecrate their vows. The local priest said they failed to complete mandatory rituals, including a brief fasting period. We said: Come on, its war, Sasha recalled. The priest gave in, and they had their second wedding ceremony the next day.

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As war raged across Ukraine and Russian forces advanced toward the Dnipropetrovsk region where Sasha and Diana lived, the couple tried to maintain a simple village life. Their parents helped them buy a small house, which they started renovating. Diana worked in the local grocery store, where she befriended soldiers posted to the area. Sasha continued working at the nearby steel factory. They weighed the risks of having a baby during wartime against their dream of a family. The dream won out. Six months ago, they cheered and cried when two pink lines appeared on a rapid test. They tucked the stick away in a plastic envelope for safekeeping. It was the happiest moment of our lives, Sasha said. Diana began filming her belly as it grew  smiling for the camera as she ran her hands over her bump. A funeral instead of a baptism On July 31, Dianas family placed her hands over her bump for the last time. She lay in a wooden coffin in the centre of the same room where she had filmed herself dreaming of motherhood. Sasha pressed his face to hers. Her mother, Lina, bent over her belly. Other relatives  her sister, Karina, her father, Anatolii, her nephew, Daniil  took turns caressing her face. They whispered to her and Damir, wishing them farewell.

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Readjusting to life on earth: Shukla





NEW DELHI :

Says, phone felt heavy, dropped laptop thinking it would float like in space

WEEKS after returning from the Axiom-4 mission, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Friday shared experiences of readjusting to life on earth like how even a mobile phone felt heavy to hold and he dropped his laptop thinking it would float like in space. Addressing a virtual press conference, Shukla and his Axiom-4 mission colleagues shared the experiences of their 20-day space mission and the 18-day stay at the International Space Station. After 41 years, a Bharatiya returned to space. But this time, it was not a solitary leap, it was the beginning of Indias second orbit.

And this time, we are ready, not just to fly but to lead, Shukla said. Shukla became the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharmas sojourn as part of the Soviet Russian mission in 1984. Shuklas Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25 and returned to earth on July 15. The Lucknow-born astronaut said the moment that stood out in the entire space sojourn was when he spoke to Prime Minister of Bharat on June 28 with the tricolour floating behind him. That moment symbolised Indias re-entry into the conversation, not as a spectator but as an equal participant, Shukla said. Sharing his experience of re-adjusting to the gravity on earth, Shukla recalled the moment he asked for a phone to click pictures and how heavy it felt in his hand.

The minute I held the phone, I felt this was heavy. The same phone that we hold all day long felt really heavy to me, Shukla said. Sharing another instance, he said, I had some work to do on my laptop. I was sitting on my bed and I just closed my laptop and left it to the side of the bed. I dropped my laptop thinking that it would float right next to me. Thankfully, the floor was carpeted so there was no damage done. Shukla said the 20-day mission exceeded his expectations and he learnt a lot that would help India in its Gaganyaan mission. He described his role not just as a spacefarer but as a messenger showing whats possible.
Amid tariff war PM urges swadeshi spirit





VARANASI :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on citizens to adopt the spirit of swadeshi and support locally-made products, stressing that true service to the nation lies in promoting indigenous goods, especially amid global economic uncertainties. Addressing a public meeting in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Modi said, As we talk about economic progress, I want to draw your attention to the current global scenario. The world economy is facing instability and uncertainty. In such times, countries are focusing solely on their own interests. India, too, is on the path to becoming the worlds third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities.

The Prime Ministers renewed push for swadeshi (indigenous) comes amid the US announcing tariffs on exports from about 70 nations, including India. According to the White House order, India now faces tariffs of 25 per cent for its exports to the US. Emphasising that farmers, small industries, and employment for youth are the top-most priorities for the Government, Modi said, The Government is doing everything possible in this direction. But as citizens, we too have responsibilities. Calling for a national movement to support local products, the Prime Minister said, This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this -- if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, keeping aside their hesitations, must work in the nations interest and awaken the spirit of swadeshi among the people.

He also urged people to be conscious consumers, saying, Whatever we buy, we should ask ourselves -- has an Indian toiled to make this? If it has been made by the sweat of our people, with their skills, that product is swadeshi for us. We must adopt the mantra of Vocal for Local. Making a special appeal to traders and shopkeepers, the Prime Minister said, At a time when the world is going through uncertainty, let us take a pledge to sell only swadeshi goods from our shops and markets. Promoting made in India goods will be the truest service to the country. India on path to becoming third-largest economy, must remain alert to own economic priorities: PM Modi: ASSERTING that India is on the path to becoming the worlds third-largest economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the country must remain alert to its own economic priorities amid the instability and uncertainty facing the world economy.

PM Modis remarks came just days after US President Donald Trump called India a dead economy after announcing a 25 per cent tariff on the import of Indian goods along with an unspecified penalty for buying Russian military equipment and crude oil. Addressing a public meeting in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Saturday, Modi said, As we talk about economic progress, I want to draw your attention to the current global scenario. The world economy is facing instability and uncertainty. In such times, countries are focusing solely on their own interests. India, too, is on the path to becoming the worlds third-largest economy and must remain alert to its own economic priorities.

PM Modi launches multi-crore devpt projects in Varanasi

VARANASI,

Aug 2 (PTI)

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 52 development projects worth approximately Rs 2,183.45 crore. In a major move to support farmers, the Prime Minister also released the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, transferring Rs 20,500 crore to the bank accounts of over 9.70 crore eligible farmers across the country. Additionally, he distributed assistive devices such as wheelchairs, tricycles, and visual aids to people with disabilities and senior citizens during a special programme held at Banauli village in the Sevapuri block. Hum Kaashi ke har parivar-jan ke pranaam karat hai (I extend my respectful greetings to every family of Varanasi), said the prime minister in the local dialect, drawing massive cheers from the crowd as he opened his address. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both his deputiesKeshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathakalong with several ministers, public representatives, and BJPs State unit president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary were present at the event. According to Dilip Patel, head of the BJPs Kashi region unit, this marks PM Modis 51st visit to his parliamentary constituency.

Coming just ahead of Rakshabandhan and in the auspicious month of Shravan, the visit is expected to provide a significant developmental boost to the Purvanchal region. The 52 projects span key sectors such as road infrastructure, healthcare, education, sports, tourism, and urban development. Initiatives include road construction and widening, hospital upgrades, improvement of educational institutions, better drinking water and sanitation, development of sports infrastructure, establishment of a homeopathic college, construction of paved ghats for religious tourism, expansion of electricity and parking facilities, pond renovation, and the setting up of libraries, animal hospitals, and dog care centres, according to an official statement.
Communal violence in Pune: 18 held; 5 FIRs filed, over 500 booked





PUNE

POLICE have arrested a total of 18 persons and registered five FIRs against more than 500 individuals in connection with the communal violence in Yavat village of Pune district that broke out over an alleged objectionable status on a social messaging platform, officials said on Saturday. The youth who posted the objectionable status on WhatsApp is among the arrested accused along with 17 others held for their alleged involvement in arson and vandalism during the violence at Yavat in Daund tehsil. A local court sent 15 of them in police custody for four days, they said. Communal tension erupted and incidents of violence took place in Yavat village on Friday afternoon, in which several groups of persons, angered by the social media post, vandalised and set ablaze properties.

So far, we have registered a total of five cases in connection with the violence. Four of the cases are against more than 500 people who were allegedly involved in arson and damage to property. Of these, more than 100 people have been identified, an official of Yavat police station said. Seventeen persons have been arrested for their involvement in the violence, and the youth whose status message triggered the violence was similarly held, he said. Fifteen of the 17 persons were produced before a local court, which remanded them in police custody till August 6. Those involved in the incident targeted a motorcycle, two cars, one religious structure and a bakery, and indulged in arson. The police had to lob tear gas shells and lathi-charge to disperse the mob, the official said.

The police have issued prohibitory orders in Yavat and the situation is under control, he said. Talking to reporters, Pune Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill said the preliminary probe does not point to any planned conspiracy, and conclusions cannot be drawn until the inquiry is over. Till Saturday afternoon, police have registered five FIRs in connection with the incident, he said, adding that the person whose objectionable post triggered the violence has resided in the village for years. The SP added that after the violence broke out, the police responded quickly and brought the situation under control.
India showed Rudra roop during Op Sindoor





VARANASI :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invoked Lord Shivas Rudra roop (fierce form) to describe Indias resolute action against terrorism, saying Operation Sindoor showcased the countrys strength to the world and delivered a clear message that anyone who dares attack India will not be spared, not even in Pataal Lok. My heart was filled with sorrow for the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, Modi said while addressing a public meeting in his Parliamentary Constituency Varanasi.

My promise to avenge Sindoor of our daughters was fulfilled with blessings of Mahadev, he said, adding, I dedicate the success of the operation at the feet of Mahadev. The Prime Minister also stressed that the unity of 140 crore countrymen became the strength of Operation Sindoor. Shiva means welfare but when terrorism raises its ugly head, Mahadev takes his Rudra roop. During Operation Sindoor, the world witnessed this very form of India, the PM said. New India can crush terrorists, end them in their own territory: Yogi: UTTAR Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that PM Narendra Modis visit to Varanasi comes at a time when both India and the world have witnessed the countrys strength and capabilities through the successful execution of Operation Sindoor. Referring to the military operation in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Adityanath said, This New India has the courage to crush the perpetrators of terror into the ground and eliminate enemies by entering their territory. Prime Minister Modis arrival in Kashi today follows the triumph of Operation Sindoor. On behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh, I welcome and congratulate the Prime Minister.

Highlighting Modis global stature, the Chief Minister said, PM Modi is the most popular leader in the world. In the past 11 years, more than 50 countries have honoured him with their highest civilian awards. The world respects his vision for public welfare and global good. Last month, countries like Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Namibia, and Brazil bestowed their top civilian honours on Prime Minister Modi, making all 140 crore Indians proud. Adityanath also underlined the pride that Varanasi, or Kashi, takes for being represented by Modi as its Member of Parliament. It is a matter of immense pride that Prime Minister Modi represents Avinashi Kashi (indestructible city of Kashi) in Parliament. Over the last 11 years, Kashi has emerged as a unique confluence of the ancient and the new -- a blend of spirituality and modernity that continues to draw global attention. He also pointed out that Modis presence in his home Constituency for the 51st time is unprecedented for any Prime Minister. In Varanasi, he said, projects worth over Rs 16,000 crore are currently in various stages of progress.

So far, the Prime Minister has inaugurated projects worth Rs 34,000 crore out of the Rs 51,000 crore sanctioned for Varanasi in recent years, he said. Adityanath added that during his visit on Saturday, Modi launched development projects worth another Rs 2,200 crore for the people of Kashi. The Chief Minister also said that Divyangjans are playing a major role in building a strong and capable India, noting that the thoughtful term Divyang introduced by Prime Minister Modi has brought new hope and encouragement into their lives, giving them opportunities to grow in every field. Reflecting on the past, Adityanath said that 11 years ago, many farmers were abandoning agriculture, while some were even driven to suicide amid deep disillusionment. But in the last 11 years, initiatives such as Soil Health Card, PM Crop Insurance, PM Irrigation Scheme, and enhanced seed-to-market support have built a robust ecosystem. Today, millions of farmers in Uttar Pradesh are actively contributing to the vision of a self-reliant, developed India, he said. To mark this milestone, the Prime Minister chose Kashi to extend the benefits of these schemes to nearly 10 crore farmers nationwide, he said. In Uttar Pradesh, 2.3 crore farmers are receiving the 20th installment of PM-KISAN, including over 2.21 lakh families in Kashi alone, he said.
MBU confers D. Litt on Dr Vijay Darda





Business Reporter :

The Mohan Babu University (MBU) conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) upon veteran journalist, author, parliamentarian and Chairman of Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group, Dr Vijay Darda, during its convocation ceremony here on Saturday. The honorary degree was awarded in recognition of Dr Dardas exceptional contributions to journalism, the cause of press freedom, education, and democratic reform.

The university lauded his unwavering commitment to fearless journalism, sincere efforts for the growth of the media industry and his enduring dedication to social responsibility. Dr Darda received the honour in presence of the former Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Rajya Sabha member and chief guest of the convocation, Praful Patel, Chancellor of Mohan Babu University and Chairman of Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust (SVET), Dr Mohan Babu, world renowned percussionist Padma Shri Shivamani, Pro-Chancellor of MBU Vishnu Manchu, National President of Vishwa Hindi Parishad Padma Bhushan Prof. Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, executive director of SVET Vinay Maheshwari, member of SVET Viranika Manchu and a galaxy of dignitaries from different fields and students. In his acceptance speech, Dr Vijay Darda expressed deep gratitude to Mohan Babu University for conferring upon him this honour which acknowledges his over five decades of service to journalism and the media industry. He dedicated the honour to the legacy of fearless journalism upheld by Lokmat Media Group and its founder Jawaharlal Darda. Its pertinent to mention here that Dr Darda is a recipient of honorary D. Litt degrees from DY Patil University, Pune, and Royal American University, USA, for his contribution to the field of journalism and media industry.
Rajnath dares Rahul to detonate atom bomb of evidence against EC





PATNA :

DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for claiming to have an atom bomb of evidence of vote theft against the Election Commission, and dared him to detonate the explosive. Addressing a function organised by a media house in the state capital, Singh also likened the upcoming Assembly polls to a crossroad, with one path (under NDA) leading to further progress and another (under the INDIA bloc) taking Bihar back to its old era of lawlessness and caste strife.

Singh also said the nation remembers his past rhetoric. He had threatened Parliament of an earthquake, but when he spoke, it turned out to be a damp squib. The Union Minister said the Election Commission of India is an institution that enjoys a reputation for unquestionable integrity. It is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the upcoming Assembly polls in the State are held in a free and fair manner. It does not behove the Leader of the Opposition to make frivolous statements about a constitutional body, the BJP leader said. He reminded the Congress leader that his own party has blood on its hands, having tried to murder democracy in 1975 with the imposition of Emergency. The senior BJP leader also showered encomiums on alliance partner Nitish Kumar for helping the State turn the corner during his 20 years rule in Bihar.

Under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, Bihar is no longer seen as a basket case. Even an internationally reputed magazine like The Economist, which had once condemned the State as the armpit of India, is now taking note of its turnaround, said Singh. He also claimed that the states progress has received a further boost ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power 11 years ago, pointing out the NDA Government has extended an assistance of Rs 9 lakh crore to Bihar, so far, in contrast with the previous Congress-led UPA, which gave only two lakh crore in a decade. He added, Modi has also made it clear that he sees a pivotal role for Bihar, and all eastern states, in making a Viksit Bharat. The BJP leader also recalled the dismal situation that prevailed in the State when kidnapping for ransom had become a cottage industry and businessmen felt compelled to flee the State. The States per capita income, which was 80 per cent of the national average at the time of Independence, had slumped to less than 30 per cent by the time the NDA took over in 2005, the Union Minister claimed.

The coming elections are crucial. The state finds itself at a crossroads, with one path leading to a golden future and another leading back to the dismal past which it had left behind after much suffering, Singh said. He also spoke at length about the glorious history of Bihar, which is the land where Buddha got enlightened and where Lord Mahavira was born and spent much of his life. This is also the land which was the ancient seat of power, the Magadh kingdom. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the ancient history of India is much about Bihar, Singh added.
Trump says he heard India is no longer going to buy oil from Russia, calls it good step ! ! !





By Yoshita Singh

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Saturday said he has heard that India is no longer going to buy oil from Russia, which he hailed as a good step but added that he wasnt sure about the development. Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. Thats what I heard. I dont know if thats right or not, but thats a good step. Well see what happens, Trump told reporters Friday. Trumps comments come a day after the White House announced tariffs the US will impose on exports from about 70 nations. According to the executive order, India will face tariffs of 25 per cent, but it did not mention the penalty that Trump had said India will have to pay because of its purchases of Russian military equipment and energy.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked at the weekly media briefing on Friday about the reports claiming that Indian oil companies have stopped buying oil from Russia in the past week. Jaiswal responded that as far as sourcing Indias energy requirements is concerned, we take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time. As for the specifics of your particular question, I am not aware of it. I dont have details of these specifics. Declaring that the US has a massive trade deficit with India, Trump had said that while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the world, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any country.

Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russias largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine  All things not good! Trump said. He said that India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25 per cent, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August 1. Trump had also mounted a sharp attack on India and Russia for their close ties and said that the two countries can take their dead economies down together. I dont care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Lets keep it that way... Trump had said in a post on Truth Social.
Barings LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 1,614 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $214,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. IFG Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 33,096 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,390,000 after acquiring an additional 1,060 shares in the last quarter. SPC Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 18,375 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,437,000 after acquiring an additional 362 shares in the last quarter. TIAA Trust National Association raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 135,791 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $18,013,000 after acquiring an additional 3,457 shares in the last quarter. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP now owns 10,188 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,351,000 after acquiring an additional 1,608 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blueshift Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $240,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

ABT opened at $127.32 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $221.52 billion, a PE ratio of 15.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $107.11 and a 1 year high of $141.23. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $131.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $130.49.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.01 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 32.43%. Abbott Laboratoriess quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 29.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ABT. Leerink Partners began coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Monday, June 16th. They issued a market perform rating and a $143.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Mizuho raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Raymond James Financial dropped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $141.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, William Blair raised Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $144.47.

Read Our Latest Report on ABT

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management acquired a new position in God Bless America ETF (NYSEARCA:YALL  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 12,568 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $459,000.

Separately, Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in God Bless America ETF by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,635 shares of the companys stock worth $681,000 after buying an additional 1,236 shares in the last quarter.

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God Bless America ETF Stock Down 1.0%

NYSEARCA:YALL opened at $41.64 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $41.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $38.96. God Bless America ETF has a 52 week low of $32.07 and a 52 week high of $43.17. The stock has a market cap of $90.57 million, a PE ratio of 26.09 and a beta of 1.24.

About God Bless America ETF

The God Bless America ETF (YALL) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively managed fund that provides broad exposure to US-listed stocks of various market capitalization. The fund screens out companies perceived to emphasize politically left and\u002For liberal political activism and social agendas.

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Firefly Aerospace Inc. (FLY) plans to raise $599 million in an IPO on Thursday, August 7th, IPO Scoop reports. The company will be issuing 16,200,000 shares at a price of $35.00-$39.00 per share.

In the last 12 months, Firefly Aerospace Inc. generated $108.3 million in revenue and had a net loss of $238.5 million. Firefly Aerospace Inc. has a market cap of $5.2 billion.

Firefly Aerospace Inc. provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in Delaware) We are aA space and defense technology company with an established track record of success (in) developing space vehicles and providing comprehensive mission solutions to national security, U.S. government and commercial customers.A We offer launch and spacecraft solutions. Our Launch division has developed:  Alpha, a U.S.-based orbital rocket (1,000-kilogram class) that has successfully completed four launches so far, and -Eclipse, a reusable version of Alpha (capable of delivering 16,000-kilogram payloads) that we are developing with Northrop Grumman for a launch in early 2026.A We expect that Eclipse will first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026. and it will be able to support space station resupply, commercial spacecraft, critical national security missions, and scientific payloads for the domestic and international markets. Our Spacecraft Solutions division has developed: -Blue Ghost Lander,A the only commercial vehicle to ever achieve a fully successful Moon landing and the first U.S.- based lander to successfully complete a lunar surface mission since NASAas Apollo 17 in 1972. We have a flight-proven spacecraft that has operated in LEO, MEO, GEO and Cislunar orbits, and -Elytra, our high-thrust spacecraft platform creating new categories for space domain awareness and warfighting, long-range communications relays,A on-orbitA edge processing and advanced space exploration. Elytra is capable of a wide range of spacecraft missions across multiple orbits, including satellite delivery,A on-orbitA transfers, hosted payloads, communications relay, and moreawhich positions us to help establish a dominant U.S. and allied national security position in space. Elytra will support near-term Blue Ghost missions, highlighting both the space readiness and scalability of theA underlying technology. Elytra will also support a responsive on-orbit mission for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the U.S. Department of Defense. Elytra will perform multiple Rendezvous Proximity Operations (asRPOat) and space domain awareness operations on demand. We alsoA expect to offer Ocula, a lunar imaging service, through Elytra as early as 2026. Note: Net loss and revenue are for the 12 months that ended March 31, 2025.A (Note: Firefly Aerospace unveiled the terms for its IPO on Monday, July 28, 2025, in an S-1/A filing: 16.2 million shares at a price range of $35.00 to $39.00 to raise $599.4 million. Background: Firefly Aerospace filed its S-1 to go public on July 11, 2025, without disclosing the terms; estimated IPO proceeds are $100 million, a placeholder figure.)A .

Firefly Aerospace Inc. was founded in 2017 and has 780 employees. The company is located at 1320 Arrow Point Drive #109 Cedar Park, TX 78613 and can be reached via phone at (512)-893-5570 or on the web at https://www.fireflyspace.com/.

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Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 22,647 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 422 shares during the quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $3,004,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ABT. Cim LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Cim LLC now owns 16,967 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,919,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Capital Square LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital Square LLC now owns 2,941 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 3,822 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $507,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 17,327 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,298,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Opes Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Opes Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,854 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $379,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT stock opened at $127.32 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $107.11 and a 52-week high of $141.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $131.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $130.49. The stock has a market cap of $221.52 billion, a PE ratio of 15.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.70.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

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 for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.26. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 32.43%. The firm had revenue of $11.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 29.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ABT shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $143.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Leerink Partnrs raised Abbott Laboratories to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 16th. William Blair raised Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, BTIG Research lowered their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $144.47.

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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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Moors & Cabot Inc. trimmed its position in Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI  Free Report) (TSE:AGI) by 14.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 48,751 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 8,054 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc.s holdings in Alamos Gold were worth $1,304,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AGI. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Alamos Gold in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $41,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Alamos Gold by 67.0% during the 1st quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,645 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 660 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in Alamos Gold during the 1st quarter worth approximately $68,000. Cutler Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Alamos Gold during the 4th quarter worth approximately $108,000. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC raised its holdings in Alamos Gold by 14.4% during the 4th quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 10,011 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $181,000 after buying an additional 1,260 shares during the period. 64.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Canada upgraded shares of Alamos Gold to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from $31.00 to $30.50 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. CIBC restated an outperform rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Alamos Gold in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Alamos Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $30.38.

Alamos Gold Price Performance

Shares of AGI opened at $24.82 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.51. Alamos Gold Inc. has a twelve month low of $15.74 and a twelve month high of $31.00. The company has a 50 day moving average of $26.33 and a 200-day moving average of $25.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

Alamos Gold (NYSE:AGI  Get Free Report) (TSE:AGI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $438.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $400.61 million. Alamos Gold had a net margin of 22.99% and a return on equity of 10.81%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 31.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.24 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Alamos Gold Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Alamos Gold Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 12th were paid a dividend of $0.025 per share. This represents a $0.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 12th. Alamos Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.05%.

About Alamos Gold

(Free Report)

Alamos Gold Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and extraction of precious metals in Canada and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Young-Davidson mine and Island Gold mine located in the Ontario, Canada; Mulatos mine located in the Sonora, Mexico; and Lynn Lake project situated in the Manitoba, Canada.

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Scotia Capital Inc. grew its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 1.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,533,994 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 51,936 shares during the quarter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City comprises 1.3% of Scotia Capital Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Scotia Capital Inc. owned about 0.38% of Canadian Pacific Kansas City worth $246,977,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 209.8% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 378 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. North Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Cheviot Value Management LLC purchased a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 49.5% during the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 495 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.20% of the companys stock.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Down 0.9%

Canadian Pacific Kansas City stock opened at $72.89 on Friday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a twelve month low of $66.49 and a twelve month high of $87.72. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $79.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $76.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.71, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.06.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The transportation company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.74. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.68% and a net margin of 28.05%. The business had revenue of $2.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.56 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.93 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 26th will be paid a $0.1651 dividend. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 26th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CP has been the topic of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $91.00 price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Stephens raised their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Barclays raised their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $87.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, June 14th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Pacific Kansas City presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $92.30.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

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Eiffage SA (OTCMKTS:EFGSY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 6,900 shares, anincreaseof3,350.0% from the June 30th total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 3,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on EFGSY. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Eiffage in a research report on Wednesday. Santander lowered shares of Eiffage to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Eiffage Price Performance

Eiffage Cuts Dividend

Shares of OTCMKTS:EFGSY opened at $26.75 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $27.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.38. Eiffage has a one year low of $16.54 and a one year high of $29.00.

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 21st were paid a $0.7926 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a yield of 276.0%. Eiffages dividend payout ratio is presently 25.38%.

Eiffage Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Eiffage SA engages in the construction, property development, urban development, civil engineering, metallic construction, roads, energy systems, and concessions businesses in France and internationally. The company operates through Construction, Infrastructure, Energy Systems, Concessions, and Holding Company segments.

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Xerox Holdings Co. (NYSE:XRX  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 21,920,000 shares, anincreaseof79,609.1% from the June 30th total of 27,500 shares. Approximately18.9% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 3,940,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.6 days. Based on an average trading volume of 3,940,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.6 days. Approximately18.9% of the companys stock are sold short.

Xerox Trading Down 3.0%

Shares of XRX stock opened at $3.93 on Friday. Xerox has a 52-week low of $3.44 and a 52-week high of $11.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.61, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.11. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.84. The company has a market capitalization of $494.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.37 and a beta of 1.82.

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Xerox (NYSE:XRX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The information technology services provider reported ($0.64) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.71). Xerox had a positive return on equity of 7.57% and a negative net margin of 21.24%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.29 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Xerox will post 1.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Xerox Dividend Announcement

Insider Buying and Selling at Xerox

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th were paid a $0.025 dividend. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 30th. Xeroxs payout ratio is presently -0.87%.

In other Xerox news, Director A. Scott Letier bought 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $4.43 per share, with a total value of $110,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 29,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $130,171.12. The trade was a 570.26% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Steven John Bandrowczak acquired 22,300 shares of Xerox stock in a transaction on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.48 per share, with a total value of $99,904.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 382,442 shares in the company, valued at $1,713,340.16. This represents a 6.19% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 82,300 shares of company stock valued at $364,254. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Xerox by 110.8% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,539 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 2,911 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Xerox by 137.7% in the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,014 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 3,484 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Xerox by 331.8% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 6,507 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Xerox by 569.7% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,045 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 5,993 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in Xerox in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. 85.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Xerox

(Get Free Report)

Xerox Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a workplace technology company that integrates hardware, services, and software for enterprises in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Print and Other; and FITTLE.

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Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) was the target of a large increase in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 34,390,000 shares, anincreaseof46,625.5% from the June 30th total of 73,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 17,720,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Currently,1.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently,1.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 17,720,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on WFC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on 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. Truist Financial increased their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Phillip Securities cut Wells Fargo & Company from a strong-buy rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Dbs Bank raised Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $80.39.

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View Our Latest Analysis on WFC

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 3.5%

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WFC. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% during the 2nd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $76,095,550,000 after purchasing an additional 949,735,001 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 932.0% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 15,734,874 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,105,218,000 after purchasing an additional 14,210,193 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 277.4% during the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,740,934 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $771,092,000 after purchasing an additional 7,894,919 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 7,887.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,393,083 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $243,589,000 after purchasing an additional 3,350,605 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 10.7% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 34,339,295 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,411,992,000 after purchasing an additional 3,307,855 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock.

NYSE WFC opened at $77.80 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $253.18 billion, a PE ratio of 13.32, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $50.15 and a 12 month high of $84.83. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $78.56 and a 200-day moving average of $74.94.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.83 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.29% and a net margin of 16.82%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.33 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate 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 stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, April 29th that allows the company to buyback $40.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 17.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. This is a boost from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is currently 27.40%.

Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) convened its central working committee meeting in Siliguri on Saturday, marking a crucial two-day session aimed at shaping future academic, social, and cultural strategies.

Delegates from across India attended the meet to share regional insights and formulate an action plan addressing key national concernsincluding educational reforms, youth leadership, and nation-building through student involvement.

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In the lead-up to the event, ABVP held large-scale youth gatherings across Cooch Behar, Raiganj, Malda, and Kolkata, highlighting pressing issues such as Bangladeshi infiltration, the deteriorating education system, rising unemployment, campus violence, and increasing threats to womens safety. Reports from these programmes will feed into the committees strategy discussions.

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ABVP national general secretary Dr Virendra Singh Solanki said: The situation in West Bengal is a serious challenge to democratic values. Bangladeshi infiltration, growing insecurity among women, rampant corruption, and the collapse of the education system are not only hindering the states progress but also affecting the nation as a whole.

He added that the Siliguri meeting has chalked out a comprehensive roadmap to confront these issues and reaffirm ABVPs commitment to building a strong, safe, and self-reliant India driven by empowered youth.
The Calcutta High Court has directed that an FIR be lodged against Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) for allegedly demanding Rs 20 lakh as a penalty for an illegal construction in a factory in Jamuria.

Justice Gaurang Kanth ordered that an FIR be registered and police commence investigations. The hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday.

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On 5 June, Asansol Municipal Corporation issued a notice to a factory in Jamuria, ordering the demolition of an illegal construction. However, the company was later instructed to pay a penalty of Rs 20 lakh.

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Subsequently, AMC allegedly demanded another Rs 20 lakh, the companys lawyer told the court. On Friday, the Calcutta High Court questioned how a civic body could legalise illegal constructions by imposing penalties, and recommended a police investigation.

Earlier, AMC had issued notices to eleven factories in Jamuria and Raniganj, instructing them to demolish illegal structures. It later imposed fines totalling Rs 500 crore, warning that non-compliance would result in the use of bulldozers to remove the structures.

Bidhan Upadhyay, mayor of AMC, said he was yet to receive the case details and could not comment without reviewing them.

Former Asansol mayor and current BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari has called for a high-level probe into the matter. He alleged that illegal constructions were widespread across AMCs jurisdiction and no action had been taken. The private company claimed to have already paid Rs 20 lakh to avoid demolition and legalise the structure, but another Rs 20 lakh was demanded, prompting them to approach the court, Tiwari said.
What was once a cradle of avian life  with sun-dappled skies echoing the calls of kingfishers, coots, and night herons  has now turned deadly. Moyna, the East Midnapore block once held up as a shining model of rural innovation, is fast becoming a graveyard for birds.

A silent massacre is unfolding across this wetland landscape, as thousands of nearly invisible nylon nets are being strung over fish ponds to deter birds. Hung just five to six feet above water, these nets are ensnaring and killing hundreds of birds annually, prompting alarm among conservationists, teachers, and local residents.

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This is an ecological emergency, warns Dilip Kumar Patra, a local schoolteacher who leads bird rescue efforts. Just this week, we saved seven birds  some bleeding, some dying. The practice is illegal under wildlife laws, but enforcement is nonexistent.

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Two decades ago, Moyna was transformed under a state-backed scheme that turned monsoon-flooded paddy fields into fishery hubs. The Moyna Model brought prosperity to over 60 villages. But it also drew flocks of birds  from black-crowned night herons and openbill storks to rare owls  turning the region into an inadvertent haven for avifauna.

To fish farmers, however, the birds became pests. Their solution  fine nylon mesh nets  has proven deadly. Birds dive in hoping for a fish, but end up tangled mid-flight, says environmental scientist Dr Pravat Kumar Shit. Many die suspended in the nets; some escape with permanent injuries. Over the last four years, bird sightings have plummeted.

Villages like Radhaballavchak, Bhandar Chak, Tilkhoja and Janakichak bear grim witness. We no longer see hawks, woodpeckers or even doves, says an elderly resident of Tilkhoja. The skies have emptied. Its as if nature itself has gone silent.

In the absence of government action, a quiet resistance has emerged from schools. At Radhaballavchak Saradamoyee Vidyapith, science teacher Alok Maity leads a student-run bird rescue team. Children as young as 12 roam the ponds after school, carrying scissors and first-aid kits. They cut down trapped birds, clean wounds, and release those they can.

Were teaching them ecology with real consequences, says Maity. But it shouldnt be their burden. Authorities must act.

When contacted, Tarun Kumar Jana, a senior member of the district zilla parishad, expressed concern and promised an inquiry. This is serious. If proven, these practices must be stopped.

Yet environmentalists remain wary. The Wildlife Protection Act forbids such traps. Officials claiming ignorance isnt an excuse, says Dr Shit. Its their legal and moral duty to intervene.

The crisis reflects a wider national problem: Indias wetlands are vanishing under the twin pressures of land conversion and climate change. Once vibrant stopovers for migratory birds, many are now degraded or destroyed.

Moynas fish boom brought economic gains, Patra acknowledges. But unchecked, it threatens to destroy the very ecological systems that made it thrive.

Activists are urging an immediate ban on overhead netting, incentives for bird-friendly practices, and awareness drives among fish farmers. Alternatives like partial netting, reflective tapes, and community patrols offer middle paths.

This is not a demand to end aquaculture  only to make it sustainable. Moynas story, born of innovation, need not end in silence.

Once, the skies here burst with colour and song. Today, under
Members of Trinamul Mahila Congress staged a sit-in demonstration at Gandhi statue in Mayo Road to protest against the attack on Bengali-speaking migrant labourers.

Chandrima Bhattacharya, president Trinamul Mahila Congress said it was most unfortunate that Bengali-speaking migrant workers are being attacked and harassed in different BJP-ruled states. They have been picked up by the police and have not been released though they produced all valid documents. This flouts the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, she said.

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The demonstration also saw the presence of minister Shashi Panja, MP Mala Roy, Bidhannagar mayor Krishna Chakraborty and Priyadarshini Hakim.

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It may be mentioned that following the instruction of partys chairperson Mamata Banerjee, the MPs both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are speaking in Bengali. She took part in a rally to protest against the attack on Bengali-speaking workers in Bolpour in Birbhum early this week. She will take part in another rally on similar issues at Jhargram on 6 August. She has requested the migrant workers to come back to Bengal and assured every protection to them including jobs.
One man lost his life and another sustained serious injuries in a car accident followed by a fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday near Jhanda Chowk in Hulambi Khurd village, the Delhi Police said.

According to police, they were alerted about the incident through a PCR call at around 2 am, reporting that a car had caught fire.

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Responding to the call, a police team reached the spot and found a white Ertiga taxi with two occupants.

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One of the men was found dead in the drivers seat, severely burnt, while the other was discovered injured in the passenger seat, a senior officer said.

The injured man was immediately rushed to SRHC Hospital in Narela for treatment, the officer added.

The deceased was later identified as Vipender and the injured as Jagbir, both 40 years old and residents of Panipat, Haryana.

Subsequently, a crime team along with forensic experts was called to the scene for inspection, documentation, and collection of evidence.

The body of the deceased was shifted to BJRM Hospital for autopsy.

Police have informed the families of both victims and are investigating the case to determine the exact cause of the fire, the officer said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday hailed the power of women as she inaugurated a Jan Seva Kendra (Public Service Centre) at the community centre located in DDA Flats, Rajiv Gandhi Park, in the Kalkaji Assembly constituency.

Speaking at the event, CM Gupta said, When the MLA, the MP, and the Chief Minister are all women, it is a powerful symbol of womens leadership and empowerment. She praised the unwavering commitment of local MLA Shikha Roy, acknowledging her selfless service to the people of the constituency for the past three decades.

She was joined by Parliament Member Bansuri Swaraj and Roy, and other dignitaries during the opening ceremony of the public service centre dedicated to the South Delhi constituency.

Gupta affirmed her support for Delhis development and reiterated her commitment to ensuring that the city is not deprived of funds for developmental work.

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She spoke at length about the improvements witnessed in the national capital since the BJP-led government took office. Over the past five months, the face of Delhi has begun to change, with accelerated progress in sewage management, drainage, roadwork, water systems, pollution control, and other public services  the positive impact of which is now clearly visible, Gupta said.

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Bringing relief to traders in Delhi, she announced that markets in the national capital will be allowed to operate 247. She also spoke about addressing administrative challenges faced by merchants by introducing a single-window system, which would eliminate the need for repeated visits to government offices for licences.

Concluding her address, the Chief Minister extended her thanks to all party workers, officials, and members of the public present at the event. She assured them that together, they will turn Delhi into a Viksit Delhi, a Developed Delhi in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Developed India.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday hailed the inauguration of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant and the launch of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in the Delhi Legislative Assembly as a major step forward in institutional accountability and environmental stewardship.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated the new infrastructure at the Assembly, accompanied by Speaker Vijender Gupta. Other senior Delhi BJP leaders present included Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, Power Minister Ashish Sood, and Delhi BJP Vice President Abhay Verma.

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According to an official statement, the solar power initiative is expected to save the Assembly up to 15 lakh per monthapproximately 1.75 crore annuallyand is projected to pay for itself quickly. The system may even generate surplus electricity through net metering.

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The integration of the NeVA platform is also a key part of the Assemblys digital transformation, facilitating a fully paperless legislative process, enhancing administrative efficiency, and significantly reducing the Assemblys carbon footprint.

Speaking at the event, Minister Meghwal lauded the move as a model for sustainable governance across the country. He emphasized that the Delhi Assemblys complete shift to solar energy sets a new benchmark for legislative and public institutions nationwide.

He further noted that the introduction of NeVA under the One Nation, One Application initiative of Digital India 2.0 marks not merely a technological upgrade, but a deeper shift in institutional values.

With full implementation expected in the upcoming Monsoon Session, the Delhi Assembly will become entirely paperless. He stressed that such a fusion of environmental consciousness and administrative reform must begin at the core of democratic institutions.
Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan found himself in the middle of a controversy on Saturday after a letter from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) raised questions about his possible participation in an Independence Day event in Houston, USA. The show, according to FWICE, is being organised by a Pakistan national, which triggered strong objections from the film body.

Soon after the letter surfaced, Kartik Aaryans team stepped forward with a clear denial. They stated that the actor has no connection with the event and has never agreed to take part in it.

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In their official statement, Kartiks team clarified, Kartik Aaryan is not associated with this event in any capacity. He has never made any official announcement about participating in it. We have also contacted the organisers and requested that all posters or promotional material using his name or image be removed immediately.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan)

This statement came just hours after FWICEs strong letter asking the actor to back out of the event in the interest of national security, especially after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed innocent lives.

In the letter addressed to Kartik Aaryan, FWICE reminded the actor that the Indian film industry has been asked to stay away from any association with artists or organisers from Pakistan due to ongoing tensions between the two countries.

They also pointed to an existing directive from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting which restricts Indian citizens and performers from engaging with Pakistani-linked events or individuals.

The letter stated, FWICE has clearly told all its members and film industry professionals to avoid any collaboration with Pakistani artists or technicians. This is not just a policy. Its about respecting the victims of terrorist attacks like the one in Pahalgam.

BN Tiwari, President of FWICE, spoke to ANI and confirmed that Kartik Aaryans name was prominently there as the main celebrity guest for the August 15 show in Houston.

The organiser is reportedly a Pakistani national. This is concerning, and weve taken a firm stand. After Operation Sindoor, this is the second incident of its kind. We want to maintain our policy of non-cooperation with such events.

Ashoke Dubey, FWICEs General Secretary, said that they had tried multiple times to reach out to Kartik Aaryans representatives before making the matter public.

I messaged their contact on July 20, but there was no reply. I also called and sent emails, including the event details to his manager, but there was silence. Thats why we had to send an official letter, he said.
In a shocking incident, an Army officer has been accused of grievously assaulting four SpiceJet employees, injuring their spines and jaws, at the boarding gate of flight SG-386, which was scheduled to depart from Srinagar airport for Delhi, a SpiceJet spokesperson said on Sunday.

The incident occurred on 26 July when the airline crew asked the passenger to pay for the excess baggage he was carrying, the spokesperson said.

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The passenger, identified as a senior Army officer, was reportedly carrying two pieces of cabin baggage totalling 16 kgmore than double the permissible cabin limit of 7 kg. When politely informed of the excess and asked to pay the applicable fee, he refused and forcibly entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process, thereby violating aviation security protocols. A CISF official escorted him back to the gate, where the situation escalated, the spokesperson said.

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According to the SpiceJet spokesperson, the passenger launched a violent attack on the ground staff, using punches, repeated kicks, and even a queue stand, leaving them with serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and severe facial trauma.

One employee collapsed and lost consciousness during the assault, yet the passenger continued to kick and strike him. Another staff member, who attempted to assist his unconscious colleague, suffered heavy bleeding from the nose and mouth after a brutal kick to the jaw, the spokesperson stated.

The injured employees were immediately taken to a hospital, where they continue to receive treatment for multiple grievous injuries.

The airline has lodged an FIR with local police and initiated the procedure to place the passenger on the national no-fly list under existing civil aviation regulations. SpiceJet has also formally apprised the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the murderous assault and requested strict action against the accused, the spokesperson said.

The airports CCTV footage of the incident has been handed over to the authorities to assist with the investigation.

SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and remains committed to pursuing this case through every available legal and regulatory channel, the airline said in a statement.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday described Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, as an anti-national, claiming that he does not care about Indian Hindus or Muslims.

Speaking to reporters in the Bodoland Territorial Region, Sarma alleged, Rahul Gandhi is an anti-India person. He only stands with Bangladeshi and Pakistani Muslims. He is not with Indian Hindus  not even with Indian Muslims. Rahul Gandhi is an anti-national personality.

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The Assam Chief Minister also accused the Congress leader of showing disrespect towards Assamese cultural icons, including the Kamakhya temple and spiritual reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva.

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Although Sarma did not cite a specific reason for labeling Rahul Gandhi anti-national, his remarks appear to be a response to recent criticism directed at him by the Congress leader.

During his visit to Assam last month, Rahul Gandhi said that Himanta Biswa Sarma was behaving like a raja (king) and predicted that the Chief Minister would not remain in power for long.

He will end up in jail  not because the Congress wants it, but because the people of Assam will send him there for corruption, Gandhi said during a party event in Chaygaon.

He further stated, The people of Assam know the truth Elections are approaching, and the Congress will sweep them. Weve built a new team here, begun the work, and the people of Assam will soon see the results.

Sarma, who was once a Congress leader before joining the BJP in 2015, responded to Rahul Gandhis remarks with a dismissive hand gesture, known colloquially as a thenga.
Attacking the Yogi Adityanath government over miserable conditions in cities during the monsoon, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that loot and corruption are at their peak under the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, and that the government has left the common people to their fate.

Rampant corruption and a culture of commission prevail in every department, affecting all government work. The BJP government has earmarked funds in the budget in the name of smart cities, but the so-called smart cities, including the capital, Lucknow, remain in poor condition. Widespread potholes and waterlogging pose serious risks to peoples lives. People are dying after falling into open drains, he alleged.

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In a statement on Sunday, the SP President said, Even after a government expenditure of Rs 20,000 crore, what have the people of Prayagraj received other than waterlogging? The water brimming in the deep pits of corruption exposes the BJPs scams and frauds.

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Akhilesh Yadav said, Where are the BJP leaders who ruined the concept of smart cities and have now disappeared with their boats? There is a severe flood situation in many districts of the state. From Prayagraj to Varanasi, thousands of homes are submerged. The government made no prior preparations for flood management, rescue, or relief. The public is in distress, while the engines of the BJP government are busy serving their own interests instead of working for the people, he remarked.

The SP President said that dozens of districts in the state  including Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Banda, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Auraiya, Varanasi, Agra, Etawah, Fatehpur, Kanpur Dehat, and Ballia  are in the grip of floods due to rising river levels and heavy rainfall. Lakhs of people have been affected. Farmers crops have been destroyed, and both the common people and livestock are suffering. He alleged that due to the governments negligence and inefficiency, the affected people have not received any assistance.

The common people and farmers are disappointed with the BJP governments attitude, and the public is fed up with the party, he alleged.
The Rajasthan unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to observe August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Divas) to commemorate the tragic consequences of the Partition of India, state party president Madan Rathore announced.

Rathore said that the Partition, which came into effect on August 14, 1947, brought immense trauma and suffering to countless citizens, displacing lakhs of people.

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Many citizens lost everything they had and were forced to live as refugees. Numerous people even lost their lives in the violent clashes that followed the Partition, he stated.

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By remembering the suffering and sacrifices of countless Indians, we will pay heartfelt tributes to all those patriots and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding national unity, integrity, and strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood, said Rathore, a sitting Rajya Sabha MP.

He added that on the following day, Independence Day (August 15), BJP workers will strive to distribute the national flag to every household so that all families can hoist the tricolour, contributing to the success of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

Our workers will reach out to people from all communities and backgrounds, irrespective of their faith, ideology, or political affiliation, to distribute the flag and encourage everyone to hoist the tricolour, rising above party lines, the BJP state president said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has refuted questions raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Earlier, on June 12, the ECI had written a letter to Gandhi, referencing an article published in a leading media outlet dated June 7, 2025.

In its communication, the ECI on its official X handle wrote: The entire election process is conducted in a decentralized manner at the Assembly constituency level, involving more than 1,00,186 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 288 Electoral Registration Officers, 139 General Observers, 41 Police Observers, 71 Expenditure Observers, and 288 Returning Officers appointed by the Commission. Additionally, 1,08,026 booth-level agents were appointed by national and state political parties, including 28,241 from the Indian National Congress (INC) across the state of Maharashtra.

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The Commission has dismissed all allegations posed by Gandhi regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

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The exercise has come under scrutiny following claims of procedural lapses, arbitrary documentation standards, and the potential disenfranchisement of millions of voters.

The ECI said during preparation of electoral roll for Lok Sabha 2024, both the drafts and final electoral list were shared with the political parties, including INC and were appealable under section 24 of the peoples representation Act 1950.

Hardly any appeal were filed across all 36 states and Union territories by INC.

The ECI has further said only 8 election petitions were filed by losing candidate of the INC under section 80 of RP Act 1951.

The ECI further said: Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly made unsubstantiated and misleading allegation including baseless claims of Vote Chori, and has threatened lakhs and lakhs of hardworking election officials across the country. It appears that these unfounded allegations are intended to discredit their impartial and transparent hard work, attempt to exert undue pressure on the election machinery, and even threaten them without even filing an appeal against electoral roll.

Launched on June 24, 2025, the SIR targets individuals whose names were not present in the 2003 electoral rolls.

Approximately 2.9 crore votersout of Bihars 7.8 crore registered electoratehave been asked to submit proof of citizenship to remain on the rolls. The Commission has excluded Aadhaar as standalone proof of citizenship, citing its vulnerability to forgery.

In response, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) filed a rejoinder in the Supreme Court, calling the exclusion patently absurd and arguing that all 11 accepted documents are equally susceptible to falsification.

ADR also raised concerns about the lack of a defined verification procedure and the excessive workload assigned to Electoral Registration Officers, each reportedly responsible for over 3 lakh forms.

Opposition parties have intensified their criticism of the exercise.

The Trinamool Congress released images of residential certificates allegedly issued to a dog named Dog Babu and a woman named Sonalika Tractor, whose parents were listed as Sawraj Taractor and Car Devi.

The party claims such documents were accepted as valid proof during the revision process.

Trinamool MP Sagarika Ghose called the exercise a threat to democratic integrity and demanded a parliamentary debate.

She alleged that while the revision is underway in Bihar, its political implications may extend to West Bengal.

In its July 10 directive, the Supreme Court urged the Election Commission to consider Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents in the interest of justice.
The flood situation in Varanasi and Prayagraj worsened on Sunday as the waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and other rivers entered several localities.

As tomorrow is the last Monday of the holy month of Sravan, devotees thronged the inundated 84 ghats of Kashi to take Ganga jal.

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A report from Varanasi said that in many areas, including Assi, Samneghat, and Maruti Nagar, the water of the Ganga and Varuna rivers has reached the roads. Waters have also entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Sheetla temple and Ratneshwar Mahadev temple.

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The Chiraigaon area is the most affected by the floods. Flood water has reached many villages of the Dhab area, including Chittauni, Chandpur, Mustafabad, Babhanpura, and Amba, due to which the agricultural fields were also submerged in water.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal said that policemen are patrolling in boats at night to prevent theft and other criminal activities in flood-affected areas.

District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said that those spreading misleading information related to floods on social media are being closely monitored. The NDRF, Water Police, and specially trained PAC force have been deployed for flood relief and emergency rescue operations.

Bathing, swimming, and boating in the river have been completely banned in all the ghats of Varanasi. The general public has been asked not to take any kind of risk, given the flood situation. Citizens are being alerted by making announcements from time to time through loudspeakers and other means.

District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Sunday conducted a surprise inspection of flood-affected areas and relief camps at Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Hukulganj, Chitrakoot Convent Intermediate College, and Prathmik Vidyalaya, Saraiya. During this, he took stock of the arrangements and gave necessary instructions to the officials.

According to the report of the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Ganga River reached 71.56 meters on Sunday morning in Varanasi, which is above the danger mark of 71.26 meters. The water level of the Ganga is increasing at the rate of 3 cms per hour.

Meanwhile, another report from Prayagraj said over 16.15 lakh population in the district is in the grip of flood and the heavy rains for the past couple of days.

Ganga and Yamuna rivers have once again assumed their dangerous form, and a similar situation to the 1978 floods could be witnessed. The water level of both major rivers is constantly flowing above the danger mark, due to which the crisis in the low-lying areas of the city is deepening.

The way Ganga and Yamuna are flowing above the danger mark, the Central Water Commission has also predicted a further rise in the Ganga and Yamuna. People trapped in flood areas are being taken to safe places by the NDRF and the Civil Defence. People are also being sent to flood relief camps.

According to the district administration, at 8 am on Sunday, the water level of Yamuna river was recorded at 85.54 meters, which is 84 cm above the danger mark. The water level of Ganga river was recorded at 85.49 meters (81 cm above danger level) in Phaphamau, 84.81 meters (76 cm above) in Chhatnag, and 85.47 meters (81 cm above) at Bakshi Bandh.

On the other hand, on Sunday, life has been badly affected due to heavy rain in the Prayagraj district. Due to heavy rains since around 4 am, people were forced to remain inside their houses. Due to continuous rain for 5 hours, waterlogging in the city has started.

The roads under the Niranjan bridge were completely blocked due to waterlogging. Similarly, in front of Prayagraj Railway Station, water up to knee height was witnessed. The situation of the old city has gone from bad to worse; localities like Shahganj, Nakhas Kohna, Patthar Gali, Bakshi Bazaar, and Rauza have also been affected by the rains, and in the posh areas, waterlogging was reported at many places like Civil Lines, Tagore Town, Georgetown, Colonelganj, Katra, and Allahpur.

The Weather Department has issued a warning saying that rain is predicted from morning to evening in Prayagraj. An alert has also been issued for lightning. A red alert has also been issued by the district administration.
In a tragic road accident on Sunday morning, an SUV carrying 16 passengers plunged into the overflowing Saryu canal in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, leading to the death of 11 people, including nine members of the same family, while one girl is still missing.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the loss of lives and expressed grief over the accident.

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President Murmu conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, The news of the tragic accident in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, is deeply saddening. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.

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PM Modi announced financial assistance. As per the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), Rs 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund.

Chief Minister Adityanath described the incident as extremely heartbreaking and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also instructed district officials to ensure immediate and adequate treatment for the injured.

The incident occurred around 10 AM near the Itiyathok police station. The victims were on their way to offer prayers at the Prithvinath temple when the vehicle lost control and veered off the road.

According to eyewitnesses, the speeding vehicle slipped on the rain-soaked road and fell into the canal. The water level was high due to continuous rain, and the vehicle was completely submerged moments after falling. Tragically, all doors got locked due to the water pressure, trapping passengers inside. Local villagers jumped into the canal in an attempt to rescue those trapped, but could not open the vehicle doors. Eventually, they managed to pull the vehicle near the banks using ropes and break the window to rescue four passengers.

Among the deceased are six women, two men, and three children, while 10-year-old Rachna is still missing. An SDRF team is continuing the search operation for her.

The survivors include a girl named Pinky, who recounted the horrifying moments, saying, We were singing devotional songs when the vehicle suddenly slipped and fell into the canal. Everything went blank after that.

Those who died in the accident belonged to an extended family from Sihav village under Motiganj police station. Among the deceased were Beena (44), and her daughters Kajal (22) and Mahak alias Rinki (14); her brother-in-law Ramkaran (36), his wife Ansuya (34), son Shubh (7), and daughter Saumya (9); and her younger brother-in-law Ramroops wife Durgesh Nandini (35) and son Amit (14).

In addition, Sanju (26) and Anju alias Gudia (20), relatives of Prahlads neighbor Ramlalan Verma, also died. Prahlads children, Pinky and Satyam, neighbor Ramlalan, and the driver, Sitaraman, were injured.

Prahlad Kasodhan, the head of the family, was not in the vehicle at the time. He is the manager of a local intermediate college named Mewalal Inter College in the village. The family had left for Prithvi Nath temple, approximately 50 km away, at around 9:30 AM and had covered about half the distance when the accident occurred.

The horrifying visuals that emerged after the accident showed bodies lying on the roadside, with people attempting CPR to revive them. The entire village is in mourning for the incident.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, on Sunday, visited the disaster-affected areas of Thunag, Bakshyar, and Janjehli in Siraj Assembly Constituency of Mandi district. During the visit, the Governor met with affected families and distributed essential relief materials.

The Governor first interacted with disaster victims in Thunag and remarked that the sub-division had suffered the most damage in the recent natural calamity, with extensive losses to private property, land, and livestock.

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He informed that compensation cases amounting to over 3 crore have been approved for final sanction.

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Commending the resilience of the local people, the Governor said, Despite the massive loss, the courage and determination of the residents here are truly commendable. While complete compensation for the damage is not possible, every effort will be made to provide assistance at all levels.

He emphasized the need to consider both internal resources and additional arrangements to tackle such situations effectively.

Shukla also visited the relief camp at Bakshyar and held discussions with affected residents at the PWD Rest House in Thunag. He later visited Panchayat Ghar Pakhred and reviewed the situation in the affected areas of Jhundi and Pakhred panchayats.

The Governor also met disaster-hit families in Janjehli and offered words of comfort.

He informed that five truckloads of relief material had already been dispatched to Mandi and one to Kullu from Raj Bhavan. He assured that more assistance would be sent promptly if requested by the district administration.

Calling the calamity a major disaster, the Governor said immediate restoration is a challenge, and there is a pressing need to take preventive measures to avoid such situations in the future.

Referring to the Supreme Courts observations on environmental protection, he said these must be taken seriously and acted upon collectively.

The Governor also mentioned that a central team had been sent by the Government of India to assess both the causes of the disaster and the extent of the damage, which will help guide future planning and mitigation efforts.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who also accompanied the Governor, stated that people are still in deep shock as their sources of livelihood have been destroyed.

He appreciated the state government for restoring essential services like roads, electricity, and water supply through the district administration. He also thanked the Governor for extending support through the Red Cross.

Thakur said rehabilitation remains a major challenge as most of the affected people are still living in temporary arrangements.

During the visit, local residents also shared their experiences and concerns with the Governor.
Pragya Singh Thakur, recently acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, thanked the Special NIA Court in Mumbai for its verdict and said on Sunday that the decision is a slap on the face of those who maliciously coined the term saffron terror.

Pragya Thakur arrived in Bhopal on Sunday for the first time since the verdict. Donning a saffron robe, the Sadhvi told media persons at Raja Bhoj International Airport here that the Special NIA Courts decision was a victory for Hindutva.

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This is a victory for Saffron and Hindutva. Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs) has been upheld. Those who falsely propagated a fabricated term like saffron terror have been exposed and shamed, Pragya Thakur averred.

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The society and the country have given a befitting reply to those who coined the term saffron terror. The courts decision is clear, and it is a slap on the face of our opponents, asserted Pragya Thakur, the former BJP Lok Sabha Member from Bhopal.

She was accorded a grand welcome at her Bhopal residence with flower garlands, amid drumbeats and the distribution of sweets.

The Special NIA Court of Justice A K Lahoti on 31 July acquitted all seven accused of the Malegaon bomb blast case, including Pragya Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, stating there was no credible or concrete evidence against them.

On 29 September 2008, six Muslims were killed and over 100 others were injured in a bomb blast near a mosque in Malegaon town in Maharashtras Nashik district.

During the investigation, seven prime accused were listed, including Pragya Thakur, as investigators claimed that a motorcycle registered in her name was used to plant the bomb that eventually exploded. She was arrested in October 2008 on charges of terrorism.

The investigation was subsequently handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011.

At a hearing in the Special NIA Court in Mumbai in April this year, the NIA had sought the strictest possible punishment  the death penalty  for all the accused, including Pragya Thakur.

The court had reserved its final verdict for 8 May, but it was deferred, and finally pronounced on 31 July.
Following an altercation, a 40-year-old man was stabbed to death by his live-in partner at their residence in Gurgaon, police said.

The deceased, identified as Harish Sharma, a native of Baliyawas village, was murdered by a woman, Yashmeet Kaur, 27, on Saturday, the police said.

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The incident took place after an altercation between the couple over the deceaseds visit to his family.

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Harish, who was married and had two daughters from his wife, had reportedly been staying with Kaur in a rented accommodation for the past one and a half years due to his spouses illness.

A police officer from the DLF Phase-3 police station said, We were informed about the incident after the local hospital reported about a grievously injured person who was declared dead upon arrival.

This crime team, along with forensic experts, went to the spot, Sector 72, where they recovered a knife and a blood-stained T-shirt from the scene.

Harishs nephew, who also worked with him, then filed a complaint, where he told the police that on Friday, a man named Vijay came to meet Harish at their residence and requested for Rs 7 lakh, which the family provided.

In his statement, he mentioned that On Saturday night, Harish was having a conversation with his wife when Kaur walked in, which led to an argument between the two.

Post the argument, in a fit of rage, Kaur took a knife and stabbed Sharma in his chest. Although he was taken to the hospital, he succumbed to the injuries, the nephew alleged.

Vijay, who was also reportedly present in another room, is also under investigation. Meanwhile, the victims nephew has alleged that both Kaur and Vijay had planned the murder, a senior officer mentioned.

The officer added further in his statement, Kaur, who resides in Delhis Ashok Nagar, has been taken into custody, where she has confessed to the crime, adding that the murder weapon, stained with blood, was retrieved from the flat.

A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the BNS, and an investigation into this case is ongoing.

In a similar murder case in Delhi, police arrested a woman and her boyfriend for allegedly plotting and murdering her husband and dumping his body in a drain.
The body of the 15-year-old girl, who sustained 75 per cent burn injuries after allegedly being set ablaze by unidentified assailants in Odishas Balanga on July 19 and died at AIIMS on Saturday, was handed over to the family after completing autopsy procedures at the hospital. Her body would be airlifted back to her native place in Odisha.

Speaking to a news agency, her father, Himmat Ali, said, I dont want to point fingers at anyone. Everyone prayed for my daughter, irrespective of their religion. I am not upset with anyone. My daughter was not part of my destiny. I dont want to blame anyone.

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I request you to please keep me and my family away from politics. Everything was fine until she was at home with us. I dont know how this happened, he added.

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Her uncle stated, God has taken her away from us; we cannot blame anyone now. The government has helped us a lot, along with the doctors and hospital staff. Everyone has done their job perfectly; we dont have a problem with anyone. Her father has slipped into depression and is not in a state to speak.

Meanwhile, her brother said, We cannot even express the extent of our grief. She was a vibrant 15-year-old girl but struggled immensely; she stayed in the hospital for 14 days. We always had hope that, even though recovery would take time, she would be fine and come home.

Yesterday morning, we were told she was talking and doing fine. We dont know what happened in the afternoon; she was in a lot of discomfort and was put on a ventilator. By the evening, we had lost her, he added.

The incident came to light on July 19, when the girl was returning home after meeting a friend and was intercepted by unknown men near the banks of the Bhargavi River.

According to her mothers statement, her daughter was allegedly kidnapped by the men, who poured an inflammable substance on her and set her ablaze.

A villager, an eyewitness to the horrific scene, said, I heard her crying and managed to douse the flames.

Before being admitted to the nearby hospital, she named three men who attacked her, he added.

The victim was initially taken to the Pipili Community Health Centre and later shifted to AIIMS in Bhubaneswar.

Due to the severity of her burns, she was airlifted to AIIMS in Delhi the next day, where she underwent multiple surgeries and skin grafting.

The police recorded her statement in the presence of a magistrate just a day before her passing.

Despite the survivors statement and the eyewitnesss account, Odisha Police have maintained that no third-party involvement has been found during their investigation.

The incident follows the recent death of a 20-year-old college student who set herself on fire after being sexually harassed.
In a significant step towards achieving the goal of transforming Uttar Pradeshs economy into a one trillion-dollar economy, the state government has launched the One Block, One Crop initiative.

The programme aims to boost the cultivation, processing, marketing, branding, and export of region-specific horticultural crops across different agro-climatic zones in the state.

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UP Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Foreign Trade, and Agricultural Export, Dinesh Pratap Singh, said here on Sunday that the programme will promote high-value and specialty crops at the block level based on the suitability of agro-climatic conditions.

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He emphasised the increasing trend of horticultural farming in the state, noting that in the past six to seven years, more than 3 lakh hectares have been brought under fruit and vegetable cultivation, resulting in an increase of over 211 lakh metric tonnes in production.

Singh highlighted that horticulture plays a crucial role in the economic development of Uttar Pradesh. Under the One Block, One Crop scheme, efforts will be made to integrate farmers into a complete crop-based value chain in selected areas. This, in turn, is expected to enhance farmers incomes and strengthen the states agricultural export potential.

To ensure effective implementation, the government will observe a One Block, One Crop Week from August 4 to August 8, 2025. During this week, seminars and awareness programs will be conducted at the district and block levels. These seminars will be chaired by the Divisional Deputy Directors of Horticulture. A state-level coordination committee has also been formed to monitor and coordinate with district and divisional officials.

The Minister stated that the seminars will include participation from farmers, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), representatives from agriculture and allied departments, mandi councils, marketing and export promotion agencies, and other key stakeholders. Farmers will be provided with information about departmental schemes, technical know-how, processing techniques, quality standards, packaging, and export opportunities related to the selected crops.

He directed all district horticulture officers to ensure the smooth organisation of seminars based on the selected crops in their respective development blocks and to report progress to the Directorate of Horticulture in a timely manner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

However, no details were disclosed about the meeting.

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In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Rashtrapati Bhavan also shared photos of the meeting on the post on X.

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The meeting comes days after both Houses of Parliament witnessed heated exchanges and adjournments during the initial days of the Monsoon Session over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar.

The INDIA bloc has been consistently protesting against the SIR drive, alleging it was being used selectively and disproportionately, potentially leading to large-scale voter list deletions. The Election Commission has defended the drive, stating it aims to ensure accurate and updated voter rolls.

PM Modis meeting with President Murmu was also days after US President Donald Trumps decision to slap a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and calling Indias economy dead.

Last week, Trump announced imposing 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods and an unspecified penalty over purchases from Russia, starting August 1. India will be paying a tariff of 25 per cent starting on August 1, Trump posted on Truth Social. He said India would also face an additional tariff penalty for buying Russian energy.

On Saturday, PM Modi visited Varanasi, where he released the 20th instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, transferring an amount of more than Rs 20,500 crores into the bank accounts of 9.7 crore farmers. With this release, the total disbursement under the scheme since its inception has surpassed Rs 3.90 lakh crore.

The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by the Prime Minister to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under the scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is transferred in three equal instalments into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth around Rs 2,200 crore in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi.
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a flagship initiative of the Union Government, is designed to revolutionize Indias agricultural sector by fostering inclusive and sustainable growth in 100 agri-districts.

The scheme aims to achieve this through saturation-based convergence of 36 Central government schemes, backed by an annual outlay of 24,000 crore over a period of six years, starting from the current financial year.

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First announced in the Union Budget 202526, PMDDKY ensures the coordinated delivery of existing programmes to the last-mile farmer, minimizing duplication and maximizing impact.

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According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the scheme draws inspiration from the successful Aspirational Districts Programme and is projected to directly benefit 1.7 crore farmers across the country.

The key objectives of the scheme include enhancing agricultural productivity;

promoting crop diversification; improving post-harvest storage; strengthening irrigation infrastructure, and ensuring both short-term and long-term credit availability for farmers.

These efforts are aimed not only at boosting farm incomes but also at promoting climate-resilient and market-oriented farming practices.

The 100 districts will be identified based on indicators such as low productivity, low cropping intensity, and limited credit disbursement.

The allocation of districts per state or union territory will be proportionate to the share of Net Cropped Area and operational holdings, with a minimum of one district from each state to ensure balanced geographical representation.

Each selected district will establish a District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) Samiti, chaired by the District Collector. These committees will oversee the coordinated implementation of all converging schemes tailored to the districts agro-climatic conditions and cropping patterns.

Progress will be tracked via 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on a central monitoring dashboard, reviewed monthly to assess implementation, identify bottlenecks, and ensure accountability.

Similar convergence teams will be formed at the state level, with responsibilities mirroring those at the district level.

At the central level, two oversight teams will be constitutedone comprising Union Ministers and another composed of Secretaries and senior departmental officersto guide strategic planning, execution, and problem-solving.

To strengthen field-level oversight, Central Nodal Officers will be appointed for each district to conduct regular field visits, monitor performance, and liaise with local teams.

In addition to crop farming, the scheme will also prioritize sectors such as horticulture, fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and agroforestry, ensuring a holistic approach to rural development.

Leveraging scale, technology, and institutional coordination, PMDDKY is poised to be a game changer for rural transformation, the ministry stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while announcing the scheme, reaffirmed the governments commitment to transforming the lives of farmers.

This will not only increase crop production in districts that have lagged behind in the agricultural sector but also boost the income of our food providers, the Prime Minister posted on X.

We are committed to bringing a significant change in the lives of our farmer brothers and sisters. In this direction, the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Agriculture Scheme has been approved today, he added.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, gave final approval to the scheme last month, marking a major policy step in Indias agrarian transformation journey.
Police used mild force to disperse the supporters of two tribal groups, which clashed and threw stones at each other, during a Bhim assembly in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan on Sunday.

A big congregation of tribals was held by the Banswara  Dungarpur MP and the Bharat Aadiwasi Party (BAP) chief Rajkumar Roat on the major issue of social justice. However, in the deliberations at the meeting, the issue of the enhanced compensation (of Rs 50 lakh) to victims of Piplodi school ceiling Collapse dominated. It led to a situation of a divided house over the issue, apparently, due to a political allegiance-related tussle, official sources said.

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The trouble erupted when a local Jhalawar group of tribals led by the ABVP leader and former student union president Arvind Bhil, reached the venue of the sammelan to attend the programme. The group was opposed and stopped by the organiser, MP Roat, supporting the BAP group. This led to heated exchanges and even a scuffle, police said.

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The police intervened and used batons to disperse the clashing groups. The police also took Arvind Bhil into custody and escorted him to the police station.

This again agitated his supporters, who tried to resist the polices bid to take Arvind Bhil away and also clashed with the Roat group. Some from the mob also threw stones.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is closely monitoring the flood situation in Uttar Pradesh and issuing timely directives to ensure effective relief efforts.

Acting on his instructions, state ministers are inspecting flood-affected areas. Relief Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami reported that the floods have impacted 37 tehsils and 402 villages, affecting a total of 84,392 people. Of these, 47,906 individuals have received assistance, while 2,759 animals have been relocated to safer areas.

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Seventeen districts  including Kanpur Nagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Agra, Auraiya, Chitrakoot, Ballia, Banda, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chandauli, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Hamirpur, Etawah, and Fatehpur  are currently grappling with flood-related challenges. Relief and rescue operations are in full swing, supported by continuous patrolling by personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and PAC.

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Floods have damaged 343 homes so far, and compensation has already been provided to 327 families. Additionally, more than 4,015 hectares of agricultural land have been affected. Relief supplies are being delivered using 493 boats and motorboats.

To support those impacted, 6,536 food packets and 76,632 lunch packets have been distributed. Furthermore, 29 community kitchens (langars) have been set up to provide fresh meals to victims.

The UP government is also prioritizing livestock welfare. Around 500 quintals of fodder have been distributed. To prevent water-borne diseases, 1,29,571 chlorine tablets and 37,089 ORS packets have been supplied.

A total of 905 flood shelters is operational, currently housing 11,248 displaced individuals. As many as 757 health teams are conducting medical check-ups, and 1,193 flood posts have been established to monitor the evolving situation.

Ministers Inspecting Flood-Affected Areas and Staying Overnight in Districts: Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi  Prayagraj; Swatantra Dev Singh and Sanjay Gangwar  Jalaun; Swatantra Dev Singh and Pratibha Shukla  Auraiya; Ramkesh Nishad  Hamirpur; Jaiveer Singh  Agra; Nand Gopal Gupta  Mirzapur and Banda; Suresh Khanna  Varanasi; Sanjay Nishad  Kanpur Dehat; Dharamveer Prajapati  Etawah; Ajit Pal  Fatehpur, and Dayashankar Dayalu  Ballia.
In declaring a sharply reduced deadline for a Ukraine ceasefire, US President Donald Trump has added urgency ~ and confusion ~ to an already volatile geopolitical situation. The move, cutting down his earlier 50-day ultimatum to just 10 or 12 days, underscores a familiar Trumpian pattern: bold rhetoric, high stakes, and the calculated use of unpredictability. Yet, behind the dramatic flair lies a deeper tension between political theatre and diplomatic reality. The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year after Russias full-scale invasion, has reached a brutal and stagnant phase. Ukrainian cities continue to face missile and drone strikes, while the eastern front grinds on. In this context, Mr Trumps ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin may appear decisive, but it does not address the underlying complexity. Ceasefires are not compelled by deadlines alone; they require mutual trust, enforceable guarantees, and conditions that both parties can live with. None of that exists today. Military conflicts shaped by entrenched territorial, political, and ideological stakes rarely yield to arbitrary timetables. Deadlines may resonate in speeches, but on the battlefield, they hold little practical value.

To Mr Trumps supporters, his call may seem like a return to peace through strength. Indeed, Ukrainian officials responded warmly, interpreting it as a forceful message to Moscow. But even they likely understand the limitations. Russia has neither acknowledged the new deadline nor shown any inclination to reconsider its maximalist demands  including Ukraines neutrality and demilitarisation  which remain unacceptable to Kyiv. The proposed threat of secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia is another bold gambit. In theory, such measures could severely damage Russias global trade ties and deter third-party cooperation. In practice, however, implementing a 100 per cent duty on Russianlinked imports could alienate US allies and fragment international consensus. It may also push some countries to deepen ties with non-Western blocs, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of sanctions. The deeper question, then, is whether this ultimatum is a genuine diplomatic manoeuvre or a calculated political statement. Mr Trumps comments ~ ranging from his expressed disappointment in Mr Putin to his abrupt Im not gonna talk anymore ~ suggest a petulant leader, both disillusioned and disengaged.

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The suggestion that Mr Putin and he got along very well further complicates the signal being sent. In setting an impossibly short clock for peace, Mr Trump may be positioning himself for the blame game, not the bargaining table. If Mr Putin fails to comply ~ as seems inevitable ~ Mr Trump can claim he tried and pivot to punitive measures without engaging in the painstaking work of diplomacy. Ultimately, peace in Ukraine will not be secured through countdown clocks or press briefings. It will require sustained pressure, strategic patience, and a cohesive Western front. While Mr Trumps deadline may generate headlines, its actual impact ~ unless backed by clear diplomatic channels and international coordination ~ risks being cosmetic at best and counterproductive at worst.

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An audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), uncovered 51 safety violations at Air India, including seven Level I lapses ~ those considered serious enough to seriously endanger safety. These revelations arrive in the shadow of the Air India Flight 171 crash of 12 June, a tragedy that claimed 241 lives on board and 19 on the ground, with dozens more injured in Ahmedabads B.J. Medical College area. AI 171 ~ a Boeing 787 8 Dreamliner bound for London ~ lost engine power seconds after takeoff. Both fuel control switches inexplicably shifted to CUTOFF, resulting in a complete loss of thrust. After a last-minute Mayday call, the aircraft crashed into a densely populated neighbourhood.

It was the deadliest aviation disaster in India in nearly thirty years, and the first fatal hull loss of a Boeing 787. While DGCA has stated that larger carriers tend to generate a higher number of audit findings due to their complexity, this explanation offers little comfort. Serious failures such as inadequate pilot training, use of unapproved simulators, and poor rostering are not inevitable by-products of scale ~ they are symptoms of operational complacency and oversight failure. Indias aviation boom has outpaced its regulatory preparedness. With increased routes, newer fleets, and ambitious international tie-ups, operational complexity is rising faster than oversight capacity. This imbalance must be corrected.

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A robust civil aviation sector needs not only investment and expansion, but deeprooted institutional vigilance. Without strengthening DGCAs resources, staffing, and independence, expecting sustained safety in a liberalised market is not only unrealistic ~ it is dangerous. The fact that some violations were self-reported is a welcome development, suggesting a shift towards a more transparent safety culture. But transparency must not be mistaken for accountability. If DGCA fails to act firmly on these findings, it risks creating a precedent where disclosure becomes a substitute for action. Level I violations demand not only internal fixes but also public timelines, independent verification, and regulatory enforcement. This is not just about Air India. It is about a regulatory and operational ecosystem that must adapt to the evolving demands of air safety.

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Scheduled audits and post-event reviews can no longer serve as the backbone of aviation oversight. What is needed is a real-time, technology-enabled system of monitoring, supported by surprise inspections and ongoing crew performance audits. Public confidence in Indias skies is fragile, especially in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad crash. Flyers have expressed heightened anxiety, and the psychological toll of repeated aviation tragedies cannot be dismissed. Rebuilding trust will require more than press releases and procedural assurances ~ it will need visible, sustained, and systemic reform. Safety is not a formality ~ it is a culture. It must be reinforced from the cockpit to the boardroom, with the DGCA leading by example. If India is to prevent another tragedy, it must move beyond audits-as-routine and toward enforcement-as-commitment. The skies ~ and passengers ~ demand nothing less.
The exit of a much battered, and chastened, Elon Musk from DOGE was widely celebrated by his critics. Musk is a man with many epic successes and failures behind him ~ with an unblemished record of learning from his failures, and turning them into successes ~ all before you can say Jack Robinson. But Musk who pushed down the costs of rocket launches and space exploration by ninety per cent, revolutionised online payments, upended the car industry, and changed much more, met his match in the American bureaucracy.

The DOGE experiment has been keenly watched, with many political leaders in many countries ~ mostly from opposition parties ~ raring to imitate Musk in grinding down bureaucracy to dust. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, adopted the Musk and Trump agenda, and was promptly rewarded by voters with a substantial poll lead over the ruling party (Labour) in local elections, with many rooting for his ramshackle outfit as a potential party of government. Notably, Reform UK has launched a DOGE (UK) in councils, and punters are now betting on Farage becoming the next Prime Minister. Anti-establishment rhetoric, with appeals for private sector efficiency in government departments, is not unusual.

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Much earlier, Arvind Kejriwal  a career civil servant, and a rank outsider to politics ~ contesting on a promise of good governance, thrice got a mandate from the people of Delhi, twice with an overwhelming majority. It is quite another matter that most of Kejriwals governance initiatives were torpedoed by the Central Government, and in a classic case of when you cant beat them join them, Kejriwal and his colleagues decided to behave like conventional politicians ~ only to end up in jail on charges of corruption. Despite the Kejriwal fiasco, many in India still want hidebound politicians and bureaucrats to be replaced by smart outsiders. Trump, even after many years in government, down entire government departments, and firing thousands of government employees.

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However, as Musk and Trump soon found out, disruption is easy but rebuilding is extremely difficult. DOGE initially promised to cut Federal expenditure by US$2 trillion, but Musk revised the goal to US$1 trillion in April 2025, which has further been pared down to US$ 150 billion. Some studies suggest that, after redundancy payments and other legal costs are factored in, DOGE will end up costing more than what it saved. Additionally, the US Government is facing a number of law suits, across the US, filed by people affected by DOGE actions. Musk did not profit much by his association with the government. Rather, Musk became the second most hated man after Trump, unsavoury details about his personal life were published in the media, and his businesses suffered greatly, prompting him to throw in the towel, on the 129th day of his appointment.

The DOGE ex  periment has a number of lessons for eager beavers aiming to reform public administration:

a) Brilliant business and military leaders fail at political governance because their colleagues i.e., fellow politicians have their own predilections and interests, and bureaucrats do not obey orders blindly; before implementation, bureaucrats test all political decisions on the anvil of existing SOPs, circulars and instructions. When the Duke of Wellington, of Waterloo fame, became the Prime Minister in 1828, he said after his first cabinet meeting: I gave them their orders and they wanted to stay and discuss them! No wonder the Duke is remembered as one of Britains ablest generals, but the worst Prime Minister of the nineteenth century.

b) Faceless bureaucrats take thousands of decisions daily that affect the lives of innumerable people. With a view to enhance efficiency in governance, reformers like Musk attempt to change the rules and procedures of taking such decisions, but such changes are often challenged in courts, which test the changes in light of existing regulations. It is, therefore not surprising that DOGE is being opposed in court in thirty lawsuits, some brought about by fourteen State attorneys general; hundreds of Freedom of Information requests have also been filed, which may result in even more lawsuits. Conclusion: Potential reformers have to be masters at countering lawfare i.e., strategic use of legal proceedings or legal systems to harm or intimidate an opponent.

c) Sometimes, there is a need for complicated regulations. In a famous anecdote, a British Foreign Secretary once asked a reformer: Sir, can you, with your simplified rules, determine the nationality of an illegitimate child born to a Haitian woman, from a Brazilian man, on a French ship, anchored in British waters? Therefore, Musks obsession with minimalism, which translated into the war cry Delete! for all unnecessary things, like landing gear for rockets, failed miserably in Government.

d) The failure of DOGE has conclusively proved that outsiders cannot reform governance in the US, without first learning how to run it. It may be instructive to view governance reform in the Indian context. Reform of the bureaucracy was on top of the agenda of NDA 1.0, for which it had the necessary public support, but the Government faltered when flagship initiatives like demonetisation and GST ran into problems. NDA 2.0 initiated administrative reforms in September 2020, by launching the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (Mission Karmayogi), aimed at capacity building of Government employees, by upgrading their training mechanism. Thereafter, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) published a draft Framework of Roles, Activities and Competencies (FRAC), providing an overview of the guiding principles, common vocabulary and steps required to complete the pre-FRAC process.

Later, in May 2021, the Government floated a Request for Proposal for hiring a private consultant to design and develop a FRAC for civil servants, so that the country can have a fit-for-future civil service. FRAC was to complement Mission Karmayogi, and was, eventually slated to dovetail into it. Working in tandem, both would have provided enhanced competencies and better-defined roles and activity profiles at all levels, leading to a Roles based HR Management System for the bureaucracy instead of the present Rules based one.

This was probably the last we heard about FRAC ~ unceremoniously scuppered by the entrenched bureaucracy. However, reforming the bureaucracy is not rocket science. Routine measures that would improve governance with little effort, like giving proper training to subordinate Government employees and formulating SOPs for them, in light of recent technical advances, could easily be attempted. Then, a matrix of responsibility and accountability for government employees needs to be worked out, so that dereliction of duty can be identified and dealt with. Lastly, the procedure to book delinquent officers needs to be streamlined by getting rid of the meaningless rigmarole that makes action against bureaucrats virtually impossible. These steps would put the fear of God in lower-level functionaries.

The last time this approach was adopted was in 1975 ~ during the much reviled Emergency ~ and it succeeded spectacularly. All said, the corruption, inefficiency and lack of initiative of the bureaucracy is intriguing, given the fact that Government service is the employment of choice for the flower of Indian youth, who have excelled magnificently, even in the highly competitive American corporate world. Perhaps, to have an efficient and performing bureaucracy, the Government needs to put in place a framework of evaluation where good performance, excellence and initiative are rewarded, and corruption and non-performance are punished. Looking to the DOGE experience, reforms proposed by DOGE have often been stalled by courts, but a parliamentary democracy like India, where Parliament is supreme, has a better chance of implementing ad  ministrative reforms because the Government through Parliament can change all laws standing in its way.

What is needed is a will to reform, and a well-throughout plan for reform. However, there is little chance of non-civil service personnel influencing governance in India, because even a token induction of outsiders at upper echelons of the Government has been repeatedly thwarted by the entrenched permanent bureaucracy. It is no secret that only a well-functioning bureaucracy can accelerate reforms and pitchfork us in the comity of developed nations. But, we can make full use of our human capital only in a milieu which promotes good political and bureaucratic leadership. Otherwise, we risk ending up as a country in which Wealth accumulates but men decay (The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith).

(The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax)
The four members of an Indian-origin family, who went missing from Buffalo, New York, have been found dead following a car crash, the office of Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty has confirmed.

The deceased have been identified as Dr Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan.

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The four individuals who were reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have been found deceased following a vehicle crash. The victims have been identified as Dr Kishore Divan, Mrs Asha Divan, Mr Shailesh Divan, and Mrs Gita Divan, the Doughertys office said in a statement on Saturday night.

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As per the Sheriffs office, their vehicle was located late on Saturday night off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road.

First responders were on the scene for more than five hours. Sheriff Dougherty extends condolences to the families of the victims, he said, adding that more information will be released about the circumstances surrounding their deaths after an investigation.

The Divans were last seen on Tuesday afternoon at a fast-food restaurant on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Two of the family members were seen entering the eatery and returning to their car.

Later, their vehicle was seen traveling south on Interstate 79, en route to Prabhupadas Palace of Gold in Moundsville, West Virginia. However, they didnt reach the destination.

The Sheriffs office said that it will continue to work with law enforcement agencies as they determine what exactly happened with the Divan family.

We know this is not the outcome anyone had hoped for. We are grateful for the publics assistance during the search and will continue to work with partner agencies to determine what happened, the statement added.
A complete curfew has been imposed across North Waziristan amidst rising insecurity and militant activity, while authorities in Bajaur desperately scramble to negotiate with Pakistani Taliban (TTP) leaders, urging them to either retreat to Afghanistan or vanish into the mountains, according to multiple reports by Dawn News.

On Friday, a peace march in Shewa tehsil of North Waziristan saw tribal elders, civil society representatives, political party members, and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) activists uniting against what they described as a collapsing security environment. As per Dawn News, speakers at the rally squarely blamed Pakistans state institutions for allowing the resurgence of militant elements in the region, leaving civilians to live in a state of permanent fear.

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This fear is now institutionalised, with the curfew order advising residents to remain indoors indefinitely. The curfew, a recurring tool of suppression by the Pakistan Army, comes alongside so-called peace jirgas often little more than photo-ops or pressure tactics, engaging directly with TTP commanders instead of taking any concrete action, Dawn News reported.

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In Bajaur, a 50-member delegation, including former and current PTI lawmakers, met TTP operatives in a mosque in the Lar Kalan area of Lowi Mamund tehsil to ask them to vacate populated zones. According to Dawn News, the militants refused immediate compliance, saying they needed more time to consult their handlers across the border in Afghanistan.

This disturbing theatre of appeasement exposes the deep-rooted complicity between Pakistans state machinery and extremist actors, many of whom have long been treated as strategic assets. Rather than dismantling these militant infrastructures, the state seems content to negotiate terms of coexistence.

Another jirga, held at the Bajaur Scouts headquarters in Khar and reported by Dawn News, saw military officials and politicians parroting hollow promises of lasting peace. Frontier Corps (North) Inspector General Maj Gen Rao Imran Sirtaj stated that anti-terror operations were meant to restore normalcy, a claim that rings hollow given years of cyclical violence and displacement inflicted on local Pashtun populations.

Meanwhile, reports of collateral damage, curfews, and arbitrary detentions continue to mount, with no end in sight. For many in these tribal districts, the so-called war on terror is nothing more than a cover for the Pakistan Armys colonial-style control, one that crushes local autonomy while empowering extremist groups to serve Islamabads regional ambitions.

According to Dawn News, another round of talks with the TTP is expected on Saturday. But for the people of Bajaur and North Waziristan, hope remains in short supply, held hostage by militants on one side and the Pakistani state on the other.
Qambar Baloch, General Secretary of the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC), has called for urgent international action on the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan, following a landmark seminar hosted by BASC at SOAS, University of London on July 30.

Speaking to ANI after the event, Baloch said, When we led the foundation of the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center in May 2025, our team committed to a research-driven advocacy approach to highlight and address the various human rights challenges faced by the Baloch people in Iran and Pakistan. This seminar was a direct reflection of that mission.

The seminar, titled Hidden in the Shadows: Human Rights Violations Against the Baloch in Iran and Pakistan, presented detailed findings from BASCs upcoming annual report, focusing on extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances documented throughout 2024.

Our research shows a disturbing increase in state-led violence across Baloch regions, said Baloch. These are not isolated incidents, but systematic abuses aimed at silencing a people.

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The event featured a strong lineup of speakers, including UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, and Sabiha Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), who offered testimony on repression in both Iranian and Pakistani Balochistan. Sato pledged to raise the issue before the UN Human Rights Council.

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Qambar Baloch emphasised that the seminars impact extended beyond policy. We were joined by journalists, diplomats, academics, and, most importantly, families of victims, people who continue to live in fear but refuse to be silent, he said.

He concluded with a call for accountability, urging the international community to investigate enforced disappearances and hold perpetrators responsible. We are not asking for sympathy. We are demanding justice under international law, Baloch stated.

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment from BASC to support human rights defenders and civil society actors working under threat. Qambar Baloch affirmed, We will continue our work until the Baloch people are no longer hidden in the shadows.
Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6)

Today

A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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A shower or two possible this evening with partly cloudy skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Alice, if she had wandered into our wonderland, would have found things getting curiouser and curiouser, particularly at the Honourable Bombay High Court. Deploying logic that some may call blinkered, the court peremptorily dismissed a petition by Indian citizenstheir political affiliations are immaterial to my pointchallenging Mumbai Polices refusal to allow a protest against the unfolding tragedy in Gaza.

Calling the petitioners short-sighted, the court, in reported oral observations, then blamed them for looking too far: Gaza was thousands of miles away and should not concern them. Instead, the petitioners were advised to protest local causes such as garbage disposal, illegal parking and blocked drainage. In the honourable courts wisdom, that would be patriotic. By implication, it is unpatriotic to protest against the repeated mass displacement of two million people, the killing of 60,000 civilians, the drip-feeding of humanitarian aid, the cynical cackle of mercenaries shooting at hungry children, near-famine conditions, the bulldozing of homes, hospitals and heritage.

Imaging: Deni Lal/Ai

Would the court where Bal Gangadhar Tilak was tried for sedition consider me unpatriotic if I simply want to be true to Indias essence, to just be human? If I want to retain my belief that humanity is indivisible and stretches across borders, ethnicities and religions? If I want to never forget my inherited pain of being colonised and occupied, of being beaten by imperial lathis, of being butchered by Dyers troops in Jallianwala Bagh, of being starved during the Bengal famine? If I want to hold close the memories handed down by my parents generation, memories of forced migration under looming violence, of loss of home and hearth, of becoming refugees overnight; in short, of being ethnically cleansed in the cause of partition?

Those memories are embedded in our national consciousness and if our hearts have not become mechanical calculators of profit and loss but are still pulsating founts of blood and emotion, then to protest against the starvation of Gazas children is natural. To give priority to my problems of illegal parking and garbage disposal over that apocalyptic tragedy would be truly short-sighted, and an affront to human dignity.

For that matter, it would also go against Indias long-term interests, our democratic credentials, our global ambitions: you cannot play a role in world affairs if your gaze does not extend beyond your navel. Foreign policyit needs to be clarified since the honourable court would rather that citizens leave such matters to the foreign ministryis not made in a vacuum, particularly in a democracy; domestic voices and concerns shape a countrys stances on foreign affairs. Protests reflect political opinions, and they matter: our freedom movement was one long protest.

Indias foreign policy has internationalist roots and cherishes the concept of unity of mankind: vasudhaiva kutumbakam. India pronounced on international issues even before attaining her own freedom, confident of her moral authority, smelted in our nonviolent freedom struggle. Our credibility enabled us to play a critical role in the crises in Indochina, Korea and Congo as well as in multiple UN peacekeeping operations. This credibility was earned not by worrying about our blocked drainage systems alone, important as they always are, but by taking positions on matters which were not only about ourselves, matters that impacted mankind at largeracism wherever it existed, colonialism in Asia and Africa, apartheid in South Africa. True that the world has changed, and relationships have evolved, but hopefully not so much that Indian citizens cannot even express their anguish.

We need not send out to know for whom the bells toll in Gaza. If we remain silent, the next time they may toll for us.

The writer is former ambassador to the US.
The simple phrase as soon as, which your middle-school English teacher told you is a subordinating conjunction and you are still figuring out who was subordinate to who, appears 28 times in our Constitutioneight times followed by possible and 20 times by may be.

Forget your English teacher and her Wren & Martin; lets get constitutional. There are times when the Constitution is simpler to explain than is English grammar. What I meant was: the phrase as soon as possible appears eight times in the Constitution; as soon as may be appears 20 times. Examples? Here they go.

Article 68(2) says, An election to fill a vacancy in the office of vice president occurring by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise shall be held as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy....

Article 93 says, The House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the house to be respectively speaker and deputy speaker thereof....

Imaging: Deni Lal

To you and me, both phrases mean the same for all practical purposes, and are even interchangeable, just as as soon as and no sooner than are. (Remember the number of times you had to convert sentences with as soon as into lines with no sooner than in your exercise book, and got pulled up for placing than in the wrong place?)

But the government knows grammar and the Constitution better; that as soon as possible emphasises immediacy and prompt action, whereas as soon as may be requires diligent and responsible execution within a reasonable time frame. That much has been explained, not by Wren & Martin, F.T. Wood or H.W. Fowler, but by the Supreme Court through several judgments.

Now lets look at how the rulers are following both. The vice presidency fell vacant last week. Following Article 68(2) in Devnagari letter and atmanirbhar spirit, the government is moving with alacrity to get it filled. Good job!

But in the case of the vacancy in the post of the deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha, the rulers are giving a liberal interpretation to as soon as may be mentioned in Article 93. So liberal that as soon as may be has now stretched to six years and more. The 17th Lok Sabha ran its full course without a deputy speaker; it looks like the 18th will follow suit.

Thats fine. Let the rulers decide how soon is as soon as may be.

But there are two other instances where they are treating as soon as possible as casually as as soon as may be.

One is in Article 200. It says, if a governor wants his legislature to reconsider any non-money bill, he may return it to the house as soon as possible after the presentation to him... for assent. Several governors have been interpreting this as soon as possible just like the Centre has been reading the as soon as may be in the case of the deputy speaker election. So much so, an irritated M.K. Stalin of Tamil Nadu went to court and got the judges to give a three-month deadline to governors to sign or send back a bill. Now the Centre has gone back to court with a presidential reference seeking clarifications.

The fourth as soon as pertains to a court order itself. While upholding the scrapping of Article 370 which had given a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the judges had also directed that restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest and as soon as possible. It has been one and a half years now, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting to know how soon is as soon as.

Honourable judges and learned grammarians! Can you help?

prasannan@theweek.in
Even as India remains tight-lipped on the extent of loss it suffered during the military confrontation with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, media reports had claimed that one Rafale aircraft had been downed during the operation.

Given the air superiority of the state-of-the-art French-made jets, those reports had also raised questions about the effectiveness of Western hardware against Chinese alternatives.

However, a recent Reuters report claimed that the problem was not with Rafale, but an intelligence failure concerning the range of the China-made PL-15 missile, which resulted in the downing of the aircraft.

The faulty intelligence gave the Rafale pilots a false sense of confidence that they were out of Pakistani firing distance, which they believed was only around 150 km, the news agency reported, quoting an Indian official.

Justin Bronk, an air warfare expert at London's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think-tank, claimed that the PL-15 that hit the Rafale was fired from around 200km away, according to Pakistani officials, and even farther, according to Indian officials.

Last month, Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier had reportedly said that no Rafale was shot down during the combat, but admitted that India had lost one jet due to a technical failure.

Dassault Aviation is the manufacturer of the highly sophisticated warplanes.

Reuters, in its report, quoted a few Pakistani officials as saying that Islamabad had developed a system called Data Link 17, which allowed its J-10s flying closer to India to obtain radar feeds from the surveillance plane cruising further away.

India has not yet confirmed the loss of Rafale, but asserted that no soldier had been killed or injured in the operation.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chouhan last month said India did lose some fighter jets, but New Delhi changed its tactics to inflict major damage on airbases deep across the border. He, however, didnt mention Rafale or specify the exact number of jets India had lost.

During the recent debate in parliament on Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi sought to know how many Rafale jets were shot down during the combat.

There are just 35 Rafale jets in India, and if some of them have been downed, I think it is a big loss, he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, however, skirted the oppositions question, saying it does not represent Indias national interests. They have not asked how many enemy aircraft our armed forces shot down, he said.

India launched Operation Sindoor, the military campaign against the terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on May 7, weeks after terrorists ambushed a tourist spot in Pahalgam and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, after verifying their religious identity.
Malayalam filmmaker Don Palathara, known for the acclaimed films Family, 1956 Central Travancore, and Shavam, stressed the need to let filmmakers do their job instead of allowing governments to dictate what filmmakers get to do or not. Palathara spoke at a panel on Local Talent/Creative Ecosystem and Independent Cinema in the two-day Kerala Film Policy Conclave 2025, inaugurated on August 2.

"There is no lack of talent in Kerala. We will create our own ecosystem too. Governments should free us from unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and let us do our job. I am against government funding for selected films. When a political power is involved in funding/production, it also gets a say in what is being produced. Be 'independent' in the true sense of that word," the filmmaker added.

Elaborating further, Palathara questioned why unfair, expensive demands are imposed on independent filmmakers when everything can be done more cost-effectively. "We are asked to pay for the title registration, now handled by the Kerala Film Chamber. Who are they? Why do we have to pay 60k to 1 lakh when it can clearly be done using a Google Form? Filmmakers are asked to pay for a censor certificate, too. When it is the government's need to attach 'Smoking is bad...' or 'Alcohol is bad...' tags inside our rectangular creations, why charge us? If anything, we should be compensated for vandalism."

ALSO READ: Kerala Film Policy Conclave 2025: New measures expected to bring positive changes to Kerala film industry

The Kerala film policy is expected to steer things in the right direction, considering the dark cloud that hung over the industry following the disconcerting chain of events spawned by the Hema Committee Report that happened last year.

Day 1 of the event, which saw the participation of Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, was marked by discussions on numerous issues faced by the industry, with a focus on safety, working hours, inclusivity, legal safeguards and much more.

Among the topics discussed were "defined working hours, employment laws, work overload, and job security. There was also a strong suggestion that both male and female representatives must be present in grievance redressal cells. Discussions at the conclave strongly raised the demand for legal safeguards against online hate and cyberattacks. There was also a call to form a state-level jury for selecting films for various film festivals."
The Kerala Film Policy Conclave, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at bringing about reform to the Kerala film industry through various policies, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on August 2.

The event saw the attendance of some of the industry's biggest stalwarts, including Mohanlal, apart from leading figures in South Indian cinema like Vetrimaaran and independent cinema veteran Sudhir Mishra.

Sharing the news of the inauguration of the conclave on his social media handles, the CM wrote: "Inaugurated the Kerala Film Policy Conclave today in ThiruvananthapuramIndias first of its kind. Leading voices from within and beyond Malayalam cinema have come together to chart a new course for the industry. This landmark initiative marks a significant step in shaping the future of Malayalam cinema."

Inaugurated the Kerala Film Policy Conclave today in ThiruvananthapuramIndias first of its kind. Leading voices from within and beyond Malayalam cinema have come together to chart a new course for the industry. This landmark initiative marks a significant step in shaping the pic.twitter.com/70Mnpi2aCS  Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 2, 2025

The policy is expected to steer things in the right direction, considering the dark cloud that hung over the industry following the disconcerting chain of events spawned by the Hema Committee Report that happened last year.

Day 1 of the event, which saw the participation of Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, was marked by discussions on numerous issues faced by the industry, with a focus on safety, working hours, inclusivity, legal safeguards and much more.

Among the topics discussed were "defined working hours, employment laws, work overload, and job security. There was also a strong suggestion that both male and female representatives must be present in grievance redressal cells. Discussions at the conclave strongly raised the demand for legal safeguards against online hate and cyberattacks. There was also a call to form a state-level jury for selecting films for various film festivals."

Cherian said he wished the entire film industry shouldn't be seen as "problematic" due to "isolated incidents" and that "once the policy framework is in place, stricter measures will be adopted wherever necessary."

The conclave also discussed the need to introduce a general financing incentive scheme for Malayalam cinema, with special provisions for women and marginalised communities. Also proposed in the draft was the production of films from other Indian languages and foreign languages in Kerala.

An apex body in the form of the Film Development Council, chaired by Pinarayi Vijayan and co-chaired by Saji Cherian, with an industry representative as vice-chairman, will oversee the developments in the industry.
Korea-based Indian origin actor Anupam Tripathi, who played Ali Abdul aka Player 199 in Squid Game, will be seen in a lead role in the upcoming Korean horror thriller Rhapsody for the Dead, which is expected to hit theatres this month. A release date will be officially announced soon.

"My first Korean movie #Rapsodyforthedead as a lead actor is coming soon this month, in theatres. Frankly speaking, very nervous, excited and emotional about it. From no name in credits to first name in the credits, I cant describe this feeling in words, I am just so grateful for everything happening for me... pure blessings of you all (sic)," he wrote on his Instagram page.

According to the official synopsis for the film written and directed by Kim Hyeon-joon, Rhapsody for the Dead deals with "occult horror" that revolves around a 25-year-old woman, Soo-ah, who, after witnessing a shocking incident that she was not supposed to, is chased by a "mysterious exorcist" named Anuat, played by Tripathi.

The film premiered earlier this year at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release in Korea and five other Asian nations.

A Delhi-born actor who attended Korea National University of Arts, Tripathi is fluent in Hindi, English and Korean. Recently, he was also seen in Anubhav Sinhas Netflix India series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, in which he played Ram Chandra Yadav, a RAW agent.

His Korean movie credits include the popular actioner Asura: The City of Madness. It must be noted that Rhapsody for the Dead is also known by its Korean title 'Changhon: Night of Salvation'.
Air India cancelled its flight from Singapore to Chennai due to a technical issue on Sunday.

In an official statement, the airline informed that flight AI349, which was supposed to be operated from Singapore to Chennai, has been cancelled due to a maintenance task identified prior to departure, which required additional time for rectification.

"Arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to Chennai at the earliest. Hotel accommodation is being provided, and full refunds on cancellation, or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to passengers based on their preference," Air India mentioned.

On Friday, an Air India flight from London to Delhi was delayed by more than 11 hours, causing inconvenience to passengers. The flight was originally scheduled to depart at around 2035 hours on August 1.

In recent times, Air India flights have been facing technical snags. Earlier, a London-bound Dreamliner operating from Delhi on July 31 aborted takeoff due to a technical issue, and an alternate Dreamliner operated the flight to London.

"Flight AI2017, operating from Delhi to London on July 31, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the takeoff run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks," the official statement stated.
Supporters of Raj Thackeray vandalised a dance bar in Panvel near Mumbai on Saturday night, a day after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief made a provocative speech against such institutions.

According to reports, over a dozen MNS workers armed with sticks stormed the Night Riders bar and inflicted heavy damage to the property. Police said the mob damaged furniture and smashed liquor bottles.

VIDEO | Maharashtra: MNS workers allegedly vandalised Night Rider Dance Bar in Panvel last night. More details awaited.



(Source: Third party)



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/BBCbSyEiPP  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 3, 2025

Thackeray, who recently joined hands with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray over the Marathi language row, had issued a veiled threat to dance bars in the state in his speech on Friday.

Addressing a Kisan Mazdoor Party meeting in Panvel, Thackeray said Raigad was the capital of Emperor Shivaji Maharaj and dance bars should not operate there.

"Raigad district has the most dance bars. They were closed, right? So many dance bars in Raigad, who owns them? Only Marathi people? So, if you are being evicted from here, then you are being trapped by making you habituated to dance bars. This is our Raigad. Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he was quoted as saying by reports.

Thackeray further alleged that many of these dance bars were being run by non-Marathis with tacit support from the Devendra Fadnavis government.

Earlier this week, the Congress-led opposition had attacked Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after a dance bar was found to be operated under a licence held by his party colleague and Minister of State (Home) Yogesh Kadams mother.

"How can Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde justify supporting a dance bar? For someone who claims to uphold the ideals of Hindutva, in which version of Hindutva does making girls dance in bars find a place?" asked Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal.
Security forces are continuing their search operation in the forest areas of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam for the second day. Security personnel have gunned down two terrorists and are reportedly on the lookout for one more terrorist hiding in the area.

Security personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Indian Army launched a search and cordon operation in Akhal forest area based on intelligence inputs about terrorists camping in the area on Friday.

Intense exchange of fire broke out on Friday night after terrorists opened fire on security forces. According to authorities, two terrorists have been killed in the operation os far and the anti-terror military operation is continuing.

The firing halted briefly on Friday night, and additional reinforcements were rushed to the area to strengthen the search and cordon operations. According to security officials, the identity and terror affiliations of the slain terrorists are being ascertained.

The anti-terror operation comes immediately after Operation Mahadev, when security officials gunned down three terrorists linked with the Pahalgam attack. Four terrorists with alleged Pakistani links killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. The deceased include 24 tourists, a Nepali citizen and a local horse owner.

India launched Operation Sindoor in the aftermath against Pakistan to avenge the killings. Three terrorists, Suleiman, Afghani and Jibran in Operation Mahadev. They were killed while a discussion was underway in Parliament on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
Every September, China holds a military parade in Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, on September 3 to mark the anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The event is marked by a grand show of its military prowess, and it is unlikely to be any different this time either.

While India has received an invitation to attend the event, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, it is unclear whether Narendra Modi would attend the event. While Modi had declined such invitations earlier, including in 2015, things are different this year, considering the thaw in Delhi-Beijing relations and the current strain in India-US relations.

Though the Centre is yet to state anything about the visit, there is a general expectation that the Prime Minister could visit Beijing this time. Reason: Indias latest attempts at recalibrating its regional posture. There has been a high-level diplomatic engagement with China in recent days, a U-Turn from Indias earlier position that normalisation of ties between India and China depended on the restoration of the pre-2020 border status.

Donald Trump is another factor that has been pushing India to mend ties with China. His tariff stance could dramatically change trade equations in South Asia, Biswajit Dhar, an economics professor at the Council for Social Development in Delhi, told South China Morning Post. He said Trumps statement that he would join hands with Pakistan to develop oil reserves in Pakistan has created a new dynamic. I think he has pushed India and China closer together, Dhar said. Trumps repeated claims that he brokered the ceasefire and his offer to mediate the Kashmir dispute  an issue where India has long maintained that no external party should intervene- have hurt Indias sensitivities.

For India, the lesson is clear: countering China alone is not only unsustainable but increasingly risky in the face of an unpredictable and unreliable United States, according to the think tank Lowy Institute.

And, Modi's attendance at the parade will be a major move in this regard. Vijay Prashad, director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, a network of research institutes in the Global South, told a Chinese media outlet that Modi should attend the parade in Beijing on September 3. [China, India, and Russia] can hold a tripartite meeting and, by leveraging the power of Russia as an ally, effectively resolve the differences between China and India, Prashad said, adding that the China-India border dispute is a political issue that was solvable.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M.K. Stalin charged the opposition AIADMK has betrayed the state by forming an alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party. Stalin said even true AIADMK workers were unhappy with this decision.

In a letter to party cadres on the occasion of Karunanidhi's seventh death anniversary, Stalin charged the primary opposition in the state, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has committed grave treachery against Tamil people by forging an alliance with the BJP. "True AIADMK workers are deeply disheartened by this, as the opposition leader, Edappadi Palaniswami, devoid of any fundamental principles, has gone to Delhi and bowed down to form an alliance with the BJP."

Stalin charged Palaniswami, who is currently campaigning across the state, is "spreading lies" against the DMK government. "Carrying the unforgivable burden of aligning with an incompatible partner, he is now traveling from place to place, spreading lies in his campaigns. The AIADMK, as the opposition party, is silently submitting and acting as a subservient servant to the BJP," the DMK leader said.

The key INDIA bloc leader said during its four-year tenure, each day was a fight for state rights. "In non-BJP ruled states and where the party had no chance of capturing power, the BJP was engaging in activities against the elected governments through governors, and it was the DMK government which undertook a legal battle and succeeded over the issue of governor approving state bills," he said.
India is unlikely to halt its oil imports from Russia, despite threats of steep hike in tariffs and penalties from the United States. US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he "heard" unconfirmed reports of India halting oil imports from Russia.

Indian oil companies are continuing to buy oil from Russia, though no procurement was made last week, Reuters reported. Sources told Reuters India's state refineries stopped buying Russian oil after July discounts narrowed to their lowest since 2022, owing to sanctions and lower demand.

Sources in the know of developments told Reuters that Russian oil procurement cannot be stopped overnight. "These are long-term oil contracts. It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight," an official told the publication. Another official said the Russian oil imports have helped India to avoid a global surge in oil prices, which have remained subdued despite Western curbs on the Russian oil sector, the publication reported.

Announcing 25 per cent tariff on imports from India to the US, President Trump said India would also face an additional penalty for procuring Russian oil and defence equipment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India's relationship with Russia was an irritation in India-US ties. According to the US, India's oil procurement from Russia was helping Moscow to sustain its war against Ukraine.

A day after tariff announcement, Trump claimed on Saturday that India is halting oil imports from Russia. "Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step. We'll see what happens," Trump said.

However, during a weekly briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said as far as sourcing India's energy requirements is concerned, "we take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time."
The four elderly Indian Americans, who were reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have been confirmed dead by authorities. The Indian-origin Americans were reported missing from July 29.

The Marshal County Sheriff's office has confirmed that four elderly Indians - Dr Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan - all in their 80s, died in a road crash, and their vehicle was recovered on Saturday night. In a statement, Marshal County Sheriff Mike Dougherty confirmed that the four individuals who were reported missing from Buffalo, New York, have been found deceased following a vehicle crash.

"Their vehicle was located on Saturday, August 2, at approximately 9.30pm, off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road. First responders were on the scene for more than five hours," the sheriff said. He added further probe is underway into the incident.

Earlier on Saturday, the sheriff's office had put out statement seeking assistance to locate the elderly Indian Americans, who were reported missing since July 29. According to reports, the family had embarked on a road trip Buffalo, New York, to the Palace of Gold, a temple built in memory of ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada on McCreary's Ridge Road in Marshall County.

Cops last spotted the family around 2:45 pm on July 29, at a Burger King joitn on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. CCTV footage from the premises showed two members entering the fast-food restaurant.

A Pennsylvania State Trooper's License Plate Reader later captured their vehicle travelling south on Interstate 79, en route to Prabhupadas Palace of Gold. Authorities say the group never checked into their pre-booked accommodation, Hindustan Times reported.

We know this is not the outcome anyone had hoped for. We are grateful for the publics assistance during the search and will continue to work with partner agencies to determine what happened, the sheriff said confirming the deaths.
An Assam man who had gone missing after allegedly being slapped by a fellow passenger on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata was found at a railway station in Barpeta in his home state.

According to reports, Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, 32, was slapped by a passenger after he suffered a panic attack on the flight. A native of Cachar district, he was supposed to take a connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar, the district headquarters.

However, after a video of his panic attack and alleged assault went viral on social media, the man decided to take a train from Kolkata to Assam instead of catching the second flight.

Assam man missing after mid-air slap on IndiGo flight; family seeks help (Hussain Ahmed Majumdar)



(I request Assam police to take immediate action against the person who slapped me) @assampolice@IndiGo6E #HussainAhmedMajumdar pic.twitter.com/lQhMmuJTgI   Tahir Uddin FM   (@tahiruddinfm) August 1, 2025

In the video, an air hostess can be seen helping Mazumdar when he suffered a panic attack and taking him down the aisle. In between, a fellow passenger, identified as Hafijul Rahman, slapped him, saying he was creating problems.

Panic struck Mazumdars family as they could not reach him over the phone for hours after the flight landed in Silchar, where they were waiting for him.

According to them, Mazumdar, who works in a shop in Mumbai, was travelling home to meet his father, a cancer patient.

They asked the airport authorities where he was, but they didnt know. Since then, they had been trying to call him. His phone was ringing, but he was not answering. So we have informed the Katigorah police station, Mazumdars uncle Joglu Mazumder told the Indian Express.

Meanwhile, Hafijul Rahman has been detained and handed over to the Kolkata Police after the flight landed in the city.
Hamas has denied the reports that it had agreed to disarm as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, firmly rejecting remarks reportedly made by President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff in August 2. We reiterate that resistance and its weapons are a national and legal right as long as the occupation continues, said a Hamas statement. It insisted that this right, recognised under international law, could not be relinquished until the creation of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement came in direct response to Witkoffs comments during a meeting with families of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv, where he was quoted by Israeli media as saying that Hamas said that it is ready to demilitarise. Witkoff appeared to reference a recent Arab League declaration urging Hamas to disarm, which was supported by several countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The declaration condemned Hamass October 2023 attack that triggered the ongoing war and called for the group to surrender its weapons.

Speaking to hostage families at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Witkoff said, Some Arab countries are demanding that Hamas disarm. His claim that Hamas had expressed willingness to do so was swiftly rebutted by the group. Hamas stressed that any agreement on disarmament could only follow the establishment of a Palestinian state, rejecting the idea of concessions under military pressure.

The disarmament of Hamas remains one of Israels key demands in ceasefire negotiations. Talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled over the past week, despite mounting international pressure. Several Western nations, including the UK, France and Canada, have recently pledged to recognise a Palestinian state. The UK has said it will do so if Israel fails to meet certain conditions by September.

In this shifting diplomatic climate, Arab governments have also increased calls for Hamas to step aside and allow a new Palestinian leadership to emerge in Gaza.

Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. On August 1, Israel Defense Forces Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned that military operations would continue unless hostages were released soon. A day later, Hamas released a video showing hostage Evyatar David in a frail condition inside a tunnel. David, 24, was abducted on October 7, 2023, at the Nova rave in southern Israel, where more than 350 people were killed. His family said that he had become a living skeleton, buried alive in Hamas tunnels, and asked the American and Israeli governments to secure his release.

Witkoff undertook a five-hour tour of southern Gaza on August 1, aiming to inform Trump on the dire humanitarian situation and aid distribution. According to the United Nations, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution points since late May, the majority by Israeli forces.

Israel claims its troops do not target civilians and accuses Hamas of creating chaos near the sites.

Hamas denounced Witkoffs visit, calling it a pre-arranged theatrical performance that provided Israel with political cover. The group accused the US of complicity in what it termed starvation and genocide and called for an urgent ceasefire to end the suffering.
A senior aide to US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of indirectly funding the Russia-Ukraine conflict by continuing to import oil from Moscow.

This is one of the Trump administration's strongest statements on what India calls its "time-tested" relationship with Russia.

ALSO READ | FACT CHECK: New Delhi to modify India-US bilateral agreements after Donald Trump's 25% tariff? Here's the truth

"What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia," said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trump's most influential aides, in a conversation with Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures.

Miller's comments come amid the Trump administration's attempts to dissuade India from buying Russian energy.

"People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," he added.

To soften the blow, Miller also noted Trumps tremendous" relationship with Indian PM Narendra Modi.

ALSO READ | Trump tariffs: Undeterred India to continue buying Russian oil

Following Trump's claims on Saturday that he "heard" unconfirmed reports of India halting oil imports from Russia, Indian government sources told Reuters on the same day that New Delhi would continue to purchase oil from Moscow.

However, no procurement was made last week.

The Indian government on Wednesday responded to US President Donald Trump's imposition of 25 per cent tariffsin addition to an unspecified secondary penaltyon New Delhi, saying that it was "studying its implications".

"The Government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK," a statement released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) had said.

ALSO READ | Donald Trump moves US nuclear submarines near Russia in response to Dmitry Medvedev's 'Dead Hand' remark

The secondary penalty remains unspecified.

Notably, Trump had earlier threatened to impose 100 per cent secondary tariffs on Moscow, as well as nations procuring exports from it, if the Russia-Ukraine conflict were not stopped by (a reduced deadline of) August 8.
The Kremlin may have opted to keep a strategic silence in response to US President Donald Trump's statement that he deployed two US Navy nuclear submarines to appropriate regions, but it kicked off a drill with China in the Sea of Japan, near the Russian port of Vladivostok, to carry out multi-domain exercises. The drills, though scheduled long before Trumps statement, are being projected as a partnership that can counterbalance the US-led global order.

A statement by the Kremlin said the Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment, including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers.

A report from China Bugle, an official media account affiliated with the PLA News Media Centre, said Chinese rescue ship Xihu and Russian counterpart Igor Belousov were the first to leave port. They were followed by Chinas Type 052D guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, and Russias large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and the corvette Rezky.

The vehicles then formed a mixed China-Russia formation and proceeded to the designated mission area. They also established communication links and exchanged vital information on undersea offense and defense, as well as submarine rescue operations, according to the report.

They would also conduct artillery firing, practice anti-submarine and air defence missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea, reports said. After the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in "relevant waters of the Pacific.

Though Russia and China have frequently held such drills since their relations deepened in 2022, the timing of the joint exercise has piqued interest, especially since Trumps overt threat after being triggered by Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesperson Dmitry Medvedevs statement.

However, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson said the drill was a part of the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries, which is not targeted at any third party, and is unrelated to the current international and regional situations.
RACINE  Lizzie Hjelle screamed with joy when she got the news.

She received an email about her job application and initially thought it was a rejection, but she read further and was offered the role of Racine Public Library deputy director.

I was over the moon, Hjelle said. I was so eager to take on this role and work with this team. It felt like the stars aligned for me to land here.

Becky Crowley had a similar experience.

Shortly after the job interview, Crowley was delighted to be offered the role of Racine library business manager.

I was really preparing for the worst and got a beautiful little surprise, Crowley said. It felt like the stars were aligning for me. Working at the library has made my inner child happy.

More is possible

Crowley started working May 16, and Hjelle began June 9 at the library, 75 Seventh St.

Nick Demske, library executive director, is extremely glad to have Crowley and Hjelle in the new roles because they are area experts and positive, compassionate people.

They filled administrative positions that were long empty.

The deputy director position was open for more than a year-and-a-half after Demske became executive director in 2023.

The business manager position was open for about a year.

Demske said that the past few months have felt far different from the past year.

The library has about 60 staff who can now do work that was on hold while two positions were vacant.

It feels great, Demske said. I think people feel so much more is possible now. Weve been holding off on so many seriously important things  we really needed to do but didnt have the people and capacity to attend to, and were finally closer to 100% and getting to move forward.

While the leadership roles were empty, Demske said library employees showed they can handle more responsibilities, but it is great to have full-time administrators.

If theres one thing that these two new administrators have reflected, its, My God, what an incredible team we have, Demske said. When were accustomed to something not being great, it just becomes normalized. When we get reminded of what something healthier feels like again, its like, Oh my God, how was I ever getting through that? I think that is maybe the biggest surprise for me, is just this feeling of what a healthier institution feels like again and how much more were going to be able to do for the community because of that.

Job duties

Hjelle manages the librarys daily programs and activities, assisting staff and users where needed.

She immediately felt comfortable in the new role and is thrilled to work with the committed, welcoming library staff.

I love it so much, Hjelle said. Im so happy to be here.

Crowley said the first few months have gone well, and she has greatly enjoyed getting to know colleagues.

Her job includes managing the librarys finances, legal compliance, facility operations and building security. Crowley is also the liaison with City of Racine finance staff.

Hjelle and Crowley both communicate with Racine Public Library Board members.

Crowley is handling more of the work related to the Racine Public Library Foundation, while Hjelle is spending more time with Friends of the Racine Public Library, but they both work with the two entities.

They both also talk to community members to increase awareness about library offerings.

There have been adjustments with two new staff, but Demske said Crowley and Hjelle have hit the ground running.

That ideally will give Demske more time to expand the librarys services and provide this community the library that it deserves, not just the library that it has, he said.

Funding advocacy

The Racine library is mainly funded by the City of Racine and Racine County.

There were vacancies in both jobs for a year because of funding uncertainty.

We just werent sure how dependable the financial forecast was for the library, Demske said. In ongoing conversations with city leadership, we feel more confident about that now. Thats great, because we really couldnt have endured this lack of capacity for too much longer without serious consequences.

Crowley, Demske and Hjelle said it is important to continually advocate for the library to receive sustainable funding.

Its my job to make sure that the powers that be understand how much goes into all of those things that look so beautiful and sparkly and easy but have so much staff passion and work behind them, Hjelle said.

Crowley also emphasized the importance of fiscal transparency for the publicly funded library.

The people of Racine are trusting that this institution is taking their tax dollars and investing them back into benefits to the community, so that is not a responsibility that I take lightly, Crowley said.

Hjelle and Crowley recently calculated that in 2024, the library received $4.36 million in taxpayer money and provided about $13.46 million in value to the public through programs including circulation, programs, bus passes, study rooms, Wi-Fi and computers.

That is a return on investment of about 209%.

Helping everyone

Growing up in rural Minnesota, Hjelle was constantly at the library. She has worked in libraries for her entire career because they combine her love of reading, helping people and data analysis.

She believes public libraries are magical places that are vital parts of healthy communities.

I cant imagine anything else I could devote my career to that would be more meaningful, Hjelle said. I have always known that whatever work I do, it needed to be work that was ethically aligned with my values, and working in public service, specifically in libraries, is where that fit.

Before taking the Racine library job, Hjelle was the Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility librarian.

Working at RYOCF solidified to Hjelle how valuable libraries can be.

I think that access to libraries saves lives, Hjelle said. That was never more apparent to me than when I was a prison librarian.

Hjelles work at RYOCF shows she can operate in a challenging environment, which Racine Public Library certainly can be, Demske said.

Like most urban libraries, people often come to the Racine library when facing shortages of resources like affordable housing.

We help whoever it is to the best of our ability, and I think thats a really wonderful thing, to be that trusted as a community resource, Hjelle said.

Hjelle recently started an employee wellness committee intended to help staff.

For front-facing library employees, the job involves seeing the best and worst of people, Hjelle said.

Were really eager to take care of our community and our patrons that we often forget to take care of ourselves, Hjelle said. I want to focus on building that resilience and strength and self-compassion in our staff and making sure Im providing opportunities to make sure that staff are taking care of themselves and their wellbeing so we can show up and be our best selves for our patrons.

Beautifully unique offerings

Crowley often went to libraries as a kid in the Illinois suburbs.

She liked learning new information and skills such as crafting and cookbook recipes.

Crowley was in corporate finance for more than a decade before working at nonprofits, including the former LGBT Center of Southeast Wisconsin and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Racine County.

Crowley was excited about working at the library because it blends her skills and values.

She believes the library is the hub of the city with offerings for people of all backgrounds.

When you get a variety of people, you get a variety of situations, but I think that that is what makes this town beautiful, Crowley said. Education being free and available to people is often the thing that changes their lives. We offer a lot of things here at the library that are beautifully unique.

Crowley walks through the library multiple times per day, talking with staff and patrons to gain a better sense of daily operations.

Were dealing with a lot of human components, so keeping all of that in a solid flow in collaboration with the other folks that are on staff here is an ongoing process, and some days are better than others, Crowley said. There are a lot of factors that are outside of this building that have to do with the people that we serve, and trying to keep all of that in harmony can be a challenge, but its also a joy. When you get it right, you have a really great day at the library.

Community-focused work

Crowley is passionate about serving the community through her work.

Getting to be in a role that is building my community and supporting the place that I live and my neighbors and my friends and making that a better place, and a place that Im proud of, is what gets me out of bed in the morning, Crowley said.

Hjelle shared a similar sentiment.

I love going to work every day knowing that Im doing good things, that Im helping people, Hjelle said. I need to have that kind of job where Im helping my community, Im building my community, Im contributing to the health of those around me.

They both said the best part is working with library staff and users.

There is nothing more rewarding than helping a patron learn something new or getting a project off the ground that the community has been asking for, Hjelle said. To see people come into this space, feel welcome, safe and at home  thats why I do it.

Six photos of holiday crafts at the Racine library Siblings Claire Stancato, left, and Joey Stancato make crafts Tuesday at the Racine Public Library. Goveas Guisselle Govea assists Kalyani Govea during craft time Tuesday at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. Brady Korakian Brady Korakian makes a craft Tuesday at the Racine Public Library. Kalyani Govea Kalyani Govea makes a craft Tuesday at the Racine Public Library. Henley Rogers Henley Rogers was one of several children making crafts Tuesday at the Racine Public Library. Kalyani Govea Kalyani Govea was one of several kids who made holiday crafts Tuesday at the Racine Public Library. Library holiday crafts
Indian-origin American lawyer Mathura Sridharan's July 31 appointment as the 12th Solicitor General for Ohio continues to face backlash from netizens, days later.

The SG for a particular state is a specialised position tasked with supervising and conducting government litigation in the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS).

Sridharan was promoted to the role by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who claimed that she was brilliant, and that she had already won an argument at the SCOTUS last year.

Mathura is brilliant she won her argument at SCOTUS last year. Both the SGs she worked under (Flowers & Gaiser) recommended her.



I told her when I originally hired her I needed her to argue with me. She does All the time!



Excited to promote her. She will serve Ohio well. https://t.co/VKB8LkFQlJ  Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) July 31, 2025

He further justified her promotion, saying that she had previously worked under SGs Benjamin Flowers and T. Elliot Gaiser, both of whom had recommended her for the position.

Yet, what actually followed the announcement was a slew of racist comments targeted at her nationality, as well as the fact that she was wearing a 'bindi'which led many people to assume that she was not Christian either.

Although a few people do defend her, an overwhelming number of netizens quoted various versions of the US Naturalization Act, attacking not only her, but also Yost.

An hour later, Yost hit back at netizens, stating that "if her name or her complexion bother you, the problem is not with her or her appointment.

A few commenters have asserted incorrectly that Mathura is not American.



She is a United States citizen, married to a US citizen, and the child of naturalized US citizens.



If her name or her complexion bother you, the problem is not with her or her appointment. https://t.co/htNbcomixc  Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) July 31, 2025

He also clarified that Sridharan was a US citizen, was married to one, and was also the child of naturalised US citizens.

Despite Yost standing up for her, some continue to question Sridharans "Americanness", bringing in new arguments about her religion not being Christian, and her parents not having served in the Civil War.
According to recorded history, clothing in India has been hand-spun, dyed and handwoven right up to the Indus Valley Civilisation, over 3,000 years before Christ. The Greek historian Herodotus described Indian cotton as a wool exceeding in beauty and goodness. Trade routes by land and by sea created a great cultural exchange between India, China, Central Asia and Europe. In the early 17th century the East India Company began taking Indias local produce, primarily raw cotton, and industrialise it into cloth that it sold to the rest of the world, including India. At the time, Indian cotton dressed 90 per cent of the world.

Mahatma Gandhi took us back to our ancient roots of spinning, weaving and dyeing our own cloth instead of buying back from the British what they stole from us. Gandhi famously said, If the village perishes, India perishes.

Today, Indias fashion industry is growing and thriving thanks to rural enterprise. The story of Indian fashion is the story of our village crafts. India is on its way to dressing the world once again. And here are five examples of international outfits whose roots can be traced to the villages where they were made.

Zendaya, actor

Bargachia and Bandpur, Bengal

ALL EYES WERE on American movie star Zendaya when she came to India in April 2023 for the launch of the India in Fashion exhibition that inaugurated the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. Designed by Rahul Mishra and custom-made for the actor, the blue sari she wore featured three-dimensional embroidery. It was then tailored to look like a skirt with a trail and a veil over one shoulder, almost like a gown with a long scarf. It became one of the most modern and easy to wear iterations of the sari. The embroidery featured stars in a dark sky, and the hem had beautiful faunatigers, squirrels, flamingoslooking up at the sky.

In good hands: The embroidery artisans at the atelier of Rahul Mishra and Afzalbhai in Bargachia dont recognise Zendaya | Namrata Zakaria

Mishra says this was the design for the sari he had in mind when Zendayas stylist Law Roach approached him. Mishra had previously designed for Zendaya for a Bulgari event in 2020. Law called and said Zendaya and he were coming to Mumbai and needed clothes for the NMACC opening, says Mishra. I wanted to make something Indian. I had never done a pre-stitched sari before, but I thought she may like it. I also made two evening gowns which she loved and took back with her. But she wore the sari, which Mishra had hoped she would pick and celebrate India internationally. The pre-pleated sari can be worn by anyone, he says. Many Chinese celebrities bought some from us, too. In fact, almost 60 per cent of its customers were not Indian. So, it can work like an evening dress.

Mishra is famously an advocate of reverse migration, where he encourages artisans who live in cities to move back to the villages and work from there. He has previously told me that he pays his artisans a city salary, but once they live and work in the village, its ecosystem thrives. Money is made in the village and spent in the village, and thats how the village grows.

Mishra met Afzal Saidullah Mullah when they were both working for an embroidery house in Mumbai in 2008. By 2013, they had quit and become partners.

Afzalbhai now manages three workshops in Bengals Howrah district, two in the village Bandpur, and one in Bargachia, a village 20 minutes away.

When I land at the Kolkata airport, Afzalbhai receives me and takes me directly to the villages. He is accompanied by Sabeena, a 31-year-old widow with two children, who lives in a mud house by the creek. She doubles as Afzalbhais housekeeper, and is not permitted to work in his workshop as families here dont allow women to work outside the house.

Rahul Mishra | AFP

We climb up a dusty office building to Afzalbhais atelier in Bargachia. There are around 70 men here, bent over several large frames with fabric stretched across it. Heads down, they silently and serenely move their embroidery needles about as though with muscle memory. Its almost like swimming underwater, soundlessly and with studied movements.

Fashion designer Rahul Mishra (in pic) had never done a pre-stitched sari before, but he thought Zendaya might like it.

Cant you play some music? I ask Afzalbhai. They are listening to their own choice of music through their earphones, he smiles. The men are warm and welcoming, and want to take pictures with me. Their workmanship is the opposite of their workplaceits so fine, fanciful and extraordinary that it is almost impossible to believe the embroidery is made by hand.

I didnt know who the sari was for, Afzalbhai says when I show him Zendayas picture on my phone. I dont know who she is. But he recalls eight men had worked on the sari. Normally a sari takes between 400 to 2,000 hours to create, depending on the volume of embroidery, he says.

Bargachia is known for its creative labour, as Afzalbhai calls it. No one here is interested in academics. In the atelier, different artisans specialise in different embroidery techniques, like aari (a hooked needle) or zardozi (a raised style of gold thread-work). Madhav, an artisan, shows me the different types of needles for different techniques.

The monthly rent for the larger unit in Bargachia is Rs23,000, while it is Rs8,000 and Rs3,000 respectively for the smaller units in Bandpur. The workers get paid between Rs800 and Rs1,000 a day. Mishra sends the fabric and one embroidered swatch or panel, and the artisans emulate the embroidery flawlessly.

Even though I was working at the embroidery house where I met Rahul for 17 years, I left when he left. He has a good heart. His colours and design process are so unique, says Afzalbhai. The salary is also good, and I always get paid on time.

In 2023, Mishra took Afzalbhai and Prince, another embroidery artisan from the Noida atelier, to the Paris Haute Couture Week. It was Afzalbhais first time abroad, even though he has a daughter who studies in Newcastle, UK (the other two children are teachers in Mumbai). Paris was just too beautiful. Rahul made us a part of the show, he says.

Afzalbhai is clearly a benevolent leader to his artisans. I am an embroiderer too, so I know how difficult the work is. I dont believe in pushing people; some are strong and quick, others are slower. But I ensure I keep everyone employed, he says. Plus, there is a lot of pressure on the eyes.

The remarkable thing about the villages is that half the artisans are Hindu and half Muslim, and everyone gets along fine. We really struggled during Covid, says Afzalbhai. Rahul helped us for sure, but our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ensured no one was hungry.
Mohamed Nasheed

Interview/ Mohamed Nasheed, former president of the Maldives

Mohamed Nasheed co-founded the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in 2003 after going through years of imprisonment and exile under the rule of president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Many call Nasheed the Mandela of the Maldives for his nonviolent, pro-democracy activism. He made history in October 2008 by winning the countrys first multi-party presidential election, ending Gayooms 30-year rule and bringing in a new era of democracy. In 2009, he drew global attention by convening the worlds first underwater cabinet meeting to bring to the fore the existential threat climate change poses to his nation. Nasheed survived an assassination attempt in Male in 2021. Excerpts from an interview:

Q/ How do you assess the current state of relations between India and the Maldives?

A/ You would have noticed that Muizzus government initially came to power with strained relations with India. However, soon after assuming office, he swiftly recalibrated his approach, and we are pleased that relations with India are now back on a positive and amicable footing.

It is important for us to be able to connect with Indias rapid economic growth. India is now one of the largest economies in the world. We also understand that Indias prosperity is not meant to be achieved in isolation or at the expense of its neighbours.

India is broad-shouldered and resilient: people may say different things in various quarters, but India has always maintained its strategic focus.

India is broad-shouldered and resilient: people may say different things in various quarters, but India has always maintained its strategic focus.

Q/ Was the India Out campaign in early 2024 necessary? It hurt many Indians and strained bilateral ties.

A/ It was deeply embarrassing for us as well. This campaign did not reflect the broader sentiments of the Maldivian people. I am pro-India, and I know a vast majority of the Maldivians share the same outlook. It is very unfortunate that this campaign took place.

We have strong friendships with Indians across various walks of life, and people-to-people ties are extremely close. We read the same books, watch the same films and enjoy the same food: we are, in many ways, the same people. It was not pleasant at all, and we are truly sorry this unfolded during the election period.

Q/ India has historically played a key role in the Maldives security. Do you believe Indian military personnel should remain stationed there?

A/ In 1988, the Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) attempted a coup in the Maldives. We managed to hold out until India intervened and thwarted the coup. It showed us how vital security cooperation with India is.

No terrorist organisation should ever believe they can take control of the Maldives. To ensure that deterrence, we must have clear safety and security agreements with India.

We live in an interconnected world, and I cannot think of any country that does not, in some form, have security arrangements with foreign nations. For small island nations like ours, it is essential to have a wider security framework that goes beyond our own limited capacity. There are threats not only from sovereign states but also from terrorist organisations. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain clarity on security arrangements and to sustain strong understandings with India.

Q/ How do you view your countrys democratic progress since then?

A/ I think we have done reasonably well. Since 2008, we have successfully transferred power through the ballot four times. We have held four presidential elections, four parliamentary elections and four local council electionsall of which have been generally satisfactory.

In 2008, our national income was only seven billion rufiyaa [currency of the Maldives]. Today, it exceeds 30 billion. We introduced a taxation system and implemented social protection programmes. We also gained access to international capital markets and took on debt, which now presents a challenge that must be managed carefully.

In terms of freedom of expression and assembly, I believe we are doing better than many other countries. Not many Islamic nations have been able to maintain functioning democracies, and some even argue that democracy is incompatible with Islam. But the Maldives is proof that this is not true. We were able to amend the constitution and hold free and fair elections. We had opportunities to topple governments on the streets but chose not to. I believe this helped us consolidate our democratic gains. Though, there is still a lot more to do in terms of institution-building and capacity development.

Q/ You have been a strong advocate for climate action. How serious is the climate crisis in the Maldives?

A/ The climate crisis is very serious, though in some ways, the Maldives now feels safer than larger countries. When we were young, we heard about people in Bangladesh dying during monsoon storms. Today, we hear similar stories from the US and other industrialised countries.

Extreme weather events are increasing globally. Our coral reefs are bleaching, ocean acidification is worsening, and global temperatures continue to rise. Weather patterns are changing, and we must adapt quickly.

Mitigation alone will not save us, but adaptation measures can. The challenge is that most climate-vulnerable countries like ours spend 20 to 30 per cent of national income on debt repayment, leaving very little for adaptation.

Climate issues must remain at the forefront of the international agenda.

Indias role in the International Solar Alliance is important, and we hope it will continue to invest in climate projects in vulnerable countries like ours. Such investments will benefit India, the climate-vulnerable nations, and the world at large.
YWN regrets to report the untimely petirah of Arielle Mazi Buchman ah, a sweet and beloved 10-year-old girl who was tragically niftar following a devastating boating accident in Biscayne Bay, near Miami, Florida, last week Monday.

Arielleknown lovingly as Ariwas critically injured last week while participating in a summer sailing program run by the Miami Yacht Club. The sailboat she was on, part of a youth summer camp outing, collided with a large barge in the waters off Hibiscus Island. Two other young girls, Erin Ko Han and Mila Yankelevich, were killed in the initial crash. Arielle clung to life in critical condition for several days before her neshama returned to its Maker.

The levaya for Arielle ah is scheduled to take place Tisha Bav afternoon.

Arielle was a granddaughter and cousin to a well-known family in the Miami-area community, including being the cousin of Bal Harbour Mayor Gabriel Groisman.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led a minyan for Mincha on Har HaBayis today, marking the first time a sitting Israeli minister has been seen publicly davening at the site.

Ben Gvir was filmed leading the minyan on Har Habayis plaza  a site where the Beis HaMikdash once stood, and which remains, according to halacha, the holiest place on Earth.

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While acts of private Jewish prayer have become increasingly visible in recent years on the Har HaBayis, Ben Gvirs action is unprecedented in its official capacity and public visibility. Police reportedly detained an Arab man who shouted at the group during the tefillah, according to Arutz Sheva.

Speaking from the site, Ben Gvir declared: The horrific Hamas videos are aimed at one thing  pressuring the State of Israel. And I say this specifically from Har HaBayis, the place where we proved that sovereignty and governance are possible. From here we must send a clear message  conquer the entire Gaza Strip, declare sovereignty over all of Gaza, eliminate every Hamas terrorist, and encourage voluntary emigration. Only in this way will we bring the hostages home and win this war.

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Despite the ministers actions and rhetoric, the Prime Ministers Office issued a statement shortly after: Israels policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will remain unchanged.

Saudi Arabia released a sharp rebuke, saying it condemns in the strongest terms the repeated provocative practices by officials of the Israeli occupation authorities against Al-Aqsa Mosque, warning that such actions fuel the conflict in the region.

Gedolei Yisrael across the spectrum  from previous generations to todays foremost poskim  have been unequivocal in their psak: it is assur gamur, with the severity of kares, to ascend Har HaBayis in our time. This includes the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, who have repeatedly reaffirmed that visiting Har Habayis is a serious aveirah.

Seventeen years ago, during a Sukkos visit to the home of Harav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv ztl, then-President Shimon Peres was personally urged by the Gadol Hador to prevent all Jewish visits to Har HaBayis. Rav Elyashiv warned that such provocations would be viewed by the nations of the world as deliberate incitement, and he stressed that they carry the potential to ignite a religious war.

In the eyes of gedolei Torah, such visits are not merely controversial but are acts of issur that jeopardize both spiritual and physical safety. The Chief Rabbinate has reiterated in multiple proclamations that even those who purport to purify themselves before ascending are transgressing, as the boundaries of the holy areas are not fully known, and no preparation can remove the punishment of kares for entering forbidden areas.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered praise and sympathy for Zohran Mamdani  the far-left state assemblyman known for his inflammatory anti-Israel rhetoric  while appearing to distance himself from the mainstream Democratic line on Israel and downplaying the severity of antisemitic rhetoric within his rivals campaign.

Appearing on a podcast, Adams was asked which of his political rivals  Mamdani, former governor Andrew Cuomo, or Republican Curtis Sliwa  he would rather be stuck in an elevator with.

Probably Mamdani, Adams said, revealing they had already shared a dinner together with Mamdanis father. We had a great conversation, Adams said. You could disagree without being disagreeable I think his policies are hurtful but Im not saying that I dislike a person.

Mamdani, who recently secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, has repeatedly referred to Israel as an apartheid state, accused it of genocide, and claimed the IDF massacred babies in Rafah. He has openly said that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited New York City, he should be arrested.

Despite these incendiary and widely condemned statements, Adams chose to frame Mamdani as a fundamentally decent figure whose ideology is merely flawed. At no point in the interview did Adams directly condemn Mamdanis demonization of Israel or acknowledge the impact such rhetoric has had on Jewish New Yorkers.

While sidestepping the issue of antisemitism within Mamdanis platform, Adams instead pivoted to condemning anti-Muslim hate, citing his past advocacy for Muslim victims of bias attacks and recalling his defense of detained Muslims in the wake of 9/11.

There are people in New York who have hate in their heart, he said, implying that Mamdanis critics may themselves be guilty of bigotry. When someone put out a flyer saying Kill a Muslim Day, I walked the street with my Muslim brothers and sisters.

The mayor made no mention of the violent antisemitism on display during recent anti-Israel protests in the city, nor did he address the fears expressed by the citys Jewish community over Mamdanis rising influence.

While Adams did denounce antisemitic harassment at New York college campuses, including incidents of Jewish students being spit on and surrounded, he claimed his hands were tied.

The NYPD cant intervene unless private universities invite them, he said, suggesting his administrations role was limited. If you want to protest, protest peacefully. You dont target students based on their ethnicity.

Still, critics noted that Adams appeared more outraged at the procedural restrictions on law enforcement than at the hate crimes themselves  and that his lack of urgency in confronting campus antisemitism has left many Jewish families feeling abandoned.

Perhaps most controversially, Adams declared: Im probably the only mayor that has visited Palestine. The U.S. government does not recognize Palestine as a state, and Adamss statement could be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of Palestinian statehood  in direct contradiction to current U.S. policy and at a time of increasing global tension around the issue.

Adamss remarks reflect a broader pattern within progressive Democratic politics: condemnation of Islamophobia is swift and unequivocal, while antisemitism  even when its as overt as Mamdanis  is often deflected, minimized, or ignored.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (LON:RKT  Get Free Report) insider Tamara Ingram acquired 293 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 30th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 5,626 ($74.67) per share, with a total value of 16,484.18 ($21,879.72).

Reckitt Benckiser Group Trading Down 0.9%

RKT opened at GBX 5,623.27 ($74.64) on Friday. Reckitt Benckiser Group plc has a one year low of GBX 4,064 ($53.94) and a one year high of GBX 5,722 ($75.95). The stock has a market capitalization of 38.37 billion, a PE ratio of 25.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.09. The businesss 50 day moving average price is GBX 5,122.88 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 5,086.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.26, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.69.

Get Reckitt Benckiser Group alerts:

Reckitt Benckiser Group (LON:RKT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The company reported GBX 141.20 ($1.87) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Reckitt Benckiser Group had a return on equity of 18.70% and a net margin of 10.78%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Reckitt Benckiser Group plc will post 331.2110727 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Reckitt Benckiser Group from GBX 5,700 ($75.66) to GBX 6,000 ($79.64) and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a GBX 5,300 ($70.35) target price on shares of Reckitt Benckiser Group in a report on Monday, July 21st.

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Reckitt Benckiser Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

At Reckitt, we protect, heal and nurture. We are the company behind some of the worlds best known and most trusted Health and Hygiene consumer brands.

Delivering for a cleaner, healthier world requires strong brands with a global footprint. From Dettol, Lysol, Durex, Finish, Harpic and Vanish, Mucinex, Nurofen, Gaviscon, Veet and Strepsils, consumers love and rely on our brands to care for their families, as they have done for over 200 years.

We use our scientific expertise and deep human understanding to develop solutions to help people improve their lives  that is why over 30 million Reckitt products are sold each day worldwide.

At Reckitt, were all making a real difference to people all over the world, every day.

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Barclays PLC (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) insider John Kingman bought 2,325 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 30th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 371 ($4.92) per share, for a total transaction of 8,625.75 ($11,449.10).

Barclays Price Performance

Shares of BARC stock opened at GBX 356.65 ($4.73) on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of 51.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. The companys 50-day simple moving average is GBX 336.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 309.36. Barclays PLC has a one year low of GBX 196.44 ($2.61) and a one year high of GBX 376.35 ($5.00).

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Barclays (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported GBX 11.70 ($0.16) EPS for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 19.54% and a return on equity of 6.97%. On average, research analysts expect that Barclays PLC will post 39.1062802 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Shore Capital boosted their target price on Barclays from GBX 395 ($5.24) to GBX 410 ($5.44) and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 340 ($4.51) to GBX 355 ($4.71) and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Barclays to a neutral rating and upped their price target for the company from GBX 360 ($4.78) to GBX 366 ($4.86) in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 380 ($5.04) price target on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 384.20 ($5.10).

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Barclays

About Barclays

(Get Free Report)

Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

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Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Banco Bradesco SA (NYSE:BBD  Free Report) during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 20,512 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $46,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Simplicity Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. BSW Wealth Partners acquired a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp lifted its position in Banco Bradesco by 54.5% during the 4th quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 17,012 shares of the banks stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 6,000 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp acquired a new position in Banco Bradesco during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000.

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Banco Bradesco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BBD opened at $2.81 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $29.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.03, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.69. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $2.93 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Banco Bradesco SA has a fifty-two week low of $1.84 and a fifty-two week high of $3.13.

Banco Bradesco Increases Dividend

Banco Bradesco ( NYSE:BBD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The bank reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.10. The business had revenue of $5.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.70 billion. Banco Bradesco had a net margin of 9.76% and a return on equity of 13.02%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Banco Bradesco SA will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 6th will be given a $0.0023 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 5th. This represents a dividend yield of 99.0%. This is a positive change from Banco Bradescos previous dividend of $0.00. Banco Bradescos dividend payout ratio is 8.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BBD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Banco Bradesco from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Banco Bradesco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Banco Bradesco presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $2.40.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BBD

Banco Bradesco Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Bradesco SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, corporates, and businesses in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Banking and Insurance. It provides current, savings, click, and salary accounts; real estate credit, vehicle financing, payroll loans, mortgage loans, microcredit, leasing, and personal and installment credit; overdraft and agribusiness loans; debit and business cards; financial and security services; consortium products; car, personal accident, dental, travel, and life insurance; investment products; pension products; foreign currency exchange services; capitalization bonds; and internet banking services.

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Allianz Asset Management GmbH trimmed its position in Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB  Free Report) by 33.8% 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 4,860 shares of the banks stock after selling 2,479 shares during the quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbHs holdings in Prosperity Bancshares were worth $347,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,069 shares of the banks stock worth $229,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,326 shares of the banks stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 8,319 shares of the banks stock worth $594,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 22,797 shares of the banks stock worth $1,627,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 3,407 shares of the banks stock worth $243,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PB shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $86.00 to $84.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Hovde Group decreased their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $85.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $85.00 to $78.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $88.00 to $86.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Prosperity Bancshares has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $84.57.

Prosperity Bancshares Trading Down 1.1%

Prosperity Bancshares stock opened at $65.90 on Friday. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. has a 1 year low of $61.57 and a 1 year high of $86.75. The company has a market cap of $6.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.98, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.71. The companys 50-day moving average is $70.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.80.

Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The bank reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.02. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 29.37% and a return on equity of 6.99%. The company had revenue of $310.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $315.66 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.22 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. will post 5.83 EPS for the current year.

Prosperity Bancshares Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.58 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. Prosperity Bancsharess dividend payout ratio is presently 42.18%.

Insider Transactions at Prosperity Bancshares

In related news, Director Ned S. Holmes sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.89, for a total value of $42,534.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 45,700 shares in the company, valued at $3,239,673. This trade represents a 1.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 13,100 shares of company stock worth $925,889. Corporate insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock.

Prosperity Bancshares Company Profile

(Free Report)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery.

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Argent Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 3.1% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 239,359 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 7,235 shares during the period. Argent Trust Cos holdings in Pfizer were worth $6,065,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 11.1% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 132,478 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,358,000 after acquiring an additional 13,228 shares in the last quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 1.2% in the first quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 1,413,472 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $35,817,000 after acquiring an additional 17,032 shares in the last quarter. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer in the first quarter valued at about $8,283,000. Alta Advisers Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 69.6% in the first quarter. Alta Advisers Ltd now owns 31,912 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $809,000 after acquiring an additional 13,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WCM Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 8.7% in the first quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 125,964 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,176,000 after acquiring an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Pfizer Stock Performance

PFE opened at $23.49 on Friday. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $20.92 and a 52-week high of $31.32. 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 company has a market cap of $133.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.52. The firms 50-day moving average price is $24.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.57.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.3%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 124.64%.

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Pfizer from $36.00 to $30.00 in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Leerink Partners decreased their price objective on Pfizer from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Pfizer from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic decreased their price target on shares of Pfizer from $29.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $28.28.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PFE

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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Argent Trust Co trimmed its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 3.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 38,570 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 1,240 shares during the quarter. Argent Trust Cos holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $6,403,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of TSM. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 67.0% in 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 in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 58,547,257 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $11,562,498,000 after buying an additional 2,572,488 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 36.8% in the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 9,509,032 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,578,499,000 after buying an additional 2,559,512 shares in the last quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter worth about $362,773,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 45.2% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,244,965 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,233,318,000 after buying an additional 1,944,328 shares in the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Down 2.6%

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $235.28 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $222.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $195.99. The company has a market cap of $1.22 trillion, a P/E ratio of 26.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.19. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 52-week low of $133.57 and a 52-week high of $248.28. The company has a quick ratio of 2.18, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.13 by $0.34. The business had revenue of $30.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.50 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 32.87% and a net margin of 42.91%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 44.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.48 EPS. Analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current 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 given a dividend of $0.6499 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 16th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is presently 28.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TSM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $270.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a $240.00 price target (up from $215.00) on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $258.33.

View Our Latest Analysis 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.

Further Reading

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Generation Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 17,190 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,220,000. Citigroup makes up about 1.1% of Generation Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Citigroup by 2.3% during the first quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 12,752 shares of the companys stock worth $905,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares in the last quarter. Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the first quarter worth $195,000. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the first quarter worth $291,000. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd boosted its stake in Citigroup by 10.1% in the first quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd now owns 656,745 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,619,000 after acquiring an additional 60,491 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Citigroup by 4.4% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 396,327 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,135,000 after acquiring an additional 16,704 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.72% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Citigroup

In other news, Director Peter B. Henry sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.40, for a total value of $271,200.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 2,140 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $193,456. This trade represents a 58.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Citigroup from $93.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Citigroup from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Oppenheimer increased their target price on shares of Citigroup from $123.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Citigroup from $103.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $96.54.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Citigroup

Citigroup Stock Down 2.0%

Shares of NYSE C opened at $91.84 on Friday. Citigroup Inc. has a 1 year low of $53.51 and a 1 year high of $96.90. The firms 50 day moving average price is $84.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $76.97. The firm has a market cap of $171.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.99.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 15th. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.35. The company had revenue of $21.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.75 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 7.29%. Citigroups revenue for the quarter was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.52 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 4th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This is a boost from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.56. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.09%.

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

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A lot of locals might not understand that THE RULES HAVE CHANGED when it comes awarding government contracts and Kansas City has been slow to catch up to the new way of doing business.

We've noticed that even local journalists have trouble understanding how recent Supreme Court decisions can be applied to a myriad of local endeavors.

And so . . . With thanks to AWESOME TKC INSIDERS . . . We wanted to share an insightful think piece sent our way that might help explain the risks that KCMO confronts if we keep the old way of doing biz intact.

The basics . . .

KANSAS CITY AWARDING MBE/WBE QUOTA CONTRACTS MIGHT SOON BE KAPUT!!!

This could be a shocker to some because the program helped to create quite a few local millionaires and a very real industry built around this program . . . The "front companies" alone spawned dozens of careers in the local construction game and on city council.

Accordingly . . . We're going to park this GROUNDBREAKING REPORT at the top of the page for awhile and then hopefully revisit as we move forward . . .

KCMOs Contractor Quota Program Puts Federal Funds to KC in Jeopardy

Ill take City programs that could destroy our Citys finances for $2 billion, Alex.



The City of Kansas City, MO has a program whose existence is unconstitutional, racist, sexist, and puts the Citys Federal funding at risk. Its a tsunami of a problem heading our way. Trying to keep it simple.



The Problem:



The citys Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) program, is putting hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding at risk. The MBE/WBE program demands that businesses be 51% owned by minorities or women to qualify, then slaps race- and gender-based quotas on City projects. Contractors must jump through hoops to meet these goals or face penalties. Maybe even worse large, extremely profitable companies race to the top of the heap because they have a female or a minority at the helm. City employees who oversee projects are threatened by having their projects canceled and their jobs threatened if they dont meet the MBE/WBE quotas for those projects or pick the right contractors. All while the City pats itself on the back for equity efforts.



Why is this a problem? The program is flat-out unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Courts 2023 ruling in "Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard" (SFFA) made it crystal clearrace-based programs face strict scrutiny, and governments must prove a compelling, narrowly tailored reason for using race, with no viable race-neutral alternatives. Kansas Citys MWBE program doesnt even come close to meeting that standard. Its a broad, feel-good initiative with no recent disparity study to justify its race-based quotas.



The Danger to KCMO Citizens:



Kansas City relies heavily on federal funding. In 2024, Missouri raked in over $2 billion in transportation grants alone, with Kansas City as a major beneficiary for projects like the KC Streetcar. Add in housing and urban development grants, and the citys exposure is staggering. If the DOJ or a court finds the MWBE program violates Title VI (and it does), federal agencies could yank funding faster than you can say lawsuit. Were talking hundreds of millions in lost grants, stalled infrastructure projects, and a budget crisis thatll hit taxpayers square in the wallet.



And its not just about money. The city faces crushing legal costs if sued by contractors or advocacy groupslawsuits its almost guaranteed to lose given recent court trends. Reworking the program to comply with the law will burn through administrative resources, too, which is just another reason to abandon the offensive program.

Justice Department Releases Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination



https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl?inline



Why KCMO is at Risk:



This week U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi dropped a bombshell memo that shouldve sent Kansas City scrambling to rewrite its MWBE program. The Department of Justice (DOJ) warned that race-based contracting programs violate the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars race discrimination by recipients of federal funds. The memo didnt mince words: cities using programs like Kansas Citys risk losing federal dollarspotentially billionsfor transportation, housing, and community development. It even pointed to fresh court rulings, like "City of Jacksonville v. Adams" (2024), where race-based set-asides were struck down, and ongoing DOJ lawsuits against cities like Chicago for similar violations.



The memo is so blunt even Mayor Funky would understand it:



"Prohibition on Protected Characteristics as Criteria: Using race, sex, or other protected characteristics for employment, program participation, resource allocation, or other similar activities, opportunities, or benefits, is unlawful, except in rare cases where such discrimination satisfies the relevant level ofjudicial scrutiny."



What should the City be doing but likely wont:



Youd think Kansas Citys Law Department, tasked with keeping the city out of legal hot water, wouldve read the DOJ memo or the Supreme Court decision and slammed the brakes on the MWBE program. Instead, theyre MIA. No public statements, no urgent memos to the Council, no push for a new disparity study or race-neutral alternatives like the Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) program that doesnt use race or sex as a condition of winning a contract. Its as if theyre hoping the Feds wont noticeor worse, theyre too clueless to see the trainwreck coming.

The City Council isnt off the hook either. By clinging to a program that screams unconstitutional, theyre prioritizing political posturing over fiscal and legal responsibility. But the Law Departments job is to be the grown-up in the room, not to nod along while the Council plays with fire. Their silence is a dereliction of duty, plain and simple.



The Money LineTaxpayers Will Pay the Price:



Kansas Citys MWBE program is a legal disaster waiting to happen, and the citys refusal to act is inexcusable. The DOJ has sounded the alarm, courts are striking down similar programs left and right, and the feds are ready to pull funding from cities that dont comply. The city faces crushing legal costs when, NOT IF, its sued by contractors or advocacy groupslawsuits its almost guaranteed to lose given recent court trends. Yet the Law Department sits on its hands, letting the City Council steer the city toward a financial cliff. When the federal funds dry up and the lawsuits roll in, dont be surprisedits the predictable result of a city too stubborn to follow the law and a legal team too spineless and too incompetent to intervene.



Now what? The City Council keeps pushing the MWBE program like its business as usual, and the Law Department wont tell the City Council to stop breaking the law. This isnt just negligenceits a reckless gamble with funds that keep this city and its projects moving forward. When we lose that, all of our citizens will be much worse off.

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Developing . . .
Photo credit to Ward Parkway's better days when it was kind of a hidden gem 2nd choice mall at the end of the corridor.

And now . . . Circumstances have OBVIOUSLY CHANGED . . .

The very best TKC READERS told us about this story hitting NEXTDOOR earlier this week. There was a lively discussion that TRAGICALLY devolved into racially-charged posturing and argumentation.

However . . . Despite blame game politics and/or guilty conscience defenses . . . The fact remains the same . . .

ONCE AGAIN WARD PARKWAY CONFRONTS MORE VIOLENCE AND ROBBERY!!! HOWEVER, A LOCAL HERO SAVED A VICTIM THIS TIME AROUND!!!

This one hits home for KC residents because Ward Parkway isn't that far from the old school Bannister mall site . . . And we all know how that turned out . . . Currently, KCMO hopes to cling to Trader Joe's hipster goodness and the few amenities that mall still offers.

Accordingly . . . Here's a look at how the recent dust-up went down . . .

The Kansas City Police Department said that around 9 p.m. on August 1, a woman was assaulted as multiple subjects tried to take her car keys.



According to the victims mother, she had just left the Ward Parkway Shopping Center and was parked on the lower level of the lot near Trader Joes.



KCPD said the suspects were unsuccessful at taking the womans keys and ran away, leaving her with reportedly minor injuries.



The victims mother said a stranger stepped in and helped her daughter fend off the attackers. She thanked the man and asked for anyone who knows the people involved to reach out to the police.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. As part of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), an "Azerbaijan National Day" will be celebrated in Turkmenistans Avaza National Tourist Zone, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the event, running from August 4 to 8, is to showcase Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage, ancient artistic traditions, and vibrant modern creativity.

A delegation led by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, along with renowned Azerbaijani artists, has already arrived in Avaza to prepare for the event.

The Azerbaijani pavilion will feature an impressive array of national crafts, publications, souvenirs, and works of applied art.

Visitors can also enjoy an open-air exhibition demonstrating the artistry of carpet weaving, traditional costumes, kelaghayi (traditional Azerbaijani women's headwear), shabaka (Azerbaijani traditional stained glass technique), and embroidery, with master classes offered to the public. A culinary corner will present a taste of Azerbaijani traditional national cuisine.

The musical performances will highlight the beauty of Azerbaijani national music, dance, and modern stage shows.

The official opening of the conference on August 5 will feature an international Gala concert. The main celebration, "Azerbaijan National Day," will be held on August 6 with a magnificent music and dance program. The event will conclude on August 8 with a final Gala concert featuring famous Azerbaijani artists and performers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. Azerbaijan is taking another significant step in expanding the geography of its energy exports by launching natural gas supplies to Syria via Turkiye.

This move not only reinforces Bakus position on the global energy map but also marks the beginning of a new strategic phase  Azerbaijans entry into the Middle Eastern market, a region that until now lay beyond the scope of its traditional export routes.

The official launch of gas supplies took place on August 2 in the Turkish city of Kilis, where Azerbaijani gas began flowing into Syrias energy system for the first time. At the initial stage, the annual supply volume is expected to reach 1.2 billion cubic meters, with the potential to double. This volume is comparable to the levels supplied to some European countries, underscoring that Azerbaijan is no longer limiting itself to Europe as its primary export destination.

Crucially, expanded volumes of gas exports planned by Azerbaijan are intended not only for European consumers but also for new markets in the Middle East. In addition to Syria, interest is growing in cooperation with Jordan and Egypt. In the longer term, the restoration and use of the Arab Gas Pipeline is under consideration  a project that could serve as the southern corridor of a new regional energy architecture.

Importantly, while Europe continues to seek alternative suppliers amidst the global energy transition, Azerbaijan faces no issues in securing buyers. On the contrary, Baku is confidently asserting itself as a reliable player and pursuing a flexible strategy to diversify its export routes. This latest development is more than just a geographic expansion  it creates a new strategic corridor that enhances Turkiyes role as a regional energy hub, establishes fresh dependencies, and elevates Azerbaijans political influence as an energy exporter.

At a time when energy policy in European capitals is increasingly intertwined with human rights and green transition rhetoric, Azerbaijan is taking a pragmatic approach. While actively investing in renewables, it continues to manage its traditional resources effectively, transforming them into tools of regional leverage. In this light, entering the Syrian market goes beyond securing a new contract  it is a clear sign that Azerbaijan is shaping its own energy geopolitics, guided not by shifting political winds but by economic rationale.

In an era of global energy uncertainty and intensifying competition for resources, Azerbaijan offers something rare: predictability, stability, and expanding transit capabilities. That is the countrys greatest strategic advantage  and the reason Baku today is equally relevant to both Brussels and Damascus.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. A delegation of the Azerbaijani parliament led by Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova have arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit on 3 August to participate in the Inter-Parliamentary Forum held within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, Trend reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis was welcomed at Turkmenbashi International Airport by Chairwoman of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture and Youth Policy of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Bayramgozel Muradova, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan Gismat Gozalov and other officials.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova is going to chair the first session of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum in the town of Avaza of Turkmenistan. Also, during the visit, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis is to deliver a speech at the forum and hold a number of meetings.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. Since its commissioning, the Balakan Small Hydroelectric Power Plant (SHPP) has generated 27.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity as of July 1 this year, Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy told Trend.

Located on the Balaken River, the station comprises three hydroelectric units, each with a capacity of 0.48 megawatts (MW), bringing the total installed capacity to 1.44 MW.

Notably, today marks the 11th anniversary of the Balakan SHPPs commissioning.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. On August 3, 12 cooperation documents in various fields were signed between Pakistan and Iran in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, Trend reports, citing the information portal of the Iranian President.

The signing ceremony of the documents was attended by Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and other officials from the two countries.

According to the information, these documents include tourism, agriculture, justice and legal cooperation, industry, science and technology, transit and freight transportation, cultural heritage, and economic and trade cooperation.

The signed documents will develop relations between the two countries, as well as regional cooperation.

To note, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has arrived on a visit to Pakistan on August 2.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. Iran and Pakistan have agreed to establish a joint border gate to facilitate trade and enhance bilateral cooperation, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran and Director General of the Customs Administration, Foroud Asgari, told local media, Trend reports.

According to Asgari, an official agreement on the initiative was signed today between the two countries.

He noted that, under the agreement, customs inspections at the joint border will be carried out in a coordinated manner, and customs declaration data will be exchanged digitally. This is expected to accelerate cargo processing and improve efficiency.

Asgari added that the joint border gate will simplify the movement of passengers and vehicles, promote greater transparency in trade operations, and strengthen international cooperation in the fight against smuggling.

It is worth noting that on August 3, Iran and Pakistan signed 12 cooperation documents in Islamabad across various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, justice and legal affairs, industry, science and technology, transit and freight transport, cultural heritage, and trade.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. The number of oil and gas wells drilled in Iran grew by 17 during the first four months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through July 22, 2025) compared to the same period last year, Deputy Executive Director of the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) Hamidreza Shafii told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, in the span of four months, a total of 48 oil and gas wells were drilled and enhanced across the nation's land and water territories.



Shafii mentioned that 11 of the improved wells were development wells, while 37 were on the mend.

The company official noted that 40 wells were drilled and improved in the territory of the National Company for the Southern Oil Zones, two wells in the territory of the Offshore Oil Company, two wells in the territory of the Oil Development and Engineering Company, one well in the territory of the Central Oil Zones Company, and three wells were drilled and improved upon the order of the National Oil Company.

Shafii added that the total depth of the excavation was 41,500 meters. Currently, 18 of the 64 drilling rigs of the NIDC are deployed in various areas for excavation work.

As many as 74 oil fields and 22 gas fields are currently operating in Iran. There are 37 oil fields in the territory of the National Company of Iran's Southern Oil Zones, 14 in the territory of the Iranian Central Oil Zones Company, five in the territory of the Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company, and 18 in the territory of the Offshore Oil Company. Additionally, the South Oil Zones National Company of Iran operates five gas fields, the Central Oil Zones Company - 13, the Pars Oil and Gas Company one, and the Offshore Oil Company three gas fields.

Iran's total hydrocarbon reserves are 1.2 trillion barrels. Iran can produce 340 billion barrels of this gas with existing technological equipment. Iran can use about 30 percent, while 70 percent remains unused underground.

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Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. Iran's imports from Georgia have sharply decreased during the three months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through June 21, 2025), falling by 58 percent in value and 67 percent in weight compared to the same period last year (from March 20 through June 20, 2024).

Data obtained by Trend from the country's Customs Administration indicates that the imports, which totaled around $18.3 million and 5,440 tons, mainly consisted of agricultural products, wood, various equipment, and spare parts.

In comparison, during the same period last year, imports from Georgia amounted to around 16,500 tons, with a value of about $43.5 million.

Trade turnover between the two countries during this period stood at $63.1 million and around 114,000 tons, marking a decline of 36.2 percent in value and 22.7 percent in weight compared to the previous year.

On a broader scale, Irans non-oil imports reached approximately $13 billion and 9 million tons during this period, registering decreases of 11.7 percent in value and 4.35 percent in weight compared to last year.

Iran prioritizes the import of essential goods needed by the country and maintains certain restrictions on the import of domestically produced products to support local industries.

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Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 3. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who is visiting Kazakhstan, Akorda's press service says, Trend reports.

It is reported that Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the arrival of the high-ranking guest on the eve of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, despite his busy schedule, is of particular importance and confirms the UN's commitment to the goals of sustainable development.

The President noted that the opening of the first Sustainable Development Goals Centre in Central Asia was an important step for the entire region. He thanked the Secretary-General and his team for their continued support of this initiative and praised the launch of the UN80 project. Kazakhstan, he said, fully supports the UN reform and shares its priorities, remaining true to the principles of multilateralism, diplomacy and international cooperation.

In turn, Antonio Guterres thanked for the warm welcome and noted Kazakhstan's significant contribution to strengthening global dialogue and promoting sustainable development goals. He emphasized that the country's renunciation of nuclear weapons has become an example for the entire world, and also noted Kazakhstan's role as a mediator and bridge between peoples, religions and cultures.

The parties discussed the prospects for the work of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia and Afghanistan, issues of reforming the Organization, as well as key international and regional topics.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 3. A fire broke out yesterday evening at a warehouse of a chemical plant in the Azarshahr district of East Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran, the director of the fire protection and security department of the executive authority of Azershahr district Rahim Hazrati said, Trend reports.

According to him, the incident occurred in a warehouse where flammable substances are stored.

Khazrati said the fire was caused by non-compliance with the rules for storing flammable substances in the warehouse and technical malfunctions.

A district spokesman said no one was killed or injured in the incident. Khazrati said an investigation was underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage. The fire has been extinguished.
How Israel views itself after Oct 7 attack

Israel is unlikely to settle for its old role; it will seek political roles that reflect its military capabilities

Sunday August 3, 2025 12:25 PM , Abdulrahman Al-Rashed

Seven years ago, I wrote about the regional rise of Israel. Today, its presence is greater than ever, and it is behind dramatic geopolitical changes in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks. After all this, how does Israel now view itself?

Israel is unlikely to settle for its old role; it will seek political roles that reflect its military capabilities.

Tel Aviv maintained a policy for over half a century based on protecting its existence, and its old and occupied borders. This included confronting Iran and manipulating opposing powers, including the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Bashar Assad.

Today, Israel is launching a new phase after having dismantled the powers that surrounded it. For the first time in its modern history, there is no regional force declaring a threat against Israel and capable of acting on it. Even Iran, after the destruction of its offensive capabilities, cannot do so. This equation could change in the future if Iran manages to rebuild its internal and external strength, but for now, that seems unlikely or far off.

With changing circumstances, Israels strategy is also changing. It no longer wants to be just a border guard  it wants to be an offensive player in the region. The region itself is scattered, with no clear alliances, as if it is waiting for someone to resolve its instability, including the Tehran axis, which has significantly shrunk.

Two Possibilities

There are two possibilities for what Israel could become. The first: It sees itself as a force to preserve the new status quo and stability, engaging peacefully with its neighbors by expanding relations with the rest of the Arab world. This would mean the end of the era of war and boycott. With the fall or weakening of regimes that opposed it, Israel would bolster its interests by entrenching the geopolitical situation, cleaning up its surroundings, and sidelining what remains of movements hostile to it.

The second possibility is that Israel, with its military superiority, wants to reshape the region based on its political vision and interests  and that could mean more confrontations. Regional states have longstanding fears in this regard. Expansionist regimes, such as Saddams Iraq, and Iran, viewed Israel as an obstacle to their regional ambitions and adopted a confrontational stance, even if their rhetoric was always wrapped in the Palestinian cause.

The attacks by Hamas pulled Israel out of its shell and placed it more squarely in the regional equation than ever before. So, is Israel seeking regional coexistence, or does it aim to appoint itself as the regions police?

Everything suggests that Israel wants to be a player in regional politics and conflicts. It could act as a military contractor, regional actor, or even the leader of an alliance. It has already quickly blocked Iraqi intervention in Syria and Turkish expansion as well.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu governments appetite for conflict has revived fears of a Greater Israel project and ambitions to expand across the region. But the truth is, most of these narratives are pushed by parties involved in the conflict, such as Iran, Syria, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the left.

Israel may be seeking a dominant role, but geographic expansion seems unlikely. For 50 years, it has remained inward-looking, using its financial, military, and legal capabilities to absorb the territories it occupied in the 1967 war. It is still struggling to hold onto them and has foiled many attempts to return them  either through a Palestinian state or by restoring them to Jordanian and Egyptian administration.

Israel is a small country and will likely remain so due to the nature of its system that insists on preserving its Jewish identity. Today, 20 percent of its citizens are Palestinian. If it were to annex the occupied territories, Palestinians would make up half the population. That makes the real challenge absorbing, not expanding, the West Bank and Gaza.

The fear is that Israeli extremists could try to exploit the current chaos for this purpose. That happened after the Oct. 7 attack , which was used as justification to expel part of the West Bank and Gaza population. This is a real possibility with dangerous consequences.

However, there is exaggeration in the rhetoric pushed by ideologues warning of a so-called Greater Israel, often citing images and articles calling for expansion beyond the Jordan River. These may exist within Talmudic or political narratives, just as some dream of Al-Andalus in old Arab-Islamic history.

Demographically, Israel is bound by its concept of a Jewish state and fears ethnic dilution, unlike most countries in the region, which were formed through and accepted ethnic and cultural diversity. Israel seeks dominance, but it fears the inevitable demographic integration that comes with occupation.

Politically, the future strategy of the Jewish state  after its recent military victories  remains unclear and may still be taking shape. Regardless of what it wants  whether a peaceful state open to its Arab neighbors or a regional police entangled in constant battles  the region has its own dynamics. Competing and complex factors drive it, and no single power can dominate it.

[The writer, Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, is a Saudi journalist and intellectual. He is the former General Manager of Al-Arabiya News Channel and Former Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat, where this article was originally published.]

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
The University of California (UC) has made history by admitting a record 100,947 first-year California students for the fall 2025 semester, marking a 7.4% increase from last year's 93,990. This milestone reflects the UC system's growing appeal, even as it navigates financial pressures from federal research funding cuts and proposed state budget reductions.

The UC system admitted a total of 180,382 students, including transfer and first-time college students, an 8% jump from 2024. Notably, 42% of accepted California freshmen are first-generation college students, with UC Berkeley reporting 32% and UC Santa Cruz 30% in this category. "We continue to experience significant growth, a clear indication that Californians recognize the value of a UC degree," said UC President Michael Drake, who will step down at the end of July to return to research and teaching.

Despite challenges from the Trump administration's policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, UC admissions data shows increased representation across all racial groups, including Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, white, and "unknown." The system also admitted 22,230 international students, though enrollment rates for non-California and international students remain lower, with only 25% of accepted international freshmen enrolling system-wide.

UC Berkeley, with a competitive 13% acceptance rate, admitted over 20,000 students, an 8% increase from last year's 18,431. Its international first-year admissions nearly doubled to 1,463 from 735, a target set before the 2024 presidential election, according to university spokesperson Aileen Zerrudo. UC Santa Cruz, with a 73% acceptance rate, admitted 57,100 students, up by 2,000, though its international admissions slightly dipped to 4,836 from 5,249.

The system-wide admission rate for California first-year students rose to 77% from 70% in 2024, with significant growth at UC Merced and UC Riverside. This surge underscores UC's commitment to accessibility and diversity, even amid external pressures. As Drake noted, "Our latest admissions numbers demonstrate that families across our state recognize that UC degrees prepare students for a lifetime of meaningful contributions in their communities and far beyond."
The Trump administration has suspended approximately $339 million in federal research grants to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), citing violations of anti-discrimination and civil rights laws. The freeze, which affects funding from agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Department of Energy (DOE), follows accusations that UCLA failed to adequately address antisemitism and discrimination on its campus.

This action was announced shortly after UCLA settled a lawsuit for over $6 million with Jewish students and a faculty member, who claimed the university permitted a hostile environment during large-scale pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests following the Gaza conflict in 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice determined that UCLA violated civil rights by insufficiently responding to student complaints of antisemitism. Federal investigations at UCLA also involve alleged discrimination in admissions and compliance with diversity laws.

Federal officials stated that unless UCLA implements changes to eliminate the hostile environment and prevent recurrence, the institution could face further legal action. According to governmental letters, the reasons cited for the suspension include discrimination in admissions, lack of campus safety for Jewish students, and insufficient support for diversity initiatives; there are also accusations regarding inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports.

University Chancellor Julio Frenk condemned the funding freeze, stating it jeopardizes critical research in medicine, science, and technologyresearch benefiting Americans nationwide. State leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, criticized the freeze as endangering health, innovation, and national security, describing it as politicized retaliation.

As a result of the freeze, hundreds of grants supporting lifesaving and technology research are suspended, impacting UCLA's research community and potentially setting a major precedent for how the federal government interacts with public universities on civil rights compliance and free speech issues. UCLA and the University of California system are reviewing their legal and operational responses while continuing to implement anti-discrimination measures on campus.
Pope Leo prays for two young pilgrims who died during Jubilee of Youth.

An estimated one million young people from all over the world gathered in the outskirts of Rome on Saturday evening for a prayer vigil as part of the Jubilee of Youth.

Pope Leo XIV led the pilgrims in prayer at the vigil which culminated in a Mass on Sunday morning, presided over by the pontiff, bringing to an end the week-long Jubilee of Youth event.

The pilgrims spent the night at the huge open-air site in Rome's southeastern Tor Vergata suburb, where the World Youth Day was held 25 years ago during the 2000 Jubilee.

The event featured singing, Scripture readings, and Eucharistic Adoration, with Pope Leo hosting a question-and-answer session addressing topics relating to friendship, life choices, and encountering Jesus.

One million young people from around the world joined Pope Leo for the Prayer Vigil as part of the Jubilee of Youth, which focused on three themes: friendship, prayer, and courage.



After arriving in a helicopter from Rome, the Pope greeted the crowds in the popemobile before pic.twitter.com/EXbJue8vUM  Vatican News (@VaticanNews) August 2, 2025

Pope Leo, who arrived at the venue by helicopter from the Vatican, prayed for two young pilgrims who died during the Jubilee: Maria, a Spanish woman, and Pascale, originally from Egypt.

The pope also called for prayers for a young Spaniard hospitalised in a serious condition at the Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome.

The Jubilee of Youth, the largest event of the Vatican's ongoing Jubilee Year, has seen hordes of young pilgrims descend on Italy's capital over the last week.

Photo Vatican Media
You wouldnt call The Boomtown Rats timeless; thats for Disney movies and first dance songs.

But whatever that energy is and make it rock and roll, that is what The Boomtown Rats brought to the Something Kind of Wonderful stage at All Together Now in Waterford this Sunday afternoon.

The Boomtown Rats at ATN

A huge crowd turned out to see Geldof roar, roll and dance his way across the stage in a way that a 20-year-old pop star would envy.

And the crowd loved every second.

Geldof referenced songs they first played fifty years ago, like '(Shes Gonna) Do You In' and 'I Dont Like Mondays'.

He pointed out to at least one set of parents in the front row that their children were too young to be watching him up on that stage.

The Boomtown Rats at ATN

But you know what, children today need punk rock.

They need someone who stands up and says what they feel in the moment.

No diplomacy, just honesty and thats what Geldof is most known for.

Watch a video clip below as Bob Geldof speaks of the effect of seeing Palestinian flags in the audience

Children today watch live-streamed genocide on their phones and feel helpless.

But 50 years ago, children watched news-broadcast clips of war and screamed about it.

The Boomtown Rats at ATN

The Boomtown Rats used 'I Dont Like Monday' to comment on Palestine and the invasion of Ukraine.

He said they have been playing that song for fifty years, and every time they were thinking of a new horror.

Referencing the Palestinian flags at what appeared to be every gig that weekend, Geldof said:

Here in front of you, seeing your flags, Im full of those exhausted women and starving children in Palestine.

Palestinian flag during The Boomtown Rats at the Something Kind of Wonderful tent

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Im thinking of those brave people dying now as we stand in this tent enjoying ourselves, on the frontline in Ukraine,", the crowd cheers again, and Geldof continues singing one of the most famous songs about the senselessness of violence.

The crowd loved it.

They sang every word of 'Rat Trap', 'Like Clockwork' and all of the songs they grew up with or are growing up with.

Geldof declared that they would never forget that afternoon.

The Boomtown Rats at ATN

One photographer may have had the picture of the weekend as Geldof commandeered him from the wings to take a photo of the band and crowd.

Thousands more have turned out for the more current big names across the weekend.

But this Sunday afternoon proved that it's hard to beat The Boomtown Rats!
Broadcasters Dearbhail McDonald and Bryan Dobson co-hosted two programmes entitled, 'The Last Irish Missionaries', which were televised on RTE in the last two weeks.

The programmes charted the remarkable work of the Irish Missionary Movement in Africa, Asia, and South America.

At its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, it saw over 6,000 Irish Catholic missionaries dispersed across 80 countries.

Now there are only about 450 still scattered around the world.

It is good that their story was told.

Missionaries headed off to foreign lands, having to cope with extreme temperatures, wars, genocide, brutal dictatorial regimes.

They have been internationally acclaimed for their work. I think we could say they have done us proud.

Many people were deeply moved by the documentary.

For example, we were shown film footage of sisters and priests in war-torn Biafra and famine-stricken Ethiopia.

One journalist commented on the very touching image of a sister during the famine there lovingly caring for emaciated children, many of whom died but so many survived because of the sisters efforts.

I was really impressed by the vision and approach of the missionaries featured in the programme.

Im thinking of Sr. Mary Killeen, working in the slums in Nairobi or Sr. Anne Coleman, who worked with the oppressed in Brazilian shanty towns, victims of a cruel oppressive dictatorship, or Fr Cyril Lovett who also worked in South America.

The missionaries had huge respect for the tribal communities with whom they worked.

They recognised that these people had a great awareness of the presence and power of God; they had a strong sense of community, and a vivid experience of the communion between the living and the dead.

Also, their sense of harmony with nature and their marvellous ability to celebrate was so much in harmony with the Christian outlook.

The missionaries discerned that the Holy Spirit was in a sense already present with the people and they were not coming to impose an alien ideology.

But the missionaries also helped communities to become critically aware of the challenges posed by the Gospel to aspects of their culture.

For example, the programme featured Sr Orla Treacy who founded Loreto Rumbek, a school in South Sudan providing education and life skills for young girls.

The goal is to empower the girls to break free from the cycle of early and forced marriages and embrace a brighter future.

The girls are liberated from that aspect of their culture that forces them into marriage at a young age and through education they are empowered to lead change in their community. Established in 2008 in South Sudan, Loreto Rumbek Primary and Secondary School educates girls from ages 5 to 20.

In such instances gospel values help to transform the culture.

Dearbhail McDonald reminded us this was not always the case.

Indeed, missionaries in the past could be accused of promoting a form of colonialism in that they attempted to import Irish customs and practices to the native communities and in a sense supported the colonial powers at the time.

However, missionaries like Fr Shay Cullen radically challenged colonialism, or more correctly, neo-colonialism in the Philippines.

He is a member of the Missionary Society of St Columban, which is based in Dalgan Park in Navan.

He is based in Olongapo City in the Philippines.

When he arrived there, the Philippines was in many ways colonised by the United States.

Through the American foreign policy, it propped up the military regime in the Philippines.

This had enormous consequences for the native population.

The programme featured Fr Shays work with the Preda Foundation which he founded in 1974.

Its mission: to rescue and rehabilitate young girls who were trafficked for sex and suffered horrendous abuse.

His major expose was the uncovering of a city-wide sex abuse practice of selling children for sex to US Navy personnel [there was a US Navy base in Olongapo Port].

Fr. Shays foundation provided therapeutic healing and support to the victims and empowered them to fight for justice.

With the support of Preda, many victims won convictions of local and foreign child traffickers and child abusers.

The young victims were freed from debt bondage and supported in their struggle to start a new life.

Like Fr Shay, the missionaries featured were concerned about Christian values, giving witness to them and promoting them in society.

Many devoted their time and energy to building up primary healthcare systems, establishing schools, developing social services or empowering women.

I was really inspired by Sr Mary Killeen.

Working in the slums in Nairobi, she has developed a healthcare system and educational facilities for the poorest of the poor.

She is happy to share in the life of the poor and the destitute, witnessing to a God who wants to liberate Gods people from poverty and destitution.

Sr Mary was honoured by President Higgins when she was presented with the Presidential Distinguished Services Award.

It is a wonderful tribute to our missionaries that RTE would honour them with a powerful documentary programme on their work.

Indeed, we, at home, have so much to learn from their model of Church as Servant of Gods Kingdom of love, justice, peace, and harmony.
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 Having grown up on our screens as the golden-hearted schoolboy Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard is used to inhabiting an otherworldly realm.He has spent the past 10 years  almost half his life  heading off attacks from the alien forces of the Upside Down dimension. Mostly, he has confronted the unknown on greenscreen: blank sets where the work of computer animators will round out the action. They are amazing artists in their own way, he says. But as an actor, you are reacting off nothing. What attracted him to making fantasy film The Legend of Ochi, he says, was its hand-made quality. Isaiah Saxons film, which is screening at MIFF, is also a fantasy about a clash between humans and bizarre creatures, but it is a very different beast. Most of it was shot on location. It is set in the Carpathian Mountains  Count Draculas old haunt  where the villages, save for the occasional passing car, look very much as they always have, surrounded by mountains covered in thick forest. Here, the foolhardy explorer may encounter the Ochi, which are like large apes with an alien tweak. The smaller Ochi are played by puppets; the larger ones are actors in furry suits. I didnt want to go too far from nature, says Saxon. I wanted the audience to see the Ochi as real animals living in a real place. Helena Zengel as Yuri, with her baby Ochi. Credit: Madman Films For Wolfhard, all this was fantastically old-school. I loved the idea of working with animatronics and puppets, he says, speaking over Zoom along with German actress Helena Zengel, who plays the films heroine, Yuri. The puppets, he says, required people to operate them; one persons entire job might be operating a key Ochis ears. This was an opportunity to really have this kind of amazing experience which not a lot of people get to have these days, says Wolfhard, who has been in our lounge rooms as Mike since he was 12, but is still only 22. There was a whole team of people piloting the Ochi. And there was something so cool about that because, as they were controlling the puppets, they were the real actors.

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Zengel is 17, but her character is just emerging from childhood, torn between loyalty to her embittered father Maxim (Willem Dafoe) and longing for her mother Dasha (Emily Watson), a mythic figure who left the family under an impenetrable cloud years before. Maxim regularly takes the local boys  his proxy sons, handed over by their fathers for Maxim to toughen up  out on raiding parties. They try to kill any Ochi they can find, then come home for a revivifying wrestle; its a sort of genocidal version of Scouts. Finn Wolfhard with Willem Dafoe in The Legend of Ochi. Credit: Madman Films Wolfhard plays Petro, a hesitant orphan whom Maxim has taken into his home. Petro is repelled by this bloodlust but is too timid to say so; it is Yuri who is the good shot, keen to hold her own among the boys. Until, the day after one of these night raids, she finds a wounded baby Ochi in the woods. The little Ochi looks like a cross between Yoda and a bush baby. Miserable Yuri feels an immediate affinity for it; more remarkably, she discovers she can trill its musical language. She takes it home, bandages it, sings to it. Loading I wanted to centre a kid who felt that her ability to express herself had withered or died, says Saxon. Yuri is shut down and her only outlet is listening to screaming black metal. Then she sees an animal that is an antidote to everything humans are: direct, intuitive, instinctual. What would happen to that kid if that Ochi energy was in her life? As it happens  and happenstance proves unusually obliging here, even by the standards of fairytale  she rediscovers her mother, Dasha, now a shepherd high in the hills. You cant befriend an Ochi, says Dasha. You shouldnt try. Look at what we did to wolves, she spits. Turned them into lapdogs!

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This is Saxons first feature, but he has already carved out a significant career as an inspired music video director, working with artists including Bjork and Grizzly Bear; Wolfhard, who recently released his first album, was drawn to the project initially because he was a fan of those clips. I have this discomfort with our reliance on language as the primary communication format as human, Saxon says. The Ochi communicate by merging their emotions through their voices, which are produced by mixing a mockingbirds call and something called a throat whistle. Saxon discovered the throat whistle and its great exponent, Paul Manalatos, when he was trawling the internet. There was Manalatos, warbling into his webcam. Somehow, thats very much in the spirit of the film. The discovery of a wounded baby Ochi changes everything for Helena Zengels Yuri. Credit: Madman Films Zengel started acting even earlier than Wolfhard. She was 10 years old when she was lauded as revelatory in the tough 2019 German drama System Crasher, about a frighteningly volatile ward of the state who is passed from one agency to another, all her carers soon admitting she is beyond them. I was super young, you know, she says. Back then, obviously I had fun saying these bad words! It was a cool time; I was able to do anything that kids shouldnt do. But I understood what was going on, I understood the topic and I took it seriously. Loading The Legend of Ochi, as a family movie culminating in a clutch of benign messages about tolerance, diversity and the environment, is ostensibly that films polar opposite, but Zengel notes that it doesnt condescend to younger audiences. Very young children might have eyes only for the baby Ochi, but there is a darkness at the heart of the story that could provoke uncomfortable questions for viewers of any age.

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I think there are adults who might take life lessons from it, she says. It has beautiful side stories that it tells and things that you can project on todays society and todays life. So I think its a very complex film. Wolfhard agrees. I loved the script for just that reason. That, yes, kids could watch it, but it wasnt explicitly for children. I think movies made for kids in the last 15 years really try to spoon-feed children and assume they cant take in more nuanced themes. Think of a great movie for children: almost everyone goes straight for The Wizard of Oz. I watched that as a kid and theres a lot of scary stuff in that movie. But life is scary! says Wolfhard. Oh yes! I was traumatised by The Wizard of Oz! enthuses Zengel. I like when children even at a young age see films or talk about things that are more serious. A mother Ochi leaves her human counterpart in the shade in The Legend of Ochi. Credit: Madman Films Obviously, the Ochi are standing in for all the real animals that have been hunted or crowded out by humans  wolves, whales, tigers  at the same time as pushing a plea for peaceful co-existence that children readily understand. Closer to home, however, is the films frankness about families failings. Loading When Yuri runs away, mad Maxim dons some armour that could date back to Vlad the Impaler, gathers his boys and prepares to run his daughter to ground with a rifle. Dafoes Maxim is ultimately a pathetically vulnerable man, but hes dangerous with it; Emily Watson, as the bolter, is hardly a cosy mother figure. They compare poorly with Ochi parents, who enfold their young in their fur, singing.

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Sugary foods are still among the top snacks sold to primary school students despite them being banned or limited at canteens.

Victorias canteen policy says schools should promote a healthy school environment to ensure students are alert and engaged in the classroom.

Mum Sally Wighton uses the canteen at Rowville Primary School once a week and is impressed with the healthy options available to her children Finley, 9, and Edith, 7. Credit: Joe Armao

But sales of unhealthy food and drinks meant to be limited or prohibited under the policy are as common as sales of healthy ones, according to new research, meaning the government is failing to effectively enforce its own health guidelines.

Education Department guidelines prohibit the sale of sugary drinks and confectionery such as chocolate, lollies and items with yoghurt toppings in school canteens.
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InspirationEurope Visit this underrated European city before it becomes the next big thing Brian Johnston August 4, 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

Belgrade doesnt have the pomp of Rome or Paris, the literary familiarity of London, or the cultural kudos of Athens. It isnt pretty. It doesnt have a distinctive look or a polished reputation. But all that is good news, because it means Belgrade has some of Europes lowest costs and fewest crowds. Tourist visitors to all of Serbia hover just over two million; neighbouring Croatia attracts ten times as many. The historic Zemun district. Andrej Nihil/National Tourism Organisation of Serbi Get there now before Belgrade becomes the next trendy European getaway. The Serbian capital is booming, its inhabitants ambitious and defiant of negative stereotypes. Youll get new perspectives on an old continent, sights without queues, gritty history, and throbbing contemporary energy. Belgrade is one of Europes oldest permanently inhabited capital cities but has never been tranquil. Buildings are pockmarked by bombing from its latest conflict following the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

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A lot of architectural history has been erased, and Belgrade doesnt have access to European Union restoration money, yet in places is graced with unexpectedly elegant neoclassical streets and squares. The interior of the Saint Sava Temple ,encased in glittering gold mosaics, is stunning. Andrej Nihil/National Tourism Organisation of Serbia. The main monuments are its ruined Serbian-Ottoman-Hapsburg fortress and whopping Saint Sava Temple, the countrys triumphant new expression of Serbian Orthodoxy. Its interior, encased in glittering gold mosaics, is stunning. Those of a certain age will also appreciate the House of Flowers, mausoleum of Josip Broz Tito, the Yugoslav president who died in 1980. Its architecture and exhibits are a throwback to the 1970s, when socialism and the Iron Curtain preoccupied the news cycle. But this perennial comeback city feels more about the future these days. Get walking, get talking to locals, get eating, and enjoy the energy and enthusiasms of this buzzing city.

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For a start, it has one of Europes best live-music and nightlife scenes. Savamala district is the neighbourhood for creative arts and nightlife, in which the latest bars and clubs hunker in down-at-heel Art Nouveau mansions. If youre a craft-beer or late-night party lover, this is the place to be. Thats one reason international jetsetters might be arriving soon. Another is the restaurant scene. New Balkan cuisine is attracting increasing notice, Belgrade dining is constantly evolving, and street-food stalls and cafes compete for tastebud attention with Michelin-listed restaurants, of which there are currently 21. Knez Mihailova Street where locals shop, lick ice creams and sit on cafe terraces. Aleksandar Matic/National Tourism Organisation of Serbia Skadarlija is the bohemian quarter, where you can browse art galleries and antique stores and try traditional dishes in taverns. Kosancicev Venac district retains its cobbled streets and nineteenth-century buildings, and has wine bars and esoteric eateries hidden down side alleys. Take the bus to historic Zemun district for dinner in a local restaurant on the riverbanks. Meanwhile, closer to the city centre, waterfronts are mushrooming with chic apartments and office blocks, shopping malls and regenerated promenades. Belgrade has the longest riverfronts of any city in Europe: 250 kilometres along the Sava and Danube, which meet here.

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On top of all that, Belgrade has the usual pleasantries of European capitals: numerous parks, street markets, a royal palace inhabited by the current pretender to the Serbian throne, and pedestrian streets such as Knez Mihailova Street, where locals shop, lick ice creams and sit on cafe terraces. Related Article Opinion

Travel tips Want to avoid crowds in Europe? Look for what a destination is missing Ben Groundwater Travel writer There are museums too, of course. The National Museum rumbles through history since prehistoric times, the Museum of Contemporary Art is full of experimental bemusements by Balkan painters and photographers, Nikola Tesla Museum is dedicated to the famous scientist. The museums give you an alternative look at Europe from a Balkans perspective. So do Serbian cultural monuments such as the vast statue of a cloaked, sword-wielding Stefan Nemanja in Sava Square. Thats what I like about Belgrade. Ive heard all about Henry VIII, Louis XIV and William Tell, but Ive no idea who Stefan Nemanja is. Just as I think I know Europe, Belgrade tells me otherwise. It batters my smug traveller certainties, and gives me something new to think about.

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Emirates flies from Melbourne and Sydney to Dubai with onward connections to Belgrade with FlyDubai. See emirates.com STAY

Hotel Moskva is an elegant, old-time historic hotel with a wellness centre and atmospheric cafe. Rooms from 115 ($202) a night. See hotelmoskva.rs MORE

tob.rs The writer travelled as a guest of Collette.

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Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion Want an upgrade on your flight? Heres what works (and what doesnt) Michael Gebicki The Tripologist August 4, 2025  3:00am

August 4, 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 103 View all comments

Key points Dressing up or sweet-talking staff wont get you an upgrade

Loyalty is key, and frequent flyers with status and points are first in line

Even with upgradeable fares or points, seat availability is limited

Youve been upgraded are the sweetest words youll ever hear at the check-in desk. Its honey to a bear, entry to the gates of heaven, a place among the rich and powerful  and its about as rare as a lottery win. You might have a mate who knows someone whose cousin got an upgrade. A couple of them, actually. They arrived at the check-in desk for their economy class flight suited up like they were heading for the Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup and a miracle happened. Instead of economy, their boarding class bore the magical words business. Legends! Expecting an upgrade because youre sharply dressed will do nothing except amuse the check-in staff. iStock Thus adding fuel to the myth that says if you dress nicely, you just might get an upgrade, but honestly, this is a furphy. Dressing in designer wear and asking for an upgrade will only provide temporary amusement for the check-in staff. They do not have discretion to offer upgrades, and by themselves, charm, a genuine Louis Vuitton case or a pearly smile wont get you a seat at the pointy end. Likewise, claiming its a honeymoon trip, a special anniversary, a birthday or a first-time meet-up with your Facebook love interest. Dont even think about it. What gets you that upgrade

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In a word, loyalty. Loyalty is everything when it comes to air travel upgrades. Airlines have long memories and big databases, and they know exactly how often you fly with them and how many points and status credits youve accumulated, and those are the metrics that will help you get an upgrade. With a purse bulging with points and status credits, youre at the front of the queue when upgrade opportunities come your way. Unless you have a high loyalty status and a tonne of frequent flyer points, youre unlikely to get an upgrade without paying for it. Travellers on fully flexible fares are next in line. Theyve paid for the privilege, and airlines are more inclined to look after them when seats need shuffling. Beyond those, the pool dries up quickly. Between loyal frequent flyers and full-fare passengers, theres usually no shortage of contenders when an upgrade is on the cards, leaving little room for hopeful glances or whispered charm at the gate. When points are not enough Even when youre sitting on a zillion points, getting an upgrade is not a shoo-in. I recently requested an upgrade to business using points on a Singapore Airlines return flight from Sydney to Delhi. I paid full price for a flexi premium economy seat, the highest category, which is a points-upgradeable ticket. When I submitted the request via the airlines MySQupgrade website, the response was no-go. I called the airlines customer service and was told yes, I could upgrade with points, but not on the flights Id booked. Id have to switch to a flight leaving Delhi the following day, at an inconvenient time with a much longer stopover in Singapore, and that wasnt going to work.

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Lesson learned. Although you can see the flight tickets that are upgradeable with points, and even if there are empty seats in the class you want, that doesnt mean theyre available to you. If the flight is still some time away, the airlines booking algorithm might expect those seats will be filled with fare-paying passengers. If not, the airline still has strategies to earn revenue from those seats. Only when those strategies do not produce results will the seats become available to passengers using points. Next time I want to use points for an upgrade, Im calling customer service before making a booking and asking which flights are going to get me that precious seat. Related Article Opinion

Air travel I was upgraded to premium economy. I wish Id stayed in cattle class Lee Tulloch Travel columnist Ill also check to see how many seats are available on various flights on different days, and this is a tedious process if I do it through the airlines own website but theres a better way. Expert Flyer enables travellers to search for frequent flyer award and upgrade availability, check how full flights are, track flight status and delays, and view seat maps. To unlock the full toolkit, you need a subscription, but the free version lets you check which seats in which class are still vacant on the flight youre planning to take, and thats valuable information for anyone looking to upgrade using points. Bidding for an upgrade A couple of days before your flight, you might be offered the chance to bid for an upgrade, but how much should you pay? Its a blind auction, so no indication of what other passengers might offer for the same seat, and the airline isnt offering any guidance. The Points Guy suggests: Calculate the regular cost of a business-class seat. Subtract what you paid for the economy fare, and aim for around 20 to 40 per cent of the remaining price. Better still, find out the availability of seats in the cabin youre aiming for. If its relatively empty, you could try at the lower end of that range but if there are only one or two seats free, you probably need to go higher. At the check-in desk, you might also be offered the chance to upgrade. Not all airlines do this, especially not the legacy carriers. It will be a cash transaction, and the price is fixed.

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The auction process is often facilitated by Plusgrade, an agency that helps airlines maximise ancillary revenue by auctioning off empty seats. Individual airlines can specify who gets priority, giving a higher chance of success to passengers with more points and status credits, for example. Plusgrade now partners with more than 70 airlines, including Qantas, Japan Airlines, Qatar, United, Air New Zealand and Garuda Indonesia. SeatBoost is another agency that also auctions last-minute upgrades to premium seats. Unlike Plusgrade, SeatBoost conducts its auctions via an app or website. The only airlines that participate in its auctions are Air Greenland, Condor, LATAM, WestJet, Avianca, Iberia and TAP Air Portugal. Thats not a group likely to appeal to many Australian travellers unless South America or Spain and Portugal happen to feature in their flight itineraries. Related Article Opinion

Air travel Frustration over a Qantas upgrade changed the way I travel Tony Wright Associate editor and special writer Upgrades can happen when theyre least expected. Last year, my wife and I were upgraded from premium economy to business on a China Eastern flight from Paris to Shanghai. Wed changed our booking at the last moment, when premium economy was already full, so the airline bumped us up, an operational upgrade in airline parlance. And just for the record, while passengers once dressed up for flights, those days are over. If you want to see a bunch of flyers who look like they just got out of bed and crawled into whatever happened to be lying within arms reach on the floor, thats mostly what you get in business class. Not all, but some clearly prioritise comfort above class. And that should put a nail in the coffin of the upgrade-for-the-well-dressed myth.

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Anthony Mackie is opening up about how he almost lost his role in The Hurt Locker because of another directors unreleased film.

During a recent episode of Varietys Know Their Lines, Mackie shared the backstory behind being cast in the 2009 Oscar-winner.

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Hurt Locker is probably one of the most important acting experiences I had, he began. We shot that in 2007, and I remember I was doing a movie in North Carolina with quite possibly the worst director to ever direct. Ironically, because of that the movie never came out.

He continued, Because of that, the movie went over and I had to pull out of Hurt Locker. They offered it to somebody else, and he said no because it wasnt enough money.

Despite Mackie being tied up with the other film, the production offered him the role again and was willing to wait until he wrapped the unreleased project.

I went from this sucky director who had no business in being in the business or in the directors chair to Kathryn Bigelow, Mackie said. The moment I landed in Amman, Jordan, we hit the ground running [with] cultural research, military research, character studies  the real work a director does. It really was poignant to me the type of people I want to work with and the type of people who shouldnt be working.

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Mackies performance in The Hurt Locker was a career-defining role as he played Sergeant J.T. Sanborn, a soldier and member of the fictional bomb disposal unit in Baghdad, Iraq.

The film received widespread critical praise for its portrayal of the war in Iraq. At the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010, The Hurt Locker took home six awards from its nine nominations for best motion picture, best achievement in directing, best writing, original screenplay, best achievement in film editing, best achievement in sound mixing and best achievement in sound editing.

Watch the entire video below.

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I love Godzilla. The Big G and I go way back to my salad days of playing with action figures, crafting stories between Godzilla, King Ghidorah, and whatever Batman toy was handy. Unfortunately, the recent American output for Big G has left me underwhelmed in the extreme. While Japan has been knocking it out of the park with Shin Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One, the American films have been on a downward slope of quality since Godzilla: King of the Monsters (what I could see of it).

So, in an effort to imbibe some American Godzilla cinema that wasnt the animated emptiness of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, I looked around on YouTube to see if there were any creators doing something interesting with the Godzilla universe.

Thankfully, I found just that.

Living with Monsters

My search led me to the channel Lost Utopia Films, an outlet that has been making a number of videos and animations based around Godzilla and other giant monsters. The video that crossed my path was Living with Monsters and it immediately won me over.

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Living with Monsters is presented as if its a legitimate documentary film made in the 1960s. The concept is that Living with Monsters acts as an introduction and explanation for a new world where giant monsters run amok. The dedication to the bit is what hooked me with this. Seeing a low-to-no budget video try something I hadnt seen fully executed before was exciting. Why hadnt an official Godzilla movie or series tried something this aesthetically correct?

What I also enjoyed about Living with Monsters is that it can be freed of any copyright worries and pull together monsters from many different movies and properties. It means that the Lost Utopia Films gang is getting to build their own unique monster world with its own mythology.

Which leads to Shelter 54.

Shelter 54

The next video from Lost Utopia Films I watched was the follow-up to Living with Monsters. Instead of another riff on the old-timey documentary, Shelter 54 takes the form of an official government video detailing a horrific incident that led to the creation of another monster.

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This one takes the concept to some unexpectedly freaky areas and offers yet another interesting interpretation on a classic monster. Its this kind of ingenuity that you dont see fostered in the American Godzilla outings. Shelter 54 proves there is still legitimate horror to be mined from these many monsters.

Lost Utopia Films just put out another Godzilla video that acts as if its a tourist ad for a monster safari. Its this kind of fresh approach that I feel is missing from so much of the modern American Godzilla output. If Hollywood was smart, theyd scoop up writer/director/editor Tarrell Christie and let them make some kind of full-length faux doc or a series. This is some of the most creatively stimulating stuff Ive seen from a Godzilla story/universe in a while.

Heres hoping for more from Lost Utopia Films and their Godzilla output.




NEED TO KNOW

Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta are entrepreneurs living in Miami

The couple got engaged last year, but didn't share their hilarious proposal video until recently

The clip went viral for all the wrong reasons, but they tell PEOPLE they think it's "the funniest thing"





Every year, Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta host a dreamy yoga retreat on the island of Santorini, Greece.

During last years trip, the Yoga Plus Miami co-founder's itinerary took a romantic turn when Arrieta planned a surprise proposal on what he thought to be the perfect cobblestone street.

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With a tripod set and the moment perfectly staged, Arrieta dropped to one knee  only for two unsuspecting tourists to stroll directly into the frame at exactly the wrong time.

Natali Melani/Kevin Arrieta/@twobeamsonelight Tourist in proposal frame. Tourist in proposal frame.

Nevertheless, the camera kept rolling and the special moment was hilariously blocked by a man and his wife, completely unaware of what was unfolding behind them.

By the time Melani and Arrieta realized the mishap, the tourists had vanished into the Santorini streets, leaving behind a now cherished  and viral  digital souvenir.

I set up a tripod. I wanted to pop the question and then it all happened organically, Arrieta tells PEOPLE exclusively. Then I look over, and I just see [tourists] in front of it, and then we just couldn't believe it.

Natali Melani/Kevin Arrieta/@twobeamsonelight Tourists in proposal frame. Tourists in proposal frame.

The couple who unknowingly stole the spotlight seemed completely oblivious to their surroundings. They stopped right in front of the camera, as if taking a break to regroup.

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The wife scanned the area, trying to gather her bearings, while her husband casually munched on a half-melted candy bar, blissfully unaware they were both blocking a proposal in progress.

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.

http://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

They walked away, [we] picked up our phone and we watched the video. We just died. Like we froze," Melani recalls. "We stayed there, probably rewatching it a couple of times, just dying."

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But they were gone before we could say anything or show them or connect with them. They just disappeared. It seems like they were looking for something.

Despite not having their proposal captured on camera, Melani and Arrieta took a humorous, lighthearted approach to the situation, and a year later, they finally shared the video on social media.

Natali Melani/Kevin Arrieta/@twobeamsonelight Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta after their proposal. Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta after their proposal.

A lot of people think we're mad about it. We're not mad at all. I think it's just like the funniest thing," Arrieta says. "And that's why we've been holding on to it. We've been showing our friends. And like they think it's funny. I'm like, okay, let's post it."

Arrieta was inspired to post the clip after audio from a low-cost British airline, Jet2, gained traction on TikTok as people used it to share their funniest travel stories.

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And then the whole Jet 2 audio came out. And we're like perfectwe're happy the whole world is just laughing about it.

Natali Melani/Kevin Arrieta/@twobeamsonelight Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta. Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta.

One of the most unexpected debates about the video centered around a surprisingly specific detail: what kind of candy bar the man was eating.

In the beginning, we thought it was Snickers. But then, through the comments, we learned about this new bar called the Corny bar, Arrieta explains. So there's like this whole battle between, is it Snickers, or is it Corny?

Some commenters have even suggested tracking down the tourist couple and inviting them to the wedding  a playful idea that Melani and Arrieta have entertained, though they havent started planning the big day just yet.

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They will make us laugh forever, like we're not upset, Melani emphasizes. We don't think it ruined our proposal. We think they're adorable.

As a way to make up for the lost footage, the pair ended up doing a professional engagement photoshoot with SantoriniDress before returning home to Florida.

While the couple is thrilled with how things turned out, Arrieta offers some advice for other people looking to get down on a knee in the near future.

I would say, for sure, get a photographer, and maybe the photographer has an assistant to block out the crowd or something? I don't know, but maybe don't pick a tourist attraction, Arrieta warns others after learning his lesson the hard way.

SantoriniDress Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta's professional photoshoot. Natali Melani and Kevin Arrieta's professional photoshoot.

Melani acknowledges that some women have high expectations around proposals, which can put a lot of pressure on their partners, and she sympathizes with both sides.

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But she also sees their own experience as a reminder to keep things light and not take everything too seriously  noting that not even a tourist with a candy bar can ruin their moment.

Take things with a grain of salt and a little bit of humor, Melani tells PEOPLE. It is what it is, we're in public. We share this world with other people.

Read the original article on People




Key Points

Digital nomads are choosing European destinations like Madeira, Kotor, and Prague for their mix of affordability, culture, and reliable infrastructure.

These destinations offer various visa options or easy residence permits, making them accessible for remote workers from outside the European Union.

The digital nomad lifestyle appeals because it blends career freedom with the chance to live in inspiring, travel-friendly places.





The global digital nomad community surpassed 40 million in 2025, according to the data company DemandSagerepresenting a 149 percent increase since 2019. Some 18.1 million of those people are from the U.S., but before you book your ticket to join them, there are a few things you need to know.

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"The digital nomad lifestyle is about designing a life that blends professional flexibility with personal exploration," Keith Spencer, a career expert at FlexJobs, shared with Travel + Leisure. "To strike the right balance, digital nomads are typically drawn to cities with reliable internet, affordable living costs, vibrant local culture, and a strong community of remote workers."

As Spencer noted, anyone considering this lifestyle should look beyond the beautiful scenery of a destination and consider all the practical details.

"Time zone compatibility with clients and colleagues, access to essential infrastructure, language barriers, and local tax implications can all play a major role in the overall experience," Spencer said. "Becoming a successful digital nomad requires thoughtful planning, financial stability, and a willingness to adapt to new environments. That might sound intimidating to some, but many find that the freedom and perspective this lifestyle offers are well worth the trade-offs."

Ready to take the leap? Here are 10 of the best European destinations for digital nomads.

Madeira, Portugal

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure People swimming in natural pools on the coast of Madeira. People swimming in natural pools on the coast of Madeira.

Portugal has been a hot destination for digital nomads for years. I should knowI moved here four years ago as part of my PhD journey while also working remotely. Although I am on a different visa track than digital workers, I can attest to how friendly and open the nation is to those who want to call it home, even if only for a little while. However, the biggest advice I'd give to anyone who asks is to look outside the city centers of Porto and Lisbon, both of which are currently facing housing shortages for locals. Luckily, as our experts explained, the rest of the country is just as lovely as these hubs.

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One place to look into is Madeira, Portugal. Its not very expensive, the weather is pretty nice year-round, and its not too touristy," Steve Schwab, the CEO of Casago, a vacation rental site, explained. "Beyond that, they actually have a Digital Nomad Village in Ponta do Sol. Its a co-living, co-working area that is designed specifically for digital nomads, so its a great way to meet other digital nomads."

Rekha Magon, co-founder of Boundless Life, a website for digital nomads, agreed, noting that Sintra feels like a fairy-tale village nestled in the hills just outside of Lisbon. Its peaceful yet connected, with charming cafes, reliable Wi-Fi, and just 20 minutes from beautiful beaches. The castles are majestic, and the energy is both creative and grounding. As for how you can move, look into Portugals D7 visa, often a top choice for remote workers who can show proof of a steady income (around $890 a month, or equivalent savings).

Kotor, Montenegro

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure A clocktower in old town Kotor, Montenegro. A clocktower in old town Kotor, Montenegro.

Montenegro may only be about 5,300 square miles, but don't let its diminutive size fool you. This nation packs a major punch for those looking to experience culture, nature, and history in between Zoom meetings. As for the perfect spot, Magon said digital nomads should head right to Kotor, a fortress town along the coast.



"Kotor is a rare mix of medieval charm and coastal calm, ideal for digital nomads seeking inspiration," Magon said. "The stunning landscape views, endless hiking trails, and serene pace make it feel like a retreat that still gets work done."

Montenegro doesn't offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, but remote workers can apply for a temporary residence permit, which allows them to stay for one year.

Pistoia, Italy

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure Patio seating in Pistoia, Italy. Patio seating in Pistoia, Italy.

Italy is always a great idea, especially for longer stays. But like Portugal, it's key to look outside the major city centers for maximum enjoymentand Magon has the perfect recommendation.

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Pistoia is Tuscanys hidden gem," Magon shared. "It's rich in history, full of local flavor, and home to some of the best gelato youll ever have. A regional train connects you easily to nearby towns, making it a great base for both focus and exploration."

Italy launched its digital nomad visa in 2024, designed for non-EU remote workers with high qualifications. Youll need proof of remote employment, along with an annual income of at least $28,950 and private health insurance.

Prague, Czech Republic

Ambika Verma/Travel + Leisure Prague's cityscape. Prague's cityscape.

"Prague is unique because it has a good mix of culture, infrastructure, and relatively low prices. It has a lot of history, nature, and lively nightlife," Heinz Klemann, a digital nomad who runs his company BeastBI from all over the globe, explained of one of his top spots for digital nomads. "A lot of people speak English, especially younger professionals." Plus, if you move here, you'll be in good company. According to Nomad List, Prague ranked as one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in 2022, coming in at No. 18.

The Czech Republic offers a Zivno trade license for freelancers. It has some requirements, including proof of a local address, a trade license in specific professions, and at least $5,600 in savings.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Alisha McDarris/Travel + Leisure Bratislava castle in Slovakia. Bratislava castle in Slovakia.

Slovakia is one more nation that punches well above its weight when it comes to perks for digital nomads. Bratislava, Slovakia, is a small, laid-back city that is very cheap to live in," Klemann explained. "If you want to stay focused on work without a lot of distractions, this city is great."

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Slovakia does not currently have a formal digital nomad visa. However, remote workers can apply for temporary residence as freelancers. This permit comes with some financial requirements, along with proof of health insurance.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure Cyclists in downtown Ljubljana, Slovenia. Cyclists in downtown Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Hop over Austria or Hungary and find your next temporary home in Slovenia, which, like the others mentioned on this list, offers plenty of history, fantastic food, and welcoming communities.

Ljubljana, Slovenia offers culture and things to do like Prague, but with a slightly more laid-back atmosphere," Klemann said. "Its clean, safe, and with lots of green space and nearby nature for weekend escapes, like Lake Bled."

Slovenia also doesnt offer a dedicated nomad visa; however, it does allow foreigners to apply for long-term stay permits. Applicants need to register a sole proprietorship and meet the minimum income requirements.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Ambika Verma/Travel + Leisure Visitors on a cliff coast line in Dubrovnik. Visitors on a cliff coast line in Dubrovnik.

Looking for warm breezes and cool, turquoise waters? It's time to plot your nomadic stay in Croatia. Dubrovnik, with its ancient walls and panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea, is another great option for digital nomads," Simon Tian, a full-time digital nomad who runs his company Fonus from across the world, shared. "The city has a growing community of remote workers."

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Croatias digital nomad visa allows people to stay for up to 18 months; applicants must show proof of income as well as proof of local accommodation and health insurance.

Tirana, Albania

GOUPI CHRISTIAN/robertharding/Getty Images Aerial view of Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. Aerial view of Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania.

The Balkan nation is on the rise, making it a top contender for digital nomads. As Cepee Tabibian, founder and CEO at She Hit Refresh, a company that helps women relocate abroad, shared, it's also affordable, authentic, and welcoming." Specifically, she shouts out the nation's capital, Tirana, as a great option as it's "still under-the-radar for most." She added, "I think the best selling point is that U.S. citizens can live there visa-free for up to a year. No paperwork needed."

Yes, that's rightU.S. citizens can stay in Albania for up to 365 days without a visa. For longer stays, youll need to apply for a residence permit, which you can learn more about online.

Athens, Greece

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure A busy public plaza in Athens, Greece. A busy public plaza in Athens, Greece.

Tabibian had one more nearby destination digital nomads need to add to their list: Greece. And once again, she thinks the nation's main city is the best place to go.

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Athens is a mix of ancient history and big-city energy," Tabibian said. "It's lively, affordable, has co-working spaces, and has a digital nomad visa that is relatively easy to qualify for." The digital nomad visa requires proof of remote work, a monthly income of at least $4,000, and health insurance.

Tallinn, Estonia

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure A rainy day in Tallin, Estonia. A rainy day in Tallin, Estonia.

Lastbut most certainly not leastis one of the first European nations to invite digital nomads: Estonia.

"One of the first countries to launch a digital nomad visa back in 2020," Jesse Neugarten, founder of Dollar Flight Club, noted, "it allows remote workers to stay for up to one year."

Estonia is often cited as a top spot for nomads, thanks to its excellent digital infrastructure, which provides high-speed internet almost everywhere. And in its capital city, Tallinn, nomads will find a rich mix of tech startups that will surely inspire their next professional move. Though Estonia isn't only great during working hours; the country is also filled with green spaces that are excellent for disconnecting, including six stunning national parks.

Digital nomads must earn at least $4,100 per month and work for a non-Estonian company to be eligible to apply. See more information on their website.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Tired of booking vacation destinations you know you'll probably regret? Traveling somewhere that just won't be as good as people said? Well, someone on Reddit asked people what tourist destinations they absolutely swear by - and many chimed in. Whether you enjoy the scenic, historical sites, mouth-watering good cuisines, or the relaxation parts of vacationing, we've got something for you. Here are some of the most popular replies that'll help you book your next vacay asap!

1.Venice, Italy

Diana Robinson Photography / Getty Images

"Venice isnt overrated. Its absolutely one of the wonders of the world.

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If humanity disappears and aliens look at the ruins of our civilisation, Venice will prove that we werent useless."

MRBEAM

"I implore anyone visiting Venice to just wander around a bunch. Get off the main tourist thoroughfares, go to the smaller islands. My best memories of Venice are all of tiny little hidden beautiful places with no one else around that I never would have found if I hadn't been willing to just let myself walk around at random and get lost."

Ech1n0idea

Clement LEONARD / Getty Images

"Spent 6 days in Venice on 3.5 week trip to Italy a couple of years ago. Despite travelling a decent amount Id never been to Italy, so we hit the obvious main spots (Florence, Rome) but also a couple of slightly (slightly) less touristed spots (Bologna, Orvieto).

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I was shocked that Venice ended up being my favourite of the trip, because my expectations were tourist hell hole. What a gorgeous and utterly unique place. We cranked out all the top tourist spots in a day so we could just take it easy and enjoy wandering the rest of the time. Stayed in a quiet residential area and just wandered backstreets, ate, wandered, ate, etc.

I dont mean to yuck anyones yum, but I think this is the only sane way to see a lot of these must-see hyper touristed spots. Stay longer in fewer locations, try to soak in as much of the fabric of the place that you can."

moostodon

Nikolay Tsuguliev / Getty Images

"Get lost. On purpose. Follow every interesting-looking alley, and have lunch at the tiny cafe you find tucked away in a hidden piazza. All of Venice is stunning, but it's the little lost places that make you feel like you might be the first tourist to find them that make it truly magical."

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Audacity_OR

2.Bruges, Belgium

Luis Henrique Boucault / Getty Images

"Bruges is unbelievable. You can walk for hours and never see the same building twice. I mean by that every building has tons of super unique architectural features, ornamentation, decoration, and scenery. Most places you go, you can see the same building over and over throughout the city. Not Bruges. Incredible food, wonderful people, great climate."

groglox

3.Swiss Alps, Switzerland

FOXYPEAM / Getty Images

"The Swiss Alps. It feels like you're in a real-life postcard."

bassistmuzikman

"I agree - youll turn a corner and suddenly come across a view that is so ridiculously perfect its almost a joke."

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dc456

Anton Petrus / Getty Images

"I went as a kid, and its burned in my memory coming over a hill and seeing the mountain range. I yelled, 'It looks like National Geographic!!!'"

ssovm

"If you dont automatically utter 'is this real life?' at your first glimpse, are you even in the Alps? ha! So beautiful."

PennieTheFold

4.Machu Picchu, Peru

Wirestock / Getty Images

"Machu Picchu. The views are breathtaking from every angle of the mountain."

MJ9426

"We stayed in town, woke up insanely early, and saw the sun rise over Machu Picchu. I will never forget that day in my life."

epostma

Enzo Dato / Getty Images

"I always considered the 'feeling' of places to be some hippy crapuntil I went to Machu Picchu. It blew me away and I still get chills remembering it."

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DustyKnives

"I did the Salkantay trek to MP in 2018. The whole experience was phenomenal.

On the last day, you hike south along railway tracks towards Aguas Calientes. The guide explained that there were countless ruins still being discovered on the other side of the river. It took some effort to wrap my mind around the whole civilization that existed there after seeing MP and adding the lower ruins to the equation."

le_sac

5.Rome, Italy

Murat4art / Getty Images

"Rome is the greatest place Ive ever been. I didnt anticipate it but it absolutely blew me away. I plan on going back and spending 10-14 days just in Rome."

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tet19

"Every corner we turned revealed history and art. We did a free walking tour of the city with a guide, and it really was the highlight of the trip, getting to understand the history of the city as a whole and to have someone point out the context of what we were seeing on the street. Cannot wait to return!"

astudentiguess

Andrea Comi / Getty Images

"Roma, non basta una vita.

This is a saying in Italian meaning, 'a lifetime is never enough in Rome,' and it's so true.

I studied abroad there, got engaged there, got married there, and went back for my anniversary there. Going back again for two weeks and also considering just staying put the whole time. I could just go to a new trattoria and try different Roman fare, see and give attention to some old ruins in random areas of the city, explore random churches tucked away that happen to have priceless Caravaggios or other famous art/beauty, and be totally happy."

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Top_Brilliant9418

6.Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Tobiasjo / Getty Images

"The Grand Canyon. You think, 'yeah? big hole,' then you see it and your brain goes quiet. Its that majestic."

sugarbarbie_

"The words 'vast' and 'immense' took on a whole new meaning for me. It's one of those things that's awe-inspiring in the truest sense."

Round_Intern_7353

Lindrik / Getty Images

"In my whole life so far, that was the only thing where I said, 'it can't be described, it must be seen.'"

peepay

"We moved to AZ a few years ago, and weve been to the Grand Canyon a handful of times. We like taking people when they visit. I can honestly say its mind-blowing that it never gets old. We go and still have that same awe that we did the first time we saw it."

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tinyhumanteacher14

7.Redwood National Park, California

Ekaterina Chizhevskaya / Getty Images

"Redwoods in California. Feels like you're in prehistoric times. I expected to see a dinosaur more than once there. Absolutely magical and breathtaking."

Defiant-Difference17

"Agreeing with the CA redwoods. They are so magical - it really feels like youre in a Disney or Spielberg movie."

ryantheleglam

Jimfeng / Getty Images

"Most of the miles on my car are from going to and coming home from the Redwoods, the trees there are magical and I know I sound like a lunatic but spending time in the Redwoods made me understand vegetation as a form of actual life just as valid as we animals. Those trees communicate, they hum and vibrate it's a wonderous experience."

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Fit-Cat3096

8.Kauai, Hawaii

Maridav / Getty Images

"I always thought it was such a cliche, 'lets go to Hawaii.' My wifes company sent us on a week-and-a-half vacation to Kauai. I was absolutely blown away. I spent an entire day on Hideaway Beach alone, swam with turtles, had Mexican food that brought tears to my eyes, danced in the street, got a tattoo, kayaked to a waterfall, and hiked a cliff trail. Absolutely mesmerizing place and I want to go back."

haunt_the_library

"I was born and raised in Hawaii. Still have a house and family there and spent 30 years on the island. I go back twice a year, and every time I go back, the natural beauty still blows me away. It is like nowhere else in the world."

Budgetweeniessuck

Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61

"Its fucking gorgeous when you get out of the bullshit tourist shit. The waterfalls, the cliffs, the whole place is just packed full of beautiful scenery.

We had a friend that lived there on the Big Island. My god, he took us to the two most gorgeous beaches I had ever seen. One was grass, huge cliffs. Its insane.

I saw multiple whales, sea turtles, and it was just nuts.

Flying into Kauai and going to Hanalei Bay"

WildWeezy

9.Edinburgh, Scotland

Guido Cozzi/Atlantide Phototrave / Getty Images

"I fell in love with Edinburgh and it wasnt even on my list of places to see. I was there by happenstance, and I was shocked at how much I truly enjoyed the city and the people."

BeautifulArtichoke37

"I really liked Edinburgh. It has a lot of personality, interesting history, and didn't seem 'too touristy.' Good low-key chill vacation."

bloomsday289

10.The Great Wall of China

Zhaojiankang / Getty Images

"The Great Wall of China. You've seen pictures, but once you're there, seeing it climb up and down these mountains, it is genuinely amazing."

ADogNamedChuck

AscentXmedia / Getty Images

"Ive visited most of the favourites in this thread (Grand Canyon, Sagrada Familia, Swiss Alps, Paris, Sydney Opera House, etc), but The Great Wall was something else. From the dangerously steep 'streets' to the dodgy, unmetered cab back into Beijing  one of our favourite day trips ever."

- DV01

11.Yosemite National Park, California

Lana2011 / Getty Images

"Tunnel View is just brilliant. And Glacier Point. And so is the meandering Merced River. And when you go up to Nevada + Vernal Fall, you can almost touch the water while it's falling. Just a little climb away. Awesome."

TearDownGently

Luis Diaz Diaz / Getty Images

"I was certain I would be disappointed by Yosemite. I've hiked through many beautiful places in Europe and Asia and was convinced it was over hyped. But no, I was blown away."

myrealnameisboring

12.Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Patryk_Kosmider / Getty Images

"The Cliffs of Moher. My wife and I spent like five hours there just hiking all along the path by the cliffs and staring at them in amazement."

samprescott1751

"That place is the definition of feeling like you're on the edge of the world. The salt water, being wind-blown to the top of the cliffs, is unforgettable."

Nevets52

13.Mont Saint-Michel, France

Achim Thomae / Getty Images

"Its amazing, I went there in 1994 when I was 8. I thought all medieval castles would be like that, everyone since has been a disappointment in comparison."

Sevatar666

"100% agree with this. My wife and I went last year. It was April, so probably not peak season. Even so, there were a lot of people walking around, and it was still one of the most amazing places Ive been to."

grabby_mcgrabberson

14.Pompei, Italy

Nikada / Getty Images

"Pompeii. I had really high expectations, and the place still exceeded them. It's absolutely massive. You could spend multiple days there. If you have any interest in history whatsoever, I promise you'll like the place. Some of the details are insanely well-preserved. Like, there's a bathhouse there where you can still see graffiti people scribbled on the walls. There's immaculately preserved tile art all over the place, including a famous one of a dog that I just loved. There's a spot where you can see a political campaign ad written on a wall. There's also this one spot where there's a whole other layer below the room that is from a Semitic culture from about 500 BC that lived there before the Romans moved in. Like, Pompeii isn't the oldest thing in Pompeii. And that stuff too is remarkably well-preserved. You just really get a sense of what it felt like to live in a Roman city. It's probably the coolest thing I've ever seen. Herculaneum is great too if you're short on time. It's got a lot of the same stuff as Pompeii, but the site is smaller. And they're still excavating it. I think only about 70% has been dug up. There were archaeologists actively working on it when I was there."

Rogue-Accountant-69

Iryna Shpulak / Getty Images

"Pompeii was so freaking awesome. I spent an entire day there and wished I could have been there for longer.

Its been years since I went, and they continue to excavate, so I can only imagine its even more interesting now!"

I-fall-up-stairs

"I always tell people how awesome Pompeii is. Very few places where you can go and really feel immersed in it. Like you said, it's a whole town and fairly well preserved for what it is.

Most other historical places are a few structures, so it was really interesting exploring Pompeii."

airborness

Let us know which place you'd most like to visit in the comments + share any we might've missed below!
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Rising rent prices drove people to a Saturday homebuying workshop at Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada. At the free class, prospective buyers learned tools to manage money, build credit, apply for a mortgage, and more.

Engrith Torres attended the class and said her increasing rent inspired her to learn what it takes to buy a house.

Im tired of renting, its too much, the rents are too high right now, she said.

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Torres said her rent was $600 per month seven years ago. Saturday, she said her rent is now $1,600 per month.

People taking the class are hoping to put their money towards their own equity through buying a house, including Veronica Astorga.

Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada (KLAS) Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada (KLAS) Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada (KLAS) Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada (KLAS)

Rent is a little expensive, I know mortgage is too, but at least youre investing your money in something. In your own property, Astorga said.

The free class is offered in English or Spanish on alternating Saturdays.

Were talking about money, Eric Chavez, assistant director of housing counseling for Chicanos Por La Causa, said. Were talking about money, money, money. Your credit, how to manage that better.

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Chavez said the class is funded through a mix of different foundations, banks and government funding. They also use that money for programs like down payment assistance, help with mortgages and more.

Theres a lot of financial value that comes with it, of course, building equity, Chavez said. Youre able to purchase a home, invest in it, and in the future, be able to use that to step up into either better housing or a better financial future.

Chavez said there are plans to offer the class on weekdays and online in the near future.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A new artificial intelligence tool has named its top 10 summer vacation towns in Texas, and while some Hill Country favorites made the cut, other picks may surprise even seasoned travelers.

Grok 4, a conversational AI developed by xAI, recently ranked the states best warm-weather getaway spots based on climate, scenery, recreation, and cultural attractions. The list includes expected favorites like Fredericksburg and Granbury, but also features lesser-known locales like Salado and Canyon, highlighting a broader geographic spread and appealing to a variety of vacation styles.

Fredericksburg, long considered a Hill Country mainstay, topped the list. The AI cited its picturesque Hill Country setting, which provides slightly cooler temperatures compared to much of Texas, and its blend of German heritage, wineries, and outdoor attractions. Visitors are encouraged to hike Enchanted Rock, cool off at the town pool, and explore local history at the Pioneer Museum and the National Museum of the Pacific War.

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Also in the Hill Country, Dripping Springs earned a spot for its natural swimming holes, craft beverage scene, and laid-back vibe. Grok 4 specifically pointed to Hamilton Pool Preserve as a natural highlight, in addition to Reimers Ranch Park and the areas many distilleries and wineries.

Groks inclusion of Canyon, a town in the Texas Panhandle with a population under 15,000, may turn heads. The AI selected it due to its proximity to Palo Duro Canyon, offering dramatic landscapes, outdoor theater, and cooler canyon breezes. It recommended hiking in the canyon, attending the outdoor musical TEXAS, and visiting the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.

Jefferson, located in East Texass Piney Woods, also made the list, a notable inclusion given the regions reputation for high summer humidity. But Grok praised its shaded bayous, historic charm, and proximity to large lakes, pointing to boating on Caddo Lake, birdwatching at Lake O The Pines, and the Jefferson Historical Museum.

In Central Texas, Salado emerged as another somewhat unexpected pick. Described as a charming artistic haven, the AI highlighted its proximity to Stillhouse Hollow Lake, public art installations, and pioneer-era attractions like the Barton House. Salados art and performance offerings, including the Tablerock Amphitheater, played a role in its selection.

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Grok also emphasized cultural heritage and presidential history in Johnson City, the hometown of Lyndon B. Johnson. The town was recognized for its blend of educational sites, including the LBJ National Historic Park, and outdoor recreation at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Alpine, situated in the high desert of West Texas, earned a nod for its cooler high-desert climate and arts scene. Grok encouraged visitors to hike Hancock Hill, explore local galleries, and visit the Museum of the Big Bend.

Farther south, Port Isabel was included for its bay views, historic lighthouse, and seafood scene. The AI noted it offers a quieter coastal experience compared to nearby South Padre Island, recommending lighthouse climbs, dolphin-watching in Laguna Madre Bay, and local maritime museums.

Rounding out the list were Granbury, praised for its historic downtown and water activities on Lake Granbury, and Bandera, which Grok dubbed the Cowboy Capital of the World, suggesting a mix of river tubing and dude ranch experiences.

Groks full top 10 list of Texas summer vacation towns includes:

Fredericksburg Jefferson Dripping Springs Alpine Salado Johnson City Bandera Granbury Port Isabel Canyon

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The list reflects a broader travel trend emphasizing authenticity, local culture, and access to natural water features as key drawsespecially in Texas, where summer temperatures routinely climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In selecting towns like Canyon and Salado, Grok appears to value microclimates and cultural uniqueness over traditional tourism volume.

Of course, The Dallas Express had to ask: what happened to Galveston and Corpus Christi? Grok said they were too big.Both Galveston and Corpus Christi are larger cities with significant urban elements, which can feel less like a small-town getaway and more crowded during peak summer months.

Grok added that favoring small towns was part of its methodology. The AI model said it prioritized small towns with natural cooling features, diverse activities, and unique charm, using a qualitative scoring system based on climate, accessibility, and cultural appeal. This involved aggregating insights from travel publications, expert recommendations, and visitor feedback, ensuring geographic diversity and summer suitability while excluding larger, crowded cities.

Whether its list reshapes Texas travel habits remains to be seen, but its inclusion of off-the-beaten-path towns is likely to spur curiosity and conversation.
Capers are briny, lemony, and tangy, making them great for finishing a variety of dishes, from chicken picatta (Bobby Flay's favorite chicken dish) to bagels with cream cheese and lox. Giada De Laurentiis is a huge fan of using the punchy ingredient  which are actually unopened flower buds  in her cooking. But she prefers her capers from Italy as opposed to American capers  the reason for this being that Italian capers are preserved in salt rather than vinegar.

The Italian-American food expert explained that vinegar dilutes the flavor of the capers slightly while salt enhances their naturally salty bite. De Laurentiis favors Pantelleria capers, which get their name from the small island off the coast of Sicily where they are harvested. Grown on bushes by the sea, they are renowned for being exceptionally flavorful. Among other Italian pantry staples, Kazzen's Pantelleria capers in sea salt are available to shop on her lifestyle website, Giadzy.com. A 5.3-ounce jar of the savory green buds from the family-run brand costs $24. If you opt to pick some up, be sure to rinse them first to remove excess salt because no one likes food that is too salty.

Read more: 6 Frozen Costco Foods To Buy And 7 To Skip

When To Use Capers In Your Cooking

chicken piccata with lemon and capers - New Africa/Shutterstock

Capers often top protein but can also be found in pasta sauces, salad dressings, and more. Chicken piccata is a staple Italian-American dish that capers are used in, and one that Giada De Laurentiis is known for. If you're unfamiliar with the recipe, it involves browning chicken breasts and flavoring with butter, olive oil, chicken stock, and lemon juice. The tart, briny capers perfectly complement the buttery, lemony dish. The bold, subtly crunchy ingredient is also featured in pasta puttanesca, a dish boasting tomatoes, olives, and anchovies, another underrated ingredient De Laurentiis thinks more people should be using.

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If you've never experimented with using capers in your cooking, you might incorporate them into a simple brown butter pasta sauce or sprinkle some atop a salmon fillet or a plate of scallops for a burst of umami flavor. Another way to use them is to mince them to make a zesty salad dressing. Moreover, fellow culinary icon Julia Child elevated her tuna salad sandwiches with capers. You could do the same with chicken salad or a Mediterranean orzo salad. There are really endless ways in which you can use capers in your cooking to make meals super flavorful and unforgettable.

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Machine Gun Kelly claims he turned down Sinners, because he didnt want to use a racial slur.

Machine Gun Kelly turned down Sinners over racial slur

The 35-year-old rapper says he was invited to audition for a vampire role in Ryan Cooglers latest movie but he declined when he learned that his character uses the n-word.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, he said: Like Sinners, I was supposed to be in that. The vampire, they had me set up to do the audition - its the one thats in the house, so hes the second vampire, the one that the guy comes and eats the family. In the audition, he has to say the n-word and I wouldnt do it.

I have a lot of aspirations to be in movies, it just hasnt panned out that way. Im on universal timing. Itll align. The angels will put something in the works.

Theres been plenty of movies that come out that I was like, ah, I was supposed to be in that, or I did auditions for that.

It is likely that MGKs audition for the second vampire was for the role of Bert, a KKK member who was turned by the vampire Remmick (Jack OConnell).

The part was played by Peter Dreimanis.

Sinners  starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld and Miles Caton  is a horror movie set in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, where criminal twin brothers return to their hometown to start again but are faced by a supernatural evil.
The Brief

One person is dead and another is in the hospital after a double shooting Saturday evening on Detroit's west side.

Officers responded around 6:40 p.m. to a ShotSpotter alert in the area of Lyndon and Auburn streets.

No suspect information is available.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - A man is dead and another person is in temporary serious condition after a double shooting Saturday evening near Stoepel Park on Detroits west side, according to police.

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Officers responded around 6:40 p.m. to a ShotSpotter alert in the area of Lyndon and Auburn streets.

(Ian Wood/FOX 2)

Police said a man in his 20s was killed in the shooting. The second victim is currently listed in temporary serious condition.

No suspect information is available at this time, authorities said.

The Source

Information for this story came from the Detroit Police Department.
The Brief

One female is dead, and two other people were injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in Fort Worth.

The two injured individuals are being treated at a local hospital.

Police have not released the identities of those involved, and the motive for the shooting is currently unknown.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth Police are investigating a shooting that left one person dead and two others injured early Sunday morning.

Fatal Fort Worth Shooting

What we know

The shooting was reported at about 3:45 a.m.

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Officers were called to the 1800 block of East Robert Street.

When officers arrived, they found one female dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators say two more people showed up at a local hospital for treatment for gunshot wounds and are believed to be related to the shooting on East Robert Street.

The homicide unit was notified, and the shooting is under investigation.

What we don't know

The identities of those involved have not been released. The conditions of the two people at the hospital are not known.

The Source

Information in this article is from the Fort Worth Police Department.
DENVER (KDVR)  A woman was killed and another is in the hospital after an overnight shooting in Aurora, police said.

Officers just after 3 a.m. Sunday responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment in the 1000 block of Cimarron Circle where they found two women with gunshot wounds, according to an Aurora police press release.

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One woman, a 26-year-old, died at the scene. The second, a 30-year-old, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

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Police believe based on the preliminary investigation the shooting happened from a domestic violence incident between known parties. The suspect left the scene before police arrived, and police have not arrested anyone.

Anyone with information can contact police through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
CHICAGO  A 38-year-old man was killed and two others were wounded when an argument led to a shooting overnight in Humboldt Park on the citys West Side, according to Chicago police.

Police say officers responded to a call of three people shot around 12:45 a.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of North Springfield Avenue. Based on a preliminary investigation, police say an unknown male offender took out a gun during an argument and fired at the victims before fleeing the scene.

Man pulled from North Branch of Chicago River

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A 38-year-old man was shot multiple times in the body and was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

Additionally, police say a 44-year-old woman was shot in the wrist and taken to an area hospital in good condition and a 28-year-old man was shot in the chest and right arm and taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Police say a weapon was recovered at the scene, but nobody is yet in custody as detectives continue to investigate.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
1 person seriously hurt in motorcycle crash in East El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A motorcyclist was seriously hurt in a crash Sunday afternoon, Aug. 3 in East El Paso, a El Paso Fire spokesperson said.

The crash happened at about 2:15 p.m. along Gateway West at Viscount and involved a single motorcycle, the spokesperson said.

One person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, the spokesperson said.

Police said they have sent out their Special Traffic Investigations Unit to the crash. STI investigates crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities.

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Gateway West and Interstate 10 West were closed at McRae because of the crash for about seven hours before opening up at about 9 p.m.

We will update this story when we learn more.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.




NEED TO KNOW

Two deli workers were allegedly stabbed over a sandwich they made for a customer

A man allegedly stabbed two employees at Baladna Bakery in Paterson, N.J., on July 31 because he claimed they gave him the wrong order four years ago

The suspect claimed he had an allergy to the sandwich he was served





Two deli workers were allegedly stabbed over a wrong order  from years ago.

A man allegedly stabbed two employees at Baladna Bakery in Paterson, N.J., on July 31 because he claimed they gave him the wrong order four years ago, NBC New York reported.

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The encounter occurred at around 8 a.m. local time, authorities told PIX 11.

The victims, brothers Abed and Mohammad Assad, have owned the bakery for more than a decade, according to NBC New York.

The suspect allegedly confronted a female employee before attacking Assad and Mohammad with a box cutter, the outlet said.

PEOPLE reached out to the Paterson Police Department (PPD) for further information on Sunday, Aug. 3, but did not receive an immediate response.

A friend of the victims, Moneer Simrin, told NBC New York that workers offered the suspect money and a hot dog as compensation for the wrong order, but they were refused.

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"He said, 'She forgot to give me the hot dog.' Okay, take the hot dog and $3 and just leave. And hes like, 'No, because I got a sandwich last time and they gave me some eggplant and I dont like eggplant.' Hes just looking for a problem," the friend told the outlet, recalling the incident.

"They tried to tell him, 'Just leave, please.' And he got the knife," Simrin added.

Mohammad was stabbed in the chest, and Assad was stabbed in the hand and arm, according to NBC New York. The two were transported to St. Josephs Medical Center, where Assad was treated for cuts and Mohammad was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect allegedly visited the bakery a few days prior to the July 31 incident and asked for the owners, NBC New York reported. Assad told the outlet that he recognized the customer.

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The incident four years ago involved the alleged attacker receiving an eggplant sandwich when he ordered an egg sandwich, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh told PIX 11.

The suspect claimed he had an allergy to eggplant that made him sick, per CBS New York.

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.

Sayegh said local residents are "concerned" over the incident, according to CBS New York.

This type of thing does not happen in that area, so I tried to assuage some of the fears, allay their concerns and reassure them that the police department is completely focused on bringing whomever is responsible for this tragic, violent incident to justice," the mayor said.

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NBC New York reported that surveillance video from a nearby company captured the suspect fleeing the bakery on foot.

Police are still searching for the suspect, per PIX 11 and CBS New York.



Read the original article on People
Aug. 2LANESBORO  Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries from a two-vehicle crash Friday night near Lanesboro.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported that the accident happened at about 9:43 p.m. on Minnesota Highway 16, near milepost 237 in Carrollton Township, about two miles south of Lanesboro. A Chrysler sedan, driving east, met a Ford passenger van, driving west, when the vehicles collided.

The passenger van was carrying eight passengers in addition to the driver. Two of those passengers, women ages 65 and 54, were taken to Saint Marys Hospital for treatment of injuries. They were the only injuries reported in the crash.

Neither alcohol nor road or weather conditions were determined to be factors in the crash.
TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Authorities searching for a man wanted in the murders of the parents, grandmother and uncle of an infant found alone and alive in Tennessee have charged two other men in connection with the killings.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation charged Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Investigators allege both men assisted 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond in the murders.

Authorities have left many questions unanswered, including how the men allegedly helped Drummond, the manner in which the relatives were killed and how the baby ended up in a car seat in the Tigrett area, roughly 40 miles (64.37 kilometers) from the bodies.

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Law enforcement officers were still searching for Drummond.

He should be considered armed and dangerous, the bureau said in a Saturday news release announcing charges against Thomas. Brown, who also faces one count of tampering with evidence, was arrested a day earlier.

Thomas was in custody at the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge and was set to be transferred to the Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges, authorities said.

Brown was booked into Lake County Jail, according to authorities. Telephone numbers for Thomas and Brown could not be located Sunday. Email messages seeking comment were sent to Brown.

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On Friday, authorities said they found the car they believe Drummond had been driving. It was located in Jackson, Tennessee, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) from where the bodies were discovered and some 40 miles from where the baby was left.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said authorities believe the family murders were a targeted attack by Drummond, who had a relationship with the victims. The baby is safe and being cared for, authorities have said.

Officials obtained warrants for Drummond that charge him with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping and weapons offenses. His criminal history includes prison time for robbing a convenience store and threatening to go after jurors. He was also charged with attempted murder while behind bars.

No listed for number for Drummond could be found. An attorney who represented him as a teenager has not returned messages from The Associated Press.

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Authorities have identified the four people found dead in Tiptonville as James M. Wilson, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15.

Wilson and Adrianna Williams were the parents of the infant who was found abandoned. Rose was Adrianna and Braydon Williams mother.
OHIO (WJW)  Two Northeast Ohioans are $10,000 richer after winning a sweepstakes with the Publishers Clearing House.

According to a press release from the Publishers Clearing House, Rita Lawry of Brook Park wasnt even home when the PCH Prize Patrol showed up at her front door, but her son, Sean, was.

Lemonade for the Brave: Stand raising money for Lorain officers ambushed

When the Prize Patrol showed up at Lawrys home, there were balloons, champagne, and of course, the big check. When Lawry was FaceTimed by her show, she was excited to hear the great news.

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Rita has been a regular player on the PCH+ app, especially since suffering a stroke earlier this year, the release said. When she arrived back in Ohio, Rita had a $10,000 check waiting for her, along with flowers, swag, champagne, and a whole lot of excitement.

Marion Jackson of Elyria was also recently surprised with a $10,000 check from PCH.

The longtime healthcare worker and devoted mom was on hold with a patient when she stepped outside and instantly recognized the signature PCH surprise.

Superman statue unveiled in downtown Clevelan

According to the release, Marion is a longtime PCH+ player. She plans to use the prize money to pay off bills and start saving for her 60th birthday trip next year.

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Click here for more details about the Publishers Clearing House.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Two women in their 60s are dead after a crash in Westmoreland County.

Emergency crews were called to State Route 66 near Paradise Drive in Washington Township around 1 p.m. Saturday.

Washington Police Sgt. Vincent Surace says Janice Ciorra, 67, of Apollo, was driving north on Route 66 when she veered into the southbound lane for an unknown reason.

Her vehicle collided with that of Cynthia Ament, 63, of Elizabeth. Surace says Ament died at the scene.

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Ciorra had serious injuries and was taken by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian, where she later died.

State police are assisting with the investigation.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippi hunters can now purchase permits for the 2025 Velvet Buck Season, which will be held September 12-14.

According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWF), the permits are available to purchase where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

The cost of the permit for Mississippi residents is $10. For non-residents, the permit is included in their $100 deer permit.

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MDWFP officials, the three-day archery season is only on private lands and only legal bucks may be harvested.

CWD in deer: What are the signs, and is the meat safe to eat?

Hunters are required to report any harvest and submit chronic wasting disease (CWD) samples.

CWD is a 100% fatal, transmissible, neurogenerative disease. One challenge of detecting the disease is that until deer enter the last stages of CWD, they often appear completely healthy. MDWFP officials said the disease is transmitted through deer by their saliva, feces, urine, or contaminated environment.

MDWFP allows more deer to be harvested in CWD zones and forbids supplemental feeding in these areas. Hunters can check the CWD Management Zones and the Hunting Season CWD Guide for zone maps and specific regulations.

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During deer season, hunters are asked to leave the heads of harvested deer at one of the states drop-off sites.

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Update, 2:30 p.m.:

Two additional areas affected by the Gifford Fire have been ordered to evacuate and seven additional zones have been issued evacuation warnings.

Zones SLC-263 and LPF-014 have moved to evacuation orders Sunday afternoon, according to the SLO County Office of Emergency Services.

Zones LPF-011 and 013 as well as zones SLC-239, 225, 264, 298 and 262 are all under evacuation warning.

An interactive map of all the zones in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties under evacuation warning and order can be found here.

Update, 12:45 p.m.:

An evacuation order has been ordered for an additional area of San Luis Obispo County as of Sunday morning due to the ongoing Gifford Fire.

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Zone LPF-015, which had previously been issued an evacuation warning, moved to an evacuation order, according to an update from the SLO County Office of Emergency Services.

Parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties are being affected by the fire, and all other evacuation orders and road closures are still in effect.

Whats the difference between evacuation warning and order?

So far, one zone in SLO County remains under evacuation warning, while many others now fall under evacuation order.

What does it mean for a zone to be in evacuation warning or order?

According to the California Governors Office of Emergency Services website, an evacuation warning is an impending danger to lives or property, and advises people to begin the process of packing up their belongings.

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An evacuation order is an immediate danger to peoples lives in the affected area, and people under this order should act swiftly to leave.

Many evacuation warnings fall under the assumption that an evacuation order will soon follow for residents in a given affected area, the California Governors Office of Emergency Services website said.

Will the Gifford Fire continue to grow?

According to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, the Gifford Fire will likely grow toward the north and or northeast tonight.

In a post on its X account, the agency said due to very warm and dry conditions, as well as northwest winds predicted to gust at 15 to 25 miles per hour later Sunday afternoon, the fire could grow vertically as a result.

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For more information of the fire, visit ReadySLO.org.

Original story:

The Gifford Fire, which sparked Friday afternoon and continued into the weekend, grew in acreage overnight in parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County.

The fire reached 39,676 acres and remained 5% contained as of Sunday morning, according to the SLO County Office of Emergency Services.

Just west of the Madre Fire, which reached over 80,000 acres in July, the Gifford Fire has stretched into the Los Padres National Forest along the south end of Highway 166  which remained closed following the update.

In a news release late Saturday afternoon, the Los Padres National Forest Service said three people who had been injured due to the fire. Meanwhile, a total of 226 people have been evacuated and 60 structures are under threat, the release said.

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All evacuation warnings and orders remain in effect for the areas impacted by the fire.

Evacuation warnings were in effect for zones LPF-015 and SLC-297. Zones included in evacuation orders were SLC-335, 336 and 337 as well as LPF-016, 017, 018 and 019.

A VLAT drops retardant during initial attack response on the Gifford Fire, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

1 civilian, 2 contractors injured in Gifford Fire

As of Saturday, three people had been injured as a result of the Gifford Fire, according to the Forest Service.

One civilian sustained burn injuries and was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital, the release said.

Two contractors were injured in a UTV vehicle rollover incident.

One sustained moderate injuries and was retrieved by a helicopter, the other was taken by ambulance with minor injuries.

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All were taken to the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria for treatment.

Firefighting drop just above the treetops in the steep Cuyama River drainage on Aug. 1, 2025.

Evacuation shelter opens in Santa Maria

A temporary evacuation point in Santa Maria opened Saturday evening for evacuees affected by the Gifford Fire.

Benjamin Foxen Elementary School at 4949 Foxen Canyon Road in Santa Maria opened for those seeking shelter from the fire. American Red Cross personnel were on site for assistance and information.

For more details and information, visit ReadySLO.org.
A massive wildfire burning in Californias Central Coast has injured at least three people, forced hundreds to evacuate, and burned nearly 40,000 acres as it continues to grow on Sunday, officials said.

The Gifford fire, which broke out Friday afternoon near Highway 166 northeast of Santa Maria in the Los Padres National Forest, had scorched 39,676 acres and was 5% contained as of Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire. The flames are burning near the 80,779-acre Madre fire scar  the states largest wildfire so far this year  and are threatening areas in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Fire officials said the blaze is currently threatening 360 residences. More than 560 personnel have been assigned to the incident.

Injuries reported

Officials confirmed at least three injuries as a result of the 5% contained fire so far. According to the Forest Service, one civilian was airlifted to a medical center to be treated for burn injuries and two contractor employees were hospitalized after a UTV rollover incident. One of the contractors sustained moderate injuries and was hoist-rescued, and the other was taken by ambulance for minor injuries.

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Their conditions were not immediately provided.

Evacuations and road closures

As of Sunday morning, San Luis Obispo County officials issued a new evacuation order for Zone LPF-015, located north of Highway 166. The alert went out at 10:20 a.m., according to the countys Office of Emergency Services.

Santa Barbara and SLO counties issued initial evacuation orders and warnings on Friday night in the following zones, which, as of Sunday, were still in effect. In total, Cal Fire said 226 people have been evacuated so far.



Evacuation orders: LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-018, LPF-019, LPF-165, SLC-335, SLC-336, SLC-337, SBC-159A, SBC-161A, SBC163, SBC167.

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Evacuation warnings: LPF-015, SLC-297 in San Luis Obispo County, and SBC-159B, SBC-161B, SBC-169-A in Santa Barbara County.

Highway 166 is closed between Highway 101 and New Cuyama due to fire activity.

For the latest evacuation updates, residents can visit ReadySBC.org (Santa Barbara County) and EmergencySLO.org (San Luis Obispo County).

A view of the moon amid air quality concerns from the Gifford Fire. August 2025. (KNN)

Weather and fire outlook

The National Weather Service said warm, dry conditions are expected to continue Sunday and into the night, with increasing northwest to northeast winds in the interior mountains of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, where gusts could reach 20 to 35 mph. Stronger winds of 25 to 45 mph are possible along the Interstate 5 corridor and into the western Antelope Valley.

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Humidity levels are expected to drop to 10 to 20%, creating brief critical fire weather conditions that could drive further fire growth.

Air quality alerts remain in effect across the region due to heavy smoke. On Saturday night, smoke from the fire turned the moon a hazy orange across parts of the Central Coast and Southern California.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessee has been named a hub for food manufacturing, according to a new report.

The latest study from Global Location Strategies evaluated metropolitan areas in all 50 states to create a list of the best places for food manufacturers.

The annual study divides the United States into eight regions, placing Tennessee in the East South Central division with Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama. Of the top 10 metro areas that made the national ranking in 2025, four were in the East South Central region.

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New study ranks the safest suburbs to live in the US, including Tennessee

Cities were evaluated by demographics, education quality, workforce, current industry ecosystem, road and interstate infrastructure, proximity to airports and rail networks, regulations, taxes, legal climate, quality of life, commuting patterns, community health and environmental factors.

In first place, Warner Robins, Georgia was named the most desirable spot in the country for food manufacturers.

In Tennessee, Clarksville was ranked fifth, climbing up 14 spots from its 2024 placement.

The citys rising rank comes just months after the opening of Kewpie Companys new manufacturing facility, Q&B Foods, in Montgomery County. The factory is the Japan-based companys second in the U.S., with the other in California.

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How close are you to being among the top 1% of earners in Tennessee, other states?

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development commended the development upon its grand opening in May, stating that Japan is Tennessees top foreign investment partner.

In addition to Clarksville, two other Tennessee cities ranked in the top 10: Chattanooga in eighth and Knoxville in ninth.

Rank City 1. Warner Robins, Georgia 2. Savannah, Georgia 3. Huntsville, Alabama 4. Winston-Salem, North Carolina 5. Clarksville, Tennessee 6. Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas 7. Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Roswell, Georgia 8. Chattanooga, Tennessee 9. Knoxville, Tennessee 10. Gainesville, Georgia

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Didi Caldwell of Global Location Strategies Caldwell said business owners may be drawn to Tennessee for two reasons  the existing industry ecosystem and its location.

When you look at Tennessees location relative to the population of the United States has really good logistics infrastructure and access so that you can deliver these goods to the consumer base fairly quickly, she said.

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Of the top 50 cities listed in the ranking, nine were in the East South Central region.

The full report can be viewed at globallocationstrategies.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Fifty young people from the Catholic Diocese of El Paso took part in a pilgrimage to Rome this summer.

They joined more than 1 million youth from around the world in Rome for the 2025 Jubilee for Youth event.

It marks the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of Jesus.

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El Paso youth and young adults traveled to the Eternal City for a 10-day spiritual journey,

embracing the opportunity to deepen their faith through prayer, community, and cultural exchange, the Diocese said.



Throughout the pilgrimage, the El Paso delegation visited significant holy sites, including walking

through the Holy Doors at St. Peters Basilica and several other historic churches, such as the Cathedral in Florence.



The El Paso delegation had a truly unique and inspiring experience. They attended a Mass and an intimate speaking engagement with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The Mass was held at St. Pius V Catholic Church near the Vatican and provided a reflective space for the youth to connect more deeply with their faith. After the liturgy, Cardinal Tagle shared a heartfelt message about the importance of hope, service, and the role of young people in shaping the future of the Church, the Diocese said in a news release.

The week culminated in a vigil and overnight gathering on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Tor Vergata. On Sunday morning, Aug. 3, the youth participated in a special Mass celebrated by Pope Leo

XIV.



The El Paso pilgrims had the unforgettable experience of seeing the Holy Father as he greeted the crowds at the close of the celebration, the Diocese said.



Before returning home, the group will make a final pilgrimage to Assisi on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to visit sites dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.

They are scheduled to return to El Paso on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The Brief

Six men from DeLand have been sentenced to federal prison terms.

The sentencing follows the men's alleged roles in trafficking military-grade firearms to Mexican drug cartels.

Detectives said the trafficked firearms included high-caliber, armor-piercing and anti-material weapons.

DELAND, Fla. - Six Florida men have been sentenced to federal prison terms for their roles in trafficking military-grade firearms to Mexican drug cartels, officials say.

Officials launch firearms trafficking investigation

What we know

In May 2023, investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a firearms trafficking organization allegedly operating in the Middle District of Florida.

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Court documents say the organization comprised at least six individuals and was led by Angel Velazquez Delgado. The individuals allegedly purchased high-caliber firearms in the United States for resale to Mexican drug cartels. Investigators said these cartels "were and are criminal organizations engaged in the trafficking of controlled substances into the United States."

The trafficked firearms included high-caliber, armor-piercing and anti-material weapons, detectives said. The weapons found included 11 Barrett .50 caliber rifles, as well as 16 FN M249S rifles. The firearms were purchased at the request of the cartels and transported to the cartels soon after purchase, court documents say.

Detectives said the trafficked firearms included high-caliber, armor-piercing and anti-material weapons. (Credit: United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida)

Mexican authorities said they were able to confirm the presence of at least one of the trafficked firearms in Mexico. On March 22, 2023, Mexican State Police and Mexican Military personnel were involved in a shootout with suspected members of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion in Zitacuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Officials say two people were killed during the exchange of gunfire. After the shooting, investigators recovered a Barrett, model 82A1, .50 caliber rifle purchased by Jesus Hernandez on Nov. 8, 2022.

At some point, detectives said that members of the firearms trafficking conspiracy began removing the serial numbers from the firearms prior to shipment.

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The case was investigated by the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Volusia Bureau of Investigations and the DeLand Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lyons and Noah Dorman.

One of the many high-caliber firearms recovered during the operation. (Credit: United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida)

The backstory

The 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."

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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."

Who are those sentenced?

Dig deeper

Here's what we know about the six men that were sentenced:

Angel Velazquez Delgado

34 years old

DeLand

Number of firearms purchased: 10

Charges: Firearms trafficking, straw purchasing

Sentence imposed: Nine years

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Jesus Hernandez

32 years old

DeLand

Number of firearms purchased: 10

Charges: Straw purchasing

Sentence imposed: Three years, 10 months

Edgar Jimenez

30 years old

DeLand

Number of firearms purchased: 5

Charges: Straw purchasing

Sentence imposed: 3 years

Jesus Paulino

27 years old

DeLand

Number of firearms purchased: 4

Charges: Straw purchasing

Sentence imposed: 2 years

Jonathan Borja

23 years old

DeLand

Number of firearms purchased: 2

Charges: Straw purchasing

Sentence imposed: 2 years

Jesus Andres

28 years old

DeLand

Number of firearms purchased: 2

Charges: Making a false statement on firearm transaction record

Sentence imposed: 1 year, 6 months

Foreign terrorist organization

What they're saying

"Dismantling this Central Florida-based firearms trafficking ring is a huge win for public safety in Mexico and America," Kirk Howard, Tampa field divisions special agent in charge, said. "The CJNG is a notoriously brutal transnational criminal organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization that now has less fuel for its violent criminal activities, thanks to this joint team."

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"The investigation and prosecution of violent crime is one of the top priorities of my District," U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said. "These individuals have trafficked high-caliber, military-grade weapons into the hands of dangerous Mexican cartel members and thus have caused a serious risk to the health and safety of others. My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to hold those who jeopardize public safety accountable for their crimes."

The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the Volsuia Sheriff's Office (VSO) and the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
A $75,000 reward is being offered for information on the unsolved murder of a Monrovia boy.

The child, 4-year-old Salvador Esparza III, was shot and killed while standing on a house porch on the 300 block of Figueroa Drive in Altadena on July 5, 2016, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Esparza was at the homes front door when the unidentified shooter opened fire, striking him in the head, authorities said. He was found lying on the porch with another gunshot victim, a 27-year-old man.

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The boy was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. The 27-year-old man survived. His identity was not released.

According to witnesses, the suspect was chasing the 27-year-old outside the home when he shot at him, striking both victims.

An argument may have taken place with others inside the home before the deadly shooting, officials said. The killer approached the victims from Olive Street, fired at least 13 shots, ran down the street and fled in a dark-colored car, deputies said.

Salvador Esparza is shown in a photo displayed at the L.A. Sheriffs news conference on Aug 25, 2016. He was fatally shot in Altadena on July 5, 2016. Salvador Chiquito Esparza III, 4, of Monrovia, was killed in a shooting in Altadena on July 5, 2016. (Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) A poster is displayed Aug. 25, 2016, at a news conference where authorities asked for help in the July 5, shooting of 4-year-old Salvador Esparza. (Credit: KTLA) Coral Salvador speaks at a news conference Aug. 25, 2016, on the killing of her son. (Credit: KTLA) Salvador Esparza is shown in a photo posted to a GoFundMe page. He was killed in a July 5, 2016, shooting in Altadena.

LASD investigators believe the suspect to be a gang member, and the shooting is believed to be gang-related, authorities said. LASD investigators also believe that Salvador and his family were not the intended target.

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On July 29, a $75,000 reward was renewed by Los Angeles County in a motion approved by Supervisor Kathryn Barger. The reward has increased over the years from an initial $20,000.

This is a plea to the public, Barger said. Nine years ago, this innocent childs life was stolen in a senseless act of violence. Someone knows what happenedand even the smallest tip could be the key to justice. I implore anyone with information to come forward and help us bring closure to the Esparza family.

Salvador Chavita Esparzas life was needlessly cut short at just 4 years old, said Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo. We must not forget this innocent child. I want to emphasize that the communitys help is vital. Supervisor Bargers leadership in renewing the reward reinforces our shared commitment to accountability and justice.

Esparza is survived by his parents and grandparents.

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Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the LASD Detective Adam Kirste or Sergeant John Aanarial at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be reported to the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The A Bomb Dome in Hiroshima stands in 2015. The dome, which was part of the city's industrial exhibition hall, was directly beneath the atomic bomb dropped Aug. 6, 1945. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)

It was such a peaceful morning that Yoshito Matsushige could scarcely believe it was wartime.

Matsushige, a 32-year-old newspaper photographer who had been up most of the night before covering air raid warnings, woke from a brief nap at army headquarters in time to see the sun rise over Hiroshima.

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It was Monday, Aug. 6, 1945.

Now we know Matsushige was witnessing the last sunrise of the age before humankind had developed a weapon powerful enough to annihilate itself  and had demonstrated a willingness to use it.

There had been just one other explosion of a nuclear bomb, a test shot July 16 of a plutonium implosion weapon at the Trinity Site in southern New Mexico. The resulting fireball had fused the sand of the desert floor into a kind of glass later named Trinitite. On the morning of Monday, Aug. 6, another atomic bomb  a uranium gun-type device  was bound for Hiroshima.

Wednesday marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a grim milestone that has me pondering the nature of time, memory and hope. Its been slightly more than an average human lifetime since the bomb devastated Hiroshima, and those who are still around to recount the unthinkable are increasingly few. Once Hiroshima and Nagasaki fade from living memory, how will its warning be passed to future generations?

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At 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, an American B-29 named the Enola Gay, after the pilots mother, released a 12-kiloton atomic bomb over the city. The aircraft was flying six miles up. The aim point was a T-shaped bridge in the center of the city. The bomb fell for 43 seconds and then detonated at 1,968 feet.

What happened next took only milliseconds.

The temperature on the ground reached 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit, vaporizing humans near the epicenter and leaving only their shadows behind. A 1,000-mph blast wave spread from the epicenter, destroying two-thirds of the citys homes and buildings and contributing to a massive firestorm. A dark mushroom cloud rose over Hiroshima, carrying deadly radioactive fallout.

Matsushige had left army headquarters and returned to his home, about a mile and a half from the target bridge, where he was sitting shirtless in the August heat eating a meager breakfast of rice.

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There is an explosive called magnesium that is used for photographic (lighting) and everything went white as if that magnesium had been fired, Matsushige told me through an interpreter in 1986, when I was a young reporter in Japan on a grant project to interview those who had experienced the bomb. It seemed the light was an electrical short, or spark. So I was about to stand up and try to switch off the light,  and then came the blast.

The force lifted Matsushige from his feet and slammed him into a far wall. He was covered in debris and broken glass, and his bare chest was bleeding, although he wasnt badly hurt. He and his wife ran outside and hid in a sweet potato field for 40 minutes in the dirty brown gloom of ash and dust. Then Matsushige put on his uniform, retrieved his Mamiya camera from the rubble of his home and two rolls of film, and set out for newspaper office in the heart of the city.

Matsushige was a photojournalist but like most everyone else in Japan had also been pressed into military service. He worked for both the city newspaper and military headquarters, wearing a uniform with no rank insignia. Civilian photography was prohibited.

When he was about a kilometer, or six-tenths of a mile, from the center of the city, he had to turn back because the fire was too intense. He made his way to the Miyuki Bridge. The bridge was a landmark in a city known for its bridges and river, but this morning it was swarmed by thousands of wounded and dying civilians.

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In 1986, I stood with Matsushige on the Miyuki Bridge and he told me what he had seen 41 years earlier. It was one of the last times the photographer, then in his early 70s, would visit the bridge, which was closed and about to be demolished to make way for a new structure. My interview with Matsushige originally appeared in my newspaper, the Pittsburg (Kansas) Morning Sun, which had sponsored my application for the Akiba Project travel grant to interview the aging hibakusha, a Japanese term translated as those who had received or been exposed to the bomb. In 2021 I wrote about my memories of that assignment for the Reflector.

Matsushige told me in 1986 that he had yet to take a single photograph on his grim trek into the city but here, at the bridge, he readied his Mamiya. Many of those on the bridge were junior high school students. Unlike elementary school children, most of whom had been evacuated to relatives and others in the hills around the city, the junior high students had been kept in the city to clear fire lines or to work in the ammunition factories. The victims on the bridge looked as if their clothes were hanging from their bodies, but they werent trailing fabric, it was tattered pieces of their own skin.

I thought that I would take a photo of (the scene on the bridge), so I checked the camera in my hands, Matsushige said. When I saw this tragic scene, I was unable to push the shutter button. Among these people, there was a person holding a child. She was crying the name of the baby, and the baby probably was dead. The mother was saying, Please open your eyes, please open your eyes.'

It took Matsushige more than a quarter of an hour to make a photo.

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I felt as if the eyes of these people were piercing me, he said. These people had black faces because of the burns. It was such cruelty. I couldnt stop my tears as I tried to take that second picture, and I remember that the viewfinder of my camera was blurred because of the tears.

He returned home but set out again that afternoon.

He attempted to go to the newspaper office again but found it ablaze. He passed Hiroshima University, where he saw corpses at the bottom of a swimming pool that had been nearly emptied by the heat. The deeper he went into the city, the greater the destruction.

People were under collapsed buildings and utility poles and were buried alive, he said. Among (the corpses) there were some mothers with children. I was totally numb. I didnt feel anything, didnt feel any heat or pain.

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He found a streetcar filled with corpses.

All their clothes were burnt off, he said. I thought about taking a picture, I put my hands on my camera at one time, but since all these dead people were naked, I felt (ashamed) to take such a photo.

Hours later he found himself back at the Miyuki Bridge, where he took a photograph of an injured policeman writing out relief certificates for food rations. The photo of the policeman was the last Matsushige would take that day. He had carried enough film for 24 exposures but ended up making only five. Two of the photos were at his home, two on the bridge, and one at an intersection near the bridge.

Only five photos were made the day the bomb fell on Hiroshima, all by the same man  Yoshito Matsushige, a 32-year-old newspaper photographer. He was at home at the time the bomb was dropped on the morning of. Aug. 6, 1945, He made his way into the city. The first photo he took, around 11 a.m., was of badly burned junior high school students on the Miyuki Bridge. What appears to be rags is, in many cases, skin hanging from arms and legs. (Yoshito Matsushige)

Matsushige took some of the hardtack biscuits next to the policemans station for his and his wifes dinner. After it was dark, he developed the film in trays in the kitchen sink and washed the negatives in a nearby creek. He hung the strip of film in a tree to dry. The photos werent published in the Hiroshima newspaper until the next year. They didnt appear in the United States until Life magazine published them in 1952.

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The death toll at Hiroshima was horrific. Estimates vary widely, but at least 70,000 died from the bombing. Three days later, on Aug. 9, a plutonium bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing another 40,000. These are conservative estimates, however, and the actual number might be double for each city.

When I went to Japan to interview Matsushige and the other hibakusha in 1986, it was the height of the Cold War. There were 70,374 nuclear warheads deployed or in stockpiles around the world, according the Federation of American Scientists, an all-time high. Of those, all but a few thousand belonged to the United States and the Soviet Union. The Doomsday Clock, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists graphic representation of how close we were to nuclear annihilation, was at six minutes to midnight.

Now the Doomsday Clock is at 89 seconds.

There are fewer nuclear weapons  about 12,000, according to the FAS  but there are hot wars around the world, tensions are high, and the Doomsday Clock now takes into account other existential risks.

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We now move the Doomsday Clock from 90 seconds to 89 seconds to midnight  the closest it has ever been to catastrophe, the Bulletin said in a January 2025 statement. Our fervent hope is that leaders will recognize the threats posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and the potential misuse of biological science and a variety of emerging technologies.

The Bulletin cited emerging and re-emerging disease and the military use of artificial intelligence as concerning. It also said threat of nuclear war had been exacerbated by various conflicts.

The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, looms over the world, it said. The conflict could become nuclear at any moment because of a rash decision or through accident or miscalculation. Conflict in the Middle East threatens to spiral out of control in a wider war without warning.

The 10 or so countries that possess nuclear weapons are increasing the size and the role of their arsenals, the Bulletin said, and the nuclear arms control treaty process is collapsing.

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We seem hellbent on our own destruction.

In my hand is a relic of the birth of the nuclear age, a bit of Trinitite that my wife, Kim, bought at a rock shop in New Mexico near Alamogordo. Yes, its legal to possess because it was gathered from the site decades ago, and no, its no longer dangerously radioactive. Why did she want it? Because she gathers information of all kinds  books, objects, experiences  that will help her understand the beauty and darkness of the world. The Trinitite sample cost a few bucks and is only mildly radioactive. Its about the size of a peanut, is greenish black, and weighs about the same as the albatross in the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner.

Trinitite is among the artifacts that were to be included in the Library of the Great Silence, a catalog of objects representing transitions and periods of existential threat. The project was part of the SETI Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to the search for intelligent life beyond earth. The library is a response, in part, to the Fermi Paradox. Posed by physicist Enrico Fermi, the paradox asks why, given how vast and old the universe is, we havent found evidence of other communicative technological civilizations?

I wont bore you with the math behind the Drake Equation, which seeks to estimate how many intelligent worlds there might be out there, except to cite the most important variable, L. That stands for the average lifespan of technological civilizations. One explanation for the great silence is that civilizations have a tendency to destroy themselves. Nobody knows what L might be, because we have a lack of observable data, but our current estimate is at least 80 years.

If we are not to fall into the great silence, we must learn to do a better job of passing on the lessons of the past. Part of that is honoring the testimony of those who have gone before, such as Yoshito Matsushige.

Matsushige died in 2005, at the age of 92, but his words and his pictures live on. They were given to me in 1986, and now I share them with you.

The time the bomb detonated will be observed with a moment of silence at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday in Hiroshima. Thats 6:15 p.m. Tuesday for most of Kansas, because of the 14-hour time difference.

Honoring the dead is proper.

But too many of us who yearn for peace content ourselves with prayer and visualization. This may be mentally healthy and personally satisfying, but its not enough to turn policy or change minds. The pursuit of peace is an active one, requiring a knowledge of the past combined with a willingness to engage the future.

Its 89 seconds to midnight.

Lets raise some L.

Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Nine cases of measles have been confirmed in Oconto County by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the county public health department, marking first cases of the year in Wisconsin.

One case was found through testing at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, while the other eight were identified through symptoms, according to a statement released Aug. 2 by state health officials.

According to health officials, the source of exposure for all nine cases occurred during out-of-state travel. Risk in the community remains low, according to officials.

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Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads from person to person through the air. Symptoms of measles come 10 to 21 days after contact. Some of the symptoms include a runny nose, high fever, and red rash with bumps.

One in four people who get measles can end up hospitalized, according to DHS.

For the past few years, public health officials have been raising the alarm about a nationwide trend of slipping vaccination rates, especially for measles, among school-age children.

Wisconsin kindergartners have one of the nation's lowest vaccination rates against measles in the country. That puts the state at risk, health officials said, for the disease taking hold and spreading in an under-vaccinated community.

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Last school year, less than 85% of Wisconsin kindergartners were up-to-date on the measles vaccine, compared to nearly 93% of kindergartners nationwide, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only Idaho and Alaska reported having lower vaccination rates against measles, though some states were missing data.

These fact prompted state health officials earlier this year to warn the state was at risk of a measles outbreak similar to the outbreak that occurred in Texas. Wisconsin residents can check their vaccination status by visiting the Wisconsin Immunization Registry online and to get up-to-date on the measles vaccine, known as the MMR vaccine, if they aren't already.

Health officials are asking anyone who develops symptoms of measles to stay home and call their local doctor or clinic before visiting.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 9 measles cases reported in Oconto County, Wisconsin's first cases of 2025
Last week, Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, who shows more fealty to President Trump than to the U.S. Constitution she swore to uphold, filed a complaint against the only federal judge who has initiated contempt proceedings against the government for defying his orders.

U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, she alleged, had undermined the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary by making improper public comments about Trump to a group of federal judges that included Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

What is Boasberg alleged to have said?

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No transcript has emerged, but according to Bondis complaint, at a March session of the Judicial Conference of the United States, Boasberg is alleged to have expressed a belief that the Trump Administration would disregard rulings of the federal courts and trigger a constitutional crisis. 

The Judicial Conference is the perfect place to air such concerns. It is the policy-making body for the federal judiciary, and twice a year about two dozen federal judges, including the Supreme Court chief justice, meet to discuss issues relevant to their work. Recently, for example, they created a task force to deal with threats of physical violence, which have heightened considerably in the Trump era. But nothing that happens in their private sessions could reasonably be construed as public comments.

The Judicial Conference is not a public setting. Its an internal governing body of the judiciary, and there is no expectation that what gets said is going to be broadcast to the world, explained former U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel, who spent seven years as director of the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, a kind of think tank for the judiciary. I reached out to Fogel because he is part of a coalition of retired federal judges  the Article III Coalition of the nonpartisan civic education group Keep Our Republic  whose goal is to defend the independence of the judiciary and promote understanding of the rule of law.

Bondis complaint accuses Boasberg of attempting to transform a routine housekeeping agenda into a forum to persuade the Chief Justice and other federal judges of his preconceived belief that the Trump Administration would violate court orders.

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You know how they say that every accusation is a confession in Trump World?

A mere four days after Boasberg raised his concerns to fellow federal judges, the Trump administration defied his order against the deportation of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador.

You probably remember that one. A plane carrying the deportees was already in the air, and despite the judges ruling, Trump officials refused to order its return. Oopsie, tweeted El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele after it landed. Too late!

Thus began the administrations ongoing pattern of ignoring or flouting the courts in cases brought against it. Its not as if the signs were not there. He who saves his Country does not violate any law, Trump wrote on social media in February, paraphrasing Napoleon Bonaparte, the dictatorial 19th century emperor of France.

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In June, Erez Reuveni, a career Department of Justice attorney who was fired when he told a Maryland judge the government had deported someone in error, provided documents to Congress that implicated Emil Bove, Trumps one-time criminal defense attorney, in efforts to violate Boasbergs order to halt the deportation of the Venezuelans. According to Reuvenis whistleblower complaint, Bove, who was acting deputy attorney general at the time, said the administration should consider telling judges who order deportations halted, F you.

Bove denied it. And last week, even though other Justice Department whistleblowers corroborated Reuveni's complaint, Bove was narrowly confirmed by the Senate to a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge.

The Trump Administration has always complied with all court orders, wrote Bondi in her complaint against Boasberg. This is laughable.

A July 21 Washington Post analysis found that Trump and his appointees have been credibly accused of flouting court rulings in a third of more than 160 lawsuits against the administration in which a judge has issued a substantive ruling. The cases have involved immigration, and cuts to the federal funding and the federal work force. That record suggests, according to the Post, widespread noncompliance with Americas legal system.

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Legal experts told the Post that this pattern is unprecedented and is a threat to our system of checks and balances at a moment when the executive branch is asserting vast powers that test the boundaries of the law and Constitution.

Its no secret that Trump harbors autocratic ambitions. He adores Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban, who has transformed the Hungarian justice system into an instrument of his own will and killed off the countrys independent media. Its like were twins, Trump said in 2019, after hosting Orban at the White House. Trump has teased that he might try to seek an unconstitutional third term. He de-legitimizes the press. His acolytes in Congress will not restrain him. And now he has trained his sights on the independent judiciary urging punishment of judges who thwart his agenda.

On social media, he has implied that Boasberg is a radical left lunatic, and wrote, "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!"

Some of Trumps lapdogs in the House immediately introduced articles of impeachment (which are likely to go nowhere).

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Roberts was moved to rebuke Trump: For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, he said in a statement. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.

Some described his words as stern. I found them to be rather mild, considering the damage Trumps rhetoric inflicts on the well-being of judges.

Its part of a longer term pattern of trying to  weaken the ability of the judiciary to put checks on executive power,  Fogel told me. He is not among those who think we are in a constitutional crisis. Yet.

Our Constitution has safeguards in it, Fogel said. Federal judges have lifetime tenure. We are in a period of Supreme Court jurisprudence that has given the executive a lot of leeway, but I dont think its unlimited.

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I wish I shared his confidence.

Bluesky: @rabcarian

Threads: @rabcarian

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Theres another furry face at the Albuquerque BioParks Ape Walk as the zoo welcomes a new gibbon to the family. Polaris is a 6-year-old lar gibbon.

A look at the residents of ABQ BioParks recently re-opened reptile building

He came from another zoo and has been getting used to New Mexicos climate. Zoo staff say they introduced him to his companion, 8-year-old Siena, in July, and they have been getting along well.

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The gibbons caretakers even say they are grooming one another. Zoo officials say gibbons can swing from trees up to 30 miles an hour. They are considered an endangered species.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  The AFSCME Bus Stop Tour stopped in Des Moines, discussing the possible impacts of President Trumps recently signed Big Beautiful Bill on Iowans.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) says they are holding the tour in order to hold politicians Rep. Nunn and Miller-Meeks and Sen. Ernst accountable for supporting the Big Beautiful Bill.

AFSCME members, all union members, dont do this for credit. We do it because it matters, we care for our communities, and when others stay silent, we show up, but when politicians like Zach Nunn vote to cut public services, we dont sit back, we organize and we fight, Todd Copley, AFSCME Council 61 President, said.

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Held at Cowles Commons, the crowd heard Iowa Attorney General Candidate Nate Willems, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor Charlie Wishman, AFSCME members, business owners, and Medicaid recipients speak.

The Big Beautiful Bill has been criticized for its potential to raise healthcare costs and reduce access to services like healthcare and food assistance, which could affect rural communities in Iowa. During the event, community members shared their experiences and concerns over the new legislation.

The reality is that Medicaid directly benefits one in five Iowans working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and that Medicaid indirectly benefits us all. Its Medicaid that stands in the gap, ensuring providers, disproportionately those in rural communities, are getting paid for their work and keeps people insured and which in turn keeps the costs down for the rest of us, said Abbey Paxton, owner of Storyhouse Bookpub.

The cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will take a lifesaving access to health care and food away from those who need it most. Those that are already the most food insecure, like the students in my district, who rely on school as a place that theyll get a warm meal every day because they dont have food at home. Sometimes our students show up even in crisis, and we pick them up from homeless shelters every day, said Lyle Crone, a bus driver for Des Moines Public Schools.

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President Trumps Big Beautiful Bill was signed earlier this month after months of back and forth on Capitol Hill. Just before signing the bill, Trump was in Iowa, where he spoke about its impacts and benefits to Iowans.

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ADEL, Iowa  Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird discussed her current efforts in office and her 2026 re-election efforts at the third annual Barn Bash in Dallas County.

Taking place at the Dallas County Fairgrounds, the event featured a chicken dinner, a pie auction, and games. AG Bird delivered a speech with remarks on ongoing efforts to crack down on crypto scams against seniors, the University of Iowa DEI lawsuit, and working with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

People who work at the University of Iowa talking about how they are disregarding and getting around the law, the legislature passed that says they cant do DEI. These are tax-funded universities paid for with your tax dollars, and instead of changing and following the law, according to the video, it looks like they just renamed it, said Bird. So, we have launched an investigation we are going to get to the bottom of it.

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Bird also spoke about having President Trump back in office and the impact of his first 100 days, along with her trips to Washington, D.C., including the signing of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

We are so thankful to have President Trump back in the White House, that has been amazing. With what he is doing to stop the drug cartel, to fight fentanyl, what he is doing to get the federal government under control, so glad, said Bird.

Bird also spoke about preparations for her 2026 re-election campaign, saying that her work over her past term serves as a reminder of all she has done and can do for Iowans.

I believe 2026 is going to be a pivotal election, and its nothing that we can take for granted. Last time, we kind of caught them napping in the Attorney Generals office a little bit, but this time around, they already have a candidate running against me for the last few months, a liberal out of eastern Iowa. So, we are gonna, were going to work hard, we are gonna do a good job, and we are gonna run on a record on my work on behalf of Iowans.

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Senators Ted Cruz and Eric Schmitt were expected for the event but remained in Washington due to the Senate staying in session this weekend.

Bird will be up for re-election on the November 3rd ballot in 2026. Also on the ballot is the gubernatorial seat and Ernsts seat in the Senate.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has accused Israeli forces of attacking its headquarters in the Gaza Strip, killing one worker and injuring three others.

The humanitarian organisation said the attack "sparked a fire in the building" early on Sunday.

Describing the overnight attack on the facility in the southern city of Khan Younis as "deliberate", the PRCS said its HQ's location was "well known" to the Israeli military and was "clearly marked with the protective red emblem".

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told the BBC it was reviewing the claim that a PRCS building was damaged and "uninvolved individuals in the Khan Younis area were harmed as a result of an IDF strike".

A video shared by the PRCS on social media showed parts of the building on fire and filled with clouds of smoke, while aftermath pictures showed heavy damage to the building and several large bloodstains.

In a statement, the aid agency said that "shortly after midnight, Israeli artillery directly struck the upper floors" of the building.

"As PRCS teams were evacuating staff and inspecting the damage, the second floor was hit again, followed by direct shelling of the ground floor - precisely while rescue teams were fighting the blaze caused by the bombing."

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The PRCS named the killed worker as Omar Isleem and said it was "heartbroken" over his death. It said two other workers were injured, as well as a civilian who was trying to put out the fire. The agency said the building was "clearly marked" with its emblem.

"This was not a mistake," the PRCS added. "We renew our call for accountability and for the protection of all humanitarian and medical personnel."

The aid agency said that since the start of the war "51 staff and volunteers in Gaza were killed by Israel, including 29 who lost their lives while performing humanitarian duties".

The UN Human Rights office expressed its "deep shock and outrage over continued killings of emergency workers in Gaza" and urged an independent investigation.

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The incident comes as warnings about the humanitarian situation in Gaza grow.

On Sunday, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said at least 104 people had been killed by Israel's military offensive in the past 24 hours. The ministry said 65 people were killed seeking aid.

Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat told the BBC that five people were killed and 30 injured by Israeli forces near the northernmost aid distribution point run by the US and Israeli-backed organisation Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The IDF said its troops fired warning shots at a gathering advancing towards them "in a manner that posed a threat" hundreds of meters away from the site and not during its operating hours.

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The IDF said it was not aware of any casualties as a result of the warning shots, with the details of the incident still being examined.

The BBC verified the location of a video, posted on social media on Sunday, about 500 meters (1,600 feet) from the aid distribution site in which gunshots can be heard and seen hitting the ground near a crowd of people crouched down. Gunshots then hit a wall near where another group is lying down or sitting.

It is not clear from the video who is shooting.

Latest figures from the UN indicate that at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed seeking food since late May.

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The majority have been killed by the Israeli military near GHF sites, the UN says. The GHF denies the UN's figure of at least 859 killed in the vicinity of its sites.

Israel has accused Hamas of instigating chaos near the aid centres and says its forces do not intentionally open fire on civilians.

Meanwhile, Egyptian state media has reported that two lorries containing much-needed fuel are waiting to enter Gaza.

Medics have been warning of shortages in vital medical facilities for weeks, after Israel began an 11-week blockade of all aid and goods into Gaza.

This has since been partially lifted, but humanitarian agencies have said more aid must be allowed to enter Gaza to prevent famine and malnutrition worsening.

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The Hamas-run health ministry said on Sunday that another six people died from malnutrition, bringing the total since the start of the war to 175, including 93 children.

Israel denies it is deliberately blocking aid flowing into Gaza and accuses the UN and other aid agencies of failing to deliver it.

On Sunday, the IDF said that 136 aid packages, containing food for residents in southern and northern Gaza, were airdropped by Israel in co-operation with the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, France, Germany and Belgium.

The IDF launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

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The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says 60,839 people have since been killed across the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. Air Force ordered a service-wide safety inspection of every single one of its M18 pistols after one discharged and killed an airman last month at an Air Force base.

The decision, announced late last week, came after Airman Brayden Lovan was killed in an incident at F.E. Warren Air Force Base involving a M18. Lovan, 21, died July 20 after a M18 pistol discharged. Lovan, who served with the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Security Forces Group, at the Wyoming air base, was identified by the Air Force four days later. The incident is currently under investigation.

Now the Air Force is taking its largest action yet in response to Lovans death, enacting safety inspections of the approximately 125,000 M18 pistols in its arsenal.

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The Air Force directed the service-wide supplemental inspection of the M18 out of caution to validate the serviceability of weapons and reinforce confidence in their use, an Air Force spokesperson said in a statement on the move.

The spokesperson added that weapons safety is a critical responsibility and we continue to prioritize the security of our airmen and guardians as they perform their challenging missions.

The service-wide inspection comes after two major commands issued full or partial pauses on the use of the pistol. The M18 is the military version of manufacturer Sig Sauers P320 pistol. It is the compact option of the militarys Modular Handgun System and is also used by the Navy and Marine Corps; the U.S. Army also operates the M18 and the M17 pistols. The other services have not announced similar large-scale inspections of their arsenal of M18s.

Air Force Global Strike Command first paused the use of M18 pistols, saying it will stop using them until the investigation into Lovans death is complete. Some elements of Air Combat Command also joined in the pause, and the command said that some units will conduct additional training with the weapon out of safety concerns on the handling and use of the pistol..

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The gun has been accused of firing when the trigger is not pulled. The P320 is widely used in law enforcement. Last week, in the wake of announced M18 pauses, Sig Sauer issued a statement saying that the gun design has been thoroughly tested and validated, and refuted claims that the pistol can accidentally discharge.

Its unclear how long the inspections will take or if the Air Force will take additional precautionary measures regarding the M18 pistol.
Security forces at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base shot and killed a civilian who attempted to illegally enter the base in a car late at night yesterday.

The incident happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning when a car approached the main gate at the northern side of the base in Tuscon, Arizona. According to a release from the 355th Wing shared with Task & Purpose, the car was moving erratically and the driver failed to identify themselves as they got to base security. The car then crashed into a deployed vehicle barrier, stopping its advance.

The driver then put the car into reverse and began driving back. At that moment members of the 355th Security Forces Squadron, the bases security unit, opened fire, striking and killing the driver.

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We certainly regret the loss of life that occurred early this morning, Col. Jose Cabrera, commander of the 355th Wing, said in the units statement on Friday. Our defenders have a very difficult job and acted in accordance with their training and policy to ensure the security of the installation and safety of our airmen.

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News The Marine Corps is looking for volunteers to leave the service early The Marine Corps is looking for volunteers to leave the service early By Patty Nieberg News South Korea tours will now be a year longer as Army cuts down on moves South Korea tours will now be a year longer as Army cuts down on moves By Patty Nieberg Tech & Tactics Brutality over precision  What the Army is learning from Russia in Ukraine Brutality over precision  What the Army is learning from Russia in Ukraine By Kyle Gunn

As of press time on Saturday the driver has not been identified, except as a non-military civilian, nor has any reason been given for why the person tried to breach security and access the military base. The incident is under investigation, with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 217 as the lead investigative unit.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is home to the 355th Wing. The 354th Fighter Squadron long operated the A-10C Thunderbolt II, better known as the Warthog, as part of the wing until the unit began retiring the aircraft in 2024. It also is known for its boneyard, the large aircraft storage yard for out of date or unused aircraft operated by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group.
An air quality advisory affecting Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin has been extended through noon Aug. 4, as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to drift into the state.

The Wisconsin Department of Resources issued the advisory on July 31, and it was set to expire at noon Aug. 3. Milwaukee had an Air Quality Index of 159  classified as "Unhealthy"  in the morning of Aug. 3. At that level, the general public may begin to experience health effects.

An extension of the advisory was likely, said Aidan Kuroski, a meteorologist with the Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service, in an interview the morning of Aug. 3.

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Based on current modeling, the amount of surface smoke and air quality around Milwaukee was expected to worsen later in the day, and the haze likely will linger into next week, Kuroski said.

The smoke was so intense in the morning that although sunrise was expected at 5:45 a.m. Aug. 3 in Milwaukee, the sun was not visible until 6:10 a.m., said TMJ4 News meteorologist Michael Fish in a Facebook post.

Under air quality advisories, the DNR says sensitive groups  those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children  should reschedule or move outdoor activities indoors. Other protective measures include keeping doors and windows closed and avoiding activities that increase indoor pollution, such as vacuuming, burning candles or using gas appliances.

To track the air quality in your area, the DNR provides a live map of the Air Quality Index throughout the state.

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Temperatures on Aug. 3 are expected to reach a high of 77 degrees in Milwaukee, with warmer weather into the week. High temperatures are expected to reach the low 80s on Aug. 4 and 5 and inch up into the upper 80s by the end of the week.

As winds shift from the southeasterly to southerly winds, humidity levels are also expected to rise by mid-week and last into next weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wildfire smoke, air quality advisory continues in Milwaukee
Aug. 2JUNEAU  Alaska lawmakers overrode two of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's vetoes in a joint session Saturday, marking what Senate President Gary Stevens called an "unprecedented" move by the Legislature.

Saturday's votes were the culmination of months of strife between the Legislature and the governor, in which lawmakers accused the governor of failing to communicate with them about his priorities, and the governor accused lawmakers of not taking his policy ideas seriously.

Lawmakers in May overrode Dunleavy's veto of a bill that significantly increased the state's education funding formula for the first time since 2017. Dunleavy responded by vetoing education funding directly from the budget.

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Dunleavy then called a special session in summer, and asked Republican minority members not to attend the first days of the session in an effort to thwart majority members' attempts to override his vetoes.

Despite the governor's attempt to bypass an override attempt, lawmakers on Saturday mustered the 45 votes needed to restore roughly $50 million in education funding that he had vetoed, with 10 Republican minority members in the House and Senate joining all 35 members of the bipartisan majorities in voting to restore the funding.

From the hallway outside the House chamber, cheers from education funding advocates could be heard after votes were cast.

The veto override resolves months of apprehension from school districts across the state. Educators said that Dunleavy's veto  which came weeks after districts submitted their budgets for the coming school year  left them uncertain about how to proceed.

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Dunleavy had called the special session with the intention of having lawmakers again review his education policy proposals, which include creating a new method to authorize charter schools and allowing students to enroll in schools outside of the district in which they reside. But House and Senate members said they would instead wait for an education task force to review the proposals. The task force is set to meet for the first time on Aug. 25.

After lawmakers overrode his vetoes, Dunleavy said that "there's two divergent views on how to fix a problem in Alaska." Dunleavy said lawmakers favored "money" as the solution, while he favored "policy."

But lawmakers and the governor both sought a different mix of both policy and money. Lawmakers appeared open to some of the governor's education ideas, including allowing tribes to run their own schools, but said they needed more time to review the proposals during the regular session, which is set to begin in January.

Dunleavy's education proposals also include grant programs that could cost the state more than $50 million annually  the same amount that lawmakers restored to districts on Saturday.

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Lawmakers also overrode Dunleavy's veto of a bill meant to ensure the state is collecting the oil and gas taxes it is owed, after leaders of the House and Senate said the Dunleavy administration may be leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in oil and gas tax revenue on the table.

Stevens and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon had identified the two veto override attempts as their top priorities during the special session. After the successful override votes, lawmakers ended the joint session, precluding efforts to override some of Dunleavy's other vetoes, including his veto of millions of dollars in school maintenance and construction funding, and another of state transportation reappropriations that could put hundreds of millions in federal highway dollars in jeopardy.

House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp, an Anchorage Republican, said there was "a total lack of partisan fight or bickering on them, and that is important to us." He said lawmakers were concerned they didn't have a similar consensus about other vetoed legislation.

Edgmon said lawmakers would consider restoring some of the vetoed funding during the regular session in January.

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Lawmakers ended their meeting Saturday by recessing the special session, which Dunleavy had called for 30 days, until Aug. 19. Legislative leaders were noncommittal about whether they would in fact hold further substantive hearings before the end of the month.

"It costs in excess of $30,000 a day to be in special session," said Rep. Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican who serves in the majority. "We can save the state tons of money  literally" by not meeting, she added.

Dunleavy said he did not regret calling the special session, despite lawmakers' override votes and their unwillingness to consider his policies.

"This gives the people of Alaska (the opportunity) to see where people stand on these votes," he said.

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Dunleavy said he was open to the idea of calling lawmakers into another special session next month, if they didn't use the current session to consider his policy proposals.

"Will I call special sessions in the future? Maybe. Probably, if they need to be called," he said.

The votes

The joint session Saturday afternoon was brief and included no debate or discussion.

Lawmakers first voted 43-16 to override Dunleavy's veto of a bill meant to clarify the role of the legislative auditor. Overriding the governor required support from 40 lawmakers.

Lawmakers had adopted that bill after members of the Dunleavy administration declined to provide information on oil and gas tax audits to the legislative auditor, raising concerns among House and Senate leaders that the Department of Revenue was not collecting the full tax amounts owed to the state as required by law.

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Edgmon and Stevens have said that the state could be losing hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue. Dunleavy has called their concerns baseless.

The Legislature then voted 45-14 to override Dunleavy's education funding veto, just hitting the 45-vote threshold needed to override a budget veto.

When lawmakers voted in May to override Dunleavy's veto of the education bill, they did so with support from 46 lawmakers. The only legislator to flip her vote was Rep. Mia Costello, an Anchorage Republican and leader of the House Republican minority.

Costello said she had supported the education bill because it required Alaska schools to adopt cellphone policies. She said she opposed overriding Dunleavy's budget veto because she agreed with Dunleavy's prior assertion that the state didn't have sufficient revenue. However, she said she supported Dunleavy's $50 million education spending proposal because it's "targeted."

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Voting in the joint session had been delayed from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. after Rep. Robyn Burke, an Utqiagvik Democrat, missed her morning flight to Juneau from Anchorage. Her arrival Saturday afternoon meant that only one out of 60 lawmakers  Republican Sen. Mike Shower of Wasilla  was missing from the Capitol.

Executive order

Edgmon and Stevens wrote in a Saturday letter that Dunleavy's executive order creating an agriculture department  one of the governor's priories for the special session  was not in line with the state constitution because lawmakers had already rejected a similar order earlier this year, among other reasons.

Edgmon and Stevens wrote that the "introduction of an executive order during a special session is unprecedented and inconsistent" with the state constitution. They also said that "reintroduction of a previously rejected executive order in the same legislative session is contrary to the rules of procedure adopted by the Legislature."

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Lawmakers have said they plan to consider creating an agriculture department during the regular session that begins in January through legislation.

But Dunleavy responded Saturday to their letter by saying that he disagreed with their arguments and would execute his order unless lawmakers voted to reject it by the end of the month.

"The order may be disapproved only by resolution concurred in by a majority of the members in joint session," Dunleavy wrote, adding that he viewed the letter from Stevens and Edgmon as "legally ineffective."

"The Legislature's dubious tactic will only manufacture an unnecessary legal dispute between the branches of government that will waste time and scarce public resources," Dunleavy wrote to lawmakers.

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Stevens said the Legislature had acted on advice from its attorneys but did not comment on the potential for a legal battle.

House Republican minority members raised objections to House and Senate leaders' plan to recess the special session until Aug. 19, which would likely halt any substantive movement on Dunleavy's policy priorities for the duration of the special session.

The recess  which lawmakers enabled through a resolution they adopted on Saturday  will prevent Dunleavy from calling them repeatedly into additional special sessions.

"This is a maneuver. I get it  it's something that I would probably do, if I was sitting in your seat, Mr. Speaker," said Rep. Kevin McCabe, a Big Lake Republican serving in the minority. "Unfortunately, those outside of this room don't know how politics works and they're wondering why we are doing this, why we are just going to say, 'Nah, we're not going to work on what the governor wants us to work on.'"

Edgmon said that the recess "doesn't mean that we're going to stop our work, by any stretch of the imagination, because we have a bicameral, bipartisan task force," referring to the education committee that will begin its work later this month.

"We set the stage for us to come back and be successful and do it during a regular session, when we have full stakeholder engagement," said Edgmon. "Because these policy matters are very important."
Donald Trump has never seen this MAGA supporters as partners in a cause but marks who could be easily manipulated, said MSNBCs Ali Velshi Saturday.  And, Velshi aregued, his once invincible MAGA machine is glitching due to lingering questions and growing conspiracies surrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Many of Trumps staunchest supporters are believers in baseless conspiracy theories, such as Pizzagate. And Trump himself is a longtime fan of firing off conspiracy theories on various social media platforms.

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Trump was also an early backer of Epstein-related conspiracy theories  at least until he his name was reportedly found in the billionaire sex criminals files. But now hes president again, and those same conspiracists are becoming a big headache for him, Velshi said. Theyre out of control, and hes poised to toss [MAGA] aside.

Watch the entire segment from Velshis MSNBC show in the clip below.

The president is lashing out at some of his most loyal supporters, calling them stupid, foolish weaklings, he continued. All because they are pressing him on one issue, the Epstein files.

The Trump administration has attempted to tamp down interest in Epstein, with little success. This moment marks a significant rupture. For all his authoritarian instincts, Trump has always relied on one illusion, that he was one of them, Velshi explained. A truth teller. A rebel. A man fighting the man.

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But that was always a con. Trump never saw the base as partners in a cause. He saw them as marks. A means to an end. A block of loyal, gullible voters he could exploit to win power that he couldnt and wouldnt have won without them. Now that his own base is turning the lens back on him, what theyre seeing is just another rich, powerful man protecting himself.

The post Ali Velshi Says Trump Sees Base as Marks but His MAGA Machine Is Glitching Over Epstein | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
The Brief

Police shared a video of a man picking up a toddler at a shopping center.

The man, later identified as 26-year-old Andres Caceres Jaldin, has been accused of abduction of a minor and grand larceny.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (KTTV) - Shocking surveillance video shows the moments when a man in his 20s snatched a toddler girl at a shopping mall.

Toddler briefly taken away

What we know

According to the Fairfax County Police Department and police in Fair Oaks, Virginia, an abduction was reported in the 11700 block of Fair Oaks Shopping Center. A little girl was hanging out near an indoor play area when a man  allegedly identified as 26-year-old Andres Caceres Jaldin  picked up the toddler.

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Caceres Jaldin allegedly walked away with the toddler and made it up the mall's second floor.

Family jumps in

Once they went up to the second level, one of the girl's parents jumped in and got the toddler back.

The toddler was able to be back with her parents without any injuries, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a press release.

The alleged child abductor took off from the shopping center.

Police eventually found and arrested Caceres Jaldin shortly after the attempted abduction incident. The 26-year-old suspect is being charged with abduction of a minor and grand larceny  auto theft.

Caceres Jardin is being held without bond.

What we don't know

Officials did not say if Caceres Jardin had been arrested for other crimes prior to the alleged abduction attempt.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.

The Source

This report used information provided by the Fairfax County (Virginia) Police Department.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reported that officers responded to a robbery of a financial institution in the area of West Colorado Avenue and North 32nd Street on Thursday, July 31, in which the robber got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to CSPD, when officers arrived at the scene at the 3200 block of West Colorado, they learned that a man had entered the bank and demanded money from an employee. He then ran from the area with an undisclosed amount of money.

The investigation is ongoing.

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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 FOX21 News Colorado.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)  A Pennsylvania man is dead after police say he was riding a motorcycle and struck a car early Sunday morning.

The crash happened in the City of Allentown in Lehigh County around 3:20 a.m.

According to Allentown Police, officers were called to the 300 block of Tilghman Street where they say a motorcyclist, identified as a 25-year-old Allentown man, was found lying in the roadway, unresponsive.

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Officers said he was headed east on Tilghman at a high rate of speed and struck a car which was making a U-turn.

The Lehigh County Coroners Office said he was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital  Muhlenberg around 8 a.m.

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Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said in a media release he is not releasing his name at this time so that the family can grieve the tragic loss of their loved one privately.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On July 1, a week before Prime Day, Amazon workers at the vast RDU1 warehouse south of Raleigh returned from half-hour shift breaks and listened to a pep talk. Called stand-ups, these routine huddles are where site leaders emphasize daily goals before shifts resume.

We actually had a really great quality for P1, a manager projected, referring to the first period at the 24/7 facility. So fantastic job team, overall. We actually landed below 4,000 defects, which is insane. You guys did a phenomenal job. I really want to challenge everybody to try and hold this down.

He then counted down workers in a series of stretches.

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Metrics are top of mind  and often right on workers screens  at the Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Garner, a four-story hive of robots, conveyor belts and staff, each performing discrete, rote tasks that conclude in customers getting their deliveries within days.

Corey Stewart, a 23-year-old from Goldsboro, explained his part. As a stower on the 2nd floor, he organizes recently arrived items. The highest rate is like 10 seconds, Stewart said as a screen timer at his standing station reset with each product he stored. So, you try to get in that range. You should have a successful rate throughout the whole day.

Employees work at RDU1, an Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Garner, N.C., Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Opened in August 2020, RDU1 is the second-largest of Amazons 13 fulfillment and sortation centers in North Carolina. Across four shifts, around 4,300 employees and an expanding lineup of robots unload, stow, pick, pack, prepare and ship. The process is broadly divided in two: Inbound teams organize items that enter the facility  many from docking sites in Smithfield and Fayetteville  while outbound teams prepare items to leave for stations closer to customers.

At any moment, RDU1 contains millions of smaller products, each 18.5 inches or less. Toys, shoes, pet foods, shampoos, energy drinks. Larger items and same-day deliveries are handled elsewhere. Time is emphasized. The Garner fulfillment center, Amazon says, can ship up to 600,000 packages daily, more during peak periods. Yellow and grey trays whiz past on raised conveyor belts throughout the open main floor, while in the center of the upper floors, circular robots resembling Roombas ferry product pods in a kind of programmed waltz.

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Ahead of Prime Day, which this year was four days of online discounts, Amazon gave The News & Observer its first tour of RDU1 since the warehouse opened five years ago.

Yes, we do a ton of volume, but our main thing for Prime Day is, How do we have fun said Kristen Tettemer, site lead at the fulfillment center. Well have music. Well have DJs, giveaways throughout the week.

Of course, efficiency is also a core objective for the $2.4 trillion company that employs more North Carolina residents than all but a handful of businesses. Metrics were on display throughout the guided tour and also during the overheard standup huddle.

Sandy Urgelles scans packages at RDU1, an Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Garner, N.C., Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Amia Clopton of Angier shared how her strategy for bagging products is shaped by speed: When in doubt about which size packaging to use, go a bit bigger. I have a really high rate, and I dont want to struggle with (getting items into smaller bags), she said.

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Anna Power, a 42-year-old item picker from Raleigh, estimated she handles 3,500 items during a standard 10-hour shift, a number tracked on her station screen. Ive gotten faster, she said, comparing her rate to when she began at RDU1 four years ago. My quality is better.

Robots and the future of work at RDU1

This work can be physically taxing, hence the stretching. Doubling the length of 30-minute shift breaks was one demand made by the RDU1 unionizing campaign, which lost its February election by a vote of 2,447 to 829.

Its absolutely brutal, said Duke anthropology professor Orin Starn, a union organizer who worked at RDU1 for about six months. The first few weeks, a lot of people quit just because they cant handle it physically.

Automation, Amazon says, is designed to ease workloads. How do we bring the product to our associates? Tettemer said, noting that transport robots helpdecrease the steps workers take by thousands. On June 30, Amazon announced it had deployed its 1 millionth robot companywide, and the same day, The Wall Street Journal reported the business was close to having more robots than humans in its warehouses.

Dulce Valle Gutierrez packs items at RDU1, an Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Garner, N.C., Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

At RDU1, the Roomba-like transporters (called Hercules) carry tall yellow shelves along a floor map. On the first level, a large mechanical arm grips and rotates products destined for other fulfillment centers while an automated line nearby boxes items without human hands. Robotic beeps and screeches are ubiquitous.

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In a June memo to employees, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said generative artificial intelligence will likely shrink the companys corporate workforce over the next few years. And according to a 2024 internal document obtained by Business Insider, the e-commerce giant perceives robots as critical to flattening Amazons hiring curve over the next 10 years in its fulfillment operations.

What does Amazons automation push mean for warehouse staff in Wake County, where the company is the fifth-largest employer?

Employees work at RDU1, an Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Garner, N.C., Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Our robotics solutions are designed to automate tasks in an effort to continue improving safety, reducing repetition and freeing our employees up to deliver for customers in more skilled ways, Amazon spokesperson Greg Rios said in an email. Since introducing robots within Amazons operations, weve continued to hire hundreds of thousands of employees to work in our facilities and created many new job categories worldwide, including positions like flow control specialists, floor monitors and reliability maintenance engineers.

Robots also dont need breaks  either 30 minutes or an hour  nor can they make a unionization push. And their productivity can still be measured.

Packages are scanned at RDU1, an Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Garner, N.C., Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

The News & Observers Inside Look takes readers behind the scenes to illuminate the people and places in our community.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has canceled an Amber Alert for a 2-month-old boy who was abducted Sunday morning in Macon.

According to the GBI, the boy was abducted Sunday at 10:51 a.m. by Maurtez Rashaad Edwards, 23.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The GBI confirmed Sunday evening that the boy was found safe.

According to the Bibb County Sheriffs Office, Edwards was stopped in Liberty County, Florida and taken into custody just after 5:20 p.m.

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UPDATE: AMBER Alert is canceled. Montez has been found safe.

MACON, Ga. (WDHN)  Authorities have issued a Levis Call, Georgias AMBER Alert system, for a missing 2-month-old baby believed to be in extreme danger.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says Montez Harris was last seen around 10:51 a.m. Sunday morning at 1745 Rocky Creek Road in Macon, Georgia. The infant is believed to be with Maurtez Rashaad Edwards, who may be traveling south in a silver Ford F-150 with Georgia license plate ZKF875.

Montez was last seen wearing a gray shirt with animal print, white and brown mittens, and yellow socks. He has brown eyes and black hair.

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Edwards is described as 59, weighing 180 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Officials urge anyone who sees the vehicle, the child, or the suspect to immediately call 911 or contact the Bibb County Sheriffs Office at 478-751-7500.

This is a developing story. Stay with us 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 WDHN - wdhn.com.
Aug. 3Andrea Kent, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, was recently inducted into the Greater Midwest Area Council Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in recognition of her efforts in support of local youth.

The honor is reserved for individuals whose high achievements have made a mark on their local Club and have shaped and inspired regional Clubs in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

"Andrea is the driving force pushing our Club forward into the future," shared Dan Nynas, chair of the Club's board of directors, in a release. "Her passion for the mission and the children of our community is infectious, and we are grateful for her every day."

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Kent joined the Boys & Girls Club in 2009 and became executive director in 2012. In her nearly 15 years of service, she has always been a strong believer in the mission of the Club and an advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs locally and nationally.

Under Kent's leadership, the organization has expanded from one site to three, making it possible for the Club to serve more youth, families and communities. In 2023, the Boys & Girls Club opened a second site in partnership with Bemidji Schools at J.W. Smith Elementary.

In 2024, after hearing about the city's need for child care, a Blackduck branch was opened.

"I see this not as a job, but as a calling," Kent said while accepting the award. "It's a great honor to serve alongside such an incredible, talented and dedicated team who believe that collectively we can make a real difference in the lives of our children, teens, families and our Bemidji and Blackduck communities."

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The Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area now serves nearly 500 youth annually. In 2024, it had 492 members across its three sites, and served 25,784 free, healthy snacks and meals to youth.

According to the release, Kent shared that she could not have done the work she has without the support of the staff at Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, its board of directors, or her parents, children and husband.

"Absolutely, positively, I can't do this important work with their love and support," Kent said in the release. "Thank you all for supporting and inspiring me. I'm humbled and honored."

For more information, to donate to the Boys & Girls Club or to view a video created for Kent's award, visit the Club website at

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The 14th Annual Extortion 17 Memorial Ride honoring local heroes was held Saturday.

The Extortion 17 Memorial Ride is dedicated in memory of the 30 U.S. troops and military K-9 dog killed on Aug. 6, 2011, when an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

Of the 30 Americans, 17 were Navy SEALs, including 15 men from Gold Squadron of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

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On Saturday morning, motorcyclists gathered at Ynot Italian on Great Neck Square to honor and remember the fallen.

The 31-mile ride provides an opportunity for the community, Gold Star Families and supporters across the world to come together to recognize these incredible men.

Courtesy: Larry Strauss

Courtesy: Larry Strauss

Courtesy: Larry Strauss

Virginia Beach Police Officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese were additionally honored at the event this year.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
EAST PEORIA, Ill (WMBD)  On Saturday at the Neil A. Armstrong Elementary School, a lemonade stand brought the community of East Peoria together.

In 2013, Nathan Pennington was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in his childhood years. Nathan, his family, and neighbors at the time decided to make lemonade when life threw them lemons.

Later that year, thats exactly what they did. Nathan and his sister, Olivia, set up a little Tykes table and a couple of pitchers of lemonade and collected around $100 in donations that year.

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Sadly, Nathan lost his battle with childhood cancer about four years later in 2017. However, his legacy lives on.

A previous neighbor and volunteer for the event, Debbie Trau, who was also a nurse tending to Nathan, described what lessons she learned from the young man.

What I learned from being with Nathan as he passed was his unfailing courage. And, you know, he died with utmost dignity. He had family at his side. And thats very important to know your loved one, Trau said. And you could feel that there was just a humble, quiet, calm and acceptance. That little boy taught so much in his nine short years to not only me and my family, to all those that knew him and beyond, even after his death.

Today, Nathan and Olivias Lemonade Stand is partnered with St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. Each year, the fundraising event raises an average of $20,000 for childhood cancer research.

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Nathan also had an impact on the East Peoria community at large. Nathans sister, Olivia, said how much this means to everyone in the community.

It means a lot. They all knew Nathan personally, and so it just is a nice thing that theyre all willing to support him and just everything that goes on today, Pennington said.

This event was one leg of a larger event St. Judes puts on every year called St. Jude Runs, in which all of the proceeds from the lemonade stand will go towards.

While the 13th annual Nathan and Olivias Lemonade Stand for St. Jude has concluded, they also have smaller fundraisers throughout the year. To learn more about how to donate, click 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 CIProud.com.
The Joplin Public Library and Post Art Library are accepting applications for the 2025 Joplin Writers Faire, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Joplin Public Library.

Applications close Sunday, Aug. 31. Applying is free and open to all writers and writers groups, including published and non-published, emerging and established writers, those working in any form/genre, and writing-related organizations.

Successful applicants will be notified on Friday, Sept. 12, and receive a booth at no cost to them during the 2025 Joplin Writers Faire. A library card is not necessary to participate.

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Established in 2017, the Joplin Writers Faire aims to connect writers to their existing and potentially new audiences while encouraging community support of local and regional writers.

This years event sponsor is Friends of the Joplin Public Library.

For more information, contact Joplin Public Library Adult Programming Coordinator Sarah Turner-Hill at sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org or 417-623-7953 ext. 1030, or Post Art Library Director Jill Halbach at jill@postartlibrary.org or 417-623-7953 ext. 1041.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Zachary man has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that happened Saturday evening during a trail ride event in the Modeste area, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office.

Anwar McKenney, 43, is facing charges of second-degree murder and illegal use of weapons in the death of Brandon Cayette, 40, of Donaldsonville.

Deputies were called to the scene around 5 p.m. on Aug. 2 after reports of a shooting outside a residence along Highway 405, near the Sportsman Lounge. APSO said that when deputies arrived, they found Cayette unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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APSO reported that the shooting started from a dispute about paid parking at the trail ride event. The argument escalated into a fight involving multiple people.

McKenney and Cayette, who were acquaintances, became involved in the altercation when McKenney fatally shot Cayette, APSO said.

Following the incident, McKenney fled the scene but was later taken into custody by detectives. APSO said that during questioning, he admitted to shooting Cayette during the altercation. He was arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing. More details may be released at a later time.

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Zachary woman accused of beating girls with belt on TikTok

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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 Louisiana First News.
Attorney Andrew Stephenson has been named the recipient of the The Ellen Zimmerman Heart of the Community Award for 2025 by Area Fives board of directors.

Stephenson, of Michael & Stephenson law offices in Logansport, has worked for Area Fives Title III federal grant fund which falls under the Older Americans Act. The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds legal services to help older adults with various issues like public benefits, housing, and elder abuse.

Area Five schedules time with Andrew who provides the assistance.

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Andrew has been a valued community partner working with Area Five for over five years, a press release from the agency stated. During that time, Andrew has gone above and beyond, providing in-kind services, arranging talk to a lawyer day with Area Five in January, and supporting our mission of providing programs and services that benefit low income, disadvantaged and older people. We are grateful for Andrews work and wanted to publicly recognize him for his efforts

Stephenson was presented with a crystal award by the Area Five board of directors at its July meeting.

The annual award was established in 2020 to honor Ellens selfless service to Area Five for 38 years. The annual award was created to recognize those volunteers who go above and beyond to help our mission in all our communities. Past winners include Jason Mitchell of Emmaus Mission; Serenity Alter of the Cass County Health Department; Keith Taylor; Dr. Craig Pawlowski; and Dale Landis and Charlotte Miller of Rochester Lions Club.
The Brief

A heat wave is hitting the Phoenix area.

A high-pressure system is expected to remain over Arizona for several days, leading to extreme and potentially record-breaking heat.

New record highs are expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

PHOENIX - The first weekend of August is off to a hot start with record-breaking temperatures.

Phoenix Sky Harbor hit a high of 114 degrees on Saturday. This breaks our 2011 record of 113 degrees. The average is 106 degrees, making August 2s high 8 degrees above normal.

The week ahead

Temperatures will continue to warm next week with a major to extreme heat risk ahead. A strong ridge of high pressure will lead to record-breaking temperatures above 115 degrees by Wednesday. Extreme heat warnings will continue through next week under the heatwave.

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There will eventually be relief from the extreme heat with temperatures dropping below 110 by early next week.

Aside from the heat, conditions will remain dry and sunny in the Valley. If any rain occurs, it will mainly be confined to higher terrain. Brace yourselves for a scorching hot week ahead!

As of 3:50 PM MST, Phoenix Sky Harbor has reached a new record high temperature of 114 degrees for today's date. This breaks the previous record of 113 degrees last set in 2011. #azwxpic.twitter.com/UiIpX7vGL8  NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 2, 2025

An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for primarily lower desert areas of South-Central AZ, including Phoenix, through Saturday. High and low temperatures will push the HeatRisk category up to high-end Moderate with areas of Major. Phoenix will flirt with the record of 113F. pic.twitter.com/Upi5fbCtoF  NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) August 2, 2025

The following heat safety information was provided by the Scottsdale Fire Department:

What are Heat Emergencies?

Heat Cramps: Profuse sweating, fatigue, extreme thirst, muscle cramps

Heat Exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomit, Cool/moist skin

Heat Stroke: Elevated temp. +103degrees, confusion/irrational behavior, dry/hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse (shock), seizures, unconscious

What to do

Get person into shade or cool location

Cool person with cool, wet cloths (neck, groin, armpits, head) and fan body

Sip cool water if person is alert

For muscle cramps, massage muscles gently, but firmly until relaxed

*If symptoms worsen, call 911

What not to do

Do not give anything by mouth if person is vomiting, unable to swallow or unconscious

Do not underestimate the seriousness of a heat emergency

Prevention/Preparation for hike/exercise in heat

Know your limitations

Hydrate (begins day prior to hike/exercise, hour before hike, during and after)

Wear proper clothing, lightweight and light color, protect head, proper shoes

Always carry a cell phone and best to hike with company

Always tell someone where you are hiking and when to plan to return

Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke

The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

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Stay in air-conditioned buildings

Find a cooling center/hydration station

Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day)

Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day

Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside

Check the UV Index

Check the heat risk map

Road Conditions

Call 511 anywhere in Arizona or 1-888-411-ROAD (7623)

az511.com

You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android.

Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds.
An unspecified number of civilians allegedly carried out an attack on Aug. 3 against a recruitment officer in the village of Buzke in Mykolaiv Oblast, the regional Territorial Recruitment Center reported.

The unidentified civilians "armed with bats and metal pipes, damaged a vehicle and inflicted bodily injuries on a soldier" as the officer was attending to enlistment activities, officials allege. In response to the incident, a serviceman fired a non-lethal weapon at the civilians, allegedly in self-defense.

The incident left an unspecified number of casualties among servicemen as well as civilians, officials reported. The status of the injured victims was not provided.

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The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the details surrounding the incident.

Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, incidents targeting recruitment officers and centers have occurred in various parts of Ukraine.

As Ukraine steps up its mobilization efforts, draft offices are often accused, at times justly, of forced conscription without compliance with fundamental civil rights and ill-treatment of conscripts.

On Aug. 1, protesters gathered in the city of Vinnytsia to demand the release of men detained by military enlistment offices and broke into a stadium where the detainees were being held. The police arrested some of the demonstrators.

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Reports on mobilization in Ukraine are often used by Russian propaganda to help escalate social tensions in Ukraine and further damage Ukraine's recruitment efforts.

In June and July, Russian forces launched several strikes on enlistment offices in the cities of Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Kremenchuk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, damaging infrastructure and causing civilian and military casualties.

These recent attacks are viewed as an escalation in tactics, aimed at disrupting Ukraines mobilization efforts and fueling social unrest.

Read also: Protesters demand release of draftees in Vinnytsia, break into detention facility









Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Smoke rises over over Al-Mazra

A security source said the armed groups had violated the ceasefire agreed in the predominantly Druze region

Armed groups attacked personnel from Syria's internal security forces in Sweida, killing one member and wounding others, and fired shells at several villages in the violence-hit southern province, state-run Ekhbariya TV reported on Sunday.

The report cited a security source as saying the armed groups had violated the ceasefire agreed in the predominantly Druze region, where factional bloodshed killed hundreds of people last month.

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Syria's Interior Ministry issued a statement claiming it was rebel gangs that violated the ceasefire, despite the government's attempts to maintain calm.

As these gangs failed to thwart the Syrian States efforts and its responsibilities towards our people in Sweida, they resorted to violating the ceasefire agreement by launching treacherous attacks against Internal Security Forces on several fronts and shelling some villages with rockets and mortar shells, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of security personnel the ministry said.

This aerial view shows evacuating members of the Bedouin community riding atop a truck moving along a road in Taarah, in Syria's southern Sweida province on the way to Daraa, on July 21, 2025. (credit: RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, rebel gangs continue their attempts to drag the governorate into tension and chaos, driven by personal motives of their leaders, through the theft of relief aid and internal fighting the statement said adding that These groups also use violations of truce agreements to cover up their arbitrary practices, including unlawful arrests within the city.

Violence in Sweida

Violence in Sweida erupted on July 13 between Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze factions. Government forces were sent to quell the fighting, but the bloodshed worsened, and Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops in the name of the Druze.

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The Druze are a minority offshoot of Islam with followers in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Sweida province is predominantly Druze but is also home to Sunni tribes, and the communities have had long-standing tensions over land and other resources.

A US-brokered truce ended the fighting, which had raged in Sweida city and surrounding towns for nearly a week. Syria said it would investigate the clashes, setting up a committee to investigatethe attacks.

The Sweida bloodshed last month was a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after a wave of sectarian violence in March that killed hundreds of Alawite citizens in the coastal region.
(Reuters) -Armed groups attacked personnel from Syria's internal security forces in Sweida, killing one member and wounding others, and fired shells at several villages in the violence-hit southern province, state-run Ekhbariya TV reported on Sunday.

The report cited a security source as saying the armed groups had violated the ceasefire agreed in the predominantly Druze region, where factional bloodshed killed hundreds of people last month.

Violence in Sweida erupted on July 13 between tribal fighters and Druze factions. Government forces were sent to quell the fighting, but the bloodshed worsened, and Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops in the name of the Druze.

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The Druze are a minority offshoot of Islam with followers in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Sweida province is predominantly Druze but is also home to Sunni tribes, and the communities have had long-standing tensions over land and other resources.

A U.S.-brokered truce ended the fighting, which had raged in Sweida city and surrounding towns for nearly a week. Syria said it would investigate the clashes, setting up a committee to investigate the attacks.

The Sweida bloodshed last month was a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after a wave of sectarian violence in March that killed hundreds of Alawite citizens in the coastal region.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Jaidaa Taha; Writing by Menna Alaa El-Din; Editing by Toby Chopra and Helen Popper)
A man is due in court after a woman was dragged off the street early on Friday morning.

Avon and Somerset Police said the woman was walking to work between 06:30 and 07:00 BST when she was attacked on Passage Road in Henbury in north Bristol but "thankfully" managed to escape.

Mitchell Lee Rogers, 35, of no fixed abode, was arrested later that morning, the force added.

He is in custody, charged with making threats to kill, kidnap, assault causing actual bodily harm and committing a criminal offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

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Mr Rogers is due appear before magistrates in Bristol on Monday.

Det Sgt Paul Melton added: "We know people will be concerned about such a worrying incident happening on their doorstep, but this sort of attack by a stranger really is very uncommon."

She said the woman who was attacked would be offered support, and said people with concerns about their safety could find information on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust's website.

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Daniel Cressy, 22, of Metairie, begins a gene therapy treatment to cure his sickle cell disease at Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans on July 30, 2025. Manning Family Childrens is the only hospital in Louisiana to offer gene therapy treatments for sickle cell disease, which is typically cured through bone marrow transplants. (Christiana Botic/Verite News and CatchLight Local/Report for America)

NEW ORLEANS  Daniel Cressy yawned, tired after three days of watching a machine pull blood out of his body, extract his stem cells and pump the blood back in. Tubes protruded from the side of his neck, preventing him from turning his head. He gestured toward them while sitting in his hospital bed at the Manning Family Childrens Hospital.

Its uncomfortable at first, but then you kind of get used to it, he said Wednesday.

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The tubes were annoying, but, to Cressy, the reward is more than worth the discomfort: freedom from sickle cell disease. This procedure marked the first major step toward what he hopes is a long-lasting cure for the rare genetic blood disorder.

Over the next year and a half, Cressys genes will be altered to remove the trait that causes his red blood cells to sickle, or harden and bend in a way that blocks blood flow and causes immense pain. He will be the first patient in Louisiana to complete the gene therapy treatment.

The 22-year-olds stem cells will be sent to a lab in Scotland where they will be treated with an enzyme to reach a specific part of the cells and edit the gene to stop his blood cells from changing shape. Then, Cressys edited stem cells will be returned to Louisiana and infused back into his body. More than 90% of the patients in a clinical trial who received this treatment known as Casgevy, went at least a year without sickled cells blocking blood flow.

Left: Daniel Cressy, 22, of Metairie, begins a gene therapy treatment to cure his sickle cell disease at Manning Family Childrens Hospital in New Orleans on July 30, 2025. Right: The Terumo Spectra Optia Apheresis System collects stem cells from Cressys blood. Manning Family Childrens is the only hospital in Louisiana to offer gene therapy treatments for sickle cell disease, which is typically cured through bone marrow transplants. (Christiana Botic/Verite New and CatchLight Local/Report for America)

The process is long and expensive. Between insurance approvals, paperwork and preliminary doctor appointments, it took Cressy nearly a year to get to this room. But, for Cressy, its the only way to achieve his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

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Three years ago, Cressy discovered his love of flying, but after hours of lessons, working toward his certification, he was told his dream might be impossible. People with sickle cell disease seeking a pilots license face scrutiny over their health backgrounds from the Federal Aviation Administration.

High altitudes can make cells more likely to sickle, creating the risk of intense pain while in the air if there isnt enough oxygen.

The Office of Aerospace Medicine routinely reviews evolving medical therapies and updates policies when there is proof that new treatments are safe in the aviation environment, said an FAA spokesperson in a statement.

Cressy applied for his medical certification in 2022 but was rejected despite several appeals. To Cressy, his condition was manageable. Unlike many people with severe cases of sickle cell disease, he hasnt needed frequent hospital visits and blood transfusions to avoid pain.

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One thing that people dont understand is that sickle cell affects everybody differently, he said. I believed that I could fly without getting cured. But the FAA disagreed.

When Cressy first asked for the treatment, his hematologist, Dr. Zach LeBlanc, said no. To LeBlanc, a career in aviation didnt seem like a top medical priority. But Cressys passion  and an official rejection from the FAA  changed LeBlancs mind.

The more I got to know him, I understood that it wasnt as superficial as it appeared the first time, said LeBlanc, a pediatric hematologist with the hospital who was part of clinical trials to develop another long-term sickle cell cure. He was really serious about this, and he understood the risk.

Pediatric hematologist and oncologist Dr. Zach LeBlanc, right, talks to Daniel Cressy, 22, as he undergoes gene therapy for sickle cell disease at Manning Family Childrens Hospital in New Orleans on July 30, 2025. (Christiana Botic/Verite New and CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Traditionally, bone marrow transplants have been the primary way to provide long-lasting relief, but patients have to fit specific criteria and find an unrelated donor with a close genetic match. The right bone marrow donor is hard to find, and Cressy didnt have many options for a cure until two gene therapies were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023. Childrens Hospital is the first in the state to be approved to administer the treatments.

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Cressy and LeBlanc hope other sickle cell patients will soon receive better care. The Louisiana Department of Health recently estimated that at least 3,000 people in the state have been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.

The disorder occurs mostly in Black people like Cressy. Its caused by a genetic mutation that evolved and spread across much of Africa as a response to malaria. People who only have one sickle cell gene are at least 90% more resistant to malaria, but if a person inherits two sickle cell genes, they will develop the painful disorder.

Many health care providers and researchers, including LeBlanc, now acknowledge how the medical community has historically neglected and stigmatized patients with the disorder. But LeBlanc believes, especially with the addition of new treatments at Childrens Hospital, that such care is starting to improve.

Sickle cell disease in the state of Louisiana is hopefully in a time where it can really change, he said.

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There are still vast areas in rural parts of the state where basic care for sickle cell isnt available, especially for adults, but theres been an uptick in attention, he said.

Advocates for people living with the disorder say that attention is much needed. Courtney Davis is the deputy executive director of the Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana. He said the state legislature has begun to pay more attention to the disorder, forming a commission and starting a registry to monitor the prevalence of the condition in 2021.

Theres a lack of knowledge about sickle cell, said Davis, who is also living with sickle cell disease. Were always trying to garner more support for sickle cell all over the state.

Compared to other rare disorders like cystic fibrosis, theres a large disparity in both public and private funding for sickle cell treatments and cures, researchers have found. Disparities in health care for Black Americans also affect how patients are treated.

A nurse oversees the Terumo Spectra Optia Apheresis System as it collects stem cells from Daniel Cressy, 22, of Metairie, at Manning Family Childrens Hospital in New Orleans on July 30, 2025. (Christiana Botic/Verite New and CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Rhonda Chube, a community health worker with the Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana, said her clients often face stigma when trying to receive care. They struggle to get hospitals and employers to understand the severity of their pain, she said.

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They may look okay physically, but whats going on inside their body is where the problem is, she said.

The condition also comes with financial burden due to hospitalizations, transfusions and regular doctor appointments. Chube and Davis said its nearly impossible to survive the disorder without insurance.

Daniel Cressy shares an image of himself wearing a jacket from his brand Privileged Pilot while he begins gene therapy treatment at Manning Family Childrens Hospital in New Orleans on July 30, 2025. Cressy chose to undergo a gene therapy treatment that cures sickle cell disease in order to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. (Christiana Botic/Verite New and CatchLight Local/Report for America)

Many patients also need insurance in order to afford a curative treatment like Cressys. The medication alone costs $2 to $3 million. The stem cell collection and infusion, among other doctor visits, add another few hundred thousand dollars.

Lynn Winfield, Manning Family Childrens Hospitals senior director of patient care services, said it can take more than a year for private insurance providers to approve reimbursement for the procedures. Without that guarantee, neither the patient nor medical providers can afford the treatment. Medicaid recipients are easier to get approved, but Winfield said she worried that could change with recent federal cuts to funding.

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Winfield said the hospital is already lining up more patients, including a boy from Shreveport.

Cressy hopes he is only the beginning. He plans to advocate for more people with sickle cell as he goes through treatment and is excited to eventually become one of the first commercial pilots with the disorder. Cressy will be following in the footsteps of a friend with sickle cell who participated in a gene therapy clinical trial in Atlanta two years ago. They met through a Reddit post, bonding over experiencing the same roadblock to aviation. That friend, Cressy said, has since received a pilots license.

Becoming aviators with sickle cell was once something that people thought was impossible, he said from his hospital bed, wearing a Mr. Impossible t-shirt that he created. My buddy has already proved to the world that its not. Nothing is impossible.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters including WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, closing the world famous landmark.

Assange, who returned to Australia last year after his release from a high-security British prison, was pictured surrounded by family and marching alongside former Australian foreign minister and New South Wales premier Bob Carr.

France, Britain and Canada have in recent weeks voiced, in some cases qualified, intentions to diplomatically recognise a Palestinian state as international concern and criticism have grown over malnutrition in Gaza.

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Australia has called for an end to the war in Gaza but has so far stopped short of a decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

But in a joint statement with more than a dozen other nations on Tuesday it expressed the "willingness or the positive consideration... to recognise the state of Palestine as an essential step towards the two-State solution".

The pro-Palestinian crowd braved heavy winds and rain to march across the bridge, chanting "ceasefire now" and "free Palestine".

New South Wales police said it had deployed hundreds of extra staff across Sydney for the march.

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Mehreen Faruqi, the New South Wales senator for the left-wing Greens party, told the crowd gathered at central Sydney's Lang Park that the march would "make history".

She called for the "harshest sanctions on Israel", accusing its forces of "massacring" Gazans, and criticised New South Wales premier Chris Minns for saying the protest should not go ahead.

Dozens of marchers held up banners listing the names of thousands of Palestinian children killed since the Gaza war broke out after an October 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Labor backbench MP Ed Husic attended the march and called for his ruling party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to recognise a Palestinian state.

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Assange did not address the crowd or talk to the media.

Israel is under mounting international pressure to end the bloodshed that has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Hamas's 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally based on official figures.

Of the 251 hostages taken during the attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

The Harbour Bridge is over a kilometre long and was opened in 1932.

Since then its twin parabolic arcs have become world famous, a symbol of both Sydney and of Australia.

bes/jfx
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has recorded explosions and smoke at one of the auxiliary facilities next to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

Source: IAEA

Details: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported that as per reports from representatives of the ZNPP administration to the IAEA, the facility had been under fire since 09:00, including by drones.

The IAEA noted that the auxiliary facility was located 1,200 metres from the ZNPP site.

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Quote from IAEA: "It was the latest in a series of incidents in recent weeks and months further highlighting possible dangers to nuclear safety during the military conflict at the ZNPP."

"Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant  regardless of the intended target  poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided.

Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident," Grossi said.

Background:

First Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Yurii Sheiko stated that Russia cannot safely restart the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and statements about its intentions are simply an attempt to blackmail Ukraine and the international community.

Forty-eight IAEA member states issued a joint statement. In particular, they stated that any restart of the reactors at the ZNPP is only possible after the facility is returned to the legitimate control and supervision of the competent Ukrainian regulator.

Read also: Stopping Russian restart of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactors can be achieved but must be global priority  including for IAEA DG Grossi

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after three people were injured in a city centre.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it was called at 12:48 BST on Sunday to reports of a man threatening people with a knife on Empress Road in the Bevois Valley area of Southampton.

A man in his 40s, from the Bitterne area of the city, was detained at the scene.

No-one was seriously injured, the force said.

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The man reported to be holding a knife was described as South Asian, aged in his 40s, about 5ft 11ins and with black hair and a beard. He was wearing a red shirt and a navy blue jacket.

Police have asked witnesses or anyone who saw the man described to contact them.

The force said it did not believe there was any wider risk to the public.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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AURORA, Ill.  Residents of an apartment building in Aurora were forced to evacuate Saturday evening after the exterior of the building began to crumble.

Crews with the Aurora Fire Department responded to an apartment complex located in the 10o block of East Galena Boulevard at around 7 p.m. on reports of structural damage.

Officials say the Aurora Police Department received several calls about the brick on the building crumbling and falling on the street and sidewalk below.

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Fire officials deemed the building unsafe, and all residents were evacuated, according to authorities.

The American Red Cross and Victim Services are assisting those who were displaced from their homes.

No additional information was provided.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
CANBERRA (Reuters) -Several towns in eastern Australia were blanketed with their thickest layer of snow in decades as wild weather swept the area this weekend, causing floods, stranding vehicles and cutting power to thousands of homes, authorities said.

A cold air front dropped as much as 40 cm (16 inches) of snow on parts of northern New South Wales on Saturday, the most since the mid-1980s, said Miriam Bradbury, a meteorologist at Australia's weather bureau.

Snow also settled in areas of the neighbouring state of Queensland for the first time in 10 years, she said.

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Bradbury said climate change has made Australia's weather more volatile in recent years but that this sort of event had occurred several times in the historical record.

"What makes this event unusual is how much snow we had but also how widespread, covering quite a large part of the northern tablelands," she said.

With heavy rain lashing other areas, the New South Wales State Emergency Service said it had responded to more than 1,455 incidents. It said more than 100 vehicles had been stranded by snow, storms had damaged buildings and it had issued several major flood warnings.

Tens of thousands of homes spent the night without power, state broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corp reported.

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Police in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, said a car had become stuck in floodwater on Saturday evening and a female passenger in her 20s was swept away. The search was continuing on Sunday, they said.

(Reporting by Peter Hobson in Canberra; Editing by William Mallard)
Etomidate, an anesthetic drug often used in a clinical setting, was found in one-third of 100 seized vapes in Singapore.

According to CNA, the Singaporean government is working to list this substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C drug.

Vaping was fully banned in Singapore in 2018 because of the health risks associated with inhaling the toxic e-liquids. In the U.S., bans on vapes exist, such as in California, which bans disposable vapes, and in North Carolina, which bans unregulated vapes.

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E-cigarettes or vapes have been tied to various health issues, including heart and lung problems, mostly linked to nicotine intake. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports these concerns are coupled with aerosol and other chemicals that, when inhaled through an e-cigarette, can be cancer-causing. Now, with etomidate showing up in vapes throughout East and Southeast Asian countries, the risks exist tenfold.

"Vaping, especially those that are laced with etomidate, is increasing. It is causing quite serious concern among agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health," said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, per CNA.

On top of the health risks, including hallucinations, organ failure, and death, as mentioned by Ong, vapes in general pose a dark environmental issue.

Outdoorsfolk frequently share online posts of secluded, natural areas where vape trash continues to show up. Not only are the discarded vapes a form of littering, posing a threat to curious wildlife or finding their way into waterways, but e-waste also presents a plethora of other issues.

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When electronics are not recycled properly, they become more than just outdoor eyesores. The World Health Organization reports they can "release up to 1,000 different chemical substances into the environment, including known neurotoxicants such as lead."

The new classification of etomidate in Singapore can hopefully encourage people to stop using the substance, and in turn, prevent them from experiencing the harmful health consequences.

As with other drug offenses in Singapore, offenders will be "subject to supervision, have to undergo mandatory rehabilitation, and may also be committed to a drug rehabilitation center," CNA reported. Repeat offenders will be prosecuted and can also face jail time.

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Previous local homeless news coverage above.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The Awakenings Fellowship church is holding an open house this Sunday in Piqua, and it said everyone is welcome to visit.

The open house will be on Aug. 3 at 312 N. Wayne St. and will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The church describes itself as a sanctuary for people who are wounded, broken, homeless or overlooked by society. It provides community to people facing extreme circumstances, offering them solace and support.

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Some of that support includes the following:

Bible study sessions

Family nights

A food bank

Laundry and locker assistance

Life skills workshops

Homeless support

Recovery groups

Testimonial events

The mission of Awakenings Fellowship goes beyond providing physical infrastructure; it aims to foster a fellowship where hope and faith thrive. Inspired by the teachings of the Bible, it encourages individuals to focus on the unseen rather than the seen, promoting a life filled with praise and gratitude, wrote the church.

To learn more about the Awakenings Fellowship and the resources it offers, click here.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Two water rescues that occurred back-to-back on Saturday near the same area of the Willamette River in Albany highlight the unpredictable nature of river currents, first responders said.

The water rescues happened just hours apart near the same fast-moving area of the river, in Monteith Park. In each case, people became stranded in a swift current and were unable to climb back ashore due, in part, to overgrown vegetation on the riverbank.

Summer heat pauses; Cooler, cloudier days in Portland

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Thanks to the quick response of the Albany Fire Department and the Benton County Sheriffs Office River Patrol, there were no serious injuries and both rescues were successful.

The first water rescue happened just before 2 p.m. on Saturday and the second rescue occurred just before 4:30 p.m.

The South Bank of Willamette River near Monteith Park was the site of two water rescues on Saturday, August 2, 2025 (courtesy Albany Fire Department). The South Bank of Willamette River near Monteith Park was the site of two water rescues on Saturday, August 2, 2025 (courtesy Albany Fire Department).

In both incidents, rescuers located individuals clinging to dense brush along the riverbank, unable to return to shore safely due to strong currents and overgrown vegetation, the Albany Fire Department said in a press release. Crews navigated swift, debris-filled water to reach the individuals and successfully brought them to safety using rescue boats.

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The rescued individuals were assessed by paramedics and were later released after the evaluation found no serious injuries.

National Geographic calls OR state park underrated

The Albany Fire Department said recreating in the Willamette River during the late summer can be dangerous because water levels drop, exposing formerly hidden hazards. Currents are often strong and can change at a moments notice, with thick brush along the bank easily trapping or injuring people.

Rivers can be unpredictable, even for experienced swimmers, said Battalion Chief Mark Bernt. What may appear calm on the surface can hide strong currents or entrapment hazards beneath.

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Fire and law enforcement officials recommend never recreating alone, staying sober when in and around water, using dedicated river access points, always wearing a life jacket, avoiding areas with swift currents, scouting routes in advance and not using inflatable swimming pool tubes to float in the river.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  As thousands of students across Middle Tennessee get ready to return to the classroom, Wellpoint Tennessee hosted a Back to School Bash Saturday.

Wellpoint Tennessee said hundreds of people showed up in Nashville, where families had access to free supplies and resources to get ready for the school year.

When do Middle Tennessee districts go back to school? Find your district, 2025 start date

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Attendees could pick up backpacks full of learning tools, and even get haircuts, health screenings, and guidance from local mental health providers.

[Theres] definitely a lot of joy in the kids faces. We also raffled away some bikes, so for a lot of kids, that was a great, great, exciting thing. The kids were super interested to pick their backpacks. We let them choose what color they like, what style they like, and we had all the styles for them to grab, Tyler Swanson, a community relations representative with Wellpoint, told News 2.

More SROs added to Metro Schools; most elementary schools to go without

The organization also held similar events across Tennessee, in anticipation of the 147 school districts statewide heading back to school this fall.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A backpack giveaway held in Des Moines offered more than just school supplies as the 2025-2026 school year approaches.

Chase Bank and the Boys and Girls Club distributed 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies on Saturday. The event provided essential school supplies while featuring financial literacy and healthy food activities for children, helping them learn important skills.

Theyre going to stop at our different stations. Theyre going to do a financial escort. So some fun activities for them to learn some different skills around how to save and in addition, we got snacks, and we have our Meals from the Heart partner as well, said Marcia Treichel, Chase Bank Community Manager.

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Organizers also held workshops for the parents, hoping to bring discussions on financial literacy back into homes, including what to do when kids go shopping, best budgeting practices, and identifying needs versus wants.

I really like that because I have been teaching my daughter about financial literacy since she was three years old. So, its really cool that she got to go around the table and do the activities, said Kanasia, a parent at the event. She definitely enjoyed it. She said this was the best shes been through, so thats cool coming from a six-year-old.

The school year is fast approaching, with a recent survey showing that more than 85% of parents were worried about tariffs affecting school shopping. Here in Iowa, parents say that local businesses and organizations helping out are appreciated.

It is so much for everything these days. And even with the sales, its just not enough, you know? So, I really appreciate it, just to get us going and start it with a little bit of support, said Kanasia.

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Earlier this week, Caitlin Clark made a return to Des Moines, where she handed out supplies to Des Moines Public Schools students and helped celebrate a new outdoor court.

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The first witness in the trial of Bangladesh's fugitive ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina gave evidence on Sunday, a man shot in the face during protests that toppled her last year.

Hasina, 77, who has defied court orders to return from India to attend her trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity, is accused of ordering a deadly crackdown in a failed bid to crush the student-led uprising.

Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024, according to the United Nations.

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The first witness, among the 11 cases that the prosecution is expected to present to the court, was Khokon Chandra Barman, whose story reflects the violence of the protests.

The 23-year-old wears a mask to conceal his face, which was ripped apart by gunshot during the culmination of the protests on August 5, 2024, the same day that Hasina fled Dhaka by helicopter.

"I want justice for the ordeal I've been going through, and for my fellow protesters who sacrificed their lives," he told the court.

Barman lost his left eye, while his right eye was damaged, as well as his lips, nose and teeth.

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A video showing Barman's blood-covered face was played in court, with the opening statements aired on the state-run broadcaster.

Prosecutors have filed five charges against Hasina -- including failure to prevent mass murder -- which amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law.

"Sheikh Hasina was the nucleus around whom all the crimes committed during the JulyAugust uprising revolved," chief prosecutor Tajul Islam told the court on Sunday.

Hasina is on trial in absentia alongside two other accused.

One, her former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, is also a fugitive.

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The other, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the former inspector general of police, is in custody. He has pleaded guilty.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman said he wanted a "fair trial", speaking to reporters outside the court.

"People were killed and maimed -- we demand the highest punishment for the crimes committed," Asaduzzaman said.

Amir Hossain, the state-appointed lawyer for Hasina, noted that Barman was shot during the chaotic final day of the weeks-long protests.

He pointed out that several police officers were also killed in clashes with protesters and it was "unclear who actually shot Barman".

Hossain said he was not in contact with Hasina, who has refused to accept the authority of the court.

The trial continues.

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When it comes to President Trump, Angie Zamora and Phaidra Medeiros agree on very little.

Zamora, a 36-year-old Army veteran, has nothing good to say.

"The laws. All the rights taken away from women. The stuff with ICE," Zamora said, ticking off her frustrations as she stopped outside the post office in the Central Valley community of Los Banos. "Why are they going after people working on farms when they're supposed to be chasing violent criminals?"

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Medeiros, by contrast, is delighted Trump replaced Joe Biden. "He wasn't mentally fit," Medeiros said of the elderly ex-president. "There was something wrong with him from the very beginning."

Despite all that, the two do share one belief: Both say the government should cough up every last bit of information it has on Jeffrey Epstein, his sordid misdeeds and the powerful associates who moved in his aberrant orbit.

Trump "did his whole campaign on releasing the Epstein files," Zamora said. "And now he's trying to change the subject. 'Oh, it's a 'hoax' ... 'Oh, you guys are still talking about that creep?' And yet there's pictures throughout the years of him with that creep."

Medeiros, 56, echoed the sentiment.

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Read more: Barabak: Here's why Jeffrey Epstein's tangled web is conspiratorial catnip

Trump and his fellow Republicans "put themselves into this predicament because they kept talking constantly" about the urgency of unsealing records in Epstein's sex-trafficking case  until they took control of the Justice Department and the rest of Washington. "Now," she said, "theyre backpedaling."

Medeiros paused outside the engineering firm where she works in the Central Valley, in Newman, on a tree-lined street adorned with star-spangled banners honoring local servicemen and women.

"Obviously there were minors involved" in Epstein's crimes, she said, and if Trump is somehow implicated "then he needs to go down as well."

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Years after being found dead in a Manhattan prison cell  killed by his own hand, according to authorities  Epstein appears to have done the near-impossible in this deeply riven nation. He's united Democrats, Republicans and independents around a call to reveal, once and for all, everything that's known about his case.

Epstein, seen in court with his lawyers, was found dead in his prison cell while awaiting prosecution for sex crimes. (Uma Sanghvi / Palm Beach Post / AP)

"He's dead now, but if people were involved they should be prosecuted," said Joe Toscano, a 69-year-old Los Banos retiree and unaffiliated voter who last year supported Trump's return to the White House. "Bring it all out there. Make it public."

California's 13th Congressional District, where Zamora, Medeiros and Toscano all live, is arguably the most closely fought political terrain in America. Sprawling through California's midriff, from the far reaches of the San Francisco Bay Area to the southern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, it's farm country: flat, fertile and crossed-hatched with canals, rail lines and thruways with utilitarian names such as Road No. 32 and Avenue 18.

The myriad small towns are brief interludes amid the dairy and poultry farms and lush carpeting of vegetables, fruit and nut trees that stretch to the hazy-brown horizon. The most populous city, Merced, has fewer than 100,000 residents. (Modesto, with a population of around 220,000, is split between the 5th and 13th districts.)

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Democratic Rep. Adam Gray was elected in November in the closest House race in the country, beating the Republican incumbent, John Duarte, by 187 votes out of nearly 211,000 cast. The squeaker was a rematch and nearly a rerun. Two years prior, Duarte defeated Gray by fewer than 600 votes out of nearly 134,000 cast.

Not surprisingly, both parties have made the 13th District a top target in 2026; handicappers rate the contest a toss-up, even as the field sorts itself out. (Duarte has said he would not run again.)

The midterm election is a long way off, so it's impossible to say how the Epstein controversy will play out politically. But there is, at the least, a baseline expectation of transparency, a view that was repeatedly expressed in conversations with three dozen voters across the district.

A tractor clears the rows in an orchard in Merced. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

Zachery Ramos, a 25-year-old independent, is the founder of the Gustine Traveling Library, which promotes learning and literacy throughout the Central Valley. Its storefront, painted with polka dots and decorated with giant butterflies, sits like a cheery oasis in Gustine's four-block downtown, a riot of green spilling from the planter boxes out front.

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Inside, the walls were filled with commendations and newspaper clippings celebrating Ramos' good works. As a nonprofit, he said, "we have to have everything out there. All the books. Everything."

Epstein, he suggested, should be treated no differently.

"When it comes to something as serious as that, with what may or may not have taken place on his private island, with his girlfriend"  convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell  "I do think it should all be out in the open," Ramos said. "If you're not afraid of your name being in [the files], especially when you're dealing with minors being assaulted, it should 100% be made public."

Read more: Commentary: Political ploy or bold move to save democracy? Our columnists debate Newsom redistricting threat

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Ed, a 42-year-old Democrat who manages a warehouse operation in Patterson, noted that Trump released the government's long-secret files on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., even though King's family objected. (Like several of those interviewed, he declined to give his last name, to avoid being hassled by readers who don't like what he had to say.)

Why, Ed wondered, shouldn't the Epstein files come to light? "It wasn't just Trump," he said. "It was a lot of Republicans in Congress that said, 'Hey, we want to get these files out there.' And I believe if Kamala [Harris] had won, they would be beating her down, demanding she do so."

He smacked a fist in his palm, to emphasize the point.

Madera, with a population of roughly 70,000, is one of the largest communities in the 13th District. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Sue, a Madera Republican and no fan of Trump, expressed her feelings in staccato bursts of fury.

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"Apparently the women years ago said who was doing what, but nobody listens to the women," said the 75-year-old retiree. "Release it all! Absolutely! You play, you pay, buddy."

Even those who dismissed the importance of Epstein and his crimes said the government should hold nothing back  if only to erase doubts and lay the issue to rest.

Epstein "is gone and I don't really care if they release the files or not," said Diane Nunes, a 74-year-old Republican who keeps the books for her family farm, which lies halfway between Los Banos and Gustine. "But they probably should, because a lot of people are waiting for that."

Patrick, a construction contractor, was more worked up about "pretty boy" Gavin Newsom and "Nazi Pelosi"  "yes, that's what I call her"  than anything that might be lurking in the Epstein files. "When the cat is dead, you don't pick it up and pet it. Right?" He motioned to the pavement, baking as the temperature in Patterson climbed into the low 90s.

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"It's over with," the 61-year-old Republican said of Epstein and his villainy. "Move on."

At least, that would be his preference. But to "shut everybody up, absolutely, yeah, they should release them," Patrick said. "Otherwise, we're all going to be speculating forever."

Or at least until the polls close in November 2026.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Liliana Luyan was charged with preventing a group of civilians from taking shelter during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June.

An indictment was filed Sunday against Liliana Luyan, a 70-year-old resident of Bat Yam, for preventing civilians from entering a shelter during a missile attack from Iran on Israel.

This marks the first such case to result in criminal charges since the Israel-Iran war in June.

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The incident occurred on Saturday, June 22, at 7:30 a.m., when an Iranian missile triggered sirens across Bat Yam during the 12-Day War. When a group of civilians attempted to enter a public shelter in a building on Arlozorov Street to seek refuge, Luyan, a resident of the building, stood at the entrance to the shelter, blocked the door with her body, and refused to allow them inside, according to the indictment.

She claimed there was "no room." Despite their pleas and fears for their lives, Luyan slammed the door shut and also prevented them from entering another nearby shelter in the area. The refusal was filmed and first published by Walla, where she was seen blocking the entrance while a siren blared and civilians tried to get inside.

Bat Yam case is not an isolated incident

The unusual case in Bat Yam is not isolated. Reports from Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, and other central cities indicated that civilians trying to take cover during sirens were also met with locked doors and refusals at public shelters.

The aftermath of an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central Israel, June 15, 2025 (credit: CHEN SCHIMMEL)

The indictment stated: "Through her actions, the defendant was in possession of a shelter but did not allow those nearby to enter and remain in it during the attack." Luyan violated a clause in the Civil Defense Law, which requires that "anyone in possession of a shelter, during a special situation on the home front, must allow anyone nearby to enter and remain in the shelter for the duration of the attack."

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One of the individuals denied entry was Shuval Fuchs, 27, from central Israel. "We had no choice. Theres no shelter in my building, so we ran to the public shelter in the building next door," Fuchs told Walla following the incident. "We got there, and the woman just refused to let us in. She stood at the door, closed it, and locked it. Six of us stood outside while the siren was still going."

He said they tried to convince her to let them in, but to no avail. "We explained that we live just next door, that we had nowhere else to go, and she simply said no. At one point, we heard the boom and felt the building shake, so I opened the door and we went inside."

Fuchs, a recently released reservist, said it was one of the most difficult situations hes experienced. "I could have pushed her aside and forced my way in, but I decided not to. She could be my mothers age. Even in emergencies, we need to preserve human dignity."
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  This wasnt your typical back-to-school event. No bookbags or school supplies were given out. Instead, there was a call for something deeper: protection, unity, and prayer to support students this school year.

On a Saturday morning, a crowd gathered, not for a giveaway, but for guidance.

Andre Harmon said, We have to work together with law enforcement, community leaders, ministers, whomever would like to make a difference in young peoples lives.

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The event featured one hour of prayer led by the grandmother of Devin Page Jr., a toddler killed in Baton Rouge. The moment brought together ministers, parents, and students.

Cathy Toliver is a grandmother who lost a grandson right down the street from the building where we meet twice a month. And so, she came to me and asked, would it be okay to use our parking lot to do a prayer vigil, and her idea is to pray for the students, the teachers, everyone involved in whats going on with school in the next few weeks, Harmon said.

With the first day of school around the corner and youth violence making headlines, organizers say its time to turn inward and upward.

We have to get involved. So today were doing a corporate prayer. It doesnt matter who you are, come out and pray with us. We invited the community to come pray with us so that we can cover our young people, Toliver said.

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Toliver thinks prayer can truly help, especially now when fear holds the city.

So many things have been tried. So, from conferences to workshop, educating people, empowering people. But one thing that they have not incorporated was corporate prayer. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that it works. Ive seen it work. And in situations like this, prayer goes a long way, said Toliver.

At the heart of it all is a message of hope, a reminder that faith still matters.

He has not forgotten us, even though situations are harsh and horrible in our city, God is still with us. If you hang in there and connect with your neighbor, everything will work itself out, Toliver said.

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Email exchanges between Tesla and California regulators obtained by Politico reveal a comical discrepancy between what Elon Musk is saying his Robotaxi services can do publicly, and what the automaker is actually telling authorities behind closed doors.

This week, Tesla launched a ride-hailing service in San Francisco, in what is being framed as an expansion of its Robotaxi efforts that started as an invite-only program in Austin, Texas last month, where it immediately began charging customers for rides.

Note that we say it's a "ride-hailing service," because Tesla hasn't obtained all the necessary permits to operate a robotaxi service in California. The use of the term "robotaxi" is conspicuously absent in both the company's and Musk's messaging about the Bay Area roll-out.

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Also, there's this detail: Tesla's not-a-robotaxis come with a human supervisor sitting in the driver's seat, which is a step backward from its Austin program, which features a safety monitor sitting in the front passenger seat.

And for all of Musk's boasts of deploying a million robotaxis by the end of next year, Tesla is in reality walking such a precarious tightrope with regulators that it scrambled to apologize for one of its employees merely suggesting in a social media post that the automaker would be operating unsupervised rides in Los Angeles this year. It only had permission to operate a "transportation service" with regular cars from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

"Please know that Tesla is aware of the various permitting requirements," Casey Blaine, Tesla senior counsel of regulatory affairs, wrote in a groveling email to Miguel Acosta, the autonomous vehicle chief at the California Department of Motor Vehicles, per Politico. "We understand that drivered and driverless autonomous rideshare operations would require obtaining additional permits from both the DMV and the CPUC."

Apologizing for the incident, Blaine went on to frame the Tesla program as more like a ride-hailing service like Uber, according to Politico, using strikingly different language from Musk's public promises of a robotaxi service that would threaten the leader in the industry, Waymo. In a glaring admission, Blaine said Tesla would use supervised, Full Self-Driving software that's "functionally the same" as the FSD available in regular Tesla cars. FSD is not capable of operating without a human behind the wheel, and is officially classified as driver assistance software.

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To his adoring fans, however, Musk continued to keep up the charade  much to the chagrin of regulators. Before a July meeting with Acosta, Musk made a post on X saying that the Robotaxi service would come to the Bay Area "probably in a month or two," and claimed that it was just "waiting on regulatory approvals." But no recent applications had been submitted by the automaker, according to Politico. Before another meeting that month, Musk again boasted in an earnings call that he sought to launch a full-blown robotaxi service in the state by the end of year.

At other times, the automaker outright went behind regulators' back. Ahead of the San Francisco launch, Tesla had insisted that it would take a "phased approach" beginning by limiting rides to Tesla employees, before gradually expanding to their friends and family, and eventually, the general public. It reiterated these intentions as recently as last Thursday.

Then on Friday, Business Insider reported that Tesla was jumping straight into inviting select Tesla owners into the program and charging them for rides  a clear violation of the agreed terms. CPUC spokesperson Terrie Prosper warned that Tesla can't use an autonomous vehicle to transport the public whatsoever, regardless of whether it has a safety driver and whether it charges for rides.

In November, Acosta reached out to Tesla after Business Insider reporting previously came out about its secretive test driver program "Project Rodeo," in which it allegedly instructed participants to purposely get the cars into perilous situations and only intervene at the last moment.

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Tesla's defense? That its cars weren't autonomous enough to "implicate" the guidelines in its decade-old safety driver permit. "Rodeo drivers are trained to always and immediately intervene whenever they believe their vehicles may be about to perform a behavior that may create an unsafe situation for themselves and/or other road users," Eric Williams, Tesla counsel of regulatory affairs, wrote in a letter to Acosta.

In short, Musk and Tesla are talking a big game to investors and its wide-eyed fans about how amazing its Robotaxis will be  but its private groveling with regulators suggests that it's fibbing to at least one of those groups.

More on Tesla: Tesla Robotaxi Gets Stuck in Infinite Loop as Support Tries to Break It Out
SALADO, Texas (FOX 44)  UPDATE: The victim in the fatal crash which occurred in Salado early Sunday morning has been identified.

The Bell County Sheriffs Office says a 9-1-1 call regarding a traffic crash was reported at approximately 3:25 a.m. The incident occurred on Interstate 35 at the Farm to Market 2484 overpass, and involved a commercial vehicle and a passenger car.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says a 2020 Toyota RAV passenger car driven by 24-year-old Robert Martin, of Dallas, was travelling northbound on Interstate 35. The investigation revealed that Martin hit a deer, and his vehicle became disabled in the middle lane of travel.

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A 2025 delivery truck was traveling northbound and approaching the Toyota. The delivery truck collided with the back of the Toyota, causing it to vault over the center wall into the southbound lanes.

(Courtesy: Bell County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Bell County Sheriffs Office)

DPS says a 2015 GMC SUV traveling southbound collided with the Toyota after it vaulted into the southbound lanes. Martin was pronounced dead on scene. Next of kin have been notified. The other two drivers were not injured.

The Sheriffs Office and the Salado Police & Fire Department assisted the Texas Highway Patrol. Southbound Interstate 35 traffic was diverted at Exit #285 (FM-2484). Northbound traffic was diverted at Exit #286. Motorists were told to seek alternate routes.

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DPS says the crash investigation is still active and open.

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Aug. 2Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors congratulated Tammy Iverson on her new ownership of Just Dandy, located at 223 Third St. NW.

Just Dandy is a handmade apothecary and refillery offering hand-poured candles, soaps and natural products for bath, body and home. Just Dandy crafts small-batch products using high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients, a release said.

To learn more, visit

thatsjustdandy.com.
At the intersection of Centre Avenue and Spring Street in Reading sits a treasure trove of local history.

A massive organ built by the Dieffenbach family of Bethel. It has belted its airy tones for more than two centuries.

A car designed by automaker Charles Duryea, who tested his vehicles by having them climb the winding roads of Mount Penn.

A giant example of the famed Conestoga wagons, invented in Lancaster County. The wagon once ferried charcoal at the Oley Iron Furnace.

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Those are just a few of the priceless objects on display at the Berks History Center.

The collection began 156 years ago when a team of civic leaders in Berks County pooled funds to build a repository of history.

At that time, we had children of revolutionary war veterans still living, said Amber Vroman, interim co-director of the center. Civil War veterans still living. The people at that time wanted to preserve their families material culture. We were that place.

That initiative started as the Historical Society of Berks County. Like the heirlooms it has preserved, it lives on today within the history centers halls.

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Almost all that you see here would not exist, were it not for the Historical Society of Berks County, Berks historian George M. Meiser IX said.

Gloria Jean and George M. Meiser IX sit with Amber Vroman, interim co-director, as a slide of the Meisers is displayed on the screen during Founders Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at the Berks History Center, 940 Centre Ave. George has been a member of the History Center for 66 years while Gloria has been a member for 57 years. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Celebrating that history, and the efforts of those who preserve it, was the goal of the second annual Founders Day celebration.

We just want to make sure that those who havent heard of us before get a chance to come and take a look, said Frederick Sheeler, center board president.

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Center personnel were on hand offering games and activities including a scavenger hunt, trivia wheel and raffle.

Visitors answer questions posed by a spinning wheel during Founders Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at the Berks History Center, 940 Centre Ave. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

In one area, Vicky Heffner, education curator, wove a ribbon-like fabric using an 18th-century tape loom.

(In the 18th century) they didnt have elastic, Heffner said. They would use a piece of tape to tie a sock around their calf, or if they didnt want to sew a cuff on their shirt, they would use a piece of tape.

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Vicky Heffner, left, education curator, operates a model of an 18th century tape loom as Donna Portner, center, of Wernersville, and Pat Hiester of Lower Alsace Township ask questions during Founders Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at the Berks History Center, 940 Centre Ave. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Heffner said tape making was a common activity in 18th-century households, especially for children.

There was never a time where you just sat and did nothing, Heffner said. If you had a little bit of extra time, it (the loom) was always worked.

Storehouse of treasures

The Berks History Center is the countys oldest museum and research library.

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It contains a multitude of displays  from a diorama of early 19th-century Reading to a full re-creation of a Victorian-era parlor to countless heirlooms, tools and products of ages past.

The center includes the Henry Janssen Library, an extensive collection of materials on Berks and Pennsylvania Dutch history and more.

Meiser called it one of the great libraries of Pennsylvania for local history.

The library contains 20,000 historic images as well as manuscripts, church records, baptismal certificates, maps, city directories and local newspapers.

The center houses objects from the dawn of Berks history, including a keystone from the original courthouse at Fifth and Penn streets, dated 1762.

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If you were to go to Fifth and Penn and dig down, you would hit the floor of the (old) courthouse, Meiser said.

All items in the center have a local connection, Sheeler noted.

Fun and learning

Enjoying an interactive horse-drawn trolley exhibit were Madelyn and Reagan Seitzer, accompanied by Andrew Seitzer and Valerie Courrer.

This place was off my radar until it popped up on Facebook, Andrew Seitzer said. Were happy to be here just checking things out.

Madelyn, 2, and Reagan , 3, bounced and played in the wooden interior of the trolley.

Courrer said she appreciated the kid-friendly Founders Day activities and exhibits.

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Visitors check out the Old Glory Tiller during Founders Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at the Berks History Center, 940 Centre Ave. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Improvements in works

Sheeler noted that the center has a plan in place to revamp its exhibits and create a more interactive experience.

Instead of just looking at things, its going to engage you and give you sights and sounds, really give a connection to (the past), hesaid.

He said the center has partnered with design firm NeoPangea to create displays featuring interactive holograms.

Some examples he gave would be having music and pianos play in the Victorian room or enabling guests to interact with a digital rendering of George Baer, president of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company.

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It will make things a little more relevant, make history a little more fun, especially for young kids, Sheeler said.

The renovation plan, which includes upgrades to the buildings accessibility and storage capacity, will require about $1.5 million in funding still to be realized, Sheeler said.

We have some funds to get this going, Sheeler said. What I think it will do is when people see what can be done, it will encourage more donors.

He said the center is hoping to have a few exhibits revamped by late 2026.
Allies of Joe Biden will leak unflattering, Palinesque stories about Kamala Harris tenure as vice president if she discusses his cognitive decline, according to a journalist.

Mark Halperin, a veteran political reporter who founded the digital news network 2WAY, broke the news during the Friday episode of his show The Morning Meeting.

I will tell you, and this has never been reported, barely at all, he began. If the Biden people decide that Kamala is coming after Joe Biden, wait till you hear the Palinesque stories about how much they tried to help her be prepared to be vice president and be in a position to run. And how much they decided, Not happening. Shes not up to this.

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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was late Sen. John McCains running mate during his bid for the presidency in 2008.

Halperin said the stories the Joe Biden could release about Kamala Harris are Palinesquea reference to reports about Sarah Palins unfitness to be vice president. / Alex Wong / Getty Images

After McCain lost to Barack Obama, Palin was hit with a barrage of stories, sourced from within her own campaign, suggesting that she was unfit to be vice presidentincluding that she didnt know Africa was a continent.

Halperin said that the stories about Harris would only go public if she turns on Biden as she hits the media circuit in promotion of her 2024 campaign-chronicling new book, 107 Days.

Its not like theyre at war currently, but Im telling you, if Joe Biden feels threatened, if his people feel threatened by her, this is gonna escalate in a big way, Halperin said.

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Halperin added that Bidens team was extraordinary in trying to help her do the job of vice president. They gave her every opportunity, and they found in some instances that she had some issues.

The embarrassing stories about Kamala Harris will only be released if she turns on Joe Biden, said veteran reporter Mark Halperin. / Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

Harris has stayed out of the spotlight since losing the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump in November. The title of her book references the shortened campaign timeline she had after Biden dropped out as the Democratic nominee.

The development has sparked speculation about Harriss political futurethough she also announced this week that she will not run for governor of California in 2026.

Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 race after a disastrous debate showing against Trump, has been blamed by some Democrats for leaving so little time for Harris to mount an effective campaign.

Biden has been targeted by Trump and other Republicans over reports of his cognitive decline while in office. / Chris Kleponis / via REUTERS

Biden has also faced reports that he suffered cognitive decline while in office, and that this was concealed by his inner circle of family members and aides.

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The book Original Sin, released in May by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, contained a number of embarrassing revelationsincluding that Bidens aides mulled getting him a wheelchair and that he was unable to recognize actor George Clooney, a longtime acquaintance.

Biden is currently the target of a Republican-led congressional investigation into whether he was the one making decisions during his presidency. Biden has strongly maintained that he called the shots.

In 2017, Halperin was fired from his job as an NBC News analyst after at least a dozen women accused him of sexual harassment while he was working at ABC News in the 1990s and 2000s.

The allegations included that he had forcibly pressed his genitals against multiple women and propositioned others for sex.

Despite facing widespread condemnation, Halperin was able to stage a career comeback in 2019 and has subsequently landed a book deal and launched a news network.
Former President Joe Biden issued one of his most pointed postWhite House critiques of Donald Trump during a July 31 speech to the National Bar Association in Chicago, warning that the United States is facing dark days for democracy, civil rights and the rule of law.

Speaking to an audience of roughly 1,100 Black judges, lawyers, and legal scholars, Biden did not mention Trump by name but left little doubt about his target. He accused the current administration of undermining judicial independence, dismantling safeguards for marginalized communities, and normalizing political retribution.

Ive seen dark times in America, Biden said, but what were living through now is different. Its an assault from within.

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Biden reserved sharp criticism for what he described as a complicit Republican Congress and law firms that bend to bullies rather than defend constitutional principles. He urged the legal community to stand firm in defending voting rights, civil liberties, and an independent judiciary.

The speech came at a time when Trump is accelerating changes to the federal judiciary, directing the Justice Department to pursue political opponents and backing statelevel laws that roll back voting access and diversity initiatives. Biden framed the current moment as the most consequential test for American democracy since the civil rights movement.

While Biden has issued occasional public statements since leaving office, this was among his most sustained and urgent warnings about the direction of the country. It also builds on his farewell address earlier this year, in which he warned of the rise of oligarchic power, rampant disinformation, and the weakening of democratic institutions.

Biden closed by calling on his audience to be the last line of defense against an erosion of rights. If the law doesnt hold, he said, the rest will fall.

The post Biden warns of dark days under Trump in Chicago speech appeared first on Salon.com.
The vast majority of Americans can expect their electricity to be available when they need it  even though energy rates have risen significantly over the years, and there are emerging concerns about how new technologies could impact grid reliability.

However, the One Big Beautiful Bill could uniquely threaten access to electricity for residents on the Hopi Tribe's reservation in Arizona, according to Tribal Business News, leaving tribal members vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves, and economic hardship as they fight to preserve their lands and cultural values.

What's happening?

President Donald Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill, also known as House Resolution 1, into law July 4 after months of debate and amendments to the legislation by Congress.

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As expected, the final version of the bill is slashing many clean-energy tax incentives that the Hopi Tribe has relied on to expand access to electricity on the reservation, including electric credits for renewable projects that have reduced building costs by up to 30% to 50%.

This could also imperil utility-scale solar projects meant to replace jobs and revenue after the 2019 closing of the Navajo Generating Station coal plant. The plant supplied others in the region with power while doing little to improve access to electricity on Hopi lands  while also releasing toxic, heat-trapping pollution into the surrounding area and atmosphere.

Why is this important?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a 2023 investigation into Tribal Electricity Access and Reliability found that lack of access to electricity on the Hopi Reservation and Trust Lands hit nearly 29%, whereas that percentage was just 1.4 for the average U.S. household.

In an area where a round trip to the grocery store can take four hours, access to electricity can mean the difference between having food that's fit to eat or going without.

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Northeastern Arizona, where the Hopi reservation is situated, is also experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves because of a changing climate, making it all the more essential for residents to stay cool and protect themselves from the No. 1 weather-related killer.

Hopi Tribal Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma told Tribal Business News that the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill has introduced "a lot of uncertainty" to the situation.

"We're disappointed in leaders that don't look beyond their nose when it comes to those communities that rely on moving forward with this technology. We're in 2025 right now and we still have homes that are not electrified," Nuvangyaoma said.

What is being done about this?

While provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill do disincentivize many green projects that can improve access to electricity and stabilize rates  and cut the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program  attorney Pilar Thomas told Tribal Business News that there's still a window of opportunity to get projects off the ground before tax incentives end.

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"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a big step backward, but I'm not quite as pessimistic as some, because most tribes are doing smaller projects," the partner at the Quarles and Brady law firm said. "... You've got to move, but I think tribes are doing mostly smaller projects for themselves, and I think those are still viable."

The legislation also permanently reauthorized the New Markets Tax Credit, which has supported some tribal projects and makes it attractive for companies to build in underserved areas.

For his part, Nuvangyaoma said the Hopi Tribe was "digesting" how the act could impact larger projects in development, including a 40-megawatt utility-scale solar array. Despite potential setbacks, he indicated his tribe still saw solar as a path toward achieving energy sovereignty.

"I believe that there's people out there who see the impacts that tribal energy sovereignty can have, and so I am hopeful," he said. "We're always looking at what can be done in the darkest situations. We're used to that. With a little bit of light, we'll still move forward with development  we're acting as though none of our projects will be impacted until we can't do so anymore."

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The Pentagon has signed a record $3.5 billion contract with Raytheon to procure AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), telemetry systems, spare parts and service. The deal will provide these missiles for foreign military sales (FMS) to 19 nations, including Japan, Germany, Poland, Australia, the U.K., Israel and Ukraine.

Both Raytheon and the U.S. Air Force declined to say how many missiles will be provided under the contract. AIM-120s can cost over $1M per example, depending on variant.

An F-35 Lightning II launches an AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) over a military test range off the California coast. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Paul Weatherman/Released) An F-35 Lightning II launches an AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) over a military test range off the California coast. The AMRAAM was fired from an F-35A (AF-6) conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant fighter operating from the F-35 Integrated Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Paul Weatherman/Released)

The deal for the missiles comes amid growing global tensions and the erosion of the existing AMRAAM stockpile. They can be carried by every fighter in the U.S. inventory as well as by those of most allied nations. Designed for beyond-visual-range air-to-air combat, they have also been used as surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) in the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). A product of Norways Kongsberg Defense and Raytheon, NASAMS currently protects the U.S. Capital Region, over a dozen countries around the globe. It has been extensively battle-proven in Ukraine over nearly three years of operations.

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There is a voracious appetite for these weapons.

The AMRAAMs were heavily used during the U.S. fight against Houthi drones as well as against drones over Syria and Iraq during the defense of Israel from multiple Iranian attacks. Ukraine has expended a large number of these missiles defending against Russian drones and cruise missiles via NASAMS and now its F-16 fighters, as well. These weapons came from the U.S. and NATO members.

A National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) launcher fires an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Royal Netherlands Army

The deal with Raytheon follows a decision last month to finally provide AMRAAMs to Egypt, ostensibly for its new NASAMS order but potentially for its F-16s as well. Egyptian F-16s never received AIM-120s, instead having to rely on AIM-7 Sparrows and AIM-9 Sidewinders due to restrictions put in place that were focused on giving Israel a qualitative edge over its neighbors. You can read all about this in our recent report here.

In addition, Thursdays award comes less than a year after Raytheon received another $1.2 billion FMS production contract for AIM-120s.

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Despite the massive combat-proven success of the AMRAAM that dates back multiple decades, the U.S. is working to both improve the range and effectiveness of the missiles as well as develop improved air-to-air missiles as concerns grow about a potential conflict with China. There are signs that a new AIM-120E variant may now be in development.

Hints that work on the AIM-120E is underway came after the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) put out a notice in April regarding a sole-source contract that it had awarded to Raytheon (now formally known as RTX) earlier in March. The newest known variant of it is the AIM-120D-3

In addition, the Air Force and Navy are working together on a new, longer-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), details about which remain limited. There are other air-to-air missile programs  such as the AIM-174  and initiatives in the works and development of new missiles is clearly moving forward in the classified realm, as well.

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that a recently released rendering from the AIM-260A does indeed reflect the actual design of what is also known as the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). (USN)

The need to massively scale-up production of the AIM-120 is glaring. While many thousands of these missiles have been built (roughly 5,000 have been tested), the expenditure on multiple fronts of the stockpile in recent years is a major problem. This is especially true as one-way attack munitions (drones that act like cruise missiles) can be produced en-masse for cheap and can chew through effectors very quickly. While more cost effective ways of downing drones are emerging, the enemy is adapting these systems to make that harder. There is also a growing threat of traditional air-to-air combat with a major power and the danger traditional cruise missiles pose is also evolving. So, the AIM-120 will continue to be a primary method of taking down any air-breathing target for years to come.

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All this combined with under investment in stockpiles for decades means that the U.S. and its allies are scrambling to produce enough weapons for future contingencies. These missiles are high-tech mini aircraft in their own right and take a long time to build, with certain highly-specialized long-lead components being critical bottlenecks in the supply chain.

This is why we are seeing big dollars being spent now to spin-up production, especially as Ukraine and activities in the Middle East continue to burn through allied AMRAAM stocks. The situation with Patriot missile production appears even more dire. With a possible fight over Taiwan and Russia descending into a full-on wartime economy, the hope is these large orders arent coming too late.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
WATCH in the video player above.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A black bear caused a stir in an east Fayetteville neighborhood Saturday morning before being safely relocated, officials said.

Fayetteville police officers responded to reports of the bear cub on Aug. 2. FPD spent a few hours working with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Fayetteville Fire Department and nearby neighbors to monitor the animal and guide it away from homes, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

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Water main break fixed in Fayetteville; boil order remains in effect

Black bears are the most common bear species in North America and are native to Arkansas. They are typically shy and avoid humans but may wander into neighborhoods in search of food.

This guy had a bear-y good morning, the department captioned the video on Facebook.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
(Gwangalli Beach)



Here is whats going on around the city this week.

NEW: Check out our new video of Whats On In Busan each Monday, which gives you a 90-second update of the top stories and events going on each week in Busan, as well as on Friday with our Whats On In Busan This Weekend each week. Please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel so you can keep up-to-date on whats happening around the city.

Whats on in Busan: August 4-August 10

Events Happening

Music

Kim Sae-hyeon Piano Recital @ Busan Concert Hall  The popular pianist performs a Tuesday evening concert. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Paik Hae-sun @ Busan Concert Hall  The highly anticipated piano recital featuring Paik Hae-sun takes place this Thursday evening. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Millak Waterside Music Festa @ Millak Waterside Park  Suyeong District will continue its regular Millak Waterside Music Festa performances in August, part of a seasonal series running every Saturday evening from May through September. Millak Waterside Park, Suyeong-gu, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Forestella @ BEXCO Auditorium  The popular quartet return to Busan as part of their The Wave tour. BEXCO Auditorium, Centum City, Saturday and Sunday

Open Mic @ Basement  Head on out to hear some live local talent in PNU. Basement, PNU, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Open Mic @ Ol55  Open mic returns to Ol55 each Wednesday evening. Ol55, KSU, Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Other stuff

Busan International Buddhist Expo @ BEXCO  This years edition is expected to be double in scale to previous editions. BEXCO, Centum City, Saturday

Clown Theater Festival @ Gwangalli Beach This beloved summer tradition returns for three nights of free outdoor performances under the theme Harmony and Peace. Gwangalli Beach, Friday through Sunday

Busan Nail Festa @ BEXCO  Check out the latest trends in nail art. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday

Busan Illustrator Festa @ BEXCO  This is a comprehensive event where you can enjoy performances by subculture musicians and cosplay, along with a creator market where you can find original books and fancy goods from amateur and professional writers. BEXCO, Centum City, Saturday and Sunday

Dadaepo Sunset Film Festival @ Dadaepo Beach  The iconic sunset features in the backdrop of this three day film festival. Dadaepo Beach, Friday through Sunday

North Port SUP FESTA 2025 @ North Port Waterfront Park  Highlights include SUP experiences, water bike rides, kids splash zone, and more. North Port Waterfront Park, Through August 6

Hilma af Klint: Proper Summons @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5  Enjoy a collection of 140 works, including paintings, drawings, videos, and archival materials. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5, July 19October 26

Brise-Soleil and Rounded Corners: Art Deco and Modernist Architecture in Southeast Asia Today @ ASEAN Culture House  The event aims to understand the background of the formation of major ASEAN cities through modern and contemporary architectural heritage. ASEAN Culture House, Haeundae-gu, Through November 9

Steidl Book Culture Magic On Paper @ Domoheon  This cross-genre archival exhibition illuminates the multifaceted world of Gerhard Steidl, the renowned German publisher of photography and art books. Domoheon Multipurpose Room, Suyeong-gu, Through December 7

Urban Resistence @ Arise Art Space  Featuring works by seven international and local artists, the exhibition examines the challenges of contemporary urban life and the idea of resistance in the face of ongoing transformation. Arise Art Space, Suyeong-gu, Through August 2

Hilma af Klint: Proper Summons @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5  Enjoy a collection of 140 works, including paintings, drawings, videos, and archival materials. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5, July 19October 26

Aladdin @ Busan Dream Theatre  As the first Korean staging of Aladdin, the production is expected to introduce Busan audiences to this beloved musical in a grand new presentation setting over the summer. Dream Theatre, Busanjin-gu, Through September 28

Beach Season Opening  All seven beaches open for summer operations on Tuesday. Through August 31

Haeundae Festa @ Haeundae Beach  A summers worth of activities are taking place at the beach until the end of August. Haeundae Beach, Through August 31

Gwangalli Character Zone @ Gwangalli Beach  Popular Kakao characters Ryan and Chunsik take part at the Friends Tour IN Gwangalli pop-up. Gwangalli Beach, Through August 31

Flag Waving @ Hongti Art Village  A two-person exhibition by Kang Si-ra and Jo Min-ji that reflects intersecting narratives of emotion, existence, and language. Hongti Art Village, Saha-gu, Through August 19

Essential @ Ezeli  Chris Misos solo exhibition uses animal figures to explore labor and human value in the post-pandemic era. Ezeli, Suyeong-gu, Through August 23

Rooms of the Cocoon @ Space Topping  Yun Pil-hyuns solo show presents layered canvases revealing a hermits complex inner world. Space Topping, Haeundae-gu, Through August 10

Summer Story Exhibition @ Bakery Cafe Gawon  Featuring three artists, this exhibition evokes forgotten emotions and quiet summer memories. Bakery Cafe Gawon, Nam-gu, Through September 29

Topography of Labor  12 Scenes @ Busan Museum of Modern Art  Eunbi Kwons installation explores invisible and peripheral labor through moving sculptures. Busan Museum of Modern Art, Saha-gu, Through October 19

Fun Sory @ Ewell Gallery  Ryu Dong-pils work blends urban life and cartoon aesthetics through dual-faced characters and robot metaphors. Ewell Gallery, Suyeong-gu, Through August 8

Ideal Phenomenon @ Asti Gallery  Lim In-gus exhibition examines capitalism and longing through his symbolic Gold Bar series. Asti Gallery, Dong-gu, Through August 31

FLOATING: THE OCEAN @ Gallery Haas  A multi-artist show exploring boundaries and the sense of water through diverse media. Gallery Haas, Haeundae-gu, Through September 2

Seeing Fragrant Sounds @ Baekyang Hall  A Buddhist artists exhibition featuring 27 artists across Korean painting, Western painting, and lacquerware. Baekyang Hall, Busanjin-gu, Through August 2

The Blooming Tale @ Lotus Gallery  Lee Ki-taeks paintings use nature and fairy tale imagery to explore imagination and nostalgia. Lotus Gallery, Haeundae-gu, Through August 30

Kim Dae-yoon Retrospective @ Picasso Gallery  A major retrospective of late artist Kim Dae-yoons vibrant depictions of everyday Busan life. Picasso Gallery, Haeundae-gu, Through August 31

Kariya Miki Invitational @ Maison de Karin  Fantastical yet familiar images explore childhood memories, emotion, and Japanese kawaii aesthetics. Maison de Karin, Haeundae-gu, Through August 31

Everyday Happiness @ Busan Police Agency Gallery  Myung Chae-kyungs paintings reflect joy in daily moments and the memories they create. Busan Police Agency Gallery, Yeonje-gu, Through August 31

The Moment Between @ Gallery Playlist  Kim Yeon-su and Park Se-bin examine fleeting intersections between vitality and stillness. Gallery Playlist, Jung-gu, Through September 13

If the Time Comes When You Ask If Youve Eaten @ Space Sail  Lee Hyeong-sas personal drawings reflect familial love and cycles of emotion. Space Sail, Jung-gu, Through August 29

Beom and Chu @ Open Space Bae & Annyeong Artist  Artists explore faith, doubt, and illusion through conceptual forms and experimental works. Open Space Bae & Annyeong Artist, Jung-gu, Through August 31

Busan Contemporary and Young Artists Exhibition @ Geumjeong Cultural Center  A cross-generational exhibition fostering dialogue between veteran and emerging artists. Geumjeong Cultural Center, Geumjeong-gu, Through August 10

To Stand on This Land @ Gallery Woo  Han Chung-seoks show explores a childs journey to regain identity and belonging. Gallery Woo, Gijang-gun, Through August 23

Korean-Chinese Calligraphy Exchange @ Busan City Hall  Over 100 artworks explore shared traditions and creative reinterpretations of calligraphy and painting. Busan City Hall, Yeonje-gu, August 1116

Mita Artist Invitational @ Gallery T (Lotte Department Store)  Known for shark imagery, Mita reinterprets fear into positive, vibrant iconography. Gallery T, Busanjin-gu, Through September 1

Return @ National Museum of Forced Mobilization  Commemorating Koreas liberation, this exhibition tells stories of repatriated forced laborers. National Museum of Forced Mobilization, Nam-gu, August 12October 31

The Comma Gaze @ Vitree Gallery  Summers solo show explores femininity, identity, and inner emotion through comma-eyed portraits. Vitree Gallery, Suyeong-gu, Through August 30

Footprints of Liberation: Walking That Day @ Busan Museum  This exhibition highlights the various movements for independence that took place in Busan during the Japanese colonial period and the historical role that Beomeosa Temple played at the center of them. Busan Museum, Nam-gu, Through August 15

Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams Music Show @ Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams  The fountain show is back for another year of excitement. Daily except for Monday, Dadaepo, 8 p.m.

Free Outdoor Theater @ Busan Cinema Center  The free outdoor theater season returns for another year on select Tuesdays. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Tuesday 8 p.m.

Footprints of Liberation: Walking That Day @ Busan Museum  This exhibition highlights the various movements for independence that took place in Busan during the Japanese colonial period and the historical role that Beomeosa Temple played at the center of them. Busan Museum, Nam-gu, Through August 15

Seeing with Ten Fingers @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art  Featuring the works of 20 multidisciplinary artists from Korea and abroad, the exhibition showcases over 70 synesthetic works. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Through September 7

GAYA+TOON @ Bokcheon Museum  The exhibition features the winning works from the Gaya Webtoon & Illustration Contest held by the National Gimhae Museum. Bokcheon Museum, Dongnae-gu, Through August 10

Sawadee Thailand @ Sasang Life History Museum  437 cultural items from the Land of Smiles are on display. Sasang Life History Museum, Through November

A Tale of Two Cities @ GoEun Museum of Photography  Featured participants include Italian artist Pablo Ventura, who was the museums first overseas guest in 2019, and Josef Schulz. GoEun Museum of Photography, Haeundae, Through August 8

Arte Museum Busan  The exhibition features 19 works themed CIRCLE, highlighting the natural and cultural elements of Busan. Arte Museum Busan, Yeongdo-gu, Ongoing

Gwangalli M Drone Light Show @ Gwangalli Beach  This weeks drone show returns to its regular schedule. Gwangalli Beach, Saturday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Trivia @ HQ  The weekly trivia night changes back to Wednesday nights. HQ Bar, Gwangalli, Wednesday, 9 p.m.

Gorilla Running Club @ Gorilla Beach  Runners depart together from Gorillas new Haeundae location towards Gwangalli. Gorilla Beach, Haeundae, Monday
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce (GSBCC) celebrated entrepreneurial talent with their second annual Black Business Expo.

This is one of Savannahs largest networking events with more than fifty vendors attending this year. Representing black, minority and women-owned businesses across a various range of industries.

WSAV spoke with organizers, and to them, Black Business Expo is not just about revenue. To them, the event is about community coming together, envisioning a brighter economic future that is able to uplift everyone.

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There are some really great black businesses here in Savannah Chatham County area and we want people to give those businesses a try and we want people to use resources with those businesses as well too, said Monsello Stewart, president and CEO of GSBCC.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico is on a mission to help students get the school supplies they need tos ucceed this upcoming semester. More than 25 businesses helped kids get ready for school with free backpacks, shoes, no-cost vaccines, and even haircuts.

City of Albuquerque prepares to give away 3,000 free backpacks of school supplies

Event coordinators say Saturdays event was about removing the costs lower-income kids face when preparing for school. I think its really helpful because people who cant afford stuff get free stuff, so Im very grateful for it and Im thankful for everything, says student Andy Brown.

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Organizers say the center is open year-round.

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GOSHEN  The Goshen Board of Works & Safety debated the fate of two blighted houses during its regular Thursday afternoon meeting.

The first, located at 315 Oakridge Ave., was considered abandoned by its former owners, Jerry T. and Georgie M. Perdue, who are deceased. It was acquired on June 17 by Artisan Investment Group, a company that has been purchasing numerous properties in the city and rehabilitating them to be used as rental homes.

Artisan has removed the mounting trash that had been dumped at the Oakridge Avenue house and has begun the extensive repair and restructuring of the buildings exterior and interior. The company noted that it also recently acquired four properties on North Fifth Street in Goshen, which have taken priority for rehabilitation.

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Marlin Schwartz of Artisan Group came before the Board of Works to request an extension on having the Oakridge Avenue property ready for final inspection so that the company could focus on the houses on Fifth Street. Assistant City Attorney Donald R. Shuler also spoke on behalf of Artisan to support Schwartzs request.

The board agreed to allow an extension for the property until June 2026. Schwartz assured the city that the Fifth Street houses will be completed by the end of 2025, as well as the exterior work on the Oakridge property.

The second property in question is located at 709 Chicago Ave., a building that has been divided into four separate rental units and is owned by Buccaneer Development LLC, Fresno, California. Initially, the property was being managed by a company based in South Bend. That company has informed the city that it has severed ties with Buccaneer Development and is no longer responsible for the management of the property.

Goshen Building Commissioner Myron Grise previously identified multiple, severe violations relating to all four rental units at that address, deeming them unsafe for occupancy. Currently, only one of the four units is inhabited. Those orders have gone unanswered, ignored and unheeded by Buccaneer. Numerous phone calls, letters and emails from Goshen city officials to Buccaneer have been ignored and unanswered, city officials report.

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After being presented with several options on how to move forward, the board ultimately agreed to issue a $2,500 penalty, payable within 10 business days, on each unit along with an order to Buccaneer to make the necessary repairs to the building. If unpaid, the $10,000 civil penalty would be added to the buildings tax bill. It also authorized the Goshen Building Commission to take legal action, which could include a receivership of the property, if that is deemed appropriate.

In other business, the Board of Public Works:

 Approved a request from the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association to close a portion of Seventh Street from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, for its annual block party.

 Authorized the city to enter into an agreement with Legacy Communities Inc. to utilize the citys Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to award a grant to pay for soil remediation at 620 E. Douglas St., for the Ariel Cycleworks Project. This is the former Western Rubber plant, a property that was abandoned by that company and was purchased by Elkhart County in a tax sale and transferred to the city of Goshen.

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 Approved a request from the citys legal department to make a special purchase of fleet management software from FASTER Asset Solutions for $120,000. Because of the specialization of the software, the board agreed not to require an open bidding process for the purchase.

 Adopted a resolution to regulate the surface treatments on travel surfaces, statues and banners in the right-of-way. This would regulate the types of finishing products and signage throughout the city.

 Adopted the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design and Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines.

 Approved a change order request from the engineering department for the Asphalt Paving Project B. The request allows sidewalks through the driveways, alleys and drive approaches for the project to be replaced for $66,800. A change order request for the Asphalt Paving Package A was also approved, for additional pavement milling and traffic signal work for $30,122.

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 Approved an agreement with Arcadis for professional engineering services on an as-needed basis during construction of the North Side Waterline Replacement Project for up to $50,000.

The next meeting of the Goshen Board of Works & Safety will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, inside the Goshen Police & Court Building, 111 E. Jefferson St. The public is invited to attend.
BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  The body of a missing 41-year-old man from Davis County has been found at Willard Bay State Park, according to the Utah Dept. of Natural Resources.

At around 11 p.m. on Aug. 2, rescue crews recovered the missing mans body from Willard Bay State Park Reservoir. The man went missing Saturday afternoon after reportedly falling off an inflatable raft with one other person on the reservoir.

The other individual was taken to the hospital while the 41-year-old man remained missing.

Courtesy of Utah Dept. of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division

This is a tragic and unfortunate circumstance, a release states. The Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division extends condolences to family and friends. The incident remains under investigation at this time.

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The department also thanked the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office, Willard City Police Department, and Weber County Sheriffs Office for their responses to this incident.

The identity of the deceased has not been released at this time.

No further information is currently available.

Latest headlines:

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(Reuters) -Union members who assemble Boeing's fighter jets in the St. Louis area rejected the U.S. planemaker's latest contract offer on Sunday and will strike at midnight on Monday, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union (IAM) said.

"IAM District 837 members ... deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation's defense," the union's Business Representative Tom Boelling said.

Boeing said it was ready for the action. "We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan," Boeing Air Dominance vice president and general manager Dan Gillian said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

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"We're disappointed our employees in St. Louis rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth," he added.

Boeing's original proposal included a 20% general wage increase over four years and a $5,000 ratification bonus, as well as more vacation time and sick leave. The union had rejected the offer, saying it was insufficient.

Last week, Boeing sent a new contract offer to the union with some minor compensation changes that would benefit senior union members, according to the company. The offer also kept current overtime policies, which Boeing had proposed modifying in the last contract offer.

The workers assemble Boeing's fighter jets and the MQ-25, an aerial refueling drone being developed for the U.S. Navy.

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Boeing's defense division is expanding manufacturing facilities in the St. Louis area for the new U.S. Air Force fighter, the F-47A, after it won the contract this year.

The upcoming strike by the union, representing 3,200 employees, would be much smaller than the one Boeing was hit with last fall, when 33,000 machinists at Boeing's commercial plane division walked out for nearly two months. That strike ended with approval of a four-year contract that included a 38% wage increase.

(Reporting by Angela Christy and Anusha Shah in Bengaluru Editing by Rod Nickel and Sandra Maler)
Thousands of fervent supporters of Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets Sunday, showing support for US President Donald Trump's pressure campaign against the trial of his right-wing ally.

Bolsonaro is currently being tried in the capital Brasilia for plotting a coup after failing to win reelection in 2022 against leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"I am here to defend our people against censorship and judges who act arbitrarily," Valdeciria Galvao, a stenographer attending a rally in Brasilia, told AFP.

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Most of the demonstrators were dressed in green and yellow, the national colors of Brazil and Bolsonaro's party, while some held US flags or signs reading "Thank you Trump."

Rallies were organized in several cities including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Bolsonaro, 70, was unable to participate as he has been court-ordered to stay home on evenings and weekends, and not to use social media, as his trial plays out.

Accused of conspiring to remain in power despite his electoral defeat by Lula, he faces a heavy prison sentence in the trial, which is expected to be concluded in the coming weeks.

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On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is presiding over the trial and is despised by Bolsonaro supporters for his fight against disinformation, which they say amounts to censorship.

That same day Trump, who has branded the trial a "witch hunt," slapped cumulative 50 percent tariffs on several Brazilian imports as he wielded US economic might to punish the country.

The tariffs are set to take effect on August 6.

"I agree 100 percent" with the sanctions, said Maristela dos Santos on Copacabana Beach, where Sunday's rally in Rio de Janeiro was taking place.

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"Since no solution was found here, it had to come from elsewhere."

Wearing an American flag on her shoulders, the 62-year-old teacher said she is not particularly concerned about the economic impact of the levies announced by Washington.

"What worries me is that Brazil will become like Venezuela and we won't be able to find anything to eat in the supermarket," she argued, alluding to the serious shortages under Nicolas Maduro's socialist regime in Caracas.

Paulo Roberto, a 46-year-old entrepreneur, echoed the sentiment, believing punitive customs duties are a necessary evil.

"Unfortunately you have to take a few steps back in order to aspire to greater freedom and a better quality of life in the future," Roberto said.

bur-lg/des/mlm/st
Tommy Robinson was able to leave the UK despite being wanted because of a border security loophole, it has emerged.

The far-Right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly assaulted a man at St Pancras station in London last week.

Viral footage circulating online depicted the apparent victim lying unresponsive on the floor.

Following the incident, the British Transport Police (BTP) said they were making arrest inquiries before later saying a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the alleged attack had boarded a flight and was no longer in the UK.

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Robinson, 42, caught a flight from London Stansted to the Spanish island of Tenerife despite being flagged as wanted by police almost five hours earlier.

A screengrab of footage circulating online which shows Tommy Robinson near the apparent victim on the floor

The Sunday Times reported that the far-Right activist was waived through the Ryanair departure gate because the police alert was raised only after he had booked the flight and checked in online  the point at which passenger details are normally run past security watch lists.

UK airline officials are not obliged to check whether a traveller is wanted for suspected criminality immediately before embarkation.

Footage that went viral in the aftermath of the alleged attack showed Robinson looking agitated, while a man appeared to lie unconscious on the ground at St Pancras, saying: He f-----g come at me. He come at me bruv.

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As two members of station staff attended to the man, Robinson approached an apparent witness and added: He come at me bruv, you saw that.

Last Monday, Robinson had been in the area to hand out leaflets to promote a free speech rally he is planning to host in central London on Sept 13.

The alleged assault occurred near a Thameslink platform which runs to Luton, where Robinson has a family home.

After the alleged incident Robinson posted a video in which he appeared to have a cut on his head

It has been reported that Robinsons supporters claim that he had planned a trip abroad well in advance of the alleged assault at St Pancras.

The Sunday Times said he was due to travel to Tenerife last Wednesday morning, but he moved the flight forward by 24 hours.

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A BTP spokesman said: Following a report of an assault at St Pancras station on July 28, officers have confirmed that the suspect, a 42-year-old man from Bedfordshire, boarded a flight out of the country in the early hours of the morning.

Detectives are continuing to work closely to progress the investigation and bring him into custody for questioning.

Robinson was released from prison in May after being jailed for 18 months for contempt of court.

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Boston police are seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect in connection with multiple burglaries in Roxbury.

According to Boston police, the most recent incident occurred at around 7:30 a.m. on July 27 at 2997 Washington Street in Roxbury.

During the incident, the suspect was observed attempting to gain entry into the basement of an apartment building while carrying a bag containing suspected burglary tools.

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Investigators believe the same individual also attempted to break into the same location on July 23. The suspect is known to frequent the area.

The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a slim build, believed to be in his mid-30s.

He was last seen wearing all-black clothing, including a black hat and black hoodie.

Anyone with information is asked to contact District B-2 Detectives at (617) 343-4275.

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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Marching through Longmont on Saturday was a celebration of all that Boulder County has to offer as community members paraded through downtown Longmont for a tradition that has spanned more than 150 years, according to the Kiwanis Club of Longmont, a group that organizes the parade each year.

The goats in the Goats & Galore 4-H club in Boulder County were marching in the Boulder County Fair Parade with the utmost confidence on Saturday in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

The Boulder County Fair Parade brought tractors, classic cars, dancers, musicians, plenty of spectators and many furry friends to Main Street for the annual event. Held every summer, the parade is the official start to the Boulder County Fair, which rolls into town on Wednesday through Aug. 10 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont.

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This year, Longmont Sister Cities student ambassadors were able to experience a new cultural activity by marching in the parade that began and ended at Roosevelt Park, while marching through the streets of downtown in between.

Sota Ogiwara, a 15-year-old resident of Japan, said his home city of Chino holds an annual festival called Chino Donban that is similar to the Longmont fair parade. However, the Longmont event involved more cars than Chino Donban does, he said.

This festival is so amazing, Ogiwara said.

Maritza Recendiz Sanchez dances traditional Mexican dance on Saturday during the Boulder County Fair Parade. The event marks the start of the Boulder County Fair, with official activities kicking off on Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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Ogiwara is one of eight Japanese students who are visiting Longmont through a cultural exchange program with the city of Chino, Japan. Longmont Sister Cities also has ties with Ciudad Guzman, in Mexico, and the Northern Arapaho of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

Longmont also hosts student ambassadors from each sister city.

Students from Ciudad Guzman were scheduled to visit Colorado at the end of July  a trip that would have brought all three sister cities to Longmont, with coinciding visits from the Chino and Wind River Reservation students  but the Mexican students were unable to come because they were not given visas in time for their trip to the United States. (The American students, however, were still able to travel to Ciudad Guzman this year.)

This summer would have been the first time the three Longmont sister cities could spend time together during a shared trip.

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Izac Su, a member of the Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont, warms up his routine before the Boulder County Fair Parade on Saturday in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Student ambassadors have spent the last week participating in activities in and around Longmont. Among other places, they visited the Longmont Museum, the Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools, the Longmont Civic Center and took a trip to Estes Park.

Ogiwara said one of his favorite parts of the trip was seeing crystals and dinosaur fossils at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Jacaisha Blackburn, 14, said she has been a participant in a parade before, but not one with marching bands, like Saturdays Boulder County Fair parade. As a resident of the Wind River Reservation, she said the trip helped her meet new people and try new things.

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Its pretty cool to learn how to say words in Japanese, Blackburn said.

Kendall Willis, 17, who is about to start her senior year at Frederick High School, said one of the highlights of the trip for her was playing Ultimate Frisbee with the other ambassadors at Longmonts Skyline High School.

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That was really fun because we all got to play together, Willis said. Thats something that language doesnt ever divide  playing a game like Ultimate Frisbee.

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Willis said she also enjoyed her exchange trip to Mexico, where she went horseback riding and climbed a volcano.

It was completely life-changing for me, and Im so happy I did it, Willis said.

A full schedule for the Boulder County Fair, which kicks off on Wednesday, can be found at bouldercountyfair.org.

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Members of Longmonts Avoca Irish Dance Academy demonstrate their skills while marching in the Boulder County Fair Parade on Saturday in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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People filled the streets of Longmont on Saturday in another strong turnout to view the 2025 Boulder County Fair Parade on Saturday in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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Libby Wagner, the 2025 Queen of the Boulder County Fair, is a high-schooler from Longmont who has been showing her animals as part of 4-H with the Boulder County Fair for years. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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Madelynn Powers, with her children Beck and Isla, enjoyed being spectators at the Boulder County Fair Parade on Saturday in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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Members of Longmonts Avoca Irish Dance Academy demonstrate their skills while marching in the Boulder County Fair Parade on Saturday in Longmont. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, accused of plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 general election, gathered on the streets of several Brazilian cities on Sunday to protest against Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The protesters called for "amnesty" for those involved in the alleged coup attempt days after Lula's inauguration in January 2023.

Far-right leader Bolsonaro did not personally attend the demonstrations, but was put on the telephone by his son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, during the protest in Rio de Janeiro. The former president, who is on house arrest, wears an electronic ankle bracelet and cannot leave his home on weekends and holidays, as per an order from Justice Moraes.

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In March, a five-judge STF panel decided unanimously to put Bolsonaro on trial for allegedly conspiring to overthrow Lula. If found guilty in the court proceedings expected later this year, Bolsonaro could face a long prison sentence.

Last month, Moraes imposed precautionary measures against Bolsonaro because he believed he and his son, Eduardo, an elected lawmaker who is now living in the U.S., had collaborated with U.S. authorities to try to interfere in Brazilian affairs.

Last week, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods, citing a "witch hunt" against Bolsonaro.

It also imposed financial sanctions against Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. to impose economic penalties against foreigners it considers to have a record of corruption or human rights abuses.

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Moraes is the reporting justice in the case in which Jair Bolsonaro is a defendant.

In Sunday's protests, Bolsonaro supporters, wearing Brazilian national team jerseys, chanted "Magnitsky" and insulted Moraes and Lula.

American flags and signs supporting Trump were also seen.

(Reporting by Tatiana Ramil in Sao Paulo and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de JaneiroWriting by Ana Mano Editing by Sandra Maler )
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird spoke to supporters at her annual "Bird Barn Bash" fundraiser at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in Adel Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said her office was going to shed sunlight on the University of Iowas DEI policies through her offices investigation following a request from Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier this week.

Bird spoke on the issue at the annual Bird Barn Bash, a fundraiser for the attorney general as she looks ahead to running for another term in 2026. Bird, who was first elected in 2022, spoke about her time challenging federal policies during former President Joe Bidens tenure, but also spoke on a more recent issue  investigating UI for potential noncompliance with state and federal policies banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

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Fox News published an undercover video Tuesday of a person identified as Andrea Tinoco, the assistant director of UI Leadership and Student Organization Development, who said her department was still committed to working on DEI despite directives from university leadership.

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After the video was posted, Reynolds issued a statement saying she was appalled by the comments made in the video and would be filing a complaint to the Attorney Generals office for further action. On Friday, a second video was posted by Townhall, a conservative outlet, of another UI employee identified as Cory Lockwood, senior associate director of the Iowa Union Memorial, making similar comments about continued work on DEI initiatives.

Both employees featured in the videos have been placed on administrative leave.

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At the fundraiser Saturday, Bird said her office has launched an investigation into the situation and is going to get to the bottom of it  but asked the crowd for patience.

Please know  the investigations going to take a little bit, Bird said. I know all of us want it to be fast  and we will not make it be slow  but Ill tell you, to do something right, it takes time. And were going to do it right, were going to do it by the book and by the law.

She also reiterated her commitment to upholding the ban on DEI at Iowas regents universities, saying here in Iowa, our taxpayer-funded universities are supposed to be about education, not indoctrination.

Talk radio host Simon Conway, who spoke in support of Bird at the event, said the UI investigation shows the importance of having Bird in office  and reelecting her for another term. He said former Attorney General Tom Miller, the longtime Democratic incumbent who Bird defeated in 2022, would not have followed up on Reynolds request to investigate the university if he was in office.

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If we had Tom Miller, or a Tom Miller, in the attorney generals chair right now, with what is going on in our state in regards to DEI  I think first of all, thered be a really good chance that regents universities would be losing federal funding, Conway said. They still might, by the way. But I think its an absolute given if he was there. And you dont want to see that, do you?

Cruz, Schmitt stay in D.C.

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Eric Schmitt of Missouri were also scheduled to speak at the event, but both were unable to attend. The U.S. Senate was in session Saturday, with Senate Republicans aiming to confirm more than 100 of President Donald Trumps nominees despite a breakdown in negotiations with Senate Democrats.

Bird said she was disappointed the two Republican senators could not be at the event, but that she told them on behalf of attendees, we want you to do your job like youre doing, confirming President Trumps nominees.

Schmitt will be back in the state later in the month, Aug. 23, for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinsons fundraiser in Cedar Rapids.

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Bird was considered a top choice to become the next Republican nominee for governor in the 2026 election cycle, following Gov. Kim Reynolds announcement that she would not seek reelection after finishing her current term. But in July, Bird announced she would not run for governor, instead running for reelection for her current position.

At the event, Bird said she had spoken with many people in the crowd about her plans in 2026  and that her decision to run for reelection was because she believed there was still more she had to accomplish in the role.

Weve done some good things in the attorney generals office to help Iowa but we are not done, Bird said. The work is not done. And Im not going to leave that unfinished to run for something else.

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A drink firm's head brewer has scooped a national award for her work.

St Austell Brewery's brewing director Georgina Young was named Brewer of the Year by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group during an annual dinner it hosted.

Judges said Ms Young was a "standout candidate" because of her dedication to brewing and her passion for educating and welcoming others into the industry.

Ms Young, who joined the brewery in May 2019, said she was "incredibly proud" to have been given the award.

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Ms Young said: "It is a real privilege to be a brewer at St Austell Brewery and to be able to collaborate with such talented individuals across the industry.

"Together, we are committed to celebrating great British beer, inspiring the next generation of brewers, and advancing sustainable practices in an ever-evolving world."

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As Brian Walshe awaits a trial in his wife Anas murder, Massachusetts prosecutors allege it wasnt a crime of passion but a calculated plan to protect his freedom and fortune.

Ana Walshe, who split her time between Washington, D.C., and her family home in Cohasset, Massachusetts, was last seen on New Year's Day 2023, when she reportedly got into a rideshare to catch a flight to D.C. to deal with a work emergency. Police in Massachusetts confirmed Walshe never got on the plane.

Her husband of seven years is charged with first-degree murder, improper transport of a human body and misleading police in his wife Anas disappearance and faces separate federal charges for art fraud. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Prosecutors, however, have laid out a broader and more calculated motive. As first reported by Los Angeles Magazine, state attorneys allege Brian Walshe believed that if Ana were "deceased or disappeared," he could avoid federal prison time from a previous art fraud conviction in Los Angeles.

Updated Detailed Timeline Of Ana Walshe's Disappearance And Brian Walshe's Arrest

In 2021, Walshe pleaded guilty to a federal art fraud scheme involving the sale of two fake Andy Warhol paintings. He was sentenced in February 2024 to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $475,000 in restitution, according to the Department of Justice.

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This theory, according to prosecutors, casts Walshe's alleged actions as a deliberate effort to eliminate his wife as a means to remove his looming federal prison term.

Ana reportedly confided in a friend shortly before her disappearance that Walshe was convinced having custody of their children in Massachusetts would help him evade incarceration in the federal case, according to prosecutors.

Ana Walshe Murder: Husband Brian Walshe Threw Out Hacksaw With Potential Key Piece Of Evidence: Docs

Despite the defenses objections, Judge Diane Freniere ruled prosecutors may introduce digital evidence at trial, including Brian Walshes alleged Google search history and references to his wifes extramarital affair as part of their motive theory.

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According to prosecutors, in the early hours of Jan. 1, 2023, just hours after Ana Walshe was last seen, Brian allegedly used his sons iPad and his own phone to search phrases like "dismemberment and the best ways to dispose of a body," "how long before a body starts to smell" and "hacksaw best tool to dismember."

At a recent evidence hearing July 24, Walshes lead defense attorney, Larry Tipton, argued prosecutors have no proof Brian knew about Anas affair, a central piece of the states theory of premeditation. Fox News Digital has reached out to Tipton for comment.

Without direct evidence of that knowledge, Tipton said, the states claim of motive was "pure speculation."

But retired Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Jack Lu told Fox News Digital premeditation doesnt require a long timeline.

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"A decision to kill may be formed over a period of days, hours, or even a few seconds," Lu said.

Suspected Wife Killer Brian Walshe Dodges One Legal Bullet As Murder Case Waits For Dna

He added that the legal threshold at the grand jury level is only probable cause, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt, making it unlikely the defense can suppress the search data.

"These are absolutely top-shelf lawyers. Everyone knows what theyre doing, and nobody makes foolish claims. Its demanding for the judge, but its also easier because its all on the record, and the legal arguments are very clean," he said.

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Judge Freniere recently denied the defenses motion to exclude the incriminating digital evidence, allowing jurors to consider Walshes alleged search history for body disposal during the trial.

"Good for the defense to move to dismiss this for multiple reasons, including legal staging for related arguments," Lu noted. "However, at the end of the day, dismissal on these grounds is almost impossible. Grand jurors are entitled to accept or reject evidence as they see fit."

Brian and Ana Walshe in November 2015.

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Additional court filings revealed that, on Christmas Day 2022, Walshe allegedly Googled the name of Anas rumored lover, identified in court only as "W.F.," six times.

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Prosecutors also disclosed that Walshes mother had hired a private investigator to follow Ana in Washington, D.C., where she lived during the week, and was allegedly conducting the affair.

The prosecution further cited a $2.7 million life insurance policy naming Brian Walshe as the sole beneficiary, bolstering what they claim is a financial motive in the case.

Brian and Ana Walshe in September 2016.

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Jury selection in his trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 20, with proceedings expected to last approximately three to four weeks.

Fox News Digital's Chris Eberhart contributed to this report.





Original article source: Brian Walshe murder trial: Prosecutors say husband dismembered wife Ana to dodge prison in art fraud case
BRIDGEPORT  One person can heal eight other people.

Thats the message WVU Medicine United Hospital Center wanted out there for Donor Day.

Daily in the ICU, were taking care of the sickest of the sick, Olivia Karelis, a charge nurse in the hospitals critical care unit. Were also taking care of a lot of families that are dealing with the worst days of their lives. A lot of our donors, this is kind of their final act of kindness. Its a true tribute to life whenever somebody chooses to be an organ donor.

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UHC officials celebrated Donor Day on Friday to stress the need for West Virginians to sign up to become an organ donor.

Kara Elko, registered nurse and director of Critical Care at UHC, said 500 West Virginians are currently waiting for an organ transplant. The states rate of organ donor participation is low compared to the national average. Across the country, the participation rate for being an organ donor is 60%, she said. She urged residents to become organ donors and also challenge those around them to do the same.

Elko said that every nine minutes, someone new is added to the national transplant waiting list. Seventeen people die each day whose lives could have been saved by an organ transplant. Just as important as organ donation is tissue donation, Elko said.

Tissue donation can be skin, Elko said. It can be corneas from the eyes, which can help people be able to see again. Theres even bones, people can donate their bone to people that have crushing injuries, and they can be able to walk again.

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The technology of keeping organs viable after a patients death has also improved. While before, doctors had to transplant an organ or tissue immediately into a recipient quickly before the organ became unusable, recovery and transplant centers can now work together to buy time so a recipient doesnt lose out on a chance at life simply because the timing didnt work out. For example, Elko said lungs, once recovered, can be kept functioning using life support tools, until they can be transplanted to someone who needs them.

Karelis said one of the common misconceptions around organ recovery is that patients are kept alive pending the organ removal process. That is false. The process of organ recovery only begins once the patient is deemed brain dead. They are kept on a ventilator so that the organs that are still functioning can still receive oxygen.

That person is not actually being kept alive just for the sole purpose of their organs, Karelis said.

She said for people who are concerned about having an open casket funeral, patients arent mutilated during the process of organ recovery. The process isnt gruesome as people might imagine, she said.

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Teresa Bracken, a patient care technician, signed up as a donor at a table for Donor Day that Karelis and Elko manned outside the hospital cafeteria. She sees the impact organ donation can have first hand.

It touches a lot of lives, and its very beneficial, she said. It gives hope and your loved one lives on through that also.
LONDON (AP)  Britain says people who advertise fake passports or people-smuggling services on social medial could face up to five years in prison, in the governments latest effort to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The government said Sunday that anyone convicted of creating online materials intended to break U.K. immigration law will face prison time and a large fine.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the aim was to stop the brazen tactics on social media used by smuggling gangs.

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Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the U.K. and a life in this country  whether on or offline  simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral, she said.

Assisting illegal immigration to the U.K. is already a crime, but officials believe a new offense  part of a border security bill currently going through Parliament  will give police and prosecutors more powers to disrupt gangs that send migrants on perilous journeys across one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the crime gangs are a threat to global security and should be treated like terror networks.

Since taking office a year ago, Starmers center-left Labour Party government has adopted powers to seize the assets of people-smugglers, beefed up U.K. border surveillance and increased law-enforcement cooperation with France and other countries to disrupt the journeys.

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Despite that, more than 25,000 people have reached Britain by boat so far this year, an increase of 50% on the same period in 2024. Small boat crossings have become a potent political issue, fueled by pictures of smugglers piling migrants into overcrowded, leaky inflatable boats on the French coast.

Opposition parties say the governments plans arent working  though the government argues the problems built up during 14 years when the Conservative Party was in power,

The Conservatives say Starmer should not have scrapped the previous governments contentious and expensive plan to send migrants arriving by boat on a one-way trip to Rwanda.

This is a panicked attempt to look tough after months of doing nothing, Conservative immigration spokesman Chris Philp said.

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The government says it will take time to clear a backlog of applications that has left thousands of migrants stuck in temporary accommodation  often hotels  without the right to work.

The hotels have become flashpoints for tension, attracting protests fueled by a mix of local concern, misinformation and anti-immigrant agitation.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Brookshire Grocery Co. and its customers have raised $100,000 to support communities affected by the recent floods in Central Texas, which claimed the lives of more than 100 people.

Heres how to help flood survivors in Central Texas

In July, customers and employee partners at Brookshires, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market and FRESH by Brookshires stores in Texas contributed to the flood relief campaign by purchasing donation coupons at checkout.

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Our thoughts and prayers remain with those who were affected by this devastating natural

disaster, Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co., said. It was important to our company to step up and help our Texas neighbors during this critical time. We are proud to be able to donate $100,000 to the victims and their families and hope it makes a meaningful

difference to those affected.

The funds raised will benefit the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and TEXSAR (Texas Search and Rescue), both of which provide aid to those impacted by the floods.

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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The Brief

William Jerome Adams, 29, was convicted of two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Adams shot and killed his girlfriend, Mary Lindsay, 39, and her son Atif Muhammad Jr., 15, on March 24, 2021.

He also left her younger son in the house and ran to Mexico.

Adams was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A Buford man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted in the 2021 murders of his live-in girlfriend and her teenage son, according to Gwinnett County prosecutors.

What we know

William Jerome Adams, 29, was convicted of two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

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During the trial, prosecutors argued that Adams shot and killed his girlfriend, Mary Lindsay, 39, and her son Atif Muhammad Jr., 15, on March 24, 2021. They said Adams then locked the bodies in a bedroom and attempted to flee to Mexico.

On March 26, 2021, Lindsays oldest daughter and Muhammads twin brotherwho did not live at the homewent to the residence after a friend reported not hearing from Lindsay for several days. Prosecutors said the 19-year-old daughter climbed through a window and found her 8-year-old brother asleep in their mothers bedroom. She then discovered the bodies locked inside another room.

Officials said the 8-year-old had been in the house for two days, unaware of the killings.

Muhammads twin testified that about 10 days before the murders, they found a 9mm Luger handgun in the home. She took a photo of the weapon and asked her mother about it. Prosecutors said Lindsay told her the gun belonged to Adams.

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Investigators later recovered three shell casings in the bedroom where Lindsay and Muhammad were found.

Prosecutors also said Adams was controlling, and presented a photo that Lindsay had emailed to herself, showing an arm injury they claimed Adams caused.

What's next

Adams was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole.

What they're saying

"The verdict and sentence are fitting for a defendant who violently took the life of a mother and son and stole from them," District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. "We mourn with the victims family and hope that the outcome of the trial gives them some closure and justice."

The Source

Information in this article came from a release by the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office.
Legacy Foundation sets events

The Legacy Foundation has scheduled two events in the coming weeks to engage residents and build growth, according to a release.

As a part of the 2025 Community Leadership Series, Team Building will be presented by Purdue Extension educators of Lake and Porter counties from 9 a.m. til noon Aug. 7 at the Legacy Foundation office, 370 E. 84th Drive, Suite 100, in Merrillville.

Registration is $10 per person. The workshop is designed for Lake County residents and nonprofit staff looking to strengthen their team-building and leadership skills.

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From 9-10 a.m. Aug. 13, the Executive Director Coffee and Conversation is planned at Indiana Youth Group, 6400 W. Lincoln Highway, Schererville. Nonprofit executive directors are invited for a morning of conversation, peer support and networking. For information on both events, visit https://legacyfdn.org/community-programs/upcoming-events/

New veterinarian joins Hebron practice

Dr. Cory Dehnart has joined the Animal Medical Center of Hebron, according to a release.

Dehnart earned both his undergraduate degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University and has pursued advanced training in several areas, including restorative dentistry, laparoscopy and abdominal ultrasonography.

He joins Dr. Carrie LaMere at the practice. Animal Medical Center of Hebron offers comprehensive care for dogs and cats of all life stages, from wellness visits and dental care to surgery, diagnostics and specialty services such as laser therapy, the release stated.

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For information, call 219-996-8387.

Nursing student wins Franciscan scholarship

A 2020 LaPorte High School graduate has won the annual Maria Petti Scholarship from Franciscan Health, a release said.

Tristen Poe was recently awarded the Franciscan Health Michigan City 2025 Maria Petti Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship fund was established in 2009 as a living memorial to Petti, who served at Franciscan Health Michigan City for 35 years as a nurse and peri-operative director.

The annual scholarship aims to encourage educational excellence in LaPorte and Porter county undergraduate students and offer financial assistance of up to $5,000 to those seeking surgical careers. Poe has worked at Franciscan Health Michigan City as he has pursued his nursing degree, including as a patient companion, student talent acquisition intern and patient care novice.

Summer interns join CLH

Two aspiring accounting professionals are gaining real-world experience through summer internships with CLH, CPAs & Consultants, a release said.

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Charlotte M. Dombrowski of Valparaiso and Kristina I. Sherpitis of Beverly Shores joined the firms Michigan City office to further their education and solidify their career plans.

Dombrowski, entering her senior year at the University of Minnesota Crookston, is pursuing a double major in finance and accounting. Sherpitis, a junior at Indiana University, who is also double majoring in finance and accounting, is completing her first internship with CLH.

CLHs internship program is part of the firms long-term strategy to develop top talent in the accounting profession, the release said.

Dunes Learning Center exec honored

The Association of Nature Center Administrators has announced that Heather Hahn Sullivan, Executive Director of Dunes Learning Center, is the winner of the 2025 ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award, according to a release.

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Sullivan, who attended the center as a high school student, has led a distinguished career in the nature center profession. In 2018, Sullivan became the Development and Marketing Director of Dunes Learning Center and assumed the role of Executive Director in 2022, the release stated.

ANCA will recognize Sullivan with this award as part of the Leadership Award Ceremony on Aug. 27 at the 2025 ANCA Annual Summit.

Jarka named 2025 Duneland Distinguished Woman

Christy Jarka, director of the Duneland School Corp. Trojan Learning Center, has been named the 2025 Duneland Distinguished Woman by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, a release said.

The award recognizes a woman in the Duneland community who shows humanitarian spirit, provides valuable services in her field, and helps other women achieve their leadership potential. Nominations for the award come from the community and are reviewed by past recipients.

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Over nearly 30 years, Jarka has been a teacher, principal and director and leads the Duneland School Corp.s Trojan Learning Center, which houses Dunelands Early Learning HUB, Developmental Preschool, the Northwest Indiana Online School, and RISE Academy.

Parks director certified

Matt Slack, facilities and maintenance director for Valpo Parks, recently earned Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification, making him the second CPSI-certified professional on the Valpo Parks team, a release said.

The certification program is offered by the National Recreation and Park Association and provides comprehensive and up-to-date training on all critical aspects of playground safety.

Slack joins Chris Michalak, who also holds the credential.

PNW sets school supplies giveaway Aug. 7

Purdue University Northwest will host the Roaring Back to School school supplies giveaway events from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 7, on both the Hammond and Westville campuses. The events offer area K-12 students an opportunity to gather the supplies they need for a successful academic year, a release said.

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The events are free and open to families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade who are from local school districts in the surrounding communities. Attendees will be able to visit various supply stations to pick up essential items, including notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, scissors and more. Students must be present to receive supplies and are encouraged to bring a backpack or bag to collect their items, the release said.

The events will be held on the Westville campus in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville, and on the Hammond campus at the 169th Street Parking Garage, 2200 169 St., Hammond

For additional information, visit pnw.edu/bts-giveaway.
Californias minimum wage  $16.50 per hour  is one of the highest nationwide. But last year lawmakers in the state boosted fast-food workers even higher: they earn $20 per hour, thanks to the change.

This move meant to elevate lower-wage workers to tackle the Golden States high cost-of-living. But a new study shows these employees faced negative effects from the states minimum wage policy.

A new study from National Bureau of Economic Research found that employment at fast-food restaurants dipped by 2.64% from September 2023 to September 2024, even though the rest of the U.S. experienced a rise in employment in this industry.

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Our median estimate translates into a loss of 18,000 jobs in Californias fast-food sector relative to the counterfactual, researchers Jeffrey Clemens, Olivia Edwards, and Jonathan Meer wrote in their paper, published July this year.

The study shows that while the idea of boosting pay may be politically appealing, it could have negative effects on employment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom enacted the minimum wage law, raising the hourly rate from $16 to $20 for fast-food restaurants that have at least 60 locations in the U.S.

In 2022 and 2023, In-N-Out committed $12.8 million to the Save Local Restaurants committee that opposed this law, as the Deseret News previously reported.

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In-N-Out, known for paying competitive wages, would need to raise its hourly rate to $23 or $24 to maintain its service quality in California.

Despite the high-stakes lobbying, the burger chain lost the battle after labor unions struck a deal with state legislators in 2024. In-N-Out raised prices on menu items to keep up.

The fast-food minimum wage law came into effect in April 2024.

In January this year, the state authorized the Fast Food Council to propose yearly adjustments to the minimum wage. The Council suggested a $0.70 increase and will vote on it as the debate surrounding the policy continues.

Lawrence Cheng, whose family owns seven Wendy's locations south of Los Angeles, hands an order to a customer at his Wendy's restaurant in Fountain Valley, Calif., June 20, 2024. When Californias minimum wage increase went into effect in April, fast food workers across the state went from making $16 to $20 overnight. It's already having an impact, according to local operators for major fast food chains, who say they are reducing worker hours and raising menu prices as the sudden increase in labor costs leaves them scrambling for solutions. | Jae C. Hong

Other studies show conflicting results

The findings from Save Local Restaurants independently commissioned study, conducted by the Berkeley Research Group, were similar to those of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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The study from February found that the wage increase law led to the loss of 10,700 jobs from June 2023 to June 2024. The prices of menu items increased by 14.5%. While a majority of restaurants (98%) adjusted their pricing, others reduced the number of hours employees work (93%) and laid off employees or consolidated positions (70%).

But another study from academics at Harvard, University of California, San Francisco, and University of California, Berkeley pointed out that wage hikes didnt have as many negative effects as some experts claim.

We find that the policy increased average hourly pay by a remarkable 18 percent, and yet it did not reduce employment, a study by the UC Berkeley Institute for Research and Labor Employment, published in September 2024, concluded.

The policy increased prices about 3.7 percent, or about 15 cents on a $4 hamburger (on a one-time basis), contrary to industry claims of larger increases.
MCLEAN COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD)  A California man was arrested on Interstate 74 after allegedly being found with more than $3 million of cocaine in a box truck.

Osvaldo Anaya Ramirez, 40, was arrested and charged with manufacture/delivery of 900 grams of cocaine or more, controlled substance trafficking, and possession of 900 or more grams of cocaine, according to McLean County court documents.

A trooper with the Illinois State Police Department was conducting an inspection stop when Ramirez was telling him he was traveling from Santa Maria, Calif., to Bloomington, Ind., when talking about his path, Ramirez allegedly began to breathe heavily, the documents said.

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Ramirez allegedly told the trooper he was paid just more than $3,000 to deliver empty wine barrels when the trooper noticed a padlock on the back of the truck, prompting him to request to search the truck, the documents said.

Upon a search of the truck, he allegedly found 30 one-kilogram or about 2.2-pound packages of cocaine. The packages were reportedly labeled with different things, such as Toyota and Zeno, they said.

Ramirez allegedly told the trooper he had no idea that there were drugs in the truck and said on July 29 he picked up the load from a warehouse in Santa Maria, Calif., when workers loaded the truck with wine barrels before he closed the door and locked it, according to the affidavit.

Investigators allege they found a footprint on top of one of the empty wine barrels in the back of the truck and compared it to Ramirezs shoe. They say it matched, showing he had been in the back of the truck since it had been loaded.

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Investigators also report finding just over $1,700 and two Apple iPhones when searching Ramirez.

The almost 80 pounds of cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $3.6 million.

This is the second big drug bust in McLean County in the last three months. Another California man was arrested on April 17 after allegedly having $10 million of cocaine in a semi.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Cambodia will nominate US president Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, its deputy prime minister said on Friday, following his direct intervention in halting the Southeast Asian country's recent border conflict with Thailand.

Asked via text message to confirm Cambodia's plan to nominate Mr Trump for the prize, Sun Chanthol responded, yes.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the capital, Phnom Penh, Mr Chanthol thanked Mr Trump for bringing peace and said he deserved to be nominated for the prize, the highest-profile international award given to an individual or organisation deemed to have done the most to advance fellowship between nations.

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Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the award.

It was a call by Mr Trump last week that broke a deadlock in efforts to end the heaviest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade, leading to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on Monday, Reuters has reported.

Following the truce announcement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that Trump made it happen.

Give him the Nobel Peace Prize! she said.

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At least 43 people have been killed in the intense clashes, which lasted five days and displaced more than 300,000 people on both sides of the border.

We acknowledge his great efforts for peace, said Mr Chanthol, also Cambodias top trade negotiator, adding that his country was also grateful for a reduced tariff rate of 19 per cent.

Washington had initially threatened a tariff of 49 per cent, later reducing it to 36 per cent, a level that would have decimated Cambodias vital garment and footwear sector, Mr Chanthol told Reuters in an interview earlier on Friday.
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is projecting confidence about trade talks with Washington, even as stalled negotiations resulted in the White House placing a higher tariff levy on Ottawa last week.

LeBlanc told CBS' Margaret Brennan on Sunday that he still believes the Trump administration is negotiating in good faith with Canada. He expects President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney to speak in the coming days.

"We believe there's a great deal of common ground between the United States and Canada in terms of building two strong economies that work well together," LeBlanc said on "Face the Nation." "That's been the history of the 40-year Free Trade Agreement that goes back to President Reagan."

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Trump imposed heightened tariffs on Canada on Thursday. The levies only apply to goods not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Trump negotiated in his first term, meaning much of Canada's economy is insulated. Still, Canada's steel and aluminum industries are feeling the heat, with the White House working to revitalize American production capacity.

"We understand and respect totally the President's view in terms of the national security interest," LeBlanc said. "In fact, we share it, and what we've said to our American counterparts is, how can we structure the right agreement, where we can both continue to supply one another in a reliable, cost-effective way that preserves jobs essential to the American economy, but the same thing is true, obviously in Canada as well."

Another wrinkle: Trump last week suggested on his social media platform that Carneys pledge to recognize Palestinian statehood could imperil talks, making it "very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them.

But LeBlanc, who left Washington on Friday after spending much of the week in town meeting with senior White House officials, remains positive. He cites the connective tissue underpinning the two countries' economies as a key reason for hope.

One description which I thought was very apt: we don't sell things to each other as much as we build things together," he told Brennan. "And that's why it's difficult in this relationship when so much is integrated, but we remain very optimistic.
The US Office of Special Counsel, which is supposed to be an independent federal agency, has launched an investigation into Smith over an alleged violation of the Hatch Act, a law that bars certain political activities by government officials. Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who requested that the OSC look into Smith for, quote, "unprecedented interference in the 2024 election."
NEW HAVEN, Conn.(WTNH)  This week on Capitol Report, the panel discusses the 1st Congressional District race heating up, four more people being charged in the Bridgeport ballot probe and how lawmakers are reacting.

News 8 political reporter Mike Cerulli talks about fundraising and other campaign quirks of the 1st Congressional District

Connecticut kneads as much dough as it can out of Pizza Capital of the U.S. with license plates, billboards, music videos and highway signs.

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Finally, did Sen. Chris Murphy (D) make an oops with his X post about the Red Sox and striking concession workers at Fenway Park?

CAPITOL REPORT

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The controversy over a new state prison in Franklin County continues to roil Arkansas politics.

Capitol View host Roby Brock met Republican State Sen. Bryan King, who is an opponent of the state prison, and gives his take on the state of the project.

Roby then talks with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist John Brummett about the latest happenings in politics.

Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

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Diageo, one of the worlds largest alcoholic beverage companies, is facing two class-action lawsuits alleging that it deceptively marketed its popular tequila brands Casamigos and Don Julio as 100% agave while allegedly including non-agave-derived alcohol in the products.

The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in New York and California, claim that independent laboratory testing revealed that both Casamigos and Don Julio contain significantly less than 100% agave ethanol, despite their labeling and marketing.

Plaintiffs in the New York case assert that Casamigos Blanco contains only 33% agave-derived ethanol, while Casamigos Reposado contains 42%. The California lawsuit, filed earlier this year, makes similar claims regarding Don Julio Blanco and Don Julio 1942.

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Popular L.A. brunch spot forced to close after sudden fire

Both suits allege that Diageo misled consumers into paying premium prices for products that do not meet the standards implied by the labeling. The New York complaint, filed on behalf of a mixology instructor, a social media bartender, and a kosher sushi restaurant, seeks at least $5 million in damages and an injunction to prevent Diageo from continuing the alleged deceptive marketing practices.

Under both Mexican and U.S. labeling laws, tequila labeled as 100% agave must be made entirely from Blue Weber agave and cannot include added sugars or alcohol from other sources. The lawsuits argue that if the lab findings are accurate, Diageo may be in violation of those regulations. They also raise questions about the oversight of the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), the regulatory body responsible for certifying tequila production and exports. Plaintiffs suggest that either CRT certification processes failed or that there was a lack of proper enforcement.

Diageo has denied the allegations, stating that it categorically denies any misrepresentation or noncompliance with U.S. or Mexican laws and regulations. The company said in a statement that it stands behind the quality and authenticity of its tequilas and considers the lawsuits baseless.

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Iconic queer bar at risk of closing over legal battle

Casamigos, founded in 2013 by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman, was acquired by Diageo in 2017 in a deal worth up to $1 billion, including performance-based payouts. Don Julio is another flagship tequila brand under Diageos portfolio and is marketed as a luxury product. Casamigos sold over 3 million 9-liter cases in 2023, making it one of the top-selling tequila brands globally.

The lawsuits reflect growing concern over the integrity of labeling in the rapidly expanding premium tequila market. Some industry advocates have called for more widespread use of nuclear magnetic resonance testing to ensure label accuracy, especially in products claiming to be free of additives or made solely from agave.

The outcome of the cases could have implications for both Diageos brand reputation and broader industry practices. If the allegations are upheld in court, they could trigger regulatory reviews, financial penalties, or changes to how premium tequilas are marketed and certified.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.




NEED TO KNOW

Mohananeethan Muruganantharajah, 27, died after saving his two nieces who fell into a waterfall in Wales in September 2023

Muruganantharajah's body wasn't recovered until the following day

A coroner ruled his death an accident at a recent inquest, according to BBC News







The cause of death for a 27-year-old man who died after saving his two nieces who fell into a waterfall in Wales has been revealed.

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At around 4:40 p.m. local time on Sept.1, 2023, police were called to Sgwd y Pannwr waterfall in the Brecon Beacons  which is around 40 miles north of the Welsh capital, Cardiff  after a man had gone into the water to rescue two children and not come out, Wales Online reported, citing the Dyfed-Powys Police.

Mohananeethan "Mohan" Muruganantharajah, 27, had been on a family day out at the falls when some family members decided to enter the water as the weather was pleasant and a number of them got into some difficulty, BBC News reported.

At an inquest into Muruganantharajah's death, Coroner Patricia Morgan said, per the outlet, He assisted them to safety. However, sadly Mohananeethan was pulled under the water and did not resurface. Emergency services attended but were unable to rescue Mohananeethan.

According to police, Mohananeethan's body was located in the water with an underwater camera shortly after 7:00 p.m. that same night, however he could not be recovered until the next morning "due to conditions at the site," per Wales Online.

Getty Sgwd y Pannwr, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales Sgwd y Pannwr, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales

Mohananeethan was recovered from the water and pronounced dead on Sept. 2, 2023, per BBC News and Wales Online.

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The coroner ruled his death an accident at the inquest, per the outlets.

A previous hearing revealed that Muruganantharajah became trapped under a ledge and was dragged under the falls, per Wales Online.

Sri Lankan-born Muruganantharajah was a qualified pilot from Swansea, according to reports.

His niece Vaishnavi Senthurkumaran told BBC News that her uncle had "escorted everyone down to the water one by one to swim before tragedy struck.

"One of my sisters didn't feel safe in the water and everyone came over to help her," she said. "At that moment, the current was pulling us in towards the waterfall. My uncle came in to pull us out one by one."

Mohananeethan Muruganantharajah/Facebook Mohananeethan "Mohan" Muruganantharajah Mohananeethan "Mohan" Muruganantharajah

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"I could see his hands slipping into the water. We thought he was doing some sort of trick like he does in the sea, going underwater and grabbing our legs, Senthurkumaran recalled. She said she then called her family for help.

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"My mother can't swim so she was throwing anything she could find into the water," Senthurkumaran told BBC News. "There were a few doctors in the area who tried to help where they could, then the paramedics turned up."

Muruganantharajah was described by his family as a brother figure to everyone," per BBC News.

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"Exhausting and emotional" is how one man has described taking part in a 16-hour swim relay across the English Channel.

Mark Baber, from Rothwell in Leeds, undertook the challenge along with three friends at the end of July in honour of his friend Mick Atkinson.

Mr Atkinson, a former dog handler with North Yorkshire Police, died by suicide in 2018 and since his death, dozens of cyclists have taken part in the Tour de Aky, a cycle ride around Yorkshire in his memory.

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Set up by Mr Atkinson's friend Pierre Olesqui, the event has raised more than 100,000 for charities.

"We wanted to keep that legacy going, do something different, change the challenge up and do something that was completely, pardon the pun, out of our depths," Mr Baber said.

The 41-year-old was joined in the challenge by Dave Young, 40, from York, 50-year-old Nathan Pawlowski, from Kendall, and Kevin Lacks-Kelly, 45, from Harrogate.

The challenge aimed to raise funds for two charities - the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Andy's Man Club.

Mr Baber said they just wanted to raise money by "showing people what can be done through mental strength".

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"You can do something incredible with just mental strength and teamwork and that is exactly what we did."

Each of the four men had to swim for an hour, non-stop, and then rest for three hours while the other men took their turns [Mark Baber]

Channel swims are administered and observed by the Channel Swimming Association and the rules are strict, Mr Baber said.

The order of swimimng and the changeover times cannot be altered during the challenge.

Mr Baber said he had been excited for his first swim but it had been a "very long hour".

"I was really looking forward to getting in, the seas were quite rough so the boat was really going, the problem was the seasickness hits in that first swim and you've got to let nature to take its course."

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He said he had assumed that he would be able to rest for three hours before getting back into the sea but that was not the case.

"You had to get back on the boat, but then with that recovery from the seasickness you were drained.

"You can't do the normal things, you can't take on fluids because they come back up, you can't take on food and anything solid because there's a danger that's going to come back up.

"The recovery was so difficult and I was green for a good two hours."

Mark Baber said the camaraderie of the group helped as night drew in and they realised what a "lonely place" the sea could be [Mark Baber]

Mr Baber said for him the second hour's swim was "much harder".

"The weather had gone quite overcast, the water looked black, I was cold and when I jumped in it was like jumping into an ice bath.

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"Once I got going it was alright and then the jellyfish hit. Nobody can prepare you for the jellyfish. It was horrifying."

As the men moved further towards France, Mark said he realised looking back at Dover how far they had come but how far they still had to go.

"You feel very lonely and very isolated," he said.

However, they persevered with the support of the boat's captain, Peter Reed and team manager Victoria Baber, along with an official observer from the Channel Swimming Association.

Just 15 hours and 59 minutes after leaving the UK they reached France.

"We were very tired by the end of it," he said.

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"Physically it is tiring, emotionally it is just exhausting.

"By the time you get to that beach in France it's a double-edged sword, you are happy to be there but you can't wait to get back as well."

Mark Baber (second from right) said he did not think he could top the experience with his three friends [Mark Baber]

He said the men he had done the challenge with had all been "incredible" even in the worst moments when the small boat felt like "a pressure cooker" and he did not want to get back into the sea.

"I don't think I could have a better time with them again," he said.

Recalling Mick Atkinson in whose name they had taken on the challenge, Mr Baber said: "I knew him all my life until he lost that battle with mental health.

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"He was the biggest, happiest guy in the room. It was such a shock to find out what we saw was not what Mick was feeling."

He said the annual bike ride and the challenges like the one he and his friends had undertaken along with the work being done by charities like Andy's Man Club were helping people see it was "good to talk".

"I think these days with the mental health battles people are going through, people are a lot better at talking about and it is helping."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Related internet links
The trickle of food aid Israel allows to enter Gaza after nearly 22 months of war is seized by Palestinians risking their lives under fire, looted by gangs or diverted in chaotic circumstances rather than reaching those most in need, UN agencies, aid groups and analysts say.

After images of malnourished children stoked an international outcry, aid has started to be delivered to the territory once more but on a scale deemed woefully insufficient by international organisations.

Every day, AFP correspondents on the ground see desperate crowds rushing towards food convoys or the sites of aid drops by Arab and European air forces.

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On Thursday, in Al-Zawayda in central Gaza, emaciated Palestinians rushed to pallets parachuted from a plane, jostling and tearing packages from each other in a cloud of dust.

"Hunger has driven people to turn on each other. People are fighting each other with knives," Amir Zaqot, who came seeking aid, told AFP.

To avoid disturbances, World Food Programme (WFP) drivers have been instructed to stop before their intended destination and let people help themselves. But to no avail.

"A truck wheel almost crushed my head, and I was injured retrieving the bag," sighed a man, carrying a bag of flour on his head, in the Zikim area, in the northern Gaza Strip.

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- 'Truly tragic' -

Mohammad Abu Taha went at dawn to a distribution site near Rafah in the south to join the queue and reserve his spot. He said there were already "thousands waiting, all hungry, for a bag of flour or a little rice and lentils."

"Suddenly, we heard gunshots.. There was no way to escape. People started running, pushing and shoving each other, children, women, the elderly," said the 42-year-old. "The scene was truly tragic: blood everywhere, wounded, dead."

Nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip while waiting for aid since May 27, the majority by the Israeli army, the United Nations said on Friday.

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The Israeli army denies any targeting, insisting it only fires "warning shots" when people approach too close to its positions.

International organisations have for months condemned the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on aid distribution in Gaza, including refusing to issue border crossing permits, slow customs clearance, limited access points, and imposing dangerous routes.

On Tuesday, in Zikim, the Israeli army "changed loading plans for WFP, mixing cargo unexpectedly. The convoy was forced to leave early, without proper security," said a senior UN official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In the south of Gaza, at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, "there are two possible routes to reach our warehouses (in central Gaza)," said an NGO official, who also preferred to remain anonymous. "One is fairly safe, the other is regularly the scene of fighting and looting, and that's the one we're forced to take."

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- 'Darwinian experiment' -

Some of the aid is looted by gangs -- who often directly attack warehouses -- and diverted to traders who resell it at exorbitant prices, according to several humanitarian sources and experts.

"It becomes this sort of Darwinian social experiment of the survival of the fittest," said Muhammad Shehada, visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

"People who are the most starved in the world and do not have the energy must run and chase after a truck and wait for hours and hours in the sun and try to muscle people and compete for a bag of flour," he said.

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Jean Guy Vataux, emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Gaza, added: "We're in an ultra-capitalist system, where traders and corrupt gangs send kids to risk life and limb at distribution points or during looting. It's become a new profession."

This food is then resold to "those who can still afford it" in the markets of Gaza City, where the price of a 25-kilogramme bag of flour can exceed $400, he added.

 'Never found proof' -

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of looting aid supplied by the UN, which has been delivering the bulk of aid since the start of the war triggered by the militant group's October 2023 attack.

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The Israeli authorities have used this accusation to justify the total blockade they imposed on Gaza between March and May, and the subsequent establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private organisation supported by Israel and the United States which has become the main aid distributor, sidelining UN agencies.

However, for more than two million inhabitants of Gaza the GHF has just four distribution points, which the UN describes as a "death trap".

"Hamas... has been stealing aid from the Gaza population many times by shooting Palestinians," said the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

But according to senior Israeli military officials quoted by the New York Times on July 26, Israel "never found proof" that the group had "systematically stolen aid" from the UN.

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Weakened by the war with Israel which has seen most of its senior leadership killed, Hamas today is made up of "basically decentralised autonomous cells" said Shehada.

He said while Hamas militants still hunker down in each Gaza neighbourhood in tunnels or destroyed buildings, they are not visible on the ground "because Israel has been systematically going after them".

Aid workers told AFP that during the ceasefire that preceded the March blockade, the Gaza police -- which includes many Hamas members -- helped secure humanitarian convoys, but that the current power vacuum was fostering insecurity and looting.

"UN agencies and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called on Israeli authorities to facilitate and protect aid convoys and storage sites in our warehouses across the Gaza Strip," said Bushra Khalidi, policy lead at Oxfam.

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"These calls have largely been ignored," she added.

- 'All kinds of criminal activities' -

The Israeli army is also accused of having equipped Palestinian criminal networks in its fight against Hamas and of allowing them to plunder aid.

"The real theft of aid since the beginning of the war has been carried out by criminal gangs, under the watch of Israeli forces, and they were allowed to operate in proximity to the Kerem Shalom crossing point into Gaza," Jonathan Whittall, Palestinian territories chief of the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), told reporters in May.

According to Israeli and Palestinian media reports, an armed group called the Popular Forces, made up of members of a Bedouin tribe led by Yasser Abu Shabab, is operating in the southern region under Israeli control.

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The ECFR describes Abu Shabab as leading a "criminal gang operating in the Rafah area that is widely accused of looting aid trucks".

The Israeli authorities themselves acknowledged in June that they had armed Palestinian gangs opposed to Hamas, without directly naming the one led by Abu Shabab.

Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Moshe Dayan Center of Tel Aviv University, said many of the gang's members were implicated in "all kinds of criminal activities, drug smuggling, and things like that".

"None of this can happen in Gaza without the approval, at least tacit, of the Israeli army," said a humanitarian worker in Gaza, asking not to be named.

bur-cl-sjw/kir/tc
Charlamagne tha God is known for making waves as a prominent talk show host  and is pushing for a fellow entertainer to run for president in 2028.

The popular face of "The Breakfast Club" radio show suggested "The Daily Show" star Jon Stewart should run as the Democratic Partys candidate in the 2028 presidential election during an appearance on "My View with Lara Trump."

"This is going to sound ridiculous, probably, coming from me," he told Fox News host Lara Trump. "I would love to see Jon Stewart run in 2028."

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Charlamagne Suggests Kamala Harris Should Start A Podcast Instead Of Seeking Elected Office Again

Charlamagne emphasized Democrats need for a "change agent" after former Vice President Kamala Harris loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and that Stewart could help the party broaden its base.

"If we're talking about a change agent coming from the outside that's really going to shake things up, and somebody that I feel like can speak to all people hes a celebrity who actually knows what they're talking about," he said. "We've seen him get legislation and stuff passed before  like, we know where his heart is."

Read On The Fox News App

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"He'd be somebody I'd like to see really get in the race and disrupt things in 2028."

Charlamagne suggested that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" host Stephen Colbert should run alongside Stewart on this hypothetical ticket, explaining that hes "not going to have a job."

CBS revealed on July 17 that the show would be ending in May 2026, calling the plan to terminate it "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," per a public statement.

Democrats Fawn Over Stephen Colbert For Holding 'Truth To Power' After Cbs Cancels Show

"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and guest Vice President Kamala Harris during the Oct. 8, 2024, show.



Elsewhere in the wide-ranging interview, Charlamagne advised Democrats to look to their governors for other possible 2028 candidates, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

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"They actually have a track record, right?" he said. "You can go look at their states to see what they're probably going to end up doing on a national level."

The headline-making personality also did not rule out a Republican candidate earning his vote in the next presidential election. He cited former South Carolina Gov. and former U.S. Amb. to the United Nations Nikki Haley as someone who he would consider supporting.

"Traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back," he said in part.

Charlamagne Accuses Trump Of Trying To 'Make America North Korea' By Engaging In 'Authoritarian Rule' On Media

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Charlamagne also reviewed Trumps first six months in office, predicted Harris political future and discussed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's policy proposals and whether he agrees with socialism.

Watch Fox News host Lara Trump's full interview with Charlamagne tha God on "My View with Lara Trump" on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 9 p.m. ET.





Original article source: Charlamagne tha God names surprising 2028 presidential suggestion
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CHESAPEAKE  The city spent a little more than $110,000 throughout 2023 and 24 litigating two high-profile political battles against council members, public records show.

City councils are often sued for a variety of issues. Among the roles of a city attorney is defending the city in legal disputes. But outside counsel is often hired in highly political cases or those in which conflicts of interest could be a concern since the city attorney is a council-appointed position.

Throughout 2023 and 24, the city worked with Norfolk-based Willcox and Savage to hash out two lawsuits. One was an alleged public records request violation filed against the City Council and member Debbie Ritter. The other lawsuit, supported by a majority of council members at the time, was filed directly against then-council member Don Carey during his unsuccessful bid for mayor in last years election.

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The Virginian-Pilot obtained from a public records request all invoices billed to the city. In total, Chesapeake spent $110,149 on the two cases, according to the invoices, with the vast majority spent on the lawsuit against Ritter and the council.

The first set of invoices stem from a public records request battle lobbed at the council and Ritter in January 2023. Former Chesapeake Planning Commission member Levin Turner, who resigned while the litigation was playing out in court, alleged the council and Ritter repeatedly violated the law by not turning over documents circulated in a closed session meeting that he requested through the Freedom of Information Act.

After a nearly year-long legal fight, a judge ruled in September 2023 that Ritter did not willfully and knowingly violate FOIA when she failed to turn over requested documents in a timely manner. Then in November 2023, the judge dismissed the remaining claims.

Invoices from the Willcox Savage firm show the city was billed $91,017 in total, including municipal discounts, between January 2023 and January 2024.

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Ritter hired J. Bryan Plumlee of the Virginia Beach-based Poole Brooke Plumlee law firm. Ritter told The Pilot in a phone interview this week she hired her own counsel to minimize the amount of city dollars spent.

I asked the question and was advised it was probably wise to hire my own attorney, Ritter said. I did not want to put the city attorneys office in the position of having to represent me as an individual in case in any way that was perceived as a conflict.

Ritter declined to share how much she spent on her legal aid. And since the case was ultimately dismissed, she called it a frivolous action.

Willcox and Savage then represented the city in the lawsuit against Carey following a majority vote of City Council in July 2024. At issue was whether Carey should have resigned from his council seat to run for mayor.

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A judge ultimately dismissed that case and a similar case questioning Careys candidacy in September 2024. The judge ruled that the city charter provision and state law were in conflict and that council shouldve addressed the oversight.

Republican state Sen. Christie New Craig and Democratic Del. Cliff Hayes successfully spearheaded legislation passed in January to update the charter  clarifying the dates for local elections and terms, when a sitting council member must resign to run for mayor and the election of a successor if an office is vacated.

Carey hired Karen Kacey Carnegie of the Chesapeake-based Carnegie Law Group to represent him. Overall, the city paid $19,132 to litigate the case against Carey, who lost his bid for mayor and is no longer a council member. Reached by phone this week, Carey reiterated that it was an unnecessary use of taxpayer dollars.

Instead of utilizing city resources to benefit the city, certain individuals were utilizing city resources to attack a political enemy, and its something that ought not happen on a local level, Carey said. No one forced council to file a writ of mandamus against its own council member. That was a deliberate action taken by council at that time.

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Ritter was among the council members who voted to file the lawsuit against Carey. She told The Pilot this week that despite the money spent litigating the issue, shed probably support such an effort again since city charter changes can only be made by the General Assembly.

I think that was a question that appropriately went to a court for interpretation because anybody can read that and come up with an interpretation, she said. The court rendered an opinion, and we then requested the charter language be updated.

A city spokesperson said funding to litigate such lawsuits is set aside for the city attorneys use in the annual operating budget. The city attorneys office was allotted $3.4 million for fiscal 2026  a 7% bump from the previous year.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
CHEYENNE  Although Justin Walter didnt grow up doing 4-H or FFA, it ended up becoming a bigger part of his life than he ever thought.

Another year of the Laramie County Fair means another year of kids and teens eager to show off their animals, whether they be rabbits, goats, pigs, cattle or alpacas.

Walter became one of those kids after he joined former educator Tommy Cress agriculture class at Cheyennes Central High. Walters siblings, Jordan and Hailey, were also in Cress class with him and showed at the fair the year after he did. Cress convinced them to sign up by talking about how his son, Brody Cress, used to show in 4-H and FFA.

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Hes just a good kid to be around, and he works really hard, Cress told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. When they came to class, all three of them, they didnt know a lot about how our school farm would work or livestock animals. Anytime I took them anywhere to learn new things, they always really picked up on it, worked really hard, and did a great job.

Cress has since retired from Central High and lives full time in Texas, but he said a lot of kids who came to class had limited knowledge of what working with livestock-type animals was like.

After expressing interest in showmanship to Cress, Walter was put in the class in his sophomore year and given a goat to start off with.

Cress would come out to the school farm to help Walter and all of his students every year before the Laramie County Fair. Hed check on everybodys animals, help feed them, clean their pens, walk them, and practice showing every Monday at 7 a.m. sharp while classes were in session.

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Walters first year showing at the Laramie County Fair was four years ago, when he was 16. He showed goats that he named Bernie and Jack, his first and second years, respectively. He won eighth place in showmanship his first year, and fourth place his second. For market value, he won sixth place in his first year and second place in his second year. His third and final year was in 2024, when he was 19, where he showed a pig he named Bandit.

There are 10 showman skills people are graded on a scale of one through 10. 4-H and FFA kids are judged by their animals body weight and the way the contestant handle them. The kids and teens also win money depending on where they place.

I wasnt able to get a goat last year, but I liked both, said Walter. Showing was really awesome, I wish I could do it again, but you can only go until youre 19 years old or in your last year of high school.

Walter and his siblings, Jordan and Hailey, are triplets, and they also showed goats for their first years. Justin was the first one to show, with Jordan following in his footsteps the year after, and Hailey joining in the year after that. Now, their little brother, Jacob, is showing a goat for the first time as a seventh-grader.

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Ill be out (at the fairgrounds) helping Jacob next week when I can, said Walter. Its pretty fun to show people what you know.

The first year he showed, Walter said there was somebody there to guide him through what to do and where to go, helping out and watching where they could, but by the second year, he was left on his own to work his magic.

I learned a lot of right and wrong of what to do in my first year, said Walter. Like how to brace them, walk them around the ring, and feed them.  It takes a lot of preparation, time, and work. You have to start at the beginning of spring, and it goes all the way until the second week of the county fair. Then, the state fair follows, but it takes a lot of practice time and hard work.

Some of that hard work entails walking and feeding the animal, making sure its at a good weight and is well groomed, and practicing showing it in the show ring.

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Walter felt his second year went well, and although he enjoyed showing his third year, working with the new animal proved to be a little tough, as his pig ran off after getting a little too excited.

Pigs are a little squirmy, and they can run off at times, said Walter. But theyre big animals, and they dont like to stay still.  Its also hard to show a pig because you dont have the halter like you do with goats; instead, you have a show stick.  Goats also love to eat, theyll nibble on anything and they like to play a lot versus pigs who just like to sleep. They just need that extra care.

The most rewarding part for Walter was being able to work with the animals, especially because he wouldnt get the opportunity to work with goats or pigs otherwise. And although he cant show anymore, he said hed like to eventually integrate 4-H back into his life by possibly breeding his own goats and sending them off to showmen.

Theres a lot of emotional feelings for some people when you sell it, because you get attached to your animal and then you sell it off, said Walter. But I love showing animals.
Imagine opening your mail and finding a water bill in the amount of a house.

Thats what happened to 82-year-old Diane Carli of Chicago. She was recently slapped with a $233,439.90 water bill for a vacant home that hasnt had plumbing for years. Carli says the City of Chicago is threatening to garnish her pension if she doesnt pay, leaving her in shock and fighting a battle she never expected in her golden years.

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A water bill nightmare

Carli inherited the Back of the Yards property from her late husband in 2017. The home has been gutted for years, and no one lives there.

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Theres nothing in there, she told CBS News Chicago.

Still, in late 2024, the city reached out and said a new water meter had to be installed. Despite her protests, since she didnt need water service, she allowed the installation. Within six months, a staggering bill arrived: over 500,000 gallons of supposed water usage, totaling more than $233,000. This is totally wrong, Carli said. Theyre going to put me in the grave with this. The Water Department has since sent the account to collections and threatened to take money directly from her pension. Even with help from her daughter and Alderman Raymond Lopez, the city has only offered to remove $25,000 in late fees, leaving the core bill untouched.

Shes not alone, homeowners get hosed nationwide

While Dianes case is extreme, erroneous utility bills can happen to anyone.

Chicago has faced a wave of complaints about sky-high water bills in recent years. Local investigations, including CBS Chicagos Getting Hosed series, have found multiple residents charged thousands for water they didnt use.

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Utility billing errors arent unique to Chicago. Across the U.S., homeowners have reported phantom charges for electricity, water, or gas due to:

Faulty meters or incorrect installations

Clerical errors in billing systems

Previous owners unpaid balances rolling onto new accounts

Leaks or burst pipes that go unnoticed

Read more: Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)

What to do if you get an outrageous utility bill

Carlis ordeal highlights an important lesson for any homeowner: Dont ignore a surprise bill, even if it seems like an obvious mistake.

Here are steps to take if you ever receive a shockingly high utility charge:

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Document everything: Take photos of the property, meters, and usage history. In Carlis case, photos showing a gutted home help prove theres no water consumption. Request an immediate meter inspection: Utilities can test meters for accuracy or replace faulty ones. Carlis new meter now shows zero usage, which could help her case. Dispute in writing: Submit a formal dispute to the utility company and keep copies of all correspondence. Involve local representatives or consumer protection offices: As Carli did with Alderman Lopez, reaching out to local officials can sometimes push your case forward. Consider legal or financial counseling: If a utility threatens garnishment or collections, a lawyer or nonprofit credit counselor can advise on your rights. Monitor your credit report: Utilities can report delinquent accounts to credit bureaus, which may affect your score if the dispute drags on.

Relief programs and resources for seniors

In 2024, the Chicago City Council approved a water bill relief program to help low-income homeowners and seniors, following years of complaints. If Carlis bill isnt wiped out, she could qualify for hardship assistance or legal aid to prevent pension garnishment.

Homeowners elsewhere can check for similar local or state utility relief programs, which often offer:

Payment plans

Bill forgiveness for errors

Dispute resolution support

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For Diane Carli, the fight continues, and shes far from alone. Billing errors can happen to anyone, and they can be financially devastating if not addressed immediately. Whether your water bill is $233 or $233,000, staying proactive, documenting your case, and knowing your rights are key to protecting your finances, and your peace of mind.

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.
A 37-year-old Chicago woman was in custody Saturday after Davenport Police say she was involved in quick-change scams in Davenport and throughout the country, Scott County Court documents say.

Chante Stinson (Scott County Jail)

Chante Stinson faces a felony charge of ongoing criminal activity, according to Scott County Court documents.

Shortly before 7 p.m. May 25, Stinson and a co-defendant were located inside Walmart, 3101 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, court records show. They were able to use a quick-change scam on an employee at Walmart. The quick-change scam consists of (the two) approaching a cashier and asking for change. While the cashier begins to remove cash from the drawer the co-defendant begins to ask for more money and ultimately confuses the employee into giving him cash, affidavits show.

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During this incident, the two were able to steal $2,400 from Walmart, according to affidavits, which show Stinson acted as a lookout and they left the store together following the thefts.

They immediately drove to Walmart, 5811 Elmore Ave., Davenport, and were able to use the same quick-change scam on an employee and ultimately stole $747 from that store. They were approached by an officer and they ran out of the store and quickly fled the area, affidavits say.

A check of Walmarts internal theft system revealed the two had 50 total theft incidents at Walmarts around the United States including Texas, California, Washington and New York, These thefts have occurred from February 2023 until May 25, 2025. Affidavits say the pair used the same quick-change scam for a total theft value of $37,842.56 during these 50 thefts.

Affidavits show the co-defendant had previously told a cooperating source that his job is to steal from Walmart and conduct quick change thefts.

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Stinson was being held Saturday on a cash-only bond of $10,000 in Scott County Jail.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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When Rute Freires was told by a doctor that her newborn daughter Tamara wouldn't live long, she started crying uncontrollably.

Tamara had microcephaly - an abnormally small head - one of many conditions resulting from her mother being infected with the Zika virus while pregnant.

Now nine-years-old, Tamara eats through a stomach tube. Her hands are increasingly stiff and contracted and she has a hard time holding her head still.

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"I was told early on that she wouldn't walk, she wouldn't speak nor smile," says Rute.

"And yet I would ask every doctor I visited: 'My kid is going to walk, right?'"

Rute's daughter is one of the nearly 2,000 babies born to women who contracted the mosquito-borne virus in Brazil between 2015 and 2016.

Back then, the country was preparing to host the Olympics and the world watched with concern as the virus spread across Brazil as well as to dozens of other countries.

A public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization and Brazilian authorities, whose warning remained in place until May 2017.

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It's still not clear why the outbreak spontaneously ceased and it hasn't resurged over the past decade.

Zika disappeared from the public eye, and families dealing with its long-lasting consequences have been largely forgotten.

According to government figures, 261 children diagnosed with congenital Zika syndrome - a pattern of birth defects caused by infections during pregnancy - have died. Hundreds more have seen their health conditions deteriorate.

Tamara is one of them. She lives in Maceio, a coastal city in north-eastern Brazil, where 75% of the cases of congenital Zika virus syndrome in the country were registered.

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Scientists still don't have a conclusive explanation of why that region was the most affected.

Rute befriended neighbour Anne Caroline Rosa and her children Moises and Maria [Felix Lima/BBC News Brasil]

Congenital Zika syndrome is characterised by heart problems, joint issues and difficulty co-ordinating chewing and swallowing.

Most of those with it do not go through traditional development milestones like crawling, eating, walking, speaking or potty training.

To deal with the challenges of raising her daughter, Rute joined forces with other affected mothers. She first met them in a support group put together by local health authorities in 2016.

"There were so many kids with the same syndrome as Tamara. We started talking to each other, exchanging information and things finally started to make sense."

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But life was still difficult. A year on, the women felt they weren't getting enough support from local authorities.

So they formed an independent group, with bespoke yellow shirts, to help each other - and demand more.

Moving in together

Many of the mothers had stopped working and were living off state benefits of around $265 (199; 230) per month - the minimum wage.

They found themselves in legal battles against the healthcare system trying to secure surgeries, wheelchairs, medication and baby formula.

Several had been abandoned by their husbands - some of whom have remarried and formed new families.

The founder of the association, Alessandra Hora, says men rarely came to the group.

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"I heard from many women that their husbands felt they were putting being a mother before the role of wife," she tells the BBC.

The women have found new ways of organising their lives.

Alessandra Hora raised her grandson, who has congenital Zika syndrome, after losing her son [Felix Lima/BBC News Brasil]

After making an application to public housing authorities, almost 15 were able to move into the same complex, where they've now lived for five years.

"Our goal was for them to live close to one another so they could help each other - to be the support network that most don't have," says Alessandra.

She started taking care of her grandson Erik, who has congenital Zika syndrome, after her son was murdered in their neighbourhood on the outskirts of Maceio.

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Rute moved to the Zika mothers' housing block after her divorce.

She became close to her neighbours Anne Caroline da Silva Rosa and Lenice Franca, whose children Moises and Enzo also have congenital Zika syndrome.

Lenice Franca, Anne Caroline Rosa and Rute Freires supported each other through the ups and downs of raising children with congenital Zika syndrome [Felix Lima/BBC News Brasil]

Like Tamara, Moises eats through a feeding tube that comes out of his stomach. He can no longer stand, but he manages a faint smile when his little sister Maria covers him in hugs and kisses.

Enzo is one of the few children with Zika-related microcephaly who has more autonomy. After many years in and out of hospitals, the nine-year-old is now able to walk and speak.

Living so close to one another means the mothers have been able to share tips on how to handle their children's complex health conditions. But there have been other benefits too.

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Rute started taking night classes when Anne Caroline and Lenice offered to look after Tamara - meaning she could resume her studies and obtain a high-school degree.

Tamara can neither walk nor speak, as doctors predicted. A few years ago, she couldn't fix her gaze on an object either - but thanks to physical therapy she can now even recognise herself in the mirror.

Her eyes follow her mother everywhere she goes. They usually stare at each other when Rute is cuddling with her on the couch and stroking her long curly hair.

Winning higher compensation

The mothers' decade-long battle for better financial assistance has also paid off.

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In December, Brazil's Congress approved a bill introduced back in 2015 that would see families affected by Zika receive compensation of $8,800, and monthly payments of $1,325 - five times higher than the current allowance.

But President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vetoed the bill, saying its financial implications were unclear. His administration had instead proposed a one-off payment of $10,500.

Experts like Mardjane Lemos, the doctor who diagnosed some of the first cases of Zika-related microcephaly, said this was far from enough.

She argued that state authorities had failed the families on multiple levels - failing to contain the virus and under-compensating affected children for years.

Lenice, with her son Enzo, helped look after Tamara so Rute could resume her education [Felix Lima/BBC News Brasil]

Alagoas state's health department said the virus situation in the region had improved in recent years thanks to their efforts in educating citizens to clear stagnant water and training health surveillance officials.

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They didn't respond to questions about how the state has supported families affected by Zika syndrome.

But ultimately, the mothers were victorious.

President Lula's veto on the bill was overturned and they were told they would receive the full levels of compensation approved in the 2015 bill.

Mysterious drop in cases

Even though the number of Zika cases and births of babies with the syndrome have sharply dropped, a new outbreak is possible as the cause of the decline is still unknown, says Ms Lemos.

"The boom in cases seems to have spontaneously ceased. This leads to the theory that there is some natural immunity. But is that really the case? How long does it last? We do not know," she points out.

A decade on from the outbreak, a lack of research has left many questions unanswered. For example, why was north-eastern Brazil so badly hit, especially poor women there?

One study suggests that it might be related to maternal malnutrition. Another proposes that water contaminated with a bacteria may have produced a nerve-damaging toxin making the effects of the virus on the babies' brains worse.

Mardjane Lemos diagnosed the first cases of microcephaly caused by Zika in the state of Alagoas [Felix Lima/BBC News Brasil]

Congenital brain malformation researcher Patricia Garcez and neuroscientist Stevens Rehen, who led the two projects respectively, have told the BBC they believe the answer may be a combination of these and other factors.

"We know a little more now [about] the environmental factors that may have contributed to the higher prevalence, but we don't fully understand how they have contributed," says Dr Garcez, who teaches at King's College London, highlighting the lack of research as a problem.

This lack of research might have to do with the fact that those affected are predominantly poor, says Ms Lemos.

Despite the uncertainty, winning the battle for compensation has given Rute a new sense of optimism for the future.

"I felt such joy when I heard the news, I wanted to scream," she says.

Now she's aiming to get a qualification in education and a well-paid job. She wants private health insurance for Tamara and dreams of buying a car one day, to take her to medical appointments.

"Some of the mothers thought this day wouldn't come," she adds. "But I didn't give up hope."

More weekend picks
Chinese authorities are limiting state employees overseas travel as part of a larger effort to tighten control over government workers.

Some teachers, doctors, local officials, and government contractors have had to hand over their passports, The New York Times reported, while others who studied abroad have found themselves disqualified from some government jobs.

The rules reflect Beijings growing skepticism toward everything related to foreign countries, one expert said, as well as a push to enforce discipline and ideological loyalty.

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Officials also recently banned alcohol and gourmet meals at state events; the frugality campaign is so strict that investors worry it could have wide economic impacts by dampening consumption.
An expert analyzes how China is responding to a new set of global challenges.

Chinas growing engagement in the Middle Eastheightened by the recent escalation of conflict in Gazahas drawn significant global attention and speculation. Traditionally, Beijings regional strategy has focused on securing long-term economic and energy interests: ensuring access to vital energy resources, safeguarding major international trade corridors, and investing extensively in infrastructure, technology, and energy sectors, particularly in the Persian Gulf.

Yet, despite these strategic imperatives, China continues to pursue a deliberately ambivalent and multidimensional approach toward key regional actors, most notably Iran and Israel. This carefully calibrated posture reflects broader geopolitical shifts, the erosion of US hegemony, and, above all, the mounting instability across the Middle Eastdevelopments that increasingly threaten both regional equilibrium and Chinas own economic security.

A general view of Haifa Port on July 24. (credit: ILAN ROSENBERG/REUTERS)

Energy and strategic interests

Energy security is a central pillar of Chinas strategic outlook. As the worlds largest oil importer, China currently sources around 40% of its oil from the Middle Easta figure expected to double by 2035. This heavy reliance exposes Beijing to acute vulnerabilities should conflict or instability disrupt critical maritime chokepoints such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. These strategic routes also account for roughly 60% of Chinas trade with Europe and Africa, further amplifying the stakes of regional volatility.

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Beyond energy, Chinas broader economic footprint in the regionparticularly through the global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)faces mounting risks. Saudi Arabia, Chinas largest trading partner in the region, exemplifies this accelerating interdependence: their bilateral trade reached $107.53 billion in 2024, underscoring the rapid deepening of their economic ties.

Navigating regional rivalries

Alongside its pursuit of undermining the American regional influence and asserting itself as a stabilizing global power, Beijinglong known for its cautious and natural approachhas recently adopted a more pragmatic, proactive stance in the diplomatic arena. This shift reflects a delicate balancing act and the adaptation of a flexible, well-calibrated strategy, aimed at maximizing the value derived from diverse strategic partnerships while carefully avoiding alienating any particular state or favouring one over another.

Chinas sophisticated manoeuvring between rival actors and competing regional interestsexemplified by its concurrent cooperation with Saudi Arabia, whose Crown Princes global ambitious vision, "Vision 2030," is being advanced in tandem with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This occurs despite its deepening ties with Iran and opposition to its nuclear program and while simultaneously leading diplomatic efforts and negotiations with both the United States and Arab leaders, aimed at promoting a ceasefire and preventing further security escalation in the Middle East.

Furthermore, China draws a clear distinction between declarative rhetoric and operational conduct, as well as between political confrontations and broader systemic interests. These distinctions enable it to uphold the principle of non-interventionavoiding direct political or military involvementwhile simultaneously continuing to lead a critical discourse that includes sharp condemnation of Israel and its military policies, alongside consistent support, on the other hand, for the Palestinian and Iranian positions.

The Israel-Iran conflict: A critical turning point

However, a closer look reveals that the recent direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, which erupted in June, along with US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, has triggered a significant shift in Chinas perception of both actors. This shift is already challenging its previously neutral stance, testing its relationships with regional states and its ability to navigate among them. Moreover, this development increases Chinas dependence on oil powers, intensifying its need to diversify energy sources and alternative trade and supply routes, including diversified engagements with Central Asian states.

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Alongside its commitment to invest approximately $400 billion in the development of critical infrastructure across Iran, including the establishment of logistical corridors and the strengthening of security and economic cooperation as part of the BRI project, Beijing is simultaneously cultivating economic and strategic partnerships with Israel, primarily in the fields of high-tech, innovation, and science.

Recent reports indicate that bilateral trade volume between China and Israel reached $16.27 billion in 2024, compared to $14.56 billion in 2023. Furthermore, in May of this year, Chinese exports to Israel totalled $1.45 billion, while imports from Israel reached $1.7 billionfigures that reflect Israels rising significance in Beijings calculations.

Moreover, alongside efforts to restore Irans military capabilities and renew its missile systems damaged during Israeli and American strikes, Chinahaving for the first time adopted a relatively moderate and conciliatory stance toward Israelsimultaneously directed sharp criticism at the Iranian leadership, accusing it of ideological dogmatism and adherence to an extreme political position.

From Beijings perspective, the conflict with Israel has demonstrated that Iransignificantly weakenedis no longer keeping pace with global developments, and that the so-called Axis of Resistance, including the network of proxies it has cultivated across the Middle East over the years, is gradually fracturing. Senior Chinese scholars have even suggested that the Ayatollah regime, now perceived as teetering on the brink of collapse, no longer serves the strategic interests of Chinas leadership in the region.

Strategic adjustments

Recently, voices in Israel are increasingly calling for a reassessment of relations with China, despite constraints imposed by the United States. This presents an opportunity to adopt a new, pragmatic foreign policy approachone that advances Israels interests in China, across Asia, and more broadly among countries of the Global South. At the same time, it could help integrate China into initiatives aimed at promoting stability in the Middle East, including the future rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip. All of this is especially relevant today, amid mounting global criticism of Israel, the renewal of nuclear talks with Iran, and the unpredictable foreign policy of the President of the United States.

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From a broad geopolitical and strategic perspective, it is already becoming apparent that even a partial or limited shift in Chinas stance toward Israel constitutes an important diplomatic signalone that could eventually lead to a significant strategic turning point. Beyond the inherent advantages of strengthening bilateral ties and expanding Beijings role as a mediator between regional adversaries, deeper Chinese involvement could help restrain Iran or, at the very least, counterbalance its negative influence while reducing the risk of regional security escalation.

In addition, recognition from China could enhance Israels prestige and global imagenot only as a member of the American-Western bloc and a close ally of the United States, but also as a powerful and legitimate actor on the international stage. Strengthening ties between the two countries could lead to diversification and expansion of investments and partnerships in fields such as technology, innovation (AI), agriculture, and healthcare. This would boost Israeli exports to Chinas vast market and help position Israel as a regional power. Furthermore, closer relations and a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could influence other countries in the Global South and improve Israels standing in their eyes.

China's real politics

Looking from a broad Chinese vantage point, it is evident that Chinas diplomatic pivot is a sophisticated and calculated moveanother layer in its global geopolitical strategy. Beyond expanding its political and economic influence in the Middle East, strengthening ties with Israel is expected to help China position itself as a responsible, moderate, and balanced global powerone capable of acting as a potential mediator in other regional and international conflicts (such as the dispute between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, the fight against the Houthis, and the war between Russia and Ukraine).

Through this initiative, China seeks to establish its own network of bilateral and multilateral relationships that will grant it geopolitical flexibility, reduce its dependence on any single country, and enhance its status and image on the international stage.

Although this shift may provoke opposition from Iran and other Muslim countriesas well as Western criticism regarding the disruption of the regional balance of powerthe success of the move largely depends on how China chooses to frame its new policy. If Beijing emphasizes its pragmatic stance and clarifies that it does not aim to create a new regional security order or to replace the United States in the region, it could profoundly reshape the Middle East landscape, contribute to the regional and global geopolitical balance.
OTTUMWA  The present for approximately 200 terminated JBS employees is murky at best. The future could be even more daunting.

Paulina Ocegueda's job is to make it less so, to the best of her ability.

Ocegueda, the vice president of the local chapter of League of United Latin American Citizens, is one of a team of about a dozen members tasked with helping the meat packing plant's former employees, whose work authorizations were revoked by the federal government earlier this month, somehow move on with their lives.

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"I think it's just trying to find a good action plan on what to do next," Ocegueda told the Courier Thursday. "A lot of them right now are trying to find immigration attorneys and nonprofits to help them through that process."

The impacted individuals were part of the CHNV humanitarian parole program for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. They passed background checks, secured sponsorship and came to the country legally. Those in the program were also able to receive work authorizations.

The parole term was initially granted for up to two years; however, rather than extending the program, the Trump administration has moved to end it. As a result, many individuals have had their work authorization revoked and have been instructed to voluntarily leave the country.

The league said the impacted individuals have a wide range of backgrounds. Some were newcomers, others had been in Ottumwa for decades. Now, all of their futures are uncertain.

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"They were doing everything legally," Ocegueda said. "They were doing everything the correct way. You have 200 people that are unemployed and their families struggling. We're already in generational poverty, and this is not going to do us any justice."

The government is paying the terminated employees $1,000 apiece to self-deport back to the four countries; the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the revocations.

After three attempts for comment, JBS USA issued a statement Friday, stating the company will abide by guidance from the federal government, and that "we are focused on hiring team members who are legally authorized to work in the United States." The company also said the terminations have not affected production and those terminated would be eligible for re-hire if circumstances change.

Congressman Zach Nunn, who represents Ottumwa as part of the 3rd Congressional District, criticized the Biden Administration for having no long-term plan for a temporary program.

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"Communities like Ottumwa are left managing the fallout," Nunn said in a statement through his press office Friday. "I've worked directly with JBS to make sure operations remain stable and families are supported, and I'll keep pushing or real immigration reforms that prioritize American jobs and Iowa communities."

A spokesperson for Nunns office said the Biden administrations CHNV parole program overreached beyond the original intent of the program. They argued the Trump administrations recent changes are a course correction and said Nunn is working to support local stability while advocating for a more secure and modern immigration system.

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, on a media conference call Tuesday, said the elimination of the 200 jobs was "significant."

"It sounds like these workers were staying in the United States under temporary protected status," he said. "It's obvious by its name that it's meant to be temporary. I understand the impact these decision (to revoke) can have on local communities."

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Grassley also said his hope is that deportations are targeted toward those who commit crimes, such as trafficking, and those who are on terror watch lists.

Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa's junior Republican senator, did not respond to requests for comment.

The termination of employees affects just about every facet of the community. Many of the immigrants are tax paying residents, homeowners, have started businesses and have children in the school system.

The aspect that has Ocegueda the most concerned is children in the school system.

"School is about to come up again, and that's our biggest fear. How can we protect the children of these families and what are we going to do to help these families out," she said. "It's a big storm for us to handle right now. It's not just the 200 people from JBS, but there are wives and kids involved."

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Ocegueda said many of those affected have been diligent about maintaining their immigration status, consistently renewing their work permits or parole documents. However, no immigration attorney exists in Ottumwa, making the process for renewal complex and costly.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not had raids in Ottumwa as has been seen in other areas in the country, Ocegueda said. However, she did stress the importance of notarizing possessions, and determining where children will stay, should mass deportation efforts begin.

"That should be included in their plan of action, especially with the new temporary protected status group that just came last year or year and a half," Ocegueda said. "But I think a lot of them couldn't take out a mortgage right away because they had to prove about a year of work history. But a lot of them probably have rental homes, or they're in apartments.

"But anyone who has been here 25 or 30 or more years, those are the people that have already established the American dream here," she said. "That's what we're worried about. Everything is planted here, so what are we going to do to help out the people that have been here longer as well?"

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LULAC Ottumwa president Sandra Wirfs said in a press release that immigrants have contributed to an increase in Ottumwa's population since the 1990s, following decades of ebbs and flows in population as a result of plant closures that forced families to relocate.

"The data tells a clear story," she said. "When Ottumwa was losing population year after year, it was immigrant families who chose to invest their futures in our community. They didn't just fill jobs  they revitalized neighborhoods, started businesses and helped stabilize our tax base."

LULAC has worked closely with the nonprofit Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, which offers immigrants a smorgasbord of information ranging from advocacy to know-your-rights information.

"They've been very helpful through this process," Ocegueda said.

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Ocegueda was born in the United States even though both of her parents, who are also U.S. citizens, immigrated from Mexico. The battle for them to become citizens was long and hard.

"My mom was working through her process, and then, up until I was in sixth grade, when I was like 11 or 12, she became a U.S. citizen," she said. "I saw financially how much it was, how much you have to do to become a U.S. citizen, asking 100 questions over and over, when they only asked two at the end of the day.

"But I did see their struggles, as a first-generation daughter, how they built up their life and they now have a great life. They're living the life they should, and I want to see the people that are here now have the privilege to someday do that as well."
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews swiftly mobilized its resources in July to aid persecuted Syrian Druze and Christians facing what some have called a genocide carried out by jihadists in southern Syria.

Syrian-backed forces, including jihadist fighters, launched attacks against Syrian Druze in the southern part of the country, resulting in the murders of at least 1,400 people, including a 35-year-old Syrian American from Oklahoma, Hosam Saraya, who was visiting family in Syria.



"Once we saw what was happening in Sweida, we could not turn a blind eye to it." International Fellowship of Christians and Jews President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein told Fox News Digital.

Who Are The Druze? Religious Group Aids Syrian Members Under Islamist Attack, Israeli Members Offer Support

Syrian security forces walk together along a street after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida July 16, 2025.

Her organization, she noted, had never operated in Syria prior to this year but said her organization "got an urgent call from a hospital from Sweida, and they needed basic medicines, surgical care, ICU medicine and equipment, first responder equipment and masks for morgue workers."

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The Fellowship coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to deliver medicine and equipment to Sweida. Eckstein said her group supplied "retired Israeli ambulances to Syria so the locals can operate them."

The majority Druze city of Sweida was a focal point of the siege executed by Syrian Islamists loyal to new President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, a former member of U.S.-designated terrorist movements, al Qaeda and the Islamic State.

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According to Christian Broadcasting Network, Christians were also targeted. Islamists reportedly murdered Khaled Mazhar, pastor of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church in Sweida, along with 11 family members. An additional person survived the massacre of Christians because the Islamists thought she was dead.

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Who Are The Druze? Religious Group Aids Syrian Members Under Islamist Attack, Israeli Members Offer Support

In July, Israel launched military strikes against the largely Bedouin forces on their way to the southern city of Sweida to stop the massacre. Israel also attacked the Syrian Defense headquarters in Damascus to halt the bloodshed in Sweida. Eckstein added that at least "26 Druze villages were fully burned."

Since Fox News Digitals interview with Eckstein, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at "least 30 villages were damaged by arson and destruction."

Eckstein said the Fellowship first provided aid in Syria in April when Druze in Syria were targeted and killed.

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"When we provided 1.500 food boxes to the Druze within 13 kilometers of Israels borders after the massacre in April, two days later Islamists burned boxes of the Fellowship," Eckstein sid.



Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations. Syria is considered an enemy state because it has launched multiple wars against Israel since the rebirth of the Jewish state in 1948.

Eckstein said the Fellowship is "operating in enemy territory, and Jews and Christians are providing life-saving aid. Islamists dont like it. We would like to see that it is in the Syrian governments interests to receive aid and hope that more goodness will be brought to Syria.

"Now, Jewish people are standing with Christians who are being persecuted in Syria. It is really important to highlight that this is a case of good versus evil and is not just limited to Syria. It is important for Jews and Christians to stand together regarding Judeo-Christian values that sanctify life."

Trump Signs Order Lifting Sanctions On Syria

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Safwan Marich of the Israeli Druze community runs the Fellowships Emergency Response Center and told Fox News Digital that, in the Sweida region, "tyhere is a genocide going on. This needs no further explanation, especially for the Jewish people.

"Once the residents of the deserted village come back, they will understand the magnitude of disaster. Women were kidnapped by jihads, and children were kidnapped and missing."

Marich has been in contact with his fellow Druze in Syria.



"This war is religious in essence," he said. "There is a video of Daesh [Islamic State] going to one of the villages asking, Are you a Druze or Sunni?' And he answered that he is Syrian. He asked him again, so he answered Druze, and he was shot in the middle of the street. It is obvious there is a religious motivation behind this event.

"It is important for me to help the Druze because, first and foremost, I am a Druze. The Druze people are not aggressive and hostile, but they will not sit idly by when they are attacked. We have in the Druze tradition a commandment to help our brothers. To come to aid of Druze community wherever it might be in the world.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not seen) and Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa hold a press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, Feb. 4, 2025.

Marich also noted he is Israeli, and the other day a Druze officer was killed in Gaza. Twelve officers from the Druze community have been killed in Gaza since the war began.

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"They died defending Israel and the Jewish people. We have an expectation that Israeli society will come through and stand by Druze community, and so we can defend our brothers in Syria. The state of Israel cannot afford to have Daesh on its borders and in the Golan Heights."

He pointed to the example of Hamas on the border and its growth as a military danger over the years as a warning about radical Islamists gaining a foothold on the Syrian-Israeli border.





Original article source: Christian-Jewish organization delivers emergency aid to persecuted Syrian minorities under threat
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took a victory lap after throwing a wrench in President Donald Trumps plan to have his latest batch of cabinet nominees confirmed before the upper house takes a month-long recess.

Jumping on the Jet2 holiday meme trendin which social media users ironically share lifes flubs and fails using the travel providers audio ad as a soundtrackSchumer shared a gif of Trump stumbling up the stairs to Air Force One on X with the caption, Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday!

Schumers barb comes after the MAGA figurehead launched a Saturday evening attack on the senior New York senator, accusing him of political extortion.

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NPR reported that the Senate held a rare weekend session as Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Schumer traded deals on nominations and appropriations bills back and forth from Friday into Saturday to move Trumps roughly two dozen cabinet nominees forward before recess.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune spent Friday and Saturday negotiating with Schumer on nominations and appropriations bills. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Although the Senate moved seven nominees on deck for discussion, only two made it across the finish line, according to a report from The Hill: Fox News mainstay and Trump evangelist Jeanine Pirro was confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and former Rep. Marc Molinaro will lead the Federal Transit Administration.

Schumer gloated, Trump got nothing, in a tweet.

Democrats stood strong, and Donald Trump got nothing. pic.twitter.com/BFtjzOWIi5  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 3, 2025

Schumers sticking point was reportedly over an attempt to claw back billions of dollars in foreign aid funding for the National Institutes of Health, and it was news of those terms that seemingly sparked Trumps ire on Truth Social.

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Senator Cryin Chuck Schumer is demanding over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees, who should right now be helping to run our Country, Trump wrote in the Saturday post. This demand is egregious and unprecedented, and would be embarrassing to the Republican Party if it were accepted.

Trump added that the deal amounted to political extortion, by any other name and told Schumer to go to hell.

He wrote, Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the Radical Left Lunatics, to GO TO HELL! Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country. Have a great RECESS and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

Schumers last-minute gambit has reportedly galvanized Senate Republicans to consider changing the rules around how much time can be spent considering nominees.

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Schumer called the discussion of such a change a mistake.

The Daily Beast has contacted Senate Majority Leader Thune and Minority Leader Schumer for more information about the implications of such a change. The Daily Beast has also reached out to the White House over Schumers remark.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Portland and Multnomah County leaders met recently to reveal the next steps in their homelessness response plan.

Ending unsheltered homelessness by the end of the year is a priority for Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, despite budget pressures at both the county and the city.

Lance Orton is Executive Director of CityTeam Portland, a nonprofit that offers shelter, housing and recovery services in the city. Orton is also on the board of Mayor Wilsons public-private initiative, Shelter Portland.

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Orton joined Eye on Northwest Politics to detail how CityTeam is a part of the solution to unsheltered homelessness, as well as why this particular cause is personal to him.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Aug. 3Normally, a Saturday morning on Normal Hill in Lewiston is pretty quiet, but this weekend it was filled with an abnormal amount of people on the hunt for yard-sale treasures.

Close to 40 homes participated in the Normal Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale, which was launched in 2019. From stuffed animals to antiques, the sales offered a wide variety of items for people to peruse.

Alexis Doramus, 26, of Genesee, said the neighborhood event is not only an opportunity to snag a good buy. For many, it's a social outing and an entertaining way to spend a Saturday morning.

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"This is our first year coming to this," Doramus said. "It's hot, but it's fun to get out of the house and hang out with my family and friends. I found a really cute rug for my laundry room for $10."

With kids in tow, Doramus browsed the merchandise with her sister, who lives in Nampa, and her best friend, who is visiting from Texas.

"I love the small-town community atmosphere here, compared to Dallas," said Marilee Compher, 26. "It's fun to people-watch and see what everyone has for sale. We saw some rather unique T-shirts down the street."

Laura Mannlein, 58, of Clarkston, was one of the vendors who had tables of wares set up beneath a canopy. As a Costco employee, she's used to working in sales and doesn't get flustered by large groups of shoppers. Her only pet peeve at yard sales are people who argue over the already low prices of speciality items, such as fishing poles and tools.

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"I don't like wheeling and dealing as soon as we open," Mannlein said. "This is my second year at this sale, and I see everyone I know here. It's really neat that the community gets together for something like this."

Cathleen Blevins, 60, said this is probably the last year she'll participate in the sale. After she clears out a garage filled with her mom's antiques, her yard sale days are coming to an end.

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"I'm not leaving my children the hoarding mess my mother left me," Blevins said. "My kids don't want china, silverware and all of that stuff. It's a different generation now. They don't like the antiquey stuff."

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Jessica VonBargen, 34, of Lewiston, brought her two elementary aged girls to help find keepsakes.

"For me, this is about getting out and about with my girls," VonBargen said. "I enjoy meeting new people at yard sales. We found lots of books and educational materials."

Denise Walk, 65, of Lewiston, worked the cash box at Trinity Lutheran Church, where tables were filled with clothing, household items and toys. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Union Gospel Mission.

As shoppers left the church, Walk offered them a Bible verse and a smile.

"I always worry every year that we won't have enough to sell, and then I see it all and wonder what I was worried about," Walk said.

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The Normal Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale marked its sixth anniversary Saturday. It was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but has been a big hit every year since it resumed.

The annual event is organized by Sarah Baney, who encourages her fellow residents of the Normal Hill neighborhood to hold yard sales at their own houses on the assigned date. She is married to Matt Baney, managing editor of the Lewiston Tribune.

This year, 37 households took part in the sale. Most planned to do it one day, but a few said they'll be back in action today.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was quick to hit back at Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) after he questioned why she was wearing a hijab in a photo posted to X.

The image, which shows Hochul sitting next to New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a mosque, was originally posted by an anonymous conservative account with the caption, Why in TF is the Governor of New York wearing a fcking hijab?!

Cruz then reposted it, adding his own biting commentary of Um, wut? On Saturday night, Hochul responded to Cruzs question with a concise explanation, writing, I wore a headscarf to honor a fallen Muslim NYPD officer at his funeral. Respecting a grieving familys faith is wut leaders and anyone with basic decency would do.

I wore a headscarf to honor a fallen Muslim NYPD officer at his funeral.Respecting a grieving familys faith is wut leaders and anyone with basic decency would do. https://t.co/3fKOCdSnim  Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 2, 2025

Some users on X were quick to point out that Cruz is no stranger to accommodating religious customs while visiting a place of worship, with fact checkers adding a note to the post linking an example of Cruz wearing a yarmulke while visiting the Jewish Center of Brighton Beach during his 2016 presidential campaign.

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Hochul was attending the funeral of murdered NYPD officer Detective Didarul Islam, who was killed in the deadly Midtown office shooting earlier this week. Hochul and Adams both spoke at the funeral, while other politicians, including former governor Andrew Cuomo and his fellow New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa, were also in attendance.

Tonight, our city is reeling and four innocent families are mourning, including the family of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam who was killed at 345 Park Avenue.



He represented the best of New York City, an immigrant from Bangladesh who put on a uniform to protect and serve us all.  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 29, 2025

Hochul told mourners, The residents of this city and indeed this state must show greater platitudes and gratitude toward our police force. They have not received enough in years of late, in my opinion, and that must be rectified, adding, They need our support.

Ted Cruz pictured in a yarmulke while visiting the a Brighton Beach, NY Jewish community center in 2016. / Pacific Press / LightRocket via Getty Images

Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, worked in the 47th precinct in the Bronx, and had two children, with a third on the way. Adams described him as a true blue New Yorker, who was a hero for putting his life on the line.

The Daily Beast has reached out to Cruz for comment.
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD)  The Coast Guard Festival parade brought thousands out to the streets of Grand Haven, giving locals and visitors a chance to celebrate the community and honor the Coast Guards service.

The Coast Guard festival is such a draw, said Cindy Pravda, who has been coming to the Coast Guard Festival for as long as she can remember. All the concerts every night, the craft show. This is a special time of the year.

She arrived hours early with her step father, ensuring they could get a good parking spot and view. She sat with her family on a friends lawn yards away from the beginning of the parade route. She says its the best spot in town.

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All the kids have all the candy because they get rid of other candy before they get to the end of the parade so everybody wants to sit here, she laughed.

For her, the highlights are the helicopter flyovers and the clown band  a tradition she says never changes.

Clown band is always a tradition and we usually stand up and dance as they go by, she said. Also, when those helicopters go by, Im out there waving. I dont know if they can see me, but were all out here waving.

Just a few chairs down, her step-dad Jon Scheltema watched the whole parade. Hes been coming since 2000 and even at 100 years old, he doesnt miss it.

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You get to see a whole lot of different people and its getting more every time, he said.

Scheltema was in the National Guard in Grand Haven, which he says, makes this parade especially special.

Grand Haven residents Liz Boeve and Aimee Crowell have come back every year since they were children.

We spend the whole day here, said Liz Boeve. We love it. We love Grand Haven Every year it is like a beautiful sunny day like today and so many people come out here and were just proud to be here. Were proud of our community and the fact that others come to celebrate with us.

While some have made coming to the Coast Guard Festival a tradition, others have just started. First-timer Kurt Kranz took in the parade from the front row and says the support for the Coast Guard is clear.

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Its very important, he said. The importance of this whole thing is the lives that were sacrificed by the coast guard individuals It makes me feel great to see the amount of people who come out to this parade, the memorial services, and all of that. If those people hadnt sacrificed their lives, we probably wouldnt be doing this today.

The celebration stirred emotion and filled the city with gratitude.

Everything is so breathtaking and it gets to you, said Pravda. It does. It gets you in your heart.

In its 101st year, the Coast Guard Festival parade continues to honor service and bring Grand Haven together.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Coca-Cola Vietnam is switching to new pallets, according to local outlet Tuoi Tre News.

The NetZero Pallet is reportedly made from agricultural waste and is considered a significant step toward replacing conventional pallets, which are commonly used in the storage and transportation of consumer goods. The production and discarding of conventional versions can be damaging to the environment.

The new pallets, produced by AirX Carbon in Vietnam, are being piloted locally in Coca-Cola's automated warehouse system.

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The agricultural waste utilized in their production includes coconut fiber and coffee husks. This is designed to replace wood, plastic, and other toxic materials traditionally used in pallet manufacturing and could also support local farmers.

AirX Carbon estimates that creating 60 million of the new pallets could save 10 million trees, recycle two million metric tons of agricultural residue, and capture up to seven million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

As Tuoi Tre News explained in early July, the new pallets are "certified as an effective carbon-capture solution," with each "[sequestering] up to 34 kilograms of carbon dioxide."

Capturing this type of heat-trapping pollution can help mitigate rising global temperatures, with the potential to address numerous climate-related issues, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

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This material shift from Coca-Cola is another in the company's efforts to become more environmentally friendly.

As one of the world's leading producers of branded plastic waste and amid accusations of greenwashing, the multinational corporation still has a long way to go. But it and other multibillion-dollar businesses are making some strides toward a more sustainable future, demonstrating that it can be done and potentially inspiring further change.

Indeed, AirX Carbon has indicated that other companies in the region may be interested in the alternative pallets. With organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme reportedly involved, wider adoption of the new product may become increasingly feasible.

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.




High ozone levels mean August 4 will be a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware.

A Code Orange alert is issued when the air quality forecast is at a level unhealthy for sensitive groups. Those groups include young children, the elderly and those with heart and/or respiratory conditions. Members of such groups should limit outdoor activities on Aug. 4, especially those that require a high level of exertion.

The color, which indicates the concern level, of an alert is determined by the Air Quality Index, which measures five major air pollutants, including ozone and particulate matter. (See graphics for details on each color.)

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On Aug. 4, mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the upper 80s will "enhance" ozone formation, a Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ozone alert said, while light winds will allow pollutants to accumulate, especially in northern Delaware.

The values for DNREC's Air Quality Index are determined by measuring five major pollutants, including ground-level ozone and airborne particulates.

Air quality on Aug. 5 is expected to be similar.

"Easterly to east-southeasterly winds during the afternoon will recirculate thin-density wildfire smoke into the state. Additionally, periods of sunshine and temperatures in the upper-80s will continue to promote ozone development," the alert said.

Environment: Delaware lawmakers consider bill cracking down on state's biggest environmental polluters

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On Wednesday, changes in wind direction and intensity are expected to lower the AQI level, according to the alert.

This marks Delaware's fifth Code Orange Air Quality Action Day this year. You can view current Delaware air monitoring data at de.gov/airdata.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Aug. 4 is Code Orange air quality day in Delaware
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Town of Collierville says road closures around Collierville High School will cause major traffic backups as school goes back in session next week.

The school district is responding by staggering students in hybrid-learning schedules the first two days of the year.

Shelby Drive is closed for a road-widening project by TDOT, from Collierville High School to U.S. 72. That project is expected to last until late this year.

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This closure is expected to cause significant traffic issues, especially with the start of the school year, the town said. Collierville High School (CHS) students, who attend from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, will be particularly affected by the morning rush hour.

Meanwhile, Sycamore Road between Highway 72 and Shelby Drive will also be closed until August 11, for a project that is being managed by a private developer.

In response, the Collierville school district announced Saturday that Collierville High School will operate on a hybrid schedule for the first two days of school.

On Thursday, Aug. 7, Juniors and Seniors will attend school in person. Freshmen and Sophomores will participate in asynchronous virtual learning from home.

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On Friday, Aug. 8: Freshmen and Sophomores will attend school in person.

Juniors and Seniors will participate in asynchronous virtual learning from 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 WREG.com.
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  A southern Illinois community is coming together to support a man injured in an explosion.

Randy Grimes was seriously injured after an explosion at an oil rig last week in Edwards County. Two other people were also hurt.

A fundraiser was held to help Grimes and his family as he recovers. Pork chops and hot dogs were sold to help raise money.

I asked my wife about it on Monday, and by that night, we made it all happen. We sold about 400 pork burgers, 200 to 225 pork chops and 100 hot dogs, said event organizer Bud Anthis.

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Donations to the Grimes family can also be made to First Mid Bank and Trust in Mount Carmel and Carmi.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Dozens of veterans came together Saturday to honor one of the last losses of Naval life during World War II. On August 6, 1945, the USS Bullhead was bombed by a Japanese plane, killing 84 men on board.

This week marks 80 years since the sinking of the ship. Vets say they are honored to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

31 veterans welcomed back to New Mexico after life-changing trip to Washington DC

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The thing is, is that no one is lost or forgotten until you do forget them, and were not going to forget them, says Base Commander Daniel Rose, of the Bullhead Bay Submarine Veterans group. Were going to keep their spirit alive.

The sinking of the USS Bullhead took place the same day the US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WORCESTER  Music, food, arts and crafts and a message of community unity. Those were some of the highlights of this year's Worcester African Festival.

In its third year, the event Saturday, Aug. 2 on the Worcester Common was expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors. They heard rhythmic music from the main stage, smelled the native dishes wafting in the air and witnessed the colorful African attire worn by many of the roughly 70 vendors and some of the visitors.

"This is a celebration of culture, togetherness and unity," said Jermoh Kamara, president of the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants, which organized the festival. The organization is a coalition of volunteers from African nations living in Worcester who support socioeconomic, political and educational opportunities for the African diaspora.

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Kamara noted a determination to hold this year's festival, despite the current political climate that includes the Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants. That development was cited as one reason by the organizers of the Latin American Festival for canceling this summer's event.

That wasn't an option for the African Festival, said Kamara. "The community chose how to lead with joy, unity and togetherness, and not have fear."

If there was any fear, it wasn't readily apparent because visitors and vendors freely mingled and celebrated friendship and African culture.

Amadou Kane brought his handmade African carvings and baskets to the festival. Kane owns Butu International in Brockton and immigrated to the U.S. 30 years ago from Senegal. While he organized a few kalabash, a circular wallet made of leather, that he sold, Worcester resident Christine Fallstrom had her eyes of one of Kane's colorful baskets.

Amadu Kane, owner of Butu International, held one of his items for sale, a kalabash, which he said is a kind of circular leather wallet.

"I came here for the baskets," she said. She bought one, but there was more that drew her to the festival. "I love the food, I love the multicultural atmosphere and I love that Worcester is hosting this. It's great for the community."

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While listening to the sounds from the main stage, Magdalene Kamau of Dudley took some time during her lunch break from work to enjoy fried plantains sold by one of the vendors. Kamau arrived in the U.S. 20 years ago from Kenya and proudly showed off her beaded bracelet with the word "Kenya" embroidered in the jewelry.

"I feel I belong here," said Kamau to explain her motivation for attending the festival.

Nearby, a visitor stopped by where TamBo's Kitchen was selling African foods and was persuaded to try a tomato-based rice dish called jollof. A staffer said the dish originated in Senegal and became mainstream in Nigeria.

Mary Oyomire ladled out scoops of jollof, wearing a distinctive purple dress that she made in Nigeria. A co-worker described the garment with two words: Adire, which is a type of material and pattern, and abaya, for the style of Oyomire's dress.

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It was a family affair for some of the vendors. Anna Aduayi helped her parents transport their African clothing from Providence to sell at the festival. Aduayi's parents emigrated from Nigeria and their daughter was born in the U.S. "It's being in this surrounding and knowing we can come together as one," she said of why she was at the festival.

Victor Aduayi and his daughter, Anna, sold tailor-made clothing made in Nigeria at the Worcester African Festival.

It wasn't easy for Mussa Kromah to escape from his duties as a grandfather to mingle with other visitors because he was tethered to a stroller, where inside his 6-month-old granddaughter was in a deep sleep. Kromah grew up in Liberia, lived in the Ivory Coast and immigrated to Worcester in 2003.

Being a grandfather came first, but Kromah was going to find time to rub elbows with other festivalgoers. "I want to make friends here. I want to meet strangers from different cultures that I've never met before."

Maybe he had the chance to meet author Kiki Yaw Sarpong, who lives in Boston, grew up in Senegal and arrived in the U.S. a dozen years ago. Sarpong was at a booth selling his short story, "Emergence," a fictitious account of an investigative journalist who is trying to uncover what caused a mass extinction of people living in Liberia.

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Besides selling his work, Sarpong said it was important to be at the festival to have African authors represented in Worcester and beyond. "I want our stories told. It's important to have representation."

The festival recognized two Worcester organizations with special awards. African Community Education, which helps refugee and immigrant youth and families reach educational and social stability, was named the 2025 African Organization of the Year. The second award went to the Nigerian Amercian Association, recognized as the 2025 African Ethnic Organization of the Year.

Besides the festival, the day included a planned after-hours party at the Lara Lounge on Lincoln Street.

In between her duties to keep the festival running smoothly, Kamara made it clear the day was about more than supporting the African diaspora. It was a show of unity for all.

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"This is a celebration of unity. Of economic development not just for African businesses, but also for Black and brown vendors...it's a celebration for everybody, for all of our brothers and sisters."

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester African Festival embraces community, unity
Wind turbines have always generated power. Now, thanks to a new technology, they can also work together to generate more of it without having to build anything new.



According to Renewable Energy Magazine, independent energy expert DNV has completed a landmark joint industry project that proves wind farm flow control can significantly increase the efficiency and output of wind farms. By adjusting the positioning and settings of individual turbines in coordination with one another, the technology reduces turbulence, improves airflow, and captures more energy from the same wind.

"This collaboration has elevated wind farm flow control from a promising concept to a credible solution for improving operational efficiency," Ditlev Engel, CEO of Energy Systems at DNV, said, per Renewable Energy Magazine.

The project brought together 20 companies, including developers, utilities, and manufacturers, to analyze the largest-ever dataset on WFC. Using DNV's LongSim software, the team modeled real-world conditions and found measurable performance gains. Perhaps most importantly, the results showed that existing wind farms can adopt the technology without major retrofits.



The group also reached industry-wide agreement on how to measure and model these gains, a rare outcome that could accelerate adoption across the sector.

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"The involvement of so many players in this JIP underscores the sector's commitment to maximizing wind asset performance through innovation," Astrid Rusas Kristoffersen, director of R&D at DNV, said, per Renewable Energy Magazine.

By helping wind farms produce more power from the same footprint, WFFC could bring down costs for energy providers and consumers alike. It also adds flexibility to the grid and reduces the need for fossil fuel backup, advancing both energy security and climate goals.



The tech builds on a wave of clean energy momentum (potentially creating even more jobs), including offshore wind projects in Maryland and high-capacity farms in Texas that are already reshaping how the U.S. powers its homes and businesses.

If you're looking to lower your own electricity bill, installing solar panels is one of the most effective tools available. It can bring energy costs close to zero. EnergySage offers a free service that helps homeowners compare quotes from vetted local installers and save up to $10,000.

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.
CLINTON, Miss. (WJTV)  For decades, one Christian child sponsor organization has worked to release children from poverty.

On Saturday, Compassion International made a stop at Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton. The organization works to help children in 29 different countries. They offer an immersive experience that allows people to see the different environments of the children they help.

We can walk through the life of a child in extreme poverty, hear how their lives were changed from growing up in extreme poverty to now being adults that have been freed from poverty and are serving children all over the world themselves, explained Joshua Farmer, a church partner representative with Compassion International.

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The organization travels to a different location around the country every week to inspire and have others sponsor children who are less fortunate.

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Jessica Carter is tired of being resilient.

After her brother, Richard Ware, 48, was stabbed to death outside a Los Feliz homeless shelter last month, it fell to her to hold their extended family together.

Just eight months prior, another relative  her 36-year-old nephew, Jesse Darjean  was gunned down around the block from his childhood home in Compton. His slaying remains unsolved.

Across L.A. County and around the country, murder rates are falling to lows not seen since the late 1960s. Yet clearance rates  a measure of how often police solve cases  have remained relatively steady. In other words: Even with fewer homicides to investigate, authorities have been unable to bring more murderers to justice. Police data show killings of Black and Latino people are still less likely to be solved than those of white or Asian victims.

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Carter's hometown of Compton is still crawling out from under its reputation as a national epicenter for gang violence. But for all of its continued struggles, violent crime  especially killings  has plummeted. When the gang wars peaked in 1991, there were 87 homicides. Last year, there were 18, including Darjean's fatal shooting on Oct. 24.

The way Carter sees it, the killers who took her brother and nephew are both getting away with it  but for different reasons. In Darjean's shooting, there are no known suspects, witnesses or motive. But the man who stabbed Ware is known to authorities. The L.A. County district attorney's office declined to file charges against him, finding evidence of self-defense, according to a memo released to The Times.

Ware's sister and other relatives dispute the D.A.'s decision, claiming authorities have failed to fully investigate.

"The system failed him," Carter said.

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In the absence of arrests and charges, Carter and her family have simmered with rage, grief and frustration. With digital footprints, DNA testing and more resources than ever available to police, how is it that the people who took their loved ones are still walking free?

Jessica Carter, right, lights candles on the sidewalk to memorialize her brother, Richard Ware, who was stabbed to death outside a nearby homeless shelter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In Darjean's case, the investigation is led by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, which has patrolled Compton since 2000, when the city disbanded its own Police Department. Leads appear to be scarce. His body was found in the back seat of his car, which had been riddled with bullets. A father of three, he had just gotten home late at night from one of his jobs as a security guard.

To Sherrina Lewis, his mother, it seemed the world was quick to forget and move on. News outlets largely ignored the shooting. Social media sensationalized it. She couldn't resist reading some of the comments online, speculating about whether her son was killed by someone he knew or because of his race or a gang affiliation.

But, Darjean was no gangster, she says. True, there had been rumors around the neighborhood about escalating conflict between the Cedar Block Pirus, a Black gang, and their Latino rivals. But if anything, Lewis said, her son was targeted in a classic case of wrong place, wrong time.

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When homicide detectives began knocking on doors for answers, her former neighbors claimed not to have seen anything. For Lewis, it felt like betrayal  many of those neighbors had watched Darjean grow up with their kids.

Each and every day I have to ask God to lift the hardness in my heart, because Im angry, Lewis said. Theyre not gonna make my son no cold case, I promise you that.

Lewis nearly lost Darjean once before, at the moment of his birth.

He and his twin brother were born three months early, and doctors warned that Darjean was the less likely of the two to survive. He suffered from respiratory problems, which left him dependent on a breathing machine. The prognosis was bleak.

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Doctors asked her for a name for his death certificate in case he died en route to a hospital in Long Beach. Picking Jesse on the spot was agony, she said. In the end, Darjean was the twin who survived.

Shy as a child, he had grown up to be outgoing and witty, a person who loved to cook soul food and make dance videos with his sister and post them on Instagram. While his siblings all moved away as they got older, Darjean insisted on staying put. Compton was home, through and through, he used to tell his mother. He wasnt blind to the gang violence, but he came to know a different side of the city, one that represented Black joy and resilience  a side he saw captured in Kendrick Lamars music video for the Grammy-winning Not Like Us.

When his niece ran for Miss Teen Compton, Darjean advocated on her behalf by taking out a full-page ad in the local newspaper that proclaimed: "Compton is the best city on Earth.

But Darjean knew the pain of losing loved ones. His friend Montae Talbert was killed late one night in 2011 in a drive-by shooting outside an Inglewood liquor store. Talbert, known as M-Bone, was a member of the rap group Cali Swag District, the group behind the viral rap dance the "Dougie."

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Around the same time, the mother of Darjean's oldest daughter was gunned down in Compton. A few years later, another uncle, Terry Carter, a businessman who built classic lowrider cars and started a record label with Ice Cube, was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by rap impresario Marion Suge Knight.

After Darjean's funeral, which Lewis said drew more than 1,000 people, she returned to the scene of the shooting: Brazil Street, right off Wilmington Avenue, on a modest block of stucco and wood-frame homes.

With the bravado of an angry, grieving mother, she began going door-to-door in her old neighborhood, seeking answers. She wanted to show anyone who was watching that she wouldn't be intimidated into silence.

When she confronted one of Darjeans close childhood friends about what happened, he swore he didnt know anything. She didnt believe him.

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He just broke down crying. I can tell it was eating him up, Lewis said.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department did not respond to multiple inquires about Darjean's case.

On some level, Lewis understands the hesitancy. Fear of gang retaliation and distrust of law enforcement still hangs over the west Compton neighborhood. After raising her six children there, in 2006 she sold their family home of 50 years and moved to Palmdale because she didn't want her "kids to become accustomed to death." For her, she said, the final straw was the discovery of a body "propped up" on her neighbor's fence.

Like generations of Black women before her, Lewis is faced with enormous pressure to carry their family's burden. Possessing a superhuman-like will to overcome adversity is celebrated by society with terms such as Black Girl Magic and Strong Black Woman, said Keisha Bentley-Edwards, an associate professor of medicine at Duke University. But such unrealistic expectations not only strip Black women of their innocence from an early age, but also contribute to higher pregnancy-related death rates and other bad health outcomes, she said.

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"A lot of times people expect Black women to take care of it," Bentley-Edwards said in an interview. Instead of romanticizing the struggle, she said, there should be tangible support like housing or employment and other resources.

But experts say safety nets are at risk, particularly after the Trump administration in April terminated roughly $811 million in public safety grants for L.A. and other major cities. As a result, federal funds for victim services programs, which offer counseling and other resources, have been slashed.

Lewis never thought she'd be in a position to need such help.

The funny thing is, were from Compton born and raised, but we were not a statistic until my son was murdered," she said. "My kids had a two-parent household. We both had jobs. We werent doing welfare: I worked every day.

Months of waiting on an arrest in Darjean's death led Carter, his aunt, into a "dark place." She ended up taking a spiritual retreat into the mountains of Nigeria.

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She was still working through the feelings of anger and guilt when she learned her brother, Ware, had been fatally stabbed on July 5.

She described the days and weeks that followed as a teary blur. Coming from a family of nurses taught her how to push aside her own grief and forge on, but she was left wondering how much more she could endure.

Ware, who went by Duke, was his family's unofficial historian, setting out to map out their sprawling Portuguese and Creole roots and scouring the internet for long-lost relatives. He used to brag all the time about his daughter, who had graduated from nursing school and moved back to the L.A. area to work at a pediatric intensive care unit on the Westside. He used to joke that for all of his shortcomings as a father, he had at least gotten one thing right.

In recent months, though, Ware's life had started to spiral. His diabetes had gotten worse, and a back injury left him unable to continue in his job as a long-haul truck driver. Relatives worried he was hiding a drug addiction from them.

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He had adopted a bull mastiff puppy named Nala. She used to follow him everywhere, usually trotting a few steps behind without a leash. Even when he was having trouble making ends meet, he always "spoiled her," his family said.

For a few months, he lived out of a van one of his sisters bought for him. He then landed at a shelter, a hangar-style structure on the edge of Griffith Park. He and Nala were kicked out after a short time, but he still frequented the area, and it's where L.A. County authorities said the fight that ended in his killing began.

Prosecutors said in a memo that surveillance video showed Ware and his dog chasing another man into a parking lot across the street from the shelter. The two men, the D.A.'s memo said, had been involved in an ongoing dispute, possibly over a woman.

Friends, family and supporters of Richard Ware gather near the shelter where he was stabbed to death. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

According to the memo, the man said he'd been carrying a knife because of a previous altercation in which Ware ordered his dog to attack. On the day of the stabbing, the man said, Ware had shown up with Nala at the shelter, looking for a confrontation.

After the fight, responding officers found Ware suffering from a deep wound to his chest, Nala with several lacerations and the suspect hiding in a nearby porta-potty. His clothes had been torn off, and he was bleeding profusely from several severe dog bites, the memo said. Prosecutors said witnesses corroborated the man's story that Ware had been the aggressor, in addition to the video footage.

Ware's family says that account contradicts what they heard from other residents, who claimed Ware was the one defending himself after the other man attacked him with a vodka bottle. In the meantime, they are working to secure Nala's release from the pound, where she has been nursing her injuries.

On July 8, Carter organized a candlelight vigil for her brother outside the shelter where the killing happened. That morning, she said, she cried in the shower before steeling herself so she could run out to a Dollar Tree store to pick up some balloons.

When she got to the vigil, Lewis made her way around, greeting the swarm of relatives holding homemade signs and chanting Ware's name. After a final prayer, the group released balloons, most of which floated upward with the evening's lazy breeze. Some, though, got caught in the branches of a large tree nearby.

A smile finally crossed Carter's face as she pointed up to them. She took it as a sign from Ware, as though he was saying a last goodbye before he departed to heaven.

"He's trying to hang on," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TUCUMCARI, N.M. (KRQE)  More information has come out about a man who drowned at Conchas Lake in late July. New Mexico State Police confirmed that the victim has been identified as 36-year-old Martin Gutierrez.

Story continues below

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Gutierrez was from Santa Fe. Officials are still investigating the cause of the drowning.

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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.
Freeze!

A Connecticut police department has a sweet new ride  a customized ice cream truck paid for by the sale of legal weed.

Tax money from Danburys two cannabis dispensaries funded the $37,000 purchase of a copsicle truck for use in community relations and other public events.

The ice cream, including Bomb Pops, Chipwich sandwiches, and Klondike bars, is all donated by residents or area businesses, and good-humored cops recently handed out the treats at two local summer camps.

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The campers were thrilled to meet the police officers and, of course, enjoy the free ice cream, said Susan Hitchcock, Site Director for Danbury Summer Camp. It was a great treat; our staff and our campers were appreciative that the copsicle truck came to visit.

Tax money from cannabis dispensaries funded the purchase of a copsicle truck in Danbury. City of Danbury

Alex Relyea, a sergeant in the Danbury PDs community services division, was inspired last year while vacationing on New Hampshires Lake Winnipesaukee when he learned of a cool new ride in nearby Barnstead, the brainchild of its chief of police Paul Poirier.

The whole ride back, I kept thinking that I had to get an ice cream truck for Danbury, said Relyea, 39.

I convinced the mayor to give us the money.

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Its an opportunity to build on community policing and to show kids that the police are here, theyre your friends and they want to help you, said Mayor Roberto Alves.

I want to grow our police department to keep our community safe, but cops do so much more than that.

The ice cream is donated by residents or area businesses. City of Danbury

Relyea reached out to Poirier, a nearly 40-year veteran of law enforcement, who

created the first copsicle truck in 2022.

He has since started a small-business retrofitting ice cream trucks, sometimes even rehabbing 50-year-old junkers into police vehicles.

To see all the negativity thats out there around law enforcement, I just knew that something like this would put us in a good light, Poirier said.

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These trucks build bridges in the community, thats why I did it.

The truck will be used after summer ends. City of Danbury

Danburys copsicle truck wont be frozen out once summer ends.

My phone is ringing off the hook with people who want to see the truck and businesses who want to donate, Relyea said.

I mean, who doesnt like ice cream?
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  On Monday, the Ute Water Conservancy District will start construction of the Monument Valley Pump Station Project in the Redlands area, which will close a section of South Camp Road between Buffalo Drive and Canyon Rim Drive.

A map that showcases the detours for the area during construction of the Monument Valley Pump Station Construction Project. (Courtesy Ute Water Conservancy District).

The road is anticipated to reopen on Wednesday with modified traffic patterns in the area until the project is completed.

Any access to residences will be maintained at all times.

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Power outages may occur in the area during the project construction to ensure the safety of individuals working on the project and connecting additional water lines to the Districts current system. Customers will be contacted through reverse notifications if they are affected. To ensure that contact information is updated, individuals are recommended to contact the District.

The Monument Valley Pump Station Project will install a new pump station and water line to improve the Districts distribution system operations in the area.

More information about the project or planned outages can be found at www.utewater.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The U.S. has been waffling for decades over whether women have a right to refugee protection when fleeing gender-based violence. Under different administrations, the Department of Justice has established and reversed precedents, issued and repealed rulings. But the latest flip-flop by the Trump administration is not just another toggle between rules.

In July, the Trump administrations high court of immigration, the Board of Immigration Appeals, issued a deeply troubling decision . The ruling held that a particular social group  one of the five grounds for refugee protection  cannot be defined by gender, or by gender combined with nationality. The ruling, in a case known as Matter of K-E-S-G- , is binding on all adjudicators across the country.

The legal reasoning is both unpersuasive and alarming. It seeks to return refugee law to an era when violence against women was dismissed as a private matter, not of concern to governments or human rights institutions. It is part of a broader, ongoing assault by the Trump administration on womens rights and immigrant rights  in this case, attempting to turn back history to 1992.

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It was in 1993, at the Vienna Conference on Human Rights , when the catchphrase womens rights are human rights gained global prominence. This was a response to the long-standing focus on the violation of civil and political rights by governments, while much of the violence against women was committed by nonstate actors. Women and girls fleeing gender-based violence were considered outside the bounds of protection. But the Vienna Conference marked a turning point, leading to transformative change in how governments and international bodies addressed gender-based violence  because much of the violence in this world is targeted at women. Laws and policies were adopted worldwide to advance womens rights, including for those seeking refugee protection.

Under international and U.S. law , a refugee is someone with a well-founded fear of persecution linked to that persons race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, which are commonly referred to as the protected grounds. Gender is not explicitly listed, and as a result, women fleeing gender-based forms of persecution, such as honor killings, female genital cutting, sexual slavery or domestic violence, were often denied protection, with their risk wrongly categorized as personal or private, and not connected to one of the protected grounds.

To address the misconception that women are outside the ambit of refugee protection, beginning in 1985 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees issued a series of guidance documents explaining that although gender is not listed as a protected ground, women could often be considered a particular social group within a country. The organization called on countries that were parties to the international refugee treaty  the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol  to issue guidance for their adjudicators to recognize the ways in which gender-based claims could meet the refugee definition.

The United States was among the first to respond to the call. In 1995, the Department of Justice issued a document instructing asylum officers to consider the evolving understanding of womens rights as human rights. The following year, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a watershed decision , granting asylum to a young woman fleeing genital cutting. The court recognized that claims of gender-based violence could qualify under the particular social group category.

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Yet the path forward was anything but smooth. In 1999, the same court denied asylum to a Guatemalan woman who endured a decade of brutal beatings and death threats from her husband, while the state refused to intervene. Atty. Gen. Janet Reno found the decision to be so out of step with U.S. policy that she used her authority to vacate it . And so women remained eligible to be considered a particular social group when seeking refuge in the U.S. The view was affirmed by a 2014 case recognizing that women fleeing domestic violence could indeed qualify for asylum.

But that progress was short-lived. In 2018, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions took jurisdiction over the case of Anabel , a Salvadoran survivor of domestic violence to whom the top U.S. immigration court had granted asylum.

Sessions ruled that domestic violence is an act of personal or private violence, rather than persecution on account of a protected ground. This characterization of the violence as personal or private was in direct repudiation of the principle that womens rights are human rights, deserving of human rights remedies, such as asylum.

The Biden administration sought to undo the damage. In 2021, Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland vacated that ruling and reinstated the 2014 precedent, restoring a measure of protection for gender claims.

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Now comes the recent ruling from the immigration court under the Trump administration. Going beyond Sessions' determination that gender violence is personal, the court is striking at the heart of the legal framework itself by barring gender or gender-plus-nationality as a valid way to define a social group. This erects an even higher barrier for women and girls fleeing persecution. It is a transparent attempt to roll back decades of legal progress and return us to a time when womens suffering was invisible in refugee law.

The implications are profound. This ruling will make it far more difficult for women and girls to win asylum, even though their claims often involve some of the most egregious human rights violations. But it does not foreclose all claims  each must still be decided on its own facts  and there is no doubt the precedent will be challenged in federal courts across the country.

Another reversal is now sorely needed, to get the struggle for gender equality moving in the right direction again. Our refugee laws should protect women, because women should not be subject to gender-based violence. That is, in fact, one of our human rights.

Karen Musalo is a law professor and the founding director of the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at UC Law, San Francisco. She is also lead co-author of Refugee Law and Policy: A Comparative and International Approach.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Update on August 5

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The Fayette County Coroners Office confirmed with WCIA on Tuesday that the nine-year-old girl who drowned in the river at Wren Bridge over the weekend was from Mattoon.

Staff at the Coroners Office told WCIA that they could confirm the town the girl and her family were from, but would not release any other information, including the victims name.

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The Fayette County Coroner is investigating a drowning incident that took place over the weekend.

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David Harris, coroner, said a child drowned in the river at Wren Bridge in Fayette County.

DeWitt Co. Coroner investigating after 45-year-old found in lake

Harris said the name of the child will not be released at this time to allow the family to grieve. An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday in Springfield.

The Fayette County Sheriffs Office said they received a call that a nine-year-old girl was actively drowning and stuck under a log near Wren Bridge around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. First responders immediately left for the scene, and began rescue efforts.

First responders were told that the child had been swept underneath the logs and debris in the water. Rescuers worked to find the child for over 12 hours. Around 3 a.m., a decision was made to resume rescue and recovery operations at 8 a.m.

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The sheriffs office said the child was located and removed from under the logs and debris in the river around 11:09 a.m. on Sunday.

Around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Fayette County Sheriffs Office said that Wren Bridge was closed until further notice. It reopened around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

One hurt after shooting in Decatur

The sheriffs office recognized neighboring agencies, volunteers, businesses and citizens for their assistance. This includes:

Fayette County Dispatch

Vandalia Police Department Dispatch

St Elmo Police Department

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers

ILEAS Unified Command Post

Ramsey Fire Protection District

St Elmo Fire Protection District

Brownstown Fire Protection District

Tri County Fire

MABAS Districts 54, 58, and 64

Rural Med

Arch Air Medical

American Red Cross

Fayette County Dive Team

Effingham County Dive Team

Shelby County Dive Team

Keyesport Dive Teams

Washburn Excavating Services

Neeley Farms

Ben Hortenstine

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We would also like to thank so many other people for providing items such as a port a potty, food and drinks to all the first responders and volunteers during this search as there were way too many to name individually, the sheriffs office 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 WCIA.com.
When four teenage girls were murdered in an Austin, Texas, yogurt shop in 1991, a heartbroken city was left searching for answers. No one imagined that more than 30 years later, the case would remain unsolved.

But now, thanks to new advances in DNA technology, there is renewed hope that a piece of evidence collected from the scene on the night of the crime will be key to solving the case once and for all. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports in an encore of "The Yogurt Shop Murders," airing Saturday, Aug. 2 at 9/8c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Inside the yogurt shop were the charred bodies of four teenage girls ranging from 13 to 17 years old. The victims, clockwise from top left: Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, Sarah Harbison and Jennifer Harbison. / Credit: AP Images

On December 6, 1991, 17-year-old Eliza Thomas, 13-year-old Amy Ayers, and two sisters, 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison and 15-year-old Sarah Harbison, were found gagged, tied up with their own clothing, and shot in the head in an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt! shop in Austin. Whoever was responsible had also set the shop on fire, compromising much of the evidence.

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Eliza and Jennifer had been working at the yogurt shop that night. They were getting ready to close when Jennifer's sister, Sarah, and their friend, Amy, met them there to head home. Investigators believe at least two men entered the shop and committed the brutal crime.

Gunshot wounds revealed two different types of guns were used  but there was scant other evidence at the scene, and debris from the fire complicated the early investigation. The Austin Police Department soon developed a task force dedicated solely to solving the crime. Government agencies, including the FBI, were called in to assist, but the case ultimately went cold until 1999, when four men, Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn, were arrested and charged with the murders.

The men were only teenagers at the time of the crime. They were first questioned just days after the murders when one of them, Maurice Pierce, was arrested at a mall not far from the yogurt shop with a .22 caliber gun  one of the same types of weapons believed to have been used in the killings.

All four were released back then for lack of evidence, but in 1999, when a new team of investigators were tasked with taking a fresh look at the old case, they obtained confessions from two of the four men, Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott. Those confessions would later be called into question after the two recanted, saying they were coerced.

In October 1999, nearly eight years after the yogurt shop murders, Austin police announced the arrest of four suspects in the case. Pictured clockwise from top left are Maurice Pierce, Forrest Welborn, Robert Springsteen, and Michael Scott. All four men had been questioned within days of the murders, but the lack of any hard evidence connecting them to the crime meant that none of them were charged at the time. / Credit: AP Photos

Charges were ultimately dropped against Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn due to lack of evidence, and Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott were the only two to go on trial. The sole evidence against them were their own words. They were both convicted, but a few years later, their convictions were overturned on constitutional grounds. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to confront accusers and in Scott and Springsteen's trials, their confessions were used against one another, but they weren't allowed to question each other in court.

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Rosemary Lehmberg, the Travis County, Texas, district attorney at the time, was intent on retrying Springsteen and Scott. But before doing so, her office decided to take advantage of what was then a fairly new type of DNA testing called Y-STR testing. It was a way of searching for and extracting male DNA only. Y-STR testing was ordered on vaginal swabs taken from the victims at the time of the murders. By this point, investigators had come to believe that at least one of the victims had been sexually assaulted. As a result of the Y-STR testing, a partial male DNA profile was obtained from one of the girls, but to the surprise of the district attorney's office, the DNA sample did not match any of the four men who were arrested.

CeCe Moore, a DNA expert and genetic genealogist whom we interviewed for this week's "48 Hours," told correspondent Erin Moriarty that Y-STR DNA is a tool sometimes used in criminal cases. Moore explained it "can eliminate almost everyone.  Everyone but the suspect."

"If their Y-STR does not match, they did not contribute that DNA?" Moriarty asked Moore.

"Because of where that DNA was found, yes, in this case, it's very important," Moore said.

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Still, prosecutors were determined to retry Springsteen and Scott. But before doing so, they wanted to figure out who that mystery DNA belonged to.

District Attorney Lehmberg says more than 100 men  such as crime scene investigators and personnel from the medical examiner's office who might have come in contact with the body and possibly been a source of contamination  were tested. It was all to no avail. In 2009, with no matches, the charges against Springsteen and Scott were dropped. After nearly 10 years behind bars, they were released, but not exonerated, leaving open the possibility they could be retried at a later time.

For years, officials kept trying to track down the source of the mystery DNA. Then, in 2017, an Austin police investigator searched a public online DNA database used for population studies to see if he could get a hit. Unbelievably, he did. It seemed to be the most promising lead in years, but there was a problem. The seemingly matching sample in the public database had been submitted anonymously by the FBI and had no name attached to it. When officials in Austin contacted the FBI in an effort to get a name, the FBI would not provide it, citing privacy laws.

Frustrated, city officials reached out to U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul, who is from Austin, for help. McCaul pressed the FBI, and "48 Hours" has learned that in early 2020, the FBI agreed to work with the Austin Police Department to see if further testing could be done on that Y-STR DNA from the crime scene.

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"48 Hours" has learned that initially, the sample from the crime scene was not very detailed and had only 16 markers, but more advanced testing in 2020 came up with an additional nine markers, bringing the total marker count to 25. However, this more advanced testing revealed that the sample from the crime scene no longer proved to be a match to the sample in the public DNA database. In a letter to Congressman McCaul obtained by "48 Hours," the FBI explained the new results "conclusively exclude the male donor of the FBI's sample  as such, the FBI Y-STR profile is not an investigative lead."

"And that was the greatest disappointment because we really thought we had it," Congressman McCaul told Moriarty.

Still, McCaul says that he and Austin officials will not rest until they determine who that DNA from the crime scene belongs to.

"We're waiting for the DNA science to improve to then resubmit what we have left in the crime lab for further testing," McCaul said.

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According to McCaul, some of the actual Y-STR DNA from the sample found on the victim in the yogurt shop case still exists.

"It's very limited and  that's why we're waiting for the science to improve on this, because there's very little left," he said.

With DNA research advancing so quickly, McCaul hopes that one day that sample of DNA obtained over 30 years ago will finally solve the case.

"It's everything," he says.

Black swimmers teach others amid history of aquatic segregation

Not exactly wasting away in this Margaritaville

AARP and the business of an aging audience
If the world has had enough of helping others, then somebody forgot to tell Spain.

Yes, Spain. The same country that, a little more than a decade ago, desperately accepted billions in bailout money from its European neighbors to keep its economy afloat. That Spain is now doing something almost unthinkable. Its ramping up aid spending just as the United States notoriously retreats. And in the process, Spain is trying to remind the world why we give back in the first place.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID)  the worlds largest humanitarian aid donor by far, whose work in recent years saved upward of a million lives per year  was officially dismantled earlier this month. Its scattered remains were subsumed by the State Department and its empty headquarters given to the FBI. But America isnt the only one putting itself first these days. The UK, France, Belgium, and Germany all slashed their development budgets this year thanks to a wave of right-wing populism painting foreign aid as an unnecessary expense against the national interest.

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The crisis is steep. The pot of money going to global development is set to shrink by 17 percent, or $35 billion, in 2025, on top of a $21 billion drop the year before, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Thats a $56 billion funding vacuum where global aid for mosquito nets, vaccine research, and food assistance used to be. And the declines are likely to become even steeper in the years ahead, as cuts in the US take full effect.

But while President Donald Trump was gutting USAID, Spain made moves to rebuild its aid agency and committed to more than doubling its aid budget by 2030. Nor is it alone: Ireland, South Korea, and Italy also all made recent pledges to boost their foreign aid budgets.

Its far from enough to fill the foreign aid gap, however. And while the pain will fall primarily on impoverished recipient countries, foreign aid doesnt just help the countries that receive it. It helps everyone.

Diseases and conflict dont recognize legal borders and aid helps keep these deadly problems at bay. Every $100 million spent on preventing tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria helps prevent about 2.2 million new infections total. And global cuts are already expected to exacerbate the spread of diseases; former USAID officials anticipate cuts from the US alone could cause 28,000 new cases of infectious diseases like Ebola and Marburg each year. Even if youre in this isolationist mindset, you cant actually isolate yourself from the rest of the world, said Rachael Calleja, a research fellow at the Center for Global Development.

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The fact that some countries have managed to fight the impulse to isolate  convincing their citizens that problems abroad are interconnected with our problems at home  could help reshape the future of aid for the better. Their decisions point to the possibility of a new future for foreign aid that could be more collaborative and less paternalistic than before.

Aid has long been dominated by a small club of wealthy nations  chief among them the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom  that give the most, and in doing so, set the tone for how to help the rest of the world. Too often these well-intentioned solutions perpetuated the same exploitative power dynamics that made poor countries poor and one-time colonial powers like Spain and Italy rich in the first place. Western aid often comes with strings attached, like forcing Mali to privatize its cotton industry or requiring that funds be spent on consultants and supplies from the donor country  even though such policies have been shown to make aid less effective and much more expensive.

Ready or not, the old clubs grip on global influence is now breaking down.

Nobody who works in development sat around saying, The system is great. Were awesome. Lets just spend more money to do more of the same, said Dean Karlan, who was, until recently, the chief economist at USAID. There is a blank slate. Lets put in place a better system.

Why are some countries bucking the trend?

Spain, Ireland, Italy, and South Korea are all increasing aid  but most have a lot of room for growth.

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The United Nations set a lofty goal in the 1970s for wealthy countries to give away 0.7 percent of their gross national income (GNI) as development assistance. Half a century later, almost none do.

That includes this years overachievers. Ireland spent 0.57 percent of its GNI  $2.47 billion  on development aid last year. Spain spent 0.25 percent or $4.35 billion, and Italy, 0.28 percent or $6.67 billion. South Korea spent 0.21 percent or $3.94 billion.

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Its not a lot, especially compared to the $63.3 billion the US spent in 2024, although that only added up to 0.22 percent of its GNI. But these countries are moving forward at a time when everyone else seems to be moving backward. According to the global development consultancy SEEK Developments donor tracker, the US is now projected to spend just 0.13 percent of its GNI on overseas aid this year.

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There is a growing recognition that someone has to fill the gaps left by the US, but everybody balks at the price tag, Arturo Angulo Urarte, a Madrid-based development expert, said in Spanish. Its like, Yes, but gosh, and how much does that mean? Oh, it means money? Well, then no.'

Spains aid increase, however, has been a long time coming. Spanish activists launched a kind of Occupy Wall Street in favor of overseas aid back in the 1990s. A group of global development workers and grassroots activists staged hunger strikes and protest encampments, chaining themselves to government buildings to demand that Spain give at least 0.7 percent of its GNI to aid. At the time, Spain was giving around 0.24 percent of its GNI to aid, but the protests helped propel the country to double its commitment to a high of nearly 0.5 percent in 2008.

Then the 2008 economic turmoil left Spain once again with a wisp of an foreign aid budget. By the time its economy crawled closer to pre-crisis levels in 2015, its development spending had cratered to 0.12 percent of GNI.

But the idea of Spain becoming a bigger player in global development never really left the public consciousness, remaining broadly popular even during the countrys worst financial straits. In 2023 the country passed a law promising to rebuild its aid agency and bump up spending to 0.7 percent of GNI by 2030  effectively tripling its current rate.

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Spain has since increased its aid budget to about 0.25 percent of its GNI, or $4.4 billion last year  roughly $490 million more than it spent the year prior at 0.24 percent of its GNI  and says it will continue to give more in the year ahead. Thats more money for climate resilience projects in Morocco and Algeria, LGBTQ rights in Paraguay, and HPV vaccine campaigns across Latin America and the Caribbean.

A mother living with HIV since 2017 visits Kuoyo Sub-county Hospital with her child to collect their medications, on April 24, 2025 in Kisumu, Kenya. | Michel Lunanga/Getty Images

The dismantling of USAID has destroyed longstanding and hard-won infrastructure for implementing aid programs, especially in critical areas like HIV prevention. Theres little that anyone can do to bring that infrastructure back, but countries like Spain, Ireland, or South Korea have been able to uplift and increase funding to the initiatives most affected by the cuts, like Gavi, the international vaccine alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Ireland also aims to increase its aid spending to 0.7 percent of GNI by 2030. It inched closer to that goal this year by boosting its development budget by about $40 million to $925 million. We wouldnt expect Ireland to be able to fill the USAID gap in any shape or form, Jane-Ann McKenna, who heads Dochas, an umbrella group for Irish development organizations, said. But thats where our positioning and our voice becomes more important.

That said, foreign aid has always been about more than just charity. Its a geopolitical tool that countries have used for decades to win friends and influence people.

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Its no coincidence that, according to a 2006 study, US aid increased about 59 percent to nations when they temporarily joined the UN Security Council. The birth of PEPFAR  the HIV/AIDS program that saves around a million lives per year, which makes it perhaps Americas most effective ever form of foreign aid  helped boost public opinion of the US across sub-Saharan Africa. Much of Italys recent aid budget has gone to its $6 billion Mattei Plan in Africa, which aims to collaboratively influence the continents energy development and migration flows, but which some critics contend recreates old colonial patterns by relying too heavily on European priorities  not local expertise  to decide where the money ought to go and how its vision should take shape.

But if you take countries like Ireland and Spain at their word, their approach to foreign aid is not just about soft power anymore. These countries also have something in common that can differentiate them from other larger donors: recent histories of underdevelopment. Some of the newcomers might have been aid recipients rather than donors just a few decades ago.

South Korea received billions in foreign aid in the decades after the Korean War, which helped it grow to the point where it became the first former recipient to join OECDs forum for major aid providers in 2010. Spains wealthier neighbors offered the country major financial support when it began integrating with Europe in the 1980s in the aftermath of the Franco dictatorship.

That dynamic can make it easier, Calleja says, to empathize with others who need aid today. (Though lets not forget that Spain once colonized much of Latin America and the Caribbean  places that now receive the bulk of Spanish foreign aid  and therefore laid the groundwork for many patterns of exploitation and inequality there that its aid now seeks to resolve.)

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Ireland was never a colonizer, but was once colonized itself by Britain. That legacy, McKenna said, means that many Irish people are passionate about human rights abroad and highly supportive of overseas aid.

We have the history of the famine and weve had conflict on the island and weve had to engage in a whole peace process ourselves, McKenna explained. Thats there in the background of all of our psyches.

As these smaller players like to say, its about solidarity. Spains own development agencys four-year plan mentions the word solidarity 84 times. It explicitly calls for a move away from the old model, where wealthy nations dictated terms to grateful recipients, and toward a more equitable and collaborative model built on shared priorities and mutual respect.

Crisis as catalyst?

Of course, not everybody is buying it.

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Henry Morales is an economist and director of the Movimiento Tzuk Kim-Pop, a Guatemalan human rights group. He let out a little laugh when I asked him about Spains solidarity plan. After all, hes seen foreign funders renege on their promises before.

Hes seen European powers pledge numerous times to do more to promote climate resilience in low-income countries before watching them give up when the politics become too difficult. Spains plan for development stresses that it aims to approach its funding priorities  like combating climate change and promoting gender equality  from a place of consistency and genuine partnership, the kind that cant be abandoned on a whim when a new government takes power.

Whether Spains plan represents a form of global reparations or just colonialism with better PR remains to be seen, he said, but regardless, the old top-down model is clearly cracking.

Countries who receive aid now want a voice and a vote, so that the decisions are no longer made by a private club of the big donors, the big traditional financiers, he said. But by debates and global agreements that are much more transparent and much more democratic.

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Fifty countries in the Global South now have their own agencies to exchange ideas, technical advice, and reciprocal funds for solving poverty, fighting climate change, and improving education.

Ensuring that recipients have a big say in how aid gets around is not only good for building a better, more democratic system  it can also make it much more efficient. According to Voxs previous reporting in 2022, aid programs tend to work better when people from the countries theyre targeting play a big role in directing how and where the moneys used. Morales thinks that kind of collaboration is the real future of aid, which he prefers to see not as charity but as simply the fair distribution of wealth.

Hes not the only one who thinks so. The director-general of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, called foreign aid a thing of the past at a meeting with African leaders in February.

For his part, Karlan, the former USAID economist, doesnt think USAID will ever come back as the acronym or institution it once was, and although thats mostly a very bad thing, he sees a flicker of opportunity.

Still, he isnt sure if he believes that a real change to the aid paradigm is afoot. Solidarity strikes me as a little bit of a softer way of saying soft power, he mused, even if countries like Spain or Ireland arent necessarily looking for flyover rights for the military.

What he is sure of is that the US is moving in a very different direction. If Spains soft power is softening, then the United States is calcifying into something more toxic, more transactional, and  as Karlan likes to add  less efficient than before.

Imagine a marriage in which you never did something considerate for your partner just because you cared about them, he said. Instead, everything is a negotiation. That isnt a healthy relationship. What were risking is losing these long-term relationships, those long-term friendships.

By the time the US is ready to reopen the door on them, it may find a world that has already moved on.
A couple have discovered a Nazi bunker underneath their house.

Shaun and Carrie Tullier bought their home in Torteval, Guernsey, four years ago and were tipped off by someone who used to live in the house about a wartime building being underneath it.

After digging up their driveway, they eventually managed to unearth the bunker and now have plans to turn it into a games room and gym, although they will keep the original features.

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The bunker dates back to when Hitlers forces occupied the Channel Islands from 1940 until 1945.

Nazis marching through Guernsey in 1940 - Express/Getty

Speaking to BBC Channel Islands, Mr Tullier said he and his wife had been told about the site being used as a German gun emplacement, but they had a suspicion there was something else there.

He added: From the outside, you could tell it was sitting on top of something. Weve been doing up the house anyway, so I hired a digger and, with the help of a mate, we started digging up the driveway to see what was there. We kept digging for a while and then finally, the ground just gave way and this doorway appeared.

The bunker consisted of two main rooms, measuring 17ft by 10ft and 17ft by 20ft, and had features including an escape hatch and a tiled floor.

The Tulliers bought their home in Torteval, Guernsey four years ago and started digging after being tipped off - Shaun Tullier

Previous owners daughter Karen, Carrie and Shaun Tullier & digger driver Ryan De Jersey - Shaun Tullier / SWNS

There was also German writing on the walls, with phrases which included achtung feind hort mit, which translates to beware, the enemy is listening. Dozens of tins and other debris had also been left behind inside the bunker.

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It is understood that the bunkers entrance was blocked up in the 1960s.

The bunkers entrance had previously been blocked up in the 1960s - Shaun Tullier

German writings on the wall - Shaun Tullier / SWNS

Mr Tullier said he was impressed with how well built the structure was, adding that the discovery of the bunker had piqued the interest of other people.

He said: Its not just a games room - people come along and ask to see the history.

I know it was a bad time for Guernsey [during the Nazi occupation], but I do find the history fascinating and I think we need to keep it so we remember what happened.

The Tulliers plan to turn part of the former Nazi bunker into a games room - Shaun Tullier

The Tulliers found two main rooms in the bunker - Shaun Tullier / SWNS

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He said the structure was generally fairly sound, but said water that had gathered inside over the decades had to be pumped out.

On June 15, 1940, Sir Winston Churchill ordered the withdrawal of military personnel from the Channel Islands, abandoning its 94,000 islanders to their fate.

Some 25,000 chose to evacuate, but the remainder stayed on the undefended islands. On the evening of June 30, one month after the British evacuation at Dunkirk, German forces seized control.

The occupation lasted until May 9 1945, when Guernsey and Jersey were liberated.

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The Brief

COVID numbers are climbing again nationwide, with Florida among the hardest-hit states.

New variants, Nimbus and Stratus , are bringing both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Doctors recommend testing and precautions, while debate continues over the COVID booster.

What we know

Hillsborough County - The CDC is tracking a summer rise in COVID-19 cases across the U.S., with Florida showing some of the steepest increases.

Dr. Steven Goldberg, Chief Medical Officer of HealthTrackRx and a clinician at the University of Louisville Health, says emergency room visits, urgent care visits, and wastewater data in Hillsborough County have tripled over the past several weeks.

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Two variants, Nimbus and Stratus, are driving the current wave:

Nimbus : Accounts for 43% of cases nationwide and is linked to "razor blade throat" and other upper respiratory symptoms.

Stratus: Brings fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and gastrointestinal complaints.

The other side

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has long questioned the need for COVID-19 boosters, recently urging federal agencies to expand research into possible vaccine-related injuries.

However, Dr. Goldberg says vaccines remain an important tool, particularly for seniors and children with chronic conditionsor those living with high-risk adults.

Why you should care

With the back-to-school season approaching and more summertime travel, doctors warn that its not the time to let your guard down. Testing, staying home if sick, and considering the updated booster for vulnerable groups may help slow the spread.

The Source

This story is based on information from the CDC, Florida health data, and interviews with Dr. Steven Goldberg of HealthTrackRx and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
STEWARTSTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)  Two people died after a house fire in York County Sunday morning.

The York County Coroners Office said a 54-year-old man and 41-year-old woman were taken to WellSpan York Hospital after a fire on North Main Street in Stewartstown around 6 a.m. Saturday.

The Eureka Volunteer Fire Department said they found significant fire in the building when they arrived and they found the two victims unconscious inside.

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They were quickly rescued and life-saving measures were attempted.

The coroners office said the man and woman were pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:12 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. respectively.

Next of kin has been notified, the coroners office said.

One firefighter was also injured in the firefight. Authorities said they fell through a hole in the second floor.

Stewartstown Community Fire Chief Todd Bigney tells abc27 News the building was originally built as a bank in 1905. It later housed the Stewartstown library and, eventually, became a home.

Dana Tomcanin said she woke up to the sound of fire engines responding.

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We heard once one whistle go out and then a little bit later another whistle go out and then another one, Tomcanin told abc27 News. So in my mind, it was, okay, somethings burning.

She said she recalled that the building had been a bank as well.

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Its been a fixture on Main Street in Stewartstown for quite a while, she said.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Search and rescue crews are looking for a man that went missing at Willard Bay State Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Utah Department of Natural Resources says a search is underway for a 41-year-old male from Davis County after he fell off an inflatable raft while on the reservoir.

Crews initially received the call around 4:45 p.m. The other occupant on the raft was transported by ambulance to the hospital in stable condition. It is reported that neither individual was wearing a life jacket.

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Crews from the Utah DNR Law Enforcement Division, Willard City Police Department and the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office are on scene assisting in the search.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Latest headlines:

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Police responded to multiple shootings across the city over the weekend.

Officers were called to a home in the 500 block of Phillips Drive SW around 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

When they got there, they found a female victim who had two gunshot wounds, one to each leg, according to a police report.

The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Our news crew saw crime scene tape and a police presence around the house.

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Several hours later at 2:40 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the 300 block of Scott Street NE for another gunshot victim.

The male victim, who police reported was shot in the head, was taken to the hospital for treatment.

About three hours after that, two more people were shot at a convenience store on Elm Road. One of the victims died from his injuries.

If anyone has information regarding these shootings, theyre asked to contact Det. Nicole Smith at 330-841-2684.

Dominic OBrien and Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Mika Almog, the content director for the Its Time Coalition, told The Jerusalem Post that the war has been prolonged for the current government's political gain.

A coalition of more than 60 Jewish and Arab peace organizations has erected an encampment in Tel Avivs Dizengoff Square, protesting the ongoing war inGaza. The protest, which began today, marks 667 days since the conflict began and is set to remain in place indefinitely.

Organized by the Its Time Coalition, the encampment aims to spotlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while calling for the immediate release of Israeli hostages and an end to the war. The coalition includes groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights, Standing Together, and the Forum of Israeli Peace NGOs.

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Mika Almog, the content director for the Its Time Coalition, told The Jerusalem Post that the war has been prolonged for the current government's political gain. "This is a criminal political war that is still going on for political reasons that is not certainly the interest of the Israeli people. Hostages should have been home a long time ago, she stated.

The coalition, founded in the summer of 2024, held a kickoff event at Menorah Stadium attended by 60,000 supporters. Almog, who is the granddaughter of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, emphasized the shared belief among encampment attendees that the war is "not only inhuman and immoral, but [it's] detrimental to the future of Israel."

A statement from the coalition highlighted the urgency of their message, stating, "This war must end. The most devastating war in our history must be stoppednow." The statement directly addresses the humanitarian toll, referencing the "mass killing, the total destruction, and the starvation of an entire population" and comparing it to the Israeli vow of "Never again."

Peace activist coalition launches indefinite encampment in Tel Aviv to protest Gaza War (Its Time Coalition)

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The statement also condemned the treatment of Israeli hostages, describing them as "abandoned to die brutally in tunnels," and called out settler violence in the West Bank.

Weve had enough of death, the press statement declared, We wake up to death in the morning and toss with death through sleepless nights." This sentiment was echoed by Almog, who told the Post, "We will not stop resisting until life once again rules this land."

Counter-protests and disruptions

The encampment has been met with opposition. The article notes that counter-protesters have come in waves, interrupting lectures and yelling at speakers and attendees. The groups have been accused of hating Israel and not caring about the hostages by passing drivers who pulled over to confront them.

Despite the disruptions, the coalition remains steadfast. Almog told the Post that their goal is to end the war, and they intend to stay until it does. We have had enough death. Were surrounded by death. We wake up to death in the morning. Its time to allow life to rule, she said. The organizations statement echoed this resolve, stating that the group will not stop their actions until the war and all its horrors cease.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reported that officers responded to a burglary in progress in the area of South Academy Boulevard and East Fountain Boulevard on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 3, in which the burglar was found sleeping in the victims bed.

According to CSPD, around 2 a.m., when officers arrived at the scene in the 1600 block of Zebulon Drive, they found the suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Chance Garcia, sleeping in the victims bed within the home. While officers were in the process of arresting Garcia, he broke out the window of the police cruiser and assaulted an officer.

Garcia was booked into the Criminal Justice Center on probable cause for First Degree Burglary and other charges, according to CSPD.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Students and parents gathered at Huntsville High School on Saturday morning to learn all about the military academies in our country.

State Representative Dale Strong hosts the event every year. Strong says its important to showcase military academy options.

Theyre looking at this early, understanding the opportunities itll present. Last year we made 30 appointments to our different military academies. Were fourth overall at West Point, so I think this right here speaks volume, Strong said.

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Representatives from West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy, Marion Military Institute were all in attendance.

Theyre able to see all the different opportunities that present itself through the military, and many of these people have lived in our community for a long time, their parents work on the arsenal, and starting off in the military is a great start, Strong said.

News 19 spoke with Hatch Lombardy, a rising junior at Bob Jones High School, who says his dream is to go to West Point. Lombardy also says he has gone to the academy day every year and suggests going to all high school students.

You get connected with the field force of these academies, the former alumni, who help through the application process, and it really is such a service to everyone who has a chance to come here, Lombardy said.

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In order for a student to get into an academy, the student must be nominated by a State Representative. Lombardy says the military route is the way to go.

Theres no better path from a monetary standpoint, from an academic standpoint, from a career standpoint, you dont have to take one any student loans, and you get to serve this country, Lombardy said.

The event kicked off a new cycle of nominations and appointments for this upcoming school year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain, seeking a western route to India, with a convoy of three small ships -- the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria -- and fewer than 100 crew. They reached land at Guanahani, an island in the Caribbean, on Oct. 12.

In 1914, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The following day, Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was underway.

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In 1923, by the dim light of a flickering oil lamp in a little farmhouse at Plymouth, Vt., his birthplace, Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as president of the United States following the unexpected death President Warren G. Harding.

In 1943, Gen. George Patton slapped Private Charles Kuhl, who was in a military hospital in Sicily. Kuhl was the first of two privates hospitalized for shock that Patton slapped and berated that month, accusing them of cowardice. The general was later forced to apologize.

Police respond to a mass shooting at Walmart and the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019. File Photo by Justin Hamel/UPI

In 1958, the U.S. nuclear submarine Nautilus crossed under the North Pole.

File Photo courtesy the U.S. Navy/UPI

On August 3, 1923, Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office as president of the United States following the unexpected death President Warren G. Harding. File Photo by Library of Congress

In 1975, a chartered Boeing 707 jetliner carrying Moroccan immigrant workers home from France to their families for the summer holidays crashed into a mountainside in Agadir, Morocco, killing all 188 persons aboard.

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In 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. The strikers were fired within one week.

Planes wait at gates as the main control tower rises above the terminals in the center of O'Hare International Airport on November 5, 2014, in Chicago. On August 3, 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike. The strikers were fired within one week. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI

In 2004, the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was opened to the public for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

In 2005, in the first emergency repair conducted in space, astronauts fixed a potentially dangerous problem by removing two strips of protruding cloth from the underside of the space shuttle Discovery.

On August 3, 1914, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. The following day, Britain declared war on Germany and World War I was underway. File Photo courtesy the German army

In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a bill allowing the National Security Agency to monitor email and telephone communications between the United States and foreign countries without a court warrant if terrorism was believed to be involved.

File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

A U.S. Coast Guard boat patrols the waters near the Statue of Liberty on September 2, 2004. On August 3, 2004, the statue was open to visitors for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on New York City. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

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In 2008, People magazine published the first photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins, Vivienne and Knox, after paying up to $14 million, the most ever paid for baby pictures.

In 2014, an earthquake in southern China's Yunnan province killed nearly 400 people, injured 1,800 and destroyed thousands of homes.

Angelina Jolie (C) and children Knox (L) and Vivienne arrive at Tokyo International Airport in Tokyo, Japan on June 21, 2014. On August 3, 2008, People magazine published the first photos of the newborn twins after paying up to $14 million, the most ever paid for baby pictures. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

In 2019, a gunman targeting immigrants opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 23 people and injuring another 22.

In 2024, American swimmers Nic Fink, Torri Huske, Ryan Murphy and Gretchen Walsh set a new world record time of 3:37:43 in the mixed 4x100-meter medley relay at the Paris Summer Olympics. Team USA won gold, China won silver and Australia took home bronze in the race.
Dayton Childrens Hospital has raised a record-breaking $85 million in donations to its do. more. so all kids thrive campaign, surpassing its original goal of $75 million, according to a spokesperson with the hospital.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The funds will support initiatives aimed at elevating mental health, advancing care, and removing barriers to optimal health for children in the region.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The campaign received support from several community groups, like The Mathile Family, The Connor Group Kids & Community Partners, Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, CareSource and more.

Ohio state leaders also contributed an additional $25 million investment in pediatric mental health, further supporting the hospitals initiatives.

The spokesperson said these donations are a crucial addition to the $400 million that the hospital has invested in the campaign to address urgent challenges facing children in the region.

We are truly in this together. It is incredibly humbling that our community supported Dayton Childrens mission at such a historic and unprecedented level, Jena Pado, Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Dayton Childrens Hospital, said.

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60% of the donations will go to elevating mental health services.

The funds will expand crisis care services, therapy into more communities, and early intervention and prevention services.

One in five children will need care for a mental health issue, making this the health care crisis of our childrens generation, Kelly Blankenship, DO, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, said.

The remainder of the funds will focus on advancing care initiatives and removing barriers to health, the spokesperson said.

Some of the initiatives will focus on providing personalized and high-tech care, including investments in new technologies and clinical research, and more.

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The hospitals efforts to remove barriers to health include creating a pediatric urgent care in West Dayton, expanding social needs screening, and supporting injury prevention in the community.

Our children deserve a great childrens hospital close to home. They deserve a hospital that not only helps sick kids get better, but one that reinvents the path to health so all children can thrive, Debbie Feldman, President and CEO of Dayton Childrens Hospital, said.

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Emergency workers have reported that at least four people were killed in a Russian strike on central Kramatorsk on 31 July.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: One of the four bodies was recovered from under the rubble, and 13 other people were injured.

Two sections of a five-storey residential building were destroyed, and a fire broke out.

Emergency workers have cleared over 185 tonnes of debris. The fire, covering an area of 1,200 sq m, was fully extinguished.

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Background: On 31 July, Russian forces carried out a strike on a five-storey residential building. Half of the building was completely destroyed. Initially, it was reported that one person had been killed and 11 injured.

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A London-wide HIV charity has said it could be forced to close if the funding crisis it is facing continues.

Positively UK, which has supported people with HIV for almost 40 years, has already closed its pan-London gay men's peer support group after being unable to secure funding for its future.

Silvia Petretti, CEO said: "The support we give is very emotional. However, most of the time we have very short-term funding. From one year to another, we never know if we're going to be around."

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The government said it was "fully committed" to ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030 and that its upcoming HIV Action Plan would focus on prevention and testing, as well as living well with HIV.

Silvia Petretti, CEO of Positively UK, said although there was treatment for HIV, support was needed for those who have it [BBC]

According to the National Aids Trust, 2023 was the highest year for people receiving HIV care, with 107,949 treated - an increase of 27% across the last 10 years.

Ms Petretti said: "HIV is not over. We have treatment for HIV, but we don't have a treatment for stigma yet."

"Positively UK has existed since the 1980s," she added. "We're going to be 40 next year and I am worried that our services may not be there for people in the future because of the lack of funding.

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"We finished the year in the deficit and one of the most important services for us, the gay men's project, had to stop. In the past two years we applied to nine different funds and we couldn't secure any funding for the project."

Phil Dehany started attending the support group four years after he was diagnosed with HIV in 2016.

"I live by myself here in London and it can be lonely," he said. "Those opportunities to meet up with people once a month were a lifeline.

"I would go as often as I could, and it's one of those things that you don't miss until it's gone, and I wish now that I'd gone a lot more often."

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"It was really sad when the project came to an end - straight away you've just lost that connection to that community."

Mr Dehany said he now uses a range of other voluntary organisations, but fears that if funding struggles continue, those who need support, including elderly people living with HIV, will suffer.

'Nothing to replace that service'

The voluntary and community sectors that offer support services for people living with HIV have faced big cuts in the last decade, the National Aids Trust said.

A report by the charity found 71% of London's HIV voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations had to either reduce staff numbers, close services, merge with other organisations or use cash reserves to cover operating costs in the last three years.

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Some 40% were concerned about their ability to deliver services over the next three years.

Robbie Currie, CEO of the National Aids Trust, said: "There's a funding crisis going on within the sector across the UK.

"Statutory services have been massively reduced. It has really impacted on service provision. Services are either being cut completely or they are being reduced."

Of Positively UK, he said: "There's just nothing to replace that service."

The government recently pledged to end all new HIV diagnoses by 2030.

Ms Petretti said: "The government wants the UK to reach zero transmissions by 2030, but if people are not supported to stay well, we will not reach this goal."

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In June, the Local Government Association warned that sexual health services in England were grappling with "unprecedented pressure" and urged the government to carve out a 10-year strategy and invest more to deliver "expert, timely care".

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said its 10-year health plan focused on how local government could improve services for sexual health by making better use of funding and working more closely with the NHS.

They added: "We are fully committed to ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030 and our upcoming HIV Action Plan will focus not just on prevention and testing, but also on helping people live well with HIV."

They said more than 6m had been invested in the National HIV Prevention Programme and 27m of funding was announced in December.

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Additional reporting by Josef Steen, Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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Despite mounting international concern over widespread hunger in Gaza, no official famine has been declared in the territory  highlighting the complexities of determining a country's famine status.

The World Food Programme (WFP), Unicef and the Food and Agriculture Organisation warned this week that time is running out, with Gaza "on the brink of a full-scale famine".

"We need to flood Gaza with large-scale food aid, immediately and without obstruction, and keep it flowing each and every day to prevent mass starvation," WFP executive director Cindy McCain said in a joint statement from the agencies.

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Images of severely undernourished children have prompted outrage. According to data from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), one in five children under the age of five in Gaza City is now malnourished.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health has reported 147 deaths from hunger, including 88 children, since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted following the 7 October 2023 terror attack.

However, there has been no official determination or declaration of famine, leading to questions over whether one exists.

Determining a famine

The United Nations uses a tool called the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) to measure hunger. Created in 2004, the IPC is used by 21 agencies, including the WFP and Unicef.

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It sets out five levels of food insecurity, with Phase 5 meaning famine or catastrophe.

Three things must happen at the same time for famine to be declared:

At least 2 people per 10,000 (or 4 per 10,000 children) die daily of starvation, disease and malnutrition

At least 20 percent of households face extreme food shortages

At least 30 percent of children suffer from acute malnutrition

Even if those thresholds appear to be met, an independent review committee must confirm it. This panel includes experts in nutrition, health and food security. Only then can a formal declaration be made  usually by the government of the affected area or the UN.

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"It's a very high bar and the nature of the process is that if the data aren't there, you say it's not a famine," Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University, told the ABC. "It has no legal force. The word 'famine' has no meaning in law."

As of June 2025, Sudan is the only country currently experiencing famine, according to the IPC.

First confirmed in North Darfurs Zamzam camp for displaced people in August, 2024, famine has since spread to 10 areas of the country, with another 17 at risk.

More than 110 aid and human rights groups denounce Gaza 'mass starvation'

Data collection challenges

The IPC puts Gaza at Phase 4 (emergency) across the territory, with half a million people projected to reach Phase 5 by September.

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Earlier this month, the IPC issued an alert warning that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out," though this falls short of an official classification.

Collecting the necessary data to determine whether a country is officially suffering from famine requires the systematic surveying of populations to measure malnutrition rates and mortality.

Israel's partial blockade on delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza has not only contributed to the risk of famine, the conflict and restrictions on international media have made gathering data near-impossible, aid agencies say.

"Our colleagues in Gaza right now are trying to work under bombardment with no guarantee of safety," Scott Paul, director of peace and security at Oxfam America, told the ABC.

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"Aid workers conducting assessments face the same dire conditions as the general population, including food shortages and restricted movement."

Sudan government rejects UN-backed famine declaration

Politics has also affected how famine is assessed.

Doctors Without Borders has accused Israel of using deliberate starvation as a weapon of war.

Israeli officials have pushed back on that, questioning the accuracy of the figures and suggesting the viral images of emaciated children are misleading.

"In most cases, their extreme malnutrition is due to underlying medical conditions rather than food scarcity alone," a spokesperson for the Israeli army told Le Point magazine.

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Israel also argues that previous IPC warnings proved inaccurate, noting that predictions of imminent famine in March 2024, and then again in March of this year, failed to materialise. By June, the World Health Organization had recorded 32 hunger-related deaths  far below projections.

Even so, many aid groups say action should not be delayed just because a formal famine has not been declared.

In Somalia in 2012, around half of the 250,000 famine deaths happened before the official announcement was made.

"The importance of taking action before famine is declared cannot be overstated," Paul said, adding that severely malnourished individuals may be harmed by certain foods if distribution is not carefully managed.
Breauanna Jennings, already a mother of two, worried something was wrong a few hours before she gave birth to her third child. Still, she said a certified nurse midwife assured her she and her baby were fine.

When baby August was born in Hudson, Wis., medical staff rushed to give him chest compressions and resuscitate him because he wasnt breathing.

I dont think anybody was really telling us what was going on because it was an emergency situation, Jennings said.

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And the feeling in that moment for husband Anthony Jennings?

Scared to death, he said.

August didnt get enough oxygen during his birth and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, according to a medical malpractice lawsuit filed by his family in St. Croix County, Wis.

A jury decided on a $29 million verdict for the family in March, though the amount was recently reduced to $17 million due to Wisconsin statutes, said Noah Lauricella, the Jenningses attorney.

The Jenningses said they want to ensure August will get the care he needs for the best quality of life he can have, which was a major factor for their lawsuit.

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August is pure joy, Breauanna Jennings said recently. Im so thankful that we got to keep him, but its hard to watch how hard things are for him.

A lot of it could have been prevented, Anthony Jennings said.

The Jenningses also want to help other families.

The hope is  that we are making sure that medical providers are able to make the right decisions, Breauanna Jennings said. In the right time, Anthony Jennings added.

Baby near death at birth

The Jenningses also have a 13-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter, and Breauanna said their deliveries were not problematic. There was nothing concerning in Augusts prenatal visits, the Jenningses lawsuit said.

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When Jennings, of New Richmond, Wis., went to Hudson Hospital for her sons birth in September 2018, certified nurse midwife Robyn Cox told her the babys heart rate wasnt great, but it wasnt terrible, either, Jennings recounted recently.

A fetal heart rate monitor was used at the hospital and the signs, symptoms  were such that the standard of care required that care be turned over to a physician and not to a midwife for Augusts delivery, the lawsuit said.

A doctor was paged at 6:19 p.m. and August was born at 6:24 p.m. The obstetrician, who wasnt part of the lawsuit, didnt make it into the room, Lauricella said.

The lawsuit said Cox knew or should have known that in order to preserve the well-being of August, an immediate C-section should have been called for.

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A C-section did not happen and, when Jennings gave birth to August, he was near death due to brain damage from lack of oxygen, according to the suit.

Midwifes attorney: She was trained, experienced

The Jenningses lawsuit initially named Hudson Hospital, though the hospital was later dismissed from the legal action. It then centered on Cox and her employer at the time, Hudson Physicians.

Samuel Leib, an attorney for Cox and Hudson Physicians, told the jury that Breauanna Jennings had experienced decreased fetal movement in the weeks before August was born, according to a court transcript of his opening statement.

He said experts would testify that August had a neurologic injury before his mother ever got to the hospital.

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When they arrived at the hospital, if they had done a C-section the moment (she) had arrived,  the outcome would have been no different, Leib said, adding later that was because there was a pre-existing problem.

Cox was trained, experienced, licensed to do this delivery and care for mom, Leib told the jury.

Jury found midwife negligent

In a March verdict, a St. Croix County jury answered yes to the question of Was Robyn Cox  negligent in her management of the labor of Breauanna Jennings and the delivery of August Jennings and yes to the second question of Was Robyn Coxs negligence a cause of August Jennings injuries and health condition?

The jury awarded $29 million for past and future pain and suffering, Augusts past and future medical and care expenses, and other factors. Lauricella said they were told it was a record-setting verdict for St. Croix County.

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Attorneys for Cox, Hudson Physicians and the Wisconsin Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund sought a new trial or to change the verdict, which Judge Scott Needham denied in a July order.

The attorneys also argued that Wisconsin statutes cap damages for pain and suffering at $750,000 total, which Needham agreed with.

Hudson Physicians is responsible for $1.5 million of the verdict and the Wisconsin Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund for $15.9 million, Lauricella noted in a July court document that calculated interest owed as of that date. When a health care provider pays up to their insurance policy limit in Wisconsin, the fund is responsible for the rest, Lauricella said.

This was a lengthy, heatedly contested and tremendously emotional trial with nationally known experts testifying in support of the care that was provided by my clients, Leib said in a recent email.

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Robyn Cox is an extraordinarily well trained certified nurse midwife who continues to provide excellent care to her patients, he continued. Although we respect the jurys verdict, the motions after verdict contained many potential appellate issues. The courts provide the opportunity to resolve disputes, and this dispute continues at this time.

Cox lists online that she currently works as a certified nurse midwife in Minnesota and that she stopped working for Hudson Physicians in 2019.

Lauricella said they are considering filing an appeal, challenging the constitutionality of Wisconsins $750,000 cap on pain and suffering.

Auggie makes whole room light up

After his birth, August was transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit, where he spent about two weeks. The early months at home were just living moment to moment and getting him to appointments with doctors and specialists, Anthony Jennings said.

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As the couple looked back at what happened on the day August was born, they had concerns and sought out the Goldenberg Lauricella law firm in Minneapolis.

Lauricella said, when his own children were born, they needed a lot of medical care. They received outstanding  care and theyre doing great, he said. The Jenningses believed they werent so fortunate, believed that they could have had a different life for their son if things had been done differently.

Most lawsuits are dismissed or settled without a trial. Going through the trial and reliving what happened was traumatic, said Breauanna Jennings, now 41.

It was really sad and scary, she said. You put trust in a medical provider, hoping to keep you and your baby safe.

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August will turn 7 in September. He needs full-time assistance at home and school, which he will for his entire life, his parents said. He uses a walker to get around.

He is a very social, happy guy, Breauanna Jennings said.

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August has a fairly good understanding of language, his mother said, and he uses an iPad as a communication device  he pushes icons to verbalize for him, and he has been learning letters and numbers also. He uses his own kind of sign language.

He finished kindergarten last school year and will soon be heading to first grade.

Hes a little celebrity, Anthony Jennings said. It takes us like 10 minutes to get out of school with everyone saying, Bye, Auggie, bye, Auggie.'

He plays with other kids with modifications and support from an adult, said Breauanna Jennings, who works as an occupational therapy assistant and uses her expertise with her son.

Lauricella said August makes the whole room light up when he enters.

You cant help but smile when youre around the kid, he said. To see what he faces and how hard things are that we all take for granted, that our bodies can do, and for him to still walk around through life in a (walker) with that kind of joy  its incredible.
Delta Air Lines canceled nearly 200 flights over the weekend at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the overnight hours into Friday morning as a result of some bad weather.

According to Atlanta News First, more than 180 overnight Delta flights were canceled as a result of what Delta described as severe summer weather. Delta was not the only airline impacted, but most of the canceled flights were Delta flights.

A Delta spokesperson described the move as proactive due to the severe summer weather.

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Yes, there are proactive cancellations today in Atlanta due to severe summer weather, a spokesperson for Delta Air Lines told 11 Alive in Atlanta on Friday. Safety for our passengers and crew is our top priority.

The mass cancellations come after a "nightmare" Delta flight sent more than two dozen people to the hospital.

Delta Air Lines Flight 56 from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam experienced "significant" turbulence and needed to divert. When the plane landed, 25 people were hospitalized.

A woman who was aboard the flight said that the in-flight dinner service started when the shocking turbulence hit from out of nowhere.

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"There was actually no warning. It was a very abrupt, hard hit," said Leeann Nash, who spoke to Minneapolis' ABC affiliate.

"If you didn't have your seat belt on -- everyone that didn't -- they hit the ceiling, and then they fell to the ground, and the carts also hit the ceiling and fell to the ground, and people were injured, and it happened several times, so it was really scary."

Needless to say, it seems like Delta was making safety a priority for its customers given the severe weather on Thursday night, especially after the scary incident that occurred earlier this week.

While the cancellations were undoubtedly frustrating, they were understandable in context.

Delta Air Lines Suddenly Cancels Nearly 200 Flights first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 1, 2025
Democratic state lawmakers have fled Texas to try to stop a vote on a new congressional map that would heavily favour Republicans.

The proposed redistricting - unveiled by Texas's majority Republicans last week and backed by President Donald Trump - would create five new Republican-leaning seats in the US House of Representatives. Republicans currently have only a slender majority in the House.

Two-thirds of the 150-member state legislature must be present in order to hold a vote. Fifty-one Democratic lawmakers have fled Texas, most of them to Illinois, denying Republicans the required quorum.

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They said they plan to stay away for two weeks until the end of a special legislative session.

That session was convened by the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who is a Republican himself. He has threatened to try to remove from office any lawmakers who fail to return to Texas for a vote.

The session in the Texas legislature is being held to provide disaster relief after last month's deadly floods in the state, and to ban THC, the active ingredient in cannabis - as well as approving the planned electoral redistricting.

Each of the 51 absent lawmakers could face a $500 (380) fine for every day they are away, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, has threatened to have them arrested.

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Paxton wrote on X that the state should "use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law".

"Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately," he added.

Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to try to remove state Democrats from office [Getty Images]

In a statement, Texas Democrats defended the move.

"We're not walking out on our responsibilities," said state legislator and chairman of the Democratic caucus Gene Wu.

"We're walking out on a rigged system that refuses to listen to the people we represent."

State Democrats received the backing of national party figures. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the group were showing "courage, conviction and character".

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While Democrats nationwide have threatened tit-for-tat tactics, their options may be limited.

In states where they handle the redistricting process, such as Illinois, New Mexico and Nevada, Democrats have already gerrymandered just as eagerly as Republicans.

The most recent Illinois map, for example, received an F grade from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project because it was rated so politically unfair.

But in other Democratic-controlled states, such as New York, California, Colorado and Washington, redistricting is handled by non-partisan, independent commissions, rather than the state legislatures.

The proposed redistricting would create five new Republican-leaning seats in the US House of Representatives [Getty Images]

Texas Republicans currently hold 25 out of 38 congressional seats in the Lone Star State.

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They hope the new maps could increase that number to 30 - all in constituencies that Trump won last November by at least 10 points.

Ahead of next year's nationwide midterm elections, Texas' redistricting could help pad the slender Republican majority in the House, which is the lower chamber of Congress.

Trump's party currently has 219 of 435 seats in the House, while Democrats hold 212.

The new map would include a redistricting of the Rio Grande Valley and combine two districts in the state capital of Austin currently held by Democrats.

In northern Texas, the map would expand a district currently held by Democratic congresswoman Julie Johnson to include rural Republican strongholds.

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It would also redraw four Houston-area seats, including one held by Democratic congressman Al Green.

Texas state legislator Todd Hunter, a Republican who sponsored the measure to redraw the map, called it "a good plan for Texas".

This is the third time in the past few years that Democrats have fled Texas to deny Republicans a quorum.

The party's legislators took off for to Washington DC in 2021 in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block the passage of new election rules.

Texas Democrats also left for Oklahoma in 2003 in a bid to stop redistricting that Republicans eventually managed to get approved.

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States typically undergo redistricting every 10 years, when voting maps are redrawn to account for population changes.

The most recent US Census was in 2020. Redrawing district lines in the middle of a decade is unusual.
WASHINGTON  As members of Congress head home for summer recess, both parties are reckoning with their respective weaknesses and monitoring key changes to the emerging 2026 landscape.

Democrats, saddled with record-low ratings for their party, are seeking a jolt of energy from appealing local candidates who can credibly claim distance from the national brand and the disappointments of 2024. Republicans are looking to sell voters on the most popular aspects of President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill, though Trumps own ratings have slid this year and polls show the sweeping law to be unpopular overall.

It all comes as both parties are gearing up for next years midterm elections, which historically tend to be a referendum on the president. Republicans control both chambers of Congress, with Democrats needing to net three seats to take control of the House and four to flip the Senate.

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The presidents party traditionally loses seats in a midterm year, though new Republican redistricting efforts could bolster Trumps GOP. Democrats face a steeper climb in the Senate, with most of the Republican seats up in 2026 in red states.

Still, Democrats are more optimistic lately that voters disdain for their party will subside  and that a combination of unpopular Trump policies, strong Democratic candidates, high base enthusiasm and a fragile Republican coalition could tilt the midterm battlefield in their favor.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who chairs the partys Senate campaign arm, said she sees Democratic prospects improving and predicted a backlash reminiscent of the 2006 midterms, when she was first elected to Congress and Democrats pulled off surprise wins in red states.

I think the Republican majority is at risk because of a series of recruitment failures, damaging primaries and their very toxic plan that slashes Medicaid and spikes costs, she said.

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Republicans stress that they remain in a strong position.

We feel very confident. Certainly not complacent, but confident, said Alex Latcham, executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund, the GOP super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Were taking nothing for granted.

Democrats bruised brand

While they feel optimistic about their midterm prospects, Democrats acknowledge that they have a brand problem.

Polls taken throughout 2025 have shown record-low ratings for the Democratic Party, with the GOP faring better, though also in net-negative territory. A Quinnipiac poll this month found that voters gave Democrats in Congress a dismal 19% approval rating, with 72% disapproving. Even self-identified Democrats disapproved by a 13-point margin.

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Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., who chairs Democrats House campaign committee, acknowledged her partys brand problem in a recent conversation with reporters. She said House Democrats have to work to transcend it with great candidates who offer authentic messages for their districts.

Voters are absolutely frustrated with the dysfunction, the chaos that they see in Washington, D.C. And they want strong representatives who are going to stand up for them, DelBene said.

DelBene suggested more than a dozen House Democrats were able to win last year even as Trump carried their districts because we had people who were talking directly to voters, who were talking about the issues that matter.

Some Democrats also note that the low ratings are driven in part by Democratic voters who are unhappy with their own party but who wont be inclined to support Republicans.

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Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the polls show there are a lot of Democrats out there who want us to be fighting harder, arguing that his party can turn the problem into an advantage.

Trump is lighting our democracy on fire, and so its frankly a good sign that theres a lot of Americans who see the threat that he poses to peoples health care, to our way of life, to our very democracy, and want their leaders here to be standing up and fighting, Murphy told NBC News. I understand that those numbers look kind of harrowing for Democrats, but at some level, its a good sign.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is retiring, also warned that the Democrats low rating wont save the GOP next fall. He noted that the Republican Partys broad brand was in terrible shape the year before the 2010 GOP wave election. NBC News July 2009 poll showed 28% of respondents viewing the Republican Party positively, versus 41% who viewed it negatively.

I would go back and remind everybody to look at roughly the 2009 time frame when the same sort of assessments were being made in reverse, Tillis said. We should take nothing for granted. We should all assume were running from behind.

The hunt for 2026 candidates

Both the House and Senate majorities run through territory Trump won in 2024.

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House Republicans are defending just three districts Trump lost last year, while 13 Democrats are defending seats Trump carried, according to an analysis of election results from the NBC News Decision Desk.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, need to net four seats to take control of the chamber, and just one Republican, Maines Susan Collins, represents a state that also backed former Vice President Kamala Harris last year. Any path to the majority requires Democrats to win a few states Trump carried by double digits.

Pressed on which seats she sees as competitive enough for Democrats to flip, Gillibrand declined to name states but said theres at least seven or eight states that are going to be in play because of the nature of their agenda.

Joanna Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, laughed when asked about Gillibrands contention that seven pickups are a possibility.

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Democrats are facing historically low approval ratings of 19% because their delusional leaders focus on radical policies that are unpopular with voters, she said, adding that Republicans are working to lower costs of living, eliminate government fraud and waste, and keep males out of girls sports.

Democrats are trying to cut into the red-tinted map with specific candidates who have demonstrated crossover appeal before. Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who just jumped into the race to succeed Tillis, has won six statewide elections since 2000.

Hes on a collision course with Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who launched his own campaign Thursday after Trump asked him to run.

Tillis warned Tuesday that Cooper will no doubt be a formidable candidate.

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In Ohio, a state unlikely to have a heavily contested Senate race without a particularly strong Democratic candidate, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has twice traveled to the state in recent months as part of an aggressive recruitment effort targeting former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who lost his seat to Republican Bernie Moreno last year despite outrunning the top of the ticket. Schumers latest visit came last week, a source familiar with the meeting confirmed to NBC News. (The meeting was first reported by Axios.)

Brown has been contemplating a comeback but is torn between the idea of running for Senate or running for governor in 2026, which would give his party a top-tier candidate to take on Trump-endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy.

In Texas, meanwhile, some Republicans are worried about scandal-tarred Attorney General Ken Paxton defeating Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the primary and jeopardizing a safe seat in the general election.

Number one, hes not going to win. But number two, if he were to win, I think it would jeopardize the presidents agenda, Cornyn told NBC News. It would be the first loss of a statewide race by Republicans in 30 years. So itd be a disaster.

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All that money could be used to pick up Senate seats in Georgia, New Hampshire and Michigan, he added. But we dont need  we dont expect to give Democrats that opportunity.

GOP challenges

Democrats have also been buoyed by recent polls with warning signs for Trump and Republicans defending their slim majorities in Congress.

The presidents approval rating has declined by a net 8 points since April, per a recent Fox News poll. Voters remain unhappy with the cost of living, and the presidents ratings on handling prices and the economy have tanked  though voters also split evenly on the question of which party they trusted more to handle those issues.

Trumps big, beautiful law, which both parties call the defining issue in the midterms, is also broadly unpopular, although some provisions get high marks.

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And the GOP faces a unique challenge: turning out Trump supporters who dont show up as regularly when he isnt on the ballot.

Democrats have also stumbled on an issue that provides a rare opening to drive a wedge between Trump and his base: encouraging MAGA-world criticism of how the administration has handled government files surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

As they prepared for the monthlong August recess, House Democratic leaders distributed a memo encouraging their members to highlight the issue back in their states and districts.

Republicans, meanwhile, urged their members to campaign on the big beautiful bill.

The National Republican Congressional Committee issued a memo on Monday urging GOP lawmakers to hold local events and engage with local media to tout popular provisions in the bill, like making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, increasing the child tax credit, cutting taxes on tips and overtime pay, and boosting funds for border security.

Out of touch House Democrats voted to raise taxes, kill jobs, gut national security, and allow wide open borders  its no surprise their polling is in the gutter, NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement. We will use every tool to show voters that the provisions in this bill are widely popular and that Republicans stood with them while House Democrats sold them out.

Republicans have started to tout the measure on the airwaves. One Nation, the nonprofit arm of the main Senate GOP super PAC, has launched ads praising it as a working family tax cut.

The GOP also plans to nationalize New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist whose focus on affordability and grassroots energy powered his campaign.

While President Trump and Republicans are delivering real results by lowering costs and securing the border, Democrats are embracing radical candidates like socialist Zohran Mamdani and fomenting violence against ICE and Border Patrol agents, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kiersten Pels said.

Still, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., warned that Democrats' weak brand wont save the GOP in the 2026 election.

Itll be a referendum on the party in power, which would be us, Hawley said, adding that his party can only win by delivering for the people who elected you, which would be my humble suggestion to my Republican friends.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Democrats are turning to military veteran candidates to help them win back the House of Representatives next year, including a group that calls themselves the Hellcats

Democrats are already running in at least nine swing districts, but party officials are eyeing up more than 30 potential new veteran candidates for the House as part of a new strategy aimed at freshening up their image.

We cant just have people who seem like tired old Democrats, Representative Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and former Marine, told the New York Times.

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Its a cycle when people are very frustrated with the Democratic Party  including Democrats.

Democrats are trying to rebuild in the wake of Mr Trumps sweeping election victory, in which Republicans won both the House and the Senate.

Congressman Seth Moulton is a former Marine - Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The tactic to run military veterans reprises a strategy that helped deliver the House in 2018 and could be especially effective for making inroads into rural, Republican-leaning districts, according to Democratic political strategists.

Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger who is assisting with candidate recruitment for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said that veterans made effective candidates because they didnt come across as part of a ruling elite.

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What Americans are really thirsty for right now are leaders, not just politicians, he told The New York Times.

Among the military veteran candidates running for the Democrats are four women who have a group chat called the Hellcats  named after the first female Marines who served in World War One.

JoAnna Mendoza, 48, a single mother who said she joined the Marines because there were no job opportunities in her rural community, is challenging for a Republican seat in southeastern Arizona.

The system isnt designed for people like me, she said.

During Mr Trumps first term, the Democrats won the House in 2018 off the back of a slate of veteran and female candidates who had worked in national security, including Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Elissa Slotkin, who is now a Michigan senator.

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The focus on ex-servicemen and women forms part of the Democrats push to reclaim the mantle of being the party of patriotism  a message trumpeted by Ms Slotkin, who has emerged as a leading voice in the party since Mr Trumps return to office.

Elissa Slotkin is a former intelligence analyst - Scott Olson/Getty Images

We need to take the flag back from the people who are spitting on our democracy, she said in a recent post on X.

It comes as Democrat lawmakers have turned on each other over the partys failure to stand up to the presidents assault on US institutions from government departments, to universities and law firms.

Cory Booker, the New Jersey Senator, warned that history would remember members of his partys complicity in bending the knee to Mr Trump.

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What I want to see more people doing is not doing what some law firms have done, bend the knee to Donald TrumpThat to me is outrageous, Mr Booker told CNN.

The Senator this week launched a fiery tirade against his colleagues on the House floor, bellowing that the Democratic Party needs a wake up call.

Abigail Spanberger is a former intelligence officer - Win McNamee/Getty Images

In an effort to destabilise Mr Trumps agenda, Senate Democrats blocked more than 50 of the presidents nominees from being confirmed on Saturday, prompting a furious backlash from Mr Trump.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, refused to vote to confirm the low-level appointments unless federal funds were released and Mr Trump agreed not to push more cuts to federal funding, sources told CNN.

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As a result, just seven of the nominees were confirmed, while the remainder will not be voted on until lawmakers return from their summer recess in September.

The president responded by telling Mr Schumer to go to hell.

Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the Radical Left Lunatics, to GO TO HELL! he wrote on Truth Social.

Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country. Have a great RECESS.

On Sunday Mr Trump hit back at a radio host who said the handling of the case of the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was fuelling a coup in the Republican party.

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Charlamagne tha God told Fox News that traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back.

Mr Trump was friends with Epstein who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Mr Trumps supporters have grown furious over his governments refusal to release the so-called Epstein files.

The president responded to Charlamagne, saying he knows nothing about me or what I have done.

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Demonstrators gather in front of the Capitol on Aug. 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Demonstrators came out to make their voices heard at the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday, as lawmakers returned for a special session, and urged a yes vote to override Gov. Mike Dunleavys veto of more than $50 million in funding for Alaskas K-12 schools.

As legislators were set to gavel in at 10 a.m., about a dozen protesters lined the hallways to advocate for legislators overriding the veto, with signs reading vote like your kids live here, vote to override and fund public education!

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One protester was Peter Sidmore,a middle school teacher in the Juneau School District, where he graduated in 2019.

Its impressive how much the system in town has degraded in the six years since I graduated, just due to lack of funding. And Ive been pretty present to see all of that, because we did have a fairly robust school system, and its really changed, he said.

Sidmore said that last year, the consolidation of Juneaus two high schools was especially hard on students. This year, its the continued climate of uncertainty, he said.

Thats the hardest part. When we have a direction and we know what were getting, and we know what we can do, we can prepare students to an extent, but its the indecisiveness, its the back and forth that really, really is hard on students. Yeah, you hear that in education all the time. Its just, you want to have a plan, even if its not the best, Sidmore said.

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McLain Sidmore, standing with him holding a sign, works for an education nonprofit in Juneau. I see classes seem to be getting bigger every year, McLain Sidmore said. Teachers are being moved around until weeks into the school year; there are students not getting the services they need. And just parents are stressed. Kids are stressed. Teachers are stressed.

Eric Antrim, an engineer with the U.S. Forest Service, as well as a member of the National Federation of Federal Employees, NFFE Local 251, held a sign reading education is our future.

I benefited from a public education growing up, and that was good enough to get me into engineering school and to perform well, he said. And I want our Legislature to act responsibly and pay it forward. They all benefited from safe schools and good schooling, and they shouldnt be taking that away from the next generation.

Debra Craig, a 43-year-resident of Juneau, said she worked in state government in social services. So I have a fairly deep understanding of the challenges that people face when they dont have adequate resources, she said. And education is like a fundamental resource that people need to be able to get ahead in the world, to be able to survive, to be able to just exist adequately.

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Craig said shes concerned about the quality of education in Alaska, especially the lack of civics education and understanding of government. Alaska is one of eight states that doesnt require students graduating from high school to pass a civics test. And I think all of that is showing up throughout the United States in our national politics and our state politics, she said. So we need to support education. We need to support civics education so people understand what their government does, and doesnt do for them.

Outside the Capitol, a rally kicked off at 11 a.m with a crowd gathered to join a national day of action, and to support public education in Alaska. More than 300 demonstrations were set to take place on Saturday, part of a Rage Against the Regime protest against the Trump administration and threats to democracy, due process, and civil rights and freedoms.

Speakers condemned the Trump administrations actions on immigrant communities, public services and higher education, and they called for solidarity to continue protesting the president.

Public schools are democracys tools! the crowd chanted.

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Just after 1:30 p.m., legislators voted to override two of the governors vetoes, including for school funding. A handful of demonstrators in the hall cheered senators after they left the house chambers.

It was great. We were very happy, said Pat Race, a demonstrator who was standing outside the House doors. Hes a Juneau-based filmmaker and illustrator, and a product of Alaska schools. There was a lot of clapping and then shushing of the clapping, because they were still working on things. But both veto overrides were a really big deal. And it was really nice to see them come through, he said, referring to legislators also voting to override a veto of Senate Bill 183, a bill to require reports on oil tax settlements.

And afterwards, he added. It was a sunny day in Juneau, and I fled the building for a celebratory taco.

Demonstrators outside the Capitol in Juneau to support public education on Aug. 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

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A crowd in front of the Alaska State Capitol for the 'Rage Against the Regime' rally and for public education on Aug. 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

A demonstrator holds a sign at the Alaska State Capitol on Aug 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Demonstrators in front of the Capitol call for legislators to override Gov. Dunleavy's veto and restore school funding on Aug. 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Demonstrators with signs show support for public education in the hallway of the Alaska State Capitol, ahead of the legislative special session on Aug. 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

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McLain Sidmore and Peter Sidmore work in the Juneau School District, and came out to show support for public education on Aug 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Demonstrators gather in front of the Capitol on Aug. 2, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
WEBB CITY, Mo.  A local protest is part of a national movement today.

More than 30 Rage Against the Regime demonstrators gathered in front of the Praying Hands Memorial in Webb City, organized by Indivisible Joplin and 50501 Missouri.

Protestors held signs expressing their disapproval for national policies that have slashed funding for essential services like Medicaid, public TV and radio, and education, and for the Trump administrations efforts to ramp up the deportation of immigrants.

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Joplin residents protest, gather school supplies for families

I believe that everything that we are protesting here does not just benefit Democrats or Republicans, it benefits all of the American people. And thats what were trying to do here, is come out and show solidarity as Americans, not as left versus right, but just us as a people, as individuals to stand up collective and say we have a voice and this is how were going to use it, said Robert Morgan, Protester.

We felt like the praying hands would be a good symbolism for what we hope to be able to bring into the future and kind of just uplift while also protesting and stuff. So we felt like itd be a good backdrop for the protest, said Bradley Bos, Indivisible Joplin Event Coordinator.

Organizers also used todays event to help those they say are affected by cuts to federal aid programs.

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They asked the community to donate electrolyte packets, reusable water bottles, and make cash donations to Food Not Bombs Joplin to support the local houseless community.

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In a whirlwind of negotiations over three days, Democrats asked for multiple billions in government funds to be released in exchange for a vote on a batch of nominees President Trump wanted confirmed before lawmakers left for their August break, sources told CBS News.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was negotiating with GOP leadership for $5 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $1 billion for the Global Fund, $300 million for the World Food Program, $50 million to fight HIV in developing countries, about $140 million for the United Nations Children's Fund, and other money funding that had been previously approved, sources said.

After much back and forth, senators believed they had an agreement to get about 20 nominations through before Mr. Trump on Saturday nixed the deal, several sources said.

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Some of the negotiations were about Republicans not withholding funds Congress has already agreed to. Schumer wanted no clawbacks, including so-called pocket rescissions, two of the sources said, referring to presidential funding cut proposals to Congress that are very late in the fiscal year.

As of now, about 140 Trump nominees await a vote, including some 30 ambassadors. Among those are Mike Waltz, who is awaiting a confirmation vote as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, nominated for U.S. ambassador to Greece.

Those who were confirmed Saturday include Defense Department officials Earl Matthews and Adam Telle; trade official Will Kimmitt; judicial officials Jeanine Pirro and Jason Quinones; and ambassadors Andrew Puzder for the European Union and Brian Burch for the Vatican. Also confirmed was Senate Majority Leader John Thune's son-in-law, Luke Lindberg, for an undersecretary post at the Agriculture Department.

Mr. Trump on Saturday praised Thune and Republican senators in a Truth Social post, and criticized Democrats for "doing everything possible to DELAY these wonderful and talented people from being approved."

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The remaining administration officials Mr. Trump was hoping to get installed will have to wait until at least September. Thune said the Senate will adjourn until Sept. 2.

"We were serious about trying to make some progress," Schumer told reporters at a news conference Saturday. "But ultimately, Trump wouldn't agree. He took his ball, he went home  leaving Democrats and Republicans alike wondering, "What the hell happened?"

Pressed on whether he had asked the White House to unfreeze some aid for Palestinians, Schumer said: "I'm not going to get into the details. Obviously, we'd all like to help Gaza, but the bottom line is, we were getting close on a whole lot of issues, and Donald Trump just pulled the rug out from under people. And even before that, when it looked like we were getting close, a day before, he again called in and screwed it all up."

Mr. Trump got his response in even before Schumer began his press conference, posting a message to the senator on Truth Social that read: "GO TO HELL!"

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"Senator Cryin' Chuck Schumer is demanding over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees, who should right now be helping to run our Country. This demand is egregious and unprecedented, and would be embarrassing to the Republican Party if it were accepted. It is political extortion, by any other name," Mr. Trump wrote.

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The US Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing to end certain abortion services to veterans, rolling back a Biden-era move to expand abortion rights.

In a proposed rule filed Friday, the department said that it is seeking to revoke access to abortions and abortion counseling for veterans and the beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We take this action to ensure that VA provides only needed medical services to our nations heroes and their families, the department said in the filing.

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Under the Biden administrations rule, the department currently provides access to abortions when a pregnant veterans life or health is at risk if their pregnancy were carried to term, or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest  regardless of state laws.

The proposed rule would allow abortions in cases where a physician certifies that the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, which, according to the filing, had been permitted even before the 2022 expansion.

The Biden-era rule was part of the administrations efforts to expand abortion access after Republican-led states pushed ahead with restrictions in the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that eliminated the federal right to an abortion.

The VA argued at the time that it was necessary to give veterans access to abortions, saying, As abortion bans come into force across the country, veterans in many States are no longer assured access to abortion services in their communities, even when those services are needed.

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But on Friday, President Donald Trumps VA slammed the Biden administrations rule, calling it federal overreach.

The stated reason for (the expansion) was a reaction to a Supreme Court decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization  that itself was intended to prevent federal overreach and return to States control over the provision of abortion services, the filing states. Yet, the last administration used Dobbs to do the exact opposite of preventing overreach, creating a purported Federal entitlement to abortion for veterans where none had existed before and without regard to State law.

Twenty states have banned or limited access to abortion. States where abortion is limited report higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, as well as greater economic insecurity.

The proposed rule will now be open for public comment for 30 days starting Monday.

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In his first term, Trump made good on campaign promises and appointed Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. Since that ruling, Trump has been keen to leave regulations over the issue to state governments.

The Trump administration has overall been quiet on the issue of abortion in his second term. However, in June, the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services moved to rescind a 2022 federal guidance to health care providers specifying that people should be able to access an abortion in the event of a medical emergency, even if state laws restrict such procedures.

CNNs Veronica Stracqualursi and Jen Christensen contributed to this report.

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MORTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A 76-year-old man was taken to the hospital after a crash in Morton Township on Saturday, deputies say.

It happened near the intersection of 90th Avenue and Grant Road.

According to the Mecosta County Sheriffs Office, the man was headed south on 90th Avenue when he had a medical emergency. His car subsequently veered off the road and hit multiple trees.

Deputies said the man was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

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DESCANSO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Business owners in the small community of Descanso are pushing back against a proposed plan from Caltrans that would remove shoulder parking along State Route 79, spaces they say are critical for their businesses survival.

Caltrans says the move is part of an effort to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. But for restaurant and shop owners, the plan could mean losing customers.

Descanso means a place of rest, and thats kind of what it is to me, said Brett Cooker, owner of the local restaurant Descanso Junction. Its a very peaceful area, great people, great community

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Cooker says he only recently found out that Caltrans was planning on removing those spots last week.

We have no place for customers, he said. All these businesses are going to go out of business. Its kind of sad.

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Caltrans told business owners its considering eliminating parking along the highways shoulders to reduce safety risks. Local owners argue the change would leave customers with nowhere to park and no reason to stop in Descanso.

John Elliot, owner of the Descanso Trading Post, echoed those concerns and said a compromise is needed.

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I will say this, there was never been an accident with anybody pulling in and out of this building. I got 30 to 40 years of CHP reports, its just not happened, he said.

For now, the plan is on pause. Several local business owners say State Sen. Brian Jones reached out to Caltrans and urged them to delay the decision, but its unclear how long that pause will last or what alternatives might be considered.

As for Cooker, he says he will have to spend thousands of dollars to expand space behind his restaurant to add more parking spots.

Caltrans did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

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Detroits last decade is a story of change, a remarkable journey from bankruptcy to balanced budgets, a gleaming downtown, new development in the city core and even in some neighborhoods. Michigan Central Station is back from the dead. More working streetlights, improved police response times, aggressive demolition of dangerous, derelict homes. Rising property values and improved services all the way down to the return of street sweeping.

But, as Detroit has risen, turnout in municipal elections has fallen  so fast and so far that its hard not to see it as a vote of no-confidence in city government.

Particularly because, as the percentage of Detroiters casting ballots in municipal elections has fallen, the share of Detroiters voting for governor and president has stayed the same, a Detroit Free Press analysis of two decades of election data showed. For a consistent measure of turnout over time, the Free Press compared the number of ballots cast to the U.S. Census Bureau count of Detroits voting age population, which yields different results than the citys official turnout figures.

Forty-one percent of those Detroiters cast ballots in the 2005 municipal election. By 2021, only 20% showed up to reelect Mayor Mike Duggan for the third time  just one in five potential voters, many of them residents of the citys most stable, prosperous neighborhoods.

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Detroiters are abandoning municipal elections, and we wanted to know why.

This summer, we interviewed Detroiters in the citys lowest-turnout precincts, from Osborn to Delray, Brightmoor to Dexter-Linwood  where too many Detroiters told us theyre just not part of Detroits turnaround.

Detroit has changed. But not enough, and not for everyone.

24 years of Detroit election data shows not enough people vote. Can we fix it?

Left out, left behind

This year, Detroiters will choose a new mayor for the first time in 12 years, and elect two new members to open seats on the Detroit City Council. Last week, City Clerk Janice Winfrey said she expects 13% to 18% turnout in the Aug. 5 primary, based on the number of absentee ballots returned thus far.

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And the Nov. 4 general election will likely be decided, as in 2021, by just one in five voters.

Low turnout is a crisis. But its also a symptom.

Detroiters who feel left out become less interested in voting, candidates see less advantage to campaigning in neighborhoods with low turnout, and the distance between Detroiters and their government grows.

Some Detroiters cited strings of vacant lots where dilapidated homes once stood as evidence that nothing here changes. That the dangerous, blighted structures are gone didnt signify; these Detroiters dont simply want blight removed, they want new homes in their place.

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After decades of disinvestment, Detroiters who feel left out or left behind have a sense that change is possible  just not for them.

The next mayor and council have to change that, or risk losing another generation of voters.

'I aint voting for nobody'

In the citys lowest-turnout precincts  where voter turnout in 2024 hovered around 30%  Detroiters voiced similar frustrations:

Not enough police patrolling the neighborhood. Too much illegal dumping on nearby swaths of vacant land, that never get developed. Loose dogs. Too many semi-trailers rumbling down the streets, which need to be fixed. Unaffordable housing. Flooding that clogs streets and sewers. Candidates who only show up to campaign, or never show up at all.

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The same problems, year after year, no matter whos in office.

I aint voting for nobody, said James Drain, 49, sitting outside the Dragons Motorcycle Club in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood. Its gonna be the same s--t going on, generation after generation.

Miles away in Osborn, Jarrell Gaskins voted in the last presidential election, but isnt sure whether hell vote this year.

Gaskins, 40, helped found the Teppert Street Block Club in 2001. His block is attractive and relatively dense, compared with significant abandonment and blight along surrounding streets. Gaskins said he and his neighbors crave deeper involvement with Detroit politics and business development. But around here, you dont see the candidates.

The Teppert Street Block Club, founded in 2001, in northeast Detroit.

Politicians, he said, tend to stick to a handful of higher-turnout, higher-income, highly engaged areas of the city.

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They probably go up and down the Outer Drive area, Gaskins said. We dont know who to go for. We dont know who represents us. Youd think this would be an important area for knocking on doors.

On Cortland Street in Dexter-Linwood, Henry Wiley, 41, voted for president last year, but hasnt turned out for a municipal election since 2013, when he cast a ballot for Duggan.

Jarrell Gaskins, 40, sits on the front steps of his Detroit home on July 31, 2025. Gaskins said candidates for office tend to campaign in high turnout neighborhoods. You got those areas all sewed up, Gaskins said. Come and get the people who arent already voting.

Wiley is tired of clearing clogged sewer drains and looking at bulk trash that doesn't get picked up. He has never seen a candidate knocking doors in any Detroit neighborhood he has lived in.

He used to view elections as predetermined, and didnt think voting mattered. After having kids, he changed his thinking  sort of.

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I just do it now to make sure I did my part  but in my mind, we dont really know, Wiley said.

'If you don't vote, you can't b---h'

Even Detroiters in low-turnout precincts who do vote, like Roy Doc Nichols, 53, of Osborn, on the citys east side, and Sandra Adamski, 67, of Delray, dont believe their neighborhoods are anyones priority.

But both told us they vote because they see it as their civic duty. Even, at times, because they know their neighbors wont, and believe someone must.

And, said Adamski, a retired union worker, theres another perk: If you dont vote, you cant b---h. And I like to b---h.

That most of Nichols neighbors dont vote frustrates him. But hes also frustrated by how candidates behave.

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Aint no politicians come near this neighborhood, Nichols said.

Roy "Doc" Nichols, speaks to the Free Press about low voter turnout in his neighborhood while washing his Dodge Charger at Teppert and Manning streets in northeast Detroit. It never changes," he said. "Thats why people dont vote. ... Im still going to vote.  Somebodys going to come along and do the right thing.

'Is it problematic? Yes, it is'

Political consultants and candidates explained the dynamics of campaigning in this city: With limited resources and tough competition, it just makes sense to canvas the densely populated neighborhoods where more voters live.

None of this was lost on the Detroiters we talked to.

When candidates ask for voter lists, they request the 100 precincts with the highest turnout, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey told us, or perhaps just the top 50, depending on how many neighborhoods they can afford to canvas. Its a strategy she believes is shortsighted  Detroit has 400 neighborhood precincts.

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Those are the stable neighborhoods where people vote on a regular basis, with two-parent family households and great credit scores, said Mario Morrow, a Detroit political consultant who has worked on campaigns here for nearly 40 years.

None of the candidates or elected officials we interviewed said they worked less diligently on behalf of Detroiters who dont vote.

But some acknowledged that with participation comes expectation.

One elected official called the swath of neighborhoods in north central Detroit Victory Row  Green Acres, Sherwood Forest, the University District and Palmer Woods, where the percentage of voters who cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election ranged from 68% to 79%. When residents from those areas call, the elected official said, youd better pick up the phone.

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Winfrey scoffed at the notion that who votes doesnt affect public policy and government responsiveness, at every level of government.

Is it problematic? Yes, it is, Winfrey said. Is it the truth? Yes, it is.

'I may not be benefiting, but the city is'

Nichols, meticulously washing his bright red Dodge Charger outside his Teppert Street home on a bright July day, is determined to vote in the upcoming mayors race, but hadnt yet learned about the candidates.

He doesnt trust politicians, he said, because they rarely keep their promises. But, Nichols said, Im still going to vote.  Somebodys going to come along and do the right thing.

At the opposite corner of the city, Adamski gets campaign mailers at the bungalow on Lyon Street where she has lived for 30 years, but doesn't see many candidates for office. The street is dotted with vacant lots, which she sees as an improvement. When there were more people, there were gangs and drugs. Now, its quiet.

Duggan once held an event in the neighborhood, Adamski said, perhaps regarding the construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge, but neither she nor her neighbors knew about it in advance. Nearly half of Delray residents were relocated to accommodate the bridge.

Still, Adamski likes Duggan, and said he has done a good job. Shes worried about who will succeed him.

I may not be benefiting, she said. But the city is.

'Everybody gets in there and does nothing'

Chauritha Simmons, 52, lives in the Tiny Homes community in Dexter-Linwood, and cant remember the last time she voted in a city election.

They really dont make a change, she said. Everybody gets in there and does nothing.

Detroit's Tiny Homes community, built by Cass Community Social Services, in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood.

Simmons said she wants to see more streetlights, cleaner bus stops, more stores, safer gas stations, more security, period.

Yoshi Riley, 47, who lives near Dexter Avenue and Davison Highway, likewise tapped out of elections: Theyve been doing nothing for the inner city."

She wants to see more abandoned homes rehabilitated, and more done to address homelessness  but Riley said shed need to see significant change around her in order to prioritize seeking out candidate information and putting in the effort to vote.

'Theres no way they dont notice the changes'

Christopher McQuirter, 59, said the vast improvements to infrastructure and demolition of abandoned structures have been obvious.

Theres no way they dont notice the changes, said McQuirter, who lives on Cortland Street in Dexter-Linwood. You can see the difference, because it looked terrible.

But for disillusioned residents in the neighborhoods least impacted by upgrades, it's not enough to drive civic engagement.

And even McQuirter doesnt believe that his neighbors concerns are always represented.

They dont know if someone will speak for them, McQuirter said. If they can rely on someone to speak for you, they might get out and vote.

His friend, Matthew Jackson, 49, is a Detroit police officer who lives in Boston-Edison, a historic district where housing values have skyrocketed in recent years.

Jackson joined the police academy at age 48, after moving back to his hometown from Florida when he realized he missed Detroit  and after the Detroit Police Department implemented significant pay increases and other improvements to officer recruitment efforts.

I have to vote. Thats my duty, he said.  Ive seen the area go from not so nice to where you can walk the area.

But, he acknowledged, Its a whole different ballgame down the street. I guess (Boston-Edison) is a whole sheltered community.

Darrell Plant, 59, of Osborn, said he voters every chance he gets, but he wonders how much candidates, who rarely show up in his neighborhood, are actually listening to everyday Detroiters.

"I will be voting Tuesday," he said a few days before Detroit's municipal primary. "Whoever gets in office has to just hear the people. If you don't hear the people  therein lies the problem."

Darrell Plant, 59, on the front steps of his Detroit home on July 31, 2025. Plant votes, but he wonders how much candidates, who rarely show up in his neighborhood, are actually listening to everyday Detroiters. If you dont hear the people, therein lies the problem.

'You say you want change?'

Simmons, the Tiny Homes resident, was unfamiliar with the candidates in this years mayoral race.

But she did show a sliver of interest: Perhaps, Simmons said, the mayors office could use a womans touch.

Any women running? she asked.

Two of the front-runners in the race for mayor are indeed women  but their campaigns havent connected with Simmons.

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Gayla Stockton, 66, lives on Fielding Street in Brightmoor, a block with noticeably pristine lawns. I do vote, and I will be voting, said Stockton, who doesnt let anything keep her from the polls  even the chemotherapy she is undergoing as she battles breast cancer. I believe my vote matters. You cant complain if you dont get out and vote.

And more important, she said, You cant change things if you dont vote. You say you want change? Go out and make change.

Detroit Free Press journalists Kahlil Al-Hajal and Sophia Valchine talk with Detroit voter Gayla Stockton, 66, on Fielding Street about voting in the Brightmoor neighborhood on July 29, 2025.

'The common touch'

Daniel Baxter, chief of operations in Winfreys office, lamented the way so much campaigning is now online, when Detroiters often expect the common touch out of campaigns.

"I'm from the east side. The general consensus is the east side doesnt vote. Thats not true, you just have to speak our language, Baxter said. But people discredit certain areas because they assume only some areas vote.

Nichols, the Osborn resident, remembers as a child seeing campaigners frequent the neighborhood using bullhorns to remind and urge people to vote.

Go back to the old school. Bring them loudspeakers out  Can you please come out to vote. Refresh their memory, he said. Thats how to get people if you want people to vote.

The Detroiters we interviewed ranged from avid voters to those whove never voted. But almost everyone we spoke to was interested in elections  if someone would just reach out. And even the Detroiters who declared they simply had no interest in politics told us they care about this city.

Theyd just like someone to listen.

You got those areas all sewed up, Gaskins said, of the citys high-turnout precincts. Come and get the people who arent already voting.

It doesnt seem like much to ask.

Free Press Editorial Board intern Sophia Valchine contributed to this report.

Nancy Kaffer is the editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. Contact: nkaffer@freepress.com. Khalil AlHajal is deputy editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. Contact: kalhajal@freepress.com. Kristi Tanner is the Free Press' data reporter. Contact: ktanner@freepress.com.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit low voter turnout isn't just a crisis. It's a symptom | Opinion
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is gearing up for a major shift in traffic flow as part of a years-long effort to overhaul access into its terminals.

Beginning the first week of August, drivers heading to or from Terminals A and B will need to prepare for a series of detours expected to last roughly 90 days, part of DFWs ongoing International Parkway Project.

According to a recent announcement from the airport, the multi-phase project will redesign access roads leading into Terminals A, B, and C. In this phase, work crews will demolish the aging flyover bridge into Terminal B and connect a newly built structure to the existing road.

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That means change  and likely some confusion  for thousands of travelers in the coming weeks.

Starting August 6, passengers driving to Terminal B will only be able to enter from the southbound lanes of International Parkway. If youre arriving from the north, youll have to drive past the terminal, take a U-turn before the North Exit Plaza, then loop back south to reach the current entrance. For those leaving Terminal A, the only available route will be via the North Exit, with an option to use the U-turn to head back southbound.

While it sounds complicated, airport officials insist that plenty of transportation guidelines and signs will be in place.

Airport officials are now encouraging travelers to:

Arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights, and three hours for international flights.

Use the DFW Airport mobile app to check parking availability, security wait times, and get live detour updates.

Sign up for email alerts for project updates at dfwairport.com/construction.

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The three new bridges being installed for Terminals A, B, and C are allegedly designed to offer more driver-friendly access, cutting down on those dangerous last-minute lane changes.

Crews installed 141 concrete beams, stretching a combined 2.8 miles  longer than DFWs longest runway. More than 13 million pounds of concrete were used, lifted by a series of cranes, including a 900-ton crane capable of hoisting more than ten adult blue whales. Most of the work was done overnight, aiming to minimize disruptions for flyers.

Inside the terminals, DFW is focusing on aesthetic improvements.

As part of the reimagining of Terminal C and the development of a new Terminal F, the airport has recruited artists Jen Rose of Dallas and Pae White of Los Angeles to design two large-scale art installations, according to another recent update.

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Roses piece, titled Prairie Haven, will draw inspiration from North Texas Blackland Prairie ecosystem, while Whites artwork will honor the Trinity River through a suspended aluminum tapestry.

These recent commissions are only the first of more than a dozen public art commissions slated for installation in the coming years. According to the airport, DFWs art collection will grow by 60% with the addition of 16 new pieces of art.
TRIGG COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN)  A Middle Tennessee man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly fled from law enforcement, handcuffed and in his underwear, in Southern Kentucky Saturday morning.

According to WKDZ Radio, the Trigg County Sheriffs Office said 36-year-old Joshua Jordan had been transported to the justice center on Saturday, Aug. 2, but he was hurting himself by hitting his head against the cage in the cruiser several times. When deputies opened the door to render aid, the Dickson man reportedly ran off, despite his handcuffs and lack of clothes.

Man accused of threatening, spitting on officer during Barren County traffic stop

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The radio station said officers from the Cadiz Police Department were called to help the deputies following Jordans escape on Jefferson Street in Cadiz.

Law enforcement reportedly found Jordan on Perry Street, where he stopped and laid down.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

WKDZ Radio said Jordan was arrested and charged with disarming a peace officer, third-degree assault of a police officer, alcohol intoxication in a public place, resisting arrest, third-degree criminal trespassing, and first- and second-degree fleeing or evading 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 WKRN News 2.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS: A recent US report claimed that Biden-era tax dollars funded protest groups against Netanyahu and judicial reform. What does the report actually say?

This past weekend, the coalition claimed a political earthquake: Massiveforeign intervention in an attempt to replace a right-wing government in Israel, wrote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An official document published by the US Congress reveals shocking information.... The previous US administration transferred close to a $1 billion to left-wing NGOs in Israel.

But a careful reading shows thats not what the report says. Were here to make things clear.

What sort of report is this?

Lets start with An official document published by Congress. It is indeed a report from the House Judiciary Committee, but The Biden-Harris administrations funding of anti-Netanyahu nongovernmental organizations is more of an interim summary, as stated in the introduction: This memorandum provides an update on the inquiry and a summary of the committees key findings to date.

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Dr. Osnat Hazan, a researcher and head of the Philanthropy Data Lab at the Institute for Law and Philanthropy at Tel Aviv University, adds that even if it were a final report, Its not a legally binding document or an official report like that of the state comptroller. Indeed, this is a committee report, i.e., one compiled by elected representatives.

There are countries where such committee reports are bipartisan and considered neutral, but thats not the case in the US.

US President Joe Biden gestures as he speaks at a press conference during NATO's 75th anniversary summit, in Washington, US, July 11, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/YVES HERMAN)

These reports are written by committees in either the House or Senate, and control of these committees is clearly in the hands of the party that holds the majority in that house, explains Yiftach Dayan, a commentator on American politics. In the Senate, there is sometimes still bipartisan input  depending on how polarized things are and the size of the majority  but in the House of Representatives, the narrative and sometimes the facts reflect only one side.

Adv. Galia Feit, head of the institute, adds political context: President Donald Trump was fed up with the financial support the US provides to democratic principles and values worldwide, and this memo is another expression of that.

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According to Dayan, Its part of the Trump administrations broader isolationist agenda  that the US shouldnt be seen as interfering in other countries elections, unless the outcome isnt to Joe Bidens liking.

How does the money move?

Of course, the fact that theres partisan bias in congressional committees doesnt necessarily mean that the report is wrong. So lets ask: What does it actually say?

Lets start with the $1 billion figure. That number does not appear in the document. The closest figure is $884 million. According to the report, this is the amount that was transferred through PEF Israel Endowment Funds Inc., a US tax-exempt entity that enables private donors to donate to organizations in Israel, in the period 2021 to 2024, to over 1,000 Israeli organizations, including groups involved in the judicial reform protests.

But there are two problems here: First, in 2021-2022 the current Israeli government had not yet been formed, so including those years inflates the number. According to the source from which the reports authors took the $884m. figure, in 2023-2024  i.e., after the formation of the current government  just under $545m. passed through PEF. Still, its a significant amount to send on to protest groups, no?

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This is the second problem: These entities, as described in the report, are just a few out of the thousand-plus organizations using PEFs services. According to the list on the PEF website, you can indeed donate to left-wing groups like BTselem, but also to many others.

This document contains a bait and switch element, explains Prof. Theodore (Ted) Sasson, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and a lecturer at Middlebury College in Vermont. They talk about huge numbers, but the overwhelming majority of the money  or perhaps all of it  goes to other kinds of causes in Israel that are much more similar to the Israel Museum, Magen David Adom, and the Hebrew University. So, yes, PEF facilitates donations to some protest organizations, but thats at the request of private donors. Any money received by one of the protest organizations was sent by a donor to PEF with a request that it should be transferred to a specific organization.

You can even look at the Israeli NGOs mentioned to trace their funding, says Hazan. All the foreign money received by all the listed Israeli organizations in a given year only totals a few tens of millions of dollars, and most of it is from private sources.

Biden administration involvement

So: not $1b., and not necessarily to protest organizations. But did the Biden administration support those trying to topple the current government?

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The report points to one direct transfer. Between 2020 and 2022, the Biden-Harris State Department provided approximately $42,000 in federal grant funds to MQG (Movement for Quality Government in Israel) to fund a Civic Activism Training Program for 11th and 12th graders at three Jerusalem high schools.

Beyond the fact that this is a small sum, during this period the current Israeli government had not yet formed, and in 2020 the US president was, in fact, Trump.

Some claims concern indirect federal funding, such as that the administration transferred money to PEF or the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), which then transferred funds to protest organizations. But the language of the report is noncommittal. For example, regarding $18m. that went to Blue and White Future from PEF in 2023, it states, [BWF] may have been a downstream recipient of US grant funding. Meaning  its not for sure.

If we look at the source on which the report relies  an article by David Isaac in JNS, which also provides the $18m. figure  it describes the government funding reaching PEF as negligible, as it amounts to less than $150,000.

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This document throws around a lot of maybes, says Feit. The administration apparently gave money to RPA, which gave money to PEF, which gave money to Israeli organizations, including some that supported the protests. They also donated to the Jewish Community Foundation, which transferred money back to PEF. Each of these organizations receives many private donations. The memo implies that the money transferred from the government to RPA was used for the protests  something they dont prove and cant prove this way. This misleads the public into thinking that its possible to trace the money trail, which cant be done without a real investigation.

Even solely on the basis of the data presented in this document, its 99.9% certain it didnt happen, adds Hazan. Theres no information or documentation that presents to the public the flow of who gave how much to which organizations through PEF. If the IRS decides to trace the money, it can. But on the basis of raw and official data, we know that, each year, about $2.5b. in total is transferred from around 2,000 US organizations to a few thousand Israeli nonprofits  and thats mostly, if not entirely, private money. So, theres no plausibility to the claim that $1b. went from the administration to just four or five Israeli organizations.

Commenting on the Rockefeller Foundations role, Prof. Sasson says, It serves as a financial adviser to small nonprofits  organizations too small to be recognized as NGOs. The government money apparently has no connection to Israel. The money the government gave to RPA probably went to one of these small groups for which the foundation acts as a financial agent.

After many rejected the idea that $1b. had been transferred to these organizations, the argument shifted to, The administration didnt donate directly, but the mere fact that tax-exempt nonprofits transferred money to political organizations constitutes a violation.

Is there merit to this claim?

Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code governs tax-exempt status for nongovernmental organizations that are nonprofit and stipulates that the organization may not engage in lobbying activity. However, as explained on the IRS website, the issue is flexible; A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.... Organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, organizations may conduct educational meetings... without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

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The law is not entirely clear on this point, which is why there are American organizations that, to some extent, promote policy, says Feit. In Israel, there is no restriction on such activity. If there is evidence that these guidelines were violated, the report does not provide it.

WE CONCLUDE with the following: Netanyahu wrote, The document reveals that the same hand that funded political left-wing organizations in Israel also funded... organizations affiliated with Hamas. What does this refer to?

According to the report, entities such as the Rockefeller Foundation or US Agency for International Development (USAID) transferred money to organizations such as Defense for Children International Palestine and American Near East Refugee Agency, which indeed have been linked to terror.

However, DCI-P began receiving funding in 2017, under Trump, and stopped receiving it in 2022 following an Israeli declaration of the organization as terrorist a year earlier. ANERA is indeed identified with entities like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, but its funding goes back decades and is not specifically linked to Biden or the Democrats.

During our interviews, both Hazan and Feit criticized the conflation of these organizations with Israeli protest groups in the same document.
Aug. 2MOSCOW, Idaho  He won't say his name out loud.

"Close the door at the penitentiary. It's going to stay closed until he's dead," Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said. "It's just as simple as that."

He speaks of Bryan Kohberger, who killed four college students in November 2022 and left the University of Idaho and the surrounding Moscow community gripped with fear until his arrest seven weeks later.

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For 21/2 years, Thompson carefully worked with a strong team of investigators and prosecutors to seek justice. In the midst of it, he had a personal decision to make  retire after 32 years or run for a ninth term and seal Kohberger's fate.

"I couldn't walk away from it," Thompson said. "I guess I could have, but I couldn't live with myself if I'd done that."

Thompson's term was ending in January of this year, and he knew he would have to abandon the case he and his team had spent hundreds of days working on. The stress, the adrenaline and the exhaustion were visible to the attorneys and investigators who molded their lives around the brutal slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Latah County Commission Chairman Tom Lamar was the one who swore Thompson in to begin his 33rd year as prosecutor. Lamar said that January day was emotional for him and Thompson because it was intended to be Thompson's first day of retirement, not his first day of another four-year term. But Thompson needed to see the case through, Lamar said.

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"I didn't want to have to swear him in, and he probably didn't want to have to do it, but we both knew that it was the only choice in front of us," he said.

Kohberger was sentenced in late July to four consecutive life terms in prison following his guilty plea to the murders, avoiding a trial and ending a nearly three-year chapter of court hearings and additional emotional turmoil. While the case concluded last month, there's no urgency for Thompson to finalize this part of his life. His files still lay on the floor in his office.

"I haven't brought myself to clear them out yet," he said. "I probably won't for a while."

Thompson and Senior Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Jennings sat in the courthouse Friday awaiting media interviews. Their schedules are filled with back-to-back requests, they said, but they're happy to do it. They want the public to know "as much as they can," Thompson said. And while he is more than willing to tell people what he is able, he won't speak the name.

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Nov. 13, 2022

Kohberger bought a large knife and drove 20 minutes from his Pullman apartment, where he lived while attending WSU, to the victims' rental home on King Road in Moscow. He slid through a glass door in a black mask and killed the four young students while some of them were sleeping. Others, like Xana Kernodle, likely fought him as hard as she could, according to court records.

Everyone remembers the call a bit differently.

Moscow police Chief Anthony Dahlinger was sitting at home waiting to attend a birthday party. He wasn't on call that day, so he thought it was odd when his phone rang.

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"I knew something wasn't right," Dahlinger remembered. "When they said we had a quadruple homicide, it was pure disbelief."

Jennings got the call from James Fry, who was the police chief at the time. He was out of town, so upon hearing the news, she raced to obtain a search warrant and drove to the scene. She stood with police officers outside until investigators allowed her inside the home.

"It was like nothing I have ever experienced," she said.

Moscow Police Capt. Tyson Berrett called Thompson that Sunday morning. Thompson, who plays guitar in several local bands, was in Spokane playing at a folk music festival.

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He quickly returned to Moscow and headed to the King Road home. He recalled that he and Jennings weren't overcome with emotion or shock at the grisly scene inside. They were focused.

"We were observing and processing what's going on, analyzing and thinking about next steps. We had a great team ... We know the routine, we know the process and we stuck with the process," Thompson said. "We did what needed to be done."

The following weeks were traumatic, Dahlinger said. Work consumed 16 to 17 hours a day. Days became weeks without an arrest, and officers began feeling the same anxiety as the public, he said.

But the killer had left his DNA on a knife sheath, and investigators suspected he had raced away in a white Hyundai Elantra. They traced both to Kohberger and arrested him in late December at his family's home in Pennsylvania.

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Police intercepted Kohberger racing down the stairs, Dahlinger said.

"I was at home, it was late at night. I was laying down, but not sleeping, because I knew what was about to happen," Dahlinger said. "My phone went off, they made an arrest, and it was a huge wave of relief immediately. I leaned over to my wife, and said, 'We got him.' "

Thompson also felt relief. It had been seven weeks of terrified students fleeing campus, barricading doors and extra police patrolling the streets.

"It was a pretty satisfying, exciting time to know that now we can move forward," he said. "Now, we can get this thing into court."

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Never a doubt

During the seven-week hunt for the killer, Fry, who now leads a police department in the Tri-Cities, and his department took heat from those who claimed the small department was not equipped to handle a case of such magnitude.

Dahlinger called it "people spitting venom."

Thompson and his prosecution team tuned out the national noise of media attention and misinformation swirling online.

They simply buckled down and built a case that was "pretty darn compelling" against Kohberger, Thompson said. There wasn't a doubt in his mind who had killed the four students. There wasn't even a single worry about heading into trial with no motive  it wasn't needed to prove he was guilty.

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"Ashley and I didn't have any question about having sufficient evidence to convict him," he said. "That was never an issue."

Lamar, who has served as county commissioner the last 10 years, believed the right prosecutors were in place to get a conviction.

He called Thompson "a mastermind of prosecution" and joked that he wouldn't want to play chess against him.

"We are so incredibly lucky," he said. "Every day that I'm working as a county commissioner, I am just so thankful that he is our prosecuting attorney. He is the very best in the state of all 44 counties, and I am willing to believe that every other prosecutor would say the same thing."

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Even while immersed in the Kohberger case, Lamar said Thompson always attended commissioners meetings to make sure commissioners could make decisions with legal oversight. He said the detail-oriented Thompson ensures Lamar and his fellow commissioners get their legal questions answered, even if that means Thompson or his staff need to research to find the answer first.

He called Thompson a "terrific co-worker and friend."

"We've been lucky and spoiled, really, to have him there for so long," Lamar said.

He called the guilty plea "the absolute best result that could have happened," because it puts Kohberger behind bars for life and takes his appeals away. A jury trial is unpredictable, and even if convicted, "endless appeals" could result, Lamar said.

"This thing was finally put to bed, and it's good for everybody," Lamar said.

He credited Thompson and Jennings for their work and the "gruesome" details they had to review.

"We have to recognize her. She's been amazing as well," said Lamar, noting Jennings' focus, thoroughness and professionalism.

Latah County Sheriff Richie Skiles also said the county has been fortunate to have Thompson as prosecutor for 33 years.

Besides housing Kohberger in the Latah County Jail, Skiles said the sheriff's office wasn't deeply involved in the case.

Kohberger and his defense team approached the prosecution with an inquiry about a guilty plea in June after a judge made it clear the defense was not allowed to present names of alternate perpetrators. The notice of Kohberger's guilty plea was split in support for the four families. Some wanted him to go to trial and face the death penalty. Others wanted the process to be over.

"We never went looking for a plea in this case," Thompson said. "I don't know how many members of the public understand that ... I understand there are folks who don't agree with our decision. I appreciate that there are folks that agree with the decision, too."

While the families want to know why Kohberger killed their loved ones, Thompson believes even if the case had gone to trial, there would have been no acknowledgment of responsibility.

The plea, at least, forced Kohberger to admit what he had done in open court rather than maintain his innocence. It is unclear why Kohberger eventually pleaded guilty, Thompson said, adding that the only people who might know are those on his legal team.

"I think the other thing we need to remember is that, even if he were to say something, there is no way we can believe what he's going to tell us, and there's no way to corroborate it," Thompson said.

At the time of the killings, the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit approached investigators and warned them they may never find a reason. It can only make sense to the person who committed the crime, Thompson said.

"This is just cold, calculated murder, which is inhuman. It's not a natural part of who we are as human beings," he said. "They are just different in a way that ordinary people like us will never be able to understand."

It felt like everyone took the words from the behavioral analysis unit seriously, Dahlinger told The Spokesman-Review.

"Normal human beings couldn't rationalize the reasoning behind it. I took that to heart. I think we all did," he said.

During the emotional sentencing, Thompson probably could have done what he always does to other defendants  point at them, look at them, acknowledge them or engage with them. As Kohberger sat there, expressionless, Thompson chose not to.

Recounting the day in court, he shrugged.

"I just wasn't going to waste my time with him."

Missed Thanksgivings

The case against Kohberger was all-consuming, enough to prompt Thompson to keep a notepad by his bedside.

"I woke up every night, for two and a half years, with something about this case going on inside my head," Thompson said. "And if you don't write it down, you will go back to sleep and it'll disappear."

There was little time to focus on overwhelming emotion while working such long hours. People were always looking at the next step, Jennings said. For weeks, investigators and attorneys pored over thousands of pieces of evidence, prepped for hearings and responded to court filings.

"This case, it stays with you. You don't just go home and say, 'I'm leaving that there.' You can't," Jennings said. "We were waking up at 2 in the morning, thinking about the case. We were all checking in with each other, asking, 'Did you get any sleep last night? No.' That was our life."

Thompson's wife of 45 years, Frances Thompson, has seen him through multiple trials, tough cases and long hours. But this time was different.

"It was tougher on my wife than I realized at the time," Thompson said. "Even though she did not have details about what was going on, she knew enough. She could see enough in me that she was stressed as well."

Thompson said playing music with his band mates provided a "mental respite."

"I didn't play out at all when the case first broke," he said. "I just didn't think it would be appropriate for me to be out in public looking like I was having fun when we really weren't having fun. We were working so hard to solve the case."

Jennings' daughter was 9 years old when the case began. Even then, Jennings said, her daughter understood the gravity of her job. She acknowledged there are parts of her daughter's life she missed out on in the last three years, and other parts of her family's lives, too.

"I don't think I made it to a Thanksgiving during the time, because there was just always something that came up," Jennings said. "But they know when you take this job, you have a duty. It's important."

In some ways, Jennings hasn't processed all that happened, she said, because the whole prosecution team has been running on adrenaline for years. The sentencing was especially hard because she could feel the grief in the room. Both called it "palpable."

During the sentencing, Thompson leaned to shield Dylan Mortensen, a surviving roommate of the tragedy, from Kohberger's view. Mortensen, who had to collect herself to be able to speak, was crying so hard it appeared she could barely breathe. As people looked to Ada County Judge Steven Hippler, he was crying, too.

"All of it was really tragic, and you could really feel it for each (person)," Jennings said. "We're kind of used to being in these situations, but this day really did stand out for me. I struggled getting through it."

Dahlinger said the police department is now doing better. The case hung over their head for two years, and that takes a toll. But all are "healing and getting back to it."

As for Thompson, he has about 3 1/2 years left on his four-year term, and he said he will use that time to figure out whether he will fulfill that term or retire early.

"We have a good team," he said. "Ashley's a great senior deputy, and so I have absolute faith in the integrity of our office moving forward."

Thompson has lived in Moscow nearly 50 years. He came to the small college town in 1977 to attend the University of Idaho College of Law and graduated May 17, 1980, the day before Mount St. Helens erupted, he said. A week later, he married Frances in Boise. He worked 12 years in private practice before he was first elected as county prosecutor.

Moscow, Thompson said, is a good place with good people. It was apparent through the hundreds of meals, drinks and gifts residents dropped off for those working the case. There wasn't a day that went by where an investigator or attorney went hungry.

If anything, he believes, this made Moscow stronger.

"It's brought people together under horrific circumstances," Thompson said. "And we have certainly seen things that you cannot erase; you can't claw your eyes out ... We just aren't ever going to forget it."
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said on Sunday that Democrats are absolutely well positioned to fight back against Republican redistricting efforts.

Martin was asked in an interview on NewsNations The Hill Sunday whether Democrats are really in a position to fight back on this, considering states like California would likely need to change state laws for Democrats to undertake the same effort.

Absolutely we are, whether its in the courts, whether its organizing on the ground, which weve been doing, Martin said in the interview.

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Martin said he views the redistricting effort as unconstitutional but said Democrats are ready to play what he called the Republicans game.

The reality is what weve seen already is a craven power grab, an unconstitutional power grab, in my mind, Martin said. Look, the Constitution says very clearly that we have a decennial census. We draw the lines after that. The state legislatures are allowed to do that, but it does not give them the power to essentially redraw the lines whenever the hell they want to do it. And what Texas is doing right now is a craven power grab.

At the same time, he added, Were going to fight fire with fire.

If Texas wants a showdown, which they clearly do, were going to give them the showdown, Martin said.

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Martin said hes talked to Democrats around the country about potentially undertaking similar redistricting efforts.

And Ive talked with a number of Democratic governors around the country, and as you can tell, theyre already preparing to follow suit 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 The Hill.
Doctors Without Borders USA CEO Avril Benoit emphasized the need for improved humanitarian aid distribution systems in Gaza amid aid organizations' warnings of hunger and mass starvation.

Speaking with ABC News' "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, Benoit described what she and doctors are witnessing firsthand.

""People are desperate. The patients that we're seeing are malnourished and we have seen women deliver prematurely," Benoit said. She said the lack of food aid has put newborns at risk due to mothers not having enough nutrition to breastfeed.

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"We're also seeing people coming in with all the catastrophic injuries that you would expect in an open zone of airstrikes and continuing hostility as they're coming in with those trauma injuries, and third-degree burns to their entire bodies, children with their faces blown off, and all the major orthopedic cases."

She explained how children's bodies aren't strong enough to ward off infections and disease.

"Their bodies are not strong enough to even fight, to -- to be able to withstand the risk of infection. They're -- they're not recovering properly. And that's -- that's exacerbating the problem in the health facilities because, of course, you would want people to have all the chances in the world to be able to overcome their injuries, to discharge them, to make room for others," she said.

Benoit blamed Israel for clinics and hospitals in Gaza not being able to do their jobs.

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"The hospital infrastructure, which Israel has largely destroyed with the clinics and other outpatient facilities that we have and with the rest of the humanitarian organizations that are trying to support the medical needs in Gaza, we are completely overwhelmed and starvation is making things all that much more catastrophic."

Benoit's appearance on ABC News comes after U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Gaza on Friday to inspect current models of food aid distribution. Several aid organizations report that some people in Gaza, especially children, are down to eating only one meal per day and others not eating at all.

"My own colleagues are eating every second day and scrounging around for food," Benoit said.

She described the current model of distribution, controlled by Israel and backed by the U.S., as being significantly ineffective and inefficient.

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"It's unsafe. It's an inefficient way to deliver aid. People have to cross very unsafe zones to reach those areas that are controlled by the IDF and military contractors from the U.S., and then there are insufficient quantities."

She further stated how Israel is making matters more difficult for those in Gaza who need the aid.

"And the injuries are not only people being shot as they're leaving the zone with their bags of flour, but it's also from the trampling that happens, the injuries that happen when people are crushing and jumping over each other because of all the gunshots against unarmed civilians who are just trying to survive with a bit of food aid," Benoit said.

Despite the dire situation, Benoit remains hopeful as she presses for more aid and for a ceasefire to come soon.

"So we very much hope, for everyone's sake, all the civilians inside Gaza, including hostages, but of course, all of the people, the families and the children that there's an end to this with a real, lasting ceasefire," she added.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Four Guatemalan siblings, detained as undocumented immigrants after a traffic stop, spent several days last month at the Orange County Jail before being picked up in a van and driven around for hours.

Finally they reached their destination, their attorneys say: Right back at the Orange County Jail.

This directionless odyssey  similar to what some other detainees across Florida have faced in recent months  happened because of rules limiting the number of days an undocumented immigrant can be held in a local facility before federal officials must take custody.

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With the Trump administrations push for mass deportation filling federal detention beds, detainees are being transferred from facility to facility because the switch restarts the clock and gives federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents more time to pick them up.

Multiple immigration attorneys described the shuffle to the Orlando Sentinel, and law enforcement leaders in Orange and Pinellas County confirmed the practice.

But the attorneys say its a maddening tactic that often leaves them struggling to locate the immigrants, and denies detainees access to family members and due process.

Even though his clients  three brothers and a sister  wound up in the same place they started from, Orlando-based immigration attorney Walker Smith said he couldnt find the siblings because their previous inmate numbers were changed upon their return, leaving him and their family unsure of their whereabouts. He said the two youngest siblings in the family, 26 and 18, had valid work permits.

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If theyre just holding people indefinitely, holding people by sending them from facility to facility, or worse, sending them out of one facility and back to the same one under a different number  Its gaming the system at its finest, Smith said.

The youngest brother has since been moved again  this time to Alligator Alcatraz, the states new detention center in the Everglades.

The way a detained immigrants custody clock works is complicated.

Under the Intergovernmental Service Agreement, or IGSA, that governs the relationships between ICE and the handful of Florida jails like Orange Countys that temporarily hold detainees, undocumented immigrants without criminal charges can be held up to 72 hours before ICE must come to pick them up. But if the immigrant is arrested for a separate criminal offense, the 72-hour clock may not start until the other offense is charged or dropped  for all arrestees, state law prescribes a two-day time limit for that  or bail is granted and paid.

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After the 72-hour period is up, theres no more authority for whatever agency or jail or entity to continue to hold those people, Smith said. So . . . they should be released.

And prior to the Trump administration, immigrants with an ICE hold often were released if time expired with no action. Now, some of them are simply relocated, whether to a different jail, or for a brief ride.

It remains unclear how often the scenario occurs.

In a July 15 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Orange Corrections Chief Louis Quinones described a shuffle involving a large amount of individuals in early July.

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He was responding to questions from Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, who had been told about the practice by advocates pressuring commissioners to terminate the IGSA with ICE.

Right around the [July 4] holiday, we had a large amount of individuals who were reaching the 72 hours and ICE had to come get those individuals and they were going to attempt to send them to another location, he said. That did not go as they had planned, so they brought them back to Orange County Corrections.

One reason the issue irks some county officials is that it costs about $145 per day to keep somebody in the jail, and the federal government only reimburses Orange County about $88 per day to house detainees. Shuffling people in and out of the jail prolongs their stay and runs up the bill. The county is in the midst of trying to renegotiate its agreement with ICE for a better reimbursement rate, but so far hasnt come to a deal.

Quinones didnt say how many people were impacted by the transfer, and the county didnt make him available for a requested interview with the Orlando Sentinel.

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But Smith said he was skeptical of Quinones description.

He tried to make it seem like it was a one-off, Smith said. So I was very intrigued that the [Guatemalan] guy that I went to go talk to had also encountered the same situation.

Danny Banks, the countys Public Safety Director, also said the shuffle has occurred only as an isolated incident so far.

Largely, ICE has been transporting their inmates within the 72-hour timeframe indicated in the IGSA agreement, he said in a text message.

However, the Orlando Sentinel has been told of multiple other instances. One of the most elaborate involved Cuban native Michael Borrego Fernandez, who was transported to multiple different facilities before ending up at Alligator Alcatraz, where he has been since July 5.

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In June, Borrego Fernandez was arrested for violating his release terms after being charged with grand theft for bilking homeowners to pay for swimming pools up front but not finishing the work, which his mother Yaneisy Fernandez Silva said was because he unwittingly worked for a businessman operating the scam.

Borrego Fernandez, who lived in South Florida, was taken to the Seminole County Jail to serve ten days in jail, she said.

Following the completion of his sentence, he was taken to Orange County Jail on an ICE hold, then three days later shuttled to Pinellas County Jail. Three days after that, he was again transported back to Orange County Jail, his mother said. Roughly four days later he called his mother saying he had reached Alligator Alcatraz.

Only his calls offered clues that let Fernandez Silva search for her son in jail databases, she said.

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Its clear what the counties are doing, theyre trying to create a legal loophole to a constitutional obligation to not hold people for more than the 72 hours, said Mich Gonzalez, a South Florida-based immigration attorney who called the transfers alarming.

Gonzalez said conditions for inmates who move around are different than for those housed in a single jail.

Theyre shackled, theyre handcuffed, sometimes theyre also waist-chained, Gonzalez said. Theyre not provided proper food like when theyre in custody at a county jail, where there are  general rules that youre going to get three meals a day and access to water. But when youre being transported and transferred, that goes out the window.

In June, a Mexican man was arrested while his boss, a U.S. citizen, was driving him and his brother to a construction site. Both were passengers in the car and both had permits to work in the U.S., said the wife of one of the brothers.

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She spoke with the Sentinel on the condition of anonymity as she worries her comments could make her a target of immigration authorities.

For weeks after her husbands arrest she did not know where he was. He would call from an Orange County number but he did not appear in the correction systems database. He told his wife he was put into a van and taken somewhere, but returned the next day to Orange County Jail.

I didnt hear from him for three days  I was so scared, She said in Spanish. He spent so much time in Orange County Jail that when he returned he knew it was the same place.

Advocates for the family met with officials at Orange County Corrections in early July to help find him. Six hours later, he was finally located in a county jail cell, they said. He had been given a different inmate number upon his return, which contributed to the confusion.

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Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri confirmed there has been some shuffling involving his facility but defended it, saying it stems from a capacity issue that can prevent detention centers from accepting detainees when their 72-hour clock ticks down.

If the transportation system is overloaded or theres no room at Krome  thats when it backs up and they have to put them into the IGSA jails such as Orange, Gualtieri said.

Gualtieri serves on Floridas Immigration Enforcement Council, which has sounded an alarm that federal detention space cant keep up with the pace at which Florida law enforcement agencies are arresting undocumented immigrants.

The board has called on the federal government to allow more local jails to house detainees, rather than send them to the seven jails in Florida with IGSA agreements while they await ICE detention.




NEED TO KNOW

Maple the dog is being trained to help save bee populations

Maple works with researchers at Michigan State University to sniff out something called American foulbrood, or AFB, a bacteria that destroys honeybee larvae

She once worked as a police dog to help find missing people





A canine in Michigan is sniffing out threats to local bee populations!

Maple, an English Springer Spaniel, has been trained by researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) to detect a highly contagious spore-forming bacteria called American foulbrood, or AFB, which is destructive to honeybee larvae, per MSU Today.

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https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

The dog  who even has her own beekeeping suit  trains for the job by inspecting hives at the universitys Pollinator Performance Center with her trainer, MSU alum Sue Stejskal.

Commercial beekeepers must manually inspect hundreds of colonies in order to search for AFB, a task that can take days, per MSU Today. However, a trained dog like Maple could significantly reduce that time, potentially saving more bees from destruction.

G. L. Kohuth / Courtesy of Michigan State University Maple in her beekeeping suit Maple in her beekeeping suit

Maple is no stranger to helping humans: The almost 10-year-old dog previously worked as a K-9 police dog trained to help search for missing people. An on-the-job injury eventually forced Maple into retirement, which is when she began training with the Pollinator Performance Center.

Nick Schrader / Courtesy ofMichigan State University A beekeeping class at the Student Organic Farm at Michigan State University A beekeeping class at the Student Organic Farm at Michigan State University

Maple isnt the only dog in the U.S. assisting with bee conservation. Darwin, a German shorthaired pointer in North Carolina, was especially trained to sniff out underground beehives.

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The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

His owner, Jacqueline Staab, a bee researcher with Appalachian State University, said she had experimented with other detection methods before learning about bee-seeking dogs through a 2011 scientific paper that detailed how the military in Great Britain trained a dog to sniff out bee nests.

"Working with Darwin is really cool because he's always super motivated, super positive, ready to go," Staab told WCNC in a 2021 interview.

Bee conservation is important because plant pollination  which occurs in large part through bees  has become an increasingly urgent global issue, per MSU. Pollination is critical for sustaining our food supplies and ecosystems, meaning that a decrease in the worlds bee population could have devastating effects on food security.

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.

About 35% of the worlds food supply depends on pollination, according to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. However, factors like climate change and pesticides are impacting these systems, per experts.

Read the original article on People
A second confirmed case of Elon Musks DOGE team accidentally firing critical government workers is leaving egg on the presidents face.

NBCs report revealing that officials at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) working on the federal efforts to halt the spread of bird flu at poultry and dairy farms comes at a poor time for the administration. Egg prices are skyrocketing as the culling of millions of chickens  implemented by the USDA to halt the disease in farms where it is discovered  has caused shortages.

The agency expects prices to jump another 20 percent this year.

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But a spokesperson for the USDA on Tuesday was forced to admit to reporters that Elon Musks DOGE initiative has already hindered the agencys efforts. Several employees critical to the agencys bird flu response efforts were laid off by order of DOGE staffers, according to the USDA, only for the layoffs to be rescinded after the necessity of the axed positions was explained to Musks team.

"Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters," a USDA spokesperson told NBC.

The agency would go on to say that it was actually looking to expand the teams assigned to food safety: We are continuing to hire the workforce necessary to ensure the safety and adequate supply of food to fulfill our statutory mission.

Bird Flu Veterinarians (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

By the spokespersons own admission, the firings of bird flu experts at the USDA were taking place at almost the exact moment one of Donald Trumps advisers was on television boasting about how the agency would be implementing new policies to fight the outbreak.

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Politico separately reported that at least some of the firings impacted a fourth of the employees at the National Animal Health Laboratory Network  described as already short on staff  which coordinates disease testing between laboratories around the country. Some labs had already been informed that testing for positive cases of bird flu would be delayed by the time the firings were reversed.

The Biden plan was to just, you know, kill chickens, and they spent billions of dollars just randomly killing chickens within a perimeter where they found a sick chicken, Kevin Hassett, director of the White Houses National Economic Council, said derisively this Sunday on CBS News.

Hed go on to claim that the USDA was finalizing the ideas about implementing better biosecurity measures at poultry farms with the best scientists in government.

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, slammed Joe Biden for taking the same approach to bird flu as Trump had in his first term. (CBS News)

The Biden administration did primarily pursue mass cullings of birds at farms where the virus was detected, starting in February 2022 with the first recorded instance at a U.S. facility since 2020. But the USDA pursued the exact same policy under Trumps first term; though the virus detected at a Tennessee poultry plant in 2017 was a different strain than the H5N1 virus currently behind the brunt of the U.S. outbreak. At one farm during Trumps first six months in office that year more than 70,000 chickens were culled.

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Hassetts ill-timed slam of the Biden administrations policies comes as his boss approaches the end of his first month in office. The presidents party in Congress is still struggling to unify behind a budget bill, with cuts to Medicaid potentially on the table along with reductions to other areas of the social safety net, including food stamps.

The House GOP is hoping to cut two trillion dollars from the federal budget  all while boosting funding for U.S. defense and border security, and extending the 2017 Republican tax cuts.

The latest round of mistaken firings at the DOGE teams apparent direction even miffed some Republican lawmakers in Congress. To several news outlets, GOP House members have vented frustrations privately and in a few cases, publicly, about the speed and recklessness of the personnel reductions Musks team is directing.

President Trump's top economic adviser Kevin Hassett says he is preparing a plan with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to address the outbreak of bird flu in the U.S. and will present it to President Trump as early as next week.



Hassett says the Biden administration's plan pic.twitter.com/1z0QxNc0Pq  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 16, 2025

"Before making cuts rashly, the Administration should be studying and staffing to see what the consequences are. Measure twice before cutting. They have had to backtrack multiple times," said Don Bacon of Nebraska, a member of the Agriculture committee.

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And while Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa told a local radio station that Congress cant do anything but complain about personnel changes, lawmakers could indeed cause problems for the administration if the DOGE team targets funding approved by the legislative branch.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has spoken about securing a guarantee that the DOGE team will not go after any such funding in exchange for Democratic votes to pass a funding measure to get the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year, though its unclear if Mike Johnson will take that deal  or even need to.

Meanwhile, new USDA director Brooke Rollins (who claimed last week that the DOGE-directed changes at her agency will make us faster and more efficient) told Fox & Friends that the Trump team was looking for lessons from other countries to control bird flu outbreaks.

We are looking at every possible scenario to ensure that we are doing everything we can in a safe, secure manner but also to ensure that Americans have the food that they need," said Rollins.
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. (WSYRTV)Madison County has partnered with local libraries to offer the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to children aged 0-5, aiming to enhance childhood literacy across the county.

The program, available through libraries in Madison County, including Canastota, Cazenovia, DeRuyter, Earlville, Hamilton, Morrisville, Oneida, and Sullivan (Chittenango & Bridgeport), as well as Brookfield, Madison, Otselic Valley, and Stockbridge School Districts, provides children with a free book each month until their fifth birthday. Since its county-wide introduction in 2014, there have been 4,012 children who graduated from the program, with 1,567 currently enrolled.

The program is designed to bring a love of reading and support early literacy development, particularly in rural low-income communities. Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to benefit children in her home county in East Tennessee. The program has since expanded to five countries, gifting millions of free books to children worldwide each month.

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Parents and caregivers can register their children online at the Imagination Library website by connecting with a local library or school through their zip code.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Arizona's largest wildfire of the year continued its gradual growth as firefighters worked to contain the blaze during record low humidity.

Since igniting on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire burned 116,592 acres with 1,214 fire personnel assigned to contain it as of Aug. 3, making it one of the largest wildfires in Arizonas history.

Containment of the wildfire rose slightly to 12%, up one percentage point from the previous day, according to the Southwest Complex Incident Management Team.

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Aug. 2 saw "near-critical fire weather with humidity dropping below 10% and winds reaching 35 mph.

"Despite the poor firefighting weather, crews held the line they put in to the north where the fire is trying to skirt the 2023 Kane Fire," the southwest team wrote on InciWeb, a federal wildfire tracker. The fire still had the potential to jump fire lines to the north and begin consuming unburned fuels, the team said.

Crews also mostly contained growth on the fire's western end except toward the south where it began to approach the 2003 Poplar Fire burn scar. Officials noted that the change in vegetation, mostly aspen, around the burn scar could slow the fire's progression.

The Dragon Bravo Fire already destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge inside the famed national park. About 100 other buildings were lost when the wildfire spread through the state park property on the night of July 12.

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The southwest team along with officials from Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park will host a public meeting Aug. 5 at Fredonia High School neat the 89A and Hortt Street in Fredonia at 6 p.m. to give an update on the situation, the team said.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at perry.vandell@gannett.com or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim grows to 116K acres, 12% contained
Durham Council Member Javiera Caballero, right, urged residents to be vigilant about ICE presence in the city at a public forum on Saturday, August 2, 2025. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

As residents rally to alert neighbors to immigration agents around the city, Durham City Council member Javiera Caballero warned Saturday that anyone could be arrested off the street and detained.

Speaking to an audience of around 70 at a State of Durham town hall held in the Durham County Main Library, Caballero said the massive boost in funding given to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the recent congressional megabill would only embolden the agency to abduct noncitizens and citizens alike.

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Once that money really hits, whats going to happen to our community is actually quite terrifying. And so when I say were going to have to put our bodies on the line, its not hyperbole, Caballero said. They will disappear folks, they will kidnap folks, and its not just going to be folks who, quote, shouldnt be here.

Though the discussion, moderated by organizers with Kids Voting Durham and a journalist from INDY Week, ranged from housing and transit to education and crime, the presence of ICE and other ways the city might be targeted by immigration enforcement proved a recurring source of anxiety among audience members.

Caballero said she was proud of the city for mustering an amazing community response to ICE agents spotted at the Durham County Courthouse, apparently seeking to detain a man ahead of his initial court appearance. Their presence became widely known through immigrant advocacy group Siembra NCs ICE Watch program, which trains spotters who monitor their communities for ICE amid the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts.

Those are the kinds of things were going to have to be doing, bringing attention to it and then really fighting for our community, she said. When we say that Durham is a welcoming place, its not just a tagline  we believe it.

Durham elected officials convene at the Durham Main Library on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 to discuss issues facing the city. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Its about mass deportation

Nida Allam, who chairs the Durham Board of County Commissioners, said standing up to ICE will take a collective effort from residents.

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Showing up when theres ICE sightings, making sure community is out there to witness, record, document what is happening to make sure that our community stays as safe as possible, and that theres a record of these incidents so that way we can protect our community, said Allam, among the local officials who spoke out at the courthouse last month.

She pointed to the case of Greensboro man Mohamed Naser, a Libyan father of five detained in July who has spent weeks in a Georgia detention facility. Though he was granted bond, ICE denied his release. He has been here on a valid visa, is a pending asylum case, and unfortunately, they have taken him away from his family, hes the main breadwinner, she said.

Andrew Willis Garces, a organizer for Siembra NC, speaks to media about ICE agents at the Durham County Courthouse. (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline)

We know that U.S. citizens have been taken all over this country already, and kept in detention for weeks while theyre trying to get legal services to get themselves out, Caballero said.

Durham School Board Chair Bettina Umstead stressed that every student is welcome in our public school system, and noted that they do not ask for the immigration status of enrollees. Asked how Durham Public Schools would address ICE agents attempting to come onto the property, she was circumspect.

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Our principals all have a guidance document around what to do in the public school system, and I think there was a message sent to families that we are aware of whats going on, Umstead said. We want to be really mindful of what were sharing publicly to everyone to make sure that our policies and procedures around safety at school stay something that remain private.

Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham), who billed herself as the bearer of bad news throughout the forum, said the passage of House Bill 318 over Governor Josh Steins veto would only expand ICEs ability to seize North Carolinians. The bill requires sheriffs to vet the immigration status of detainees and hold them beyond their time of release pending ICE action.

Its no longer about public safety, its about mass deportation, and its right out of the Project 2025 playbook, Morey said. Were still going to fight it, were going to do all we can to take that back.

After she alluded to the fact that the bill became law only after a single Democrat joined with Republicans to override the veto, an audience member interrupted: Lets name her name, Carla Cunningham.

Whats affordable?

In stark contrast to clashes over immigration, Durham officials described continued support from the federal government in expanding the citys and regions transportation infrastructure.

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The federal government hasnt really cut transit dollars  thats not what were seeing so far, Caballero said. Thats one space that were kind of very much holding our breath around, but the federal dollars are still moving forward.

She described the citys plan to move forward on a bus rapid transit project through a federal grant, upgrading a line from Duke Hospital through downtown to Wellons Village, one of the highest ridership communities in the city. Bus rapid transit is basically your regular bus line but way nicer and faster, she said.

The Amtrak S-Line expansion would allow commuters traveling between Raleigh and Richmond to bypass Rocky Mount Train Station, pictured undergoing construction in 2024. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)

At the interstate level, Caballero noted that federal funding also continues to support the S-Line Raleigh to Richmond Amtrak expansion, which is set to create a faster passenger train line connecting Washington to Atlanta through North Carolina and neighboring states. She urged residents to make their voices heard in the upcoming midterm elections to ensure that elected members of Congress continue to support the states transit initiatives.

She expressed frustration, however, that so much of the state-level transit dollars are tied to the widening of old roads and the construction of new ones  to the point that the Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization, which she and Allam serve on, expects to forgo much of the North Carolina Department of Transportation funding.

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Having an effective General Assembly that doesnt hate its cities would be great, Caballero said. [We decided] we didnt want to take NCDOT dollars that were just going to expand roads and make them wider, that we really wanted to move away from that, that it did not align with our goals around transit and climate.

Allam said transit and housing affordability are the two biggest issues where she sees the potential for bipartisan collaboration. She noted that Johnston County, long a Republican stronghold, is on track to be the fastest growing county in the state from now to 2055  creating the same pressures around growth that have long affected more urban and left-leaning areas in the state.

Affordable housing 10 years ago was a Raleigh issue, a Charlotte issue. It wasnt a Johnston County issue, it wasnt a Person County issue, Allam said. And now, it is.

Morey said affordability would be out of reach so long as workers in the state are underpaid.

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Whats affordable? When youre paying people $7.25 an hour minimum wage that hasnt gone up in 20 years, how are you ever going to have affordable housing? she asked. Putting a down payment, the rent, the dream of buying a house is going out of reach for people and we need to do better.

Bored kids cause trouble

Another area of concern around federal funding is education, city officials said, pointing to after-school and summer programs that rely on money from the Department of Education that has been in doubt. Those funds were frozen by the Trump administration and only released after lawsuits from dozens of states, including North Carolina.

When that federal freeze happened in the summer, there was a lot of concern from community partners that work directly with our Durham Public Schools students over, can we fund our program? This is where students go after school, said Umstead, the school board chair.

Durham School Board Chair Bettina Umstead speaks to residents at a town hall on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Officials connected the existence of these programs and other educational opportunities with crime prevention. Discussing gun violence, Umstead touted a text-to-tip program allowing students to report potential threats as well as mental health investments like therapy provided on school property.

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The role the school system needs to play is to make sure students have connections to all the opportunities that are listed there, Umstead said. How do we make school an exciting place for students to be, thats a connector to the other places?

Caballero, a mother of three teenagers, pointed to crime reports showing teenage boys getting access to guns, often stolen out of unattended vehicles, and warned that bored kids cause trouble.

Theres not enough for them to do, you cant even go to an arcade in most places in Durham because its a 21-plus establishment, and so we have to do better by our youth, she said. How do we, as a community, make sure that were offering what we can to our kids and keeping them busy?

Speakers also criticized attacks on reading materials and diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. Morey called a set of bills seeking to ban DEI in North Carolina horrific, and said it was vital that lawmakers uphold Steins vetoes on them.

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It is criminalizing a concept, diversity, equity, inclusion, our country is built on, Morey said. In my eight years, theyre the most despicable bills I have ever seen.

After the forum, resident David McCole said the bills seeking to ban DEI were his top concern. He added that he was impressed with Moreys earlier comments on income inequality, adding that he was glad she called out tax breaks given to corporations under changes to North Carolinas fiscal policy.

Our General Assembly is not doing enough or anything to look at where we stand and helping our workforce, the people at the lower level of the economic scale, he said. How do we improve their ability to be able to afford things such as rent or housing, things along those lines? I loved her comments on that.

Attendee Najerie McMillian said she was disturbed by the ongoing ICE arrests in the community.

Its disheartening to hear what ICE is doing. Theyre actually going to schools and churches trying to pull people out, McMillian said. Its actually U.S. citizens, people born and raised here, whose parents and grandparents were born and raised here, getting snatched up too.
The Brief

The USGS reported an earthquake struck in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey late Saturday night.

The USGS reported a 3.0 magnitude earthquake.

Any damage has not yet been reported.

The United States Geological Survey said an earthquake hit the New York metropolitan area Saturday night.

Heres what we know:

By the numbers

The USGS said it was a 3.0 magnitude earthquake with a depth of about 6.2 miles.

By location

The earthquake struck near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, which is less than 8 miles west of Central Park.

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FOX 5 NY has gotten reports of some feeling it as far as Long Island and Westchester County.

USGS's report on where the earthquake has been reportedly felt on Aug. 2, 2025.

Dig deeper

Witnesses on social media said they could feel the shake in metro New York City.

No damage had been reported, and city officials say to call 311 if you have any damage or need help.

For perspective

According to Michigan Techs Engineering College, a 3.0 magnitude is often felt close to the epicenter, but only causes minor damage, if any. About 500,000 earthquakes within the 2.5-5.4 magnitude are estimated each year.

And the tremor was much milder than a 4.8-magnitude quake in 2024 that struck in Tewksbury, New Jersey, a little farther west of the city.

What they're saying

NYC Emergency Management said no immediate protection is needed unless you experienced damage. And if you felt shaking, check for hazards such as shifted items, falling debris, or cracks.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake is reported to have occurred in or near New Jersey. Tremors may have been felt in parts of New York City. NYC Emergency Management is monitoring for impacts and coordinating with agency partners.



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USGS Earthquake Guidance: https://t.co/zzaVZawoTc  NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) August 3, 2025

Adding a little levity to the situation, the Empire State Building posted on its X account: I AM FINE

I AM FINE  Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) August 3, 2025

The Source

Information in this article was taken from the official government website of the United States Geological Survey and Michigan Tech.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred Sunday morning at a residence near Arleen Avenue and Watson Drive.

Deputies responded to the scene around 9:40 a.m. after receiving a call about a possible domestic-related incident.

The sheriffs office identified the victims as Paul Varnado, 54, and Alanna Singleton, 53.

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According to EBRSO, preliminary evidence suggests that Varnado shot his girlfriend, Singleton, before turning the gun on himself.

Further details on the incident were not immediately available. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Latest News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Chicagoans with long memories can hear echoes of the past in the growing crisis around finances at Chicago Public Schools.

It was just before Christmas in 1979 when CPS, frozen out of debt markets and with state government unwilling to bail the district out after several such rescues in the 1970s, couldnt pay its workers. Vendors wouldnt provide services for fear of going unpaid.

In January 1980, Gov. Jim Thompson hammered out a deal with the city, the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS to have the state essentially take over financial decision-making for Chicagos public schools. The state was able to borrow on the schools behalf and collected new property taxes to finance the debt. The School Finance Authority, created to oversee CPS finances, assumed control of CPS budgets and contracting.

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It was a monumental decision. The authority, established by the emergency legislation passed that January, didnt dissolve until 2010  a full three decades later.

Mayor Richard M. Daley convinced Springfield to hand him authority over the schools in 1995, but the bonds financing CPS through the difficult years of the 1980s didnt expire until 2010.

We recount this history because once again there now is open discussion of some sort of Springfield takeover of CPS.

State Rep. Curtis Tarver, who represents a South Side district, has proposed legislation to put CPS under the supervision of the existing Illinois Finance Authority. That measure was the focus of a legislative hearing Thursday in Chicago before the Illinois House Executive Committee on CPS fraught financial condition.

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With former Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson now serving as Chicago mayor, the costs of an already unaffordable school system have only grown, as City Hall has abdicated its duty to represent taxpayers, at least when it comes to Chicagos massive school system.

At the hearing, CPS representatives, led by interim Superintendent Maquline King, laid out the $734 million budget hole facing her and the Chicago Board of Education. The board must approve a budget for the upcoming school year no later than Aug. 28.

After recently calling for a special session in Springfield to bail out CPS, King recognized thats not possible before she and the board have to make budget decisions. So it sounds like theyre considering punting.

Because there is a misalignment between the state, city and districts fiscal calendars, we can pass an FY 2026 budget with a reasonable assumption of future revenue, with the realization that we will need to make drastic midyear cuts if the revenue does not materialize, she told lawmakers.

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The plan then, such as it is, is to continue to put the onus on the state to bail out a school system where a third of the schools are operating at less than 50% student capacity and where some of the highest-paid public school teachers in the land  taking advantage of a hopelessly compromised mayor  just a few months ago won 4% yearly pay raises over four years as a baseline. For many teachers, the raises will be far higher, with so-called step increases substantially inflating the sum to be charged to taxpayers.

This is also the system that, as Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson noted in his testimony at the hearing, boosted the CPS employee head count by 7,000, or 20%, since 2020, using one-time federal pandemic cash to pay for the hiring binge. Over that same period of time, the CPS student population dropped by 8%, to 325,000 from 355,000.

Name any other enterprise that boosts its staff by 20% while its customer count falls by nearly 10%.

We spoke with Donald Haider, professor emeritus at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management who served as vice chairman of the Chicago School Finance Authority in the 1980s.

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Back in 1980, Mayor (Jane) Byrne had absolutely no choice because all of a sudden CPS was thrown out of capital markets, he recalled. Now? It would be a stark admission of failure for a former CTU organizer to be the mayor to cede control of CPS to the state, he said.

What seems clearer every day, as CPS careens toward its inevitable day of reckoning, is that the state ultimately will need to be involved in putting the system back on a stable course. That day will only arrive, though, when Johnson and his school board allies, as well as CTU, stop demanding cash from the state with no strings attached and become willing to enter real negotiations about what CPS reform entails.

And, yes, there will need to be reform. A school board and a mayor that jack up teacher salaries and openly talk of taking on more junk-rated debt during a period of deficits well into the hundreds of millions have relinquished their right to determine CPS future. There assuredly will be painful conditions attached to whatever assistance the state provides  if indeed a cash-strapped Springfield even summons the will and the means to help. A meaningful, enforceable school consolidation plan, perhaps? Limits on contracting authority maybe, including future negotiations with CTU?

The bottom line: If you cant manage your own business, youre in no position to complain when others force concessions from you in return for fixing what youve broken.

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When the time comes for true hardheaded negotiations  and we believe that time is coming soon  a new or existing state oversight mechanism may well once again hold the purse strings for the nations fourth-largest public school system. The reality of limited dollars is something every household or business must face. CTU and Mayor Johnson arent any different.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
The Brief

The Florida Commissioner of Education sent a letter to the Alachua County School Board threatening economic sanctions.

The letter follows Thursday's meeting where a man was initially asked to leave before the board's attorney intervened.

Many public speakers addressed the chair's controversial online comments about Hulk Hogan's death and expressed support for the chair.

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. - Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas sent the Alachua County School Board a letter threatening sanctions against the district for what he called a free speech violation.

What we know

Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas has accused the Alachua County School Board of violating a parents First Amendment rights during public comment at a recent meeting.

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The accusation centers on a board member requesting the removal of a man who criticized Chair Dr. Sarah Rockwell after he shared a "conservative" viewpoint during public comment. The school district denies any First Amendment violation.

Public comment was a large chunk of Thursday's meeting. It was the first Alachua County School Board meeting since Chair Dr. Sarah Rockwell posted comments online about Hulk Hogan's death.

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"Good. One less MAGA in the world," Rockwell wrote about Hogan in a now-deleted comment on her personal Facebook page. Rockwell has apologized more than once for the post.

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She opened the meeting with another apology. Many speakers in the crowd voiced support for Rockwell. At least one speaker did not. He said Rockwell should step down.

Video shows the man receiving groans from the crowd as he walks back to his seat. Video also shows the man saying something to someone in the crowd and, shortly after, a board member asked deputies to remove him. Video shows the board's attorney intervening, and the board member took back the request for removal.

After the crowd became boisterous, cheering for the man's removal, the board called for a recess.

What we don't know

It remains unclear whether the State Board of Education will formally impose sanctions, or how the meeting exchange will be legally interpreted in the context of First Amendment protections. Its also uncertain whether Rockwell will face further disciplinary action beyond being summoned to the next state board meeting.

What they're saying

Sarah Rockwell began the meeting by apologizing for her internet comments.

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"As a public official, I know I am held to a higher standard, and I should have been more thoughtful. I'm not perfect, and I know that I can and will do better."

"Grow up and let her do her job," one Rockwell supporter said. "She cares. Personal views don't stop professionals from being professional."

"I consistently see her respectfully advocating for all students and families," another woman said.

"Jesus didn't demand an apology, He freely offered forgiveness," another supporter of Rockwell's said. "We are called to do the same."

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One woman spoke in defense of the school board chair while wearing a T-shirt with some of the same words in Rockwell's post, "One less MAGA." "I stand with Dr. Rockwell fully, loudly and without apology," she said.

Alachua County Public Schools defended the board in its statement to FOX 35 News.

"Everyone who requested to speak at the School Board meeting was able to do so," a district spokesperson wrote. "Regardless of their expressed viewpoint, no one was required to leave the meeting. It is our belief that everyones First Amendment rights were upheld."

The other side

The man at the center of the free speech debate called for Rockwell's resignation.

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"You know what you said, and you should step down," he said. "You're a disgusting and vile human being."

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The letter from Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas is two pages long.

"Since the Alachua County School Board has publicly failed to ensure free expression of all viewpoints during public comment, I have found probable cause that a violation of state law has occurred," Kamoutsas wrote. "I am recommending that the State Board of Education withhold from the district an amount equal to the salaries of all board members," Kamoutsas wrote.

What's next

Kamoutsas demanded Rockwell attend an upcoming State Board of Education meeting on Aug. 20. He wrote in his letter that Rockwell will need to "demonstrate [her] compliance with state law."

The Source

FOX 35 News watched Thursday's Alachua County School Board meeting on YouTube to compile clips for this report. FOX 35 News also obtained a copy of the letter sent to board members by Commissioner Kamoutsas. FOX 35 News received a statement from Alachua County Public Schools. FOX 35 News referenced previous reporting about Rockwell's post.
Edward Waters University kicked off the 20252026 academic year with a significant gesture of support from its leadership.

During the annual Faculty and Staff Opening Institute, President & CEO Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr. and First Lady Tyciee Faison announced a $50,000 personal gift to the university.

This gift is simply an expression of our deep and abiding love for Edward Waters University and our belief in the extraordinary promise of this institution, President Faison remarked. First Lady Faison and I made this contribution not out of obligation, but out of deep convictionwe believe in the transformative work taking place here, and we want to help ensure it continues to flourish. Were not just asking others to invest in EWUwere leading by example.

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The Faculty and Staff Opening Institute is an annual event that marks the beginning of the academic year at Edward Waters University.

Edward Waters University holds the distinction of being Floridas first historically Black college and university (HBCU).

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A rare species of endangered crayfish is slowly returning to its natural habitats, environmental experts have said.

The white-clawed crayfish is the UK's only native species, but it has been under threat for a number of years, particularly following the arrival of the North American signal crayfish in the 1970s.

The North American crayfish competes with other native species for food and habitats, and also carries a deadly fungal disease called the crayfish plague, which has been rapidly killing the white-clawed species.

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But the white-clawed crayfish is now returning to areas of Nottinghamshire following work from environmental groups.

The Environment Agency said it has been working with Natural England to secure the white-clawed crayfish's future across the country.

In Nottinghamshire, a partnership to protect the species has been formed among various groups.

This has included the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, White Post Farm, and other environmental groups from further afield.

Staff and volunteers are creating new safe havens, known as "ark sites", for the crayfish to relocate to, and moving numbers of them that are under threat to these protected sites.

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Erin McDaid, from the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said losing the native species would be "heart-breaking".

He added: "Our waterways wouldn't be the same if they went extinct as they keep the ecosystems in our rivers healthy. If a native species like that goes, the environment around it is impacted pretty badly.

"We really want to prevent that, and volunteers play a vital role in helping to stop that from happening."

A group of white-clawed crayfish that had been saved during the project [BBC]

Danielle Grieves, an officer at Natural England, said the work she has observed from volunteers in Bulwell gives her hope for the future of the species.

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She added: "We are seeing fewer numbers of the North American invasive species in ponds at Bulwell Hall.

"It's been so rewarding to see vulnerable, native crayfish being moved to their new homes in Nottinghamshire.

"By protecting the white-clawed crayfish, we're helping to preserve the biodiversity and ecological health of Nottinghamshire's waterways for future generations."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

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ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP)  Just over the state line, the Italian Festival returns to Enfield for its 99th year.

The celebration is a tradition for many within the community, whether it be trying new food, their favorite dish, or enjoying the festival with friends. Our Lady of Mount Carmel brought in crowds from all over to enjoy the Italian culture.

Brew at the Zoo sells out at Forest Park

All this great authentic food, said Our Lady of Mount Carmel President Carl Sfrerazza. No food trucks or vendors, all made by our members.

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Two new food items also hit the menu this year: pasta rustica and a porchetta sandwich.

My wife and I come here every year, and usually our older daughter Shannon and her husband come here, said Scott Santaniello of Springfield. And they like to eat and have a good time.

We came out here obviously because were Catholic, said Jesse Schwenkler of Long Island. Were food critics as well, so we came out here to check out the foods.

The Italian Festival in Enfield runs through Sunday night. The feast will kick off again at 5:00 p.m.

On Sunday morning, Our Lady of Mount Carmel plans to host a traditional Catholic Mass outside in the chapel. A procession will follow afterwards throughout Enfield. This all begins at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.

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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Eric Holder, chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, called Texas' attempt to redraw its congressional maps for the second time in less than a decade "an authoritarian move" by the White House.

Holder, attorney general under President Barack Obama, has led the charge among Democrats to eliminate gerrymandering for years. But speaking with "This Week With George Stephanopoulos" on Sunday, Holder said that Texas' plan means Democrats need to "do things that perhaps in the past I would not have supported."

"I think that responsible Democrats in other states have to take into account the threat to our democracy, the need to preserve our democracy, so that we can ultimately try to heal it," Holder said. "And I would hope that they will take steps that are, again, as I said, temporary but responsible."

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"And we're seeing talk about that in California, we're seeing talk about that in New York, as well.

ABC News - PHOTO: Former Attorney General and Chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee Eric Holder appears on "This Week With George Stephanopoulos" on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

"But those attempts are more longshots, aren't they?" Stephanopoulos asked, referring to laws on the books in those states that protect against partisan gerrymandering.

While Holder conceded that the actions Democrats could take would ultimately depend on each state, he argued that those protections are an advantage.

"What they're trying to do in Texas is simply impose a new map on, an unpopular new map, on the people of Texas. To do it in California, you actually have to go to the people and ask them to suspend that which they have in place, which is a really well-functioning, independent redistricting committee," Holder said. "So the people will have a voice in what California does. The people do not have a voice, a meaningful voice, it appears so far in Texas."

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Trump's political operation floated the prospect of redistricting in June in efforts to shore up the GOP's fragile House majority. Trump said his party could pick up five seats if Texas redraws its congressional map. He suggested that there "could be" other states that follow suit but didn't identify them.

The Department of Justice told Texas in a letter in July that four majority-minority districts represented by Democrats needed to be redrawn, arguing they were "unconstitutional racial gerrymanders."

Here are more highlights from Holder's interview:

On changing his views on gerrymandering

Stephanopoulos: You've been leading an effort to stop gerrymandering. Now, you say it's time to fight fire with fire. Why the turnaround?

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Holder: Well, I think we have to understand that the nature of the threat that has been put upon the country through what they're trying to do in Texas has really increased the danger to our democracy. And as a result of that, we've got to do things that perhaps in the past I would not have supported.

On stopping Texas redistricting

Stephanopoulos: Is there any way to stop it?

Holder: Well, I think there are a number of ways in which we can try to stop it. If you look at the people who have testified at the hearings, 100-to-1 people have testified against it. Editorial boards in the media in Texas have opined against it. The polling shows that the people in Texas are, in fact, against it. So, I think that's one of the ways in which you try to stop it from actually happening.

On when to release the Epstein files

Stephanopoulos: So, the -- so, finally, you would release the files if you were attorney general right now?

Holder: Yes. I mean, take into account, you know, the privacy interest of various people, certainly of the victims uppermost. But there is investigative material that can certainly be released, that should be released. The focus shouldn't be on grand jury material because there are a whole bunch of problems with respect to the release of grand jury material. But with regard to investigative files that are in the possession of the Justice Department and the FBI, those materials should be released.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said that President Donald Trumps hateful rhetoric contributed to the Aug. 3, 2019 Walmart attack.

Escobar issued a statement Sunday morning to remember the sixth anniversary of the attack. She remembered the victims but also called on the nations leaders to remember that their words matter.

Patrick Crusius believed he was fulfilling Trumps wishes in El Paso attack, his attorney says

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Twenty-three people were murdered in a targeted racist attack and more than 20 others were wounded that day. Trump was serving in his first term as president when the shooting happened.

In the days and years before the shooting, Donald Trump so repeatedly demonized Latinos that the man who drove over 10 hours to target our community believed he was fulfilling the presidents wishes, Escobar said.

Escobar added: As we remember the victims, we must continue fighting the dehumanizing rhetoric that breeds hate and violence, especially when its comes from those in positions of power and influence. Words matter.

Here is her entire statement:

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Today, we remember the 23 lives taken from us on August 3, 2019. We continue to grieve with their families and loved ones, and we honor the impact they each made in this world.

It is impossible to think of August 3rd without recognizing that this horrific violence did not happen in a vacuum. In the days and years before the shooting, Donald Trump so repeatedly demonized Latinos that the man who drove over 10 hours to target our community believed he was fulfilling the presidents wishes. Trumps hateful rhetoric created fertile ground for extremists to justify violence against innocent people.

As we remember the victims, we must continue fighting the dehumanizing rhetoric that breeds hate and violence, especially when its comes from those in positions of power and influence. Words matter.

There is so much the country can learn from El Paso  our resilience, our kindness, our generosity and warmth.

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May the memories of those lost six years ago be a call to action to pursue the highest ideals of justice, empathy, and above all, love.

We reached out to the El Paso County Republican Party for comment, and they said they would decline making a statement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
ESTANCIA, N.M. (KRQE)  An Estancia man is behind bars Saturday night after a drug bust in central New Mexico. According to Estancia police, their officers were working with a confidential source to buy meth from 40-year-old Kyle Greenleaf.

Story continues below

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Court documents show that the sale took place on Thursday when officers went in and arrested him. Greenleaf is charged with one count of trafficking a controlled substance.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The European Union's top diplomat has described the pictures of severely emaciated Israeli hostages still held in captivity by the Islamist Hamas in Gaza as "appalling," calling for their immediate release and an end to the militant group's rule.

"The images of Israeli hostages are appalling and expose the barbarity of Hamas," Kaja Kallas wrote on X on Sunday.

She also acknowledged the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, saying "large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need."

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In the nearly five-minute video released on Saturday, hostage Evyatar David is so thin his bones stick out all over his body.

He points to a calendar and tells the viewers when he has eaten - and when not. At times, the 24-year-old has gone three days without food or water.

David is then forced to dig what he says is his "own grave" in the propaganda video released by the terrorist organization. His family approved the video's release.

Kallas said Hamas, which started the current conflict when it invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking some 250 hostage, can no longer control Gaza.

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"Hamas must disarm and end its rule in Gaza," she said.

Several Arab states, including Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating in indirect talks between the warring parties, recently called for an end to Hamas rule in the coastal territory during a UN conference in New York.

They want Hamas to "hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority with international engagement and support."
The European Union's top diplomat has described the pictures of severely emaciated Israeli hostages still held in captivity by the Islamist Hamas in Gaza as "appalling," calling for their immediate release and an end to the militant group's rule.

"The images of Israeli hostages are appalling and expose the barbarity of Hamas," Kaja Kallas wrote on X on Sunday.

She also acknowledged the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, saying "large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need."

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In the nearly five-minute video released on Saturday, hostage Evyatar David is so thin his bones stick out all over his body.

He points to a calendar and tells the viewers when he has eaten - and when not. At times, the 24-year-old has gone three days without food or water.

David is then forced to dig what he says is his "own grave" in the propaganda video released by the terrorist organization. His family approved the video's release.

Kallas said Hamas, which started the current conflict when it invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking some 250 hostage, can no longer control Gaza.

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"Hamas must disarm and end its rule in Gaza," she said.

Several Arab states, including Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating in indirect talks between the warring parties, recently called for an end to Hamas rule in the coastal territory during a UN conference in New York.

They want Hamas to "hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority with international engagement and support."

Hamas claims all of historic Palestine, including the territory of the modern state of Israel. It does not recognize Israel's right to exist.

However, in a 2017 policy document, the group accepted a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, consisting of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

In the ongoing war, 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the health authority controlled by Hamas. The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, though the vast majority of victims are said to be women, minors and the elderly.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Garfield County Sheriffs Office issued an evacuation order for an area northeast of Carbondale due to a new wildfire Sunday afternoon.

An update provided by the sheriffs office said that the evacuation orders have been lifted.

County Road 113 will remain closed between County Road 100 and County Road 121.

Firefighters on the ground worked aggressively to build fireline and protect homes while air crews made repeated water and retardant drops to slow the fires spread, said Incident Commander Bill Gavette. This was a true team effort. Ground crews worked with air crews attacking the fire from multiple angles. That coordinated response was key to stopping the Coulter Creek Fire.

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No homes were lost in the fire, but one outbuilding was destroyed. No injuries have been reported and the cause is under investigation, according to authorities.

Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District reported the fire before noon Sunday, north of Panorama Drive, below the Ranch at Coulter Creek subdivision. As of 6:30 p.m., the fire is 115 acres with 0% containment.

Firefighters are remaining on scene through the night to monitor the fire and will perform cold trailing in the morning on Monday.

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The sheriffs office has now called for evacuations of the Panorama subdivision, residences east of County Road 100 to Upper Cattle Creek, and the Ranch at Coulter Creek.

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The fire protection district said multiple ground and air fire resources are on scene.

Roaring Fork High School is the evacuation center, officials said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Left to right: Holocausts Survivors Dvora Weinstein, Irene Shashar and Aliza Hershkovich holding sign of the hostages ahead of the March in Auschwitz (photo credit: YOSSI ZELIGER)

The comments follow the release of multiple Hamas videos showing emaciated hostages.

Holocaust survivors interviewed by Israeli outlets on Sunday said the skeletal appearance of Israeli hostages shown in new Hamas videos is akin to what they themselves experienced in Nazi camps, warning that the captives are living through a second Holocaust and demanding immediate government action.

Eighty-four-year-old Dina Dega, who survived several concentration camps, toldWalla that the image of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David skin and bones  is exactly what we looked like in the camps... only he is alone and no one comes. She called the governments inaction a second Shoah on Israeli soil.

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Miriam Shapiro, 90, said she can no longer stand in the weekly demonstrations at Tel Avivs Hostages Square but her heart is there. My whole family perished in Auschwitz. I will not allow anyone else in this country to be left alone, she told the site.

For 88-year-old Hannah Raanan, the latest footage was unbearable: Even in the ghetto we managed to eat something. The hostages look worse. She accused the government of betrayal and added that the Hamas guards are fat from the humanitarian aid while our children collapse.

The Walla report also carried the voice of an unnamed survivor who said, The hungry child in the forest still lives inside me. Every hollow face brings her back.

A screengrab from a Hamas propaganda video with Israeli hostage Evyatar David. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

Silence is a moral stain

Speaking separately to Ynet, Naftali Furst, 93, who survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald, said the hollow faces of David and fellow hostage Rom Braslavski take me back eighty years. We got a slice of bread and thin soupsometimes we ate grass. I know the humiliation, he said, urging Israelis to raise our voicessilence is a moral stain.

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Dvora Weinstein, who fled burning Serbian villages as a child, said she could hardly breathe on seeing the video: For me October 7 was a second Shoah. Our war is just, but the suffering must stopbring them home before its too late.

Revital Yakin Krakovsky of the International March of the Living added that the images are a direct trigger for survivors: Hunger is hunger, terror is terror, and Jew-hatred has not changed.

Israel believes about 20 hostages are still alive in Gaza nearly 22 months after the October 7 massacres. Families say the latest video proves Hamas is using food deprivation as psychological torture. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told relatives on Sunday that negotiations continue relentlessly, while the Foreign Ministry again demanded Red Cross access.

Survivors, however, say time is running out. We are living proof life can be rebuilt after the inferno, Shapiro said, but healing, for them and for us, starts only when every hostage is home.
The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate a fatal midair crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that took place in January. Questioning and public hearings revealed malfunctions in air traffic control and instruments that may change understanding of how the tragic accident occurred.

The Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into an American Airlines passenger jet over the Potomac River had technical issues, showing pilots were flying 80 to 100 feet below their actual position in the crowded airspace above the river occupied by local police, military, and commercial jets, communication is key.

Helicopters were expected to stay in a range of between 100 and 200 feet above the Potomac. The Black Hawk was flying at 278 feet at the time of the crash, and sometimes climbed upward of 300 feet.

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Its still remarkably hard to identify aircraft when you are flying, said Rich Dressler of Metro Aviation in a testimony. We use traffic alerts and traffic monitoring systems in our helicopters, all the DC operators, the civilian and law enforcement side.

Furthermore, at the time of the crash, only one air traffic controller was handling the helicopter and plane traffic. Doing a job typically meant for two people, the controller was on duty for over an hour and twenty minutes before the crash.

As far as a controller perspective and my own personal perspective, making it work is utilizing all available tools to you to compensate for the compacted volume, said Clark Allen, an air traffic control specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration.It can be taxing on a person, you know, constantly (having) to give, give, give or push, push, push in order to efficiently move traffic.

The combination of technical and personnel issues caused the helicopter to fly straight into the American Airlines jet, killing 67 people.

New Evidence in Deadly American Airlines Crash Could Change the Narrative first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 1, 2025
Ryan Crosswell's campaign for a U.S. House seat features the hallmarks of many traditional political operations.

His website shows him in shirtsleeves talking about his military service and growing up in a coal town. His campaign video features images of the nearby Pennsylvania community of Pottsville, festooned in red, white and blue bunting. His campaign advisers circulate copies of a political advocacy group's endorsement. Crosswell talks about knocking on doors and meeting voters, one of whom Crosswell said is "struggling and may need to sell her house."



But, unlike many congressional candidates, Crosswell has no campaign experience and has never worked in politics.

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He's one of several former Justice Department attorneys and officials seeking public office after resigning from an agency they say has been contaminated by politics.

Among the wave of resignations and firings of Justice Department prosecutors, administrators and career staffers who have resigned or been fired in the first six months of President Trump's second term, some want to resume public service, and now they're exploring different avenues to achieve that.

Crosswell, a longtime federal prosecutor, resigned from the Justice Department on Feb. 17, in protest of the controversial department decision to drop the criminal corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams and a purge of the agency's public integrity division.

He has criticized the Justice Department's reductions in its anti-corruption offices.

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"What the administration has done is removed one of the most important guardrails against corruption within the government at all levels: state, local and federal," Croswell told CBS News. "We're now moving into an area where prosecutions would be determined by political loyalty," he said.

Crosswell's race is also uniquely important. He's running for the Democratic nomination in one of the most competitive and high-impact House races in the country, Pennsylvania's 7th District, which flipped from Democratic to Republican in 2024. Crosswell has already raised more than $300,000 since announcing his candidacy in June, while the incumbent Republican, Rep. Ryan MacKenzie, has raised over $1.4 million this year.

It's a big change for a longtime career prosecutor, who just months ago was credited by the Justice Department with helping secure the conviction of a former New Mexico state political candidate who'd gone on a shooting spree that targeted the homes of four elected officials.

Croswell, a Marine reservist, is leaning into his biography during his campaign. He told CBS News, "If you're a Marine and you're a former prosecutor, you are protecting people."

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Some of his former colleagues are also seeking elected office, and like Crosswell, none have elected experience or a political background, but all of them are openly criticizing recent changes in the Justice Department and talking about why they chose to exit their careers as career prosecutors.

"It was my dream job"

Erika Evans quit her Justice Department position in March, leaving what she said was her dream job. She's now seeking the Democratic nomination for the office of city attorney in Seattle.

Speaking with CBS News by phone between campaign stops in Seattle, Evans said, "The polls are in our favor, and we're feeling good about that."

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She's the granddaughter of civil rights figure Lee Evans, who was among the 1968 Olympics track stars who raised a fist in the air during a medal presentation. Evans told CBS News the Trump administration's dismantling of the Justice Department's Civil Rights division was among her motivations for leaving.

"We received emails requiring that we report any colleagues doing diversity work in the office. We had 10 to 14 days to report them or we would get in trouble ourselves," Evans said. "That was pretty disgusting." She said she didn't feel safe at the agency, in part because she was the co-chair of a diversity effort.

In a campaign video, Evans pledged to challenge Mr. Trump: "With your vote, I'll take on Trump and demand the community safety we deserve." And her campaign materials also promote Evans' work on civil rights issues.

"I have only worked in public service my entire career. That's the reason why I became a lawyer  to represent and serve my community," Evans said. "When I realized that that was not going to be possible any longer with the values that the Trump administration was having for the department, I knew I needed to shift."

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She said her public criticism of the recent changes in the Justice Department is resonating with voters.

"We've spoken with thousands of voters and we have been knocking on thousands of doors," she said. "It's been really comforting to hear from our voters who say 'You are so brave to step out and speak out against this.'"

The Seattle primaries are Tuesday. If Evans wins enough votes, she'd proceed to a general election in November.

"It really weighed on my heart"

Hetal Doshi rose through the ranks of the Justice Department over more than a decade of service, including as deputy assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division. She left in January, when Mr. Trump was sworn in, and is now seeking her first elected office as a candidate in next year's election for Colorado attorney general.

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Doshi told CBS News the recent changes at the agency "really weighed on my heart and on my mind."

"State attorneys general are more important than ever before, in filling an enforcement vacuum," she said. "That's why I made the decision to run for office."

"I faced a lot of complicated feelings about my exit," Doshi said, "and that complexity was coming from the fact that I loved what I did on behalf of the American people so much."

Despite her lack of campaign experience, Doshi touted robust early fundraising and a statewide campaign infrastructure as she pursues the Democratic nomination for the post. Doshi's campaign materials, including an introductory video, emphasize she's a first-generation American from a working-class family.

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Her campaign website includes a video in which Doshi takes aim at Mr. Trump, saying, "The rule of law is under attack by Donald Trump and politicians who have abandoned patriotism." The video includes images of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump surrogate Jeanine Pirro, who was just confirmed as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

"It's hard to watch the dismantling of the norms and traditions of the Department of Justice," Doshi said in a phone interview with CBS News.

The Justice Department declined a request to comment on Doshi, Crosswell or Evans and their criticism of recent agency changes.

Doshi's campaign lists several of her Justice Department accomplishments and promotes her record. Her campaign materials highlight her federal case work in challenging an airline merger, big tech mergers, concert ticket pricing and a case she said would have impacted grocery prices.

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"I feel much more comfortable in a courtroom than any other place," Doshi admitted, but she says campaigning is a form of public advocacy that mirrors her work as a government attorney.

"It's normally pretty rare for career DOJ attorneys to run for office. They actively steer clear of partisanship at the department," said Stacey Young, a former Justice Department attorney who leads the Justice Connection, a networking organization to help former Justice Department employees who have resigned or been fired.

"It makes perfect sense that for some, serving through elected office, outside the president's chain of command, is a viable alternative," Young added.

"I was just reading the tea leaves"

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Victor Salgado said he decided on Election night last year he'd prepare to leave his job as an attorney in the Public Integrity division of the Justice Department.

He soon began pursuing the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia. His campaign and his effort won just about 5% of the vote in the June primary.That was not enough to advance to the November general election,but he still did better than he had expected.

Salgado told CBS News he decided to leave before the expected shakeup inside the Justice Department.

"I was just reading tea leaves on the type of people that had been close to Mr. Trump, and the people who would eventually come to run the Department of Justice," he said. "I handicapped it at 90% that within the near future of January 20, the Public Integrity section will be dismantled."

There were a series of ousters in the agency's public integrity section within the first two months of the Trump administration.

Salgado enjoyed a storied career at the Justice Department, including an agency award for his work on a major cryptocurrency investigation, which led to a CEO's guilty plea in 2023. The department also credited Salgado with "substantial contributions" to the successful prosecution of former Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican who was expelled from Congress, pleaded guilty to fraud and began serving a prison sentence last month.

Salgado said he emphasized his Justice Department work during his brief campaign, and as he met with voters and made campaign stops, he referenced the controversies involving the Trump's administration's use of law enforcement in immigration enforcement.

He said the role of political candidate is challenging for career prosecutors.

"We are not partisan, especially as corruption prosecutors," he said. "Of course, we have political opinions, but all of those get checked at the door."

Crosswell's race could become one of the most expensive and highest profile in the nation. He moved back to Pennsylvania, where he grew up, just about 45 minutes outside of Allentown.

In a sign he's cemented his position as a frontline Democratic political candidate, Crosswell is receiving strong criticism from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

"Carpetbagging Ryan Crosswell parachuted into the Lehigh Valley after working in Biden's corrupt DOJ. Pennsylvanians took out the trash last November when they elected Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and President Trump, and they're not looking back," an NRCC spokeswoman said in a statement.

How safe is our Social Security safety net?

Russia downplays Trump's announcement about nuclear submarines

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President Donald Trumps inability to face the facts is yet another sign hes tilting towards tyranny, according to one former White House Cabinet member.

After the release of a weak July jobs report and dismal updates to May and June numbers on Friday, a furious Trump sacked the top official at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in a post on Truth Social.

The Economy is BOOMING under TRUMP, he declared while accusing BLS Commissioner Dr. Erika McEntarfer and her agency of manipulating employment statistics for political purposes.

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Following McEntarfers unceremonious ouster, Larry Summers, the treasury secretary under former President Bill Clinton, warned that Trumps actions are a dire sign for democracy when he appeared on the Sunday episode of ABCs This Week.

This is way beyond anything that Richard Nixon ever did, Summers told host George Stephanopoulos.

Its preposterous for Trump to accuse the Bureau of Labor Statistics of warping employment numbers for political gain, Summers said, explaining that jobs data is meticulously calculated by hundreds of experts following rigorous formulas.

Alarmed that the president would act like the figures were anything but objective, Summers told Stephanopoulos, This is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism.

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Offering several more examples of Trumps autocratic impulses, he added, Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers, it goes with launching assaults on universities, it goes with launching assaults on law firms that defend clients that the elected boss finds uncongenial. This is really scary stuff.

Larry Summers: "This is way beyond anything Richard Nixon ever did ... this is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers, it goes with launching assaults on universities, it goes with launching pic.twitter.com/TIrF7hvdui  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 3, 2025

Trumps labor report tantrum follows his decision to sue Wall Street Journal reporters and the papers owner, Rupert Murdoch, over reports detailing his alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also appeared to strong-arm television giant Paramount into a $16 million settlement just as it was seeking federal approval for a major merger with Skydance Media.

The president successfully threatened to strip billions in funding from universities to drop their diversity, equity and inclusion policies while also accusing the institutions of failing to address antisemitism on campus.

Before that, Trump pressured nine of the nations top legal outfits into providing a collective $1 billion in pro bono services to avoid retaliation for their connections to federal prosecutors who oversaw investigations related to his first impeachment and the criminal investigations into Trump supporters Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

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To Summers, the legal free-for-all and the tumult of Trumps ongoing tariff announcements seem like a recipe for economic instability.

Who knows what business is going to be attacked next? Who knows what the rules are going to be? he said. In an environment like that, what should a business do? It should sit, and it should wait.

Related...
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is investigating former special counsel Jack Smith, the OSC has confirmed to Fox News.

Smith was tapped in 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve as special counsel regarding two probes pertaining to then-former President Donald Trump.

While the specific scope of the investigation is not clear, the OSC may be looking at whether Smith potentially violated the Hatch Act, which bars government employees from partaking in political activities. It is not a criminal investigation.

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Trump's Nominee To Lead Us Office Of Special Counsel Refutes Antisemitic Claims And Ties To Holocaust Denier

The OSC is not the same as a special counsel appointed by an attorney general, as Smith was, but "is an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency," according to its website.

"OSC's statutory authority comes from four federal laws: the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Hatch Act, and the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)," the website explains.

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Trump Calls Jack Smith Desperate After Special Counsel Report Is Released After Midnight

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Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., recently asked the OSC to look into whether Smith illegally engaged in political activity to influence the 2024 election against Trump.

"I write requesting the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Jack Smith, Special Counsel for Attorney General Merrick Garland, unlawfully took political actions to influence the 2024 election to harm then-candidate President Donald Trump," Cotton wrote in a July 30 letter to Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer.

Top Gop Senator Demands Probe Into Whether Jack Smith Unlawfully Tried To Influence 2024 Election

"President Trump of course vanquished Joe Biden, Jack Smith, every Democrat who weaponized the law against him, but President Trump's astounding victory doesn't excuse Smith of responsibility for his unlawful election interference. I therefore ask the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Jack Smith or any members of his team unlawfully acted for political purposes," Cotton wrote.

Fox News' David Spunt contributed to this report.





Original article source: Ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith under investigation by government watchdog Office of Special Counsel
The Brief

More than 50 exotic animals, including a zebra, camels, and horses, were rescued from a farm in Rio Verde, Arizona.

Authorities responded to a report of animal cruelty, finding the animals with no water or shade in 114-degree heat.

Criminal charges are pending as detectives prepare a case for the county attorney's office.

RIO VERDE, Ariz. - More than 50 exotic animals, including camels, peacocks, and a zebra, were rescued from a farm in Rio Verde, north of the Valley, after authorities responded to a report of animal cruelty.

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Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan called the scene "heartbreaking."

"We got a call from a neighbor that there was no water, and they checked last night, there was no water. They checked this morning, there was no water," Sheriff Sheridan said. "So a deputy responded and came out and found that there was no water. [He] called the animal cruelty unit. They came out here, they assessed the physical conditions of some of the animals, and then they made a search warrant."

What we know

The search warrant led to the confiscation of 25 horses, a zebra, two camels, peacocks, about 20 goats, a bull, and a cockatoo. Sheridan described the operation as the biggest one his department has ever done.

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Volunteers and Rural Metro Fire Department crews assisted in the rescue. Rural Metro Fire brought a tanker truck and dispensed over 2,000 gallons of water to the animals.

"Rural fire saved the day for the animals because they brought out a tanker truck and dispensed over 2,000 gallons of water," Sheridan said. "That's how dry everything was out here."

Most of the animals have been moved from the property by Aug. 3, but two camels remain there. They were seen eating hay, and they also had water access.

The camels were still in the same area on Aug. 4.

What we don't know

It remains unknown if an arrest will be made in connection with the incident.

What they're saying

Sheridan said the animals had no water and little to no shade on a day when temperatures reached 114 degrees.

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"Their animals are dependent upon them. And as I said earlier, there's no water out here. There's no shade for many of these animals," Sheridan said. "It was difficult for us, and we had water, and I couldn't imagine what it's been like the last few days with these animals with no water."

Sheridan also sent a message to other potential animal owners.

"There's a new sheriff in town, and the sheriff cares about the conditions people keep their animals."

What we don't know

The name of the farm's owner has not been released.

Local perspective

On Aug. 3, we spoke with a couple of area residents, and they said the property wasn't always like this.

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"How did it get to this point," said Shaun Loring.

"It was actually almost hard to sleep last night," said Natalie Austin.

Both Austin and Loring spent years visiting the ranch with their families.

"We kinda made friends with the zebras and the camels, and looked forward to bringing them carrots," said Austin. "It was just a fun, cool thing in the neighborhood."

"The ranch for us was always a place where we could take our grandkids or guests or visitors to go see the ostriches, the camels, the zebras. It was a lot of fun, it was a great experience," said Loring

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Recently, however, something changed.

"A few weeks ago, we had noticed on one of our trips that it was hot and there wasn't much water there at that time, and that's when we had approached and talked about bringing some water if that was necessary, and then we did see a water tank on the back of a truck that was there, and they were supposedly gonna water the animals," said Loring.

The situation grew worse, and eventually another neighbor called in a welfare check on the animals. When MCSO showed up to the ranch, there was no water or food for any of the dozens of animals they found.

Both families say they won't jump to conclusions after years of good memories at the nearby ranch, and positive interactions with the owner.

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"Someone could have really good intentions, but they can get in over their head," said Austin.

"Sometimes, people mean well, and it just doesn't go the way they wanted to, or things happen financially or circumstantially, and it just doesn't go right," said Loring.

What's next

Detectives will now do the paperwork to determine what criminal charges to bring to the county attorney's office for prosecution.

"The next step is the detectives will do what they do best," Sheridan said. "Do the paperwork, determine what criminal charges we're going to bring to the county attorney's office for prosecution. And it's going to take a few days."

Regardless of how or why the conditions became how they did, the families say the biggest priority is advocating for the animals.
On June 25, Mutawakil al-Mohamad and his family woke up to the sound of Israeli soldiers pounding on their door with their rifles.

It would be the last time they woke up in their family home in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Israeli forces arrived at 7am in military convoys with two heavy bulldozers, and al-Mohamad was terrified the soldiers would raid his house and arrest him or his loved ones.

Instead, the soldiers told the family their home was in a designated military zone and ordered them to vacate immediately so they could bulldoze it to the ground.

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When I opened the door, I told the soldiers: My young children are scared. I asked them to give me 10 minutes, then we will all be out of the house, al-Mohamed said. The soldiers obliged, he recalled from Ramallah, the administrative capital of the occupied West Bank, where he now lives.





Demolitions and displacement

Israel is demolishing more Palestinian homes across the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, at a higher rate in 2025 than any previous year since the occupation began in 1967.

Israeli authorities have already destroyed 783 structures  a figure that does not include the large-scale destruction in refugee camps  leading to the forced displacement of 1,119 people, according to the United Nations.

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In the Palestinian refugee camps, Israel has destroyed about 600 structures in the Jenin camp and a combined 300 structures in the Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps as part of military raids it launched at the start of this year, according to figures that Al Jazeera obtained from the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq.

Human rights groups, civilians and analysts said the real aim of Israels tactics  systematic home demolitions and forced displacement  is to make life unbearable for Palestinians so more will consider leaving if they can.

Israels goal in the West Bank is the same as its goal in Gaza.  It wants to target all Palestinians, said Murad Jadallah, a human rights researcher with Al-Haq.

Jadallah argued that Israels war in Gaza, which many experts have called a genocide, has shocked the world and distracted many from its unprecedented destruction in the West Bank.

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Israel is benefiting from the images of destruction it has created in Gaza in order to push its agenda in the West Bank, he told Al Jazeera.

[Al Jazeera]

Little support

Since the start of this year, about 40,000 Palestinians have fled Israeli military operations in West Bank refugee camps.

Many have struggled to find affordable replacement accommodations, renting instead in whatever villages where they find room, staying with relatives in overcrowded homes or languishing in public buildings converted into shelters for displaced people, Jadallah said.

Ahmed Gaeem, 60, recalled Israeli soldiers evicting him, his wife, five children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews from their building in the Tulkarem refugee camp in March.

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The family was also told by Israeli soldiers that Tulkarem had been designated a military zone and they would not be allowed to return for some time.

We left with the clothes on our backs and nothing else. We didnt have time to pack anything, Gaeem told Al Jazeera.

A few weeks into Israels military campaign, one of Gaeems sons managed to return briefly to assess the damage to their home from a distance.

Their home  like countless others  was destroyed. Its windows were shattered, the door hinges blown off and walls caved in.





Gaeems family is currently renting three homes in Iktaba village, a few kilometres from Tulkarem city, for a combined rent of about $1,300  a fortune for a family surviving on meagre savings.

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Gaeem noted that while his salary as a Palestinian Authority (PA) civil servant is $500 a month, he hasnt been paid in months because of the PAs ongoing economic crisis.

Over the past several years, the PA has cut salaries and struggled to pay its staff as a result of dwindling donor support and Israels refusal to hand over tax revenue it collects on the PAs behalf, an arrangement laid out in the Oslo Accords.

The PA itself was born out of the Oslo peace agreements of 1993 and 1995, which were signed by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The accords ostensibly aimed to bring about a Palestinian state in the years that followed.

Unprecedented crisis

The Oslo Accords split the West Bank into three zones.

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The PA was tasked with overseeing security and executive functions in Area A and executive functions in Area B while Israel remained in total control of Area C.

This control allowed Israel to quietly and gradually expand illegal settlements  after encircling and then demolishing Palestinian homes and communities  in Area C, a largely agricultural region that makes up about 60 percent of the West Bank.

In July, the Israeli army issued two orders that gave it an additional legal pretext to demolish homes in Area B  a power previously held only by the PA under the Oslo Accords. The orders enabled Israel to assume control over building and planning laws and laws pertaining to agricultural sites.

[Al Jazeera]

Before these measures, most demolitions in Areas A and B were carried out during military operations or as reprisals against Palestinians who resisted the occupation. Israel now has an additional legal basis to destroy Palestinian homes by claiming the owners do not have building permits.

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Israel systematically denies building permits to Palestinians as part of a broader policy of confiscating Palestinian homes and land, according to human rights groups.

Among the record number of demolitions carried out across the West Bank this year, the UN documented the destruction of 49 structures in Areas A and B.

Under international law, Israel is prohibited from destroying private property anywhere in occupied Palestinian territory and from establishing settlements or outposts.

The extension of demolitions in Area A and B and the way Israel is changing the legal status in Area B are unprecedented, said Tahani Mustafa, an expert on the West Bank with the International Crisis Group think tank.

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She added that Israel appears to be trying to confine Palestinians to ever smaller pockets of land in Area A. Israels ultimate plan, she fears, is to make life increasingly unbearable for Palestinians in urban centres, likely by imposing more checkpoints and barriers to restrict movement and carrying out more raids

Israels intensifying assault on Palestinians across the West Bank already has people like al-Mohamed fearing that his family could be evicted again.

He said most Palestinians predict that Israel will turn its attention to the West Banks cities after it finishes its military raids in the nearby camps.

Its hard for us to go anywhere else other than the West Bank, he told Al Jazeera.

This is our land. Its where we want to live and where we want to die.




Patrolling wildlife officials in Madhya Pradesh, a central state in India known for its rich biodiversity, were "delighted to inform" of a discovery years in the making: a caracal  one of India's rarest and most elusive wild cats  captured on a camera trap inside of the fenced Cheetah Natural Area of Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected reserve.

As The Times of India reported, it's the first confirmed sighting of the species in the state in nearly 20 years and a hopeful sign of biodiversity revival under Project Cheetah. This ambitious national initiative is focused primarily on reintroducing cheetahs while restoring predator populations and strengthening fragile ecosystems.

"We are delighted to inform you that photographs of caracal (Caracal caracal) were obtained," wrote Dr. Bilal Habib of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which has been monitoring wildlife in the area since 2023. The cat was photographed three times on July 1, 2025, in the Golabavdi beat  once in the early morning and twice late at night.

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Caracals are medium-sized wild cats native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of India. Noted for their ability to leap high into the air to catch birds mid-flight and their distinctive black ear tufts, they are threatened by habitat loss and human activity. In India, they are considered critically endangered due to shrinking habitats and very low detection rates.

Camera traps like the one that captured the caracal play a growing role in modern conservation. For example, experts recently highlighted how trail cameras provide crucial data on rare species and support local communities' conservation efforts.

These remote tools enable experts to monitor the health of species and track their recovery without disturbing wildlife, a critical advantage when working with rare animals in sensitive environments. They are widely recognized for offering new opportunities to document rehabilitation and accurately estimate population sizes.

In 2019, officials launched a public campaign across rural villages to locate the species but turned up only lookalike jungle cats. Now, officials say the sighting offers fresh hope, not just for the caracal's return, but for smarter conservation strategies that support healthy landscapes and the human communities that depend on them.

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Ongoing camera monitoring provides valuable data that helps guide habitat restoration efforts, in turn supporting the recovery of threatened species like the caracal and contributing to healthier ecosystems that local communities rely on.

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A June heat wave revealed just how strained the U.S. power system is, according to Al Jazeera.

What pressures are threatening the power grid?

Extreme weather, including high temperatures and thunderstorms, resulted in power outages across the country, and it highlighted a growing problem.

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. said that power grids in the Midwest, New England, Texas, and Southern California would be unable to operate in "above-normal conditions," Al Jazeera reported.

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There's also the matter of artificial intelligence. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, creating one AI-generated image uses the energy equivalent of fully charging a smartphone. The increased use of AI has led to energy demands that the grid is struggling to meet.

Why does the state of the power grid matter?

Power systems are outdated and cannot adapt to such dramatic changes.

For example, a 2021 Texas cold snap led to 4.5 million people losing power and more than 200 deaths, many of which were attributed to hypothermia, per the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The cold also affected gas lines and other equipment. A typically warm state, Texas lacked the infrastructure to respond to such weather.

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As the planet continues to warm and extreme weather events become more prevalent, power outages are expected to rise, leading to price spikes and leaving people vulnerable to the elements. It's crucial to assess and address the grid's weak points before it's too late.

"The power grid is one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure," Kyri Baker, an associate professor in the University of Colorado Boulder's Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, told CU Boulder Today. "Keeping that system safe, secure, and reliable is not only convenient but also life-saving."

How renewable energy can help save the grid

Incorporating renewable energy into the grid won't be a simple feat, but its meteoric rise shows that people are ready for it. In fact, in 2024, renewable energy accounted for over 30% of the world's electricity.

One way to make this transition smoother is to utilize battery storage systems, which store excess energy from solar power, among other clean forms of energy. On days when sunlight is scarce, the stored energy is released. According to the United Nations, this can be cheaper and more reliable than electricity in certain locations.

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Bottom line: If overreliance on dirty fuels is harming people, then finding alternative forms of energy to strengthen the grid is a must.

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Explosions and smoke were observed today by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stemming from a nearby auxiliary facility that the plant reported was under attack.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe and one of the 10 largest globally, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.

The IAEA team heard the blasts and saw smoke coming from the direction of the facility, according to Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. The plant's staff informed the team that the auxiliary site was struck by shelling and drones starting around 9 a.m. local time, coinciding with military activity audible to the IAEA personnel.

Map of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

Smoke from the targeted area remained visible to the team into the afternoon, despite the facility being located 1,200 meters from the plant's site perimeter. The incident is the latest in a string of recent events highlighting the persistent nuclear safety risks stemming from Russias war against Ukraine.

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Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant  regardless of the intended target  poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided, Grossi said. "Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident."

Meanwhile, Russia also appears to be constructing power lines in occupied southern Ukraine, a move that could link the Zaporizhzhia plant to Russia's energy grid, the New York Times reported on May 27, citing a new Greenpeace report.

Satellite imagery featured in the Greenpeace report indicates that since early February 2025, Russian forces have laid over 80 kilometers (49 miles) of high-voltage lines along the Sea of Azov coastline, connecting occupied Mariupol and Berdyansk.

Experts from Greenpeace believe this construction aims to connect these new lines to a major substation near Mariupol, which could then be linked to the Zaporizhzhia plant, located approximately 225 kilometers (139 miles) away.

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Read also: Russia launched record 6,129 drones against Ukraine during July, smashing previous months high

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Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters are planning to flout terror laws in a co-ordinated attempt to overwhelm the police, The Telegraph can reveal.

Campaigners have hatched a plot for Left-wing activists and members of the Muslim community to attend a demonstration on Saturday declaring support for Palestine Action, the recently banned terror group.

To do so would be an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. More than 200 people have been arrested for expressing support for the group since July 5.

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Last week, one of the co-founders of Palestine Action won the right to challenge the legality of the ban. Now, campaigners plan to confront the criminal justice system en masse to test whether the law can be enforced if thousands of protesters descend on London.

The move would ramp-up pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, who is simultaneously battling a 25-year-high backlog in the courts and a chronic shortage of prison spaces.

Protests are planned for towns and cities across the UK, but the main event will take place in Westminster where thousands are being urged to attend and deliberately flout the terror legislation.

A protest in support of Palestine Action London on July 19 - Martyn Wheatley / i-Images

The Telegraph can now expose the plan, co-ordinated by a number of groups including Cage International and Defend Our Juries, after attending a pro-Palestine event last week.

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At the meeting, hosted by Cage International in Birmingham, Moazzam Begg, the former Guantanamo Bay detainee, called on the Muslim community to join in the act of defiance and declare their support for Palestine Action.

Moazzam Begg speaks at a meeting to organise protests in support of Palestine Action, flouting terror laws

He told supporters: I would urge everybody to join the action of the 9th of August. That is the first step to take for the resistance.

Those from the Muslim community, we have a massive presence in this city, and we must engage our leaders, our Imams, our habibs, those in positions of power, to join, there is strength in numbers, stop being a coward, cowards never win battles.

The meeting was attended by about 30 to 40 supporters, some of whom wore Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and flags.

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The evening was billed by a Cage International representative as an opportunity to discuss crucial matters that pertain to our movement  a movement to liberate Palestine, to crush Zionism and see an end to the genocide in Gaza.

During the meeting, Angie Zelter, from Defend Our Juries, urged people to take part in the co-ordinated action, telling attendees: Together we can and must face down the rising tide of fascism in Britain.

She said people were starting to see an arrest for terrorism as a badge of honour.

People attend a meeting on July 24 to organise a mass protest in support of the proscribed terror group Palestine Action

In a briefing document, drafted by Defend Our Juries and seen by The Telegraph, those considering taking part are warned: Joining this campaign comes with risk.

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But the document goes on to say: It would be practically and politically difficult for the state to respond to an action on this scale.

Even assuming it had the physical capacity to arrest so many people on the same day, the political fallout from such an operation would be incalculable, causing irreparable damage to the reputation of the Government and the police.

Our assessment is that an action on this scale could be enough for the ban to be lifted.

Charging and prosecuting at least 500 more people, in addition to the 200 people already arrested, is likely to be beyond the capacity of the state, given the current situation in the criminal justice system.

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Volunteers are told to bring their own blank placard and a thick marker pen, and when in place to write the words: I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.

They are advised: Although theres a substantial risk of arrest, and all taking part should be prepared for that, no-one has yet been charged with an offence and no-one has been remanded to prison.

Experts have warned that the action could create a significant headache for police forces if thousands of people deliberately break the law in a co-ordinated campaign.

Graham Wettone, a retired Metropolitan Police officer with many years experience working in public order policing, said: There are a limited number of custody cell spaces available in London and as we saw a couple of years ago with Just Stop Oil, these can fill up quickly.

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The Met may seek to take some of those arrested outside of the capital but there is no doubt that if thousands of people turn up and take part it will test the system to the limit. Simply put, they will not be able to arrest and process everyone.

The courts backlog is running at a 25-year high, with about 77,000 cases waiting to be heard and some trials being listed for 2027.

Last year, Labours early release scheme freed thousands of prisoners who were 40 per cent of the way through their sentence, rather than halfway.

Last month, protesters took to the streets in support of Palestine Action - Guy Smallman/Getty

Legal challenge against proscription

Palestine Action was outlawed by Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, on July 5 after a group of its members allegedly entered RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft.

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Last week, the co-founder of the group won the right to bring a legal challenge against proscription, arguing that the ban breached the right to freedom of expression and protest.

A judicial review over the legality of the group is due to be heard in the autumn and could see the ban lifted.

Of the 200 or so people who have been arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action since its proscription, none have yet been charged.

It is thought that prosecutors are waiting for the outcome of the legal challenge before they make a decision on whether to put people before the courts.

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Theres yet another bold move being taken by the White House thats largely flying under the radar. It has to do with religion.

The Trump administration says its ok for federal employees to discuss religion in the workplace. And more than that- they can proselytize. Thats to try to convert people to their religion.

The Trump administration says its an example of religious freedom protected under the constitution.

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Host Jim Niedelman brings back Bill Bloom and Mark Schwiebert to discuss.

I dont really have a problem with what Trump said hes not really talking about Christianity specifically, what hes talking about is religion in general, Bloom said.

Im a pretty religious person myself and I have no problem with talking about my faith with other people or hearing about their faiths, Schwiebert said. But the idea of proselytizing, particularly from a supervisor in the workplace, I think falls pretty squarely in the area of intimidation.

To hear more from the panel, click on the video.

Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 the Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home.

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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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Since 1897 when Theodor Herzl convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, Jews have divided over the significance of a Jewish nation-state in the Jewish peoples ancestral homeland. Seldom, however, have American progressive Jews showed so little sympathy for the challenges that Israel faces as they have in the 21st century or delivered themselves of such illiberal judgments in condemning Israel as they have in the aftermath of Iran-backed Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, massacres.

In Oct. 2003, amid the Second Intifadas carnage, the late New York University history professor Tony Judt proclaimed in The New York Review of Books the death of "the Middle East peace process." The then-common phrase referring to efforts to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict was highly misleading because the parties combined population - Israel along with West Bank and Gaza Palestinians - totaled around 10 million, while the Middle Easts Muslim population stood at approximately 270 million. Not only did the conflict directly involve less than 4% of the Middle Easts population, but it also revolved around a contested sliver of territory that represented less than 0.5% of the land over which Arab states and Iran exercised sovereignty.

Identifying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the principal source of instability and violence in the Middle East casts doubt on Israels legitimacy as the nation-state of the Jewish people.

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So does assigning Israel the lions share of the blame for the conflict. This Judt also did in "Israel: The Alternative."

His New York Review of Books essay barely alluded to the Second Intifada, which erupted in fall 2000, a few months after then-Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat stormed out of Camp David negotiations over a Palestinian state. Over the next five years, Palestinians conducted more than 130 suicide-bombing attacks on primarily civilian targets in Israel, killed more than 1,000, and wounded more than 8,000. Furthermore, Judt understated the jihadists ideological hatred. He said nothing about the Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. And he ignored the Palestinian insistence on a "right of return," a right without foundation in international law that would allow the then-approximately 4 million descendants of some 700,000 Palestinian refugees from Israels 1948-49 War of Independence to take up residence in Israel and turn it into a Muslim-majority state.

Instead of considering the Palestinian threats that made Israelis wary of the establishment of a Palestinian state, Judt dwelled on Israeli actions, real and imagined, that thwarted peace. In Judea and Samaria, he lamented, Israel built illegal settlements and grabbed land. That framing was debatable. He also affirmed the then-common canard that Israel under right-wing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon impelled the Bush administration "to destabilize and then reconfigure the Middle East in a manner thought favorable to Israel." But if Israel were calling the shots in 2003, the United States would have targeted Iran and not Iraq, since by the late 1990s Israel had identified Iran and not Iraq as its major strategic threat.

Judts invidious fantasy that Israel dictated U.S. foreign policy fueled his conviction that Israels lurch to the right represented a multi-dimensional calamity: "The depressing truth is that Israels current behavior is not just bad for America, though it surely is," he wrote. "It is not even just bad for Israel itself, as many Israelis silently acknowledge. The depressing truth is that Israel today is bad for the Jews."

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Israel must change, Judt maintained, not only for its sake but also for the sake of Jews everywhere - not least for New York Jews who frequented the citys fashionable cocktail receptions, attended its exclusive dinner parties, and wrote highbrow criticism for its upscale publications: "In a world where nations and peoples increasingly intermingle and intermarry at will; where cultural and national impediments to communication have all but collapsed; where more and more of us have multiple elective identities and would feel falsely constrained if we had to answer to just one of them; in such a world Israel is truly an anachronism."

In a world in which morality and good taste demanded progressive cosmopolitan sensibilities, argued Judt, Israel was obliged to transform itself from the nation-state of the Jewish people that was home to an Arab minority into a binational state granting citizenship to West Bank and Gaza Palestinians. "To convert Israel from a Jewish state into a binational one would not be easy," Judt acknowledged. But he did not inform readers that the binational state he envisaged would be something that the Middle East had never known: a Muslim majority or near-majority state that governed itself democratically and recognized and secured non-Muslims rights or, for that matter, Muslims rights.

Given Judts high-profile essay from 2003 and the career that progressive journalist Peter Beinart has since made of sharing promiscuously how Israel has betrayed his liberal and Jewish conscience, it is startling to hear from New York Times columnist Ezra Klein that "The consensus that held American Jewry together for generations is breaking down." Its not that Klein is wrong. In "Why American Jews No Longer Understand One Another," he rightly observes that American Jews dont agree on propositions that once united most of them: "What is good for Israel is good for the Jews. Anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism. And there will, someday soon, be a two-state solution that reconciles Zionism and liberalism."

Its that Klein is off by at least a generation in identifying the consensuss breakdown.

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Off, too, is Kleins account of the breakdowns sources. Like Judt, in whose two-decades-old footsteps he unknowingly follows, Klein reports sympathetically the opinions of progressives appalled by Israel, while misreporting, or not reporting at all, the views of Israels conservative supporters. Like Judt, Klein understates - when he doesnt ignore - Israels national-security challenges: For example, he alludes to Israels extraordinary military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran in June but overlooks that by virtue of Tehrans determination to rebuild its nuclear program, replenish its stock of ballistic missiles, and persist in funding Islamist proxies throughout the region, Iran still poses an existential threat to the Jewish state. And like Judt, Klein obscures the blend of principles that informs modern Zionism.

Klein sees in the conflicting reactions to Zohran Mamdanis victory in New York Citys Democratic primary for mayor the defining fault line in Jewish opinions about Israel. "Many older Jews" whom Klein knows "are shocked and scared by Mamdanis victory." They view Israel as "the worlds only reliable refuge for the Jewish people" and "see opposition to Israel as a cloak for antisemitism." For them, "Mamdani is a harbinger" of a rising tide of hostility in America to Israel and the Jews. Meanwhile, "[m]any younger Jews" whom Klein knows "voted for Mamdani" and "are not afraid of him." They "fear" that Israel is fast becoming "an apartheid state ruling over ruins in Gaza and Bantustans in the West Bank." These progressive Jews "fear what that means for anti-Jewish violence all over the world" and "fear what that will do - what it has already done - to the meaning of Jewishness." The "commitment to the basic ideals of liberalism" for these progressive Jews "is stronger than their commitment to what Israel has become."

Unfortunately, they, Klein, and Mamdani confuse illiberal one-sidedness for liberalism.

Klein maintains that Mamdanis anti-Zionism, like that of progressive Jews, flows from liberalism: They object not to Jews but to Israels Jewishness. "For Jews of the diaspora, multiethnic democracy - in which the rights and security of political minorities are protected - is the bedrock on which our safety is built," writes Klein. "For Jews of Israel, a Jewish majority is the bedrock upon which their state is built." Why this does not lead Mamdani, Klein, and younger Jews to object to the Muslim states that surround Israel, Klein does not say.

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In any case, Israels bedrock is more layered and complex than Klein, progressive Jews, and Mamdani grasp. Its true that Israels 1948 Declaration of Independence proclaims a Jewish state. In contrast to neighboring Muslim countries, the Declaration also announces Israels obligation to protect citizens equal basic rights. And it affirms Israels democratic character by committing the nations Jewish majority - amid a war of annihilation launched by five Arab states - to work with "the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel" to build the country "on the basis of full and equal citizenship."

Harsh circumstances challenge the Israeli synthesis. But Klein falsely maintains that the approximately two million Arab citizens of Israel (many of whom identify as Palestinian) are "by any measure, second-class citizens." Thats wrong. Israel must work to improve the economic well-being and participation in civic life of its Arab minority. However, sharing formal basic rights with fellow Israelis, all non-Jewish citizens of the Jewish state are, from the liberal perspective Klein supposedly embraces, full and equal citizens.

Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and a multi-religious and multi-ethnic rights-protecting democracy defending itself against jihadists seeking to destroy it. While New York City is a metropolis of many wonders, it takes a provincialism of a high order to insist that New Yorks progressive cosmopolitanism is the standard by which Israel must be measured and found wanting.

As in 2003, so too in 2025: The illiberal imagination nourishes progressive disdain for Israel.

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Peter Berkowitz is the Tad and Dianne Taube senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. From 2019 to 2021, he served as director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department. His writings are posted at PeterBerkowitz.com and he can be followed on X @BerkowitzPeter. His new book is "Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America."
Did former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warn President Donald Trump that he should not think that "the Mossad alone has a video archive of his past depravities"? No, that's not true: The quote was attributed to "Russia media" by a website that claims to be in Israel, but appears to be managed in Ukraine. Lead Stories could find no evidence such Russian reports exist. Medvedev has recently taunted Trump on his X and Telegram accounts, but we could not find any posts that suggested Russia had video that could embarrass Trump.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) shared on X on August 2, 2025, that was a retweet of a Turkish-language post (archived here). The caption above the retweet read:

This is Medvedev's response to Trump's repositioning of 2 nuclear submarines towards Russia. I think the only people who don't know Trump's a child sex pervert are his cult. "Trump should not think that the video archive of his past immoralities is only in the hands of Mossad."

This is what the post looked like at the time of writing:

Source: screenshot of X by Lead Stories

Lead Stories used Google Translate to get this English version of the Turkish post:

Trump should not think that the Mossad alone has a video archive of his past depravities.

A search for online news reports that might include the Medvedev quote found an article (archived here) at CursorInfo.co.il, which uses the country code top-level domain for Israel. The website's Facebook page, however, is administered in Ukraine, according to Meta transparency data (archived here). The article is in Russian, but we used Google Translate to see it in English. The article titled "Medvedev Threatens Trump: Know Your Place" opened:

Dmitry Medvedev told what "compromising information" the Russian Federation has on Donald Trump.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev continues his aggressive attacks against US President Donald Trump. Russian media reported this. This time he spoke out about the fact that in the Russian archives there is a compromising video featuring an American leader from the past. "It is not only Mossad that keeps an archive of compromising videos (Epstein case - ed.) of Donald Trump from the past, so it is better that he (Trump - ed.) knows his place," Medvedev said.

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Source: screenshot of cursorinfo.co.il by Lead Stories

While this article said "Russian media reported this," Lead Stories' Russia team found no evidence of the quote -- or anything like it -- attributed to Medvedev.

We could also find no such statements on Medvedev's X account (archived here) or Telegram account (archived here).

Medvedev's most recent X post (archived here) at the time of writing was a taunt aimed at President Trump:

Source: screenshot of X.com by Lead Stories

A post the same day on Telegram saying that referenced Soviet automatic nuclear strikes abilities got Trump's attention. He responded the next day by ordering US nuclear subs to move to "the appropriate regions."
Claim:

A 2002 photo accurately depicts 22-year-old Chauntae Davies, an accuser of Jeffrey Epstein, giving former President Bill Clinton a shoulder massage.

Rating:

Rating: True

As rumors heated up in July 2025 surrounding the relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (who died by suicide in jail in 2019), a claim about a different presidential connection made the rounds online: a resurfaced photo that purportedly showed former President Bill Clinton receiving a massage from then-22-year-old Chauntae Davies, one of Epstein's accusers.

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One post of the image on Reddit (archived) received more than 137,000 upvotes, as of this writing. It also spread to X (archived) and Instagram (archived).

The image is real. On Aug. 18, 2020, British tabloid the Daily Mail published two photos depicting Clinton smiling as Davies kneels behind him on a chair, giving him a shoulder massage. According to Davies, Epstein raped and sexually assaulted her repeatedly for four years before her escape in 2005. This photo of Davies with Clinton was taken in 2002.

(Image via Daily Mail.com)

According to a reverse-image search on tineye.com (archived), the earliest internet record of the photo above is from the 2020 article in the Daily Mail.

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According to the Daily Mail article, the person who captured the photo took it while the group refueled at a small airport in Portugal en route to Africa for a humanitarian trip spanning multiple countries in September 2002 during which Clinton was going to be raising awareness for AIDS.

Regarding Clinton himself, the Daily Mail article quoted Davies as saying the former president was a "perfect gentleman." Her comments about Clinton in the article are as follows:

Davies acted as an air stewardess on the flight and described being shocked when Clinton boarded the plane, saying he was "charming and sweet". Davies, now in her early 40s, said of the massage pictures: "Although the image looks bizarre, President Clinton was a perfect gentleman during the trip and I saw absolutely no foul play involving him." She explained the massage happened when "we had a stop-over for the jet to refuel and while we were in the terminal the ex-President was complaining of stiffness from falling asleep in his chair. "Ghislaine chimed in to be funny and said that I could give him a massage. "Everyone had a little chuckle but Ghislaine in her prim British accent insisted and said I was good. The President then asked me 'would you mind giving it a crack'."

"Ghislaine" is British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime romantic and criminal partner of Epstein who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking and other criminal sexual activities involving minors.

In the limited Netflix series "Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich," which came out approximately three months before these photos were released, Davies recalled the trip:

I went from being just the masseuse to being asked to be a personal assistant on this trip. So I was blinded by the opportunity of it. I hadn't gone anywhere really, and to go to Africa was like a dream come true. I flew from L.A. to New York, the plane was ready on the tarmac when I got there, and I took a seat. Then our guests arrived. It was Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker. I was blown away, like oh my God, it was surreal. The trip was about the AIDS organization that Clinton had started. This trip to Africa is probably the single most amazing moment of my life, and I remember having this false belief that the abuse had stopped because nothing had happened in Africa. Thinking that maybe it just wasn't going to happen anymore. But after the Africa trip, the abuse started all over again, and it never stopped after that.

Clinton's name has long been associated with Epstein's, more recently regarding lawsuit documents unsealed in January 2024.

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Unverified flight logs filed with the FAA indicate that Clinton flew on Epstein's jet at least 26 times, according to a report published by Fox News in 2016. However, in 2019, Clinton's spokesperson, Angel Urena, claimed on X (archived) that the former president had only taken a total of four flights on Epstein's jet.

Statement on Jeffrey Epstein. pic.twitter.com/98ha9YYd1l  Angel Urena (@angelurena) July 8, 2019

Both Epstein and Maxwell were guests at the White House during Clinton's tenure on multiple occasions, as we've previously reported.

We reached out to both Clinton's foundation and Davies seeking comment regarding the photos and have not received responses.

Sources:

Archive, View Author, and Get author RSS feed. Inside Jeffrey Epstein's Party Jet Allegedly Used to Fly Underage Girls. 30 Nov. 2021, https://nypost.com/2021/11/30/inside-jeffrey-epsteins-party-jet-allegedly-used-to-fly-underage-girls/.

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Archive, View Author, and Get author RSS feed. Photos Show Bill Clinton Getting Massage from Epstein Accuser. 18 Aug. 2020, https://nypost.com/2020/08/18/photos-show-bill-clinton-getting-massage-from-epstein-accuser/.

Archive, View Author, et al. All the A-Listers Named in New Jeffrey Epstein Documents. 4 Jan. 2024, https://nypost.com/2024/01/04/news/all-the-a-listers-named-in-the-new-jeffrey-epstein-documents/.

Crane, Emily. 'Lolita Express Air Hostess Says She Was Raped by Jeffrey Epstein'. Mail Online, 27 Aug. 2019, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7400033/Lolita-Express-air-hostess-says-raped-Jeffrey-Epstein.html.

Director's Forum with Bill Clinton | Wilson Center. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/directors-forum-bill-clinton. Accessed 10 Jan. 2024.

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Gold, Michael. 'Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein: How Are They Connected?' The New York Times, 9 July 2019. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/nyregion/bill-clinton-jeffrey-epstein.html.

'Https://Twitter.Com/Angelurena/Status/1148357927625023490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1148357927625023490%7Ctwgr%5Eac8b90130b47c93e67c411dced1fa2444fba6809%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftime.com%2F5621911%2Fjeffrey-Epstein-Sex-Trafficking-What-to-know%2F'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/angelurena/status/1148357927625023490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1148357927625023490%7Ctwgr%5Eac8b90130b47c93e67c411dced1fa2444fba6809%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftime.com%2F5621911%2Fjeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking-what-to-know%2F. Accessed 10 Jan. 2024.

Izzo, Jack. 'A Quick Guide to the Jeffrey Epstein Documents Unsealed on Jan. 3, 2024'. Snopes, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.snopes.com/news/2024/01/04/jeffrey-epstein-unsealed-document-guide/.

' '. 'Jeffrey Epstein Victim Once Gave Bill Clinton a Massage'. The US Sun, 24 Nov. 2019, https://www.the-sun.com/news/89105/chauntae-davies-jeffrey-epstein-bill-clinton-private-island/.

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Liles, Jordan. 'Was Bill Clinton Photographed with Epstein and Maxwell at the White House?' Snopes, 27 Apr. 2022, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/clinton-epstein-maxwell/.

Roundtree, Cheyenne. 'Bill Clinton Receives Neck Massage from Jeffrey Epstein Victim'. Mail Online, 18 Aug. 2020, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8639501/Bill-Clinton-smiles-receiving-neck-massage-Jeffrey-Epstein-victim.html.

TikTok - Make Your Day. https://www.tiktok.com/@sheffield164.0/video/7318892949863976235. Accessed 10 Jan. 2024.

Voytko, Lisette. 'Photos Allegedly Show Bill Clinton Receiving Massage From Jeffrey Epstein Accuser'. Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/08/18/photos-allegedly-show-bill-clinton-receiving-massage-from-jeffrey-epstein-accuser/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2024.

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Wright, Stephen. 'I Wish Her Well in Hell, Says Chauntae Davies of Ghislaine Maxwell'. Mail Online, 30 Dec. 2021, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10357019/Jeffrey-Epstein-victim-Chauntae-Davies-says-wishes-Ghislaine-Maxwell-hell.html.

Zimmerman, Malia. 'Flight Logs Show Bill Clinton Flew on Sex Offender's Jet Much More than Previously Known'. Fox News, 13 May 2016, https://www.foxnews.com/us/flight-logs-show-bill-clinton-flew-on-sex-offenders-jet-much-more-than-previously-known.

'23 of Jeffrey Epstein's Accusers Finally Got Their Day in Court. Here's What They Said'. TIME, 28 Aug. 2019, https://time.com/5662688/jeffrey-epstein-accusers-court/.
Claim:

U.S. President Donald Trump made 4,725 wire transfers to the late, disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for a total of $1.1 billion.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

The rumor stemmed from a misunderstanding. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, said on X that his investigators had found 4,725 transactions to a from one of Epstein's accounts for a total of $1.1 billion, with no mention of Trump.

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In July 2025, as calls intensified to release the files on the case of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a claim circulated that U.S. President Donald Trump had made 4,725 money transfers to Epstein.

For example, a post on X relayed the claim, garnering nearly 70,000 views and 1,800 likes (archived):

Many people are saying that there have been 4725 wire transfers between Trump & Epstein. pic.twitter.com/6fH9TLeSb7  Joe G (@EastEndJoe) July 21, 2025

Another post said that the transactions totaled $1.1 billion. It included a video of a man speaking in a legislative chamber, offering similar numbers (archived). It had amassed 1.5 million views and 22,000 likes as of this writing. The claim and video spread further on X but also appeared on Instagram. Further, Snopes readers searched the website seeking to confirm the veracity of the rumor.

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The claim stemmed from findings by the office of U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon and the man in the video. However, while the posts accurately relayed the number of transactions and the amount they totaled, they incorrectly attributed them all to Trump. For this reason, we have deemed the claim false.

On July 17, 2025, Wyden spoke in a Senate session about files related to Epstein that his team had found at the U.S. Department of Treasury. His speech streamed live on C-SPAN (at the 2 hour and 47 minute mark):

Wyden said his investigative team had found the following details in the Treasury files in 2024 when then-U.S. President Joe Biden gave them permission to do so:

Somewhere in the Treasury Department, Mr. President [Trump], locked away in a cabinet drawer is a big Epstein file that's full of actionable information, follow-the-money details about his financing and operations that await investigation. Last year, the Biden administration allowed our investigators to look at portions of the file. We did that at the Treasury Building. Here is what it says. Treasury's Epstein file details, Mr. President, 4,725 wire transfers. Let me repeat that: 4,725 wire transfers adding up to nearly $1.1 billion, flowing in and out of just one of Mr. Epstein's bank accounts. If you ask me, that is more than 4000 potential lines of investigation right there. Hundreds of millions more flowed through other accounts. That's even a lot more to investigate. The file shows that Mr. Epstein used multiple Russian banks, which are now under sanctions, to process payments related to sex trafficking. A lot of the women and girls he targeted came from Russia, Belarus, Turkey and elsewhere. One shudders to think about the kinds of people who must have been involved in trafficking these women and young girls out of those companies and into the Epstein web of abuse. Again, these are all potential leads, Mr. President, the Department of Justice ought to be digging into. This is about years and years of international sex trafficking.

However, at no point in his speech did Wyden say or suggest Trump was one of the people on the other end of the transactions, let alone all of them. Instead, he urged the administration to investigate the transactions, which he called "potential leads."

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Prior to speaking in the Senate, Wyden had spoken to The New York Times and told the publication that his team had been carrying out an inquiry on "Epstein's financial network for the past three years," revealing that Wyden's efforts were not new, and that his team had access to bank records, which are confidential, according to federal law. Wyden cannot release the records himself, which is why he was urging the Trump administration to do so in his Senate address.

A member of Wyden's investigative team on the Senate Finance Committee, of which the senator is the ranking member, told Snopes that the investigation started with the goal of creating legislation to prevent tax evasion. Investigators in Congress are not allowed to start inquiries without a legislative goal. The aide confirmed the New York Times' reporting that the team was looking, specifically, into money exchanges between Epstein and Leon Black, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management, Inc., a private equity behemoth with $785 billion under management as of March 2025.

Black paid Epstein "$170 million for tax planning advice that was not worth nearly that amount." Black's net worth was $15.8 billion as of this writing, according to Forbes. His wealth, the aide said, would have given him "access to the best tax lawyers and accountants in the world, and he could have paid them a fraction of that price for the same advice.

"It's all just enormously suspect," the aide added. He said that several times since Trump took office, the team asked the new presidential administration to release these documents to the Finance Committee so they can continue to investigate, to no avail.

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Asked if these documents had already been investigated, the aide said, "We do know that none of the tax work Epstein did for Leon Black was audited by the Internal Revenue Service."

The aide further explained that federal law compels banks to conduct checks on customers' accounts. "What the law says is that when [banks] think something fishy is going on, they're supposed to file these documents with the Treasury Department," the aide said. "It's supposed to provide a lead for law enforcement. To our knowledge, there has been no investigation here."

The aide added that these documents had been filed after Epstein was arrested and, in some cases, after Epstein died, when it would have been too late to stop criminal activity on Epstein's part.

Sources:

C-SPAN. "Senate Session." C-SPAN.org, C-SPAN, 17 July 2025, www.c-span.org/program/us-senate/senate-session/662655. Accessed 28 July 2025.

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Goldstein, Matthew. "Ron Wyden, a Democrat, Won't Let Go of the Jeffrey Epstein Case, Either." Archive.is, The New York Times, 17 July 2025, archive.is/PWWrY. Accessed 28 July 2025.

"Apollo to Announce Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on August 5, 2025." Apollo.com, 2025, www.apollo.com/insights-news/pressreleases/2025/06/apollo-to-announce-second-quarter-2025-financial-results-on-august-5-2025-3106514. Accessed 29 July 2025.

"Home | the United States Senate Committee on Finance." Www.finance.senate.gov, www.finance.senate.gov/. Accessed 29 July 2025.

"Leon Black's Net Worth." Forbes, www.forbes.com/profile/leon-black/. Accessed 29 July 2025.
By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) -Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has become embroiled in a tense back-and-forth on social media that prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to announce he had ordered the re-positioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines.

Who is Medvedev, what is his track record and how influential is he?

PRESIDENT WHO BRIEFLY RAISED HOPES IN THE WEST

Medvedev was elected Russian president in 2008 when Vladimir Putin, having served two terms, was barred from standing again under the law in force at that time. Medvedev ran the Kremlin for four years, with Putin as his prime minister but widely assumed by analysts in Russia and the West to be still calling the shots, before the two swapped places after the 2012 election - a political manoeuvre that provoked opposition protests.

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Medvedev, the son of two university professors, had studied law and worked for a time in the private sector. Short in height and quietly spoken, he was described by contemporaries as cultured and intelligent.

As president, he was seen initially in the West as a potential moderniser and reformer, prepared to work to thaw relations with the United States. In 2009 he signed the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with President Barack Obama.

But Medvedev's presidency also saw Russia fight a brief war with its neighbour Georgia in 2008, and he failed to achieve his stated goals of tackling pervasive corruption, improving the rule of law in Russia, strengthening the role of civil society and rebalancing the economy to reduce its over-reliance on oil and gas production.

AFTER THE KREMLIN

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Medvedev served as Putin's prime minister for eight years in a period in which tensions with the West escalated anew, particularly over Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. But his political fortunes took a dive when he was removed in January 2020 and replaced by Mikhail Mishustin, who has held the post ever since. Medvedev was shunted into a new role as deputy chairman of the Security Council, a powerful body that includes the heads of Russia's intelligence services.

WAR CHEERLEADER

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Medvedev carved out a new role for himself as an arch-hawk and full-throated champion of the war, hurling aggressive rhetoric at Kyiv and the West and warning repeatedly of the risk of a nuclear "apocalypse".

In May 2024 he said it would be a "fatal mistake" on the part of the West to think that Russia was not ready to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

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He also spoke of the potential to strike unnamed hostile countries with strategic nuclear weapons.

His statements - including personal attacks on foreign leaders - were frequently designed to shock, insult and provoke. He referred to Ukrainians as "cockroaches", in language Kyiv condemned as openly genocidal, and called President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a criminal, a drug addict, a louse, a rat and a freak.

In January 2023, he accused Japan's prime minister of shameful subservience to the United States and suggested he should ritually disembowel himself.

Russian opposition figures have dismissed Medvedev's outpourings as sad, impotent rants. However, some Western diplomats say they give a flavour of the thinking in Kremlin policy-making circles. Until now, they have rarely provoked a direct response from Western leaders.

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SPAT WITH TRUMP

That changed last month when Trump rebuked Medvedev and accused him of throwing around the "N" word after the Russian criticised U.S. air strikes on Iran and said "a number of countries" were ready to supply Iran with nuclear warheads.

When Trump imposed a deadline on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine or face further sanctions, including on buyers of its exports, Medvedev accused him of playing a "game of ultimatums" and moving a step closer to war between Russia and the U.S.

Trump retorted: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks hes still President, to watch his words. Hes entering very dangerous territory!"

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Medvedev waded in again last Thursday, saying Trump's "nervous reaction" showed Russia was on the right course and referring again to Moscow's nuclear capabilities. Trump delivered his statement the following day on posting U.S. nuclear submarines in "the appropriate regions", since when Medvedev has not posted again.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan in London; editing by Mark Heinrich)
ARLINGTON, Wash. - Where is Jonathan Hoang? His family has been asking that question since March when the 21-year-old with autism first went missing.

His family told FOX 13, they believe someone befriended the Arlington man online, and then lured him out of his home.

On Saturday, loved ones and the community held a Honk and Wave for Jonathan Hoang awareness event in Everett to keep his name and face on peoples minds. "We really need help finding Jonathan and we can only do so much," Thao Hoang, Jonathans dad said.

Jonathan Hoang possible Kirkland sighting

The family recently partnered with The Gabby Petito Foundation and Light the Way to get the word out about his disappearance and bring him home. There is a $100k reward for information that helps find Jonathan.

What they're saying

"Jonathan is incapable of helping himself, he is very naive, he needs help," Hoang said. This week loved ones held a Find Jonathan Week of Action, to encourage the public to reach out to the governors office, Washington senators and the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office. Then they gathered on Saturday to honk and wave for Jonathan.

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Holding signs with his picture, and wearing brown, which is Jonathans favorite color, the crowd rallied. "Somebody somewhere will see Jonathan and that is what were after," Tim Finneron, Jonathans neighbor said. He held his poster of Jonathan to spread awareness and bring Jonathan home.

"It seems like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but somebody knows something," Finneron said.

Jonathan Hoang

Local perspective

For the missing mans parents, Anne and Thao, theyre reminded of their sons disappearance every day. "We still cant believe hes gone. Every morning we go to his room and open his door hoping hes in his room," Hoang said. Then, at night, they do it again. "We again try to go to his room, open the door and say a little prayer and close our eyes and hope that when we open our eyes hes there in his bed," Hoang said.

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Back in June, a Ring doorbell camera captured a possible sighting of Jonathan in Kirkland, but there have been no sightings since.

On Thursday, the Snohomish County Sheriffs office told FOX 13 that there are no new updates in this case, but they continue to follow up on tips.

The Hoangs said they are grateful for the support theyve received from the community as well as abroad.

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Kurdish men carry goods on their backs along the mountains of the Iran-Iraq border; illustrative. (photo credit: ABED JALILPOURAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran's judiciary has executed Kurdish porters under charges including "moharebeh" (enmity against God), and "efsad-e fel-arz" (corruption on earth).

Iran's judiciary ordered the execution of three Kurdish porters on the day the ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced, BBC's Farsi site reported on Friday, quoting the family of one of the three, who insisted that he was innocent.

According to the report, the three were arrested two years ago on charges of collaborating with the Mossad by allegedly smuggling equipment to be used in the assassinations of Iranian officials.

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The judiciary is continuing arrests of dozens of Afghan refugees, Kurdish porters, and Iranian citizens on charges including "moharebeh" (enmity against God), and "efsad-e fel-arz" (corruption on earth), both of which can carry the death penalty.

"If someone is even slightly guilty, would they go on their own feet to a place where they know they will be arrested? He was innocent," the cousin of one of those executed claimed.

The daughter of one of the executed porters is asking for the autonomous Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq to assist in bringing her father's body home.

His family reportedly stated that they will not believe their relative was executed until they see his body.

A Kurdish alcohol smuggler leads a group of horses loaded with boxes of liquor to be smuggled to Iran from the border areas of Iraqi Kurdistan on May 8, 2017; illustrative. (credit: YOUNES MOHAMMAD/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

However, the KRG told the BBC that they have not received a formal request to assist in returning the body.

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Kurdish porters often work across the border between KRG and Iran, transporting goods that are usually pre-packaged. The porters do not open the packages because Iranian buyers will only accept unopened goods, BBC reported.

"Even if the Islamic Republic's claim is true, and these porters were transporting equipment for Mossad, Mossad would never tell them that it is for an assassination. Mossad can hide explosives in a pager, so it certainly can hide them in cigarette or perfume boxes," BBC cited a KRG security official as saying.

"We have no evidence that equipment has been smuggled from Kurdistan to Iran. Mossad has high-level influence in Iran and doesn't need porters in border villages," the official added.

According to the report, the three Kurds were alleged to have been transporting equipment used by Mossad to assassinate nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Human rights organizations speak out against Iranian execution

Human rights organizations are concerned that the executions were an attempt to "terrorize the population" of Iran rather than to punish the actual perpetrators of any crimes, following Israel's airstrikes in June.

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The three Kurds were executed "without a fair trial and based on confessions extracted under torture," BBC cited Director of Iran Human Rights, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, as saying.

Activists also condemned the executions as "rushed and unjust."
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip during a visit to Jerusalem's flashpoint Temple Mount on Sunday.

In a video message published during his visit, Ben-Gvir referenced footage released on Saturday of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, which he said was being used by Hamas to exert pressure on Israel.

In response, he said Israel should "occupy the entire Gaza Strip today and declare full sovereignty," adding that the Palestinian population should be "encouraged to emigrate voluntarily."

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Israel has frequently faced accusations from critics of pursuing what they describe as a policy of "ethnic cleansing" in the Gaza Strip  charges the Israeli government denies.

Ben-Gvirs appearance on the Temple Mount coincided with Tisha BAv, a Jewish day of fasting and mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in ancient Jerusalem.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the visit, calling it an "unacceptable provocation."

During his visit, the minister was seen praying.

The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, making it the third holiest site in Islam. For Jews, it is revered as the location of the destroyed biblical temples.

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The compound is administered by Muslim religious authorities, while Israel maintains security control. Under a long-standing arrangement, non-Muslims are permitted to visit the site but not to pray there.

However, this policy is frequently challenged by Jewish nationalist figures, including Ben-Gvir.

Such visits are often viewed as provocations by Palestinians, who see them as part of broader Israeli attempts to assert control over the contested site in Jerusalem's Old City.
PARISThe trickle of food aid Israel allows to enter Gaza after nearly 22 months of war is seized by Palestinians risking their lives under fire, looted by gangs or diverted in chaotic circumstances rather than reaching those most in need, UN agencies, aid groups and analysts say.

After images of malnourished children stoked an international outcry, aid has started to be delivered to the territory once more but on a scale deemed woefully insufficient by international organisations.

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Every day, AFP correspondents on the ground see desperate crowds rushing towards food convoys or the sites of aid drops by Arab and European air forces.

On Thursday, in Al-Zawayda in central Gaza, emaciated Palestinians rushed to pallets parachuted from a plane, jostling and tearing packages from each other in a cloud of dust.

Hunger has driven people to turn on each other. People are fighting each other with knives, Amir Zaqot, who came seeking aid, told AFP.

To avoid disturbances, World Food Programdrivers have been instructed to stop before their intended destination and let people help themselves. But to no avail.

A truck wheel almost crushed my head, and I was injured retrieving the bag, sighed a man, carrying a bag of flour on his head, in the Zikim area, in the northern Gaza Strip.

Mohammad Abu Taha went at dawn to a distribution site near Rafah in the south to join the queue and reserve his spot. He said there were already thousands waiting, all hungry, for a bag of flour or a little rice and lentils.

Suddenly, we heard gunshots.. There was no way to escape. People started running, pushing and shoving each other, children, women, the elderly, said the 42-year-old. The scene was truly tragic: blood everywhere, wounded, dead.
A far-right Israeli minister sparked outrage on Sunday after leading a group of worshippers in prayer at the most sensitive holy site in Jerusalem, despite a decades-old agreement that bars Jews from worshipping there.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has previously been convicted for supporting terrorism and inciting anti-Arab racism in Israel, commemorated Tisha BAv, a Jewish day of mourning, in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount. On Tisha BAv, Jews mark the destruction of two ancient temples that once stood on the land.

While there, he called for his country to conquer Gaza and encourage Palestinians to leave the enclave.

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The complex is the holiest site in Judaism, where Jews face in prayer. It is also the third holiest site in Islam.

Anyone can visit the site, but only Muslims are allowed to pray there, according to an understanding known as the status quo agreement, which has existed since Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967.

Ben Gvir has visited the complex a number of times before, including on previous Tisha BAv commemorations, but hasnt before led a congregation in prayer there.

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs quickly condemned Ben Gvir, calling him an extremist and saying that the move blatantly disregards the sentiments of Muslims across the world, not only in Palestine.

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Islamic holy sites have become subject to daily violations by settler groups operating under the protection of a right-wing government that is actively working to seize control of both Islamic and Christian holy sites through a clear and systematic plan, the ministry said in a statement.

Jordan, which administrates the holy site, and Saudi Arabia also condemned Ben Gvirs actions. Jordans foreign ministry described the incident as a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, an unacceptable provocation, and a condemned escalation.

Hamas called the move a grave and escalating crime against the mosque.

The worshippers prayed at the compound on Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day of mourning. - Anadolu/ Getty Images

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, where the compound is located, as the capital of their future state. Most of the international community considers the eastern sector of the city as being under Israeli occupation.

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Later on Sunday, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said in a statement that its policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will not change.

In the past, the PMO has emphasized that policy regarding the site is determined by the Israeli government and its prime minister, not individuals.

While at the site on Sunday, Ben Gvir prayed for Israels complete victory in the war, and for the safe return of all the hostages, his office said.

It is from here that a message must be sent: to conquer the entire Gaza Strip, declare sovereignty over all of Gaza, eliminate every Hamas member, and encourage voluntary emigration, the minister said in a video recorded at the compound. Only in this way will we bring back the hostages and win the war.

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Earlier this week, Ben Gvir was declared a persona non grata by the Netherlands for reportedly inciting violence against Palestinians, advocating for the expansion of illegal settlements and calling for ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip, Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp wrote in a letter.

This came after Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on him, as well as Israels Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in June.

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Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion giant known for pumping out thousands of new clothing styles daily, has landed in hot water again  this time with a $47 million fine from French authorities. The country's antitrust agency found the company "deceived consumers about the authenticity of discounts they could benefit from" and made environmental claims it couldn't back up.

What's happening?

Reuters reported that between October 2022 and August 2023, France's antitrust authority investigated thousands of listings on Shein's French website and found that more than half didn't actually offer the deals they promised. According to the report, 57% of the discounts weren't real  with some listings showing fake markdowns, others exaggerating price drops, and even 11% showing price increases instead.

The agency also called out Shein's vague environmental claims, noting the company was "unable to justify the environmental claims made on its website," per Euronews. Shein ultimately accepted the 40 million euro fine, issued to its French unit Infinite Style E-Commerce Co., Ltd., and agreed to make changes.

Why is Shein's behavior concerning?

Shein's practices highlight a bigger problem with fast fashion. These companies generate enormous volumes of cheaply made clothing that quickly fall apart, ultimately getting tossed out to flood landfills and pollute ecosystems. The fashion industry produces over 92 million tons of textile waste per year, and much of it comes from brands like Shein, which rely on mass production and encourage overconsumption through flashy markdowns and limited-time offers.

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Even worse, many of these clothes are made from plastic-based materials that take decades to break down and can leach microplastics into soil and water systems. By greenwashing its products with vague or unproven sustainability claims, Shein was also misleading customers who were trying to shop more consciously.

What can I do to help curb fast fashion waste?

The good news is that everyday shoppers can help shift the system by breaking up with fast fashion. Shopping secondhand can not only help you save money on everyday items, but it prevents items from ending up in landfills by giving them a second life. In many cases, thrifters can find valuable or designer items for majorly slashed prices.

Other ways to reduce textile waste include renting clothing for special occasions and mending what you already own rather than buying new. If you do need to shop new, consider supporting brands with transparent sourcing and quality products designed to last.

As for Shein and other fast-fashion giants, this won't be the last time they face scrutiny. But with more shoppers and governments paying attention, the pressure to clean up their business practices is mounting.

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(Reuters) -A U.S. federal agency has opened a formal investigation into former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw two criminal probes into President Donald Trump following his first term in the White House.

The Office of Special Counsel confirmed to Reuters that it was investigating whether Smith violated the Hatch Act, a law prohibiting federal employees from using their position for political activity. The decision follows a request for a probe by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican.

The OSC is an independent agency that probes the conduct of federal employees, but it does not have the authority to bring criminal charges. It is different from the type of Special Counsel's office previously overseen by Smith, who was appointed by the Department of Justice to pursue criminal cases.

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The OSC's investigation, which was first reported by the New York Post, is the latest in a series of actions taken by Trump and his allies against their perceived political enemies.

Smith, who resigned from his post in January following Trump's election victory, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Earlier this week Cotton accused Smith of aggressively pursuing his cases against Trump with the aim of hurting his presidential campaign, calling Smith "a political actor masquerading as a public official" in a series of posts on X.

"That's why I've asked this unprecedented interference in the 2024 election be immediately investigated by OSC," Cotton wrote on X.

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A former war crimes prosecutor, Smith brought two criminal cases against Trump: one accusing him of illegally retaining classified material and another related to Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss, an effort that sparked the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Neither case went to trial, having been delayed and buffeted by a series of legal challenges, including a ruling by the Supreme Court's conservative majority that granted former presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

Smith dropped both cases after Trump won the election, citing a longstanding Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president, but issued a report in January saying the evidence he gathered would have been enough to convict Trump at trial.

Trump denied wrongdoing and assailed the prosecutions as politically motivated attempts to damage his campaign.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; editing by Diane Craft)
PROVIDENCE  A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by gun-rights advocates seeking to force the attorney general's office to give them permits to open-carry handguns, in addition to their concealed-carry permits.

Federal District Judge William Smith on Aug. 1 dismissed the lawsuit, which was originally brought in 2023, a challenge to Rhode Island's dual system of licenses granted by municipalities and by the attorney general's office.

How this came about

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down New York's concealed-carry licensing scheme, finding that being able to carry a firearm is a constitutional right, in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen. In a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote, with Chief Justice John Roberts signing off, that the court wanted to "underscore" that the decision did not invalidate the licensing systems in 43 states, including Rhode Island.

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State law requires municipalities to issue concealed-carry permits good for the entire state to anyone who applies and qualifies, meeting certain criteria. It also allows, but does not require, the attorney general's office to issue concealed, or open-carry, permits, upon a proper showing of need.

Michael O'Neill, a lobbyist for the Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition, had argued that showing of need is undefined and arbitrary and violates the Second Amendment and asked the court to strike down the law and the attorney general's regulations.

At a State House rally in June 2022, Michael O'Neill, a lobbyist for the Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition, urges supporters to run for office so they can fight gun-control proposals.

Smith and his coplaintiffs have concealed-carry permits from local municipalities and had open-carry permits from the attorney general's office, but in 2021, that office denied renewing their open-carry permits, citing that they already had concealed-carry permits issued by various municipalities.

The lawsuit stated that the advocates' constitutional rights, including their Second Amendment right to bear arms and rights to due process, under the 14th Amendment and the state constitution, had been violated. They sued under Section 1983, which allows for lawsuits against state and local officials for violating civil rights. It is commonly associated with police violence cases and the Supreme Court's invention of qualified immunity.

The reverse of the norm

Normally, the case law around gun permitting deals with permits for concealed weapons being denied, and open carry allowed, but Rhode Island's Firearm Act does the reverse: It mandates the issuance of concealed-carry permits but gives discretion with open-carry permits.

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While it might be the reverse of the normal historical precedent, the attorney general's office's "application of the Acts permitting structure to Plaintiffs is relevantly similar to historical regulations, and thus consistent with the SecondAmendment," Smith wrote, dismissing the claim of a violation of the Second Amendment.

The second count of the lawsuit was the violation of O'Neill's and others' due process rights under the 14th Amendment and the state constitution.

In Rhode Island, an open-carry, or "unrestricted," license "is a privilege and not a right," Smith wrote, dismissing the federal claims.

As for the state claims, Smith called parries back and forth between O'Neill's attorneys and the attorney general's office as to whether a lawsuit can even be brought for violations of the state constitution an "interesting" issue, but found they didn't matter, because the state claims mirror the failed federal claim.

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In Rhode Island, the state Supreme Court has found that there is no right to sue for state constitutional rights violations. A bill to remedy that problem has failed the last two years in the General Assembly.

With staff reports by Katie Mulvaney

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: U.S. judge dismisses gun advocates' suit challenging RI permit system
Minnesota's Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) operates under Medicaid to provide vital housing assistance for seniors and individuals with disabilities. While the program serves an essential need, it remains vulnerable to exploitation by certain providers.

According to a recent KARE 11 investigation, authorities have conducted searches at eight Minnesota locations linked to HSS as part of an investigation into what officials describe as a "massive scheme" to defraud the program.

A 93-page affidavit reveals that multiple HSS companies fraudulently billed Medicaid for millions of dollars in services that recipients claim they never received. Measures are now being implemented to prevent such fraudulent activities in the future.

Don't miss

A major scheme, unveiled

As KARE reports, Minnesota was the first state to provide Medicaid coverage for HSS services in 2020. The state estimated the cost of the program at $2.6 million per year.

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By 2024, Medicaid spending on HSS reached more than $104 million, per KARE's analysis. And a big part of that stemmed from fraudulent charges.

Minnesota has a fraud problem  and not a small one, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson told KARE. For too long, organized fraud schemes like this have flourished in plain sight, draining public resources dry This state needs to confront the scale of its fraud problem."

For example, the inquiry uncovered that 22 HSS providers operating from a single location  the Griggs-Midway Building in St. Paul  collectively received $8 million in Medicaid reimbursements for services they allegedly delivered. These funds ultimately come from taxpayer contributions.

One HSS provider called Brilliant Minds Services, which was located in the Griggs-Midway Building, allegedly defrauded Medicaid by charging $51,000 for services that were never provided to four clients.

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A woman identified as Rachel reportedly called Brilliant Minds Services "a total scam," contradicting the company's claims that they had provided her with assistance.

"I never met with them. I never talked to them on the phone," she told KARE. Yet the company billed Medicaid $14,000 in her name between August of 2023 and April of 2024. And this is just one example of many where an HSS company has billed for services it did not provide.

In response to the ongoing investigation, stop-payment orders were issued for Brilliant Minds Services and other companies suspected of similar fraud. Minnesota lawmakers also implemented changes to the HSS program, requiring stricter oversight.

Republican State Rep. Kristin Robbins, chair of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, said in a statement, "Our committee has repeatedly raised concerns about the rapid expansion of benefit programs without adequate oversight. This case highlights the urgent need for stronger vetting of providers, verifying eligibility, and tighter controls on billing."

Read more: Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)

Medicaid and Medicare fraud is an ongoing problem

The situation in Minnesota is by no means the only instance of Medicaid or related fraud. Recently, NRP reported that the Justice Department charged a Pakistani national for a $650 million Medicaid fraud scheme in Arizona.

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The defendant conspired with more than 40 addiction clinics to bill the state for services that were never rendered.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department reported in late June that 15 people were charged with over $10.6 billion in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid billing in New York.

According to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, fraudulent payments account for between 3% and 10% of total healthcare expenditure in the United States. This translates to potential annual losses exceeding $300 billion due to healthcare fraud.

The Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Inspector General found that in 2024, there were 817 fraud convictions related to Medicaid, with $1.4 billion in funding recovered.

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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that steps are being taken to address healthcare fraud. For one thing, improved fraud prevention measures were implemented for Medicare, resulting in stopped payments that produced almost $2 billion in savings over a five-year period.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also worked with states and audit professionals to increase oversight for Medicaid providers, resulting in 893 investigations between 2019 and 2021.

The GAO says there's more than can be done to prevent Medicaid and Medicare fraud, including:

Relying on state auditors for further Medicaid oversight

Assessing the quality of telehealth services for Medicare enrollees

Reviewing prepayment claims for Medicare

Expanding Medicaid and Medicare provider screenings

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It's also important for individuals to know what Medicaid and Medicare fraud look like. It can include:

Billing for services never rendered

Billing for more expensive services than what were provided

Duplicate billing

Individuals enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare should carefully scrutinize their medical bills and benefit explanations to verify accuracy. Any suspicious charges or discrepancies should be immediately questioned and reported. This vigilance not only protects patients from unnecessary personal expenses but also safeguards taxpayer funds from fraudulent billing practices.

Individuals who discover instances of Medicaid or Medicare fraud can submit reports through the official HHS Office of Inspector General website.

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.
During a meeting at her office in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, 24-year-old Faith suddenly became nervous - reluctant to be perceived as difficult in a part of the world that does not like opinionated young women.

It had started pleasantly enough. Faith, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, had dutifully laughed along at the bad jokes made by her bosses.

But then a senior colleague made a suggestion that she felt would not work practically. But before Faith could express her opinion, her colleague mentioned her name.

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"And Faith agrees with me!" The others in the meeting room turned to face her as her colleague added: "You agree, don't you?"

Faith did not agree, but felt under pressure: "I didn't want to be seen as difficult or moody.

"I felt an unspoken pressure to smile, to be agreeable, to not be disruptive," she tells me.

At that point she was two years into her first job at a sought-after company and among the first women in her family's generation to go to university - she had so much more she wanted to achieve.

"How do I progress if I start disagreeing with colleagues at such a junior stage?" she asks.

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Faith is aware she faces what a Women in the Workplace 2025 report, which focuses on India, Nigeria and Kenya, calls "the broken rung". This refers to a significant barrier on the corporate ladder that has seen a steep drop in women's representation between entry-level and management roles.

Published in May by McKinsey, the management consultancy has for the first time expanded its annual research beyond North America and found that in these three big developing economies, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership positions.

In Kenya, women make up 50% of entry-level roles in sectors such as healthcare and financial services, but that drops to just 26% at senior levels. The pattern is similar in Nigeria and India.

Faith did not challenge her colleague in the meeting. She smiled and said nothing.

"[Likeability labour] refers to the constant second-guessing, overthinking, paranoia, shape-shifting and masking women do every single day in order to be liked in the workplace"", Source: Amy Kean, Source description: Good Shout CEO, Image: Amy Kean

There is now a term for her experience - experts call it "likeability labour".

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"[This] is a really fun name for an incredibly depressing reality," says Amy Kean, a sociologist and head of the communications consultancy Good Shout, which coined the term.

"It refers to the constant second-guessing, overthinking, paranoia, shape-shifting and masking women do every single day in order to be liked in the workplace."

Ms Kean's UK-based study - Shapeshifters: What We Do to Be Liked at Work - which also came out in May, states that 56% of women feel pressure to be likeable at work, compared to just 36% of men.

Based on a survey of 1,000 women across the UK, the report also highlights how deeply ingrained, and unequally distributed, the burden of likeability is in professional environments.

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It details how women often feel the need to soften their speech using minimising language, even when confident in their point.

Common phrases include: "Does that make sense?" or "Sorry, just quickly..."

This kind of constant self-editing, Ms Kean explains, may act as a defence mechanism to avoid being seen as abrasive or overly assertive.

"There is also a class element to this," she adds, in reference to the UK. "Working-class women, who are less used to modulating themselves in different settings, also get accused of being direct and also suffer in the corporate world."

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For many women who are not used to advocating for themselves in their personal environments, the stakes go beyond fitting in or being well-liked.

"It's not as simple as being popular, it's about being safe, heard and taken seriously," Ms Kean adds.

Earlier this year, she organised a summit in London for women feeling the likeability labour pressure, titled Unlikeable Woman. More than 300 women turned up to share their experiences.

The UK study is not an outlier. Sociologists say the pressure women feel to be likeable in order to advance professionally is a global trend.

Recent research suggests that the burden of likeability for women is both deeply ingrained and unequally distributed [10'000 hours/Getty Images]

A 2024 study by the US-based recruitment firm Textio supports this. Analysing data from 25,000 individuals across 253 organisations, it found that women were much more likely to receive personality-based feedback and that 56% of women had been labelled "unlikeable" in performance reviews, a critique only 16% of men received.

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Men, on the other hand, were four times more likely than other genders to be positively labelled as "likeable".

"Women perform likeability labour for a mix of social and cultural reasons," says Dr Gladys Nyachieo, a sociologist and senior lecturer at the Multimedia University of Kenya.

"Women are generally socialised to be caregivers, to serve and to put the needs of others before themselves and this invariably transfers to the workplace," says Dr Nyachieo.

"There is a term for it in Kiswahili - 'office mathe' - or the office mother."

The office mathe does additional labour to keep a workplace functioning, including making tea, buying snacks and generally being of service.

"I take mentoring young women very seriously. I tell them: 'If you act pleasantly all the time, you will go nowhere'"", Source: Dr Gladys Nyachieo, Source description: Sociologist and senior lecturer at the Multimedia University of Kenya, Image: Gladys Nyachieo

I ask what is wrong with this if that is what a woman wants to do.

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"There's nothing wrong with it," Dr Nyachieo says. "But you won't get paid for it. You will still be expected to do your work, and possibly additional work."

Dr Nyachieo believes that in order to tackle likeability labour, systemic change has to happen at the root, including implementing policies that allow women flexible hours and have mentors that advocate for them.

She herself mentors several young women just starting out in Kenya's workforces.

"I take mentoring young women very seriously," Dr Nyachieo says. "I tell them: 'If you act pleasantly all the time, you will go nowhere. You have to negotiate for yourself'."

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One of her mentees is Faith.

"She's taught me not to feel pressure to be smiley and nice all the time," Faith says.

"I am working on it."

You may also be interested in:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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A fifth person has been charged by counter-terrorism police in connection with a break-in at RAF Brize Norton in which two military aircraft were damaged.

Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, has been accused of offences under the Criminal Law Act of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.

The incident in June saw activists break into the Oxfordshire air base and spray paint two RAF Voyager planes, causing 7m damage.

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The Palestine Action, which has since been proscribed by the government, said it was behind the incident.

Khalid, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Four people were charged with the same offences last month. Two other people were arrested - a woman remains under investigation on police bail while a man has been released without charge.

Palestine Action has engaged in activities that have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the war in Gaza.

The government moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws after the group claimed responsibility for the June incident. It has since won permission to challenge the ban.
Armed fighters attacked Syrias internal security forces in the city of Sweida on Sunday, killing one person and breaking a fragile ceasefire.

The renewed violence follows deadly clashes between Druze and Sunni Bedouins in July that drew the intervention of Syrian government forces and tribal fighters who came to support the Bedouins. Israel also entered the fray, carrying out strikes on Syrian troops in support of the Druze, an Arabic-speaking ethno-religious minority with communities in Israel.

A ceasefire put an end to the week of bloodshed  which killed 1,400 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights  but the situation remained tense, flaring into violence again on Sunday.

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Syrias state-run Ekhbariya TV reported that one member of the Syrian government forces was killed by the armed gang.

Unconfirmed reports also suggested Druze militants had conquered an area west of Sweida from regime forces.

A ceasefire had ended a week of bloodshed but tensions remained and flared into violence again on Sunday - Ghaith Alsayed/AP

Meanwhile, Israeli troops questioned several suspects overnight who are thought to be involved in weapons trafficking in the Hader area in southern Syria.

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said troops entered four locations simultaneously and located numerous weapons that the suspects had been trafficking.

Israel entered the conflict last month when Druze civilians were attacked by regime forces, launching airstrikes on government military positions as well as the defence ministry headquarter in Damascus.

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Hundreds of Israeli Druze crossed the border from Israeli-controlled Golan Heights into Syria to defend their family members from the attacks by regime forces and Bedouin tribes.

Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, told ambassadors in the Security Council last week that Syrians are reeling after appalling violence in Sweida  violence that should not have happened and which also saw unacceptable foreign intervention.

Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, on screens, said that Syrians are reeling after appalling violence in Sweida - Loey Felipe/Xinhua

Edem Wosornu, director of operations at the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, said the city of Sweida was teetering on the edge of collapse.

The recent violence in Sweida has displaced an estimated 175,000 people... a third of the population in the governorate, where two thirds of people were already in need of assistance, she said last week.

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Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Syrias new president, has struggled to unite the country after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December last year.

Several rounds of sectarian violence have erupted since, with his regime forces accused of committing atrocities against the Alawite and Druze minorities.

The IDF took control last year of a buffer zone established in 1974 between Israel and Syria.

Israel said it wouldnt allow a jihadi presence on its border after the fall of the Assad regime, while promising to protect the Druze minority in southern Syria.

The Syrian government has lashed out at Israel for attacking its territory and grabbing new territory, while some Druze in Syria and Lebanon have accused Israel of stoking sectarian divisions to seize more land.

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Fighting has erupted in the Druze-majority Sweida province of southern Syria, violating a ceasefire deal reached last month after sectarian violence left hundreds dead, activists and state media reported on Sunday.

At least one person was killed and seven injured in renewed fighting between militias of the Druze minority and government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) war monitor said on Sunday.

The state SANA news agency reported that "lawless groups" with links to the Druze community violated the ceasefire by attacking a village with heavy weapons and mortar shells.

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Fighting broke out last month in Sweida between Sunni Bedouin groups and members of the Druze community, a religious minority that emerged from Shiite Islam and live mainly in Syria, but also in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The Damascus government said it sent troops to calm the situation but its forces were accused of brutal acts of violence against the Druze.

Neighbouring Israel subsequently bombed targets in Syria with the stated aim of protecting the Druze.

The London-based SOHR, which has monitored the conflict in Syria for many years, counted around 1,400 fatalities.

Its figures, collected by a network of activists, are generally considered reliable.

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The violence also resulted in a dire humanitarian situation and a mass exodus of civilians from the province, with UN figures suggesting that around 190,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

More than half a year after the fall of long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad, the new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not succeeded in establishing stability in Syria.

There have been several major battles, terrorist attacks and violence, including against the Alawite minority on Syria's Mediterranean coast.
Fighting has erupted in the Druze-majority Sweida province of southern Syria, violating a ceasefire deal reached last month after sectarian violence left hundreds dead, activists and state media reported on Sunday.

At least one person was killed and seven injured in renewed fighting between militias of the Druze minority and government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) war monitor said on Sunday.

The state SANA news agency reported that "lawless groups" with links to the Druze community violated the ceasefire by attacking a village with heavy weapons and mortar shells.

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Fighting broke out last month in Sweida between Sunni Bedouin groups and members of the Druze community, a religious minority that emerged from Shiite Islam and live mainly in Syria, but also in Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The Damascus government said it sent troops to calm the situation but its forces were accused of brutal acts of violence against the Druze.

Neighbouring Israel subsequently bombed targets in Syria with the stated aim of protecting the Druze.

The London-based SOHR, which has monitored the conflict in Syria for many years, counted around 1,400 fatalities.

Its figures, collected by a network of activists, are generally considered reliable.

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The violence also resulted in a dire humanitarian situation and a mass exodus of civilians from the province, with UN figures suggesting that around 190,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

More than half a year after the fall of long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad, the new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not succeeded in establishing stability in Syria.

There have been several major battles, terrorist attacks and violence, including against the Alawite minority on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

There have also been isolated clashes in northern Syria in recent days.

The Defence Ministry in Damascus announced that its troops have prevented Kurdish militias from advancing near Manbij.

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The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurdish militias, reportedly attacked a village with rockets and injured several people. The government troops responded with "precise attacks," the ministry said.

The SDF, on the other hand, accused the government troops of having "attacked residential areas for no reason," while their own forces defended themselves.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The Rapid City Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in the 100 block of East College Avenue at 5:00 p.m. Friday.

According to a post by the RCFD, smoke and flames were seen billowing from the doors and windows of a home. Firefighters quickly attacked the fire and brought the blaze under control in a short amount time.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

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WEST HAVEN, Utah (ABC4)  Weber Fire District crews worked to put out a deck fire at a home in West Haven late Saturday morning.

According to the Weber Fire District, firefighters received a call of a reported structure fire at the home around 11:45 a.m. Additional crews from Hill Air Force Base and Roy City Fire were requested but were later canceled.

Courtesy: Weber Fire District

Firefighters from Weber Fire arrived to find heavy black smoke, and found that the mulch-covered ground and deck area were on fire. Fire crews were able to start a fast attack, deploying multiple lines to fight the fire.

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Weber Fire said they were able to bring it under control quickly and were able to keep the fire from spreading into the home. Crews later did a search of the structure and found it to be all clear.

Courtesy: Weber Fire District

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but preliminary findings show the fire started in an area of rubber mulch.

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To land the historic job as the first Egyptian, Arab, and African woman to go to space, Sara Sabry trained and researched every morning before her full-time tech job and didnt see daylight for years. The grind to space isnt for the faint of heartand its a reality check, she suggests, for work-life balance-loving Gen Z. In an exclusive interview with Fortune, she shares the brutal routine that helped her defy a 0.0% chance of becoming an astronaut.

Sara Sabry became the worlds first Egyptian astronaut after flying to space on Blue Origins New Shepard rocket on Aug. 4, 2022marking the first time an Arab or African women has ever gone to space, all before even turning 30.

Its a common childhood dream, but one that few realize. For starters, you need access to a plane just to rack up the 1,000 flight hours required to apply to programs like NASA.

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For Sabry, the mission was even more impossible. She wasnt born into a country with a space agency. There were no astronauts who looked like her. And she didnt have elite connections or deep pockets.

So to get her foot in the door, the then 28-year-old had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to squeeze in early-morning training and bioastronautics research, all before reporting to her full-time job as CTO of a Berlin-based tech startup by 9 a.m.

Then after work, shed work some more on her own start-up and space trainingand its the kind of gruelling discipline she says young people today shouldnt shy away from if they want to unlock their dreams.

Back then it was, it was really, really, it was really tough, she recalls in those early days of her career, speaking exclusively to Fortune during her stay in London for the 2025 American Express Leadership Academy. You would wake up at night, and then you would go back at night, so you barely see the daylight ever.

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She says that shed tackle the most important tasks of the day before 10 a.m., when others start to trickle online.

I see a lot of young people now theyre wanting to take the easy route without working so hard. But the truth is, you have to make sacrifices. You have to put yourself through a lot of discomfort, Sabry adds. Of course, its not easy to wake up 4:30 a.m. every morning and be completely isolated from the world, right? But it goes to show that you can really transform your lifeand you have so much control over your life.

Sabry says the experience radically shifted how she viewed limitations tied to class, geography, and identity.

She didnt have the passport, the platform, or the privilege, but she pushed through anyway. And in doing so, proved whats possible when ambition is backed by relentless effort.

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It changed the way I see things now. Having gone to space and having done the thing that was impossible, honestly the likelihood of that happening was around 0.0%, unless I changed my nationality.

She beat the oddsand over 7,000 other applicants for that Blue Origin flightto make history.

Now, shes made itbut still pulling 13-hour days and has a jet-setter schedule

Despite finding success, you still wont find Sabry kicking up her feet.

On top of being an astronaut, the now 32-year-old is also the executive director of Deep Space Initiativea nonprofit she founded to make space more accessibleco-founder of the Egyptian Space Agencys Ambassador program, and is completing a PhD in aerospace engineering. She is also conducting research on the engineering of the next generation of planetary spacesuits at the NASA-funded Humanspaceflight lab.

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If that wasnt enough, Sabry is building new ventures and growing a speaking career thats taking her around the world. And with such a packed, jet-setting schedule, shes learned to adapt her rigid routine into something more flexible. But that doesnt mean she lies in.

I havent lived in a one place in three years, she says. I have to live out of my suitcase, so you have to adapt.

Nowadays, Sabry starts her day at around 6 a.m. with a workout, before responding to emails and doing admin stuff.

Its not 4:30 a.m. anymore, because I have to work late these days, she explains, adding that the time difference for international calls she has to take while often based in Egypt pushes her work schedule back, bringing her total workday to 13 hours.

My first meeting is at 9 a.m. and my last meeting is from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. so I cant be waking up too early, Sabry continues. Eight hours of sleep is non-negotiableand so is having every task for the day blocked out in her calendar.

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Because Im balancing a PhD, two companies, my public speaking, and more, I think its really about scheduling. As soon as tasks are scheduled in my calendar, I dont have to think about them, she adds.

Its so easy to get distracted when youre working on other things, and you think, Oh I have to work on my research or I have to answer emails. But no, emails are going to stay in the inbox until the scheduled time for me to be looking at emails. Sometimes, of course, you have to do urgent things. But the things that are not super urgent? You pre-schedule.

Eyes on the prize: The cure for exhaustion

If you feel exhausted just reading about Sabrys routine, let alone copying it, she says theres only one way to survive it: become obsessed by your mission.

Sabry said she had no other choice because the alternative was not giving it all and risk not achieving her dream.

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It was always this fight, she explains. I was never going to be given an opportunity. Having grown up knowing that things are just not going to be given to me, I never expected anything. It makes you work so much harder. But I never really resented it, or felt like, Oh, Im doing too much, because that was just the necessary thing to do to move forward. There was no other option.

And she says having a packed schedule helped her move forward with her goals because she didnt even have time to think about anything else.

Most of the day youre in the dark, but youre so consumed by ithaving that focus and not having time to look at whats going on in different places was really, really key, she tells Fortune.

So being so consumed and having just a really packed schedule, and knowing that I was investing in myself. When youre working on things that you know are towards your purpose, it just gives you so much peace.

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Ultimately, shed only be kicking herself today if she knew there was an extra hour or two in the day that she hadnt used to push herself forward.

If I wasnt doing everything that I can and I could do more, then I wouldnt feel at peace. Then I would kind of go through like the other rabbit hole of, you know, being kind of like extra tough on yourself. So by doing so much, it gave me peace.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game!

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All five workers trapped at a copper mine in Chile have been found dead, according to a regional prosecutor, after rescue teams cleared more than 24 metres (78 feet) of underground passages that collapsed in a strong earthquake last week.

Prosecutor Aquiles Cubillo of the OHiggins region said on Sunday that the body of the fifth trapped worker had been found at the El Teniente copper mine.

More than 100 people had been involved in the search for workers at the El Teniente copper mine, the worlds largest underground mine, in Rancagua, about 100km (62 miles) south of Santiago.

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We deeply regret this outcome, Cubillos said.

The latest death brings the total toll from the accident to six, including one person who died at the time of the incident on Thursday evening.

Chiles state-owned mining company Codelco discovered the first trapped worker on Saturday and another three on Sunday. It has not yet commented on the final worker.

The miners had been working at a depth of more than 900 metres when the collapse happened, killing one colleague and halting operations at the site. Their exact location had been pinpointed with specialised equipment.

Minister for Mining Aurora Williams announced the temporary cessation of activity at the mine on Saturday.

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The mine began operating in the early 1900s and boasts more than 4,500km (some 2,800 miles) of underground tunnels.

Last year, El Teniente produced 356,000 tonnes of copper  nearly 7 percent of the total for Chile.

The cave-in happened after a seismic event on Thursday afternoon, of which the origin  natural or caused by drilling  was not yet known, the authorities said on Saturday. The tremor registered a magnitude of 4.2.

It is one of the biggest events, if not the biggest, that the El Teniente deposit has experienced in decades, Andres Music, the mines general manager, said in a statement.

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The search team included several of the rescuers who participated in successfully surfacing 33 miners trapped in a mine for more than two months in the Atacama Desert in 2010, attracting a whirlwind of global media attention.

Chile is the worlds largest copper producer, responsible for nearly a quarter of global supply, with about 5.3 million tonnes in 2024.

Its mining industry is one of the safest on the planet, with a death rate of 0.02 percent last year, according to the National Geology and Mining Service of Chile.

It also lies in the seismically active Ring of Fire that surrounds the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Multiple firefighters were injured and several buildings were damaged when flames broke out in Hazelwood.

Allegheny County dispatchers said firefighters were called to the 5100 block of Chaplain Way in Hazelwood at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire said the original fire started in a row house and spread into three adjacent structures.

One firefighter was taken to a hospital after his wrists suffered second-degree burns. Another was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation and shortness of breath. They are both in stable condition.

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Multiple residents were displaced and the American Red Cross has been called in to help them.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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The Brief

A Florida man has been indicted for a $2 million fraud scheme.

Eric James Stone is being charged with 10 counts of fraud (wire and mail) and five counts of money laundering.

If convicted, each fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and each money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man has been indicted for a $2 million fraud scheme, officials say.

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Eric James Stone is being charged with 10 counts of fraud (wire and mail) and five counts of money laundering. If convicted, each fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and each money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

$2 million fraud scheme

What we know

United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the return of the indictment on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Stone was fired from Fidelity Investments in June 2021 due to allegations he had solicited and obtained loans from his clients.

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After Stone was terminated, he allegedly began to solicit money from his former clients by way of personal loans. Stone promised to repay the loans, but officials say he never did.

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After one victim provided loan proceeds to Stone, she was advised there was an investigation into the funds, and Stone had incurred costs and fees that also needed to be paid before he could repay her. Stone allegedly created fake email accounts, sent fake text messages and pretended to hire attorneys to further defraud the woman. In total, the woman paid Stone more than $2 million, which he used to fund gambling activities, personal travel and satisfy personal debts.

Investigation continues

What's next

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

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The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service, the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office and the Florida Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.

The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The Brief

A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for the sexual battery and murder of his neighbor.

Tyler Ryan Hirsch was only 16 years old when officials say he killed 33-year-old Melody Victoria Bennett.

Bennett was found with multiple stab wounds in her home by her brother.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for the sexual battery and murder of his neighbor when he was only 16 years old, officials say.

Latest case updates

What we know

Tyler Ryan Hirsch, 24, has been sentenced in the murder case of 33-year-old Melody Victoria Bennett. Hirsch was only 16 years old at the time of the crime.

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Back in March, Hirsch entered an open plea to the court and was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted sexual battery while armed, burglary of a dwelling while armed and three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.

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Hirsch was sentenced by Judge Mary P. Hatcher to Life in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Tyler Ryan Hirsch, 24, has been sentenced to life in prison. (Credit: Office of the State Attorney's Fifth Judicial Circuit in Florida)

Horrific act of violence

What they're saying

"This was a senseless and horrific act of violence that devastated a family and shocked an entire neighborhood," Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit chief assistant state attorney, said. "We are grateful to the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case and to the judge for todays life sentence, which ensures that the defendant will never again be in a position to harm another innocent person."

The backstory

On Jan. 25, 2018, the day after Bennetts thirty-third birthday, Sumter County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) deputies responded to calls of a dead person at a home off County Road 625 in Bushnell. When deputies arrived at the home, Bennett's brother said he came to his sister's home to check in on her after not hearing from her for a few days. When he entered the home, he found his sister dead inside.

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Officials began their investigation into Bennett's death after determining she died from a homicide. Deputies say she had numerous stab wounds on her body. Investigators determined Bennett had died between the night of Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 due to multiple sharp force injuries.

During their investigation, officials conducted a neighborhood canvas and spoke with then-16-year-old Hirsch. Hirsch said he knew Bennett, as they were neighbors and she was a family friend. Hirsch denied any knowledge of the crime.

However, officials later learned that the day Bennett's body was located  when there was a large law enforcement presence in the area  Hirsch was picked up by his school bus driver. The driver asked what was going on, and Hirsch allegedly said that a woman was stabbed to death. At that time, law enforcement officials had not released any information about the crime or the manner of death.

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Law enforcement later responded to Hirschs school, where they were able to speak with his teacher. The teacher said that on the morning of Jan. 22, 2018, Hirsch had requested to go to the school nurse to retrieve a band-aid. The teacher said Hirsch had a large gash and other minor cuts on his hand. When asked what happened, Hirsch told his teacher he didnt want to talk about it and that it was personal.

Law enforcement met with Hirschs parents and requested an interview with him. During the interview, Hirschs story about his interactions with Bennett changed. Authorities collected a DNA sample from Hirsch to compare to the DNA found at the scene. After months of investigation and a positive DNA match comparison, Hirsch was arrested on Jan. 17, 2019, for the death of Bennett.

The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the Office of the State Attorney's Fifth Judicial Circuit in Florida.
An online reading platform used by school districts to comply with Florida book laws is now under fire by the states top education official who accused it, without providing specifics, of trying to push an ideology and subvert parental rights.

Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a letter to districts on July 23, warning that the Beanstack platform provides access to material that is not age or developmentally appropriate for students.

Beanstack is used by more than 40 Florida school districts  including some of its largest, among them Orange County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools  to catalog books in classroom libraries, log the time students spend reading and offer parents a way to see what titles are available in their childrens schools.

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The company says no one can access materials through the platform, however. They can only read the titles of available books or take part in reading challenges. Still, Kamoutas letter, which he told superintendents to share with parents, prompted at least two school districts to suspend their Beanstack accounts and others to assure parents there was nothing inappropriate available through the platform.

Kamoutsas wrote that any district using Beanstack was now on notice and urged districts to review their use of the platform for violations of Florida law.

Beanstacks attempt to push an ideology, subvert parental rights in education and ignore Florida policy is divisive and problematic, he said.

The Florida Department of Education did not respond to questions seeking specific examples of what Kamoutsas found objectionable.

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Felix Brandon Lloyd, Beanstacks CEO, wrote in an email that the company did its own investigation and determined that the incident it thinks prompted Floridas letter  which he declined to provide information about  did not involve any Florida school districts Beanstack accounts.

To our knowledge, no Florida public education institution provides access to materials not deemed by state laws to be age or developmentally appropriate for students through Beanstack, he wrote.

Michael Ollendorff, a spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools, said Beanstack only shows book titles, author names and library book numbers. OCPS has used it since 2019 and increased its use in 2022 when a new state law required districts to review and catalog books in teachers classroom collections, not just those in school media centers.

In a subsequent message to school superintendents, Kamoutsas asked them to send his letter about Beanstack to all public school parents.

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In Palm Beach County, parents got an email that read, It is important to note that the School District of Palm Beach County does not use this platform, and we are sharing this letter at the direction of the Florida Department of Education.

In Orange, the district shared the letter and later told staff that it will continue in the coming year to use Beanstack to log minutes for reading challenges and to catalog classroom libraries.

The Osceola County school district told parents in its message July 24 that it hadnt violated any Florida law by using Beanstack, but also said it would suspend access to the program temporarily.

Broward schools did the same, Beanstack said in a social media post. The districts webpages referencing Beanstack led to error messages on Friday.

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Stephanie Vanos, an Orange County School Board member who has children in Oranges public schools, said the commissioners letter was aggressive and unnecessary, adding that she had real questions about whether the state knew what Beanstack actually was.

We would be happy to meet with any member of the (state) board of education and show them how we use Beanstack in Orange County, if thats what they need, Vanos said.

Vanos said the states letter adds to a culture of fear around books in Florida.

New state laws passed in 2022 and 2023 put heightened scrutiny on school library books, requiring media specialists  teachers with additional library training  to review and approve all books in classroom collections and school libraries and to exclude those that feature pornography or sexual conduct.

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New state training for media specialists also warned them to err on the side of caution when approving books and that they can face criminal penalties and lose their teaching certificates if they approve inappropriate books.

Last year, Florida led the country in school book bans with 4,561 instances in the states public schools, according to a report by free-speech group PEN America.

Library media specialists have had to navigate a confusing set of hurdles since Florida began passing these laws, said Kasey Meehan, the groups Freedom to Read program director.

The states letter contains chilling language that adds to those hurdles but also makes an absurd charge against Beanstack, she said.

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The states criticism of Beanstack comes as the education department awarded a four-year, $15.6 million contract to Trinity Education Group, a Maryland-based education technology firm, in 2024 to develop a state-sponsored system to catalog and object to library materials.

Its unclear when the states school library book catalog could roll out to Florida school districts or how it would impact districts existing platforms, such as Beanstack.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  In this weeks edition of East Texas In Focus, KETKs Nolan Hoffman spoke with a team of CHRISTUS doctors to get their advice for parents as students head back into school.

IN FOCUS: How FFA is shaping the future of East Texas students

Nolan first sat down with Dr. Joshua Barker from CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic about helping students adjust back to a schooltime sleep schedule.

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It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for you to adjust to a new sleep schedule, so we anticipate that being a struggle for a lot of kiddos in the next month or so, Barker said.

Barker advised that parents shouldnt expect perfect results overnight and gave the following tips to try and implement overtime in order to help students develop a better sleep schedule:

Have a good bed time routine

Start limiting screen time an hour or two before bedtime

Limit caffeine in the afternoon

Limit sugar in the hours before bedtime

Only use the bedroom to go to sleep and not as a place to use phones

Nolan and Barker also discussed the rise in respiratory and heat-related illnesses associated with students returning to school. Baker advised that the best way to keep kids healthy is to practice good nutrition and exercise.

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He recommends limiting sugar, sugar substitutes and processed foods, finding a fun exercise or physical activity that each student can enjoy doing for at least an hour a day and drinking lots of water.

Kids need to be in the habit of drinking probably a little bit more water than they think they need, Barker said. They need to learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat related illness. If they start getting lightheaded or dizzy, because theyre outside and sweating out all their fluids, they need to sit down in the shade and cool off and drink some water.

Nolan also spoke with Dr. Evelyn Chou with Christus Health about the importance of getting students their needed immunization shots before the start of the school year.

IN FOCUS: Meet the animals of Caldwell Zoos Amazon Rivers Edge

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Immunizations have been around for a long time, and its the best way we know how to protect against these viruses and diseases that have been around, Chou said. The importance of getting kids vaccinated before school starts, one its not only a state requirement, it depends on your school, of course, whether or not you need the vaccines to go and then theres exemptions and and all that stuff but really, the best way to protect our children is to make sure that they are immunized.

Chou suggested talking to the students primary care doctor in order to learn how to best get students started with vaccinations.

I think the best place to start is talking to your primary care provider. So I know theres a lot of vaccine hesitancy out there and I think as, as a physician myself, I want to make sure that my patients and their families are protected, Chou said. So whether or not thats following the classic immunization schedule that we have or whether or not its, just talking to parents about how its okay to immunize against multiple things at one time. Theres also different ways we can space things out. In my practice, I totally believe that the best way to treat someone or to protect them is by following a regiment that they will also be okay with.

Nolan also got to speak with Dr. William Garre about sports-related injuries and how to best protect student athletes. To see all of Nolans full conversations, watch this weeks episode of East Texas In Focus in the video above.

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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FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG)  Several members of a National Guard unit based out of Foley are preparing to deploy to the Middle East.

Approximately 200 soldiers will deploy under the 1st Battalion of the 173rd Infantry Regiment. In Foley, about 85 members of C company prepared their gear and packed their bags on Saturday. Theyre heading to Egypt in a month.

During the year-long deployment, an Alabama National Guard spokesperson says members of the 1-173rd will support Multinational Force and Observers  Task Force Sinai. Their job is to help maintain the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Some family members came to support their relatives headed to a long deployment.

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Nervous but happy at the same time, I feel hes doing something good for his country, one Foley Guardsmans parent, Justin Thicklin said.

A spokesperson says these soldiers leave behind their civilian lives and careers for a time to help support the U.S. mission overseas. A farewell ceremony is planned for the unit in Enterprise, Alabama at the high school at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The Brief

A former Florida charter school dean and teacher has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse charges,

James Tellis, 27, is currently being held at the Duval County Jail without bond.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking the public for information.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A 27-year-old former Florida charter school dean and teacher has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse charges, and officers believe there may be more victims.

What happened?

What we know

A 27-year-old former Jacksonville charter school teacher and school dean is behind bars and facing multiple felony charges related to child sexual abuse.

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Officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) say James Tellis is facing felony charges of sexual battery on a child, offenses against students by an authority figure, soliciting a child online and unlawful use of a communication device.

JSO officers arrested Tellis on Friday night at his Oakleaf home. He is currently being held at the Duval County Jail without bond.

James Tellis, 27, is facing multiple child sexual abuse charges. (Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

The backstory

JSO Special Assault Unit detectives learned that during the 20232024 school year, Tellis allegedly sexually abused a preteen student, used Instagrams Vanish Mode to hide messages and sent the student money. At the time, he was a teacher at a charter school on the Westside.

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Tellis subsequently resigned from that school and became the dean at a different charter school in Arlington. Officials say the school then terminated Tellis following his arrest.

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Investigators recovered conversations containing evidence of the alleged abuse and discussions of future sexual activity.

"Parents: Please talk to your children about the risks of abuse and the importance of speaking up." Jacksonville Sheriff's Office What's next

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Officers with the JSO say they are in communication with Meta and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the potential for more victims.

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What you can do

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking the public for information.

Anyone with information about Tellis or other potential crimes is asked to call the JSO at (904) 630-0500 or to email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

To remain anonymous and be eligible for a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1.866.845.TIPS (8477).

The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO).
Over 600 former senior security officials asked the US president to compel Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza.

Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon, and former deputy IDF chief Matan Vilnai on Sunday announced they had sent a letter to US President Donald Trump requesting that he compel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the current war. This information was provided to The Jerusalem Post ahead of other media.

These top officials, along with top former police and foreign ministry officials, lead the Commanders for Israels Security (CIS) group  which now makes up over 600 former senior security officials  in making that call on Trump to intervene.

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It is not the first time that the group has pressed the government to shift gears and focus more on returning Israeli hostages and on a post-war plan forGaza, but it did emphasize how desperate Israels situation is globally in terms of legitimacy, as well as Trumps own recent public criticism of Israel for causing starvation in Gaza (Israel maintains that while food security is at a crisis point, there is no evidence of actual mass starvation.)

'Stop the Gaza War'

In the letter, CIS wrote to Trump, Stop the Gaza War! On behalf of CIS, Israels largest group of former IDF generals and Mossad, Shin Bet, Police, and Diplomatic Corps equivalents, we urge you to end the Gaza war. You did it in Lebanon. Time to do it in Gaza as well.

Next, CIS stated, The IDF has long accomplished the two objectives that could be achieved by force: dismantling Hamas military formations and governance. The third, and most important, can only be achieved through a deal: bringing all hostages home.

Tamir Pardo, Former Director of the Mossad attends a press conference at the protest tent of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel against the proposed changes to the legal system, outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, on February 2, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Moreover, they argued, It is our professional judgment that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel, and our experience tells us that Israel has all it takes to deal with its residual terror capabilities, remotely or otherwise. Chasing remaining senior Hamas operatives can be done later. Our hostages cant wait.

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Further, CIS wrote, Your credibility with the vast majority of Israelis augments your ability to steer Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government in the right direction: End the war, return the hostages, stop the suffering, and forge a regional-international coalition that helps the Palestinian Authority (once reformed) to offer Gazans and all Palestinians an alternative to Hamas and its vicious ideology.

CIS has succeeded in the past in influencing Biden administration policy, and in the more distant past, sometimes the Netanyahu governments policies.

However, more recently, both Trump and Netanyahu have been on somewhat of an anti-generals trend whenever they face up against defense chiefs who disagree with their policies.

The developing unknown situation is where Trump stands at this point in time on ending the war, and whether these senior Israeli defense officials are able to influence his direction.

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CIS was questioned about what it thinks Trump should do if Hamas continued to avoid negotiations, which it stepped back from last week, as it rides a tide of indirect global support due to accusations worldwide that Israel is not allowing sufficient food aid into Gaza.

The senior defense officials responded that what Israel must do is announce that it accepts an end to the war in exchange for the return of all of the remaining hostages  the consistent offer that Hamas has made since the start of the war.

Additionally, CIS wants Israel to accept the proposed international framework of Egypt, the UAE, and the Saudis, together with a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) taking over the running of post-war Gaza.

As such, CIS hopes that Trump will press Netanyahu to make such an offer, though the prime minister has repeatedly rejected this position, partly saying that it would allow Hamas to make a comeback and partly trying to keep his hard Right coalition partners from toppling his government, should he end the war.

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Opposition officials have told Netanyahu that they would step in to keep his government afloat for a period of time if he cut such a deal with Hamas, but he has rejected that option as well.

Netanyahu has separately rejected giving the PA any foothold in Gaza. given that he is now vehemently opposed to any trend that furthers the possibility of a Palestinian state, even if run by the PA instead of Hamas.

According to CIS, only after making an offer to Hamas to end the war will Israel know for sure whether the Palestinian terror group is willing to return all of the hostages or whether it has been playing games in offering to return all those who are left in Gaza captivity, alive and dead.

CIS insisted that such an offer was necessary to be able to say that Israel had done all it could to bring back the hostages.
The former U.S. soldier suspected of killing four people at a Montana bar was still at large early Sunday and may be armed after escaping in a stolen vehicle containing clothes and camping gear, officials said.

Authorities believe 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown killed four people on Friday morning at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Missoula in a valley hemmed in by mountains.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said at a news conference Sunday that Brown committed the shooting with a rifle that law enforcement believes was his personal weapon.

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The victims ranged in age from 59 to 74 and were a female bartender and three male patrons.

Knudsen warned residents in the town of just over 9,000 people that Brown, who lived next door to the bar where he was a regular, could come back to the area.

This is an unstable individual who walked in and murdered four people in cold blood for no reason whatsoever. So there absolutely is concern for the public, Knudsen said.

A good neighbor

The four victims were identified on Sunday morning as Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. All four lived in Anaconda.

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Robert Wyatt, 70, said he was neighbors with Leach at a public housing complex for elderly people and people with disabilities.

"Everybody is nervous since Friday, Wyatt said.

Leach was deaf and kept mostly to himself, Wyatt said, and he only recalls Leach having a family visit once almost a year ago. But Leach was always happy to help his neighbors with chores like moving furniture.

If you needed help, Dave would help, Wyatt said. He was a good neighbor.

Everybody in town knows each other

Numerous public events were canceled over the weekend as the search entered its third day, according to local Facebook pages. As law enforcement scours the wild terrain, the woods southwest of Anaconda have been closed to the public by the National Forest System.

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David Jabarek, 70, said that a mass shooting in a place as small as Anaconda is baffling to many. He said that he regularly saw both the shooter and the victims over the course of the 20 years that he has lived in Anaconda.

We only have 9,000 people, so it's like, what the hell just happened? Everybody knows everybody here, he said.

Jabarek was headed to Owl Bar less than 30 minutes before the shooting happened, at around 10:15 a.m. On an impulse, he went to run an errand nearby instead. When he came back to the area, he saw the bar was surrounded by police.

If Id have been in there when I was supposed to be, you wouldnt be talking to me. Somebody be talking to you about me, he said.

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The close call is now keeping Jabarek up at night. But he said that he isn't afraid of the prospect of Brown returning.

Everybody around here has two dozen firearms in their house, and right now theyre within hands reach, Jabarek said.

The suspected shooter's past

Investigators are considering all possible options for Brown's whereabouts, the attorney general said. That includes searching the woods where Brown hunted and camped while he was a kid. But Knudsen noted that during peak tourist season in western Montana some law enforcement officials would have to return to their local jurisdictions for their regular responsibilities.

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Brown served in the Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005, said Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson. Brown was in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009, Castro said, and left military service at the rank of sergeant.

Browns niece, Clare Boyle, told The Associated Press that her uncle has struggled with mental illness for years, and she and other family members repeatedly sought help.

This isnt just a drunk/high man going wild, she said in a Facebook message. Its a sick man who doesnt know who he is sometimes and frequently doesnt know where or when he is either.

Appeals to the public for help

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Knudsen said on Sunday that Brown was known to local law enforcement before the shooting. It was widely believed that he knew at least some of the victims, given how close he lived to the bar.

Law enforcement released a photograph of Brown from surveillance footage taken shortly after the fatal shootings. He appeared to be barefoot and in minimal clothing.

But law enforcement now believes Brown ditched the vehicle he escaped in and stole a different one that had camping gear, shoes and clothes in it  leaving open the possibility that Brown is now clothed.

The last time that law enforcement saw Brown was on Friday afternoon, but there was some confusion because there were multiple white vehicles involved, Knudsen said.

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There is a $7,500 reward for any information that leads to Brown's capture.

This is still Montana. Montanans know how to take care of themselves. But please, if you have any sightings, call 911, Knudsen said. ___

Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The Brief

Fort Bend County authorities are searching for a man who shot at a deputy.

Billy Alfaro, 35, fled after the incident and is considered armed and dangerous.

The deputy was unharmed, and a search is underway for the suspect.

SUGAR LAND, Texas - Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Officials are looking for help from the public finding a man who they say shot at a deputy on Saturday.

Fort Bend manhunt

What we know

Around 2:50 a.m. Saturday in the 11200 block of Beverly Park Street in Sugar Land, deputies responded to a home for a welfare check after reports came in of arguing and loud noises.

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They say a man attempted to flee when officials arrived, and was quickly taken into custody.

During that arrest, another man, later identified as Billy Alfaro, 35, allegedly stepped out of the home and fired shots at a deputy. No one was injured, the department said.

SWAT responded to the scene and ordered all occupants out of the home, but Alfaro is reported to have fled. A search is underway for the man.

Alfaro is described as a Hispanic man standing at 5'5", 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous.

What you can do

This remains an active investigation and additional information will be shared as it becomes available. If you have any information, please contact the Sheriffs Office non-emergency number at 281-341-4665, option 1.

The Source

Information in this report comes from the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One of the toughest things about serving in the military is being away from home for important life events like the birth of a child.

Spc. Mark Chandler is a Fort Bliss soldier who has been deployed in Europe for most of the year.

He got some help from a relatively new nonprofit  Miles for Military  and was able to fly back home to see his family, landing Friday, Aug. 1 at El Paso International Airport.

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8K troops from Fort Bliss to deploy to Europe

More importantly, he will be present when his wife, Ashley, gives birth to twins. She is expecting any day now.

Spc. Mark Chandler, wife Ashley and family at the El Paso International Airport on Friday, Aug. 1. Photo courtesy of Miles for Military.

For me as a specialist, lower enlisted, a thousand dollars for a plane ticket is a lot of money, especially with four kids and two more on the way, Chandler said.

Chandler has been deployed in Europe since February.

He was able to earn a plane ticket home through the Miles for Military organization. He traded doing volunteer hours at the USO and received a plane ticket in return.

Chandler said he is grateful for what Miles for Military does.

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Often, we are in places we never asked to be, away from family and we dont have the financial resources to get back home, he said.

Maureen Bryne said she founded Miles for Military a few years ago.

She said her son, who is a Marine, came home for Thanksgiving one year. She asked him how the other Marines got home for the holidays.

Her son said the other Marines couldnt afford to go home for the holidays and he seemed to be the only one who could.

That started Byrnes mind thinking and she came up with Miles for Military.

The nonprofit helps lower enlisted soldiers, with the paygrades of E1 through E4, earn a plane ticket by volunteering 25 or more hours at a charity of their choice.

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Its an amazing win-win, Byrne said. The volunteer organizations and the people they serve are thrilled at the extra help. What these kids (service members) get through their volunteer work is better than the trip home.

Byrne said that every dollar Miles for Military raises goes toward plane tickets for service members.

She said that what makes Miles for Military stand out is we have them earn it and give back to the community.

I think that really makes the biggest difference, she said.

Ashley Chandler, the wife of Spc. Chandler, said she is grateful for the help Miles for Military gave to her family in getting her husband home.

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There are many days when your husband, your spouse, is deployed, it feels like you have nobody, Ashley Chandler said. I have made friends (at Fort Bliss) but they have recently moved.

It is a blessing to have an organization that is there if you have a death in the family, a birth in the family, an emergency, she said. We all need help at any time for anything.

For information on Miles for Military, including how to donate, you can click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The Brief

A man was shot and killed at an apartment complex in Fort Worth early Sunday morning.

Police have arrested an 18-year-old suspect, identified as Ariel Herrara, in connection with the shooting.

The victim was shot through his apartment door after an argument with the suspect.

FORT WORTH, Texas - A man was shot and killed early Sunday morning at an apartment complex in Fort Worth, police said.

Fatal Fort Worth Shooting

What we know

Officers responded to a shooting call around 6 a.m. at an apartment complex on North Main Street.

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Upon arrival, officers located the victim inside his room with at least one apparent gunshot wound to his torso.

The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, sustained a fatal injury to his upper torso.

They learned the victim had just returned to his apartment after buying food for his girlfriend when he was shot through his apartment door.

Dig deeper

Detectives found that the suspect had arrived at the location with several other people. The suspect knocked on the victims door and the door was answered by a witness followed shortly by the victim.

The victim and suspect exchanged words for a brief moment and the victim shut the door. The suspect returned to the vehicle he arrived in and retrieved a handgun from the vehicle or its occupants.

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The suspect then returned to the door and fired multiple shots through the door, striking the victim. The suspect and others fled the scene in the vehicle.

A short while later the suspect and other occupants were observed at a nearby business. Officers responded to the location and were able to detain the other occupants and arrest the suspect.

The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Ariel Herrara, who is to be booked into jail on a murder charge.

Ariel Herrara | Fort Worth Police Department

The Homicide Unit was notified and is investigating the incident.

The Source

Information in this article is from the Fort Worth Police Department.
The Brief

A SWAT standoff in Cobb County ended with four suspects arrested, a major drug seizure, and no injuries after an exchange of gunfire during a narcotics raid.

Authorities seized 8.55 kg of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and firearms; suspects face multiple drug trafficking and possession charges.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the case following standard procedure for incidents involving officer gunfire.

AUSTELL, Ga. - A SWAT standoff in a quiet Cobb County neighborhood ended Thursday night with four suspects in custody, a major drug seizure, and no injuries, following an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and an armed suspect during a raid on a home in Austell.

Warrant execution leads to SWAT standoff

What we know

The Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna (MCS) Narcotics Unit, a multi-agency drug task force, was executing a narcotics search warrant at a home on Eugenia Place, off Austell Powder Springs Road, when the situation escalated. Authorities say 36-year-old Jose Vidali Cruz-Azanza fired multiple gunshots at officers and deputies before retreating back into the residence. Law enforcement returned fire but no one was hit.

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After a standoff that lasted several hours, SWAT members entered the home and took Cruz-Azanza into custody. Three other individuals  Yosili Lurisa Diaz, 32; Naymar Ventura Hererra, 22; and Jose Resendez Zurita, 40  were also arrested.

During a search of the property, investigators recovered 8.55 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, 1.7 grams of cocaine, five grams of marijuana, and four firearms. All four individuals are charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Cruz-Azanza faces additional charges of three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Diaz and Zurita are also charged with misdemeanor obstruction of law enforcement.

"I am thankful no deputies or officers were injured while removing this lethal amount of meth from our community," said Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens. "If you traffic drugs into Cobb County, our MCS unit will find you, and you will face justice. These drugs, particularly meth, have destroyed too many individuals and families."

What is the MCS Narcotics Unit

Big picture view

The MCS Narcotics Unit is part of the Cobb County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Division and includes officers from the Acworth, Austell, Cobb County, Kennesaw, Marietta, and Smyrna police departments.

Residents react to shooting, SWAT standoff

What they're saying

Residents described a tense and chaotic evening as police worked to end the standoff peacefully.

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"I saw multiple officers throw flashbangs in. It blew out all the windows, blew out the top part of the attic," said Blake Herrin, who lives on the street.

Neighbors say the home had been a source of concern for months.

"Cars come in and out of this neighborhood from here. They were always loud and if you ever tried to talk to them they were intent like back away kind of deal," one resident said.

Herrin said the neighborhood is usually peaceful and close-knit.

"We're very close with all of our neighbors, so its not something we would think would happen here on Eugenia," he said.

What's next

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case, which is standard procedure in incidents involving an officer firing a weapon.

The Source

FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with residents for this story. Additional details come from previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
Someone dumped a pile of garbage directly beneath a "stop dumping" sign in North Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, and the photo proving it has Redditors frustrated and fed up.

The OP wrote, "Anyone know why there's garbage under the stop dumping signs?"

Photo Credit: Reddit

It's frustrating because sometimes even a bold, direct sign doesn't stop people from leaving trash.

In a follow-up comment, the OP mentioned how it's not the first time they have seen trash piled all over green spaces.

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They also pointed out that Vancouver Island has "the least public waste bins of anywhere I've been," suggesting that the lack of proper disposal options may be a part of the problem.

Another user joked that the trash might have been there first and the sign was put over it later. Either way, the end result is the same: nature gets treated like a dumping ground, and we have to deal with the consequences.

This blatant example of improper trash disposal is a reminder that environmental awareness is about respect as much as it is systemic. When people ignore basic requests, like not throwing trash in public green spaces, it makes it harder for others to feel a connection with nature.

Trash left in wild areas can also cause serious harm, disrupting animal habitats, leaching chemicals and microplastics into soil and water, and deterring others from places that provide benefits for health and well-being.

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In 2018, the Regional District of Nanaimo recovered 48 metric tons of illegally dumped material, according to its annual report.

As the Nanaimo News Bulletin noted in 2017, the RDN estimated that it spends about $30,000 annually addressing illegal dumping (cleanups that included removing tonnes and tonnes of garbage) and warned that dumped waste is harmful to both wildlife and recreational areas.

It's obvious that the problem goes beyond environmental degradation, as the cost of removing the waste can increase residents' tax bills.

The solution starts with people thinking twice before treating public land like a landfill.

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"Disgusting!" one commenter wrote.

Another wrote, "Humans are gross," while a third added, "The amount of trash that gets dumped in nature on Vancouver Island is shocking."

"How would anybody know what they shouldn't be dumping, if there isn't an example?" a fourth joked.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A year on from the UK riots and people in Hull, where a hotel housing asylum seekers was targeted, believe frustration and tension still continue in the city.

When violence erupted on 3 August - fuelled by misinformation - following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, fear and vexation gripped communities.

The Royal Hotel on Ferensway was attacked after an anti-immigration protest in the city centre rapidly turned vicious with bins and vehicles being set on fire and high street shops looted - the worst unrest seen in decades.

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Less than two miles away from this once grand looking building is The Malt Shovel pub on Anlaby Road, where Paul Renton is sipping his pint outside on the terrace under the midday sun.

"I'm scared for my grand kids," he said.

"I don't blame the people for doing stuff like that. It's getting worse and worse now. It's all about the illegals."

The Royal Hotel, which houses asylum seekers, was targeted during the violent unrest in Hull [BBC]

Mr Renton was on a trip to Bridlington when missiles were thrown at the hotel and the adjacent train station, which was forced to shut with workers barricading themselves in to prevent rioters surging onto the concourse and platforms.

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"All the trains got cancelled and it cost us a lot of money to get back," said the grandfather.

While Mr Renton does not condone the violence, he believes "British people have had enough" of those arriving on smalls boats from France and being housed in hotels.

It is one of the most divisive issues in the UK.

More than 25,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of the year, according to the Home Office.

It is the first time the 25,000 threshold has been reached since records began in 2018.

Paul Renton fears for his grandchildren's future [BBC]

Feelings of frustration and anger centred on immigration housing have remained high in parts of Hull, though some show empathy and understanding.

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The numbers of asylum seekers in UK hotels had been increasing since 2020, and reached a peak of more than 50,000 in 2023. In March 2025, the asylum hotel population stood at 32,345.

Ministers previously said the government wanted to end the use of hotels by 2029 and was trying to move people into cheaper types of accommodation.

Mr Renton is not alone in his views, the same are echoed by other pubgoers.

George Ketley watched disturbing scenes of the hostility and rage unfold in his home city via TV.

Like Mr Renton he condemns the violence, but said at its core was the issue of asylum accommodation.

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"It's just disgusting when we - working people - can't get a house and they're putting them in hotels. It's wrong."

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said he understood the "frustrations" over the Royal Hotel housing asylum seekers "for quite some time" and had recently written to the government requesting the hotel stop being used.

"They're in the process of closing down hotels across the country. We think this [Royal Hotel] should be one that closes now."

Support worker Warda Seihili said attitudes had changed for the better but there was still negativity towards migrants [BBC]

Sitting on a nearby table outside the same pub terrace is former serviceman Jodie and his friend Matt.

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After serving his country, Jodie "got into a bad place" and spent time in jail. A single parent, his life descended into further chaos when he became homeless with his six-year-old son in tow.

Jodie said he sympathised with the rioters, having felt let down by the government due to the lack of support for him and his son when they "struggled" with homelessness.

"I'm not going to lie, I might have been there if it weren't for my little boy.

"[I've] not had one bit of help off any kind of government."

His friend Matt maintains he is "not a racist", before saying: "I think the frustration is still there.

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"These guys are coming over here... living for free.

"When I work for myself, I'm paying my taxes and going out every day on the roof. That's the bit that gets me."

However, he believes prison was justified for some rioters but "the actual lengths [were] absurd".

More than 100 arrests were made following the mass disorder, which saw high street shops looted and set on fire [BBC]

According to Humberside Police, there have been 78 convictions relating to the disorder and a further nine adults who are charged but yet to be "dealt with by the courts".

While that might provide some comfort to those affected by the rioting, others still feel they are looking over their shoulders.

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Warda Seihili is a support worker at Welcome House, which offers help and support to asylum seekers and refugees.

She said attitudes had changed for the better despite the air of negativity towards migrants, many of whom were fleeing warzones or "dangerous situations".

"Some people are nice, they help. They give us opportunity. But some people say 'go back to your country'.

"I feel like they don't like me and I'm scared.

"They don't know that we work hard, pay council tax, we pay for everything. They think that we came here just to take the money and the benefit from the government."

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Its been five years and a pandemic since our last visit to writer Shanta Gokhales Shivaji Park home. Mumbai has breached its limits during this time  expanding into the sea, and burrowing underground. At Gokhales flat, the intervention is tiny: A wall separating the balcony and drawing room has been torn down, making the space roomier. It helps with her daily walks, which moved from the Shivaji Park grounds to her home around eight months ago. Gokhale, 85, would rather walk steady circles in her 1BHK than brave the perilous road crossings outside. Drivers are so careless about rules these days that now its no longer about looking left or right; youve got to look ahead, behind, everywhere. Even on the footpath you might encounter a biker, and if you raise your eyebrows, he is the one who is most likely to get offended, she shares with an amused smile. The writer, translator, and critic now takes pleasure in the familiarity of her home  a place her parents moved into when she was two years old  and writing, which she continues doggedly. Her new collection of Bombay-based short stories, slated for release in September, follows close on the heels of Maya Nagari: Bombay-Mumbai: A City in Stories, an anthology she co-edited last year. On her wooden writing table is a laptop and a book stand that has a spiral-bound copy of a Marathi text. Im translating a collection of early 19th century essays by Gopal Ganesh Agarkar [1856-1895], who was one of the many early reformists, Gokhale says. In one of the pieces that she has just finished translating, Agarkar references a newspaper report about a woman becoming unconscious and dying on learning about the death of her husband, and how she was lauded for being a chaste woman. Agarkar questions this. He asks dont you feel theres something wrong with a society that forces a woman to give up her precious life?, says Gokhale, adding that while the nature of these essays is right up her alley, the terrific challenge is the translation itself. The sentences are complex and long-winding and could constitute an entire paragraph, Gokhale says, jokingly adding, I feel like I am writing Victorian prose. Journey as a translator Gokhale has lived and breathed her city in numerous ways: as an English lecturer at Elphinstone College and HR College; a sub-editor at Femina magazine; a PR executive at Glaxo Laboratories where she encouraged employees to embrace theatre with lunchtime shows; an arts editor at The Times of India  a role in which she also nurtured young (and future literary) talent like Ranjit Hoskote, Arundhati Subramaniam and Jerry Pinto; and as a columnist for leading newspapers, including Mirror, playing a vital role in fostering an appreciation for the arts, especially theatre. The novels, translations and movie scripts happened in between. Its not just an eclectic bio, but also a reflection of Gokhales ability to transform any opportunity into grand potential. They were all equally fulfilling careers, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winning-writer tells us now, Because my sphere remained the same, which is culture. She, however, continues to remain partial to translation. It always felt like a responsibility, right from the word go. The first-ever work Gokhale translated was close to 70 years ago, when she was a student at the University of Bristol. And it wasnt a literary text, but a legal case, she says. Gokhale, at the time, was the only Marathi-speaking person in the hood, making her easy to track. Someone reached out to me because he wanted this recent immigrant accused in a case to understand what he was being charged with, she says, The man didnt know English, so I translated the entire case for him in Marathi. It was after all for a fellow Marathi-speaking person who was in a tight corner. Her discovery of her true calling as translator only happened many years later. She was then a mother to two kids  Renuka and Girish Shahane  and was living in Vizag, where her then husband Lt Cdr Vijay Kumar Mohan Shahane, a Navy officer, was posted. Satyadev Dubey pushed her into translating poet-playwrights CT Khanolkars Avadhya (The Invincible) that condemned cultural orthodoxy as obscene. Soon after, she translated Godavari Parulekars book about the Warlis of Dahanu, Jenwha Manus Jaagaa Hoto (When Man Awakens). Gokhales path was set. And despite five decades of translation work, the sentiment around each text is still the same: I dont change anything, neither do I add or subtract. I take the challenge of transposing from one language to another, retaining the tone, rhythm and register of the writers language. The reluctant novelist Although Gokhale single-mindedly dedicated herself to bringing Marathi literature to a wider audience, she wrote her own fiction works intermittently. Her Maharashtra State Award-winning Marathi novels  Rita Welinkar (1990) and Tya Varshi (2008), both of which she later translated into English  were published nearly two decades apart. Her third novel, Nirmala Patil Yanche Atmakathan, was published in 2022, and she has only recently finished translating it. I never saw myself as a novelist at all, she confesses, In fact, not even as a short fiction writer. I wrote short stories simply because magazines assumed I could write. Her reservations, she feels, perhaps stemmed from having studied literature and read some of the best books in the world. I didnt think that I as a writer had it in me to write in a form mastered by the greats. Not to mention, novels are time-consuming, requiring chunks of ones time, and which as a working woman she didnt have. Rita Welinkar, about a working woman in a secret relationship with a married man, she says, happened entirely because of her exposure to inter-relationships between colleagues in the corporate world. Even while writing it, I didnt call it a novel. Only when I was done with it, did I admit I had written one, she says. Tya Varshi (Crowfall) follows a year in the lives of a group of friends in Mumbai. I am still not confident [about my writing], but this extreme self-criticism is also what pushes me to do better. Despite being a reluctant storyteller, Gokhale does feel, now more than ever, the urge to tell stories about people of her city. I have really been thinking of writing about the working people of my city, because I find them to be amazing human beings. But that kind of book demands movement. And I think thats now beyond me, she says, smiling wanly. The city, though, remains a rich and unending source from which Gokhale draws her material. There are many Bombays within this city, and youve got to find your story within this totality of Bombays stories.
Gainesville police are mourning the death of a retired K9 officer.

K9 Rex died on Tuesday. Following his retirement from the department, police say he went on to live a happy life with his handler and family.

They say his retirement life was full of outdoor adventures and enjoying time with his best friend, his handler.

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Utility workers in Lima accidentally unearthed two pre-Incan tombs , one of which contained 1,000-year-old human remains and Chancay culture artifacts.

Archaeologist Jose Aliaga confirmed the tomb's connection to the ancient Chancay culture , citing the vessels' distinctive black, white, and red iconography.

The burial posture, with the individual seated and bundled in fabric, reflects typical pre-Incan funerary traditions , dating between 1000 and 1470 A.D.

Calidda, the gas company overseeing the project, has documented over 2,200 archaeological discoveries during its infrastructure expansions , highlighting Limas unique archaeological richness.

Experts emphasize that Perus coastal regions frequently reveal funerary artifacts, including tombs, burials, and mummified individuals, making such discoveries a recurring phenomenon.

Utility workers digging trenches for new gas lines in Lima made a stunning discovery on Thursday: two pre-Incan tombs, including one containing human remains believed to be around 1,000 years old. Alongside the skeletal remains were four clay vessels decorated in black, white, and red, as well as three pumpkin shell artifacts.

Construction Turns Into an Archaeological Discovery in Lima

AP News reported that archaeologist Jose Aliaga identified the tomb as belonging to the ancient Chancay culture, which thrived in Peru between 1000 and 1470 A.D. The individual was found in a seated position, bundled in fabric, legs tucked against the chest  a burial posture typical of pre-Incan traditions. The vessels iconography and colors allow us to establish a connection with the pre-Incan Chancay culture, Aliaga explained.

View of a skull and artifacts found in an ancient tomb attributed to the pre-Inca Chancay culture accidentally unearthed by workers installing a gas pipeline in Lima's Puente Piedra district. CONNIE FRANCE/Getty Images

Lima: A City Built on Layers of History

For Lima, discoveries like this are becoming routine. According to Calidda, the gas company overseeing the trench work, this is just one of more than 2,200 archaeological finds theyve made during two decades of infrastructure expansion. Lima is unique among Latin American capitals in that various archaeological finds are unearthed during nearly every civil project, Aliaga said.

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With a population of 10 million, Lima sits atop more than 400 known archaeological sites, many of them predating the Inca Empire by centuries. From ancient burial grounds to ceremonial ruins, the citys layered history continues to reveal itself in unexpected ways.

An Everyday Errand Turns Into a History Lesson

For locals, the discovery offered an eye-opening moment. Passersby stopped to snap photos of the excavation site. Flor Prieto, who was walking with her daughter, expressed her surprise: I always thought they were paths where no one had lived. But now I know that people older than the Incas lived there. It feels so exciting.

Pieter Van Dalen, dean of the College of Archaeologists of Peru, noted that Limas coast frequently yields funerary elements such as tombs and mummified remains. While not involved in this specific dig, he emphasized how common such finds are across the region.

Related: Archaeologists Unearth Dinosaur Fossil in Incredibly Ironic Location

Gas Line Workers in Peru Stumble Upon 1,000-Year-Old Pre-Incan Tomb in Lima first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 1, 2025
Dusseldorf is planning to take in children from Gaza and Israel who are particularly vulnerable or traumatized, following a similar initiative by the northern German city of Hanover.

The mayor of Dusseldorf, Stephan Keller, expressed support for Hanovers decision and said his city intends to replicate what he called a "strong and deeply humane gesture."

He added that, on matters of compassion and principle, Dusseldorfs political leadership stands united across party lines.

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Hanover announced on Thursday that it would receive up to 20 children, with the possibility of expanding the initiative. Mayor Belit Onay said other cities had also expressed interest in launching comparable efforts.

Onay said many of his city's residents, some of whom have family ties to the region, were moved by the suffering of people in Gaza and Israel.

Dusseldorf's plans, announced on Friday, are still in development. In a joint statement, officials in the western German city said they would begin examining practical options in the coming week.

According to the city, initial discussions have already taken place with local stakeholders, including members of the Jewish community and the Muslim community in Dusseldorf.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are suffering through "famine," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview with national public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

"We have been observing for some time that the blockade that Israeli has in practice imposed on the Gaza Strip has led to famine, has led to people dying, suffering and going thirsty," Wadephul said in an interview conducted on Friday during his return flight to Germany from a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Wadephul called for the UN's aid organizations and the Red Cross, along with religious and charitable organizations to be given full access to the war-ravaged region. "This could start tomorrow," he said, calling for a "fundamental change" in Israeli policy.

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He acknowledged that more truckloads of aid were entering Gaza, but added: "It's still insufficient, and has to become better by the day. We will continue to stress this," he said.

According to German security sources over the weekend, between 50% and 100% of the aid entering the region is being diverted by Hamas or by criminal organizations.

Germany has since Friday joined the initiative to drop aid by parachute, but Wadephul said this provided only slight alleviation. "It must be done overland, and Israel has to facilitate this. And this is comprehended there," he told Deutschlandfunk.

Germany, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has been cautious in its criticism of Israeli government and military policy, but there has been a change of tone recently.

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According to the acknowledged international classification on food security, the IPC, the criteria for famine in Gaza are as yet not fulfilled. Under the IPC criteria, famine is declared when all three criteria of extreme food shortage, acute malnutrition and hunger-related deaths are met.

IPC experts have said the most recent data show the first two conditions fulfilled, with widespread extreme food insecurity across most of Gaza and acute malnutrition reported in Gaza City.

Israeli military action and the blockade of Gaza followed the October 7, 2023 attack launched by Hamas on Israel in which people were massacred and hostages taken.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are suffering through "famine," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview with national public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

"We have been observing for some time that the blockade that Israeli has in practice imposed on the Gaza Strip has led to famine, has led to people dying, suffering and going thirsty," Wadephul said in an interview conducted on Friday during his return flight to Germany from a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Wadephul called for the UN's aid organizations and the Red Cross, along with religious and charitable organizations to be given full access to the war-ravaged region. "This could start tomorrow," he said, calling for a "fundamental change" in Israeli policy.

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He acknowledged that more truckloads of aid were entering Gaza, but added: "It's still insufficient, and has to become better by the day. We will continue to stress this," he said.

According to German security sources over the weekend, between 50% and 100% of the aid entering the region is being diverted by Hamas or by criminal organizations.

Germany has since Friday joined the initiative to drop aid by parachute, but Wadephul said this provided only slight alleviation. "It must be done overland, and Israel has to facilitate this. And this is comprehended there," he told Deutschlandfunk.

Germany, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has been cautious in its criticism of Israeli government and military policy, but there has been a change of tone recently.

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Bavarian Premier Markus Soder on Sunday stressed Germany's continuing support for Israel in an interview with national television broadcaster ZDF.

"First of all, I believe that we must stick to our line, to our principles. That means that we are the closest of partners with Israel," said Soder, whose Christian Social Union (CSU) is part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition.

Soder described Israel as "the democracy" in the Middle East.

"Israel has also been attacked, and Hamas continues to hold hostages up to today," Soder said. He accused the Islamist organization of blocking aid going into the Gaza Strip.

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While Germany stood by Israel, more had to be done for the humanitarian situation, he said. Soder expressed support for German federal government policy in being engaged and highlighting the situation in the region.

"The situation has improved to some extent, but it's not enough," the Bavarian premier said.

According to the acknowledged international classification on food security, the IPC, the criteria for famine in Gaza are as yet not fulfilled. Under the IPC criteria, famine is declared when all three criteria of extreme food shortage, acute malnutrition and hunger-related deaths are met.

IPC experts have said the most recent data show the first two conditions fulfilled, with widespread extreme food insecurity across most of Gaza and acute malnutrition reported in Gaza City.

Israeli military action and the blockade of Gaza followed the October 7, 2023 attack launched by Hamas on Israel in which people were massacred and hostages taken.
Shoplifting is rising sharply in Germany, and prosecution of the thieves is too lax, in the view of the country's retail sector.

"Losses from shoplifting rose to 3 billion ($3.5 billion) in 2024, 20% up on the 2022 figure," Stefan Genth, head of the German Trade Association (HDE), told the t-online news portal.

Genth noted the organized nature of much of the theft. "Gangs move in a focused way through inner cities, stealing expensive goods, such as perfume, shoes, electronic goods, and then sell them on the grey market," he said.

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In addition, thieves operating solo are increasingly aggressive when caught, Genth says.

And he is critical of prosecutors. "Shopkeepers lay charges, and prosecutors then drop the cases on the grounds of efficiency. As a result, many retailers no longer report shoplifting to the police," he says. He puts the unreported ratio at as high as 98% of all shoplifting.

Genth called for changes to the law, investment in security and increased funding for the judiciary.

"I fear conditions as in the United States, where almost everything is behind glass. That's an expression of mistrust of the customers, while more than 90% are honest," he said.

Genth rejected any correlation between self-scanners and theft. "We cannot confirm this link," he said.
Germany's Interior Ministry responded cautiously on Sunday to plans announced by two cities - Dusseldorf and Hanover - to take in particularly vulnerable or traumatized children from Gaza and Israel.

"The feasibility of such initiatives depends significantly on the security situation, the possibility of departure, and other factors," a spokesman said in response to a query from dpa.

Specific plans are currently being reviewed with partners, he said. "The main focus is on expanding medical assistance on-site and in nearby regions."

Two state capitals ready to act

Hanover announced on Thursday that it would receive up to 20 children, with the possibility of expanding the initiative. Mayor Belit Onay said other cities also expressed interest in launching comparable efforts.

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Dusseldorf's plans, announced on Friday, are still in development. In a joint statement, officials in the western German city said they would begin examining practical options in the coming week.

The mayor of Dusseldorf, Stephan Keller, expressed support for Hanovers decision and said his city intends to replicate what he called a "strong and deeply humane gesture."

He added that, on matters of compassion and principle, Dusseldorfs political leadership stands united across party lines.

What are the hurdles?

The Green Party has appealed to the federal government in Berlin to make the assistance possible.

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Dusseldorf could ensure accommodation and support on-site, but the city requires political backing from the federal level for entry procedures, selection, and medical coordination.

According to the city, initial discussions have already taken place with local stakeholders, including members of the Jewish and Muslim communities in Dusseldorf.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed his indignation at propaganda videos by the Palestinian militant group Hamas showing emaciated Israeli hostages.

"I am appalled by the images of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Hamas is torturing the hostages, terrorizing Israel and using its own population in the Gaza Strip as a shield," Merz told the German newspaper Bild.

"This is precisely why there is no way around a negotiated ceasefire for the time being. The release of all hostages is an absolute prerequisite for this."

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Merz added: "Israel will not reciprocate Hamas' cynicism and must continue to provide humanitarian aid."

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who returned from a trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Friday, also expressed his shock.

The images show the "perfidy" of the hostages' "tormentors," Wadephul told Bild.

In a video released at the weekend, 24-year-old Evyatar David, emaciated to the bone, can be seen in a narrow tunnel in Gaza, reportedly digging his own grave.

The images have prompted criticism from international leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.
The Gifford fire has scorched nearly 50,000 acres in less than three days in the Los Padres National Forest as firefighters struggle to quell the blaze raging in the Sierra Madre mountains.

Officials have reported three injuries, which were sustained by civilian contractors, authorities said.

Wildland firefighters were continuing to work to stop the blaze Sunday along Highway 166 in rural Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties about 15 miles east of Santa Maria, according to the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. But crews were faced with challenging conditions including high temperatures, dry vegetation and rugged terrain.

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As the fire expanded Sunday, crews constructed fire lines and protected structures in Schoolhouse and Cottonwood canyons, the interagency team managing the fire response said in a statement. More than 1,000 personnel have been assigned to the fire.

As of Sunday evening, the fire was 3% contained and continuing to burn through the tall, dry grass and chaparral that cover the steep hills and mountains. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for agricultural lands near the unincorporated community of Garey. More than 220 people were under an evacuation warning, and 184 had been evacuated as of Sunday morning, according to Flemming Bertelsen, public information officer for Los Padres National Forest.

Although the fire is on federally managed land, Cal Fire crews joined the response to assist with more ground personnel and firefighting aircraft.

Two contractors were injured and hospitalized Saturday when their utility task vehicle overturned, Los Padres National Forest officials said in a statement. Additionally, one civilian was airlifted to a hospital with burn injuries.

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As California Gov. Gavin Newsom was criticized on the social media platform X for the fire's explosive growth, his media office reiterated that the fire was not on state land.

"The #GiffordFire started on Trumps federally managed land in the Los Padres NATIONAL Forest," read the post. "While Trump just gutted wildfire funding, @CAL_FIRE is now stepping in to clean up what federal mismanagement helped fuel."

Newsom has criticized President Trump for cutting funding for forest management, including activities such as prescribed burns, which reduce the risk of explosive fires by proactively burning vegetation in a controlled environment.

The incident's unified command was composed of a California Interagency Incident Management Team, Cal Fire, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, officials wrote in a statement.

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The fire was first reported about 2 p.m. Friday near Los Padres National Forest's Gifford trailhead, not far from the perimeter of the recently extinguished Madre fire. According to Cal Fire, the blaze had multiple starting points along Highway 166.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In addressing Joanna Allhands column on Gilbert teen violence, Gilbert is too busy pointing fingers to put parents like me at ease, Mayor Scott Anderson laid out the things Gilbert is doing to help make his town a safer place.

While I applaud many of the positive events and initiatives to engage youth positively that Mayor Anderson outlined in his response, there was something critical missing in his guest column, Teen violence remains in Gilbert. But we're addressing it with eyes wide open.

Not once did I read the word accountability.

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There was nothing in the mayors words that suggested recognition of a strategy to address Gilberts failure to hold teens accountable for bad behavior.

He wrote about a key finding of his new community engagement officer. The mayor told us that the officers findings in studying similar programs elsewhere included that our young people are struggling and they need consistent, compassionate support at home, in school and in the community.

Its hard to argue with that, except that given the recent events in Gilbert, I really dont think that lack of compassion has been the problem. I do think lack of consistency is  consistency in consequences.

The troublemakers have learned over time that they are unlikely to be held accountable for bad behavior by anyone.

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The mayor should start there.

Dan Peel, Scottsdale

No wonder Arizona has a teacher shortage

School parking lots are no longer empty. Some districts have already started school, and many will start school next week.

Teachers are back to work preparing for the upcoming school year. They are organizing classrooms, putting up bulletin boards, establishing learning objectives for the year, meeting with other teachers and writing lesson plans.

Many of them have already worked a week or longer.

However, their first official day of work is normally three days before school begins. These days are normally taken up by district and school meetings, which can last most of the day.

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Little time is provided for teachers to work in their classrooms. This means that they have no choice but to work for free to prepare for the upcoming school year. Also, they have to wait at least two weeks to get paid.

Again, Arizona is last in funding for education in the country and pays its teachers the lowest salaries.

As a retired elementary teacher and a college academic adviser, is it any wonder that we have a teacher shortage?

John Becker, Peoria

So, the policy allowed burning off a man's skin?

Who would have ever guessed that holding a mans skin against asphalt for several minutes on a hot Phoenix summer day would cause third-degree burns?

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That, apparently, was the Phoenix Police Department policy.

Apparently, this policy applied even though the person did not match key specifics of the suspect they sought and appeared to be unarmed and subdued.

I dont know, maybe Im an old softie liberal and a bit of a stickler for the Bill of Rights, but I thought punishment should not be inflicted until after someone has been convicted of a crime, and that cruel and unusual punishment like this only occurred in third world countries.

I would never have guessed it was a Phoenix policy, but I guess we learn something every day.

Warren Kotzmann, Gilbert

Rebuild Grand Canyon Lodge with fire in mind

The Grand Canyon Lodge was very special. It was the main lodge and camping facility on the North Rim.

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Hikers like me had used the lodge when doing rim-to-rim hikes as well as hikes on the north side of the Canyon, like Thunder River.

Yes, we need to build it back up and preserve it for future generations to come. This is not a red or blue issue; it is an American issue.

Letter: What's wrong with us? We can rebuild Grand Canyon Lodge

We cannot undo the fire. Any investigation should dwell only on future precautions that need to be taken to prevent such destruction.

I sincerely hope that all our political leaders set aside their difference and help make this lodge great again.

Stanley Dsouza, Phoenix

America must stand against fascist tactics

My parents and sister escaped Nazi Germany in 1938 and came to the United States to start a new life. My father warned me that I may one day have to flee the United States.

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What is happening now in this country is a mirror image of Nazi Germany and scares the heck out of me. We need to make our voices heard that mass deportation without due process is wrong and will not be accepted.

Make no mistake: apathy is what they want, and we must be a strong voice that says it is not OK.

Thomas Behrendt, Sun City

Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Gilbert Goons' were arrested. Why not other violent teens? | Letters




NEED TO KNOW

A 10-year-old girl has been identified as the third to die following a recent Miami boat crash

Arielle Mazi Buchman was one of the passengers on a boat that was struck by another vessel in Florida on July 28

Mila Yankelevich, 7, and Erin Ko, 13, were previously identified as the other two victims of the crash





A 10-year-old girl has been identified as the third to die following a recent Miami boat crash.

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Arielle Mazi Buchman was one of the passengers on a boat that was carrying students from a sailing program when it was struck by another vessel in Florida on Monday, July 28, according to CBS News Miami, the Daily Mail, and the New York Post.

WPLG Local 10/YouTube Aftermath of July 28 boat crash in Miami Beach, Fla. Aftermath of July 28 boat crash in Miami Beach, Fla.

"With broken hearts, we announce the funeral service of our beloved Arielle Mazi Buchman, the young girl's family's place of worship announced in a statement on Sunday, Aug. 3, the outlets said.

The Miami Yacht Club, which ran the youth sailing program the victims were a part of, confirmed the death of a third victim in a press release shared on Instagram.

U.S. Coast Guard Southeast/Facebook Boating accident in Miami on July 28 Boating accident in Miami on July 28

The Miami Yacht Club (MYC) and the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation (YSF) are deeply heartbroken to share that a third young sailor has tragically passed away as a result of the incident that occurred on the water earlier this week, the organization wrote, without confirming the victims age or identity.

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This devastating news comes after two young sailors lost their lives in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy," the Miami Yacht Club continued. "Now, with the passing of a third sailor, the entire sailing community is shattered by grief.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiners Office identified the other two victims as Mila Yankelevich, 7, and Erin Ko, 13, in an email statement to PEOPLE.

Their cause and manner of deaths were determined to be accidental drowning.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment about the third victim on Aug. 3.

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Multiple Argentine outlets identified Mila as the daughter of director Tomas Yankelevich and actress Sofia Reca, as well as the granddaughter of television producers Gustavo Yankelevich and Cris Morena, according to The New York Times, NBC affiliate WTVJ and the Associated Press.

The girl's family was seen arriving in Miami on Wednesday, July 30, according to CBS News, but declined to comment.

The Colegio San Pedro Nolasco Vitacura, a school in Santiago, Chile, identified the 13-year-old girl who died as former student Erin Victoria Ko Han, WFOR, WTVJ, and WSVN reported.

In a Facebook post, the school wrote that Erin, a student from 2016 to 2024, moved to the United States with her family last year.

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A total of six people were inside the sailboat when it was hit by a barge near Hibiscus Island around 11 a.m. local time, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.

At a press conference on July 29, Coast Guard Sector Miami Cmdr. Frank Florio said the agency launched an investigation to determine the cause of the deadly collision.

To the families, first responders and all those impacted, know that we grieve with you, Florio said. We will not take this lightly and we will not forget. We owe you answers and we are committed to finding them.



Read the original article on People
MOUNTAIN GREEN, Utah (ABC4)  One person is dead after a glider crashed into a mountain in Morgan County yesterday afternoon.

The Mountain Green Fire Protection District confirmed that a glider crashed into Mahogany Mountain near Mountain Green around 2 p.m. Friday. The pilot of the glider was killed in the crash, which started a fire around 7,000 feet.

Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy: Mountain Green Fire Protection District

Crews from Mountain Green, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management were called to the scene to help fight the fire. The fire was held to three acres before crews were able to hike in and finish extinguish the flames.

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As crews were leaving the scene, one of the brush trucks that responded got stuck on rock while heading back down the mountain, blowing a tire and causing undercarriage damage. It took several hours for the truck to be towed down before fire crews finally left the scene at 1:30 a.m.

The identity of the pilot that was killed has not been released.

Latest headlines:

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  It is like any other church in Nigeria 's megacity of Lagos. A lectern faces rows of plastic chairs. A biblical quote is written on a beam above. There is a music section, with a set of drums. Sash-wearing church wardens move around to enforce order.

But it is also different. For hours, the only sounds are exclamations and thunderous bursts of drums, with their vibrations the cues for when to pray, kneel or respond to the preachers calls for Hallelujah.

This is a church for deaf people in Somolu, a mixed-income suburb, where about 50 to 60 people worship weekly.

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Imoh Udoka, a father of two children, has attended the church for 36 years. He was 9 years old when he contracted meningitis, losing his hearing as well as access to his faith. Most churches in Nigeria do not have accommodation for deaf people.

Then Udoka, now a teacher of sign language, discovered the church via community outreach. Here in this church, we have access to worship God in our sign language, he told The Associated Press.

God also understands us

Remi Akinrenmi is one of the pastors. Every Sunday, he mounts the pulpit with charismatic energy to preach in sign language. His big frame makes for a commanding presence.

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On one Sunday, he preached about the sinister consequences of jealousy. On another, he preached the importance of faith. Attendees waved their hands above their heads in response to Praise the Lord.

Most important for Akinrenmi is that members see the church as a community.

There was no community for us before the deaf church started," he said. Now, we see each other and say, Oh, you are deaf, too. I am also deaf. And we are now together and have formed a community.

God understands every language, he said: "With sign language, God also understands us.

Disability advocates say that in the absence of inclusive churches and institutions, churches like this and a handful of affiliates in southern Nigeria are crucial, especially in African societies where the perception of people with disabilities is influenced by traditional beliefs. Some see a disability as a divine punishment.

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An exclusive space like this church offers them an opportunity for a safe space to be able to connect and relate, said Treasures Uchegbu, founder of Speaking Fingers, a sign language advocacy group in Lagos. They can say, I am not a deaf person just standing alone, I have other deaf people around.'"

How the church came to be

The church organizes evangelism outreach programs to other deaf communities in Lagos. It also runs a teaching unit for sign language, a vital tool for understanding the world better, according to Akinrenmi. Hearing children of church members also attend the classes to better relate to their parents and others, and some hearing students attend church services for immersion learning.

The church started in 1956 in colonial Nigeria as the Christian Mission for Deaf Africans. In todays Nigeria, an estimated 10 million people out of the population of 220 million are deaf or have difficulty hearing.

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There is limited infrastructure in Nigeria for people with disabilities, and laws to improve their welfare and prevent discrimination are barely enforced. Efforts by advocates to push for more inclusive legislation have not materialized. They blame a lack of political will.

Oluwakemi Oluwatoke-Ogunjirin, a 49-year-old worker with the Lagos state government, was born deaf. She attended hearing churches with her family but always felt lost.

Depending solely on public infrastructure in other parts of life, she struggles to get by. But at the church, she said, she has found a community where she can feel safe and understood.

The church goes beyond faith; we have people like ourselves that we can talk to as friends, Oluwatoke-Ogunjirin said.

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With the church's help, she has improved her sign language and can communicate widely, breaking the isolation she grew up with.

The sign language makes life very easy for us," she said. It helps us communicate beyond the church.

___

For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Heres some good news you may not have heard. From coast to coast, child gender clinics are shutting down, thanks to the leadership of the Trump administration. Children are safer because of these closures - protected from radical transgender ideology and the sex changes that threaten their bodies, minds, and futures.

The latest gender clinic to announce its closure is at Connecticut Childrens Medical Center, whichconfirmed this news on July 23. Just one day earlier, the gender clinic at the Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles closed. The L.A. clinic was one of the first and largest in the country, subjecting hundreds of children to invasive and irreversible transgender treatments, including hormones and surgeries. Do No Harm, where I work, has documentednearly 20 gender clinics and programseither pausing child sex changes or shutting down since the start of the year.

This progress is the direct result of the Trump administrations January executive order, which directed federal agencies to prohibit hospitals from getting federal funding if they provide so-called "gender-affirming care" to minors. In reality, such care is neither caring nor gender-affirming. It forces confused children to become something theyre not, because, as studies show, the vast majority of these kids wouldnt try to change genders if they simply waited. Yet once theyre pushed down the sex-change road, they very often cant fully go back, and they very often have lifelong physical and mental health complications.

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Taxpayers should never be forced to support this medical and moral nightmare. Children should be able to develop naturally, especially those who are confused. They dont need a dangerous cocktail of off-label chemicals or sex-change surgeries. Yet thats what activists have long demanded, and medical associations and many providers largely gave into their demands instead of putting childrens health first.

To this day, the medical establishment is dominated by those activists, and theyre loudly lamenting the closure of these clinics. But theyre very clearly ignoring the evidence.

Look no further than the recently shuttered clinic at the Childrens Hospital at Los Angeles. The clinics leader, the famous transgender activist Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, became infamous last year when sherefused to releasethe findings of her own taxpayer-funded study on gender-confused kids. She finally relented under pressure in May, and lo and behold, it turns out thatpuberty blockers arent associated with improvement in kids mental health. Dr. Olson-Kennedys own research undercuts the entire argument for child sex changes - that it will help them become healthier and happier with who they are.

The evidence is mounting that child sex changes are built on a foundation of lies - and incredibly dangerous to those who receive them. In June, anew studyfound that boys taking feminizing hormones are far more likely to have strokes and develop various cancers. In fact, theyre up to 40 times more likely to develop breast cancer.Other studiesshow that girls taking testosterone are in for a world of physical pain, as well.

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The Trump administration has grounded its actions in this medical research, whereas the medical establishment has largely put radical ideology ahead of real evidence. That fact was on full display earlier this year, after the Department of Health and Human Services released itsgroundbreaking analysisof the state of medical research on sex changes for kids. The report concluded that theres "very weak evidence of benefit" to kids, but there are "significant risks," including irreversible harms like infertility. Rather than acknowledge reality, medical groups and hospitals rushed to condemn the report and defend their desire to continue endangering childrens health and well-being.

Thankfully, that danger is beginning to fade, now that child gender clinics are shutting down. But theres more work to do when it comes to protecting children. The clinics and programs that have closed only account for about 13% of the child sex change treatments that Do No Harm has documentedfrom2019 to 2023 alone. Another 28% of children who suffered from this ideology lived in states that have since banned child sex changes. But that leaves a lot of states and hospitals that are still putting a majority of Americas children at risk.

The Trump administration shouldnt rest until everyone whos endangering children is held accountable - and every child in America is safe.

Kurt Miceli, MD, is a medical director for Do No Harm.




NEED TO KNOW

A "good samaritan" has turned in roughly 50 lbs. of "suspected cocaine" in Florida

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office announced that the mariner discovered the packages five miles south of Islamorada in the Florida Keys

The packages have since been turned over to federal authorities





A person in Florida stumbled on what authorities believe to be 50 lbs. of cocaine floating off the coast of a local village.

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On Friday, Aug. 1, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office announced that a "good samaritan," who was identified as a mariner, found the 23 kilograms  or roughly 50 lbs.  of "suspected cocaine" five miles south of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Both the U.S. Customs Border and Protection and the MCSO then brought the packages ashore before turning them over to federal authorities, according to the MCSO.

The MCSO also shared an image to social media of the taped-up packages, which were shaped like bricks, sitting on a dock. There appeared to be roughly 20 packages in total, with certain portions blurred out for the sake of the Facebook post.

The identity of the mariner who discovered the suspected cocaine packages has not been released publicly.

When reached for comment on Sunday, Aug. 3, the MCSO directed PEOPLE to U.S. Customs Border and Protection. Contacts for the CBP did not immediately respond to a request for further information.

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According to its website, Islamorada is home to perhaps the "world's highest density of professional offshore and backcountry charter boats" with tournament-grade captains. Both backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly fishing were pioneered in the village of islands as well, per its site.

This is not the first time drugs have been handed in to the MCSO in recent years. In early July, the office shared an image to Facebook of a package containing what it believed to be 1.3 kilograms  or nearly three pounds  of suspected cocaine discovered near Mile Marker 79.5. The package featured an image from the 2000 film Gladiator.

Last year, a lobster diver discovered a package of what was believed to be cocaine roughly one mile offshore of the community of Tavernier, per CBS12. A photo shared by the MCSO at the time showed an illustration of a rabbit scull with the word "Bunny" written underneath it, prominently displayed on the packaging.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

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Elsewhere in the state, the Walton County Sheriff's Office announced on X in late June that a beachgoer found nearly $500,000 of cocaine washed up on a local beach. The 25 kilos of drugs were packaged with an image of Yosemite Sam, with authorities encouraging locals to avoid touching any "suspicious packages."

Read the original article on People
WEBSTER, Mass. (WWLP)  After weeks of searching, the elusive water monitor lizard that went missing in central Massachusetts has been safely captured.

The lizard, named Goose, had been missing since July 18, with reported sightings across the state line in Connecticut and, most recently, in Douglas. Police warned residents not to approach the animal, as it is illegal to own one in Massachusetts without a permit.

Black bear spotted standing on deck in Westfield

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During Gooses travels, he was seen in Webster near Blueberry Lane on July 18. Animal control and police searched the area and used drones, but were unable to find him.

On July 25, Goose was spotted in Thompson, Connecticut, approximately 2.25 miles from his last known location. Goose resurfaced in Douglas, Mass., on July 30, but continued to evade law enforcement.

Courtesy of WWLP-22News.

On Saturday, the Webster Police Department announced that Goose was safely captured with the help of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Webster Animal Control.

Police shared that Goose will now live at Rainforest Reptile Shows in Beverly, an animal rescue service and nonprofit sanctuary, where he will receive care and a permanent habitat. Rainforest Reptile Shows is currently raising funds to help build Gooses forever home.

(Douglas Police Department) (Webster Animal Control) (Massachusetts Environmental Police)

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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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Senate GOP privacy hawks are stewing over the derailment of a bill earlier this week that would limit face scanning technologies  and blaming the TSA for interference in an under-the-radar legislative battle.

On the surface, Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz had to cancel consideration of the bipartisan bill that would put guardrails on the airport security screening tool due to intense lobbying from the travel industry, which had sowed seeds of doubt among committee members.

Privately, though, Republicans who support the measure say it was the TSA itself, with the encouragement of its politically appointed leadership, that assumed a critical role in orchestrating the lobbying campaign that grew opposition and forced the legislation to be scrapped at the last minute from the markup docket.

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The episode is now exposing a rift between an administration that wants to increase the use of technology to slash bureaucracy at federal agencies and Republican privacy hawks on Capitol Hill who dont like being undermined.

The short answer is yes; the long answer is hell yes, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a co-sponsor of the bill, when asked if TSA had been raising concerns. Theyre working like an ugly stripper to kill this bill, which tells me were doing the right thing.

A senior Senate GOP aide, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said earlier in the week that the smears against [the] bill have TSAs fingerprints all over it.

The aide also said TSAs effective lobbying against the bill would not bode well for the potential confirmation prospects of Ha Nguyen McNeill, the current acting head of the agency whom President Donald Trump is expected to nominate to serve as permanent administrator. It also potentially puts McNeill at odds with Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which houses TSA: Noem is not opposed to the legislation, according to a senior DHS official granted anonymity to share the secretarys private views.

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McNeill is a former executive at a company that supplies AI-powered facial recognition software to airports, which the company touts as being able to match a photo against a gallery of millions of mugshots in a matter of milliseconds.

A screenshot of a text message reviewed by POLITICO also shows a lobbyist for a travel association saying they heard directly from TSA officials that they had significant concerns about the bill. A screenshot of another text message shows an administration official explaining how the TSA was advocating against certain provisions of the legislation.

A spokesperson for the TSA did not provide a statement in response to requests for comment, including whether McNeill has been personally raising concerns about the bill.

The bill would require the TSA to clearly notify every passenger of their right to opt out of facial screenings at airport security checkpoints and choose a manual identity verification process instead. It also would put broad limits on the administrations ability to store biometric information of passengers captured by the airport scans.

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Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the bills champion, in an interview compared the TSAs increasing use of facial recognition capabilities to similar apparatuses used by authoritarian countries like China and Hungary to conduct massive citizen surveillance.

Its been used to intimidate, to track and to intimidate freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, Merkley said.

Merkley tried to shoehorn the legislation into last years reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration programs. But associations representing airlines, airport employees and other travel-related businesses fiercely opposed it, arguing it would allow bad actors to opt for manual ID checks and significantly increase wait times at airport security checkpoints.

Industry backlash against the proposal is well enough known that it might have been the reason lobbyists werent given an advance heads-up about the Commerce committees plans to mark up the measure, Ryan Propis, vice president of security and facilitation at the U.S. Travel Association, intimated.

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The discussion at the time was that theres going to be more transparency, more hearings  around the use of biometrics, said Propis in an interview about assurances the industry received at the time of Merkley's efforts to get the bill included in the FAA reauthorization. And unfortunately none of that has happened.

But lawmakers who have been trying to push the bill forward are saying that TSA was the real driving force behind the legislations withdrawal, with the agency using industry lobbyists as conduits to relay dissatisfaction and mar the measures chances.

When asked Thursday whether he believed TSA itself was raising concerns about the bill, Cruz replied, undoubtedly.

The burgeoning industry tasked with supplying technologies that use sophisticated biometric data for identity verification, and which are increasingly powered by AI algorithms, have also arrived on the scene to tank the bill.

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Two of the sectors top associations, the Security Industry Association and the International Biometrics and Identity Association, sent a letter on the eve of the scheduled markup to Cruz and the top Commerce Committee Democrat, Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington. In the missive, they contended that the bill was completely out of line with the Trump Administrations stated priorities for federal agencies to increasingly incorporate advanced technologies and limit unnecessary personnel costs.

Since the start of Trumps second term, the administration has been pushing for federal agencies to slash budgets and reduce personnel, touting technological advances like artificial intelligence as a cheaper, more efficient backfill.

Testifying before House appropriators in May on the Trump administrations proposed $247 million cut to the TSA budget, McNeill also noted that her agency has been deploying state-of-the-art screening technology to airports around the globe, adding that a commitment to continually embracing new and emerging technology is urgently needed.

Following the postponement of the bills consideration in committee, Cruz and other members of the panel said they were confident differences could be resolved in time to bring it up at a subsequent business meeting  and gave no indication they were planning to stand down despite administration opposition.

I think the bill will get marked up, said Cruz, and its going to pass.
Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene broke with her party by calling what's happening in Gaza a genocide, even as other lawmakers have shied away from the issue. Former Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Republican Strategist Susan Del Percio weigh in on that, and President Trumps relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
CHEYENNE  Barry Gasdek recalled his time serving in Vietnam for the U.S. Military before Gov. Mark Gordon signed a proclamation declaring Aug. 7, 2025 as Purple Heart Day in Wyoming, the same day that it is observed nationally.

On that date in 1782, Gen. George Washington awarded the first Purple Heart honor, originally called the Badge of Military Merit, to honor enlisted soldiers of the Continental Army. At the time, it was the first award made available to the common soldier to recognize outstanding valor or merit.

Gasdek, a retired lieutenant colonel, has received two Purple Hearts for his sacrifices made while serving the Army, including when he was deployed in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969.

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While serving as a captain for the 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, Gasdek was wounded in action in Vietnam.

Purple Hearts are awarded in the name of the president of the United States to members of the armed forces wounded or killed in combat by action of enemy instruments of war.

Since 1932, there have been approximately 2 million Purple Hearts awarded, Gordon said.

When signing the document proclaiming Aug. 7 of this year as Purple Heart Day in Wyoming, Gordon called on Wyoming citizens to remember and honor the brave men and women, including Wyoming citizens, who have been wounded in battle and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their lives while defending the principles of democracy and individual freedom.

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The day was first declared in Wyoming in 2018 after unanimous passage from the Wyoming Legislature during the budget session, designating Wyoming as a Purple Heart State, as well.

Also according to the original act, the Wyoming Veterans Commission shall work with military and veterans organizations and Wyoming communities to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

The commissions executive director, Tim Sheppard, also spoke at the declaration event Monday, recognizing other members in the audience who have received Purple Hearts.

In addition to his two Purple Hearts, Gasdek has received several other of the nations highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Soldiers Medal, five Bronze Stars and 17 Air Medals. Following his retirement from the Army in 2012, he received the honorary designation of colonel.

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Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter, the Wyoming Air National Guards adjutant general, spoke at the meeting as well.

Barry, I just want to tell you thank you. Not only for your service during your time in uniform, but all the service after the uniform, he said. Ive seen you hear several hats, and they all say life member on it.

According to an article from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where Gasdek earned an undergraduate degree before joining the Army, Gasdek is a life member of numerous organizations, including Legion of Valor, U.S. Army Ranger Association, Association of the U.S. Army, National Infantry Association, CIA, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Division Veterans Association and several others.

In 2015, IUP awarded Gasdek the Distinguished Alumni Award and earlier this year they presented him with a Doctor of Public Service honorary degree.

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Gasdek came to Wyoming to be professor of military science at the University of Wyoming through its Army ROTC program.

In 2012, following Gasdeks retirement from the Army, Sen. John Barrasso recognized Gasdek in the U.S. Senate after he retired from UW.

In his 49 years of service to our country, Barrys proven dedication and loyalty have touched hundreds of lives. From his extensive active duty service in the U.S. Army to his quest to aid the veterans of Wyoming, Mr. Gasdek is a true Wyoming hero, Barrasso said.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares are calling for an investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano after a man they say had just been released from jail allegedly tried to abduct a child at the Fair Oaks Mall.

At around 11:45 a.m. on July 18, officers responded to the Fair Oaks Mall for a reported abduction. There, police learned that a young girl was near an indoor play area when a man picked her up and walked away with her, making it all the way to the second floor of the shopping center before the girls parents intervened and got her back uninjured, according to officials.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Child snatched at Fairfax County mall before rescued by parents, police say

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The criminal complaint obtained by DC News Now said the girl was in the play area with her sibling, her father in the area. Caceres Jaldin took the child into the JCPenney, where the girls mother was. The mother was able to get her daughter back and proceed down to the first level of the JCPenney and out to the play area where the father was.

The suspect, who police identified as 26-year-old Andres Caceres Jaldin, reportedly fled before officers arrived. Investigators discovered that he was staying at Extended Stay in Chantilly, and had stolen a car from a nearby auto body repair shop earlier that morning, according to police.

Authorities arrested Caceres Jaldin at his hotel room that afternoon.

Now, Youngkin is calling on Miyares to open an investigation into Descano, alleging that Caceres Jaldin is a repeat offender who was released from Fairfax County jail just three days before the incident.

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There is a shocking and unforgivable pattern in Fairfax County of releasing criminals back onto Virginias streets instead of keeping them behind bars, Youngkin wrote, in part, in a post on the X platform Friday night. The Commonwealths Attorney cares more about protecting criminals than about keeping children safe.

Following Youngkins post, Miyares also took to X, saying his office will examine the facts and report to the people of Fairfax why CA Descanos refusal to prosecute criminals has been allowed to endanger the public.

Fairfax City police searching for suspect who stole large amount of narcotics from pharmacy

According to court records obtained by DC News Now, Caceres Jaldin was released on his own recognizance on July 15 in connection with a hit and run that took place on July 2. Release on ones own recognizance is a courts decision to allow a person who has been charged with a crime to be released from custody based on their promised to return to court and follow certain guidelines while awaiting trial.

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That hit-and-run happened in the parking lot of The Shops at Fairfax. According to the criminal complaint, just after 1:30 p.m., on July 2, Caceres Jaldin hit two pedestrians in the parking lot. One had minor injuries, and the other had serious injuries, including lacerations to the head.

Court records also show that Caceres Jaldin had previous arrests for various offenses including destruction of property, assault and battery on a family member and malicious wounding; however, these charges were formally dropped by prosecution.

Those charges include throwing a brick at cars and assaulting his parents and brother.

DC News Now reached out to Descanos office for comment but has not yet heard back.

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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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
From left, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, Gov. Larry Rhoden, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden, and state House Speaker Jon Hansen. (South Dakota Searchlight images)

There is early, bipartisan interest in serving as the next governor of South Dakota.

Republicans already have three announced candidates for the primary in 2026, with one more likely contestant waiting in the wings. Democrats have signed up a 19-year-old college student with hints that an adult or two may also seek that partys nomination.

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So much early interest in the job is baffling because being governor of South Dakota is a task that is getting tougher by the day. So far, the U.S. House and Senate have acquiesced to the Trump administrations attempts to cancel federal funding that has already been approved by Congress. Those actions will mean profound changes for state budgets.

The irony is that the Republican candidates applying for such a tough job have all, to some degree, offered their loyalty to Donald Trump. According to a South Dakota Searchlight story, Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden has already spent $187,000 to build his name recognition in the state. In his commercials and mailings, the name that often appears next to Doedens is Trumps.

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson doesnt have to run ads claiming loyalty to Trump as he has been in Washington, D.C., doing the presidents bidding. Johnson voted for a big, beautiful bill that is estimated to add $3.4 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years. He also gave his approval to the presidents plan to claw back money that had been allocated for South Dakota Public Broadcasting, financially hamstringing a state institution.

Not much is heard yet from state Speaker of the House Jon Hansen who doesnt have Doedens money or Johnsons name recognition. Since Hansen is from the same MAGA/patriot wing of the state Republican Party as Doeden, its unlikely he would break with Trump on any issue. Undeclared as a candidate so far is Gov. Larry Rhoden, who has had nothing but praise for the president.

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Yet, as Trump and his minions continue to take a machete to the federal budget, he only serves to make life tougher for the next governor of South Dakota.

An easy reference for this can be found on South Dakota Searchlights Federal Fallout page, containing stories detailing the impact of federal budget cuts in this state. A scroll through the stories shows some of the challenges that the next governor will face as federal funding starts to disappear:

Remember, in South Dakota, a million dollars still goes a long way. Consequently, replacing a million dollars in the state budget will be hard work. The state budget is $7.3 billion. Of that, $3.1 billion comes from the federal government.

Federal Fallout

South Dakota impacts from federal funding cuts and policy changes.

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Read the latest >

Ultimately, theres no telling how much the federal governments share of the state budget will shrink. Cutting foreign aid and funding for public broadcasting were just the first of Trumps rescission efforts to erase federal spending that has already been approved by Congress.

All of this is happening at a time when South Dakotans are upset about the continual rise in property taxes. The next governor will be faced with the task of figuring out how to moderate or cut those taxes while also finding a way to replace federal funds that have gone missing.

Some of these federal cuts will be felt in the next session of the Legislature. A South Dakota Searchlight story about a meeting of state fiscal experts included a projection that lagging revenue could result in as much as $24.5 million less for the next state budget.

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These candidates who want to be governor should pay close attention to the funding problems faced by Gov. Rhoden and legislators in the next session. There is still plenty of time between now and January for Trump and the Republican majorities in Congress to make more cuts. The struggles in Pierre will serve as a harbinger of the challenges the next governor will face.

Fear of Trumps wrath sparks an almost blind loyalty within the Republican Party. These GOP candidates for governor must ask themselves if they really want the job of running South Dakota government while the party leader they praise is working overtime to make the job more difficult.

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St Sophias Cathedral, one of eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ukraine, is one of the few surviving buildings from the Kyivan Rus' era and one of the most important Eastern Orthodox shrines in all of Europe.

Built in the 11th century, it preserves not only the high art of the time period but also remnants of everyday medieval life. Namely, 7,500 inscriptions - including notes, names, prayers, and drawings - left by ordinary inhabitants of Kyiv.

The walls of St Sophias Cathedral have preserved not only 1,000-year-old mosaics and frescoes, recognised as masterpieces of medieval art, but also thousands of inscriptions and drawings that visitors etched over centuries, Vyacheslav Kornienko, Deputy General Director for Scientific Work of the Sofia National Reserve, said in a press release obtained by Euronews.

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These graffiti are a vast archive of invaluable historical records, offering us a glimpse into various aspects of life in those times, he added.

The project comes at a particularly crucial time for the fight to preserve and defend Ukrainian heritage and cultural identity.

In 2024, UNESCO published a list of 343 cultural sites verified to have suffered damage since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022. In July of this year, a Russian drone attack on Odesa damaged UNESCO-protected landmarks, such as Prymorskyi Boulevard and the Pryvoz Market, both part of the historic city centre.

Geared at appealing to young people and following the growing trend of digitally preserving cultural heritage, the so-called Graffiti Chronicles aim to preserve the history of everyday people and highlight Ukrainian resilience.

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Since I first saw these symbols in 2021, I was fascinated by what they could tell us about our past. It was incredible to think that ordinary people like us stood in front of these walls and wrote their fears, dreams, and wishes, the same way we can stand and look at them now, a thousand years later, Agatha Gorski, co-founder of the Shadows Project, said in the press release.

Our team wanted to find a way to bring these unique and important pieces of history out of the shadows, inviting Ukrainians to discover for themselves what these hidden gems can tell us about our heritage, she added.

At the next stage of the project, QR codes will be installed next to the graffiti on the walls of the cathedral museum, allowing visitors to access the digital archive and additional information about the works from their phones.

"Kroniki Graffiti" - Shadows Project

'They do everything possible to strip us of our historical memory'

For Ukrainians, now in the fourth year of Russia's all-out war, the ability to digitise their history and culture has become relevant than ever.

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Digitised documents, objects of material heritage, and cultural monuments help preserve their memory in the form of a digital copy, even when the original no longer exists, Dr Vyacheslav Kornienko said in an interview with Euronews.

This has become especially relevant for us during the war, as Russian aggressors deliberately destroy cultural sites and loot museums - in other words they do everything possible to strip us of our historical memory, he added.

While the process of digitally archiving cultural artefacts and documents is an important step, he admitted that more work is needed to complete the preservation process and avoid the loss of cultural heritage and historical memory.

I believe that the best option is to combine both: digital copies should be created separately (like a deposit for safekeeping), but these copies should then serve as the basis for scholarly research, including monographs, catalogs, and articles that feature these heritage items, he told Euronews.

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The digital versions of the graffiti at St Sophias Cathedral are not simply scans or photos, but rather 3D visualisations of it, preserved in video format. They also include information about the symbols and their meaning, which was not previously available in English.

Fighting Russian disinformation

For Ukrainians, preserving cultural heritage, even from the Medieval era, can help to fight disinformation in the modern day. This includes disinformation spread by Russia to justify its invasion, such as the narrative that Russia and Ukraine were one during the Kyivan Rus' period.

I think this topic of the Kyivan Rus' is a highly contested aspect and one that is a huge part of Russia's disinformation operations and how it tries to weaponise culture, Gorski, who grew up across from St Sophias, told Euronews.

This is one of the first things that Putin said before the invasion, one of the key arguments (he said in a speech that) Russia and Ukraine are one people, she added.

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He very often likes to use this claim and go back into the times of the Kyivan Rus', and use it to justify the invasion, and to justify the fact that Ukraine is not an independent nation, so for me, it was really important to also take this time period, because it's super crucial to us, and super crucial to our knowledge gaps, to fill that in, she added.

More than this, the lives of people from centuries ago can also serve as a symbol in and of themselves for the resilience of the Ukrainian people and their culture, something that the Shadows Project has sought to emphasise in this project, as well as in their other work.

For me, any kind of history starts with people. In people's everyday lives and in experiences because this is really what can tell us the most."

"This is also again kind of the parallel for me with the shadows project where for us like we really try to tell the stories of people and we try to really make history accessible, make history alive, and tell it through the experiences of others, Gorski concluded.
"I started my grieving last Thursday, when we finally brought them home."

Miten Patel's mother and father Ashok and Shobna Patel died on the Gatwick-bound Air India aeroplane crash in June.

The couple were travelling home to visit their sons and grandchildren on 12 June, when the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, western India, killing all but one of those on board.

On Sunday, Mr Patel organised a service at the Sattavis Patidar Centre in Wembley to remember and pray for the victims, which also included Sunny and Monali Patel, from south Norwood.

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"That's when it hit me. I think it's going to be a long process to grieve. Grieving will never end - they're our life," he said.

Miten Patel said he was grateful to the community for their support [BBC]

There were 242 passengers and crew on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.

After the crash, the victims' remains were identified by the Indian authorities, however Mr Patel discovered "other remains" were in his mother's casket when her body was returned to the UK.

He thanked the doctors involved for their support in the re-identification of his mother's remains.

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"We have now 100% confirmed that we have cremated mum and dad, as mum and dad. It was a long process but it was definitely a necessary one."

The family were also able to recover his father's ring, which he was wearing when the plane crashed.

Mr Patel now wears his father's ring, which he was wearing when the plane crashed. [BBC]

Mr Patel's family prepared a slideshow of photos of his parents throughout their life for the memorial.

He described his parents as respected members of the community who were deeply missed.

"They were the most wonderful parents that any child could ask for. They were caring, loving, supportive every step of the way," he said.

He said his parents would have been amazed at the gathering of people who came to pay their respects.

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"The community at large has really supported us at this tragic time and I am grateful to every single one of those people," he added.

At least 130 people attended the memorial including family, friends and people who knew other crash victims in India.

Mukesh Patel, trustee of the Sattavis Patidar Centre, said the community knew many of the Gujarati victims of the crash, some of whom were living in the UK and others who lived in India.

"It is our duty as a trustee to organise and bring people together," he said.

"For our community, it is a very sad day. We want to remember all of them, because this is the saddest thing that happened."

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Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

More on this story
Fiscal responsibility

Stanislaus taxpayers form watchdog group in light of troubling StanCOG report | Opinion, (modbee.com, July 27)

Both sides of the political aisle are notoriously free with our money. Many elected officials would not run their own household budgets the way they run budgets with taxpayer dollars.

Fiscal responsibility is vital if we, as a community, are going to take care of our own and support individuals who need a helping hand. It is possible to be fiscally responsible as well as socially responsible.

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The newly formed Stanislaus County Taxpayer Association lends itself to fiscal responsibility in local government  an area of responsibility sorely lacking in government today.

Leslie Shaw Klinger

Modesto

Trumps actions cause distress

Trump job approval rating hits new low  largely due to one group, poll finds, (modbee.com, July 25)

According to the Declaration Of Independence, we, the people, have the inalienable right to peace and tranquility in our home. Yet President Donald Trump is causing people emotional distress. He is harassing us with his constant language of hate and division.

We are worried about the future of our children and grandchildren. We live in fear of economic disaster and nuclear war. Trumps lack of knowledge in these extremely important issues is of deep concern.

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Rita M. Yamaguchi

Atwater

No more forever chemicals

CA must stop using forever chemicals that harm our health, (sacbee.com, Aug. 11, 2023)

Cookware is the poster child for the use of harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

California has already phased out these forever chemicals in multiple products, including textiles and firefighting foam, but not in cookware.

Senate Bill 682 would phase out PFAS in cookware and other products where safer alternatives exist. The independent scientific and medical community support SB 682 and swift action to reduce exposures to toxic PFAS.

Unfortunately, cookware manufacturers who make both PFAS (Teflon) non-stick pans and PFAS-free alternatives are trying to block passage of the bill. They claim Teflon is safe, contrary to the conclusions of Californias Department of Toxic Substances Control and independent scientists. The claims ignore significant harms from the production and disposal of Teflon and the generation of PFAS microplastics.

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Katie Pelch

Senior scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council

Elder protections needed

Sacramento grand jury finds 97% of financial elder abuse cases not prosecuted, (sacbee.com, June 5)

Recently, a bipartisan group of attorneys general warned Meta that their platforms are enabling scammers to rob seniors through fake online advertisements. As a nurse and caregiver for over 35 years, Ive seen the heartbreaking fallout up close.

Most of these cases often arent even investigated, let alone prosecuted. Everyone  tech, telecom, AI, banks, law enforcement and government  has a role in preventing these crimes that disrupt lives. No single entity can tackle the systemic problem alone. It will only worsen as scammers become more sophisticated.

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We need greater investment in elder protections: social workers, trained law enforcement and public education campaigns for caregivers and families. Seniors deserve dignity and safety  not to be at the mercy of internet con artists.

Paige Nees, RN

Rolling Hills Estates
UPDATE: Investigators tell us that Ivelisse has been located and is safe.

GROVETOWN, Ga (WJBF)- The Grovetown Police Department is asking for your help with a missing elderly woman.

66-year-old Ivelisse Lora.

66-year-old Ivelisse Lora was last seen around 10:30 p.m. at the McDonalds on Horizon South Parkway.

She was wearing a sleeveless black shirt and beige shorts carrying large grocery bags. Police say she may be staying at a hotel or motel in the CSRA.

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If you see her- please call the Grovetown Police Department at (706) 863-1212.

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A high-ranking Chicago police supervisor faced withering public criticism last week for his involvement in a wrongful 2001 murder conviction that was reversed last year by the Illinois Appellate Court.

And now at least two CPD district councils plan to hold symbolic no-confidence votes in John Foster, commander of Area 5 detectives, who oversees the investigations into the most serious crimes across the Northwest Side.

The confrontation unfolded Monday evening during a public meeting at Kosciuszko Park, attended by Foster and other Police Department officials. During the public comment portion of the meeting, more than a half dozen people invoked Fosters ties to the prosecution of Kevin Jackson, a man wrongfully convicted in a 2001 murder in West Englewood.

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Were not here to make false allegations (or) accusations against this commander, Jasmine Smith, co-chair of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, said at the meeting. This is indeed the facts.

If innocent people are in prison, where are the real criminals? Smith added. Theyre still on our damn streets and that aint right.

Jackson, who spent more than two decades in prison before he was released, was among those in attendance. It was the first time hed seen Foster since 2001, when he and Detective Brian Forberg, his partner, placed Jackson under arrest. Jackson did not make any statements about his conviction.

Several meeting attendees told the Tribune that Foster did not address the comments related to the Jackson case and sought to discuss the status of current sexual assault investigations in Area 5. Foster did not respond to a request for comment last week.

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A CPD spokesperson declined to comment on the meeting. The Police Department, as a matter of practice, typically does not comment on personnel matters.

Anthony Tamez, chair of the Albany Park (17th) District Council, said he plans to hold a non-binding no-confidence vote in Fosters command at that councils next meeting.

There is never not a time when someone can be held accountable for their actions or their past actions, Tamez said.

It was an open, public meeting where they are talking about investigations in Area 5, and residents  rightfully so  asked some pretty tough questions along the lines of, How are we supposed to be able to trust you and trust that these investigations are being conducted in a way thats ethical and that is in line with what the majority of Chicagoans want to see from our Police Department?

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City records show the Shakespeare (14th) District Council plans to hold a no-confidence vote in Foster during its next meeting as well.

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability has authority to remove the CPD superintendent, chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and the president of the Chicago Police Board.

The commission, which also oversees the district councils, has no say in the departments command staff. Those decisions rest solely with Superintendent Larry Snelling, who recently assumed most of the duties of the departments first deputy superintendent, Yolanda Talley.

Foster joined the department more than 30 years ago and has spent most of his career as a detective and supervisor. In 2001, he was a homicide detective in Area 1 on the South Side, partnered with Forberg.

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Ernest Jenkins was shot and killed in May 2001 in a gas station parking lot at Garfield Boulevard and Damen Avenue. Jackson was arrested and charged the next month. Foster and Forberg  who retired from CPD in 2023 and was rehired six months later, records show  were the two detectives assigned to the case.

Jackson was found guilty in 2003 and sentenced to 45 years in prison. In October 2024, a panel of Illinois Appellate Court judges ordered Jacksons release.

Cook County prosecutors dropped all charges against Jackson in February, court records show. Soon after, Jacksons lawyers filed a 152-page petition for a certificate of innocence  usually a precursor to a federal civil rights lawsuit  though the case remains pending as the attorneys seek to reassign the case to a different judge.

The decision by the state appellate court to free Jackson came after several years of reinvestigation by special prosecutors who found Jacksons conviction presents a microcosm of the many ways in which a police investigation into a serious violent crime can fail.

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The special prosecutors report noted that the states case against Jackson in its entirety was based on statements that witnesses gave to detectives, only to then retract at trial, alleging a number of coercive tactics.

One such witness was a pregnant woman who said the detectives threatened that shed give birth to her child in jail and lose custody if she didnt name their suspect, the report said. It also said that detectives ignored evidence of a different perpetrator.

Any reasonable review of the case, the panel of judges said, would determine these convictions resulted solely from coerced and false statements.

Eric Winstrom, chief of police in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since 2022, was commander of Area 5 detectives before Foster.

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Winstrom previously told the Tribune that he recruited Foster, who until that point had spent his career on the South Side, to Area 5 in 2020. After Winstrom left CPD for Michigan, he called Foster the best investigator in the Chicago Police Department.

And data suggest Foster has found success.

Police Department records obtained by the Tribune via the Freedom of Information Act show Area 5 had the highest homicide clearance rate of any of the CPDs five areas in 2024.

Winstrom says there were three main reasons he tapped Foster  who he described as a workaholic and the most tenacious guy youve ever met  to become the Area 5 homicide lieutenant.

That he actually cares about people, that he will work a 48-hour day if its required, and, not only is he a very smart guy, but hes kept up with all the changes in technology, Winstrom said. I mean, he was perfect. Those were all the reasons I brought him (to Area 5).
FANCY FARM, Ky.  The 145th annual Fancy Farm Picnic wasn't short on BBQ  or political zingers.

The event drew its typical rowdiness as politicians gave short speeches on a stage, with supporters of three high-profile Republican candidates running to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell packing the crowd.

All of this year's lineup of speakers came from the GOP, save for John "Drew" Williams, who's announced a bid against U.S. Rep. James Comer.

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Here are some of the zingers that were dished out out.

Emcee Ashli Watts

"I am the first woman to emcee the picnic in 145 years, which I guess makes me the official Fancy Farm DEI hire," Watts said. Ashli Watts, president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, who spoke first to kick off the political barbs at St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky. Watts cracked jokes on the Republicans in attendance such as Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and KET.

Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, is the first woman emcee in Fancy Farm history.

She wasted no time making wisecracks about that fact.

"I am the first woman to emcee the picnic in 145 years, which I guess makes me the official Fancy Farm DEI hire," Watts said.

She also poked fun at the "solicited and unsolicited advice" she received when preparing for her monologue.

"I just want to take a moment to thank all the men out there who gave me so much unsolicited advice," Watts said. "Truly, nothing gets you ready for the job like having political jokes mansplained to you."

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Watts also joked about McConnell's retirement as he sat on stage.

"Democrats are panicking about losing their second favorite person to blame, Republicans are pancking about losing their first favorite person to blame, and C-SPAN is panicking about losing its most consistent source of dramatic pauses," she said.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell-KY and his wife Elaine Chao on the speakers' stage at the St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

McConnell didn't focus on the typical zingers during his speech.

Instead, he focused on policy, mentioning a recent visit with President Donald Trump where the pair talked about the decision to bomb Iran.

"I told him he made the right call," McConnell said. "This is how you restore peace through strength. America is stronger and safer with Republicans in charge in Washington."

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McConnell was also quick to criticize former President Joe Biden and his administration.

"The Biden DOJ went undercover to intimidate Catholics, and crazy climate change rules made a tough job tougher for all the Grave County farmers," he said.

Congressional candidate John "Drew" Williams

U.S. Representative Democrat candidate John "Drew" Williams urged for common ground between both parties at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

Williams, the Democrat running to unseat Comer, had one consistent message to Western Kentucky voters: He brings service to the community.

"For the last six years, I've been building a community from the ground level," Williams said. "I've been listening to people's needs without political power. I even helped serve the Fancy Farm Picnic today."

While Williams focused on his community work, he also criticized Comer, saying "he's not like us."

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"Western Kentuckians don't like big money politics or career politicians, or people who had to move to gain communities in Frankfort so far away, they had to redraw the district," Williams said.

U.S. Rep. James Comer

As a Comer supporter holds up a sign that mocks former President Joe Biden's autopen, U.S. Rep. James Comer and wife Tamara Jo wave to the crowd after he speaks at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

Comer, who represents Western Kentucky in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, partly touted his prominent position as chairman of the House Oversight Committee during his speech.

"I love this environment," Comer said. "It's like a regular House Oversight Committee meeting."

Most of Comer's speech consisted of criticizing Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's lack of attendance and the media.

"But now, (the media) is on one of its newest false narratives, and that is Andy Beshear is popular in rural areas," Comer said. "Some of you are writing that Andy Beshear can help deliver rural America in 2028. Well, y'all obviously didn't grow up in rural Kentucky."

Senate candidate Daniel Cameron

"Andy Barr wants you to think he's America First, but it's hard to believe him when he voted with Nancy Pelosi 1,200 times," said Daniel Cameron, a former Kentucky attorney general and CEO of the 1792 Exchange. Cameron is a U.S. Senate candidate and hopes to take the seat of the retiring Mitch McConnell at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

While U.S. Senate candidate Cameron emphasized in the beginning of his speech that he would support President Donald Trump's America First Agenda, he also used his time to critize opponents Andy Barr and Nate Morris.

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"Andy Barr wants you to think he's America First, but it's hard to believe him when he voted with Nancy Pelosi 1,200 times," said Cameron, a former Kentucky attorney general and CEO of the 1792 Exchange.

In regard to Morris, Cameron specifically called out the businessman's work dealings.

"(Morris) talks tough about deporting illegals, but the only thing he's ever sent across the border is his business," he said. "You can't stand up for American workers when the only experience you've had is firing them."

Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Andy Barr

U.S. Representative Andy Barr speaks at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky. "Nate (Morris) calls himself the trash man, but dumpster fire is more like it," Barr said.

Barr made sure to tout his current position represening Kentucky's 6th Congressional District while campaigning for U.S. Senate, but that didn't stop him from taking a couple jabs at Cameron and Morris.

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"Nate calls himself the trash man, but dumpster fire is more like it," Barr said.

He later referrenced Cameron's loss to Beshear in the 2023 gubernatorial race

"I'd say anyone can beat (Beshear), but I wouldn't want to offend Daniel Cameron," Barr said. "Good to see you Daniel, I think we're going to keep the tradition alive of Andys beating Daniels."

Senate candidate Nate Morris

U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris gave a thumbs up as he arrives at Fancy Farm picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky. The businessman rode into the parking lot in one of his garbage trucks.

Morris' speech partly focused on criticizing McConnell  something he's consistently done as part of his campaign.

"Why is it that you all get defensive when I talk about a man who is a year older than Biden, just as mentally compromised and holds the same positions as Biden on amnesty, Ukraine funding and hating Trump?" Morris said.

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He also called Barr and Cameron "McConnell boys."

"Andy and Daniel, you know, today might be the perfect day to break some real news.  Perhaps you could both show us the seat of your britches so we can finally understand exactly where Mitchs hand goes in," Morris said.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm 2025: Best zingers from Kentucky's political picnic
The government, our government, says dont go to Haiti. Its one of only two countries in the Western Hemisphere with this severe warning.

I go anyway. I have been visiting Haiti for the past 20 years and I know, even if the U.S. State Department doesnt, that Milot is not Port-au-Prince. My destination has little more in common with Haiti's capital and its violent takeover by gangs than my hometown of South Berwick, Maine, has with New York City or L.A.

Still, if something should happen to me in Haiti, if the gangs that have taken over the south decide to come north, the U.S. government will not help me get out. I have been forewarned.

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Today, after four days at the Eben Ezer School in Milot, I am awaiting my departure flight in Cap Haitien International Airport, the only airport with flights flying in and out of Haiti since November, when two planes in Port-au-Prince Airport were bombed by gangs and the airport shut down.

For the first time, I see no other blancs in the airport. No missionaries, no doctors, no USAID folks. I am in Haiti to visit a school started in 2001 by Lucia, a Haitian American woman who has become a friend, a trusted friend. She tells me I will be safe and so I go.

A photo of a Haitian painting hanging in the guest house next to the Eben Ezer School.

I am the person who helps raise money to pay teachers, buy books and expand the school. And while Lucia maneuvers skillfully through the culture and logistics of Haiti, I get to know educators like Mirlene, who helps line up the kids for photos and Lucien, the principal who juggles the challenge of running a school. I tell stories that write themselves so the Eben Ezer has funds to educate hundreds of children a year in a country where half the people cant read.

Haiti is most often referred as the poorest county in this hemisphere. Haitians more often recall it is the worlds first Black democracy, the only place where slaves revolted and won their freedom.

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Over the years I have been visiting Milot, I have come to look beyond the garbage that lines the roads, beyond the children with shoes that dont match or who are without shoes at all.

Over the years, trash and poverty have faded into the background while the three-year-old boys who walk around the school arm in arm, with no idea of the future they will face, have shown me the best of human nature.

On this trip, I joined students for a chaotic end-of-year party. It was joyful chaos. Children frolicked and splashed in a wading pool as children do everywhere. Parents and students swayed to music on a loudspeaker.

This trip, though, this trip feels different. If the gangs have not reached the north yet, their actions and the lack of a working government have left their desperate mark.

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I used to ride around in the back of pickup trucks, absorbing the sights of Haiti - rows of bamboo for sale; goats nibbling snacks along the road; children ambling from school in uniforms. Now I stay invisible in the cab, not wanting to attract attention. Streets that were rough are nearly impassable. The detritus of vehicles no one can afford to fix and garbage no one carts away have reentered the foreground.

LaKaye restaurant, which once bustled with visiting Haitian-Americans and aid workers is now nearly empty. I spend $75 for three of us to eat, about what a teacher earns in three weeks.

It has always been challenging to reconcile my life, the life of everyone I know in the States, with the challenges facing the people I meet in Haiti. Today, it feels impossible.

Everyone around me on my plane is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, all Haitian. Unlike me, they make peace with traversing two universes - one where they can afford an airline ticket and another where children cant afford books or for school; one where they purchase the fashionable outfits for travel only to reach a population dressed in hand-me-down T-shirts. More crucially, they now live in a country where most people have three meals a day while they visit one where half the people are on the edge of starvation. They jump between Haitian Creole and English as easily as they traverse these worlds.

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Earlier last month, my government told Haitians they cannot come to the U.S. anymore. Not to live. Not to work. Not to visit. Last month, the heartbeat of America got weaker.

In an hour my plane will depart for Miami. In a few days, the raw tragedy of Haiti will feel distant. In a month, the discomfort may fade to a dull ache. The story will continue, though, of the Eben Ezer School and the 500 children who will return in September to learn to read and write, perhaps the first step to a better future.

Amy Miller is a freelance writer, an editor of the online South Berwick Reporter and a board member of Life and Hope Haiti.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Haiti: They say its dangerous but its in fact beautiful: Miller
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Police in Haiti have arrested a former senator charged with conspiring against the state and financing criminal organizations for allegedly supporting gang members.

Nenel Cassy was arrested Saturday at a restaurant in Petionville, a wealthy district of the capital, Port-au Prince, Haitis National Police said in a post on Facebook. The police shared photos of the former senator in handcuffs next to heavily armed officers wearing ski masks.

Arrests of high level officials are rare in Haiti, where the government is also struggling to control neighborhoods and villages that have been taken over by gangs.

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Cassy was designated as a corrupt actor by the U.S. State Department in 2023. He was accused by Haiti's police in February of backing gang members who launched deadly attacks on Kenscoff, a neighborhood 10 kilometers (6 miles) outside Port-au-Prince that is home to much of the nation's elite. Kenscoff had been largely untouched by Haiti's gang violence until February's attacks in which dozens of people were killed. The neighborhood is now being targeted by gangs that are trying to seize more territory from Haiti's government.

On Sunday, Kenscoff's mayor told The Associated Press that nine workers were kidnapped from an orphanage in that neighborhood by armed men, including a foreign citizen whose nationality has not been confirmed. Mayor Massillon Jean said the attack happened around 2 a.m.

The orphanage that came under attack on Sunday is run by Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, an international charity with offices in Mexico and France that is also known as NPH. It shelters more than 240 children, according to the organization's website.

In a statement published on Sunday, NPH said that seven staff members and one youth were taken from its home for vulnerable and at risk children in Kenscoff.

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The organization confirmed that one of the staff members taken is a foreigner, whose identity and nationality will not be revealed for security reasons. NPH also said that two hospitals it runs in Haiti will be closed until the people taken from its orphanage have been safely released.

Gangs control 90% of Haitis capital, according to the United Nations, and in recent months they have been launching attacks on previously peaceful communities.

More than 5,600 people were reported killed in Haiti last year, with gang violence leaving more than 1 million people homeless in recent years, according to the U.N. The UN recorded 185 victims of kidnapping in Haiti between April and June of this year, and said that gangs commit this crime to subjugate people in areas under their control.
HAMAS TERRORISTS keep guard on the day Hamas handed over deceased hostages, in Khan Yunis, Feb. 20, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS)

Their statement came after a conversation between Netanyahu and the regional head of the Red Cross.

Hamas claimed on Sunday night that they're willing to "respond to any Red Cross request to deliver food and medicine" to the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, in a statement published to social media.

The terrorist organization also claimed that they "do not intentionally starve prisoners, but they eat what our Mujahideen and all our people eat."

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Their statement came only after the head of the regional International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Julien Lerisson, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a conversation that the ICRC continues to push for access to the hostages so that the organization can provide them with care and restore contact between them and their families, according to a statement from the organization.

Netanyahu had demanded in the conversation that the ICRC provide food and immediate medical care to the remaining hostages in Gaza.

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad released several videos of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski over the weekend, in which the two appeared emaciated. In the videos, both talked about hardly having any food or water.

Israeli hostage Evyatar David as he appears in a Hamas propaganda video, August 2, 2025. (credit: Screenshot/Telegram, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

The Foreign Ministry on Saturday drew attention to the different muscle and fat composition on the arm of a terrorist captured in the video Hamas published of David.

Look at Davids arms  an Israeli hostage, starved to the edge of collapse, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X/Twitter.

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Now, look at the arm of his Palestinian Hamas captor  strong, well-fed, offering out a can for show.

The Hamas propaganda unit made a mistake. In minute 02:31 of their disgusting video, a Hamas terrorist gives Evyatar a can of food. One can see that the terrorists arm is thicker than both Evyatars legs. The only people being starved in Gaza are the hostages, a diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post.

This is a developing story.
US envoy Steve Witkoff told the families of the hostages that Israel and the United States are currently working on a framework to end the war and secure the release of all hostages.

The terrorist organization Hamas is now demanding the entry of at least 250 humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip daily as a precondition for returning to the negotiating table, a source familiar with the details of the talks told The Jerusalem Post.

This message was conveyed to the mediators in recent days, as part of Hamas new policy of refusing to engage with Israel unless there is a significant improvement in the humanitarian situation.

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There is a growing understanding that Hamas is not interested in a deal, an Israeli official said.

We are in discussions with the Americans. As a result, the prime minister is pushing for the release of the hostages while pursuing a military resolution, combined with the provision of humanitarian aid to areas outside the combat zones and, to the extent possible, to regions not under Hamas control.

Following the visit of US President Trumps envoy,Steve Witkoff, to Israel and his meetings with senior Israeli officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been holding discussions regarding the future of the war in Gaza.

A broader meeting on the matter is expected to convene on Tuesday, an Israeli official told the Post.

Witkoff told the families of the hostages that Israel and the United States were currently working on a framework to end the war and secure the release of all hostages. At this stage, it is unclear when this plan will be presented and whether it will include an ultimatum to Hamas  either accept the deal or face a full-scale Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. A source involved in the talks said that formulating a deal with Hamas to end the war will take months. These will be very complex negotiations.

Hamas releases hostage videos

After the release of distressing images by terrorist groups showing hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Julien Harneis, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation to the Middle East. Netanyahu urged him to immediately intervene to ensure the hostages receive food and medical care.

US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff with families of Gaza hostages at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, August 2, 2025. (credit: PAULINA PATIMER)

I told him clearly: Hamass lie about starvation is being spread around the world, but the reality is that systematic starvation is being carried out against our hostages  men and women who are subjected to severe and brutal physical and psychological abuse. The world cannot remain indifferent to these horrific images, which evoke memories of Nazi crimes, the prime minister said in an official statement.

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In addition, Netanyahu called for international condemnation of the terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad  and for an end to all forms of support for them, whether direct or indirect.

I emphasized to him [Julien Lerisson] that the actions of these terrorist groups violate international law and the Geneva Convention, the prime minister said.

Hostage Rom Braslavski is seen lying on a mattress, saying he has pain in his foot and has difficulty standing, and is suffering from severe hunger, in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad video originally published on Thursday.

The Braslavskis family on Sunday night approved the publication of the contents of the propaganda video.

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Ive run out of food and water. They would give me a little bit of food, but today, nothing at all, he said in the propaganda video. Only three pieces of falafel, thats what I ate today. Yesterday I barely ate a plate of rice. Bring in food, a liter of water. I am on the verge of death.

The video also shows Braslavski writing in a notebook in Hebrew: Get me out of here now! With a drawing of a hostage pin. The date on the notebook indicates that it was filmed on July 20 last month.

PIJ claimed that this was the last footage of Braslavski before contact with his guards was lost two days later.

Tami, Braslavskis mother, said: I tried to suppress the reality, but when I watched the video, reality hit me. When you hear him saying these things out loud, it becomes truth, despite how difficult it is to believe.

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The nightmare I was only afraid to imagine is real. The fear we live with has become more tangible than ever, and its important that the whole world sees this, despite my personal difficulty in publicly showing my Rom in the dire condition hes in.

I have never seen my son like this. Rom is not shouting or angry he speaks quietly, in a weak voice like a person who has accepted the fact that theres nothing left to fight for and may not come out of there alive, she continued. They say that when words run out, tears speak. Rom, my life, I am crying with you.

Braslavskis family said they were deeply shaken by the videos contents.

Braslavski was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, where he was working security.
Demonstrators protest, calling for the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, July 26, 2025 (photo credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)

Hamas is ready to deliver Red Cross aid to the hostages it is holding in Gaza if Israel opens humanitarian corridors permanently.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded skeptically to Hamass Sunday evening claim that the terror group would allow the Red Cross to deliver aid to the hostages.

Hamas's announcement about their willingness to cooperate with the Red Cross to deliver food to hostages cannot hide the fact that we are dealing with an evil terrorist organization that has been holding innocent people in impossible conditions for over 660 days, the forum said.

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We demand the immediate release of all 50 hostages. Until their release, Hamas has the obligation to provide them with everything they need. Hamas kidnapped them, and they must care for them. Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas's hands.

Hamas's Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades is ready to deliver Red Cross aid to the hostages it is holding in Gaza if Israel opens humanitarian corridors permanently and halts "all forms of air traffic" during the delivery of packages to the hostages, the terror group's spokesperson said earlier.

Hamas made the statement after the terror group, along with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, published videos showing emaciated hostages. The terror group was widely condemned after the video of Evyatar David captured the arm of a terrorist, which did not appear emaciated in contrast to the captive.

A screengrab from a Hamas propaganda video with Israeli hostage Evyatar David. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

Demands for immediate hostage release

As referenced by the forum, calls for the Red Cross to visit the hostages have gone unanswered throughout the war. Efforts to ensure hostages were given their medication through the Red Cross were thwarted by Hamas.

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They may not survive the next few days without immediate help, the forum asserted. These heartbreaking images reveal hostages who are starving while their captors remain well-fed.

The forum also stressed that while the transfer of resources through the Red Cross was a welcome possibility, only the immediate release of all hostages can truly save their lives.
Hamas has released a video of an emaciated Israeli hostage digging his own grave inside a small tunnel in Gaza.

In the video, Evayatar David says: This is the grave I think Im going to be buried in. Time is running out. You are the only ones who can end this.

The video was approved for publication by his family despite concerns that Mr David was speaking under duress and being used as a propaganda tool by the terror group.

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It is the third time Hamas and affiliated groups have released videos of what appear to be starving hostages in recent days.

On Sunday morning the EU called the videos appalling and barbaric and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said he had met families of hostages to express his profound shock.

It comes as Gazans face a major food crisis, with widespread reports of malnutrition and hunger. Israel has been accused of intentionally starving the Strip to force Hamas into a surrender as part of a hostage release deal.

Six more people died of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry said on Sunday.

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It came as Israel said it allowed a delivery of fuel to the enclave. Egyptian state news said two trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said later in the day that four tankers of UN fuel had entered to help in operations of hospitals, bakeries, public kitchens and other essential services.

Matan Eshet and Ilay David, cousin and brother of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David - Heathcliff O'Malley

Hamas armed wing is ready to deliver Red Cross aid to the hostages it is holding in Gaza if Israel opens humanitarian corridors permanently and halts all forms of air traffic during the delivery of packages to the hostages, its military spokesman said on Sunday.

The response came after Mr Netanyahu requested that the ICRC help provide food to the hostages held in Gaza, and after the agency issued a call to be granted access to the hostages.

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In the most recent video, Mr David is heard appealing to Mr Netanyahu to get him and the remaining 49 hostages out, accusing him of abandoning them.

Mr David, 24, shows a calendar of the month of July that he himself made, explaining which days he ate, mostly lentils and beans. At the end of the video Mr David, bare chested, pale and weak, is shown digging his own grave.

His brother, Ilay, accused Hamas of using him in one of the most horrific and calculated campaigns of cruelty imaginable - a live hunger experiment.

Its an act so vile, it scars the very soul of humanity, he said at a rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

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The David family also released a joint statement, predicting that he only has a few days left to live in his current condition.

The humanitarian aid that the world, together with Israel, provides to the residents of Gaza must also reach Evyatar, the family said, calling on the Israeli government, the US and the rest of the world to do everything possible to save Evyatar from death and ensure, by any means necessary, that he urgently receives food and medical care.

Omer Wenkert, an Israeli former hostage, also spoke at the rally on Saturday, saying that he believed the Hamas captors will have a plentiful supply of food.

I know they have food there beyond the door. I used to smell it every day while I was getting two handfuls of rice a day. They have light, they have everything there to give, so why, why, why dont they give it? he said.

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Other former hostages have also testified that Hamas brought humanitarian aid from international NGOs down the tunnels, eating like kings without offering anything to the captives.

Terrible suffering

Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, called on his counterparts around the world to express a moral and ethical stance and to exert every possible influence to end the terrible suffering of the Israeli hostages.

Mr Saar also initiated a special UN Security Council meeting on the issue of the Israeli hostages and their situation.

The world cannot remain silent in the face of the difficult images that are the result of deliberate sadistic abuse of the hostages, which also includes starvation by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Mr Saar said.

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David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said: The images of hostages being paraded for propaganda are sickening. Every hostage must be released unconditionally. Hamas must disarm and have no control over Gaza.

Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign affairs chief, called the videos appalling, saying that they expose the barbarity of Hamas.

All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. Hamas must disarm and end its rule in Gaza. At the same time, large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need, Ms Kallas said.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said the hostage videos showed inhumanity without bounds.

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Speaking of the unbearable images, Mr Macron said: Abject cruelty, inhumanity without bounds: this is what Hamas represents.

Protestors in Tel Aviv demand the immediate release of hostages following video released by Hamas of Evyatar David - Ammar Awad/REUTERS

On Saturday tens of thousands of people had rallied in Tel Aviv to urge Mr Netanyahus government to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

The Israeli premier, who has faced mounting international pressure to halt the war, called on the entire world to take a stand against what he called the criminal Nazi abuse perpetrated by the Hamas terror organisation.

Israels campaign in Gaza has killed at least 60,430 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territorys health ministry, deemed reliable by the UN.

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Overnight from Saturday to Sunday, air raid sirens sounded in Israeli communities near the Gaza border, with the military saying that a projectile that was launched from the southern Gaza Strip was most likely intercepted.

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The Palestinian militant group Hamas on Sunday said it is prepared under certain conditions to allow the Red Cross to supply food and medicine to the Israeli hostages it is holding, after a video of an emaciated captive prompted international condemnation.

A spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the organization's military wing, announced on Telegram that they would respond positively to a request from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

However, he added that Israel must, in return, enable the comprehensive and permanent supply of aid for the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

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In addition, Israel must cease all aerial reconnaissance during the period in which help reaches the hostages, Hamas said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he has spoken to the ICRC's regional head of delegation, Julien Lerisson, and asked him to ensure that the Red Cross immediately supplies the Israeli hostages with food and medicine.

Hamas is holding the 20 remaining living hostages - who were seized in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel - in tunnels in Gaza under inhumane conditions.

In recent days, the organization has released videos showing two of the hostages in a state of acute malnutrition, dwindling physical strength and emotional suffering.

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The images have shocked the Israeli public and many people around the world over the weekend, with leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France's Emmanuel Macron expressing their horror.

In Israel, it is suspected that Hamas deliberately brought the hostages to the brink of starvation in order to exert pressure on the Netanyahu government.
The militant organization Hamas on Saturday said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

"The resistance and its weapons are a national and legal right as long as the [Israeli] occupation continues,"

The Palestinian group said in a statement that it would not give up "the resistance and its weapons... until our full national rights are restored, foremost among them the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."

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Hamas was responding to statements reportedly made by US envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with hostage families in Tel Aviv.

Witkoff reportedly cited Hamas as saying it was ready to demilitarize, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. "We are very close to ending this war," the group quoted him as saying.

According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages remain in the custody of Hamas and other groups, with at least 20 believed to still be alive. Months of efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages through indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are currently considered to have failed.

The unprecedented terrorist attack in October 2023 triggered the Gaza war. The attackers killed more than 1,200 people and abducted another 250 to the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive.

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According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza, 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so far. The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, though the vast majority of victims are said to be women, minors and the elderly.

France, Britain and Canada, in a shift in their policies, have in recent days announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state.

London and Ottawa have attached conditions to the plans, including the disarmament of Hamas, its release of all remaining hostages and its exclusion from any future government of Gaza.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A local HVAC company in Dauphin County recently acquired a new building that is set to become their corporate headquarters.

According to a release from MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services (MCRES), a local HVAC company called The Heating & Cooling Guys have officially signed a lease with Builderman Properties, LLC for 5,000 square feet of space at 3110 Pike Street in Paxtang.

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The Heating & Cooling Guys acquired this portion of the 14,000 square foot building with the intention of relocating its corporate headquarters.

The Heating & Cooling Guys had several diverse real estate needs and this highly-flexible and strategically-positioned building was able to accommodate every requirement, MacKenzies Vice President, Patrick Smith said. The new location will house the companys corporate and administrative staff, provide office for its technician and repair crew, and accommodate the storage of equipment, products, and vehicles in the interior and exterior areas. In addition, the tremendous location of the building will allow the company to quickly access a large radius throughout the Central Pennsylvania area.

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According to The Heat & Cooling Guys website, the company offers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services for residential and commercial customers. They also offer system installations, maintenance, and repairs.

The company was first founded back in 2019 and is veteran-owned and operated, and currently employs about 10 full-time employees.

MCRES says that VP Patrick Smith handled negotiations on behalf of the tenant, and Ida McMurray of CapStone Commercial represented the landlord in this recent transaction.

abc27 news will keep you updated as we learn more.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Police are investigating a shooting that hospitalized one person in Harrisburg early this morning.

According to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, on Sunday, August 3, at around 4 a.m., Harrisburg Police responded to the area of South 17th and Vernon Streets for a report of shots fired.

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Upon arrival, police say they encountered an adult male shooting victim. The male was immediately hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Harrisburg Police at 717-558-6900 or submit a tip through Crimewatch.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
A woman died months after prosecutors say her son stabbed her multiple times with a knife.

Maimouna Diop, 63, died July 27, nine months after her then-22-year-old son, Mouhamet Diop, is accused of stabbing her multiple times in the back inside a Hartwell apartment.

Cincinnati police received a 911 call around 3 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2024 from a caller who said they were fighting their mother with a knife and stabbed them, according to a dispatch log.

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Officers responded to the apartment off Anthony Wayne Avenue and found Maimouna Diop with life-threatening stab wounds in her back and shoulder, the dispatch log says. She was brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.

Mouhamet Diop admitted to police he stabbed his mother, according to an incident report. He was arrested and charged with felonious assault.

In the months since his arrest, Diop has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, according to court documents.

A court-approved psychiatric evaluation found in May that Diop was incompetent to stand trial but may become competent after treatment at a behavioral clinic, court documents say. Diop was then brought to a Cincinnati-area mental health facility for a year of treatment.

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Prosecutors have not yet charged Diop with homicide-related crimes but had previously filed to reserve the right to do so earlier this year given the extent of his mother's injuries, according to court documents.

Diop's public defender could not be immediately reached for comment on Aug. 3.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hartwell mother, 63, dies months after son admitted to stabbing her
HCA Florida Memorial Hospital donated 400 lunch bags and hand-cleaning wipes to the Boys & Girls Club in Nassau County on Wednesday, July 30, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida.

The donation aims to support the children served by the Northeast Florida Yulee Club as they prepare for the upcoming school year. The event took place at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, located at 942259 Old Nassauville Road, Fernandina Beach, FL.

Christopher Kovacs, Chief Operating Officer of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Shilpa Amin, ER Medical Director, were present at the donation event.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation Board of Directors members, along with children from the club, received the donations.

The hospitals freestanding HCA Florida Yulee Emergency is situated at the northeast corner of I-95 and State Road 200 in Yulee, underscoring its dedication to the local community.

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LONG ISLAND (PIX11)  Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of a heartless individual who abandoned an emaciated dog for dead on a Long Island street.

On July 19, a good Samaritan found a severely underweight Rhodesian Ridgeback, a typically large dog breed that usually weighs around 85 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club.

More Long Island News

Media handout Long Island Crime Stoppers

The dog was discovered in Mastic, New York, and was taken to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter. Authorities say the dog needed surgery and later died during the procedure.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and detectives from the District Attorneys Office and the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team are seeking information.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers

to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls, text messages, and emails will be kept confidential.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
After 20 years of working with elementary students as an educator, Justin Heid will begin his 21st year with Frederick County Public Schools as the president of the Frederick County Teachers Association.

Heid began his three-year term as the teachers union president on July 1 and previously served the school district as an elementary school teacher, as well as a math specialist and a reading intervention teacher specialist.

He has also served in other positions on the FCTA such as vice president and as a member of the Board of Directors.

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Heid said in an interview on Friday that he looks forward to hearing directly from educators about their needs and including all members in conversations that directly impact them and their students.

Building that membership and building that engagement in the association so [the members] can say, Hey, Im a part of this, he said. Not just, Im there because I pay my dues and theyre going to take care of it.

Heids first job after graduating from Shippensburg University in Pennyslvania was in FCPS. He began his education career as a kindergarten teacher at Walkersville Elementary School.

That first year teaching, he said, he joined the teachers union.

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You had heard of the word union, but it wasnt something that I knew anything about, Heid said.

By his second year at Walkersville Elementary, Heid became a building representative for the union, which meant he helped communicate the wants and needs of the Walkersville Elementary educators to the union.

Heid said he then served on the unions Board of Directors and as chair of multiple board committees, and later served as treasurer.

Former FCTA President Missy Dirks was beginning the last year of her first term when Heid was elected to be her vice president.

Heid said he was then appointed to negotiations chair, which helped to give him a better perspective on how to advocate for educators and specific contract language.

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When you get to the seat, and youre actually the one advocating and sharing the stories, sharing what is actually happening in the buildings ... this is why we need this [contract] language, he said.

Heid said he is trying to focus on being inclusive and getting members involved in union advocacy.

He said the theme for his first year as president is putting the you in union.

When COVID hit, a lot of people valued their own time, Heid said. In response, he said FCTA is trying to really be a member-driven association and make sure that they feel included and a part of the process.

Dirks served as FCTA president for the past decade and will be returning to the classroom as an elementary art teacher this fall. She said Heids ability to connect with people would be helpful as president.

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She said Heids background in leading both students and teachers will help him step into the role.

Managing and working with a group of adults is different than children, and Justin has that experience already, Dirks said.

In June, the Frederick County Board of Education ratified a contract with FCTA. Teachers union members saw a 2% increase in salary for a cost of living adjustment, which members said was lower than they hoped.

Heid said since salary and benefit negotiations are on the table every year, he wants to make sure FCPS is competitive compared to surrounding counties like Montgomery.

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The Blueprint for Marylands Future is a set of education policies signed into law beginning in 2018. It was meant to be implemented over the course of a decade, and includes mandates such as a starting salary of $60,000 for teachers by the summer of 2026.

Heid said the starting salary for a teacher with a bachelors degree in FCPS is $57,659, including the 2% increase.

There is still a gap there, he said. We didnt get as much as we wanted this year, but we did get something. We have a good gap to fill to get to that $60,000.

Dirks said Heid helps to enable members to better their current situations.

Hes never the person in the room that demands everybodys attention and wants to be in control in that way, she said. He very much wants to build a sense of community and empower everyone.
(KRON)  The Fremont Police Department retook to social media on Saturday to update the public on its search to locate 16-year-old Katie Hong. The teenager has been gone for more than seven days.

Wanted Bay Area man caught stealing 21 bottles of probiotics: sheriffs office

FPD said Katie was last seen around 6:20 p.m. on Friday, July 25. Investigators confirmed she was spotted in the area of Queens Park Court as she headed towards Irvington Community Park in Fremont. She since vanished and is considered to be risk, according to Fremont PD.

Photo courtesy of Fremont Police Department.

We continue to follow up on all potential leads and partner with the community and other agencies to locate Katie, said authorities. Please spread the word and help us bring Katie home.

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Katie is described as a Korean American female with brown eyes and dark brown hair with braces. She is approximately 5 feet tall and weighs 100 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, Katie was wearing a navy-blue mid zip-up jacket, grey sweats, and a red Patagonia backpack.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Fremont Police Investigations Unit at (510) 790-6900 or text Tip FremontPD with your message to 888-777. Those with leads for police can also visit https://fremontpolice.gov/Tip.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Just two hours before her Senate hearing to become the next director of the Bureau of Land Management, Kathleen Sgamma received a call from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. She was loading into a car with her family to drive to the Capitol when he told her that she needed to withdraw her nomination.

Sgamma told E&E News by Politico about the exchange this past May. Burgum, she explained to the reporter, basically told me that I had failed vetting.

The reason Burgum gave was a leaked memo Sgamma wrote to oil and gas executives following the Jan. 6 attack on the capitol. I am disgusted by the violence witnessed yesterday and President Trumps role in spreading misinformation that incited it, she wrote.

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We must listen to and accept others whom we disagree with, even when they dont return that respect, she wrote. By making this effort individually and together as citizens, we may eventually get political leaders who better reflect the ideals of our nation.

Prior to the BLM nomination, Sgamma  a Buffalo, New York, native  was the president of the Denver-based Western Energy Alliance, an oil and gas trade organization that advocates for extractive industries in the Intermountain West, where she had worked for 20 years.

A graduate of MIT and Virginia Tech with several years of experience as a U.S. Army intelligence officer, Sgamma described herself as someone with a natural proclivity for public lands.

Where that proclivity often produces conservationists, Sgamma took the road less traveled, becoming a staunch oil, gas and natural resources advocate. She often testified in Congress on behalf of her clients, and was a feature in court cases over National Environmental Protection Act reviews that impacted the companies she represented. Sgamma was also a named contributor to Project 2025s section on the Department of the Interior.

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Four years after she wrote that memo, Sgammas bid to join the administration of the same political leader she wrote was discredited came to a rather abrupt end. She is still disappointed about how things worked out, but reiterated that if there was any bitterness its completely gone now, thats for sure.

The Deseret News recently spoke with her about the priorities for public land management, renewables, the Bundy family, public land sales, and how the BLM can get its authority and trust back. The discussion has been edited for length and clarity.

Bureau of Land Management land is pictured in Tooele County on Monday, July 7, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Deseret News: What were your priorities then and what do you think are the biggest issues facing the Bureau of Land Management now?

KS: My priorities are what I think are the biggest issues facing the BLM. First and foremost, the priority is the unleashing of American energy. Obviously thats a priority of the president, so that would have been my priority. I thought the secretarial order, Unleashing American Energy  with the laundry list of things that needed to get done  is spot on.

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The other priority is to figure out how to get NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) done in a timely manner, thats legally defensible. Congress passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act that (stipulated) NEPA should be done within two years, and it should be a reasonable page limit.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act helps to insulate the bureau in court when it comes to our RMPs (resource management plans). They dont have to be science projects, they dont have to be years-long research projects. Weve seen judges flyspeck BLM NEPA in the past (flyspeck in a legal context means to pay meticulous, close attention to minute details while seeking flaws) and Congress has clearly said, Nope  its to look at environmental impacts that are of approximate cause and it is to get it done in a reasonable time, so that we can make it in America.

Then, thirdly, is to leave the land better than we found it. Continue to make progress on reducing invasive species, to reduce fuel load to handle wildfires better. Can we do something about wild horses so theyre not ripping up the range and crowding out native species?

Regulation and renewables

DN: What do you think the role of regulation plays for the BLM? It can be a contentious part of land management, and so Im curious to understand how you navigate that tension with NEPA or regulation otherwise.

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KS: I kind of glazed over it with my first priority which is unleashing American energy. In that secretarial order was quite a bit about permitting, so BLM needs to get to regular order on permitting not just for oil and gas but also for ranchers.

They need an update to their permitting rule. We shouldnt be putting ranchers in that uncertainty of not knowing if theyre going to get their grazing permits renewed every 10 years. So regularity for all kinds of different regulations is absolutely necessary at the BLM.

DN: One of the places that struggles the most with regulation is renewable energy  geothermals in Utah, for example. What do you think is the role of renewables in releasing Americas energy future?

KS: There are certain areas with geothermal resources and we should be able to develop those as well  weve got some great resources in Utah and Nevada and all across the West. Permitting should be certain and it should be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time when looking at renewables, as well as critical minerals which are absolutely essential for renewables and also a whole host of other applications as well.

The FORGE geothermal demonstration site near Milford on Thursday, July 6, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

There was a critical minerals mine that took 19 years to get through the NEPA. That is ridiculous. We know how to do mining. We know how to mitigate the impacts from mining. Modern mining is done in a way that is protective of the environment and so that should take a couple of years, not 19.

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DN: How about wind and solar? There are complaints that, in an effort to push extractive leases, the current administration is putting restrictions on other renewable energy sources.

KS: Well, there should be certainty for all kinds of different energy sources. The thing about wind and solar is that they take up a huge amount of land for very little energy. So we saw in the previous administration and the Obama administration, that they favored renewables  wind and solar  over oil and gas.

They put more resources there and wind and solar dont return any revenue to them. Oil and gas do. (The Biden and Obama administrations) fast-tracked their NEPA (reviews) and completely ignored the impact of mines. They completely ignored the impact on birds and other wildlife.

Not completely, I mean wildlife held up  desert animals, particularly, with solar  but they would downplay it. So the permitting and NEPA for renewables should recognize the impacts. It shouldnt be favored over oil and gas. It should be a balance.

The Elektron Solar Project is pictured west of Grantsville in Tooele County on Monday, June 24, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

DN: In terms of unleashing Americas energy potential, do you think considerations should be made for the impacts of burning fossil fuels and how that affects the climate?

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KS: Well, I think weve gotten past this notion that we can just get rid of fossil fuels and then climate change will be solved. We dont have alternatives that do everything that oil, gas and coal do. In the absence of actual alternatives that are 24/7 reliable, that dont chew up the land, dont take up so much mining  we cant even mine enough to completely replace oil gas and coal with renewables  its a pipe dream to think that we can replace everything with wind and solar. Thats just not how it works.

Highest and best land use

DN: Do you think theres a way for the future of the BLM to find a middle ground between those who prioritize conservation and those who prioritize natural resource extraction?

KS: That is BLMs lot in life. It is the red-headed stepchild of the federal land management agencies. Everybody loves the park service and we lock away national parks, and thats a clear preservationist agenda.

But BLM has a multiple-use agenda, and it does have to balance those multiple uses. It has to balance conservation with productive uses on appropriate working landscapes. It will never please everybody. It will always have people screaming at it, but thats just the nature of multiple-use lands. You have to have a thick skin.

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DN: In your estimation, what is the highest and best use of our public lands?

KS: Well, the highest and best use depends on the area youre talking about. Obviously, the highest and best use of Arches National Park is preservation only. The highest and best use of the Uinta Basin is for oil and natural gas development, because its a huge resource. So it depends on the area youre in, what your highest and best use is.

Tourists gather at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Friday, June 3, 2016. | Ravell Call

DN: What about the areas whose use cases are unclear and also hyper-contentious, such as Bears Ears or Grand Staircase?

KS: Thats a great example of why when you decree something from on high without a public process  national monuments are decreed by the president  thats when you get the most conflict. President Clinton (did) Grand Staircase-Escalante behind everybodys back without notifying Utah because he knew that those on the ground would oppose that action.

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The Antiquities Act designations dont require any NEPA review  its the only major federal action on public lands that dont require NEPA. So they dont go through any kind of public input process. Then you get those contentious issues like with Bears Ears and Grand Staircase. Its perpetual. It never goes away.

Who should manage public lands?

DN: Who are the best stewards of public lands?

KS: Ultimately, private landholders always take care of their land better than federal bureaucrats, flat out. We know that private forests are managed better than the Forest Service, for example.

That doesnt mean there arent really well-managed forests or really well-managed parts of the BLM surface estate. But federal agencies are perpetually underfunded; they never have enough. And when you own something, you take better care of it.

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Private entities, then those closest to it. Those at the county and at the state level are closer to the land than the federal bureaucracy is.

The good thing about the BLM is that most of its employees are out West. You have very dedicated land managers who are also close to the ground and do a great job of managing land under the constraints that they have. But transferring lands to states  whenever its suggested, you get apoplectic responses.

I would put that in that order: private, then those closest to the ground and then  kind of as a last resort, just because theres so much public land  would be the federal government.

A Bureau of Land Management sign is pictured in Rush Valley in Tooele County on Monday, July 7, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

DN: How did you feel about the controversial efforts made by the Senate and House natural resources committees to introduce land sales into the reconciliation bill?

KS: Well, its back to my earlier comment about how apoplectic people get when you talk about transferring any lands to the states. Whats being talked about is transfers for purposes of housing around Las Vegas, for example, or other areas like St. George that are constrained by federal lands.

Lets not get apoplectic. Every single acre of BLM lands or federal lands is not Yellowstone. If there are some lands where the better and higher use is to support a community with affordable housing or infrastructure, then lets take a step back. Its not the end of the world. Lands are still protected. Wilderness areas are still protected.

Cedar Mountain Wilderness area south of Delle in Tooele County. | Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

DN: Using public lands for affordable housing  how reasonable do you think that is?

KS: Its a small amount that were talking about. If its millions and millions and tens of millions of acres, thats one thing. But if its a reasonable amount of land in an area thats appropriate  its already near development, its not off in the middle of nowhere  then, again, lets be reasonable about it.

Thats the thing about federal lands, right? Unless its a presidential decree of tens of millions of acres like the Antiquities Act, every single acre on BLM goes through a land-use planning process. Any decision goes through NEPA. So you have to look at the impacts locally, on the ground and look at, what acre are we talking about? Where is it? Whats the multiple use in the area? What are the other natural resource values in the area that need to be protected?

Its a very painstaking process and its done deliberately. And you have to give BLM a lot of credit for doing that hard work and taking those bullets constantly.

The Bundys, credibility and the future

DN: Speaking of taking bullets, theres been a lot of reporting about how the Bundy family standoff showed that the BLM could not enforce its own rules. Do you think theres a way for the bureau to recover some of its credibility?

KS: The Bundy standoff was one of these situations where BLM employees werent supported necessarily. The Bundys certainly felt like they were getting a poor shake. In certain communities, it will never recover.

Ammon Bundy, center, one of the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, walks off after speaking with reporters during a news conference at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, near Burns, Ore. Bundy, who was involved in a 2014 standoff with the government over grazing rights told reporters on Monday that two local ranchers who face long prison sentences for setting fire to land have been treated unfairly. | Rick Bowmer

But lets face it, the federal government instigated that situation by pushing ranchers. The Fish and Wildlife Service and BLM had some overzealous federal employees. You had environmental groups trying to push out ranching and using the federal government to do that. The Bundys were particularly stubborn and the Bundys did not handle it very well and, ultimately, stepped way over the line.

When there is that resource conflict, you have to build trust with people. You have to bring everybody to the table. You have to listen to all sides. You have to do the hard work of working with all stakeholders, no matter how thorny they may be.

DN: In cases where those stakeholders threaten violence?

KS: Well, the Bundys clearly overstepped their bounds and they were punished for it accordingly. But the federal government overstepped its bounds too. A federal bureaucracy that stays in its lane, that follows the law, that is not overzealous, that fairly balances competing interests  you have to show all stakeholders that youre listening to everyone, that youre taking their input into consideration and not trying to push them off the land, so that when you have to make those thorny decisions that are not going to satisfy everyone, you have a record of having done it the right way.

DN: You believe that conservation and natural resource extraction go hand in hand?

KS: Oh, absolutely. Because we have areas that are preserved  hundreds of millions of acres of wilderness and national parks, and theres no development there. But we also have hundreds of millions of acres of working landscapes that contributed to the wealth of the nation.

Its a false choice that we can either have conservation or we can develop our resources. We can and we do both: we develop our natural resources and we protect the land.

Its a balance. Its not either or. Is there an impact? Absolutely. Theres an impact from oil, gas, coal, wind, solar, agriculture, but we mitigate it. We reduce the risk that accidents happen or we make sure that we keep the impact as low as possible, that we manage those risks.

We provide an energy resource that not only powers America, but enables the world to be successful.
NORTH WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. (WFLA)  A dog was rescued Saturday after a vehicle crash caused it to become trapped inside.

According to Hernando County Fire Rescue, crews responded to a call just after 1:30 a.m. involving a vehicle crash at U.S. 17 and Long Lake Avenue.

Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue Credit: Hernando County Fire Rescue

HCFR responders rescued the dog from one of the vehicles, and the Hernando County Sheriffs Office drone unit assisted in locating one of the vehicles occupants in the woods.

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Hernando County Fire Rescue said one patient was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
An 80-year-old photo of a Home Guard unit, metal sheets showing kittens driving cranes and vintage Christmas cards are among the items that have been rediscovered at a Leeds museum.

The objects were found at Leeds Industrial Museum as part of a cataloguing project of its archives.

Leeds Museums and Galleries' curator of industrial history John McGoldrick said it had been "incredible" to rediscover the stories behind the objects.

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He said: "The huge variety of objects in our store shows just how integral industry and production have been to the history of Leeds.

"Leeds has been home to some globally important factories and production centres, which have changed the face of fields including textiles and railways the world over.

"But it's also a city that's been built on the hard work of family businesses and individuals who carved a niche and left a mark on history in their own way."

On the shelves are hundreds of objects collected, donated and stored over several generations.

They include a collection of documents, signs and photographs from Kirkstall Forge, one of the oldest industrial sites in the country.

The metal sheets were used to make toffee boxes [Leeds Industrial Museum]

A photograph of Kirkstall Forge Home Guard shows the World War Two volunteer unit, which defended and patrolled the factory - a hugely important wartime production site that manufactured parts for military vehicles.

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The inventory project also uncovered a selection of corporate Christmas cards and calendars printed in the 1950s.

The cards would once have been sold to business owners in Leeds to send to their clients and employees.

The project also unveiled a series of steel signs advertising vintage businesses, made by Charles Lightowler, a family firm established in Hunslet in 1891.

Lightowler became known for printing tinned food, sweet and tobacco containers, a selection of which held in the museum show tiny kittens driving toy cranes and sitting in cups, and a woman cuddling up to a golden labrador.

Dating back to the 1600s, the site of Leeds Industrial Museum was once one of the world's largest woollen mills.

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Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Two suspects have been arrested and face multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference, after allegedly eluding Jefferson County deputies.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, in a press release to FOX31, said that around 8 a.m. on Saturday, dispatchers received a 911 call from a male driver. The man reported that while he was traveling on U.S. 6 near Tunnel 1, another erratic driver on the highway allegedly fired a handgun at him.

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Deputies located the suspected vehicle and tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver did not yield. The vehicle continued to drive eastbound on U.S. 6 and then headed southbound on Highway 93 into a neighborhood in the city of Golden, says JCSO.

JCSO says that deputies attempted to stop the pursuit on Heritage Road by partially blocking the suspects escape route, which resulted in front-end damage during the effort. The suspect vehicle then headed into an apartment complex.

After heading into the complex, the two suspects allegedly left the vehicle and threw several items into a pond. The sheriffs office said that investigators recovered multiple handguns, rifles and ammunition from the area of the pond.

The suspects allegedly attempted to drive away after throwing the items. This led deputies to conduct a high-risk stop and arrested the two suspects, who JCSO identified as Pierre Morris, 38, and Shakeyah Jackson, 29.

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JSCO says that both Pierre and Shakeyah face charges for:

Attempt first-degree murder  extreme indifference

Attempt second-degree assault

Possession of a weapon by a previous offender

Felony menacing

Felony eluding

Obstruction

Resisting arrest

Criminal mischief

Reckless driving

Tampering with evidence

Habitual offender

Bond violations

The sheriffs office reported that no one was injured during the incident.

Pierre and Shakeyah were both transported to the Jefferson County Detention Center, said JSCO.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Arizonas largest wildfire of the year saw a slight increase in containment overnight, but officials expected it to grow as firefighters faced heavy winds and dry conditions on Aug. 2, according to fire command.

Since igniting on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire has scorched 114,538 acres, according to the Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2, making it one of the largest wildfires in Arizonas history.

Containment of the wildfire rose slightly to 11%, up two percentage points from the previous day, according to the Southwest Complex Incident Management Team.

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"With yesterdays higher humidity, firefighters saw a reduction in fire activity on many fronts, but critical fire weather will return today," the southwest team wrote on InciWeb, a federal wildfire tracker.

Aircraft were deployed to support firefighting efforts in areas that were difficult for ground crews to reach, according to the Southwest team. More than 1,100 personnel were assigned to battle the blaze.

Some ground crews focused on structure protection, including near the Kaibab Lodge and North Rim Country Store, where the fire had approached within two miles of properties owned by Larry Innes.

"We're in better shape"

Innes had been at his property for more than a week, and saw winds shift away from his buildings on Aug. 2.

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"All in all, we're in a better shape," Innes said in a phone interview.

He said the winds cooperated, pushing the fire eastward and away from his properties along State Route 67.

At its closest, Innes said the "monster" wildfire came within about two miles of his country store, located on the east side of SR 67.

He praised the efforts of firefighters that staged in and around the Kaibab Lodge and country store. "The firemen have done an incredible job," Innes said.

The Grand Canyon Lodge a week later after the wildfire.

Innes said crews would use the lodge as a spike camp, a smaller base for firefighters near the perimeter of a blaze, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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The Dragon Bravo Fire already destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge inside the famed national park. About 100 other buildings were lost when the wildfire spread through the state park property on the night of July 12.

A view of what's left of the Grand Canyon Lodge and surrounding area on the North Rim where the Dragon Bravo Fire continues to burn. on July 19, 2025

Firefighters on Aug. 2 were engaged in a "full suppression" strategy, with crews working on the ground and air attacks happening in steep and rugged areas, according to the team.

But winds were expected to reach up to 30 mph, with no rain in the forecast through the weekend, according to the team.

Firefighters had been actively battling historically dry conditions and strong winds that made the fire that much more active, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist.

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The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will remain closed for the rest of the 2025 season. The Bureau of Land Management posted details about closures in the House Rock Valley. Also, Route 89A was reopened, but Grand Canyon Highway (SR 67) remained closed.

Kaibab Camper Village and the Jacob Lake Inn and gas station were open. However, the rest of the Kaibab National Forest, including the Jacob Lake Campground, was closed.

Burning further to the north in the Kaibab National Forest, the White Sage Fire, once the larger of the two fire, had seen limited growth at 59,985 acres and was 95% contained, according to InciWeb.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Firefighters on North Rim continue to fight growing Dragon Bravo Fire
Guest Opinion. For generations, the Cherokee Nation has prioritized education and worked to build partnerships that uplift our people and create a better future for Cherokee families and the communities we call home. One of the most enduring and important of those partnerships is with Northeastern State University. Together, our two entities, both based in Tahlequah in northeast Oklahoma, are writing a new chapter of shared progress.

The relationship between Cherokee Nation and NSU is more than symbolic: It is historic. Todays modern NSU campus is on the site of Cherokee Nations female seminary, which was built in 1851 after our tribes forced removal to Indian Territory.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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We have developed the blueprint for how a tribal government and a higher education institution can collaborate to improve access and opportunities for Cherokees, other Native students and communities within our 7,000-square-mile reservation. From creating a pathway for high school students to step seamlessly into college to investing in cutting-edge health care education, our combined efforts are preparing a new generation of leaders and professionals across many disciplines.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

Recently, we celebrated the launch of a direct admission program to NSU for students at Sequoyah High School. Signed as an MOU with school leaders, this endeavor honors our commitment to higher education and removes some of the common barriers Native students face when they transition from high school to a university setting.

For many Cherokee youth, especially those who may not yet see a clear path forward to college or have access to quality mentorship and guidance, this program offers opportunity and a real sense of belonging. It says to them: College is not just a possibility, its part of your future, and we are here to help you get there.

We also improved access to academic resources and services for our citizens. A separate NSU agreement guarantees that Cherokee Nation citizens can access cultural and academic support services designed specifically for their success at NSU, whether they are entering as freshmen or returning to complete their degrees later in life.

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That same forward-looking vision is reflected in the tribes investment in the new Oklahoma College of Optometry facility on the NSU campus. As the only optometry program in the country that places such an emphasis on serving tribal communities, it is the national model for how higher education and tribal health care systems can work hand in hand. Cherokee Nations support is vital for the facility that will train eye care professionals who will go on to serve Cherokees and our neighbors in rural Oklahoma.

Each one of the efforts is substantial and meaningful in their own right. Collectively, they represent a larger strategy to ensure Cherokees have the tools they need to succeed. When we invest in NSU and in the students who pass through its halls, we invest in the health, knowledge and leadership of our Nation.

Cherokee Nation and NSU share more than geography, we share a commitment to personal and community development. Acting as true partners, we can build a new legacy as we prepare our Cherokee youth for lives of purpose.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the prnicipal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP)  Two men were arrested in Holyoke Friday morning in connection with drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession.

Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan stated that the department has been part of an ongoing investigation into illegal drug distribution within the city. Officers from the Holyoke Police Narcotics/Vice Division worked alongside members of CINRET West of the Massachusetts State Police, the Hampden County Sheriffs Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Holyoke police seize trafficking weight of fentanyl, cocaine in search

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At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Friday, police searched a residence at 41 Portland Street as part of this investigation. During this search, three suspects were detained, including 30-year-old Montel Harris of Holyoke, the target of the investigation.

Investigators recovered the following items during the search:

Approximately 597 grams of cocaine

176 grams of heroin/fentanyl

206 grams of fentanyl pills

118 grams of methamphetamine

70 grams of ecstasy

7 grams of psilocybin mushrooms

2 illegal firearms, both capable of holding 30 rounds of ammunition

A third large-capacity magazine

Courtesy of the Holyoke Police Department.

Law enforcement also arrested 26-year-old Tyron Harris of Holyoke and released the third suspect.

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Montel Harris is charged with:

Cocaine Trafficking  200+ Grams

Fentanyl Trafficking  200+ Grams

Heroin/Fentanyl Trafficking  100-200 Grams

Methamphetamine Trafficking  100-200 Grams

Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class C Drug

Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card

Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card

Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (Three Counts)

Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Two Counts)

Violation of a Restraining Order

Firearm Violation with One Prior Violent/Drug Crime

Improper Storage of a Firearm (Two Counts)

Tyron Harris is charged with:

Heroin/Fentanyl Trafficking  36-100 Grams

Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card (Two Counts)

Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card

Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (Three Counts)

Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Two Counts)

Firearm Violation with One Prior Violent/Drug Crime

Improper Storage of a Firearm (Two Counts)

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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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
At the Waldrop Place Condominiums in DeKalb County, Georgia, what started as a dispute over water meters escalated into a full-blown crisis  leaving dozens of residents without water for up to three weeks.

Condo owner Caroline Simmons told WSB-TV that nearly 50 units were impacted by abrupt water shut-offs ordered by the homeowners association and its utility contractor, Jasber Utility Services.

"We had people who are on dialysis and chemo who did not have water," Simmons said. "We have children going to school without proper hygiene."

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A judge has since issued a temporary restraining order to force the water back on, but residents said it should never have reached that point.

According to Simmons, the conflict began when residents were told they would need to pay $1,600 out of pocket for new water meter installations  a cost many, especially those on fixed incomes, simply couldn't afford.

Despite lacking legal authority, Jasber allegedly proceeded to shut off water service anyway.

"They have a court order that lets them know they shouldn't be turning the water off, but they've been doing it anyway," Simmons said.

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Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. Across the country, homeowners associations have faced criticism for controlling or outright neglecting access to essential utilities.

Whether it's preventing residents from installing solar panels, banning native plant lawns, or  like in this case  shutting off water altogether, these decisions often increase costs for homeowners, harm property value, and put people's safety at risk.

The environmental impact can be just as severe. Water shut-offs force families to rely on wasteful bottled water, which generates excess plastic pollution. A lack of water can also disrupt the balance of local ecosystems when lawns and landscapes are damaged.

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.

If you're navigating a frustrating HOA situation, know that you're not alone  and you do have options. Residents can work with their board to change outdated rules and push for eco-friendly updates, like installing solar panels that protect both the planet and wallets.

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Solar panel installation is the ultimate home energy hack  it can bring your power bills down to at or near $0. EnergySage offers a free service that makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted local installers and can save customers up to $10,000 on solar installations.

As Simmons put it, "Our next steps are to go through the court process. It's the only thing that's available to HOAs so that we can go ahead and have all of this resolved without anyone else losing water."

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.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Police Department said it was investigating a homicide that occurred overnight in north Austin.

APD said 911 received a call at 2:38 a.m. Sunday about a man with apparent injuries to his body near the 9800 block of North Interstate 35.

According to police, officers found a Hispanic man with injuries at the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but he later died at 3:25 a.m. APD has not yet identified the man.

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In this case, we are dedicated to finding out exactly what happened, APD said during a briefing Sunday morning. Theres not a ton of information right now, as the investigation is just beginning.

Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum) Austin Police investigating citys 37th homicide of 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)

This incident is being investigated as Austins 37th homicide of 2025, and APD said it was being handled by both the crime scene investigation unit and the homicide division.

MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2025?

Anyone with information about what happened was encouraged to call 512-477-3588 or 512-472-TIPS.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Honolulu Police Department, city leaders and union officials are collaborating to recruit and retain officers as vacancies have hit an all-time high.

According to HPDs Human Resources Division, as of July 1 there were 465 vacancies for uniformed officers and 189 civilian openingsand 228 officers eligible for retirement.

Recruiting and retaining police officers is a challenge nationwide as attitudes toward the profession shift and job seekers prioritize work-life balance.

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The International Association of Chiefs of Police surveyed 1, 118 police departments last year, and more than 70 % of respondents reported that recruitment is more difficult now than it was five years ago.

Respondents said that resignation is most likely within the first five years of hire  and that retaining officers during the recruit /training phase may be more challenging than retaining officers long term.

On average, law enforcement agencies nationwide are operating at about 91 % of their authorized staffing levels, indicating a nearly 10 % deficit, according to the IACP study.

HPD had 1, 712 officers as of July 1 with 2, 177 uniformed officer positions funded by the budget, about a 22 % deficit.

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HPD Maj. Parker Bode, who manages the, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the departments top staffing priority is maintaining public safety, responding to calls and ensuring no services are cut.

When filling vacancies in each district, the department prioritizes filling funded positions that have been open the longest.

Police officers, already faced with the daily prospect of dangerous situations that may turn deadly in an instant, are under more stress than ever before, and it is taking a toll and discouraging recruits.

Officers have to do more than they had to do in the past. They are (law ) enforcer, counselor, social worker  it impacts them,  said Bode, a second-generation police officer whose father served for 30 years with HPD.

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When current staffing shortages threaten service, commanders in each of the eight patrol districts have the ability to shift staffing in real time to meet emerging needs.

HPD leadership monitors staffing in each patrol district, pulls officers from support units, authorizes overtime and has the ability to adjust staffing as needed.

The Great Resignation  that occurred nationwide after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted careers in law enforcement, retail and other people-serving sectors of the workforce.

HPD is seeing officers retire as soon as they reach 25 years of service, a trend they hope to reverse through the exploration of retention bonuses.

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Pay is important, Bode said. It shows people how much they are valued.

So far this year, 18 officers have retired, 16 resigned, two were fired and four others were discharged as of July 1.

Last year, 74 police officers, one reserve officer and 18 civilian employees retired. In 2023, 68 officers and 10 civilian employees retired ; in 2022, 68 officers, three reserve officers and 20 civilian workers retired.

Those numbers were down from the COVID-19 period that saw 93 officers and 36 civilian employees retire in 2021, and 81 officers, one reserve officer and 11 civilian employees retire in 2020.

In 2019, 83 officers, five reserve officers and 15 civilian employees retired.

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HPD leadership is also moving forward with plans to develop a child care program aimed at supporting employees.

In a recent department-wide survey, 94 % of respondents expressed that employees need assistance accessing child care services, according to a July 18 news release.

By investing in our current workforce and the future generation of employees, we could enhance recruitment, retention and employee wellness, ultimately contributing to a safer community,  said Bode.

Eighty-six percent said providing child care serv ices or financial assistance would significantly benefit HPDs recruitment and retention efforts.

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These men and women are the lifeblood of HPD,  said Acting Police Chief Rade K. Vanic. Theyre our family, and we have to take care of them like family. The safety of the community is all of our responsibility, and when theyre stronger, were all stronger.

The 465 vacancies come at a time of turmoil for the department. Vanic was named interim police chief after Arthur Joe  Logan said he was forced to retire by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who tried to replace him with his hand-picked successor. Logan is suing Blangiardi and the city alleging whistleblower retaliation and accusing Blangiardi of threatening him and his family if he didnt quit.

Bode said every role in the department is critical, from officers to civilian employees. The greatest uniformed officer need right now is in patrol, frontline positions  for officers who respond to calls for service and interact with the public everyday.

Bode noted real progress  with a trio of recruitment programs that launched in the first quarter of 2024 and are beginning to pull people into HPD.

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There are the Pathways Internship Program for college seniors, the Police Services Officer Program for individuals not yet meeting the minimum age requirement and the SkillBridge Program for transitioning or retiring members of the U.S. Department of Defense.

In our most recent recruit class this July, we had three college interns, three Police Services Officers and one SkillBridge intern successfully transition into the police academy. It was our largest recruit class since 2021. Looking ahead to the next class in October, were hopeful that several more interns will follow the same path,  said Bode.

In 2016, HPD was short 175 positions, a number that grew every year, save for 2019 and 2021, until it reached 437 vacancies last year, a 250 % increase. HPD had 175 open slots for uniformed officers in 2016, 190 in 2017, 251 in 2018, 249 in 2019, 323 in 2020, 291 in 2021 and 362 in 2022.

Civilian vacancies are also a concern, . As of July 1, HPD had 189 civilian vacancies out of 600 budgeted positions.

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Staffing task force An created June 4 by a resolution from Council Vice Chair Andria Tupola has 180 days to come up with a written plan for how to fund, legislate and facilitate a surge in HPD staffing.

In July, to its West Oahu patrol district, which spans, to address a 24 % increase in calls for service and a surge in shootings and violent crime.

The influx of officers brings the districts staffing total from 160 to 172. The goal of the increase in officers is to improve response times and neighborhood coverage starting in November.

Led by the City Council, the task force is made up of elected officials, city staff, State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and Hawaii Government Employees Association representatives and one Portland Police Bureau officer who specializes in recruitment and retention.

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Tupolas Resolution 160 claims HPDs persistent staffing shortage resulted in inadequate police coverage across Oahu, increased emergency response times, unmanageable caseloads for police detectives, and increased safety risks for both officers and the public.

In an interview with the Star-Advertiser, Tupola said the number of officers in her district of West Oahu and islandwide is not enough and hasnt been in a while.

Tupolas resolution that created the task force noted that HPD does not spend all of its appropriated money each fiscal year.

In fiscal year 2024, HPDs patrol division let about $15 million in funding lapse. HPD also let $50 million of its fiscal year 2024 appropriation lapse.

Tupola said she is excited to work for the next 180 days with the task force to come up with a written plan, which could be used to justify restoring the $50 million that lapsed for recruiting and retention efforts.

I dont care what kind of ideas people have, you are not going to get there without a written plan,  said Tupola.

Tupola said the short staffing is forcing officers to work outside of their assigned roles to complete basic policing tasks like report writing and booking suspects.

In her district, if a patrol officer arrests a suspect in Waianae, they have to drive to Kapolei and book them themselves and fill out the required paperwork. That takes officers off the road, removes the visual deterrent of a police presence and slows response times.

Tupola said it is not safe for the officers to respond to calls knowing they dont have enough backup, and with a shortage of dispatchers, that critical communication and coordination piece is delayed and sometimes unavailable.

If nobody is answering at dispatch, you have to figure that out. You cant respond to the next call. Thats what Im concerned about ; by having so few officers, they basically have to do every part of the process,  said Tupola, who represents West Oahu. We are taking officers off the road for hours at a time ; sometimes our (patrol District 8 ) major has to go respond to calls because she is filling in for a patrol officer.

Jonathan Frye, , told the Star-Advertiser that every month, we continue to lose more officers than we gain, and that impact is real.

Neighborhood police beats across the city go vacant daily, response times for 911 or officer needs help calls take longer, and services like proactive policing cant get done with the number of officers we have,  said Frye. Unfortunately, the response to this crisis has languished for three years. Immediate steps must be taken to retain veteran officers now, attract new officers now, and we must look at whats needed to deliver police services moving forward most effectively.

An HPD career A recruit accepted to HPDs Ke Kula Makai academy earns a base salary of $76, 008 a year that rises to $83, 912 if the standard-of-conduct bonus is met.

A metropolitan police officer, after successfully completing the training and probationary period, starts earning $79, 008 a year and up to $86, 912 if they earn the conduct bonus.

Additional pay might include night differential, overtime at 1.5 times the base hourly rate, meal allowance for overtime work, subsidized vehicle allowance and hazard pay.

After accruing credible years of service, (officers ) receive automatic step increases as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement,  according to HPDs recruiting website. Max base salary for (patrol officers ) can range up to $118, 680 ($126, 584 including the conduct bonus ).

Bode said joining HPD is a meaningful opportunity to build real relationships with the community and make a lasting impact.

On top of that, the benefits are impressivestarting with a salary of over $83, 000 while attending the academy. Officers also receive 21 days each of paid vacation and sick leave annually, education reimbursement, full medical and dental coverage and retirement benefits,  said Bode.

Anyone applying to join the force should be aware of the qualifications, Bode said, and prepare accordingly. HPD considers the totality of an applicants attributes, record and resume when making hiring decisions.

Applicants should be honest and transparent from the very beginning.

A police entrance exam study guide is on HPDs recruitment website, , to help applicants become familiar with the test format and to prepare effectively.

HPD also offers a physical fitness prep class designed to help applicants successfully pass the Physical Readiness Assessment.

Recruits should be ready for the Physical Readiness Assessment components : agility run, 300-meter run, pushups, situps, and a 1.5-mile run.

Physically train for the Physical Readiness Assessment with a balanced workout that includes cardio and strength training,  Bode said. Treat every step in the process like a job interview.

Dress appropriately for each step, Bode recommended.
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  Investigators with the Limestone County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division have arrested a Hoover man following a human trafficking investigation.

According to the Limestone County Sheriffs Office, Hayel Fadhlesaleh Hasson, 52, initiated contact on social media with what he believed to be a juvenile male last month. The account was being operated by an investigator with the Limestone County Sheriffs Office. The Sheriffs Office says that, during these conversations, Hasson offered money in exchange for sexual contact with the juvenile, and he agreed to travel from Hoover to Limestone County to meet him.

On Saturday, Hasson was taken into custody after arriving in Athens. He was charged with electronic solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and human trafficking in the first degree.

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These investigations take time, patience, and dedication. Im proud of our investigators work in making this arrest, Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said in a statement. Their commitment to protecting children and holding predators accountable is unwavering. We will continue to do everything in our power to stop those who seek to exploit the most vulnerable among us.

Hasson is being held in the Limestone County Detention Center pending an Aniahs Law hearing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Limestone County Sheriffs Department arrested a man on Saturday after a human trafficking investigation.

Investigators with LCSOs Criminal Investigation Division ended a human trafficking investigation with the arrest of 52-year-old Hayel Fadhlesaleh Hasson of Hoover.

(Courtesy of Limestone County Sheriffs Office)

REPORT: Boaz auto parts manufacturer to close in September, 82 workers affected

In July, Hasson initiated contact on social media with what he believed to be a boy. The account was operated by an LCSO investigator.

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During the conversations, LCSO said Hasson offered cash in exchange for sexual contact with the child and agreed to travel from Hoover to Limestone County to meet in person.

On Saturday, Hasson arrived in Athens for the meeting and was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with:

Electronic solicitation of a child

Traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act

First-degree human trafficking

Hasson is currently being held in the Limestone County Detention Center, pending an Aniahs Law hearing at a later date.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Drier weather began moving into the state today with a few afternoon storms across northern and northeastern New Mexico, along with mountain peaks in southern New Mexico. Sunday will bring dry weather to almost all of New Mexico as temperatures continue to heat up. Many locations in southern New Mexico will climb into the triple digits.

Forecast Continues Below

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Dry and hot weather will stick around into early next week. A stretch of triple-digit heat will continue across southern New Mexico as well. While almost all of New Mexico will stay dry, a pop-up storm or two will be possible across some of the mountain peaks. That chance for rain will increase slightly with more isolated afternoon storms starting Wednesday. But the heat will continue with near-record heat.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Two separate illegal games rooms were searched this past week, the Honolulu Police Department said.

According to authorities, HPDs Narcotics/Vice Division, as well as the District 5 Crime Reduction Unit and the Specialized Services Division, executed their first search warrant on July 28.

Hawaiis illegal gambling problem: Its a plague

The first search took place in Kalihi on Kahaha Street at approximately 5 p.m., officials said. During their search, HPD says they seized 20 gambling machines, more than $3,600 in cash and illicit drugs.

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At the scene, a 29-year-old man was arrested for Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree and Possession of a Gambling Device, HPD said.

Days later, on July 30, law enforcement continued their gambling crackdown, this time on Wanaka Street in Salt Lake. During their search of the second illegal game room, authorities located 18 gambling machines, more than $4,350 in cash and illicit drugs.

The increased action against illegal game rooms is part of a recent city initiative to eliminate such rooms, with Mayor Rick Blangiardi signing higher penalties for illegal gambling back in June.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

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For the city, illegal game rooms dont just create environments for illegal gambling  they tarnish the safety of the surrounding area and jeopardize residents.

The community members are living next to game rooms where there is trafficking, shootings, guns, we need to take them out of residential areas so we can feel safe, said Honolulu City Councilmember Andria Tupola.

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Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

United Nations projections point to the world population peaking at roughly 10.4 billion people before 2100.

Not all researchers agree on the population peak, with one Gates Foundation-funded study suggesting population is nearing peak now.

Can AI reaching singularity have a declining result on human population?

Based on the U.N.s projections, our world population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and up to 9.7 billion in 2050. Then, the peak happens at 10.4 billion during the 2080s, and the decline starts around 2100.

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Hell, that forecast may even be a bit on the high side, according to a University of Washington study funded by the Gates Foundation.

The point is, with the worlds population passing 8 billion late last year, the global population peak is drawing rapidly closer. But so, too, is singularitythe concept of artificial intelligence exceeding beyond human control and rapidly transforming society. (One trend shows well reach singularity in just 5 years.) Will singularity throw an entirely different wrinkle into the population peak?

To start, the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950. Blame dropping fertility rates. Today, the U.N. says, two-thirds of the global population lives in a country or area where lifetime fertility is below 2.1 births per woman, roughly the level required for zero growth in the long run, for a population with low mortality.

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With the expectation of sustained low levels of fertility, this trend only continues. Jon Wilmoth, director of the population division of the U.N.s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, elaborates:

The cumulative effect of lower fertility, if maintained over several decades, could be a more substantial deceleration of global population growth in the second half of the century.

The University of Washington study suggests a continued trend of a decline in fertility and a slowing population growth. The study claims that by 2100, there wont be any more than 8.8 billion people on Earth.

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Of course, if we allow AI to take over control of the world, that number could be even lower. And theres no telling just how many (or how few) of us our new robot overlords will decide theyll need around. Better get on your favorite algorithms good side now.

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The nearly 300 Gazan children are expected to never return back home, sources told the Sunday Times.

Hundreds of ill Gazan children will be evacuated from Gaza to the United Kingdom to be treated by the National Health Service, the Sunday Times reported on Saturday evening.

Some 300 Gazan children are expected to travel to the UK and receive free medical care, the report stated.

The children will be accompanied by a parent and their siblings if necessary. A source familiar with the plan said that officials expected many of the children and their families to never return home.

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Spain, Italy, Ireland, Norway, and Romania have reportedly already taken in around 200 children, and are expected to welcome more. The report noted that during the course of the war, only three children have been granted medical visas.

UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting reportedly worked together on the plan. It was announced after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he would recognize a Palestinian state as soon as September.

UK to recognize Palestinian state

Lammy argued that the recognition was a historic step.

This was a historic step forward not just for those who believe in the just cause of Palestinian statehood, but all those who reject Hamas terrorism and support Israels security. Hamas are rightly pariahs who can have no role in Gazas future, and we have now built a diplomatic consensus around that. But Hamas are not the Palestinian people.

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He said that during a UN conference on a two-state solution in New York, attendees mapped out a clear pathway forward for security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza, and for a viable and sovereign Palestine, alongside an Israel secure and at peace with its neighbors.

The Israeli governments drip-feeding of aid has horrified the world. Britain is working intensely with Jordan and other partners to get aid into Gaza by air and land  but only with the lifting of Israeli restrictions can we meet the desperate need at scale. Since the horrors of October 7, we have called for the release of all hostages and for Hamas to play no role in the future of Gaza. Those demands are absolute and unconditional.

Last month, Starmer wrote in the Daily Mail that his country was sickened by the situation in Gaza.

The images of starvation and desperation in Gaza are utterly horrifying. We are urgently accelerating efforts to evacuate children from Gaza who need critical medical assistance  bringing more Palestinian children to the UK for specialist medical treatment.

On Thursday, Hamas said it would not lay down its arms until a sovereign Palestinian state was realized with Jerusalem as its capital.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday called for "maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities" following a strike near the nuclear power plant in Ukraine's south-eastern Zaporizhzhya region.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi cited staff at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as saying an auxiliary facility near the main plant was struck by shelling and drones on Saturday morning.

Grossi said in a statement that the IAEA team deployed to the ZNPP heard explosions and saw smoke coming from the area, which lies 1,200 metres from the main plant's perimeter.

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"Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant  regardless of the intended target  poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided," Grossi said.

"Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident."

Located in the Russian-held city of Enerhodar on the southern shore of the Dnipro River, the nuclear power plant is the largest in Europe.

The IAEA has played a central role in protecting and monitoring the condition and safety of Ukraine's nuclear power plants since Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022.

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The agency regularly sends teams of experts to the active reactor sites in the western regions of Rivne and Khmelnytskyi, and has been permanently present at the Zaporizhzhya plant since September 2022.

The site has been under Russian control since March that year.
After he was arrested outside his Virginia apartment in March, Georgetown University professor Badar Khan Suri was briefly detained in the state before being put on a plane bound for an immigration detention center more than 1,000 miles away.

Suri  who was targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for his Palestinian activism and his family ties to Gaza  arrived at the only ICE facility that doubles as an airport, without his attorneys having any idea where he was.

Officers told Suri that he had entered the nations super deportation center, according to his attorneys.

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The college professor was shackled at the ankles and handcuffed then marched into a 70,000 square foot staging facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, which has emerged as the nexus point for President Donald Trumps mass deportation machine.

Suri is far from alone. Since Trump returned to the White House, more than 20,000 people en route to other detention centers have passed through the Louisiana facility  which ICE officials have long aspired to operate like corporate giants FedEx and Amazon.

ICE has relied on its sprawling network of detention centers to move immigrants in custody where space is available, with a dual purpose airport and detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana emerging as a hub for the Trump administrations deportation agenda (Courtesy ICE Office of Public Affairs)

ICEs acting director Todd Lyons has bluntly compared the movement of people to packages.

We need to get better at treating this like a business, where this mass deportation operation is something like you would see and say, like, Amazon trying to get your Prime delivery within 24 hours, Lyons told a law enforcement conference in Phoenix earlier this year.

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So, trying to figure out how to do that with human beings, he said.

The idea of running the government like a business has taken root inside ICE over the last decade with lucrative public-private partnerships between the federal government and for-profit contractors, which operate roughly 90 percent of all ICE detention centers.

Since before the Trump administration, the ICE field office in New Orleans  which is responsible for removal operations in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee  was modeling operations after shipping giant FedEx and its spoke-hub model.

Detainees are temporarily held in detention hubs before theyre sent to a network of detention center spokes where they wait to be deported.

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In Suris case, he arrived at the Alexandria hub before he was moved to a regional spoke in Texas.

The idea for a staging facility in Louisiana started on a cocktail napkin at Ruths Chris steakhouse, according to Philip Miller, a former ICE official in New Orleans who went on to work for an IT firm that contracts with federal law enforcement.

Miller sought a more effective and efficient way of moving the growing number of foreign detainees, according to 2015 newsletter from GEO Group, the private prison contractor that operates the Alexandria facility.

Trumps border czar Tom Homan tapped former GEO Group executive David Venturella to support the administrations deportation agenda, and he is now serving in a top role at ICE managing contracts for immigrant detention centers, according to The Washington Post.

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Meanwhile, Daniel Bible, who worked at ICE for 15 years, including a year as the executive associate director of removal operations, left the agency in November 2024 to join GEO Group as its executive vice president.

GEO Group referred The Independent to ICE for comment.

Lyons, who has helmed ICE since March, addressed his now-viral remarks about treating immigrants like packages in an interview the following month.

The key part that got left out of that statement was, I said, they deal with boxes, we deal with human beings, which is totally different, he told Boston 25 News.

ICE should be run like a corporation, he told the outlet.

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We need to be better about removing those individuals who have been lawfully ordered out of the country in a safe, efficient manner, Lyons continued. We cant trade innovation and efficiency for how we treat the people in our custody.

The Independent has requested comment from ICE on its removal operations at the Alexandria facility.

Acting ICE director Todd Lyons says the agency should be run like a corporation after comparing the federal governments deportation operations to Amazon and FedEx (AFP via Getty Images)

Fourteen of the 20 largest ICE detention centers in the U.S. are in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, a network that immigrant advocates have labelled deportation alley. The jails  most of which are operated by private prison companies  hold thousands of people each year.

More than 7,000 people are currently jailed in Louisianas immigration detention centers while Texas facilities are holding more than 12,000. More than 56,000 people are in ICE detention across the country.

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But Louisiana is home to the nations only ICE detention center with a tarmac. The facility in Alexandria has become the nations busiest deportation airport with 1,200 flights to other U.S. detention centers and more than 200 planes leaving the country since Trump took office.

ICE has operated at least 209 deportation flights in June, the highest level since 2020. During the first six months of Trump's second presidency, ICE removed nearly 150,000 people from the U.S.

Alexandria, a city of roughly 44,000 people, is the ninth largest in the state but surrounded by forest and swampland, with summer temperatures regularly climbing into triple digits with humidity levels exceeding 70 percent.

Detainees at the facility in Alexandria cannot be held for more than 72 hours, and the facility does not permit access to visitors or even legal counsel, according to attorneys.

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Suri was held there for three days before being transferred to a Texas detention center where he was housed in the TV room, according to his attorneys. He was given only a thin plastic mattress. Suri was released after spending eight weeks in detention amid an ongoing legal battle.

Georgetown University scholar Badar Khani Suri is among hundreds of people who have been detained at the facility in Alexandria, which functions as a central hub for the Trump administrations deportation agenda by temporarily detaining deportees before sending them to other detention centers (AP)

Louisiana locks up more people per capita than any other U.S. state, in a country with one of the highest incarceration rates on the planet.

Most incarcerated people in Louisiana are in local jails, and the state pays sheriffs a daily rate per inmate, creating what civil rights groups fear is a cruel pay-to-play system that incentivizes locking people up.

In 2017, the states Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards advanced legislation to reduce the states prison population, which ultimately fell by more than 8,000 over the next five years.

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But at the same time, the first Trump administration was ramping up immigration arrests and expanding capacity to hold immigrants in detention.

Following Trumps 2016 victory, ICE expanded the nations immigration detention system by more than 50 percent, with contracts for private companies to operate at least 40 new detention facilities. Companies including GEO Group, CoreCivic and LaSalle Corrections own or operate facilities that jail the majority of immigrants.

All but one of Louisianas nine facilities are run by private prison firms.

The 400-bed detention center in Alexandria is run by GEO Group, whose stock is valued at roughly $4 billion.

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Inside, dorm-style units hold up to 80 people each, and each includes an expansive processing area with rows of benches and walls lined with hundreds of shackles. People who are processed at the facility from arriving flights are placed in five-point restraints and forced to sit on the benches, according to immigration attorneys.

Before it opened in 2014, ICE transported people by bus from different jails to a local commercial airport or Alexandria International Airport, a converted military base that has emerged as what human rights groups called a national nerve center for ICE Air, the group of charter airlines contracted with the agency to operate deportation flights.

Alexandria allows the concentrated detention and staging of hundreds of people at a time, optimizing efficiency of ICEs deportation machine, according to a 2024 report from a coalition of human rights groups.

In August 2017, the Department of Homeland Securitys Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties found that the Alexandria facility is not properly screening for and identifying detainees at risk for suicide and does not provide mental health treatment and programming, the report found.

That civil rights office was among bureaus within Homeland Security that have been abruptly shuttered under Trumps second administration.

Geo Group is among several for-profit prison companies that operate a majority of ICE detention centers. All but one of Louisianas nine facilities are run by contractors (AFP via Getty Images)

Alexandria is a two-hour drive from Baton Rouge and more than three hours away from New Orleans, where most of the states immigration attorneys live and practice.

That distance has made access to legal counsel for the nearly 8,000 people in Louisianas detention facilities enormously difficult. There is little if any access to the internet or law libraries and few chances to privately speak with family or attorneys.

To visit detainees at another facility, the Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center, roughly 200 miles from New Orleans, Tulane University law professor Mary Yanik and students with the Immigrants Rights Law Clinic said they leave by 5:30 a.m. and return as late as 10 p.m., in order to speak with as many people as possible.

That is a grueling schedule, if you think about the number of hours for a single visit with a client for a single court hearing, she told The Independent earlier this year. They feel forgotten. They feel like theyre screaming into a void.

The most common question among them is why am I here?

Theyre so disoriented by what was happening to them, and so confused. At least one person thought they were in Texas, she said. What is going on? Cant I just go home?
IDF soldiers operating in the Hader area of southern Syria, August 3, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON

IDF soldiers entered four locations simultaneously and located numerous weapons that the suspects had trafficked, based on prior intelligence surveillance and in-depth field investigations.

IDF soldiers from the 226th Brigade, under the command of the 210th Division, cooperated alongside Unit 504 to arrest and question several suspects involved in weapons trafficking in the Hader area in southern Syria, the military said on Sunday.

IDF soldiers entered four locations simultaneously and located numerous weapons that the suspects had trafficked, based on prior intelligence surveillance and in-depth field investigations.

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In recent months, the IDF's 210th Division has operated in southern Syria, primarily arresting suspects and removing threats to Israeli civilians living along the border with Syria in the Golan Heights.

Additionally, in July, the IDF conducted extensive airstrikes on Syrian regime forces in and around the vicinity of Sweida in southern Syria on behalf of the Druze living in the area.

As of July 16, the IDF had undertaken 160 aerial attacks on Syrian regime forces, The Jerusalem Post learned.

In addition, the IDF has attacked, and possibly destroyed, Syrias Defense Ministry, and also attacked part of the Presidential Palace in Damascus. Dozens or more Syrian regime forces are said to have been killed in IDF attacks.

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IDF sources said that the military is ready for a multi-day campaign to convince Syrian regime forces to withdraw from Sweida and leave the Syrian Druze their autonomy.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. This is a developing story.
Now to Illinois where the state got a victory over the Trump administration related to immigration.

A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by the administration against the state for its sanctuary laws. The law in Illinois is the Trust Act.

Then Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed it into law in 2017. It keeps state and local police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in cases involving civil immigration.

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It doesnt block them from cooperating with ICE agents when theres a criminal warrant or other court order tied to the case.

The judge ruled the Trump administration doesnt have standing.

I think Pritzker has a plan to use people who are here illegally to basically replace the massive outflow of people that Illinois experiences on an annual basis, Bloom said.

The sanctuary policy thats being talked about here is not something that defends anything that interferes with enforcing criminal violations, violent crimes, those things are clearly going to be cooperated with by local and state officials, Schwiebert said.

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To hear more from the panel, click on the video.

Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 the Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home.

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IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego County health officials have closed a portion of the Imperial Beach shoreline after recent testing showed high sewage levels.

The ocean shoreline from the south end of Seacoast Drive through the Imperial Beach Pier was closed Saturday and will remain closed until testing shows the bacteria levels are back to normal.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) said the water contact closure was extended to include the Imperial Beach Shoreline because the Tijuana River is flowing and reaching recreational waters.

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The health department is warning beachgoers in San Diegos South Bay that the ocean water contains sewage and may cause illness.

Expansion of South Bay sewage plant being fast-tracked to address water, air quality concerns

The closure comes after the beach has been open on and off in recent months to swimmers and surfers following several years of continuous closures from sewage flowing from the Tijuana River.

The Mexican government finished repairs back in April on Mexicos Punta Bandera Wastewater Treatment Plant, bringing it back up to full capacity, helping to stop some of the sewage from entering the Pacific Ocean in southern San Diego County.

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CDC health survey shows impacts of Tijuana sewage crisis on South Bay residents

Then, in May, in an effort to combat the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis impacting South Bay residents, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) announced the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant would be fast-tracked to be completed in just over 3 months.

More information on the ongoing pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and South County beach water is available from the SDAPCD, IBWC and the Countys South Region Health Concerns webpage.

For updates on San Diego beach advisory and closure information, visit sdbeachinfo.com or call the 24-hour hotline at 619-338-2073.

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Over the weekend, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released videos of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski; both appeared to be in grave physical condition.

Hostage families and demonstrators from the Women's Protest group blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv on Sunday morning, demanding the immediate release of their loved ones held by terror groups in Gaza, following the harrowing footage showing hostage Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in grave physical condition.

Israel Police arrived at the scene and, after 20 minutes of blocking the highway, demonstrators were cleared and given fines.

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Among the participants were Shai Moses, nephew of returned hostage Gadi Moses, and Maor Rozenberg, a relative of hostage Arbel Yehud.

The Womens Protest group said in a statement, It is impossible to breathe when looking at the images of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, who are being abandoned under the watch of this cruel government. Bring them all back - those still alive and those who have been killed - and end this war already.

The video of Evyatar David, which was cleared for publication by his family on Saturday, shows the 23-year-old speaking directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, detailing the lack of food he has received and displaying a hand-drawn calendar that chronicles days without sustenance since July 1.

People gather for the ritual of Tisha B'Av at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, August 2, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

In the closing frames of the video, David is seen digging what appears to be his own grave inside a tunnel in Gaza, as Hamas terrorists explain that he grows weaker each day and could die at any moment.

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The footage has drawn public outrage and renewed calls for decisive action.

On Saturday evening, families of hostages held a rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, marking 666 days since their loved ones were taken captive by the Gaza terror organization during the October 7 massacre. Davids siblings, Yaela and Ilay, addressed the crowd with an emotional plea.

Evyatar David's siblings call on leaders, international community to free their brother and remaining hostages

Evyatar loves good food, working out at the gym, and has the most beautiful, contagious smile in the world, they said. Last night, we saw our brother deliberately and cynically starved in a dungeon in Gaza. Hamas used our Evyatar as a live experiment in a disgusting hunger campaign.

They called on Israeli leaders and the international community to ensure their brother and other hostages receive immediate nutritional and medical treatment.

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We call on the government of Israel, the people of Israel, the nations of the world, and the president of the United States to do everything possible to save Evyatar and Guyand all the other living hostagesfrom death, they said. The Israeli and Jewish voice must echo this across the world. Never again is today.

Netanyahu spoke with the families of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski on Saturday evening. According to a statement from his office, Netanyahu said he was shocked by the footage and reiterated that efforts to bring the hostages home were continuing.

Hamass cruelty knows no bounds, he said. While the State of Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza, Hamas terrorists deliberately starve our hostages and film them in a cynical, cruel manner. They are also intentionally starving Gazas residents and blocking aid from reaching them, while spreading false propaganda against Israel.

Netanyahu urged the international community to condemn the criminal, Nazi-like abuse perpetrated by Hamas.
TURNERS FALLS, Mass. (WWLP)  The 12th annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival helped Native Americans tell their own story on Sunday.

West Springfield wraps up town-wide tag sale

In 1676, the Battle of Turners Falls made a surprise attack on a Native American encampment that killed many women and children. This led to the silencing of many Indigenous people.

Because of this, the organizer of the Pocumtuck Homelands Festival made it a goal to give back to the culture. Right across the Connecticut River from where the massacre took place, 40 Indigenous artisans filled Unity Park Riverfront for the festival.

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I document Native Americans from the East Coast woodlands so that it is seen that we were here before, are here in the present, and well be here in the future, said Indigenous artisan Deborah Spears Moorehead.

The artisans sold many crafts, from homemade jewelry to bracelets. The festival also featured Native American music, dance, and presentations on the culture of Indigenous people.

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The smell of spring rolls and chicken satay skewers wafted over Carroll Creek on Saturday as crowds gathered to celebrate Indonesian food and culture.

The Indonesian Education and Cultural Network (IDECN), in partnership with the Asian American Center of Frederick, hosted Indonesia Culinary Day on the Creek.

In addition to food vendors, some of which traveled from New York and Pennsylvania to attend, performance groups dazzled on and near the stage in colorful and traditional outfits.

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Haris Koentjoro, president of the IDECN, said on Saturday that the last event for Indonesian culture held in Frederick was the Colorful Indonesia Festival in 2022.

He said Indonesia is a diverse country, with 17,000 islands, more than 700 local languages and more than 300 local ethnic groups.

"And, of course, they have their own cultures, dances and food," Koentjoro said.

At the amphitheater where the main stage was set up, audience members were invited to learn how to play a traditional Indonesian instrument called an angklung.

The angklung is made of two bamboo tubes of different lengths attached to a bamboo frame. When the musician shakes or taps the angklung, one pitch of sound is created through the vibration of the bamboo.

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The performing group Angklung for Special Events handed out angklungs for audience members to try. Among the dozens of angklungs handed out, eight different pitches could be heard depending on the size of the bamboo tubes.

Koentjoro said the angklung was one of Indonesia's UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages.

The goal of identifying the different heritages, which include performances, crafts and rituals, is to preserve and promote the traditions.

Koentjoro said only about 150,000 Indonesian people live in the U.S., and there were around 5,000 Indonesian people living in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.

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He said one of the goals for holding the event was to bring awareness to the Intangible Cultural Heritages.

Kader Brahimi, of Herndon, Virginia, said he heard about the event from one of his Indonesian friends who he plays pickleball with.

He said his favorite part of the festival was the food.

"I think it means a lot to them," Brahimi said of the event. "I have some friends and they kept talking about it. It encourages people to come over and enjoy the food."

Diana Dunham, one of the organizers of the event, said there is not much Indonesian representation in the U.S.

"So, our effort is to just try to first introduce Indonesia to all of the Americans," she said. "But our main objective is to try to make sure they know the culture. A soft diplomacy, basically."

Ruth Yangilman, of Frederick, said she enjoyed the food, particularly the mango sticky rice.

"It was great for everybody," Yangilman said of the event.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA)  Police are investigating a Sunday morning shooting that left an infant dead in Spartanburg.

According to Spartanburg Police Department, at around 4:15 a.m. officers were called to an apartment on Collins Avenue for reports of gunfire. At the scene officers said they found evidence of gunfire and followed a trail of blood in the apartment.

Inside the home officers located seven-month-old Zymir Demarco Smith with a gunshot wound to the neck. Emergency services were called to the scene and despite efforts to aid the child, he was unresponsive and later pronounced dead.

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Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said senseless tragedies like this one, need to stop, as tragic as this is, weve been very lucky where other people havent been hit by shootings into dwellings like this. The practice needs to stop.

According to police, the infant and his mother were asleep when several unknown suspects fired into their home.

This is a senseless and heartbreaking tragedy for our entire community, said Major Art

Littlejohn of the Spartanburg Police Department. We will use every available resource to solve this case to determine who is responsible for this homicide. We are asking anyone with

information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward and assist in this investigation.

This is something that shouldnt be going on and it needs to stop. And the public, I hope would, if they have any information they would certainly call the police department and lets bring whoever this is to justice to stop this practice because it does not need to happen to another innocent child in our county, Clevenger added.

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The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Spartanburg Police Department at 864-596-2065. Tips can be submitted anonymously. The shooting is under investigation by the Spartanburg Police Department.

This is a developing story. We will provide more details as they become available.

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DUBAI (Reuters) -The commander-in-chief of Iran's military, Amir Hatami, said on Sunday that threats from Israel persist, according to state media.

In June, Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the so-called 12-day war, in which Tehran retaliated against Israel with several barrages of missiles and drones.

"A 1% threat must be perceived as a 100% threat. We should not underestimate the enemy and consider its threats as over," Hatami said, according to the official IRNA news agency, adding that the Islamic Republic's missile and drone power "remains standing and ready for operations".

Last month, Israeli Minister of Defence Israel Katz warned that his country would strike Iran again if threatened.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by William Mallard)
One month after Israeli strikes cripple Iranian air defenses, Khamenei turns to old playbook with new power center.

It took just 12 days in June for Irans sprawling military machine to be exposed, but the Islamic Republic is now rebuilding its shattered pride.

On Saturday, Iranian media affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian will chair a newly revived defense council, a top-tier military body that has not operated in any meaningful way since the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. Its resurrection appears to be a desperate response to the devastating Israeli air campaign that briefly seized control of Iranian airspace in mid-June.

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The Defense Council is back, proclaimed Tasnim News, often seen as a mouthpiece for the IRGC, framing it as part of broader structural reforms within Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

Behind the dry constitutional language lies the reality that Irans supreme leader and his top commanders are scrambling to reassert control after the Islamic Republics defenses were shattered, both militarily and psychologically.

Article 176 of the Iranian constitution permits the SNSC to establish sub-councils such as this one, and Iran has quietly done so before. But never in such a public and symbolic way. The announcement of the new defense council came with a cast list straight from the heart of the regime: the IRGC and army commanders, the parliament speaker, the judiciary chief, the intelligence minister, and representatives of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself. All are now reporting to a single wartime command.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with the head and officials of the Judiciary Branch in the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah, Tehran, July 16, 2025. (credit: KHAMENEI.IR, screenshot)

Fars News hinted at a pending shake-up at the very top. Longtime regime insider Ali Larijani is expected to replace R.-Adm. Ali Akbar Ahmadian as SNSC secretary. That position, often the nerve center of Irans foreign and military strategy, would place Larijani, a seasoned conservative and confidant of Khamenei, at the helm of this new defense coordination push.

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According to Mansour Haghighatpour, a former lawmaker close to Larijani, the council will move the Armed Forces General Staff into a supporting, rather than commanding, role. If we face serious conflict, Haghighatpour said, command must have a designated deputy, ensuring we are not caught off guard at critical moments.

Tehran was definitely caught off guard.

While Iranian media framed the move as an efficiency measure, critics abroad see something more urgent: a regime on the defensive, both militarily and politically.

Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, Irans top military officer, has held multiple public meetings in recent weeks, warning of further Israeli or American action. He stressed the need for short, medium, and long-term preparedness plans and demanded that civilian infrastructure adopt a military-style readiness doctrine.

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In comments that veered toward existential alarm, Mousavi declared last week that Tehran must ward off any new act of aggression, adding that Irans military response would be immediate and powerful.

At the same time, a new national plan for civil defense training and shelter preparedness has been approved within Iran, Mousavi announced on Saturday.

The new directive defines the responsibilities of executive bodies in building and managing shelters and emergency housing, he said.

Today, within the armed forces, we are pursuing different preparedness programs across three time frames  short-term, medium-term, and long-term, Mousavi said. Improving readiness in the civilian sector and securing infrastructure must also be addressed with this same approach.

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Behind the slogans and the missile barrages, Tehrans new structure may signal something else: a fundamental shift in civil-military relations.

By placing the president at the head of this revived body, under the watchful eye of Khamenei and flanked by IRGC loyalists, the regime may be inching closer to a centralized wartime model, with little distinction between civilian and military spheres.

Israel-Iran tensions to intensify again?

Many have predicted that tensions between Israel and Iran will once again flare up in the coming months. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said over the weekend that Iran could still strike Israel despite the blows the republic took in June. Araghchi claimed that there was no established ceasefire between Tehran and Jerusalem, in an interview with the Iranian Student News Agency.

The aggression has stopped, and in turn our right to defend has stopped, Araghchi said. Thats it. There is no ceasefire agreement; there is nothing else. They stopped the aggression without any conditions, and we stopped the defense. When there is no aggression, naturally, there is no reason to defend ourselves. So, since they asked for the attacks to stop without any conditions, we accepted.

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However, he said, Everything can resume. They can resume, we can resume. There is no official ceasefire, and everything is possible, and it is not just Iran that should be worried and concerned.

The last time Iran activated the defense council was during the bloodiest years of the Iran-Iraq War. That conflict gave birth to the rise of the IRGC, to martyrdom culture, and to the Islamic Republics siege mentality. The new war with Israel has reawakened all three.

Reviving the defense council should signal to Israel and the United States that the Islamic Republic is preparing for more war, more coordination, and more control from the top.

Whether that leads to renewed resilience or deeper cracks will depend on whether Tehran has learned from Junes humiliation, or simply rearranged the rubble.
The decision will require judicial review and thus not take effect immediately.

The government is set to approve on Monday a highly controversial decision to remove Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara from her position, marking a new stage in the governments attempt to unburden itself of what it claims are politically motivated legal restrictions.

As per a ruling by High Court Deputy Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg in mid-July, the decision will require judicial review and thus not take effect immediately.

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A number of ministers have announced, however, that following Mondays decision they intend to ignore the A-G, and will not invite her to government meetings or heed her legal directives.

According to Israeli legal precedent, the attorney-general is the governmental organ responsible for interpreting the law for the government, and its interpretations are legally binding. The attorney-general also oversees Israels public prosecution apparatus and, as such, decides whether or not to prosecute a sitting MK or minister.

The Attorney-Generals Office is also responsible for representing the government in proceedings against it in the High Court of Justice, and for overseeing the legal advisers in each individual government ministry.

Supreme Court judge Noam Solberg at a swearing- in ceremony for 35 new court, judges at the presidenct's residence in Jerusalem on April 10, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Baharav-Miara was appointed to the position during the previous governments tenure. The current government has repeatedly accused her of intentionally blocking policy initiatives in order to eventually lead to the governments downfall; using her power as chief prosecutor to launch politically-motivated witch hunts; and refusing to give the government its day in court by siding with petitioners in a number of court cases.

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Baharav-Miara has argued in her defense that the dozens of cases in which she ruled the governments actions not legally viable were negligible compared to the thousands of positive opinions her office provided; that by showing the government its legal limitations, she was fulfilling her intended role, not abusing it; that she could not defend in court actions that the government took despite her deeming them illegal; and that the accusations about witch hunts served as attempts by politicians to escape justifiable prosecutions.

Since the government adopted the Shamgar Commissions report in 2000, the attorney-general was appointed via an advisory committee comprised of a retired Supreme Court justice as its chairperson; a former justice minister or attorney-general; an MK, selected by the Knessets Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee; a lawyer, determined by the Israel Bar Association; and a legal academic expert, chosen by the deans of the law faculties.

After attempting and failing since March to convene the committee in order to begin proceedings to fire Baharav-Miara, Justice Minister Yariv Levin proposed changing the firing process, such that, instead of an independent committee, a new advisory committee would be formed, composed of five government ministers. It was formed in a government decision on June 8, and on July 20, officially recommended firing her. Baharav-Miara refused to attend a hearing in front of the committee, arguing that its formation was illegal.

Sohlberg encouraged the government to resort to the previous firing method, but the government refused.

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According to the text of the government proposal set to pass on Monday, the government argued that Baharav-Miaras continued tenure severely harms the functioning of the government.

Explanatory remarks for the governments decision to hold the meeting to fire the A-G on Monday also pointed to accumulated incidents against her, including legal objections to government policy, refusal to represent the government in court (including in cases where the court sided with the government), failure to comply with government decisions not stayed by court order, delays in tasks, and [issuing] public criticism [against the government].

Baharav-Miara has been a barrier to the governments attempts to pass a number of measures, such as parts of its 2023 judicial reforms, an exemption for a majority of eligible haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men from IDF service, attempts to change the appointment and firing methods of senior officials, such as the Civil Service Commissioner and the Shin Bet head, and more.

The decision to fire her could lead the government to attempt to act on these issues, even if the firing is stayed by the court.

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A series of organizations announced on Sunday morning that they would be holding a demonstration on Sunday evening against Baharav-Miaras firing.

Last moment to save independence of the government's legal advisory mechanism

Attorney Eliad Shraga, chair of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel (MQG), said in a statement: This is the last moment to save the independence of the government legal advisory mechanism and prevent irreversible damage to Israeli democracy. The government chose to disrespect the court and continue on its wrong course. Now it is the publics turn to show that they are not giving up on the rule of law.

Democrats chairman Yair Golan posted on X/Twitter on Sunday, calling for a protest outside the governments meeting at 1 p.m. on Monday.

We cant sit at home anymore, Golan wrote. While we all see the horrifying images of [hostage] Rom [Braslavski] and Evyatar [David] wasting away in Hamas tunnels, Netanyahus government is focused only on itself. The agenda for the upcoming meeting: increased security for Netanyahu and his family and the dismissal of the attorney-general.

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Thats what they care about. They dont care for a second about the lives of the hostages; they dont care about the lives of the soldiers. Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir watch Evyatar dig his own grave while still alive. And them? They carry on as if nothing is happening. Enough. We cant stay silent. Tomorrow Ill cancel everything on my schedule and go to Jerusalem to cry out against this heartless government, Golan wrote.

He concluded by calling on fellow opposition leaders and MKs to join him and Bring the country to a halt.

Another controversial measure expected to pass by the governing coalition on Monday is the replacement of Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Chairman MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) with Likud MK Boaz Bismuth.

Coalition whip MK Ofir Katz announced on July 21 that Edelstein would be removed following the departure of the two haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, from the government after a fallout in negotiations with Edelstein over a haredi IDF conscription law proposal.

Haredi politicians opposed Edelsteins attempts to insert enforcement and oversight mechanisms to ensure that haredim who receive an exemption from IDF service are actually studying in yeshivot, and Edelstein refused to enable a law to pass that would de facto enable the majority of eligible haredi men to evading service.
Israeli authorities on Sunday said 23,000 tons of aid have reached the civilian population in Gaza by land in the last seven days.

At least "1,200 trucks were successfully collected by the UN and international organizations" in Gaza, according to a post on X by Israel's agency for civilians in the Palestinian Territories, COGAT.

Humanitarian organizations say that the current quantities of around 200 lorry loads per day are not enough to feed the 2 million Palestinians in the devastated coastal territory.

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According to the United Nations, the Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine. Israel controls all access points to the coastal territory on the Mediterranean and, for several months, allowed no or only minimal aid deliveries to pass through.

Israel said this was intended to increase pressure on the Islamist Hamas to release the last of the hostages abducted on October 7, 2023.

Since last weekend, following growing global criticism of the dire situation faced by the Palestinian civilian population, Israel has been allowing larger deliveries via land routes.

Before the blockade, the UN and other organizations brought 500 to 600 trucks a day into the Gaza Strip.

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Countries have also been organizing airdrops into Gaza, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday announcing that 136 aid packages with food were dropped by the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, France, Germany and Belgium.

The IDF, on its Telegram channel, said the drops are a continuation of the "actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip."

Two A400M transport aircraft from the German Armed Forces, carrying 44 pallets containing food, medical supplies, and other aid weighing approximately 19 tons, were dropped over Gaza, an Air Force spokesman told dpa in Berlin.

Another drop is planned for the beginning of next week.

Germany has been participating in the operation since Friday with up to two aircraft, which are loaded at a military base in Jordan. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that options for distributing German aid via land routes are also being explored.
After the April win for Israel at the ICC, it did not need to be this way.

Israel always had an uphill battle to fight back against war crimes allegations before the International Criminal Court.

But after losing a series of those battles in 2019, 2021, and November 2024, it got a rare and important interim win in April of this year.

Despite that interim win, the starvation narrative  now dominating global discourse and acknowledged by top IDF officials, who admit that even without mass starvation, food security in Gaza is at its lowest point of the war  has once again placed Jerusalem on the defensive in the war crimes case.

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When the ICC Appeals Court ruled in favor of Israel in April, it was likely that it was not only because Israels lawyers made a number of strong legal arguments that the ICC lower courts prior rulings had skipped over.

No court is completely immune to political context, and the ICC most definitely is not immune, with judges often connected to their countrys policies.

So it was likely that the ICC Appeals Court ruling also came as Europe and other international institutions were trying to find a halfway point with the new and aggressive Trump administration, as well as a belief that a new 60-day ceasefire might not be far off.

People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, at the headquarters of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in The Hague, Netherlands October 18, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW)

It is noteworthy that the ICC Appeals Court issued its ruling on April 24, nearly two months after Israel began blocking new food aid from getting into Gaza.

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Had those two months of blocking food aid led to mass starvation, it is unlikely that the ICC Appeals Court would have issued any positive ruling for Israel, interim or otherwise.

But at the time, despite repeated false charges of imminent starvation dating back to late 2023, the ICC Appeals Court could plainly see that no mass starvation had taken place.

This critical political and ideological human rights context may all change now that even top US allies and an increasingly strident UN are calling the Gaza situation a starvation situation.

Just on Friday, Israel filed its latest legal brief to try to convince the ICC lower court to cancel the arrest warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant and to drop the entire war crimes case against the Jewish state.

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ISRAELS LEGAL brief made a number of critical arguments that, if the situation in Gaza were moderately stable, might have a chance of getting Jerusalem out of this jam.

First, Israel asserts that the ICC lower court from 2024 could not ignore Jerusalems substantive arguments attacking the idea of Palestine as a state, which can give the ICC jurisdiction, simply because an earlier ICC lower court in 2021 had ruled that Palestine was a state, and could do so.

This kind of an argument is called res judicata, meaning a later court can just lean on the ruling of an earlier court if an issue has already been litigated and decided.

But Israel chose not to participate directly in the 2021 legal fight. This was probably a foolish move by the Jewish state, but when major issues are at stake, courts usually let a party, or here a country, make its arguments belatedly, if the court shows up before a final verdict at trial.

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Based on that general rule, Israel should get a chance to make its arguments at this stage, even if it had an earlier opportunity to make them and did not.

There are counterpoints to this, where legal jurisdictions apply some version of the entire controversy doctrine  that anytime a party misses a chance to make an argument, it has forfeited that argument.

Palestinians do not control a terrority with set borders

But that is usually a civil law concept, not applicable to criminal cases like this one, and is used against the plaintiff bringing the case, not against the defendant, who might lose something if they do not get to defend themselves.

Moreover, as Israeli lawyers argue, the Palestinians do not control a territory with set borders right now, certainly not Gaza.

If that is true, then how can Palestine grant the ICC jurisdiction?

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Israel has not granted jurisdiction, so if Palestine cannot grant jurisdiction either, the ICC would need to drop everything.

Next, Israel recognizes a number of potentially strong arguments for the ICC prosecutor and the Palestinians, and tries to disarm them all.

For example, theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) in a 2024 opinion ruled that Israels occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem is illegal.

From this ruling, the ICC prosecutor contends that these areas are defined as Palestine, even if Israel allegedly illegally occupies them.

Israel hits back that the ruling was a non-binding advisory opinion for the UN General Assembly, which itself also only issued non-binding votes.

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MOREOVER, ISRAEL argues that since the whole process was an advisory proceeding, it did not allow a full exploration of the most concrete facts on the ground, which is required in a criminal proceeding, such as the one the ICC is overseeing.

The ICC prosecutor has said that even if Palestine lacks aspects of standard statehood, the inherent principles of self-determination cannot allow Israel to prevent the Palestinians from seeking ICC assistance to protect them from alleged Israeli war crimes.

Jerusalem responds that the Palestinian Authority, which is purporting to try to give jurisdiction (it filed an accession document to the ICCs Rome Statute around a decade ago) only came into existence by virtue of the Oslo Accords agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. This agreement specifically prohibited the PA from trying to invoke criminal jurisdiction against Israelis.

Next, Jerusalem asserts that even if an entity could somehow give jurisdiction to the ICC, even lacking fully set borders, that it at least must control the areas  in this case, Gaza  from which it wants to refer jurisdiction.

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The ICC prosecutor then employed a clever tactic and said that even if Israel has some technical points, to allow it to throw out the Palestinians case based on such formalities would abrogate the whole object and purpose of the ICC and its Rome Statute, which is to put an end to impunity.

Here, Israel quotes precedent that says that pursuing the ICCs object and purpose cannot come at the expense of Article 1 of the Statute, which requires that [t]he jurisdiction and functioning of the Court shall be governed by the provisions of this Statute.

This means that the ICC judges cannot just ignore technical rules that apply because they do not like the result.

Next, the ICC prosecutor argues that any finding by the ICC lower court that Palestine is not [t]he State on the territory of which the conduct in question occurred under 12(2)(a)  would be inconsistent with the principle of effectiveness because it would defeat the effect of Palestines accession to the Statute.

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In other words, the ICC Assembly of State Parties, which governs the ICC, accepted Palestine as a state. How can that have happened while leaving the Palestinians no recourse to defend themselves against alleged war crimes?

Israel responds, saying, The Parties continue to conduct themselves in accordance with the jurisdictional arrangements of the Accords. Moreover, the international community has continuously and steadfastly shown its support for the bilateral negotiation framework as the basis for the resolution of the conflict. This Chamber should not undermine the framework that governs the relations between the Parties and lays the foundation for the resolution of the conflict, as agreed to by the Parties and endorsed by the international community.

AND THESE high-minded-sounding words might have held the day or won further delays if the 60-day expected ceasefire had transpired. Or if the situation in Gaza was starting to stabilize and Jerusalems only problem was defending against past war crimes allegations as opposed to ongoing and potential future ones.

But how will Israel have any chance in convincing the ICC to give it a win on technicalities and to ignore the object and purpose of the ICC itself when the judges are witnessing near universal global consensus that there is mass starvation in Gaza?

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Will they be more favorable to Israel than Trumps own recent statements on the issue?

When Israeli ministers openly support blocking food to Gaza and remain in office, wont this influence the ICCs decision?

In a situation where the IDF admits that there have been individuals who have starved to death, but is trying to deflect the negative impact of those individual cases by claiming that many or most of them had preexisting conditions, will the ICC give Israel a pass?

Can Israel fight this fight by saying that maybe only dozens have starved, but not hundreds and not thousands?

On legal blogs following the situation, the tone has shifted from summarizing both sides of the issue with some general bias against Israel, to asserting that third-party countries now have a duty to intervene to stop Israel from causing the alleged starvation.

Some legal scholars are arguing that intent to starve does not even need to be proven in standard ways if it can be proven that a foreseeable consequence of certain policies would be to lead to starvation.

It is hard to see how Jerusalem turns this case around.

And yet, after the April win for Israel, it did not need to be this way.

Israel had already been defeating Hamas for around 17 months straight. Pausing, even for an extended period, would not have left Hamas the same as it was in 2023 or even the same as it was in mid-2024.

If Israel had agreed to a ceasefire then and stabilized the humanitarian situation, it might have still lost the war crimes fight, but it also might have capitalized on the interim win to get a total win.

Instead, Israel pulled out all the stops both on the war front and the aid front and ended up having to mostly pause the war and give Hamas much of the aid it wants, receiving no hostages, and probably now teeing up a new low before the ICC.
At least 10 people were killed after Israeli forces opened fire near two aid distribution sites where crowds of hungry Palestinians again sought food, witnesses and health workers said Saturday.

The violence came a day after US officials visited the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation GHF site, and the US ambassador Steve Witkoff described the troubled system as an incredible feat.

The latest deaths also come nearly a week after Israel, under international pressure amid growing scenes of starving children, announced limited humanitarian pauses and airdrops meant to get more food to Gazas over 2 million people. They now largely rely on aid after almost 22 months of war.

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But the United Nations, partners, and Palestinians say far too little aid is coming in, with months of supplies piled up outside Gaza waiting for Israeli approval.

And although the UN estimates that 500 to 600 trucks of aid are needed daily, the trucks entering are mostly stripped of supplies by desperate people and criminal groups before reaching warehouses for distribution.

On Saturday, Gazas health ministry said seven Palestinians had died of malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, including a child.

More deaths near US-supported GHF sites

Near the northernmost GHF distribution site near the Netzarim corridor, Yahia Youssef, who had come to seek aid, described a grimly familiar scene. After helping carry three people wounded by gunshots, he said he saw others on the ground, bleeding.

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Its the same daily episode, Youssef said. Health workers said at least eight people were killed. Israels military said it fired warning shots at a gathering approaching its forces.

At least two people were killed in the Shakoush area, hundreds of meters (yards) from where the GHF operates in the southernmost city of Rafah, witnesses said. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received two bodies and many injured.

Witness Mohamed Abu Taha said Israeli troops opened fire on the crowds. He saw three peopletwo men and a womanshot as he fled.

Palestinians are carried after being wounded while trying to reach trucks carrying humanitarian aid en route to Gaza City, in the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip - Jehad Alshrafi/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved.

Israels military said it was not aware of any fire by its forces in the area. The GHF said nothing happened near its sites.

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GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. On Friday, Israel's military said it was working to make the routes under its control safer.

The GHF was established in May as Israel looked for a substitute for the UN-run system, which had provided aid for most of the conflict but was charged by Israel with enabling Hamas to embezzle supplies. That claim has been disputed.

On Thursday, a UN report said that 859 people have been killed close to GHF facilities between May 27 and July 31, adding that hundreds more people have been killed along the routes of food convoys led by the UN.

Previously, those convoys were guarded by Hamas-led police, but the officers were targeted by Israeli fire, the UN said.

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Israel and GHF claim the toll has been exaggerated.

Hostage families push Israel to cut deal

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with hostages families on Saturday, a week after quitting ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas intransigence.

Witkoff accompanied US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) assistance delivery station in the southern city of Rafah, one of only three such sites in the blockaded region.

Families of hostages protest, demanding the release from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, at the plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Aug. 2, 20 - AP Photo

According to The Washington Post, Witkoff declared that the country had developed a plan to free all of the remaining hostages.

Trump "now believes that everybody should come home at once, no piecemeal deals," Witkoff stated during the discussion, which was captured on tape and broadcast on Israeli television.

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"He didn't say anything new to me. The father of Israeli hostage Guy Illouz, Michel Illouz, stated, "We didn't hear anything practical, but I heard that the Americans were pressuring us to stop this operation." He claimed to have received "no answers" when he requested Witkoff to establish a deadline.

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Protesters from families at the plaza known as the hostages' square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday called on Israels government to make a deal to end the war, imploring them to stop this nightmare and bring them out of the tunnels.

According to Witkoff, US authorities want half of the remaining 20 hostages to be freed on the first day of a cease-fire, with the remaining hostages to follow shortly after. Twenty of the 50 hostages are said to be dead.
Sixty-two Palestinians, most of them aid seekers, have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since dawn on Saturday, hospital sources in the besieged enclave have told Al Jazeera.

The death toll includes 38 Palestinians seeking aid at distribution sites operated by the controversial United States and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The deaths are the latest killings reported near GHF-operated sites, despite Israels announcement last week that it would begin implementing tactical pauses in fighting in some areas to allow Palestinians greater access to humanitarian aid.

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Israel announced the start of the daily pauses in military operations on July 27. However, 105 Palestinians were killed while seeking food on Wednesday and Thursday alone, the United Nations Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory said on Friday.

As of Friday, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access aid, according to the human rights office.

Another 169 Palestinians, including 93 children, have died of starvation or malnutrition since the start of Israels war in October 2023, according to figures from Gazas Ministry of Health.





Palestinians in the enclave have reported numerous cases of Israeli soldiers and American security contractors hired by the GHF deliberately firing on aid seekers in the vicinity of the distribution sites.

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Facing growing international condemnation over the conditions in Gaza, Israel has in recent days allowed airdrops of aid into the enclave by countries including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Spain, Germany and France.

But humanitarian groups, including the UN aid agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, have warned that the airdrops are insufficient and called on Israel to facilitate the free flow of assistance via land.

Gazas Government Media Office said that just 36 aid trucks entered the enclave on Saturday, far short of the 600 trucks it said were needed to meet the humanitarian needs of the population.

In Khan Younis, a Palestine Red Crescent Society staffer was killed and three others wounded by an Israeli attack on its headquarters, according to the aid group.

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One Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) staff member was killed and three others injured after Israeli forces targeted the Societys headquarters in Khan Younis, igniting a fire on the buildings first floor, the PRCS said in a post on X on Saturday.

Reporting from central Gazas Deir el-Balah earlier on Saturday, Al Jazeeras Hind Khoudary said that Palestinians have not seen any improvement in their situation despite the recent deliveries of aid.

In the markets, you barely find food. Whatever is available is very, very expensive, and Palestinians are still forced to risk their lives to get whatever they can get, Khoudary said.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, on Saturday said Gaza was experiencing a famine that had been largely shaped by the attempts to replace the UN-led aid system with the politically motivated GHF.

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Sidelining & weakening UNRWA has nothing to do with claims of aid diversion to armed groups. It is a deliberate measure to collectively pressure & punish Palestinians for living in Gaza, Lazzarini said in a post on X.

UNICEF has warned that malnutrition in Gaza has exceeded the threshold for famine, with 320,000 young children among those at risk of acute malnutrition.

We are at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine whether tens of thousands of children live or die, Ted Chaiban, UNICEFs deputy executive director for humanitarian action and supply operations, said in a statement on Friday after a recent visit to Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank.




DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  A far-right Israeli minister visited and prayed at Jerusalems most sensitive holy site on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza said 33 more Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire.

With Israel facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged strip, Itamar Ben-Gvir 's visit to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israels nearly two-year military offensive in Gaza.

The area, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and was home to the ancient biblical temples. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary. Today it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

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Visits to the site by Israeli officials are considered a provocation across the Muslim world and openly praying violates a longstanding status quo. Jews have been allowed to tour it but are barred from praying, with Israeli police and troops providing security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said after Ben-Gvir's visit that Israel would not change the norms governing the site.

Ben-Gvir visited following Hamas release of videos showing two emaciated Israeli hostages. The videos caused an uproar in Israel and raised pressure on the government to reach a deal to bring home the remaining 50 hostages who were captured on Oct. 7, 2023, in the Hamas-led attack that triggered the war.

Ben-Gvir called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip and encourage Palestinians to leave, reviving rhetoric that has complicated negotiations to end the war. He raged against a video that Hamas released Saturday of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David showing him emaciated in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel, and called it an attempt to pressure Israel.

Ben-Gvir's previous visits to the site have prompted threats from Palestinian militant groups. Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators in and around the site fueled an 11-day war with Hamas in 2021.

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Sunday's visit was swiftly condemned as an incitement by Palestinian leaders as well as Jordan, the Al-Aqsa Mosque's custodian, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Houthi rebels in Yemen said they fired three drones at Israel; Israel's military said a suspicious aerial target launched from Yemen was intercepted.

Videos of hungry and suffering Israeli hostages

The videos  released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Gaza  triggered outrage across the Israeli political spectrum after the hostages, speaking under duress, described grim conditions and an urgent lack of food. Tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling on Israel and the United States to urgently pursue the hostages' release after suspending ceasefire talks.

Israels mission to the U.N. said it requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the hostages, which will take place Tuesday.

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They do not want a deal, Netanyahu said of Hamas. They want to break us using these videos of horror.

His office said it spoke with the Red Cross to seek help in providing the hostages with food and medical care. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was appalled by the harrowing videos and called for access to the hostages.

Hamas' military wing said it was ready to respond positively to Red Cross requests to deliver food to hostages, if humanitarian corridors are opened in a regular and permanent manner in Gaza.

Right-wing politicians who oppose deals with Hamas said the videos reinforced their conviction that Hamas must be obliterated.

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Deadly chaos around food distribution points

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said a staff member was killed when Israeli forces shelled its office. Israels military said it was reviewing the claim. The Red Cross called it an outrage that so many first responders have been killed in the war.

Hospital officials said Israeli forces killed at least 33 Palestinians seeking food Sunday, and witnesses described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged toward aid sites.

Desperation has gripped the Palestinian territory of more than 2 million, which experts warn faces a worst-case scenario of famine  because of Israels blockade. No aid entered Gaza between March 2 and May 19, and aid has been limited since then.

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Witness Yousef Abed described coming under indiscriminate fire and seeing at least three people bleeding on the ground.

I couldnt stop and help them because of the bullets, he said.

Two hospitals in southern and central Gaza reported receiving bodies from routes leading to the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid sites, including 11 killed in the Teina area while trying to reach a distribution point in Khan Younis.

Three Palestinian eyewitnesses, including one traveling through Teina, told The Associated Press they saw soldiers open fire on the routes, which are in military zones. Israel's military said it was not aware of casualties as a result of its gunfire near aid sites. GHFs media office said there was no gunfire near or at our sites.

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The United Nations says 859 people were killed near GHF sites from May 27 to July 31 and hundreds of others have been killed along the routes of U.N.-led food convoys.

GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. Israels military has said it only fires warning shots. Both claim the death tolls have been exaggerated.

More deaths from hunger

Gaza's Health Ministry said six Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll among adults to 82 over the five weeks that such deaths have been counted. Ninety-three children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began, the ministry said.

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Malnutrition-related deaths are not included in the ministrys war casualty count.

Israel has taken steps in the past week to increase the flow of food into Gaza, saying 1,200 aid trucks have entered while hundreds of pallets have been airdropped, but U.N. and relief groups say conditions have not improved. The U.N. has said 500 to 600 trucks a day are needed.

About 1,200 people were killed in the 2023 attack that sparked the war and another 251 were abducted. Israels retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 60,800 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

The ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, is staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable casualty count. Israel has disputed the figures but hasnt provided its own.

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___

Metz reported from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
The 26-year-old stabbing victim is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the city of Pecs and is understood to be in stable condition.

An Israeli man was left with life-threatening injuries on Saturday after he was stabbed multiple times in a brawl with another Israeli man at the Ozora Festival in Hungary, according to international media reports.

The 26-year-old is in stable condition, according to festival organizers, and a 28-year-old Israeli national was placed under arrest following the brawl. A case was opened against the latter by the Fejer County Police Headquarters for the alleged stabbing.

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The 26-year-old is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the city of Pecs.

The current motive behind thestabbing is not yet known.

People pass by the Parliament building in downtown Budapest, Hungary, September 11, 2024. (credit: BERNADETT SZABO / REUTERS)

About the music festival

The seven-day festival is described on its website as a "psychedelic tribal gathering."

It featured musicians, artists, and workshops.
(Reuters) -The Israeli military said on Sunday that it conducted a raid on targets in southern Syria the previous day.

It said it seized weapons and questioned several suspects it said were involved in weapons trafficking in the area.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Ben Gvir visits Al-Aqsa compound

Israels ultra-nationalist security minister has provoked outrage by praying on the Temple Mount, violating a long-standing agreement between Israel and the Arab world.

Jews are forbidden from prayer at the east Jerusalem site under the status quo agreement made between Israel and Jordan in 1967. It is the holiest site in Judaism and also the location of the Al-Aqsa mosque.

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Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount while Jews around the world marked the Tisha BAv fast day, commemorating the destruction of the first and second Holy Temples.

He was filmed at the site leading a Jewish prayer. He said: It is precisely from here, a message must be sent [to Hamas]: to ensure that we conquer all of the Gaza Strip, declare sovereignty over the entire Gaza Strip, take down every Hamas member, and encourage voluntary migration.

Only in this way will we bring back the hostages and win the war.

Credit: X

Mr Ben-Gvirs action forced Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to issue a statement saying that Israels policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will not change.

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Saudi Arabia condemned in the strongest terms of the repeated provocative practices by officials of the Israeli occupation authorities against Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Its statement added: The Kingdom affirms that such practices fuel the conflict in the region. The Arab nation is supporting the New York declaration with France, which recognises a Palestinian State and calls on Hamas to lay down its weapons.

Other Israeli ministers and politicians visited the Temple Mount on Sunday, including Yitzhak Wasserlauf, the national resistance minister, and Sharen Haskel, deputy minister of foreign affairs.

Mrs Haskel said: In the shadow of Oct 7, with our people still reeling from war and 50 hostages still in Hamass dungeons of torture, the pain in Israeli society runs deep. The anger and grief are overwhelming.

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But I went up [to the Temple Mount] to remember  and to promise. To promise leadership that unites, that heals, and that protects the next generation.

After Mr Ben-Gvirs action, Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israel had not abandoned the status quo agreement - Debbie Hill/UPI/Shutterstock

Yisrael Katz, Israels defence minister, visited the Western Wall, saying the Temple Mount was again under Israeli sovereignty after 2,000 years.

He said: Israel haters around the world continue to make decisions against us and protest, and we will strengthen our hold and sovereignty over Jerusalem, at the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount, forever.

It is not against the status quo agreement for Jews to visit the Al-Aqsa mosque, only to pray there.

What is the Temple Mount?

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority, called on the international community and US to intervene immediately to put an end to the crimes of the settlers and the provocations of the extreme Right-wing government in Al-Aqsa Mosque, stop the war on the Gaza Strip and bring in humanitarian aid.

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Jordan condemned Mr Ben-Gvirs prayer as an unacceptable provocation, and a reprehensible escalation.

Israel has no sovereignty over the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jordan added.

About 1,200 Jews visited the Temple Mount on Sunday according to the Waqf, the authority which manages Islamic buildings at the site.

The Temple Mount has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Jordan is the custodian of the site, but Israel controls security around it.

Eastern Jerusalem contains some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity and Islam - Gazi Samad/Anadolu via Getty

Palestinians and Israeli police force often clash there, especially during Ramadan and Passover, when religious Jews visit.

Ultra-nationalist religious Jews have sought to regain full control of the entire site, while Hamas and Islamic Jihad supporters have attacked Israeli police forces from the site.

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Hamas has often said that the Al-Aqsa compound/Temple Mount was a red line, vowing to liberate all of Jerusalem through jihad.

The Oct 7 massacre was also named the Al-Aqsa flood by the terror group.

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  A far-right Israeli minister visited and prayed at Jerusalems most sensitive holy site on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza said 33 more Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli fire.

With Israel facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged strip, Itamar Ben-Gvir s visit to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israels nearly two-year military offensive in Gaza.

The area, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and was home to the ancient biblical temples. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary. Today it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

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Visits to the site by Israeli officials are considered a provocation across the Muslim world and openly praying violates a longstanding status quo. Jews have been allowed to tour it but are barred from praying, with Israeli police and troops providing security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said after Ben-Gvirs visit that Israel would not change the norms governing the site.

Ben-Gvir visited following Hamas release of videos showing two emaciated Israeli hostages. The videos caused an uproar in Israel and raised pressure on the government to reach a deal to bring home the remaining 50 hostages who were captured on Oct. 7, 2023, in the Hamas-led attack that triggered the war.

Ben-Gvir called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip and encourage Palestinians to leave, reviving rhetoric that has complicated negotiations to end the war. He raged against a video that Hamas released Saturday of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David showing him emaciated in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel, and called it an attempt to pressure Israel.

Ben-Gvirs previous visits to the site have prompted threats from Palestinian militant groups. Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators in and around the site fueled an 11-day war with Hamas in 2021.

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Sundays visit was swiftly condemned as an incitement by Palestinian leaders as well as Jordan, the Al-Aqsa Mosques custodian, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Houthi rebels in Yemen said they fired three drones at Israel; Israels military said a suspicious aerial target launched from Yemen was intercepted.

The videos  released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Gaza  triggered outrage across the Israeli political spectrum after the hostages, speaking under duress, described grim conditions and an urgent lack of food. Tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling on Israel and the United States to urgently pursue the hostages release after suspending ceasefire talks.

Israels mission to the U.N. said it requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the hostages, which will take place Tuesday.

They do not want a deal, Netanyahu said of Hamas. They want to break us using these videos of horror.

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His office said it spoke with the Red Cross to seek help in providing the hostages with food and medical care. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was appalled by the harrowing videos and called for access to the hostages.



Hamas military wing said it was ready to respond positively to Red Cross requests to deliver food to hostages, if humanitarian corridors are opened in a regular and permanent manner in Gaza.

Right-wing politicians who oppose deals with Hamas said the videos reinforced their conviction that Hamas must be obliterated.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said a staff member was killed when Israeli forces shelled its office. Israels military said it was reviewing the claim. The Red Cross called it an outrage that so many first responders have been killed in the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Hospital officials said Israeli forces killed at least 33 Palestinians seeking food Sunday, and witnesses described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged toward aid sites.

Desperation has gripped the Palestinian territory of more than 2 million, which experts warn faces a worst-case scenario of famine  because of Israels blockade. No aid entered Gaza between March 2 and May 19, and aid has been limited since then.

Witness Yousef Abed described coming under indiscriminate fire and seeing at least three people bleeding on the ground.

I couldnt stop and help them because of the bullets, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two hospitals in southern and central Gaza reported receiving bodies from routes leading to the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid sites, including 11 killed in the Teina area while trying to reach a distribution point in Khan Younis.

Three Palestinian eyewitnesses, including one traveling through Teina, told The Associated Press they saw soldiers open fire on the routes, which are in military zones. Israels military said it was not aware of casualties as a result of its gunfire near aid sites. GHFs media office said there was no gunfire near or at our sites.

The United Nations says 859 people were killed near GHF sites from May 27 to July 31 and hundreds of others have been killed along the routes of U.N.-led food convoys.

GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. Israels military has said it only fires warning shots. Both claim the death tolls have been exaggerated.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Gazas Health Ministry said six Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll among adults to 82 over the five weeks that such deaths have been counted. Ninety-three children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began, the ministry said.

Malnutrition-related deaths are not included in the ministrys war casualty count.

Israel has taken steps in the past week to increase the flow of food into Gaza, saying 1,200 aid trucks have entered while hundreds of pallets have been airdropped, but U.N. and relief groups say conditions have not improved. The U.N. has said 500 to 600 trucks a day are needed.

About 1,200 people were killed in the 2023 attack that sparked the war and another 251 were abducted. Israels retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 60,800 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

The ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, is staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable casualty count. Israel has disputed the figures but hasnt provided its own.


JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday and said he prayed there, challenging rules covering one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East.

Under a delicate decades-old "status quo" arrangement with Muslim authorities, the Al-Aqsa compound is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation and Jews can visit but may not pray there.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement after Ben-Gvir's visit that Israel's policy of maintaining the status quo at the compound "has not changed and will not change".

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Videos released by a small Jewish organisation called the Temple Mount Administration showed Ben-Gvir leading a group walking in the compound. Other videos circulating online appeared to show him praying. Reuters could not immediately verify the content of the other videos.

The visit to the compound known to Jews as Temple Mount, took place on Tisha B'av, the fast day mourning the destruction of two ancient Jewish temples, which stood at the site centuries ago.

The Waqf, the foundation that administers the complex on a hillside in Jerusalem's walled Old City, said Ben-Gvir was among another 1,250 who ascended the site and who it said prayed, shouted and danced.

Israel's official position accepts the rules restricting non-Muslim prayer at the compound, which is Islam's third holiest site and the most sacred site in Judaism.

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Ben-Gvir has visited the site in the past calling for Jewish prayer to be allowed there.

Ben-Gvir said in a statement he prayed for Israel's victory over Palestinian militant group Hamas in the war in Gaza and for the return of Israeli hostages being held by militants there. He repeated his call for Israel to conquer the entire enclave.

Suggestions that Israel would alter rules at the Al-Aqsa compound have sparked outrage in the Muslim world and ignited violence in the past. There were no immediate reports of violence on Sunday.

A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Ben-Gvir's visit, which he said "crossed all red lines."

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"The international community, specifically the U.S. administration, is required to intervene immediately to put an end to the crimes of the settlers and the provocations of the extreme right-wing government in Al-Aqsa mosque, stop the war on the Gaza Strip and bring in humanitarian aid," Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield in Jerusalem and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; editing by Toby Chopra and Mark Heinrich)
The Brief

Last year, Marmo was among the top 10 donating restaurants during Houston Restaurant Weeks.

The restaurant is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Houston Restaurant Weeks runs August 1  September 1, 2025.

HOUSTON - Marmo was among the top 10 donating restaurants during Houston Restaurant Weeks 2024, and this year's menu is sure to be a favorite of Houston diners.

Houston Restaurant Weeks 2025: Marmo

Located in Montrose at 888 Westheimer, Marmo is open for lunch seven days a week from 11am to 3pm.

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Dinner is served Sunday to Thursday from 3pm to 10pm and, on Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant is open until midnight.

Chef Ilias Gugole and General Manager Amanda Le talk with Katie Stone about the menu and the food origins at Marmo.

Houston Restaurant Weeks runs August 1  September 1, 2025.

Restaurants and their featured menus can be found on the HRW website at houstonrestaurantweeks.com.

Produced by the Cleverley Stone Foundation, Foodies and Friends is available on demand on FOX Local on your smart TV, and on the FOX 26 YouTube channel.

Watch older episodes of Foodies & Friends here

Affectionately called "The Diva of Dining," Cleverley Stone made it her lifes mission to beat hunger in Houston Restaurant Weeks. "Dine Out & Do Good" was Stones mantra, and her tireless efforts spurred an annual citywide boom in restaurant revenues and contributions to The Houston Food Bank.

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Cleverley Stone passed away on May 28, 2020, following her battle with cancer. She was 68 years old.

Stones final wish was that Houston Restaurant Weeks continue in perpetuity in her name.

The Cleverley Stone Foundation was created by Cleverleys daughter, Katie Stone, to continue her Mothers mission and legacy of supporting Houston Restaurant Weeks benefiting the Houston Food Bank, which takes place August 1st through Labor Day each year. Together, Houstonians and Houston restaurant owners have raised more than $22 million over the past 21 years to support the Houston Food Bank and the hunger needs of our community.

Houston Restaurant Weeks and its sister event Eat Drink HTX is the largest annual fundraiser for the nations largest food bank. The Houston Food Bank services an 18-county area in southeast Texas

More about the foundation https://thecleverleystonefoundation.org

Houston Food Bank  houstonfoodbank.org

The Source

Cleverly Stone Foundation
(WJW)  The Powerball jackpot is growing again after no winning ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday nights drawing.

The winning numbers in the Aug. 2 drawing were 6, 18, 34, 35, 36 and a Powerball 2.

2 Ohio women $10K richer after winning Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes

While nobody hit the big jackpot, a winning $1 million ticket was sold in Georgia, according to Powerballs website. That means the ticket matched all five white balls, but not the Powerball.

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The next drawing is Monday, Aug. 4.

The estimated jackpot is now worth $426 million with a cash value of $193.5 million.

Your odds of winning the jackpot? One in 292,201,338.

Charles Berry Bridge stuck in upright position

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.

Click HERE to learn more about prizes, odds and how to play.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Brief

The Senate has confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for the nations capital.

President Donald Trump withdrew his controversial first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.

Pirro is a former county prosecutor and elected judge.

Former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro has been confirmed by the Senate as the top federal prosecutor for the nations capital.

Heres what to know about Pirro:

The backstory

Pirro, who joined Fox News in 2006, co-hosted the networks show "The Five" on weekday evenings. She was elected as a judge in New Yorks Westchester County Court in 1990 before serving three terms as the countys elected district attorney.

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In May, the president called her a "powerful crusader for victims of crime."

Dig deeper

Trump tapped Pirro after pulling his nomination of conservative activist Ed Martin Jr. for the position. Trump withdrew Martin from consideration after a key Republican senator said he could not support Martin for the job due to his defense of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Additionally

In the final minutes of his first term as president, Trump issued a pardon to Pirros ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.

Jeanine Pirro confirmation

By the numbers

Pirro was confirmed 50-45.

Big picture view

Pirro is the latest in a string of Trump appointments coming from Fox News  a list that includes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who co-hosted "Fox & Friends Weekend."

The Source

Information in this article was taken from a Senate vote on Aug. 2, 2025, from a previous FOX 5 WTTG report and from The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit.
A New Jersey man was arrested and charged Sunday in connection with an early morning fatal shooting in Fitchburg, the Worcester County District Attorneys Office said.

Jonathan Reyes-Contreras, 42, has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, the district attorneys office said.

On Sunday, Aug. 3, at approximately 12:15 a.m., Fitchburg police responded to the area of Mechanic Street in Fitchburg for reports of a person who had been shot, the district attorneys office said. At the scene, officers found a man with a single gunshot wound outside a car.

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The man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead a short time later, the district attorneys office said. The initial investigation suggests that Reyes-Contreras knew the victim, and there is no ongoing danger to the public.

Reyes-Contreras is expected to be arraigned in Fitchburg District Court on Monday. The investigation is ongoing, and no further information has been released.

More local crime stories

Read the original article on MassLive.
A New Jersey man has been missing for about a week as a "mega-fire" ravages the Grand Canyon National Park.

Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, of Freehold, New Jersey, was last heard from by his friends and family at approximately 12 p.m. on July 22, the National Park Service said in a press release. His friends and family reported him missing on July 28.

The U.S. Forest Service declared a "mega-fire" on July 31 when the Dragon Bravo Fire  burning along the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park  surpassed 100,000 acres in size.

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It was considered the largest fire burning in the continental U.S. and one of the top 10 largest in recorded Arizona history. Getting around it would be roughly like driving from New York City to Washington, D.C.

Californians Confront Man Accused Of Starting La Fire Until Police Make Arrest

According to the National Park Service, Gibbs  described as a White male standing six-foot-one-inches tall  is believed to have been in the Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa area on July 22.

Read On The Fox News App

He is further described as having brown hair and brown eyes, with no known tattoos.

"Park rangers are asking anyone who was in the Grandview Trail around July 22 and who may have seen Gibbs or has information on his whereabouts to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009. Tips can also be submitted online at www.nps.gov/ISB or via email at nps_isb@nps.gov," the press release said.

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Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, the Grand Canyon National Park said that Gibbs remains missing as of Sunday.

"Ground searchers extensively searched the Grandview Trail and its side drainages over the last two days. In addition, drones and search dogs from Coconino County Search and Rescue were utilized, along with high-angle technical rescue efforts near Grandview Point," the park said in a statement. "The ongoing Dragon Bravo Fire did not hinder search efforts. Responders from Grand Canyon National Park, along with Coconino County Search and Rescue, worked collaboratively to ensure a thorough search of the area despite challenging conditions."

"No evidence has been found to date, and search efforts have been scaled back in recent days due to the lack of further clues or evidence to suggest Mr. Gibbs was in the greater Grandview Trail area," the statement added. "Investigations remain ongoing, and if additional clues or evidence are discovered, our search and rescue team will promptly follow up with search efforts in the field."

According to the National Park Service, a lightning strike ignited the Dragon Bravo Fire on July 4 and prompted a "confine and contain strategy," but high wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour on July 12 caused a rapid 500-acre spread overnight.

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On July 30, containment dropped to just 4% amid strong winds and dry conditions.

Officials said the Dragon Fire Bravo in Arizona  coupled with another fire burning in Monroe, Utah  were so hot that they were spurring the formation of "fire clouds" that can create their own erratic weather systems.

Historic Grand Canyon Lodge Destroyed In Wildfire, Which Closes North Rim For Season

Towering convection clouds known as pyrocumulus clouds had been spotted over Arizona's blaze for at least seven consecutive days, fueling the fire with dry, powerful winds, fire information officer Lisa Jennings told the Associated Press last week. They form when air over the fire becomes superheated and rises in a large smoke column. The giant billowing clouds can be seen for hundreds of miles and can resemble an anvil.

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Their more treacherous big brother, a fire-fueled thunderstorm known as the pyrocumulonimbus cloud, sent rapid winds shooting in all directions this week as a smoke column formed from the Utah fire then collapsed on itself, fire team information officer Jess Clark said.

"If they get high enough, they can also create downdrafts, and thats something we really watch out for because that can quickly spread the fire and can be very dangerous for firefighters who are doing their work on the ground," Jennings told the AP.

The National Park Service website says that the North Rim is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season "because of damage and losses caused by the Dragon Bravo Wildfire."

The Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed approximately 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Visitor Center, and many guest cabins, according to the agency.

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"The park is currently focused on emergency stabilization to protect remaining infrastructure and natural resources. Planning is underway for the recovery and rebuilding of visitor facilities, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, although this process will take time," the website says. "While the South Rim remains open and continues to welcome visitors, there is currently no access to the North Rim or to North Rim facilities. We understand the importance of the North Rim to our visitors, employees, and partners, and we are committed to keeping the public informed as plans for recovery progress."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: New Jersey man missing in Grand Canyon 'mega-fire' as search efforts continue week later
John Lewis may slash the number of affordable flats at its new rental home scheme in Reading if the project faces hold-ups, local councillors have been told.

Advisers for John Lewis Partnership warned that any planning delays and further demands on funding provided to local services risked making the scheme unviable.

In a letter to Reading councillors, building consultants at DS2, who conducted a review for John Lewis, said the new flat scheme would already cost more to build than it was worth on paper, meaning John Lewis would not be able to viably provide any affordable housing.

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John Lewis has committed to making 10pc of the flats at its 170-home rental development in Reading affordable and available at lower rents.

However, they said this was conditional on the council approving the scheme within a reasonable timeframe. John Lewis first submitted the plans for the scheme almost a year ago.

DS2 said any requests for further contributions, such as new demands for extra funding of local services, would also be reflected in any reconsideration of the affordable housing final commitment at that time.

It is the latest sign of trouble for Labours ambitions to turn the tide on the housing crisis, as developers grapple with demands to build cheaper homes at a time of sky-high building costs.

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Earlier this month, Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, said she wanted to provide the biggest boost to the number of social and affordable homes across the country in a generation.

However, developers say they are facing hold-ups in planning applications, with builders waiting an average of 515 days  nearly a year and a half  for so-called Section 106 agreements to be finalised.

This is where developers and local authorities must negotiate agreements on funding for public infrastructure such as schools, roads or affordable homes. The waiting time for the negotiations has increased by a fifth over the past two years.

John Lewis has already faced local opposition to its Reading home scheme. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed NHS officials said they would need more funding to cope with an influx of new patients from the John Lewis flats. They argued local GP surgeries would be overwhelmed by the new housing scheme.

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At the time, the council said it was working with John Lewis to achieve the right outcome for Reading and its residents, which may include additional funding to help meet identified public health needs in the area.

John Lewis said it was in talks with Reading Council, and would agree the payment which councils normally receive from developments to fund local services and infrastructure.

Since then, John Lewis has reduced the size of the rental scheme. Last month, the company submitted revised plans for the development, including cutting down the number of homes to 170 from 215.

John Lewis Partnerships director of build-to-rent, Katherine Russell, said at the time: Its very important to us that we deliver the best possible scheme and one that benefits the community.

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The Reading scheme is one of three rental home developments being pursued by John Lewis, with the other two having faced setbacks before being given the green light.

John Lewis was forced to launch an appeal with the Governments planning inspector to get approval for its West Ealing, London, scheme after the council failed to make a decision.

Its project in Bromley, meanwhile, faced a backlash from locals and councillors, although the development was ultimately approved last year.

A spokesman for John Lewis said: Were committed to providing as much affordable housing for Reading as is viable. Were working constructively with the Council on our plans to transform this brownfield site with high-quality rental homes.

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JOPLIN, Mo.  A Joplin fan convention is back for its fifth year, and bigger than ever.

JoMoCon took over the Joplin Expo from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Saturday. Organizers estimate around a thousand guests entered the doors by 1, up from about 800 attendees last year.

JoMoCon is a one-day festival celebrating anime and nerd culture, everything from board games to cosplay contests to a Japanese taiko drum performance.

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Its an event, Vice Chair Matt Fussell says has grown a lot since its first year in 2021, thanks to the support of other events like the Joplin Renaissance Festival and local nonprofits like Connect2Culture.

Fussell adds, its important to bring conventions like this to Joplin.

The struggle is convincing Joplin, that Joplin has things to do. So please, come do things in Joplin. Its here, said Matt Fussell, Vice Chair of JoMoCon, I really want them to have the experiences of a bigger city without having to go drive and spend like they would in a bigger city.

JoMoCon is a nonprofit, and donates proceeds to a different organization every year.

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This year, that money will support Bright Futures Joplin.

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Around 70 vendors filled the Joplin Expo for JoMoCon this year.

One of them Moemo Maid Cafe.

The cafe hosts guests in-character, taking inspiration from popular cafes in Tokyo.

The goal is for all of us to make everyone feel comforted, and you get a nice break from the dreariness of normalcy in life, and you get to do something magical and fantastic for an hour, said Maid Lunette, MoeMO Maid Cafe.

Moemo is a Missouri-based pop-up, bringing the experience to different locations around the state.

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You can find more information here.

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A former New York state assemblyman who was elected as a State Supreme Court justice last year has recused himself from presiding over a land dispute between the city of Niagara Falls and the private firm, Niagara Falls Redevelopment.

State Supreme Court Justice Mike Norris, who served as the long-time representative of the state Assemblys 144th District in Lockport before securing a seat behind the bench in the 2024 election, placed his recusal into the public record in the citys so-called quiet title claim case involving roughly 5 acres of NFR land Mayor Robert Restaino wants for the development of his proposed $200 million Centennial Park arena and events campus.

Restainos administration is contending in court that the property formerly known as 10th Street Park is actually owned by the city, not NFR, because the company failed, more than a decade ago, to obtain state approval to acquire it.

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In a July 18 notice of recusal, Norris indicated that he stepped aside in the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety that my impartiality might be questioned.

On the state court system form required to be filed by judges recusing themselves from cases, Norris listed personal reasons. He provided no further explanation or additional information on the form.

A motion to quash, or put an end, to subpoenas served as part of the case by NFRs attorneys on what the citys legal team describes as a non-party  the architectural firm CJS Architects in Buffalo  is scheduled for Aug. 14. State supreme court Justice Frank Caruso is listed as the presiding judge for that hearing.

The city has so far been successful in court in its bid to acquire NFRs land for the Centennial Park project.

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In June, a state appellate court rejected a request from the company to overturn its decision in an eminent domain proceeding brought by the city in an effort to forcibly acquire 10 to 12 acres of the companys land, including the 5 acres of the former 10th Street park property, for the projects development.

NFR filed a motion in the Appellate Division Fourth Department of New York State Supreme Court in March asking the justices there to review and reverse their July 28, 2023, unanimous ruling that the city was justified in seeking to use eminent domain to forcibly acquire the 12 acres of land located off John B. Daly Boulevard at the intersection of 10th and Falls streets.

Lawyers for NFR had argued that the claim by the city that it already owns some of the proposed park property, based on newly discovered evidence, probably would have produced a different result if the appeals court justices had been aware of it in 2023.

Because this new evidence is manifestly inconsistent with the facts on which (the July 2023 ruling) is based, (NFR) respectfully asks this Court to vacate (the ruling), NFRs lead lawyer, John Horn, wrote in a filing with the Fourth Department.

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Horn also asked the appeals court to reject and annul findings by the Niagara Falls Common Council that the proposed park project would be a public benefit or serve a public purpose.

In a blunt, but unsigned, three-sentence decision, the court wrote, Now upon reading and filing the papers with respect to the motion, and due deliberation having been had thereon, it is hereby ordered that the motion is denied.

A local judge will eventually decide, if the city is successful in securing rights to NFRs land, how much it will cost to acquire the property from the company. City lawmakers, at Restainos urging last month, agreed to authorize the mayor to make a formal offer of $4.029 million for the property. The Niagara Gazette previously reported that the initial offer, which NFR is expected to reject, is more than $2.5 million higher than the $1.436 million the company paid for it roughly two decades ago.
Stephen Miller was unequivocal: Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would seek to arrest 3,000 or more immigrants per day, a staggering target that he said was necessary to carry out President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda.

Under President Trumps leadership, we are looking to set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day and President Trump is going to keep pushing to get that number up higher each and every day, the senior White House adviser told Fox News Sean Hannity in May.

But when federal judges pressed for details about that figure last week, the administration denied any such quota existed. The contradiction came in a lawsuit that alleged the intense pressure to rack up arrests had led ICE to conduct illegal sweeps in Los Angeles.

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Its not the only case that has featured the 3,000-arrest-per-day target as a crucial piece of evidence that the administrations single-minded drive to rack up arrests may have prompted immigration authorities to cut corners or break the law. Washington-based Judge Jia Cobb, a Biden appointee, cited the figure when she ruled Friday that the administrations dramatic expansion of expedited deportation proceedings violated the law. And Judge Trina Thompson, a Biden appointee in San Francisco, pointed to the purported goal Thursday when she blocked the administrations bid to end temporary protected status for tens of thousands of Nicaraguan, Honduran and Nepali immigrants.

But on Wednesday, the Justice Department said no such orders had ever been given.

DHS has confirmed that neither ICE leadership nor its field offices have been directed to meet any numerical quota or target for arrests, detentions, removals, field encounters, or any other operational activities that ICE or its components undertake in the course of enforcing federal immigration law, a Justice Department attorney reported to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

While DOJ attorney Yaakov Roth attributed the quota claim to anonymous reports in the newspapers, he didnt mention that Miller  Trumps deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser  had publicly confirmed the 3,000-daily-arrest goal in the televised interview on Fox.

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The discrepancy is the latest example of a gulf between what White House advisers say in public and what the Justice Department says in court. In this instance, the chasm may be undermining the DOJs already strained credibility with judges.

Homeland Security officials did not respond to requests for comment. A White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, did not directly respond to questions about the discrepancy between Millers comments and the administrations position in court.

The Trump Administration is committed to carrying out the largest mass deportation operation in history by enforcing federal immigration law and removing the countless violent, criminal illegal aliens that Joe Biden let flood into American communities, Jackson said.

A Justice Department spokesperson said there is no disconnect between the DOJs court filings and the White Houses public statements.

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The entire Trump Administration is united in fully enforcing our nations immigration laws and the DOJ continues to play an important role in vigorously defending the Presidents deportation agenda in court, the DOJ spokesperson said.

Immigration advocates have pointed to reports about the daily 3,000-arrest quota as proof that the administrations most extreme tactics  ones they contend violate due process and other constitutional or legal principles  are the result of a single-minded drive to hit numerical targets. Judges have pointed to those reports as well, figuring them into the analysis of whether the administrations tactics are legal.

The existence of the target has created particular complications in the case challenging the immigration sweeps in Los Angeles. The administration is fighting an order that a federal judge issued last month prohibiting ICE from conducting roving immigration arrests based on broad criteria such as presence at a home improvement store or car wash.

The claim of a quota featured prominently in oral arguments at the 9th Circuit last week on the administrations bid to overturn that order. And when the 9th Circuit ruled Friday night, leaving the order largely intact, the judges seemed to highlight the contradiction by quoting the entirety of DOJs denial and then taking note of Millers statement to Fox about a goal.

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The three Democratic-appointed judges assigned to the case said the vague factors ICE appeared to be relying on impermissibly cast suspicion on large segments of the law-abiding population, including anyone in the District who appears Hispanic, speaks Spanish or English with an accent, wears work clothes, and stands near a carwash, in front of a Home Depot, or at a bus stop.

During the arguments Monday, the appeals judges assigned to the case pressed the Justice Department for an answer on whether ICE officers were under pressure to meet some numerical target that might encourage them to detain people based on grounds that fall short of the reasonable suspicion the law required.

Roth conceded that such a quota, if it existed, could support claims that some arrests did not meet the legal standard. But he said it wouldnt justify the proactive order that Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong imposed three weeks ago, barring roving arrests in the federal judicial district centered in Los Angeles.

That might increase the risk of a constitutional violation in a particular case, but I dont think that alone would be sufficient for an injunction, Roth replied.

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A lawyer fighting the immigration arrests, Mohammad Tajsar of the ACLU, told the appeals court in a filing Thursday that the governments statements do not rule out the existence of some sort of quota motivating ICE officers.

Defendants carefully worded letter does not negate an arrest quota, Tajsar wrote. Those actions can heavily influence agents and officers conduct.


CHEYENNE  After a few hours of deliberation, a 12-person jury found Joseph Gish not guilty on all charges related to a fatal stabbing incident.

Joseph was arrested Dec. 12, 2024, after getting into a physical altercation with his estranged wifes 55-year-old boyfriend, Gregory Meyer.

During the altercation, Meyer threw a punch intending to hit Joseph and instead hit Josephs daughter, Aurora Gish.

Joseph then pulled out a knife, saying he meant to deter Meyer, and Meyer was stabbed in the chest, leaving two stab wounds that proved fatal.

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He pulled out a knife, Laramie County Assistant District Attorney Steven McManamen said in closing arguments. Its not a deterrent to stop Greg Meyer, its a weapon.

McManamen reiterated the states argument that this was a crime committed in the heat of passion that proved fatal for Meyer.

McManamen added that the jury got to hear Josephs testimony but will never hear Meyers.

We dont know what Greg Meyer was thinking, McManamen said. We dont get his version of events. We had a two-on-one in that hallway, and now weve got a two-on-nobody here in court.

Josephs attorney, Senior Assistant Public Defender for the State of Wyoming Baend Buus, argued that Joseph acted in defense of himself and his daughter.

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Gish continues to say that he was scared, terrified and concerned for the safety of Aurora and himself, over and over and over again, Buus said. Hes in a protective mindset, not violent.

Buus told the jury that Meyer was the only person present that night acting out of rage.

Meyers autopsy, presented in court, showed 1400 nanometers per milliliter of methamphetamine in his system.

There is nothing that says that you dont get self-defense unless you get beaten first, Buus told the jury. Its not a requirement, and you shouldnt have to submit yourself to that in your home. Theres no requirement that you ask the guy whos attacking you if hes been on drugs.

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The jury was instructed to consider potential charges of voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide, all of which the jury found Joseph not guilty.

Joseph was released from his bail and bond, and Buus was instructed to prepare a judgment of acquittal.

The incident

Joseph took the stand Wednesday, testifying that he acted in defense of himself and his daughter, Aurora, who was struck in the head during the altercation.

On the night of the incident, Joseph and Aurora were watching TV in his room in a mobile home that they shared with Josephs estranged wife, Lisa Gish. Lisas boyfriend, Meyer, was working on repairs in the bathroom on Josephs side of the mobile home, according to court documents.

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Joseph testified that he heard a commotion, went into the hall and found Meyer working on repairs. Joseph asked Meyer to leave the bathroom so he could use it, but Meyer refused.

Meyer then pushed Joseph up against a wall, which Joseph testified started the altercation.

Leaning on de-escalation training he had received in a previous occupation, Joseph testified that he got free from Meyers grip and tried to lead Meyer out of the mobile home while Meyer continued to grab Joseph.

Joseph testified that he repeatedly told Meyer to get out of his house, but Meyer continued to attempt to grab Joseph.

I dont remember how many times I said it, but thats really all I could think to say, Joseph told the jury Wednesday. I just wanted him out. I wanted him to know that he was no longer welcome in this area.

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Meyer attempted to hit Joseph; he testified that he moved, and the punch hit Aurora.

I backed up and watched the punch fly in front of my face and then connect with the side of her head near the temple area, Joseph said.

Joseph testified that as soon as he saw Aurora hit the ground, he grabbed the knife, then asked if she was OK.

Joseph testified that Meyer then pushed him up against a dresser, at which point the knife was up near Josephs chest, between the two men. When Meyer stepped back, Joseph said, it was clear the knife had gone into his chest.

Joseph admitted to detectives that he did the stabbing, according to court documents. In court, he testified that he had only pulled the knife after attempting, and failing, to get Meyer to leave his house.

I would have rather done anything but what happened that night, Joseph said. If retreat was available to me, I would have taken in a second.
SACRAMENTO, California  Kamala Harris just answered the biggest question in California politics.

Now everyone is asking about Rick Caruso.

For months, the prospect of Harris entry into the governors race froze the 2026 contest as candidates and donors waited to see if she would seize the frontrunners mantle. But if Harris was the largest domino still teetering, the Los Angeles billionaire and former mayoral candidate was widely seen as a close second  and Harris pass has given him options.

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I do think hed now be more likely to look to a possible gubernatorial race," said Donna Bojarsky, a Los Angeles civic leader and fundraiser. Theres not only no obvious frontrunner  theres a very challenging path for every single person running.

Carusos political debut ended in failure when the Republican-turned-Democrat mall magnate lost his City Hall bid by seven points despite sinking more than $100 million of his own wealth into the campaign. But few political observers thought he was finished, and his path diverged into two obvious choices: challenge Bass again or shift his aim to the governors office.

Without Harris, the governors race looks like a wide open contest. And while Caruso has been circumspect about his next move  he did not release a statement about Harris bowing out and declined to comment for this story  behind the scenes, the wheels are turning.

Supporters lit up Carusos phone after Harris made her announcement, according to a confidante, some urging him to run for governor, while others pushing the mayoral race.

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Harris decision gave Caruso a cleaner path in the governors race, given that he would no longer have to contend with the former vice presidents universal name ID and strong fundraising.

The race has opened up a bit. Kamala had weaknesses and a ceiling, but she had support, too, said the confidante, who was granted anonymity to discuss Carusos view of the political playing field. Everything clicked up a notch, maybe two notches, as far as the excitement level. But in terms of a plan, its going to be a while.

The signals from Caruso world that suggest he is in no rush to declare reflects the billionaires luxury of time, given his ability to self-fund.

So far, Caruso has taken a deliberate approach. He has polled both races and spent the last five or six months traversing California on a listening tour with prominent political donors, including tech entrepreneurs, gathering their input on key issues and their thoughts about outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom.

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Caruso has often acted and sounded like a man still running for mayor, lambasting Bass over her faltering response to the January wildfires , which ignited while she was out of the country. But in recent weeks, Bass has found some footing, rallying her base against the Trump administrations sweeping immigration raids and presiding over a steady reduction in homelessness.

After the fires, the prevailing wisdom was Karen Bass was politically vulnerable and Caruso was a prime opponent to run against her  six months later shes seen as handling the ICE raids in LA very well and her political standing is much better than it was, said Kevin Liao, a Los Angeles-based political consultant who has worked in the California statehouse. Governor appears like a path hed have a more realistic chance of winning.

In 2022, Caruso ran for mayor as a business-savvy outsider willing to defy an ossified political establishment. He sought to win over working-class and Latino voters disillusioned with the citys pervasive homelessness problem and spiraling cost of living.

It was not enough to win in deep-blue Los Angeles, where Bass enjoyed the backing of labor unions and was well known to voters and political power brokers after years in Congress. But some observers believe there is an audience for a similar message in the 2026 governors race after California Democrats lost ground in 2024.

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Many Californians, including lifelong Democrats, are looking for change in California, said Sam Yebri, a nonprofit executive and head of a centrist political group who supports Caruso. Voters in this moment want someone who will deliver real results for the average Californian, not someone who will just kick and scream and stomp around about the Trump administration.

A governors race would offer new insight into how Caruso defines his political identity. His past affiliation with the GOP has led many stalwart Democrats to view him skeptically and his party shape-shifting was used as a cudgel against him in the 2022 race against Bass.

But Caruso has since tried to shore up his bona fides as a Democrat, including donating to the partys House candidates last cycle and co-hosting a Joe Biden fundraiser. A visit to Carusos office has also become a rite of passage for would-be 2028 Democratic presidential aspirants in Los Angeles to raise money and rub shoulders with Hollywoods elite.

Caruso would also hold an important asset in a prohibitively expensive statewide race. He could draw on his considerable fortune to counter the family wealth of Eleni Kounalakis and small-dollar appeal of former Rep. Katie Porter.

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Think of the governors race as a congested freeway  Rick has the resources to at least clear a lane for himself, said former Los Angeles Councilmember Mike Bonin, who now directs the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs.

He could also seize the moderate lane from contenders like former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who would be vying for a similar base without being able to marshal Carusos resources.

But money isnt everything, as Carusos 2022 bid showed. In an overwhelmingly blue state where many Democratic base voters are itching for combat with a hostile Trump administration, Caruso may not have a message for the moment.

The shoals of California politics are littered with the wrecks of rich centrists who try to run for higher office, said Mike Shimpock, a Southern California political consultant. Theres always this belief that theres some secret centrist path to the governorship. I find it akin to the yellow brick road: It doesnt really exist.
A Chapel Hill home ravaged by flooding by Tropical Storm Chantal in Camelot Village. (Photo by Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Less than a month after I moved to Durham for graduate school, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina. Helene, the deadliest storm to ever hit the state, took 108 lives and caused an estimated $48.8 billion in damage. Less than a year later, Tropical Storm Chantal killed six North Carolinians and did more than $56 million in damage to Orange County. This is just one of the 13 counties for which Governor Stein declared a state of emergency. The physical and emotional trauma being felt during this time reminds me of watching my hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana struggle to overcome tragic extreme weather events.

As a Gulf Coast native, Ive felt the presence of natural disasters my entire life. When I was three, I evacuated New Orleans with my mother and younger sister ahead of Hurricane Katrina. When the levees broke, my dad watched the water rise up, filling our street and submerging our front lawn, creeping up the steps to the top lip of our front porch. We were lucky the water began to drain before it could make it into the house.

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As I grew older, I felt Katrinas legacy in New Orleans. Many people were not as fortunate as my family  some lost their homes and others their lives. Some who made it out during evacuations or in the storms aftermath never returned to New Orleans. I worry for my family that still lives there.

Throughout my childhood and adolescence, we experienced other large storms. None were as seriously damaging as Katrina, but it was common to wake up to felled tree branches and flooded streets. In 2021, Category 4 Hurricane Ida whipped through New Orleans, leaving the city without power for over three weeks at the hottest time of the year. Unfortunately, such extreme weather experiences were not limited to my time in New Orleans.

The morning after Chantal hit Durham, my coworkers and I watched live news reports of the 130 casualties caused by flash flooding in Texas. Twenty-seven young girls were killed by the floods while attending a sleepaway camp similar to the one I attended for seven summers.

While watching these reports in shock and horror, I listened to people calling the disaster an unavoidable act of God. Of course, we should dedicate thoughts and prayers to the families suffering during this tragedy, but the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather is not random. It is directly attributable to human-induced climate change. To prevent future tragedies, we need accurate forecasts and warnings, timely federal relief programs, more resilient infrastructure, and climate action plans.

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It is mystifying to me that the president claimed that he is investing in technology to protect people from extreme weather events on the same weekend he slashed support for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and renewable energy. We need to be proactive, not reactive, and that means investing in climate adaptation.

Devastating extreme weather events are our new reality, no matter what state you live in. If its not a hurricane, itll be a tornado like the one that hit St. Louis in May of this year. Or wildfires like those that burned through Los Angeles in January. Or an extreme heat wave like the heat dome that is triggering heat alerts from Nebraska to Florida this past week.

As someone just starting to establish a career and life as a young professional, I fear the upcoming years during which extreme weather will become an even more powerful and disastrous force. Flooding from Chantal in Durham wiped out an entire suspension bridge in the Eno River State Park, where I frequently hike and recreate with friends. This is reality for my lifetime, and I want to do something about it.

We need to get serious about climate action. Without concerted environmental efforts, communities will continue to suffer, and people will needlessly die. We need to make our voices heard.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is targeting a little-known but crucial program that underpins all childhood vaccinations.

Kennedy took to social media and the show of conservative activist Charlie Kirk this week to rail against the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) and pledge significant changes.

The VICP is broken, and I intend to fix it, he wrote on the social platform X. I will not allow the VICP to continue to ignore its mandate and fail its mission of quickly and fairly compensating vaccine-injured individuals.

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Attorneys and other experts say Kennedy is right that the program, which was created in 1986 in order to give quick payouts to families who can prove a child was injured from a vaccine, is badly in need of modernization.

Theres a lot of low-hanging fruit that [Kennedy] can act on that would immediately alter the course of the vaccine program for the better, said David Carney, a vaccine injury attorney in Philadelphia and president of the Vaccine Injured Petitioners Bar Association.

Cases could be settled more quickly, rather than going through a trial, Carney said. Kennedy could also press Congress to act on legislation that would increase the court staff, increase the pain and suffering caps, and add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of shots eligible for the program.

It has too few staff available to handle a massive caseload, leaving patients waiting for years just to have their cases heard. It covers almost three times as many vaccines as when it was first created, but the number of special masters who hear cases has stayed the same.

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Attorneys who argue cases on vaccine injuries said the government has been more favorable to vaccines than petitioners in recent years, fighting against claims that would have previously been easily settled.

Its not the fast, informal, petitioner-friendly program that Congress designed. It is very adversarial and litigious. Thats absolutely, 100 percent true, said Renee Gentry, director of the Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic at George Washington University Law School.

But theres fear the changes Kennedy wants will undermine the program, or tear it down entirely, at the risk of driving drugmakers from the market and threatening access to childhood shots.

Kennedy has long targeted the VICP, and his X post echoed many of his previous arguments. He did not elaborate on what changes he is making but said he is working with Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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He has previously said he wants to expand the program, making it easier for claimants to qualify for awards based on adverse events he claims are associated with vaccines but are not currently part of the program.

People can prove injuries two ways, said Dorit Reiss, a vaccine law expert at UC Law San Francisco. Either you fit into the table of injuries and theres a presumption that the vaccine caused the harm, or you have to show causation for an injury outside the list.

Kennedy has the power to add new injuries to the eligible list, like autism, which he has repeatedly linked to vaccines.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson earlier in July, Kennedy also suggested vaccines are linked to numerous chronic ailments like diabetes and narcolepsy.

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We have now this epidemic of immune dysregulation in our country, and theres no way to rule out vaccines as one of the key culprits, Kennedy said.

In order to add an injury to the list, Kennedy would have to go through the federal governments cumbersome notice-and-comment rulemaking process. Experts said its usually a time-consuming and expensive undertaking, and often the scientific reviews dont show enough evidence to prove whether the vaccine caused harm or not.

Kennedy could also unofficially start settling cases for more injuries without adding them to the list.

Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program.

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Families are paid through a trust fund thats funded by an excise tax on vaccine makers, so theres a finite pot of money available. The programs fund covers lawyers fees and the costs, even for losing cases.

In exchange for the tax, vaccine makers have a limited liability shield. Petitioners file claims against the federal government, not the manufacturers, and families can get compensation without having to prove that drugmakers were negligent.

Kennedy has suggested he wants to change that.

The VICP has devolved into a morass of inefficiency, favoritism, and outright corruption as government lawyers and the Special Masters who serve as Vaccine Court judges prioritize the solvency of the HHS Trust Fund, over their duty to compensate victims, Kennedy wrote.

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A Health and Human Services spokesperson declined to say what if any changes Kennedy is considering, saying the secretarys comments speak for themselves.

A popular antivaccine talking point is the desire to eliminate the vaccine makers limited liability shield. But thats only something Congress can do.

Kennedy does have the power to drop vaccines from the program. Right now, it covers 16 routinely recommended immunizations for children or pregnant women. But if a shot is no longer routinely recommended, it can be removed.

In early June, Kennedy abruptly fired all members of the outside advisory group responsible for making vaccine recommendations. He appointed a new group of hand-picked replacements.

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If that group no longer recommends the HPV vaccine, for instance, Kennedy can revise the injury table to remove it.

According to Gentry, if he takes it away, then those people have no right to be in this program, and theyre going to have to be stuck with civil litigation, which is much more difficult and expensive.

Updated at 1:10 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican U.S. Senate candidates (from left): businessman Nate Morris, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr. The three spoke at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2, 2025. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern)

FANCY FARM, Ky.  The top three Republican candidates hoping to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate  former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Lexington businessman Nate Morris  have been taking snipes at each other on the campaign trail this summer as they barrel toward the May 2026 primary, but they pulled out the stops for the annual Fancy Farm Picnic. They laid into the events tradition of trading zingers with opponents Saturday afternoon in the small West Kentucky town.

The picnic, a fundraiser for the St. Jerome Catholic Church, has historically brought together Democrats and Republicans for roasts from the stage as supporters and detractors yell and heckle. With Kentuckys top Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman skipping the event Saturday afternoon, Republicans either joked at the lack of their presence or toward each other, in the case of the GOP Senate candidates.

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Beshear said he had a scheduling conflict and Coleman said the stage should be reserved for candidates on the ballot.

Each Senate candidate tried to tie themselves closer to President Donald Trump, who has not made an endorsement in the race so far. Morris took it a step further by tying his opponents to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not running for re-election and who also spoke at the picnic.

Cameron won a coin toss to speak first. He joked about the lack of Democrats, saying there arent even enough of them to run Joe Bidens autopen. Kentucky U.S. Rep. James Comer, also a speaker at the picnic, is leading a probe into the formers presidents alleged use of an autopen to sign documents.

But look, I understand why they arent here, Cameron said of the Democrats. Theyre out searching for a national identity, which is going to be hard to find when theyre afraid of being misgendered.

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and his wife Makenze Cameron at the Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2, 2025. Daniel Cameron is running in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Mitch McConnell. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern)

Cameron took some swipes at his opponents, saying Barr has voted with former Democratic U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and that Morris donated to former United Nation Ambassador Nikki Haleys 2024 presidential campaign. Cameron also said Morris had supported diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as a company executive in the past.

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Some would say his campaign reminds him of a fart: it stinks, its unproductive and its a sign that the emitter is full of crap, Cameron said of Morris.

Cameron ended his speech by saying that he and his wife, Makenze, want their sons to grow up in a a colorblind society  one based on merit and opportunity, not division and handouts. He vowed to be focused on the future, not the past, as senator.

For the most part, Barr focused on his record in Congress and touting his support for Trumps policies in office. He did tease Beshear for his absence and his rumored aspirations to run for president in 2028, saying that Americans will soon learn what we Kentuckians already know  hes as liberal as he is boring.

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr greets supporters at the Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2, 2025. Barr is running in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern)

Id say anyone could beat this guy, but I wouldnt want to offend Daniel Cameron, Barr said, referring to Camerons loss to Beshear in the 2023 governors race.

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Barr added that he hopes Kentucky keeps the tradition alive of Andys beating Daniels.

But Morris was also the punchline of some of Barrs remarks, calling him a dumpster fire and attacking his business record and his Haley donations as well.

Barr ended by promising to be a friend to West Kentucky, with several regional nods, like supporting the military at Fort Knox and cheering on Murray State University in sporting events.

Morris was critical of McConnell ahead of the picnic and opened by saying, I didnt realize this was bring your boys to work day, referring to Barrs and Camerons ties to the senior Kentucky senator.

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Speaking last out of the three, Morris told the crowd that he wanted them to remember three things about him  that he supports Trump, he started a garbage company in Kentucky and that hes going to trash Mitch McConnells legacy.

The third one is pissing off a lot of people, but I have a serious question  who here can honestly tell me that its a good thing to have a senior citizen who freezes on national television during his press conferences as our U.S. senator? Morris said, referring to 2023 episodes McConnell had in front of reporters.

Businessman Nate Morris arrives on a garbage truck at the Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2, 2025. Morris is running in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern)

Morris said that Barr and Cameron would continue the senators legacy in office, calling them the McConnell boys.

To break some real news here, perhaps you could both show us the seat of your britches so we can finally understand where Mitch McConnells hand goes.

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McConnell spoke before the Senate candidates, but didnt directly address them in his remarks. A longtime attendee, Fancy Farm organizers presented McConnell with a plaque before the speeches began to recognize his frequent participation.

However, McConnell did share some thoughts on the race during the Graves County GOP Breakfast earlier Saturday morning. The events attendees included Republicans from the region and around the state, as well as the GOP Senate candidates.

Surely this isnt true, but Ive heard that one of the candidates running for my office wants to be different, McConnell said. Now Im wondering how you want to be different from the longest serving Senate leader in American history. Im wondering how youd want to be different in supporting President Trump.

McConnell then posed a little quiz to the crowd: Which of Kentuckys two Republican senators supports President Trump the most? Multiple people in the crowd replied, You.

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McConnell argued that hes repeatedly supported Trump more often than U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who did not go to the picnic this year, pointing out that Paul voted against the GOP spending megabill, while McConnell supported it. McConnell also had his staff tally up the money hes brought to Kentucky while being in office for 41 years, saying the total was $60 billion.

I leave by thanking you all for giving me this remarkable opportunity, McConnell said.Not just to help myself, not just to brag on how long I may have been there, but look at the difference that Ive made to try to help us move into a different place  a place when they talk about Kentucky, they talk about how well were doing, not how many people we have, how well were doing.

When McConnell stood before the crowd of Republicans, he received a standing ovation. Cameron and Barr also stood and clapped for McConnell while Morris stayed seated.

The lone Democrat

Only one Democratic candidate addressed the crowd at the Fancy Farm Picnic  John Drew Williams, who is challenging Comer in the 1st Congressional District. The district includes Fancy Farm and West Kentucky. He kept his remarks mostly focused on Comers record and told the crowd that he would offer them more public service if elected to Congress.

John Drew Williams, the Democratic candidate challenging U.S. Rep. James Comer, speaks to reporters before the Marshall County Democrats dinner on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Comer spoke after Williams, but largely talked about national issues and made fun of Beshear. However, he did add that he didnt know Williams name but still brought him a gift from Washington, D.C. A Comer supporter then came to the stage and held up a prop poster with an endorsement of Comers opponent, signed by Bidens autopen.

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Williams had a chance to campaign in a room of Democratic voters the Friday night before the picnic at the Marshall County Democrats Mike Miller Memorial Bean Dinner. In an interview with the Kentucky Lantern, he said he has wanted to speak at the Fancy Farm Picnic since he was in middle school, so he was excited for the opportunity.

However, he said he didnt blame other Democrats like Beshear for not going to a hateful space but added that it doesnt mean that it has to stay that way. Hed like to see the space become a way for candidates to have a conversation.

Id much rather me pick an issue, they pick an issue, and we come together. They dont do that.

During the dinner, Coleman reiterated that her decision to not go to the picnic this year was because she was not on the ballot. She said there were so many obvious jokes to make but not much worth laughing about in this moment.

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She hinted that Kentuckys statewide races in 2027, which would include the governors race to succeed Beshear, may bring her back to the picnic stage.

We have to leave here tonight with a renewed sense of purpose, she said. We have to leave here and talk to our neighbors, listen to their concerns, and remind them that we are fighting for their kids and grandkids schools, for their families security and for a Kentucky where every person has a chance to thrive.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman talks with reporters after speaking at the Marshall County Democrats annual bean dinner on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Speaking to reporters after her speech, Coleman said that the Fancy Farm Picnic has become a tradition for many, many years for people in West Kentucky. She added that its an exciting year to have the first female emcee, Ashli Watts, the president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. But Coleman argued she showed up for rural people in other ways, like supporting the rebuilding efforts after devastating tornadoes in West Kentucky.

When asked if she thought Democrats should find an alternative event to the picnic, which has become dominated by Republican speakers in recent years, or if changes should be made to its format, she recalled the attempted assassination of Trump on the campaign trail and the attacks earlier this summer on Minnesota Democratic lawmakers, that left a state representative and her husband dead and seriously wounded a state senator and his wife.

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We got to think about the rhetoric. Weve got to think about the way that we present things. And jokes are one thing, but it can get out of hand, and especially in an environment like that, I could see how it could, she said. So, I would leave it to the people who run the organization. I saw that they said they have to evolve with the times, and then got some primary candidates this year. I would encourage them to evolve with the times when it comes to rhetoric as well.

Matthew Powell, a member of the Graves County Democratic Party, attended the dinner in a Beshear 2028 shirt. He said he likes Beshear because of what hes done for the area during his response to tornadoes and floods, calling him a champion for the working class and myself.

Powell didnt mind the governor skipping the Fancy Farm Picnic.

His record speaks volume. Hes been in Fancy Farm and in Mayfield before, and when it counted. He was there with us in Mayfield, Kentucky, through the tornadoes and the flooding. So yes, hes always there with us.
Hurricanes need warm ocean water to form, and water temperatures in a key section of the Atlantic are really starting to warm up.

"One of the biggest changes Ive observed in recent weeks is a considerable warming of the so-called Main Development Region (MDR) of the Atlantic above its seasonal averages," WPLG-TV hurricane expert Michael Lowry said in late July on a Substack post.

That's a big change from earlier this season.

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"To open the hurricane season in June, waters across this bellwether part of the Atlantic where most of our strongest hurricanes get their start were running average to even below average," he said.

Aug. 2: Potential storm appears off East Coast as hurricane season danger ramps up

The Main Development Region (MDR), located between the Caribbean and Africa, is a region in the Atlantic where many tropical cyclones (tropical storms and hurricanes) form. This area is key because it's where many tropical waves, which can develop into hurricanes, originally form.

The warm water in that key region is just one of the reasons hurricane forecasters are warning that hurricane season could soon heat up.

Warm water everywhere

It's not only the Main Development Region that's warm: Water across the Gulf of America (formerly known as Gulf of Mexico) and the Caribbean Sea area also above average, scientists said. In fact, closer to home, persistent high pressure has led to some notable warming of the shelf waters around Florida, as well as the nearby southwest Atlantic, Andy Hazelton, a hurricane scientist at the University of Miami, pointed out on X on August 1. This included a 90-degree reading at a buoy near Virginia Key, Florida, near Miami.

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"Water temperatures are pretty much warm enough everywhere in the tropical Atlantic to support hurricane formation," Colorado State Univerisity meteorologist Phil Klotzbach told USA TODAY July 31. "The general consensus is that a temperature of 26.5C (79 degrees F) is required to get a hurricane to form," he said.

University of Miami tropical researcher Brian McNoldy confirmed this, telling USA TODAY in an email August 1 that "looking at sea surface temperature, it's above the commonly-used 26C isotherm everywhere of interest, so that ingredient is in place from Africa to the Caribbean to the Gulf."

So why no hurricanes?

So if ocean temperatures across the Atlantic are plenty toasty for hurricanes to form what's preventing them from forming?

"One of the biggest disruptors of the Atlantic hurricane season so far has been unfavorable upper-level winds," Klotzbach told USA TODAY. "Atlantic vertical wind shear is generally westerly. We've had a lot of upper-level westerly winds over the past few weeks, increasing vertical wind shear across the Main Development Region."

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Wind shear, a change in wind speed with height, is a hurricane killer, the National Weather Service said in an online report. "Strong upper level winds destroy the storms' structure by displacing the warm temperatures above the eye and limiting the vertical accent of air parcels. Hurricanes will not form when the upper level winds are too strong."

The Atlantic basin remains quiet as of Friday Aug. 1, with no budding tropical cyclones apparent.

Shear might be diminishing, though

However, the upper-level wind anomalies are likely to flip to easterly in early August, resulting in reduced vertical wind shear and creating conditions much more favorable for Atlantic hurricane activity, Klotzbach said.

He said this flip is associated with an eastward-moving Madden-Julian Oscillation, a global climate pattern that affects hurricane formation.

"Phases 1-3 of the Madden-Julian Oscillation are the ones that are most favorable for Atlantic hurricane activity, and we should be headed into these phases shortly per the latest long-range forecast from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts," he said. "So, while things are quiet at the moment (and likely to remain quiet for the next few days), there are signs that things will pick up in about 10 days."

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Hazelton agreed with this, noting that on X that "shear has already been coming down, and looks to drop even further as the Madden-Julian Oscillation moves over Africa. The Week 2 look on ensembles is about as favorable as you will ever see upper winds in the basin this time of year."

"Still, shear is just one part of the equation, and this time of year, moisture and stability can hold things back and prevent development even with low shear. Those issues seem prevalent already this year," Hazelton cautioned.

"It will be interesting to see how August goes tropical-cyclone-wise in the Atlantic."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A key sign of hurricane activity heats up for August
The export of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey began on Saturday with the opening of the Turkey-Syria natural gas pipeline.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the Turkish city of Kilis only seven kilometres from the Syrian border. It was attended by Turkish Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bakyraktar, Qatar Development Fund President Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed Al-Bashir and Azberbaijani Economic Minister Mikayl Jabbarov.

In his opening speech, Bayraktar said that the new pipeline means the electricity supply in Syria will be increased from between three and four hours a day to ten hours a day.

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Electricity will now be exported from Turkey to Syria from eight different points, Bayraktar said, with the export capacity expected to increase in the coming years.

"With the new connections, the capacity will reach 860 megawatts," he said.

Speaking to Euronews, Bayraktar said that European countries expecting Syrians to return home "need to put concrete projects in place to turn expectations into reality."

He said that "Turkey has been an important host" to Syrians who fled their country due to war. While many of these people want to return to their home country, he said the conditions need to be provided for them to do so.

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"Many countries, especially European countries, refuse our Syrian brothers and sisters and do not accept them, Turkey has been and continues to be a very important host in this sense."

"Syria has many needs, infrastructure needs and other needs. Therefore, it is important for the European Union countries, European countries, Western countries to support, embrace and contribute to these projects that are necessary for the normalisation of life there in this sense," he said.

The minister had previously announced that Turkey would cooperate with Azerbaijan and Qatar in natural gas exports to Syria. He said that a significant increase in energy production would help with "accelerating the return" of Syrians in Turkey.

Bayraktar also announced the signing of an agreement with Azerbaijani state-owned oil and gas company SOCAR for natural gas.

Energy cooperation

Immediately after the EU and the US lifted sanctions on Syria, it was announced in May that a $7 billion (6.04 billion) strategic cooperation agreement was signed between Kalyon Holding and Cengiz Holding from Turkey, UCC from Qatar, Power International from the US and the Syrian Ministry of Energy.

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Within the scope of the agreement, the groups intended to build natural gas cycle power plants across Syria within the next three years. A solar power plant is also expected to be built in around two years.

The consortium aims to ensure Syria's energy supply security, environmental sustainability and regional development.

Energy supply during the civil war

Syrians have been struggling with serious energy shortages since the start of the civil war.

The years-long war paralysed more than 50 percent of the country's electricity grid, reducing electricity generation capacity from 8,500 megawatts to 3,500 megawatts.

It is stated that the main reason for this is the serious damage to power plants in the regions of Mkharde, Aleppo and Zayzoun.

Before the civil war in 2011, Syria was producing and exporting 400 thousand barrels of oil per day. However, now it can only produce 20 thousand barrels and is dependent on imports. The natural gas sector, which was just developing in 2011, is almost non-existent today.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Frank McKay was one of the most influential politicians in Grand Rapids history. In the 1920s, 30s and 40s, he parlayed his business interests and connections into a powerhouse of influence in Grand Rapids and Lansing.

Boss McKay was the center of all sorts of criminal investigations and even more rumors. He was indicted in four separate cases and even loosely tied to the assassination of a state senator, but never served any jail time.

Ultimately, it wasnt rival Democrats who took him down. It was people within his own party: a group known as the Republican Home Front.

TAKING A STAND

The Republican Home Front first launched in the late 1930s. Local dentist Willard VerMeulen was one of the original organizers. Fed up with the slippery McKay and the litany of seedy accusations against him, VerMeulen wanted to find a way to negate McKays influence and reshape Republican priorities.

A snapshot of a pamphlet distributed by the Home Front Republicans. (Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library Local History Archives)

According to local historian Jon VanderPloeg, VerMeulen was motivated by stories he heard from friends and patients, including one involving the local sanitarium.

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A friend who had a sister in the Grand Rapids sanitarium was run by a doctor who neglected the care of his patients, VanderPloeg said in a 2024 presentation with the Grand Rapids Historical Society. It was said that he was a heavy drinker, and he was not caring for patients, including this (woman).  VerMeulen (told his patient) to take her out of there to get proper treatment. He did and she had surgery that saved her life.

VerMeulen viewed this as utter neglect that came from this sanitarium doctor who was a product of the machine.

The dentist came up with a goal: to find 10 hard-working men of impeccable integrity to oppose McKay and his field of candidates. One of his earliest supporters was Paul Goebel, a well-respected business owner in the city. Another was Jerry Ford Sr., the chairman of the Kent County GOP.

According to an interview that Goebel gave in 1980 with historians at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, Ford Sr. was reluctant to get directly involved with the Home Front because of his role within the party.

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He was very sympathetic to our efforts, but being chairman of the County Republican Party, he could not take sides publicly, Goebel said. He greatly helped the cause by privately talking with all his friends, informing them of exactly what the real situation was.

If Jerry Sr. says, Thats the way it is, thats good enough for me. He was very, very helpful in bringing about the upsetting of the political machine.

Following his first criminal indictments, McKays influence had slipped somewhat. And since Ford Sr. was also extremely popular and widely respected, Goebel believed McKay knew not to mess with him.

McKay could not afford to buck such a popular person as Jerry Senior, Goebel said.

A portion of an advertisement placed in a 1944 edition of the Grand Rapids Press by the Home Front Republican organization that aimed to replace politicians like Frank McKay, who they believed to be self-serving. (Courtesy The Grand Rapids Press/NewsBank)

GAINING TRACTION

The Home Front put its first field of primary candidates forward in 1942 to middling success, but they found enough momentum to keep moving forward. Ongoing criminal indictments and a new scandal in Grand Rapids gave them even more momentum in the following years.

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In the early 1940s, a scandal surfaced that connected McKay to a scheme with local officials who were improperly assessing property values.

(McKay) was fooling with assessments, longtime activist Dorothy Judd said in her own 1980 interview with historians at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. They would go up if he didnt like a person and down if he did. And that Chamber of Commerce committee in 1944 was the one that discovered this terrible weakness in our system.

Investigators found that properties belonging to McKays friends were assessed anywhere between 10% and 90% of their actual value, meaning much lower taxes.

A Michigan assassination: Revisiting the death of Warren Hooper

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By 1946, the city commission had amended the charter to change how property values were assessed. When city manager Frank Goebel  Pauls brother  announced he would appoint a professional appraiser, Judd claims Mayor George Welsh  a known McKay associate  grew irate.

At a city commission meeting before a packed audience, Mayor Welsh went into a rage, Judd said. (Welsh) fired (Goebel) off hand and physically chased him down the aisle and out of the hall.

That scandal and ensuing outburst led to a recall against Welsh. It was tied up in court for several years, but by 1949, the Michigan Supreme Court finally ruled in favor of the recall. Welsh was on vacation in Europe when the ruling came down. Instead of face a recall, he wired in his resignation from Rome.

Losing Welsh was the final nail in the coffin for McKays local influence, but the big blow came a year earlier in the 1948 primaries.

Gerald R. Ford talks with some Kent County farmers ahead of the 1948 congressional primary election. (Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library) A campaign ad for Gerald R. Ford in the 1948 congressional primary. (Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library) Gerald R. Ford, top right, looks on as campaign aides tally votes from the 1948 congressional primary. (Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library)

THE BIG BLOW

Between the Home Fronts consistent criticism, the burning spotlight from his fourth criminal indictment and rumors connecting him to the Warren Hooper assassination, McKays influence was dwindling. By 1948, a man who once had countless local and state officials in his back pocket was suddenly on thin ice.

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By 1948, the Home Front had taken a majority of the Kent County GOP committee, but McKay allies still held several elected positions. They became the Home Fronts next target. VerMeulen and Goebel put together a team of candidates to directly challenge McKays men and they enlisted the biggest name for Congress: Jerry Ford Jr.

On this day: Gerald Ford survives first assassination attempt

The younger Ford was also an early supporter of the Home Front but couldnt take much of an active role while he was serving overseas in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Now home after the war, the young lawyer took on the giant task of trying to unseat a longtime McKay ally in Barney Jonkman.

Jonkman served parts of five terms in Congress and was connected to McKay, but according to Goebel, there wasnt much known about the exact relationship between the two men.

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It would be very difficult indeed to discover what McKay was up to behind the scenes, but you can bet your bottom dollar he badly wanted Jonkman to be elected and directed his efforts thusly, Goebel said.

Ford was an energetic veteran, the son of a widely respected businessman and community leader, and a voracious campaigner. Still, he was going up against reasonably well-liked incumbent. VerMeulen told the Grand Rapids Press that he figured Ford Jr. would be the most likely Home Front candidate to lose. Goebel was more optimistic, saying the good people of this community were catching on.

Honesty, candor at the heart of Betty Fords legacy

It was a clean sweep. Every Home Front candidate won their primary, including Ford Jr., with 62.2% of the vote. Upset by the primary results, McKay threw his support behind Democrat Fred Barr Jr. in the general election, a clear sign of his disdain of Ford and the Home Front.

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McKay got behind Fred Barr to run just because he hated Jerry Ford so much, VanderPloeg told News 8. (Barr) was his last best bet.

In the Republican-heavy district, the congressional race was never going to be close, even with McKays efforts. Ford beat Barr with nearly the same margin.

LATER YEARS

The 1948 elections were a huge blow to McKay. With his local political influence all but gone, he turned his focus to his business ventures. In the 1950s, he purchased the former Grand Rapids National Bank building and named it after himself  the building we still know today as McKay Tower.

McKay Tower stands tall in downtown Grand Rapids on July 3, 2025. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A nameplate stands on the side of McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids on July 3, 2025. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

McKay also spent less time in the city.

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He was kind of persona non grata in Grand Rapids, VanderPloeg said.

Later, he launched a new business venture: a giant hotel. He built the Bal Harbour Hotel in Miami Beach, a $2.2 million project according to press reports.

VanderPloeg noted that the Teamsters Union is believed to have also been involved in helping fund the hotel. The unions annual convention was held at the Bal Harbour in 1957  the convention where Jimmy Hoffa was first named union president.

McKay sold the Bal Harbour in 1959, even though his plans for the hotels profits were already sunk. According to VanderPloeg, McKay first decided to sell the hotel to help fund an even bigger plan: a partnership with Cuban President Fulgencio Batista to build and operate a casino in Havana.

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There is little documentation of this plan, but VanderPloeg, who wouldnt share his sources on the Cuban deal, called them unimpeachable.

To commemorate that (deal), Batista gave McKay a ring that he had fashioned that had a stone in the middle and Batistas initials on one side and McKays initials on the other side, VanderPloeg said.

Killing Smalley: The death of Michigans most notorious train robber

But the plan fell apart before a single card was dealt. The Cuban revolution intensified in the latter part of the decade. By 1958, Batista had been overthrown and McKays plans for cashing in in Cuba were gone, too.

Frank McKay died on Jan. 12, 1965. He was 81 years old. Despite all of the rumors and accusations, without any convictions, his rap sheet was clean. Instead, press reports noted him as the owner of McKay Tower with a long career as a politician and a business owner, with no wrongdoings or accusations to be named.

*Editors note: This is the final part of a three-part series on the legacy of Frank McKay.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VICTORIA, Australia (WJW/AP)  Starting in September, it will be illegal to own, carry, use, buy or sell a machete without a valid exemption or approval in the Australian state of Victoria.

Its part of an ongoing effort to curb knife violence in the state.

I-TEAM: Why were Lorain officers shot? Still not clear

To help owners safely dispose of the large knives, dozens of disposal bins are being rolled out across the state.

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According to a press release on the Premier of Victorias website, more than 40 bins will be available at police stations during an amnesty period which will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.

The heavy duty steel bins are roughly 900 millimetres by 1200 millimetres in size, with a 70 millimetre concrete base to ensure they are secure and have feet to allow for safe removal, the press release states.

Those who fail to comply face up to two years in prison or a fine of more than $47,000 AUD, which is roughly $30,500 American dollars.

These knives destroy lives  so were taking them off the streets, Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan is quoted in the press release.

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Charles Berry Bridge stuck in upright position

Certain exemptions will be granted, including for agricultural workers who use machetes as part of their jobs, and machetes used in a traditional, historical or cultural capacity, according to the press release.

Anyone covered by an exemption must comply with strict conditions and be able to demonstrate eligibility if asked by police, the press release states.

There is already an interim machete sales ban in place, Victoria police said on its website as it promoted the amnesty program.

The sales ban led to Amazon subsequently removing sales of the weapons from its website, according to the press release, and Consumer Affairs Victoria inspected more than 470 retailers with only seven stores and one market vendor found to be breaking the law.

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Police investigating shooting with multiple victims at Warren convenience store

According to the Associated Press, the government first announced in May it would ban the sale of the weapons following a violent gang fight in a suburban shopping mall that injured a young man. The fight reportedly involved eight combatants armed with machetes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




NEED TO KNOW

The Krasheninnikov Volcano erupted on Sunday, Aug. 3, marking its first eruption in 600 years

The resulting ash plume reached about 4 miles in height, but did not pose any threat to populated areas

The eruption may be linked to the massive earthquake that hit Russia less than a week earlier that caused tsunami warnings in multiple countries





The Krasheninnikov Volcano just erupted for the first time in centuries.

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The volcano, located in the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia, erupted in the morning of Sunday, Aug. 3, Reuters and CNN reported, citing Russias RIA state news agency and scientists.

Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), called it the first historically confirmed eruption of Krasheninnikov Volcano in 600 years, per the outlets.

According to the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, where the Krasheninnikov is one of eight active volcanoes, the eruption began around 6 a.m. local time, The New York Times reported. At that time, some of the staff at the remote nature reserve were on a research trip at the volcano when they observed gas and vapor starting to spew from its crater, the outlet said.

The resulting ash plume reached a height of over 3.7 miles high overnight, according to the BBC. Echoing this, the Kronotsky Nature Reserve said it sent volcanic ash as high as four miles into the sky, The New York Times reported.

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Krasheninnikov Volcano itself stands at over 1.1 miles, per CNN.

INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY FEB RAS HANDOUT/EPA/Shutterstock Krasheninnikov Volcano erupting on Aug. 3 Krasheninnikov Volcano erupting on Aug. 3

The reserve said that the employees were quickly evacuated to safety, and the volcano is too far from any populated areas to pose a threat, per The New York Times.

According to the KVERT, which monitors and responds to volcanic activity in the Russian peninsula, there were no towns within reach of the miles-high ash plume, the outlet said.

Vsevolod Yakovlev, the acting director of the reserve, called the eruption an exciting and fascinating event, in a statement, per The New York Times.

Girina said that prior to Aug. 3, the last recorded eruption of Krasheninnikov was in the 15th century, according to the BBC.

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The KVERT head also said the eruption may be linked to the massive earthquake that hit Russia less than a week earlier, the outlet said.

On Tuesday, July 29, a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 7:24 p.m. E.T., about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said in its updated assessment, USA Today reported.

HANDOUT/KRONOTSKY NATURE RESERVE/AFP via Getty Krasheninnikov Volcano erupting in Russia on Aug. 3 Krasheninnikov Volcano erupting in Russia on Aug. 3

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 massive earthquake was followed by an eruption of another volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula: Klyuchevskoy Volcano, which is also the most active, per Reuters.

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The quake  which is likely among the top six strongest earthquakes ever recorded, per The Washington Post  also triggered tsunami warnings in several areas, including Hawaii, Ecuador, Guam, Japan and the U.S. west coast.

At least six earthquakes followed, subsequently occurring near Kamchatka, the USGS said. Their initial readings had magnitudes of 6.9, 6.3, 5.4, 5.7 and 5.6.



Read the original article on People
CAIRO (Reuters) -The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said on Sunday that five of its members had been killed during an attack by Islamic State militants on a checkpoint in eastern Syria's Deir el-Zor on July 31.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Monday.

The SDF was the main fighting force allied to the United States in Syria during fighting that defeated Islamic State in 2019 after the group declared a caliphate across swathes of Syria and Iraq.

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The Islamic State has been trying to stage a comeback in the Middle East, the West and Asia. Deir el-Zor city was captured by Islamic State in 2014, but the Syrian army retook it in 2017.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din, Jaidaa Taha and Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Alison Williams)
Watch your mouth!

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to ban the use of the N-word and C-word at public meetings  triggering free speech backlash and the threat of a $400 million lawsuit.

The controversial vote by the body allows council leadership to issue a warning for any use or variation of the slurs. Repeat offenders can be booted from the chamber and barred from future sessions.

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who is black and introduced the measure, said the use of slurs during public comments has made residents hesitant to attend meetings.

The council chamber where a 140 vote Wednesday banned use of the N-word and C-word during meetings, citing years of disruptive outbursts. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

It is language that, anywhere outside this building where there arent four armed guards, would get you hurt if you said these things in public, Harris-Dawson told the Los Angeles Times earlier this year.

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He added that public comment has become rank, cantankerous, and rude and demeaning and insulting since Donald Trumps election in 2016, according to the LAist.

The Wednesday ban is already drawing legal threats.

Wayne Spindler, an attorney and longtime City Hall commenter, said Wednesday he intends to sue.

Critics of the new rule, including frequent City Hall speakers, claimed the city was infringing on free speech and promised legal challenges. Getty Images

Im going to file my $400-million lawsuit that I already have prepared and ready to file, Spindler said during public comment, adding he plans to read explicit Tupac Shakur lyrics until hes banned from a meeting.

Spindler was arrested in 2016 after submitting a public comment card showing a burning cross, a man hanging from a tree and the phrase Herb = [N-word], referring to then-Council President Herb Wesson. Prosecutors declined to bring charges.

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David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, warned the councils policy likely wont survive in court.

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said offensive speech has surged since 2016, creating a chilling effect on civic engagement. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The First Amendment prohibits the government from censoring speech because it disapproves of that speech, Loy wrote in a letter to the City Council.

The city has lost similar battles before. In 2014, it paid $215,000 to a black man who was removed from a meeting for wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood and a T-shirt with the N-word.

The new rule took effect immediately.
This article was originally published in LAist.

After almost 20 years in business, Milestones Preschool in Inglewood closed its doors this month.

It was a decision that preschool director Milena Bice had been putting off for years. Shed turned her family home into a small business, transforming the house on a quiet tree-lined street into a playground of childish delights, complete with a sand pit, fruit trees and even a brood of chicks waddling around a small pen.

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Bice loved her preschool. She loved the way it allowed her to care for her own kids when they were little, and how she could continue to apply therapeutic approaches to her work long after theyd outgrown preschool. Over the years, she developed a reputation for her care for children with neurological differences.

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But child care is no easy business. Margins were about as slim as can be. When parents couldnt afford to pay full tuition, Bice felt it was her duty to keep caring for their kids anyway. The question of closing loomed over her as her business survived the ups and downs of the global economy: first, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic more than a decade later.

But this month, Bice finally called it quits. She was sick of charging families high fees and still struggling to pay herself at the end of the month. And for the first time this year, she said her preschool didnt have anyone on her waitlist. One reason is universal transitional kindergarten  or TK  no-cost public kindergarten that becomes an option for all California 4-year-olds this fall.

 I cant compete with free, she told LAist in a recent interview. And in this economy, I think a lot of families are hurting.

Bices predicament mirrors a statewide challenge. As families sign their 4-year-olds up for TK, some childcare and preschool providers say theyre losing enrollment and its threatening their businesses. While teachers struggle to adjust, childcare remains an unaffordable and unmet need for many families across California, especially with very young children.

Child care is still a major need for CA families

Even as transitional kindergarten expands, theres no shortage of need for child care. The California Budget & Policy Center estimates that just 19% of infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children who are eligible for state subsidized care are enrolled. The need is especially great for children age 2 or younger  the most expensive age group to care for .

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A recent report from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment found that most early education programs will need to pivot to younger kids to meet the need and stay in business, and that centers and home-based childcares are hurting from declined enrollment since the pandemic.

Anna Powell, the lead author of that report, said early educators struggling to adapt to the changing landscape of their industry are a byproduct of the states massive investment in universal TK, but lack of similar investment in others.

 If one area, for example TK, receives a lot of resources to scale up to reach demand, in theory, that is positive, she said. What happens when you dont invest in all the quadrants at the same time is that there can be these unintended consequences.

Transitioning to younger kids is a challenge

Powell said that caring for younger kids requires a number of shifts in how child care programs operate. Teaching expertise is different for younger children, and staffing ratios are smaller. The time a provider might expect to have a child enrolled is also shorter, since kids are heading to the public school system earlier. This means early educators could face more turnover.

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Theres also the matter of teaching preferences. Caring for a 3- or 4-year-old is very different from taking care of a 1-year-old. In a survey of nearly 1,000 early educators , just 20% said theyd be interested in teaching infants and toddlers.

David Frank, who runs a preschool in Culver City, told LAist in April that hes also closing his doors this year. He said that 4-year-olds used to make up a third of the schools students, and his enrollment was down from 34 to 13. His preschool already took 2 -year-olds, but he didnt want to go any younger. One reason is it would require him to reconfigure the school to create a separate space for the youngest children.

Frank said hes not against TK, but he couldnt keep making it work.

 Im happy that children will have good, free education, he said. But as a person trying to run a business  its just no longer a viable plan to stay open anymore.

Advocates say even more investment is needed

Californias transitional kindergarten is a plan years in the making, and, despite kinks , it has achieved a big goal: offering a free option for every family with a 4-year-old in the state.

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That program runs through the public school system, but child care and early education offerings for the states youngest children continue to be a patchwork of different types of care with no similar central system. The state funds a public preschool program for 2- to 5-year-olds for low-income families, which has received more money in recent years. Many private programs receive state subsidies for serving low-income families, and the state has increased the number of seats it funds in recent years.

It also bumped up reimbursement rates for 3-year-olds to entice more providers to take younger kids.

Gov. Gavin Newsoms office pointed to these changes, telling LAist that it has invested heavily in a universal Pre-K program that extends beyond transitional kindergarten.

Some advocates and childcare providers say still more game-changing investment is needed. The state has promised the childcare providers that receive its subsidies to overhaul its payment system to reflect the true cost of care, but this year deferred offering them pay bumps . The union representing those workers is currently bargaining with the state, saying providers cant wait for a raise.

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Patricia Lozano, the executive director of advocacy organization Early Edge California, said TKs ripple effect on early education programs shows that the state needs to do more to provide for its youngest children.

 TK was one of the key things weve been advocating since it was passed, she said. But thats just one piece. I think the whole system itself is problematic. Its underfunded.

Lozano pointed to New Mexico as a potential model for California. The state has boosted teacher pay and expanded eligibility for free care by directing gas and oil revenue to state childcare programs. She said this type of consistent source of money is especially important amid threats to federal funding and state budget cuts.

The bottom line is we need to have that source of funding protected, she said.

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In the meantime, Milena Bices preschool in Inglewood is closed. Shes not sure exactly what happens next. She cant go work at a public school. Despite decades in the business , she doesnt have a bachelors degree or teaching credential.

While she debates the future, Bice is holding onto her childcare license. Who knows? Maybe shell want to reopen someday.
The Brief

Six out of eight members of the Lakeland Police Department dive team underwent high-water recovery certification.

They trained to better prepare for this years hurricane season after witnessing flooding they had never seen before last year.

The dive team is planning on getting its remaining team members certified. They must re-certify every five years.

LAKELAND, Fla. - After Hurricane Milton caused unprecedented flooding in some neighborhoods last year, the Lakeland Police Departments dive team is now trained to help rescue people in high water.

The backstory

Last years hurricane season brought flooding to the Twin Palms Mobile Park community that Lakeland police and residents had never seen before.

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PREVIOUS:'We're at our wit's end': Lakeland community flooded out by Hurricane Milton

"The water was at rooftops," said Sgt. Robert Bernhardt with the police department's dive team. "Four feet inside the trailers. It was a shock to us when we got out there. We're like holy cow.

We're wading into deep chest water. People on top of countertops and people looking for help to get out."

Dig deeper

To better prepare for this hurricane season, six out of eight members of the dive team underwent high-water recovery certification.

They trained for a week at the Swift Water Rescue Training Facility in North Carolina, which houses a 140,000-gallon tank. It can duplicate weather conditions, change the current, and place obstacles in the water.

"As far as contaminants, you have gas, oil, pesticides, poison," said Bernhardt. "You don't know what's in this water so having that knowledge now what to look for prior to going into water to get citizens out safely is going to be benefit the city and citizens."

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The team also got new helmets and gear to protect themselves from contaminants in the water and two new boats to evacuate people from flooded areas.

Bernhardt says he's now more confident going into these kinds of operations.

"Hopefully we won't have to, but if we have to know, we can do it properly and safely," said Bernhardt.

What's next

Going forward, the dive team is planning on getting its remaining team members certified. They must re-certify every five years.

The Source

This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron.
A language school said it was "deeply saddened" after a student died after being assaulted.

Police were called to Mill Park, Cambridge, at 23:27 BST on Friday, where they found the 20-year-old man. He was pronounced dead just after midnight.

Two men have been arrested in connection with his death and remain in custody.

EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school that teaches English to overseas students, said it was working with police who are investigating the incident.

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A 21-year-old man from Cambridge was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 50-year-old man, also from the city, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

In a statement, EF International Language Campuses Cambridge said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our adult students was fatally injured on Friday night in a public space.

"At this time, we understand the attack was carried out by a member of the public in an isolated incident.

"The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority.

"We are providing support to all students and staff affected by this tragic event and have organised counselling sessions."

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A large, 15-foot great white shark was spotted last week off the coast of Santa Monica  sparking real-life Jaws fears for California beach goers as the predator usually stays further off the coast.

Photographer Carlos Guana sent out a drone to capture footage of the shark on Thursday after hearing reports that some Great White sharks had been breaching, or launching themselves out of the water and into the air, he told the Los Angeles Times.

Video shared to YouTube shows the massive white shark swimming near someone on a paddleboard who appears completely unaware of its presence.

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When Guana heard there were great white sharks in the area, he assumed they were juveniles, which are smaller and known to frequent the area as they are attracted to near-shore warm waters.

However, when Guana reviewed his drone footage, he was surprised to see an adult great white, which usually opt for colder, deeper waters, swimming near the surface, about 50 yards off the coast.

A great white shark was spotted swimming off the coast of Santa Monica, California, last Thursday (Getty/iStock)

The Santa Monica Bay is known as a nursery ground for juveniles, Gauna told the LA Times. But this was no juvenile. This is the real deal.

Guana said he told a local lifeguard as a precaution, as encounters with violent sharks, like the great white, are rather uncommon in California.

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According to the California Fish and Wildlife, about 200 incidents involving great white sharks have occurred in the states waters from 1950 to 2021. Of those encounters, 107 have resulted in injuries and 16 in deaths.

Attacks from great whites are also incredibly rare. Fish and Wildlife officials say that while the sharks dont usually prey on humans, they may pose a threat to humans if they find them on their turf, or near them in the water.

The sighting was more awe-inspiring than scary for Guana, who took the chance encounter as a reminder of what wonderful wildlife exists just off Californias beaches.

Its a good reminder of how a great ecosystem exists next to one of the busiest cities in America, he told the paper. And just how rare a shark attack here really is!

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The sighting also comes after the largest great white shark ever was tagged off the coast of Massachusetts last month.

Great white sharks do not often pose a threat to humans  despite their fearsome reputation

Contender, a mature male shark measuring 13.8 feet and weighing around 1,653 pounds, emerged near Nantucket on July 18.

The sharks tag pinged around 100 miles south of Boston and 30 miles from Cape Cod  a popular tourist destination.

The powerful animal had been tagged in January, around 45 miles off the coast of Florida and Georgia, in order to help researchers and conservationists.

Shark Week 2025, an annual programming block from Discovery, coincidentally began two days later on July 20.
Aug. 2GRAND FORKS  A lawsuit filed by a former Grand Forks band teacher against the school district was recently dismissed, with the judge ruling in favor of the district.

David Christianson's attorney  Michael Geiermann 

argued in a June 24 motion hearing

that when his client's pep band director and head director positions were not offered for the 2024-2025 school year, he was entitled to statutory protections including continuing contract and nonrenewal protections.

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Because he was not offered those protections, Geiermann argued Christianson was entitled to the wages lost from the nonrenewals.

A main argument between the plaintiff and defense was whether Christianson was entitled to these protections at all. The protections apply to curricular contracts only; the plaintiff argued the contracts were curricular, while the defense argued they were extracurricular.

Judge Kristi Venhuizen explained in her order, filed July 24, that she found these protections were not afforded to Christianson, because the contracts at hand were in fact extracurricular. She wrote that the language in both the district's teacher and extracurricular contracts is unambiguous, and does not support Christianson's argument that his contracts were curricular in nature.

"The extracurricular duties are for additional tasks not required of (Christianson) as a music teacher," Venhuizen wrote. "While pep band, marching band, concerts and competitions are wonderful experiences for students, Christianson could still teach the curriculum without these additional opportunities being provided to students."

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Though she agreed the duties are intertwined, Venhuizen explained that Christianson's teacher pay was separate from his extracurricular pay, and in a similar case cited during the motion hearing, a ruling was made in a teacher's favor because the reduction in duties resulted in a teacher salary decrease. Christianson's pay did decrease, but not his teacher salary.

Christianson argued his teaching contract was contingent on his agreement to carry out the director duties, but Venhuizen wrote that extracurricular contracts are signed months after teaching contracts, and the teacher contract does not say anything to that affect.

She also pointed out that Christianson was not pep band director during the 2020-2021 school year  likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic  which supports the position that extracurricular contracts are not guaranteed; they can and do change from year to year, and one is not contingent on the other.

Venhuizen wrote that the school district failed to comply with the timeline laid out in the grievance policy by failing to submit written notice of the denial of Christianson's appeal within 10 days and, by doing so, the district waived its right to require him to proceed with arbitration, which is considered the next step in the grievance process.

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"It is not reasonable to interpret the grievance policy procedures to allow the prevailing party to not comply with the required timelines while holding the other party to strict compliance," Venhuizen wrote.

She also explained that the case deals with legal issues, not factual ones, so an arbitration panel would not necessarily have the knowledge or expertise to address the matter.

Venhuizen granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment, giving the defense 14 days to file its summary judgment documentation. The case was dismissed with prejudice, which means the issue can't be refiled in court.
Wood chips were once piled dozens of feet high at the Port of West Sacramento. Fertilizer imports filled multiple warehouses, ready for distribution across Yolo Countys ripe farmlands.

That infrastructure and product is now gone.

The city of West Sacramento said in a February news release that a modernization plan required demolishing an obsolete warehouse and a conveyor system used to transport goods into ships in the harbor. Wood chips and fertilizer stopped coming through the port in 2005 and 2008, respectively, according to the West Sacramento News Ledger.

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The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and its local West Sacramento chapter filed a lawsuit alleging this dismantling was a pretext for winding down industrial and maritime operations at the port to build houses, according to documents filed in Yolo Superior Court on June 25. The lawsuit also alleges the Port Commission  which governs the Port of West Sacramento  unlawfully transferred public funds to support exploring a plan that will ultimately squash all functions.

Former site of a fertilizer warehouse that was decommissioned and destroyed earlier in the year at the Port of West Sacramento on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

These were the most overt steps city officials have taken to close the port, which could happen as soon as next year, said Tim Campbell, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union local chapter in West Sacramento.

Im scared, Campbell said Thursday, explaining that a potential closure has never been this close.

The allegations have no merit or basis in fact, said Paul Hosley, a West Sacramento city spokesperson.

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The lawsuit attempts to establish the lines of authority a city and port have over a special district.

Tim Campbell, president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 18, speaks with a reporter inside of a rice shed while providing a tour of the Port of West Sacramento on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

The Port Commission, containing a Yolo County Board of Supervisor and four members from the West Sacramento City Council, entered into a contractual agreement with West Sacramento to manage and operate the port in 2005, according to the city. Commerce operations began in 1963 at the port.

County officials said previously about 50 longshoremen work at the port.

Campbell said the number of employees can range anywhere from 200 to 300 to function at full capacity. For the most part, the port handles rice exports and cement imports.

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The ports general manager is a city employee, working out of the City Managers Office. Its finances are also contained in the citys budget, according to the lawsuit.

But the Port Commission is a legally separate entity, and should make its own decisions to ensure the port can best operate, said Patrick Soluri, the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Patrick Soluri, an attorney for International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 18, speaks with a reporter on Thursday, July 31, 2025 about the effects the proposed Enterprise Bridge in West Sacramento would have on the Port of West Sacramento.

Instead, the Port Commission authorized decommissioning and dismantling bulk cargo, including multiple structures that could be used to expand business opportunities, according to the lawsuit. The union sent a letter to the Port Commission, which oversees the port, informing them of the unlawful scheme to shutter and liquidate the port. But the Port Commission took no action, according to the lawsuit.

The Port Commission also authorized about $1.4 million last year to help design and engineer the Enterprise Bridge project, a move that does not benefit the port, and instead serves to dismantle the port in order to shutter operations, according to the lawsuit.

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The Enterprise Bridge project connects the Southport Industrial Park to Interstate 80 by arching across the Sacramento Deep Water Shipping Channel. City officials have considered three different design options: the low-fixed bridge, a low movable bridge and a high fixed bridge.

Tim Campbell, president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 18, points to the remains of an underground woodchip conveyor belt at the Port of West Sacramento on Thursday, July 31, 2025, that was decommissioned and destroyed in February 2025. On his phone, Campbell pulls up a photo of what it looked like before it was demolished.

If City Council members choose a low-fixed bridge  the cheapest option  large ocean barges wouldnt be able to enter into the port because the bridges middle section couldnt move to accommodate large barges. Effectively locking out ships, longshoremen would lose valuable work.

You bought the gun to shoot yourself in the foot, Campbell said.

City staff will present details about the bridges engineering feasibility and funding options by the end of 2026 to mid-2027, according to previous Bee reporting.

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On Thursday, longshoremen worked in concert with sailors to haul tons of rice into a barge headed for Vietnam.

Longshoremen stand atop rice bags inside a rice shed at the Port of West Sacramento on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Electric forklifts whirred and precisely stacked rice weighing 44,080 pounds into neat rows to be lifted into a barges deep depths.

Campbell was 17 and homeless when he began working at the port with his father. On his first day of work, blood poured down his arms as he hauled 110-pound rice bags.

But the work provided him with a life. All that is threatened as he watches structures being ripped away.

He pointed to large siloes that once held enough rice to make a profit, emblazoned with a Port of Sacramento logo. But those siloes sit empty after city officials refused to repair an elevator lift inside, he said.

You see all this history going away  it was just really disheartening, Campbell said.
It looks likely there wont be a primary for Davenports mayoral race. Theres enough time left for that to change, but as long as there are only these two candidates in the race, no primary.

They are Jason Gordon and Judith Lee. The mayors race will be decided in the general election on Nov. 4 if this holds.

We introduced you to Jason Gordon a couple of weeks ago.

We will get to know Judith Lee a little better now. She was born and raised in Webster, Massachussetts, got a Bachelors degree in wildlife management fron the University of Maine, then a Masters degree in wildlife biology from Utah State University.

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Judith Lee spent her professional career as an ecologist, researcher and environmental planner working for the federal government and state governments in Maine, New York, Idaho and Utah.

Shes currently an environmental consultant as the president of her compant called Environmental Planning Strategies with clients across the country.

Lee also has experience holding elected office. She served two terms as Davenports eighth ward alderman from 2020 to 2023.

Judith Lee hopes shes the one who will claim victory as Davenports next mayor on election night. Thats about three months away.

She joins host Jim Niedelman for a conversation.

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I know the issues thats been happening over the last five years, Lee said. Im very involved with understanding not only what the issues are, but also I believe what needs to be done to address them.

To hear more, click on the video.

Now we want to hear from you, too, with our question of the week: What changes and priorities do you want to see from Davenports next mayor? Please share your thoughts at 4therecord@whbf.com

Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 the Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home.

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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.
The grand and rather beautiful Lutyens-designed headquarters of the British Medical Association in Tavistock Square has always symbolised something more than just a trade union; this is also an academic institution, a publisher of world-renowned medical journals and it even has its own legal practice.

Established in 1832, the BMAs motto is to promote the medical and allied sciences, and to maintain the honour and interests of the medical profession. There have been a few controversies along the way  a flirtation with eugenics in the early 20th century and an early rebellion against the plans for the NHS  but for the past few decades the BMA was decidedly very small-c conservative in the words of Emma Runswick, its deputy chair.

Thanks to Runswick and some of her friends, that is no longer the case. In recent years, what is known as the omnicause of far-Left issues  trans, Palestine, eco protests  have come to dominate the union, which was last week accused of extortion for staging a five-day strike aimed at securing a 29 per cent pay rise for resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors.

Emma Runswick, deputy chairman of the BMA, pictured at a rally for doctors pay restoration in January 2023 - See Li/Picture Capital/Alamy

The origins of the transformation stretch back to 2020, when a grouping of Corbynite doctors within the union formed the Broad Left coalition. The name stems from a Communist Party strategy to capture positions within a union and take it over. Its logo is a stethoscope arranged to look like a hammer and sickle.

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By 2022, the coalition seemed to have increasingly joined hands with a larger group of young activist doctors called DoctorsVote  which is mainly dedicated to winning massive pay rises for resident doctors.

And in the spring of that year, the two groups combined to seize dozens of seats on the BMA council, the unions foremost decision-making body. In a vote to determine the makeup of the council for the following four years, Broad Left/DoctorsVote candidates secured 26 of the 69 places up for grabs.

Since then, their influence has only grown. Indeed, a 2023 Policy Exchange report  Professionalism is not relevant  concluded the union had been taken over by young, self-declared entryists in a planned campaign similar to that [orchestrated] in the Labour Party at the time of Jeremy Corbyns leadership.

It is very sad to see what was basically a well-rounded organisation that covered so many issues of importance to a wide range of doctors being hollowed out by the angry activism around residents pay, Gaza and LGBT issues, says Mark Pickering of the Christian Medical Fellowship, which counts many BMA members in its ranks. It is very similar to the way Momentum took over the Labour Party from the inside. We saw then how people started using democracy to try to dismantle democracy and thats what it seems has happened here.

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You had these two groups come in and they all vote for each other and thats shifted what happens at the annual meetings, where BMA policy is formed.

As the union has become ever more of a crucible for Left-wing politics, members appalled by the takeover have begun to leave.

First out the door have been many Jews, who have been dismayed by the unions response to the war in Gaza. Last month veteran doctor Robert Winston told The Telegraph he had resigned as a member of the BMA after 61 years due to a combination of his disgust with the strikes, the union acting highly politically in recent times and its failure to tackle anti-Semitism among doctors.

The conflict in the Middle East certainly appears to be something of an obsession for many members; at the BMAs annual conference in Liverpool this June, more than 40 motions  some 10 per cent of the total  were focused on Israel, Gaza, Palestine, anti-Semitism or Zionism.

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Among them was one which particularly galled the unions some 1,500 Jewish members.

The Jewish Medical Association had long been asking the BMA, which has around 200,000 members in total, to adopt the definition of anti-Semitism set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

It has so far refused to do so. Instead, members voted through a motion which cherry-picked a sentence from the IHRAs definition  criticism of the actions of the state of Israel is not per se anti-Semitic  and seemingly ignored the range of examples of anti-Semitism it lists. The definition has been adopted in full by the UK Government and a range of academic and cultural institutions.

The definition begins that way but then provides a significant number of examples where criticism of Israel can cross into anti-Semitism. Apparently that element of the definition was not worthy of the BMAs focus, says David Katz, chairman of the Jewish Medical Association, an umbrella organisation to which a number of BMA members also belong. It was ludicrous; like making the first incision on a patient in the operating theatre before promptly wheeling them to the recovery room.

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He recalls how repeated attacks on Israel during the meeting in Liverpool were met with rapturous applause, so much so that the sheer volume felt threatening. Katz puts it down to unconscious bias within the union. They arent even aware they are being anti-Semitic, he says.

David Katz, head of the Jewish Medical Association, pictured last December - Heathcliff O'Malley

Jewish doctors within the BMA spoken to by The Telegraph were quick to point out that the alleged anti-Semitism did not emanate from any one group in particular. Instead, they said, there was a wider issue within the healthcare sector and pointed to the surge in complaints made by medics to the General Medical Council about discriminatory abuse as evidence. The body, which regulates doctors, received hundreds of complaints about anti-Semitism last year.

But that hasnt stopped them voting with their feet over the unions direction of travel. A poll run by the UK Doctors Anti-Racism Group last month found that 76 per cent of Jewish members of the BMA had either left or were considering leaving as a result of anti-Semitism.

Among those who have already gone is Daniel Rose, a Hertfordshire GP who sent his resignation letter on Friday. He says the issue is so widespread that even the unions house magazine, the British Medical Journal (BMJ), has been impacted.

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Ive been with the BMA for 51 years and noticed over the last few years that not only the conferences but the magazines  they are always anti-Israel. Different articles in every edition of the BMJ. I started to get more and more angry and fed up, he says.

And I know they might claim they are not anti-Semitic, just anti-Israel, but why the obsession? There is never anything about the hostages or Hamas and few articles on medicine. I just dont think the BMA and the BMJ should be political.

But it is not just Jewish members who are unhappy. Theres an even bigger grouping just as angry and upset: the doctors who reject a pro-trans ideology which they claim has gripped swathes of the organisation.

When the NHS-commissioned Cass review  which took four years to complete and reviewed data from 113,000 children  about gender identity was released last year, it was immediately rounded upon by the BMA even as it was accepted by other medical organisations.

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Dr Tom Dolphin (who was recently elected as the BMAs new leader) tabled a motion with the governing council which led to the union lobbying against the findings of the review, without consulting wider members. The motion took aim at Casss methodology and promised a critique of her findings. The critique is still yet to be published.

Dr Hilary Cass published her review into gender identity services for children and young people last year - Yui Mok/PA

Insiders point to the fallout from the review as a defining moment. The unions attack on Cass was what opened my eyes to the problem, says one female anaesthetist and BMA member who asked not to be named. In anaesthetics understanding sex is really important; we titrate [incrementally adjust the dose of] drugs according to your sex. And as doctors we understand that women present with different disease profiles to men. Doctors need to know someones biological sex to be able to treat them.

I also began to see literature being brought out [by the BMA and BMJ] which erases the word women and mothers  who are now called people who are pregnant. How can patients have trust in the integrity of a doctor who doesnt believe in the realities of sex and their importance in healthcare?

Twelve months on from the Cass review, when the Supreme Court ruled in April of this year that a woman is someone born biologically female, the BMA responded by immediately criticising the judgment. The union said it was concerned about the wider implications of the ruling, particularly for trans, intersex and non-binary individuals.

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The resident doctors branch  made up of around 50,000 medics  meanwhile unilaterally passed a motion describing the ruling as biologically nonsensical and scientifically illiterate.

The moves left many members feeling exasperated. As doctors we are very supportive of all our patients however they identify. But we also want to make sure that people get the right information, the best quality treatment and how can we do that if we dont recognise biology matters too? says Dr Alice Hodkinson, a Cambridge GP and co-founder of the Biology in Medicine campaign group.

The BMA has criticised Cass but still hasnt published their critique. It feels like this pushback is coming from activists who arent approaching it from a scientific evidence-based point of view. And it means that people are leaving the BMA because they feel that the union doesnt represent us anymore.

Many of the more than a dozen members spoken to by The Telegraph said they feared the BMAs increasingly Leftist bent was eroding its reputation with the public. Last weeks strikes will only worsen the problem, they warned.

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But there seems little hope the organisation will change direction any time soon. Dolphin, its new leader, is a consultant anaesthetist and former Labour activist who campaigned for Corbyn ally John McDonnell and was the election agent for Dawn Butler.

Tom Dolphin, the BMAs new leader, pictured on a picket line outside University College Hospital in London in 2023 - Jamel Smith/PA

While insiders speak of his obvious intelligence and describe him as a good man, many doubt he will steer the union away from activism. In fact, they say, there is a danger he will entrench it.

Increasing numbers of outsiders, meanwhile, look on in despair. The BMAs drift into hardline political activism on issues like gender ideology and Israel is deeply concerning, says Stuart Andrew, the shadow health secretary.

It needs to focus on being a medical body instead of being a platform for radical agendas that alienate members and undermine public trust. Doctors deserve a professional association focused on healthcare, not divisive identity politics driven by a militant union.

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A BMA spokesperson said: The BMA is proud of talented doctors who have worked their way up in the BMA to now be part of our democratically elected council and leadership team which represent more doctors in membership than any time in the past and it is always disappointing to see attempts by media to denigrate anyone, not just doctors, for nothing more than their legitimate personal beliefs.

Our members are right to want to fight for all doctors to be fairly paid which is in the interests of not just the whole medical profession, but patients and an NHS with a worsening workforce crisis.

The BMA believes that anti-Semitism is completely unacceptable, and it has no place in the BMA, NHS or wider society; we condemn anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms, as we do with all discrimination based on race, religion, sexuality, gender or disability.

The BMA has a long and proud history of advocating for human rights and access to healthcare around the world, and our work reflects the grave concerns doctors in the UK have about the Israel-Gaza conflict and the catastrophic impact on civilians and healthcare.

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.
BROOKLYN, Ohio (WJW)  A Brooklyn family is using its summer tradition to honor the three Lorain Police Officers shot in last weeks deadly ambush.

For the last seven years, the Trank family has served Lemonade for the Brave. They donate all the money raised at their Vandalia Avenue home to local first responders.

Superman statue unveiled in downtown Cleveland

Lemonade for the Brave Lemonade for the Brave Lemonade for the Brave

This year, that means donating for Lorain fallen Officer Phillip Wagner and his injured brothers in blue, Officers Peter Gale and Brent Payne.

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The lemonade stand will be open all weekend from noon until 6 p.m.

Guardians add Carlos Hernandez to roster, call up prospect C.J. Kayfus

The Trank family said they will continue to make lemonade as long as people show up, because they are committed to honoring the Lorain officers for their service.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
The Brief

The principal of Leto High School in Tampa is under arrest and facing several charges, including possession of cocaine.

Temple Terrace police say Scott Hazlett was speeding when they pulled him over early Saturday morning.

Hazlett is free on $3,500 bond.

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. - The principal of Leto High School in Tampa is under arrest and facing several charges, including possession of cocaine.

The backstory

Temple Terrace police arrested Scott Hazlett, 40, early Saturday morning.

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He has been charged with the following:

Driving under the influence

Possession of cocaine

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

In a post on X on July 8, Hillsborough County Schools congratulated Hazlett for being named principal at the school.

What they're saying

"I hope that the students will remember the one thing about it being 100% preventable," said Linda Unfried of MADD of Hillsborough County, "and that they are educated enough."

The arrest was made at 1:40 Saturday morning near Fowler and 60th Street. Police say he was speeding.

"I am thankful, and he should be thankful that Temple terrace police stopped him before he killed someone," said Unfried.

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He was 15 miles from his home.

"It should not happen with anyone in this day and age," said Unfried. "There is no reason, no excuse anymore."

He was released 10 hours later on a $3,500 bond.

Dig deeper

In 2018, he led a new international school in Vietnam, before coming back to Hillsborough Schools in 2019 to work at Leto as an assistant principal.

The district sent a voicemail to the Leto community making them aware of the arrest on drug charges.

"We take this matter seriously, and as a result of the charges, he has been placed on administrative leave," the voicemail said.

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On Sunday, the school district issued the following statement:

"He has served in the district since 2007 and is currently on administrative leave following the recent charges. These allegations are deeply concerning, and we understand the impact this may have on our students and staff. We remain committed to providing the students and staff with the appropriate support during this time."

What's next

The interim principal for Leto will be the current assistant principal of administration, Babita Artabasy.

The Source

Information for this story was provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Hillsborough County Schools.
To the editor: Can anyone explain to me the nationwide obsession we, the people, have with corporate executives? Why do we frequently anoint them with superlatives concerning their mental acumen, moral compass, benevolence, righteousness, etc., when there is no evidence that the majority of them even know the meaning of those words?

State regulators via the Public Utilities Commission tried to force the removal of old transmission lines that had not been in use, nor were likely to be used in the near future ( This fire could have been prevented: How utilities fought removal of old power lines, Aug. 1). These were also lines that were known to be potentially dangerous. Sounds reasonable. But amid opposition from utility companies, the PUC allowed these old, unused lines to remain up until utility executives decided that they were to be permanently abandoned. Once again, appointed representatives in charge of overseeing public safety chose to kowtow to corporate executives.

Shame on the PUC for not having a spine. And more shame on corporate America for once again putting profit before public service. I am sure the corporate executives of the utility companies will receive their salary, stock options, bonuses and corporate pensions regardless of how many lives are lost. When will the average citizen of this country stop this absurd, unsubstantiated belief that most large company leaders care about anything except their personal bottom line?

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Lee Baresi, Riverside

..

To the editor: So Southern California Edison has allegedly known that old transmission lines could cause fires for years and lobbied against being forced to remove them. Instead of allowing costs to be raised for those who installed solar panels, how about socializing the electrical power system? Make the SCE grid a public utility. The company doesnt deserve to have the environmentally conscious pay for their greed and failures to do what is right.

Larry Severson, Fountain Valley

..

To the editor: The Aug. 1 Los Angeles Times includes an article about utilities fighting the removal of old power lines and another article about early concerns regarding helicopter traffic in Washington, D.C. ( Military chopper traffic over Washington was a worry leading up to fatal midair crash, NTSB hears, July 31) Arent these both basically about the same thing: entrenched powers fighting change?

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The utility companies don't want to remove old equipment probably because of costs and a slim chance of reuse. And the Federal Aviation Administration, Army and Air Force have their own dubious reasons for slow-rolling change. In both cases, scientific and expert advice is given a backseat to safety.

The result is death, property loss and finger-pointing.

Richard Kelty, Santa Barbara

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Work is ongoing between Ukraine and Russia as the warring parties prepare to each exchange 1,200 Prisoners of War (POWs), President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 3.

"An agreement has been reached on the exchange of 1,200 individuals, and work on the lists is ongoing," Zelensky said on social media following a briefing by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.

Zelensky did not provide a timeline for the proposed exchange, adding that Kyiv is additionally working to "unblock the return of our civilians, verifying data on each individual by name."

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The exchange was initially agreed to during a third round of peace talks in Istanbul on July 23. Umerov said Kyiv 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.

The outcome of the third round of peace talks falls in line with outcomes from negotiations during the first two rounds, with Moscow rejecting a ceasefire and instead agreeing to a POW exchange.

Since the second round of peace talks on June 2, Kyiv and Moscow have carried out nine exchanges stemming from the second round of negotiations.

The initial round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, held on May 16, marked the first direct negotiations between the two parties since early 2022. While no breakthrough toward ending the war was achieved, the sides agreed on a "1,000-for-1,000" prisoner exchange, the largest swap of the war.

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Since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has brought home 5,857 people from Russian captivity via exchanges, Zelensky said on July 28.

Read also: Inside the Battle of Kostiantynivka, as Ukrainian forces brace for three-sided Russian assault





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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH)  Community members gathered to remember lives lost while battling cancer on Sunday in Bridgeport.

Hundreds help raise funds at 38th Swim Across the Sound marathon

A day after the 38th Swim Across the Sound, leadership from St. Vincents Medical Center, oncology staff and volunteers gathered at Captains Cove for a memorial service.

Names of loved ones who lost their battle with cancer were read out and sunflowers, a symbol of the memorial service, were scattered into Long Island Sound from a boat.

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Songs, prayers and inspirational readings filled the air.

Its the second year that Steven Diaz has attended the event after losing his son to cancer last year.

I was completely lost and its just seeing someone who has experienced loss just like mine knowing youre not alone I think thats the message, Diaz said. St. Vincents and their care team have shown us and this is just another added reminder that youre not alone.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local community is mourning after the death of a part-time firefighter.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Moraine Professional Firefighters Local 2981 shared a post on social media. It announced Ryan Baver, 34, died on Monday, July 28. He is survived by his 8-month-old son and his wife, Gaby.

Baver worked as a part-time firefighter for Moraine Fire from 2013 through 2018.

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While not a member of L2981, it does not change his dedication he had to the city, the residence and fire service, wrote the IAFF page. He was an incredible individual all-around with a contagious laugh and an awesome attitude. He will be missed by many.

His viewing will be on Aug. 6 from 4 through 7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin. His funeral is scheduled for Aug. 7 at 11 a.m.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The Brief

Father Ronald Kondziolka has been accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 40 years ago at St. Brendan Parish, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago; he denies the allegation.

Kondziolka has served in various roles across Chicago-area parishes and hospitals since 1976, most recently at St. Veronica Parish until June 2023.

He has been removed from ministry during the investigation, and the Archdiocese will present findings to an Independent Review Board for further action.

CHICAGO - A local priest has been accused of sexually abusing a minor, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.

What we know

Father Ronald Kondziolka has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor at St. Brendan Parish in Chicago. The alleged abuse occurred more than 40 years ago.

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Kondziolka has served as a resident, assistant pastor, associate pastor, administrator, and chaplain at parishes and hospitals throughout the Chicago area since 1987.

The Archdiocese of Chicago notified the local parishes of the allegations.

Kondziolka denies the allegations.

Most recently, Kondziolka was an associate pastor at St. Veronica Parish until June 2023.

Father Ronald Kondziolka

Parishes/hospitals where Kondziolka has served:

Assistant pastor at Assumption BVM Parish from May 1976 to June 1981

Associate pastor at S. Martin Parish from June 1981 to January 1983

Administrator at St. Brendan Parish from January 1983 to March 1986

Resident at St. Paul Parish in Chicago Heights from March 1986 to November 1987

Resident at St. Agnes Parish in Chicago Heights from November 1987 to March 1990

Chaplain at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights from March 1990 to August 2019

Resident at St. James Parish in Sauk Village from March 1990 to April 1993

Resident at Holy Rosary in Chicago from March 1997 to February 2006

Resident at St. Anthony of Padua Parish from February 2006 to August 2019

Chaplain at St. James Hospital and Health Care Centers in Olympia Fields from July 2009 to June 2021

Resident, administrator, and associate pastor at Infant Jesus of Prague Parish from September 2019 to June 2021

Administrator at St. Joseph Parish in Homewood from July 2021 to June 2022

Associate pastor at St. Veronica Parish from July 2022 to June 2023

What's next

Kondziolka has been directed to remain out of the ministry and refrain from attending all parish and school activities.

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The case is under investigation.

The results of the investigation will be reported to the Independent Review Board, which will recommend next steps.

The Source

Details for this story were provided by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Politics have become so bad that people have no limitations anymore, London Mayor Randall Weddle said in a Facebook video on Sunday morning, asking for an end to what he called hate and divisiveness toward his administration.

Weddle said that he made the Aug. 3 announcement in response to alleged inappropriate videos involving officers with the London Police Department, one of whom had since retired, that had been shared online.

London mayor faces harassment accusations by ex-housing board members

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Defamation plaintiffs arent backing down following London mayors demands

The mayor said he had reached out to Acting Police Chief Bobby Day, who assured city leaders that such inappropriate behavior wouldnt be tolerated.

The videos, however, were only the most recent in a series of actions Weddle said had been carried out to paint London and its community in a bad light.

There is this group that works with some of the councilnot all of the council, but some of them, Weddle said in the video, that wants our community to be constantly in some bad light, to further their agendas towards my administration.

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Weddle said he had tried not to engage with allegations on social media against city council members, saying it brings unnecessary shame to the community, and urged the council as a whole to stop the negative behavior.

I have not done anything in the meetings to berate anyone, Weddle defended, and this office wont be used to do that from me, sitting behind this desk. Its time that we truly come together and just work for the city.

In late July, Attorney Brandon Voelker notified city officials that he planned to represent two former members of the London Housing Authority who alleged that they had been harassed.

Voelker called the alleged mistreatment and threats against his clients an abuse of power, as well as a violation of housing regulations, according to previous coverage.

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Voelker was not directly named in the video, but Weddle said that one attorney had taken on a group that he said doesnt like his administration, which he said was concerning.

Weddle said the city would grow with or without his leadership due to the many people at multiple local, state, and federal levels working hard to keep the town as a shining star to southeast Kentucky.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

He asked why people who claimed to be Christian would go out of their way to make innocent people look bad.

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Weddle encouraged those who disagree with him and oppose his views to run against him for public office in the citys next mayoral election, promising that he would never use his office for unethical purposes.

Were gonna continue to hold people accountable, including the housing authority, including the police department, the fire department, public works, people in city hallwhether it be code enforcement or wherever, Weddle said. Council, I urge you to put your hand out, reach across that aisle, and lets continue to build London to the bigger and brighter city, versus this hate and division.

Weddle concluded the video by saying how much he and his family love London, asking for prayers for the community and those behind what he called chaos.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
After 25 years the Red Cross will be closing its Richland blood donation center to move its only Tri-Cities fixed-site collection center to west Kennewick.

In the interest of efficiency and effectiveness, it plans to consolidate blood and blood production collections in the same building that houses its other Tri-Cities area programs, including first aid and disaster preparedness, said Betsy Robertson, Red Cross spokesperson for the Northwest Region..

All services will be based at its Kennewick building at 7202 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, possibly starting as soon as mid September.

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The Red Cross lease is up at its blood donor center at 447 Wellsian Way in Richland, which provides an opportunity to make changes, said Michele Roth, executive director for Central and Southeast Washington.

Vehicles are lined up at the American Red Cross office in Kennewick.

A building permit was approved by the city of Kennewick for an interior renovation and a small addition to its building on the corner of West Deschutes Avenue and Young Street.

The work on the 6,163-square-foot project is valued at about $100,000, according to the building permit.

The Kennewick building has been gutted and is being completely updated to allow blood and platelet collections there, according to the Red Cross.

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Its capacity for blood and related donations will be about the same as at the current Richland center, with the same services offered.

The Red Cross blood and platelet donation center in Richland will be moving to the Red Cross building in Kennewick as soon as September. Shown is Dan Porter who was inducted into the Fenwal Donation Hall of Fame in 2018 for his platelet donations.

With construction on the building continuing, an opening date for the blood and platelet collection center in Kennewick has not been set, but the Red Cross is targeting a soft opening at its Kennewick building in mid September. That would be followed by a grand opening in October.

Some donors with collections already scheduled in the fall at the Richland center have been notified that their appointment have been moved to the Kennewick building. And some September appointments for donations already are being made at the Kennewick building.

Go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or to see the additional mobile blood drives scheduled around the Tri-Cities area at businesses and organizations.

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The Red Cross is investing in 100 new blood collection sites across the country by 2030 as it works to build a more diverse network of donors and interest more young people in donating, Robertson said.

People who donate blood when they are young have a greater change of becoming lifelong donors, she said.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton has been traveling around the state to listen to residents concerns, including Rockford.

Stratton listened to residents issues at 27 Luna Saturday evening.

The lieutenant governor plans to run for Dick Durbins vacated Senate seat in the upcoming election cycle.

She believes hearing Illinoisans concerns helps her become a well-rounded candidate.

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As I seek to head to Washington, D.C., to be the next United States Senator for Illinois, I want to do so by taking the voices of the people that I represent with me, Stratton explained. So, this is an opportunity to have a very real conversation about the issues that matter most to them, the things that they care about.

What I hear is that people are looking for a fighter, and I want to bring that fight, and I want to do it, informed by these conversations, Stratton continued.

Stratton plans to visit Naperville, Decatur and Metro East areas next.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is cracking down on international crime organizations funneling stolen vehicles through the Port of Virginia.

This is a very lucrative business for these transnational organizations, CBP Chief Officer James Askew told 13News Now in a story posted July 17.

A day earlier, the broadcaster reported 18 stolen vehicles worth over $1 million were seized in June by Virginias Department of Motor Vehicles, along with several local, state and federal authorities. The vehicles were bound for Africa and the Middle East.

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So far in fiscal year 2025, agents have recovered more than $6.5 million worth of stolen cars intended for shipment overseas from the ports near Norfolk, per News13 Now.

Inside the busts

A news camera captured the moment CBP swung open the doors of a shipping container flagged by agents that was bound for Ghana. Shipping documents suggested it contained older-model vehicles, including a 1990s Lincoln, but Askew says an X-ray scan revealed a different story.

Inside were three 2024 or newer model vehicles, packed tightly into the container. Agents estimated the containers value at $150,000, but it was noted, depending on the makes and models, one load can generate several hundred thousand dollars in profit for criminals.

Theyll try to pack as many vehicles in there as possible, Outbound Enforcement Team Supervisor Darius Hawkins told 13News Now. Typically, you can only get about four vehicles.

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Criminals steal cars from various sources, says Askew. Some never return rental vehicles, while others steal from dealerships or use fake IDs to acquire loans. Many have active liens in place. But by the time a car company or bank realizes something is wrong, the car may be long gone.

Read more: Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)

A growing threat

According to 13News Now, CBP has recovered more than 1,100 stolen vehicles nationwide in fiscal year 2025, and Norfolk ranks second only to New York in recovered stolen vehicles.

More broadly, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports 1,020,729 vehicles were reported stolen in the U.S. in 2023, up from 1,008,756 in 2022.

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When auto theft is on the rise, insurance companies absorb more claims and losses. This can lead to rate adjustments depending on the types of vehicles being stolen and whether or not consumers live in high-theft areas. Even drivers with no prior claims history could see their premiums rise, which creates a heavier financial burden.

As criminals get more sophisticated, so too much law enforcement.

Theyre going to change, and we track the changes, we identify the changes, and we adjust as theyre adjusting, Hawkins said.

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.
As a teenager, Jennifer Msumba had very strong self-harm behaviors, including putting her head through windows. Hoping to get her help, her parents sent her to a center in Massachusetts, where she was subjected to electric shocks daily as punishment.

Nearly 25 years later, shes continuing to speak out  hoping a new documentary will expose the place that left her traumatized.

That was like being unground in hell, she recalled about her time at Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) in Canton in the documentarys trailer.

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JRC, a special needs day and residential facility in Canton, has become known across the country for using electric shock devices, which are attached to the residents at all times, on people demonstrating self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

It is the only facility in the country to use them and has been the center of many advocates concerns for decades.

This is 2025, and they are still shocking people, she said in the documentarys trailer. It needs to end.

The JRC has said the device is lifesaving and that it is important it remains available to those for whom all other treatment options have been tried and failed, the JRC and the JRC Parents Association wrote in a statement after a 2023 court ruling that allowed the devices to continue to be used.

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The facility has said that its clients have had behaviors that result in profound physical injuries including blindness and mutilation prior to using the devices. The clients have also injured family members and loved ones.

Families turn to JRC after exhausting other options because of its record in successfully addressing the most challenging cases. Clients live in the community with appropriate monitoring, and their care is overseen by on-site physicians and nurses to maintain the highest standards of safety and treatment. The program operates under rigorous oversight from state agencies and the courts, a statement read.

As of 2024, there were more than 300 people who attend or live at JRC, and about 55 people were approved for the devices.

Msumba daydreams of ninjas breaking into JRC to save everybody and shut down the facility.

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But I dont have ninjas, she said.

Instead, she is making a documentary called The Fish Dont Care When It Rains, which she hopes to submit to Sundance.

Im so strong, she said in the documentary, looking out the car window at the facility she once felt trapped in.

Msumba has autism and said that while her behaviors stopped while she was on the electric shock device, her behaviors werent fixed.

They were just manifested differently, into explosions. I would hold it in and then all of a sudden explode, she told the state Legislatures Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities during a 2023 hearing about her experience attached to the devices at JRC.

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She lived at JRC from 2002 until 2009 and was on the shock devices for all seven years. At the beginning of her time there, she said she was shocked daily.

Crying was also a behavior that I got in trouble for, so I had to cry in secret, Msumba said in video testimony used in an FDA hearing.

In March 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for self-injurious or aggressive behavior. But that decision was overturned.

The FDA warned in its petition that the FDA determined that those devices present unreasonable and substantial risks of both physical and psychological injury.

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The shocks cause pain that has been described as extremely painful, excruciatingly painful, like a dentist drilling on an un-anesthetized tooth, like a bulging and a ruptured disc, like a thousand bees stinging you in the same place for a few seconds, and as the most painful thing Ive ever experienced, the petition states.

But it wasnt just the electric shocks that Msumba said traumatized her.

She also was denied food and was one of those stripped of all my clothes, tied to a restraint board and forcefully scrubbed while male staff watched on the video monitors.

I did not consent to any of this treatment, she said.

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The center had also taken guardianship away from her parents, the documentary trailer states.

She has since left to live at a different placement in Florida, which she said has helped her. But when she arrived, she went back to her old self-harming behaviors.

Instead of hurting me, they helped figure out why these things were happening and took the time to do so. They helped me learn to cope and self-regulate, [and] also allowed access to medication that I really needed, she said.

In 2021, Msumba released a book, Shouting At Leaves regarding her time at the center. She also shares some of her story on TikTok.

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I have a real life now, she said.

In the documentary trailer, Msumba looks back on her time at JRC.

I have no idea how I got through all that, she said.

But she also recognizes her accomplishments since then. Her own music is included throughout the documentary.

Over the years, shes used vlogs to help her understand she needed to use different facial expressions when talking, rather than always looking mad. She also joined a church worship band to help her make friends.

To help with the documentary, she also crowdfunded.

A GoFundMe raised more than $10,000, which was their first goal to get the film funded. The second goal is to raise $20,000 to help get a rough cut to Sundance by September. And the final goal is to raise $25,000 for other festivals and impact campaigns.

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Because of your support, were now gearing up to film the final scenes of The Fish Dont Care When It Rains next month. This is huge, the GoFundMe states. Every single dollar, share, and word of encouragement helped get us here. Thank you for being part of this movement.

Shes hoping getting the documentary on the right platforms will finally bring real conversation and change.

They wildly underestimated me, she said.

More stories about JRC

Read the original article on MassLive.
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  Family members, friends and strangers filled Stanley Quarter Park to honor the life of 2-year-old Saunti Reynolds, who choked to death at New Britains YWCA Tuesday.

I would never want nobody to feel my pain. I want you to look me in my face and want you to see my face, I want you to see my tears, Sauntis father, Asauni Reynolds, said.

Members of the community showed up in blue clothes, paying respect to Sauntis favorite cartoon.

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DCF investigating childs choking death at YWCA in New Britain

We got everything Bluey for him, Sauntis mother, Shamyra Cooke, said. Bluey sneakers, Bluey shirts, everything down to the bookbag, so it only made sense to do blue today.

The family is begging for answers as to why this happened to their son while sharing the impact he had on their lives.

That boy was full of life, that boy was joyful, Asauni Reynolds said. On a day that youre sad, you just got to look at his face, you just start laughing, giving you smiles, the chills. He was a kid so full of life. You see him, he touches your soul, he touches your heart.

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French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday denounced the "unbearable images" of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

"An abject cruelty, an unlimited inhumanity: this is what Hamas embodies," said Macron, a day after a video emerged showing emaciated hostage Evyatar David digging what he said would be his own grave in a tunnel.

"We think with deep emotion of Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, all the hostages still held captive, as well as their families and loved ones who have been plunged into hell for more than 660 days," Macron wrote on X.

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"Frances absolute priority and imperative is the immediate release of all hostages," he stated. "We continue to act tirelessly toward this goal  to obtain their unconditional release, to promptly restore the ceasefire, and to enable the massive delivery of humanitarian aid, still blocked at Gazas borders."

However, Macron insisted that the release of the hostages and the end of the conflict must be accompanied by a "political solution."

"That solution is the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace," he argued. "It is the only possible path toward a future where justice, security, and dignity are guaranteed for all the peoples of the region."

"Let there be no ambiguity: within this political vision that we uphold, we demand the total demilitarization of Hamas, its complete exclusion from any form of governance, and recognition of Israel by the State of Palestine," said the French president.

Macron last month announced that France would recognize Palestine, prompting condemnation from Israel.
A prominent MAGA TV host says convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell may be innocent.

The British former socialite, 63, is currently serving 20 years behind bars for sexually exploiting teenage girls alongside disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

People are horrified when I say theres a possibility that this individual just might be innocent, NewsMax host Greg Kelly said. But think about it. Who told us about her? The most reviled institutions in America: the media and the Biden Justice Department.

Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation. / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Kelly also noted that Trump has not weighed in on Maxwells guilt.

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[President Donald Trump] could have easily gotten away with saying what the media wanted to hear, Kelly said. But he didnt, and I find that remarkably human, and its telling, and it signals to me that theres something else going on here, and its an injustice.

In fact, it was Trumps Department of Justice (DOJ) that arrested Maxwell in July 2020, charging her with enticement of minors, sex trafficking, and perjury. The DOJ arrested Epstein in New York on federal sex trafficking charges a year prior, also while Trump was in office.

Maxwell is back in the limelight amid the backlash to a DOJ and FBI memo concluding Epstein died by suicide while waiting trial and that no

Trump has long courted far-right conspiracy theorists who believe Epstein and Maxwell were members of a global pedophilic cabal and that Epsteins 2019 death in police custody was orchestrated as a cover-up to protect the pairs supposed co-conspirators. Trump promised during his campaign last year to release all files related to the Epstein case.

Those promises have backfired massively. A July 6 memo from the DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation concluded Epstein died by suicide and that, contrary to rumors long cherished by the far right, the convicted sex trafficker kept no client list of powerful accomplices. The news sent MAGA into a frenzy, with many of the presidents supporters calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi to resign.

Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Maxwell, with the convicted sex trafficker reportedly in talks with the DOJ amid her move to a minimum-security prison in Texas. / FBOP

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has held at least one extensive meeting with Maxwell, during which she discussed more than 100 names tied to Epsteins network.

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Amid reportedly ongoing negotiations with the DOJ, as well as Maxwells transfer to a minimum-security prison in Texas, Trump has not ruled out the possibility of granting the convicted sex trafficker a full pardon, raising concerns that any prospective deal may well be politically motivated if its also seen to insulate Trump from further scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.

Well, Im allowed to give her a pardon, but ... nobodys approached me with it, Trump told reporters Monday. Right now, it would be inappropriate to talk about it.

Trump once sent Epstein a birthday card featuring a sketch of a nude woman, according to a report from

NewsMaxs Greg Kelly is far from the only leading conservative voice to have pushed a more generous view of Maxwells complicity in Epsteins crimes.

FBI Chief Kash Patel and Deputy Chief Dan Bongino, both leading figures in the conspiratorial world of pro-Trump podcasting, have both lately downplayed the severity of evidence against the former socialite.

Leading conservative voices, among them FBI Deputy Chief Dan Bongino, have downplayed the severity of evidence brought against Maxwell at trial. / Kayla Bartkowski / Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Maxwell is in prison because of some charges, but that doesnt mean she or President Trump were part of some secret ring, Patel has said, with Bongino adding: People need to understand, this entire thing has been manipulated to smear Trump  Maxwells conviction doesnt prove a massive conspiracy.

Others have included Trumps Deputy Assistant Sebastian Gorka, whos described this whole Epstein mythology [as] a disinformation campaign and the allegations against Maxwell as murky at best, as well as media adviser Kari Lake, who claims even Maxwells trial didnt actually prove what the left says it did.
President Donald Trump  a figure so immune to controversy, hes earned the nickname Teflon Don  may have finally met the one news story he cant bluster his way out of.

No matter how hard he tries to either ignore it or change the subject, the presidents links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein wont stop following him  and even part of his conservative base is having trouble grappling with it.

According to a Fox News survey released Wednesday, only 13% of people polled think the government has been open and transparent about the Epstein case, while more than five times as many (67%) disagree, including 60% of Republicans and 56% of MAGA supporters. One voter in five says they havent been following the case.



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Why cant the presidents most ardent supporters let go of the Epstein files? Why is this breaking through when there have been countless controversies before, including dozens of women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct and his being found liable in court for sexual abuse in 2023?

Below, we ask psychologists and therapists whats going through the minds of Trumps MAGA followers.

A Little Background On The Epstein Files

A GOP insider told Politico Playbook this week that the president seems legitimately concerned about how hell be impacted by the controversy around his administrations handling of the Epstein files.

According to the source, the president recently complained that he would be accused of some funny business in connection with the disgraced financier, who died in federal prison in 2019, a month after he was arrested on charges of sex trafficking minors.

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Theyre going to fuck me anyways, Trump reportedly said, according to Playbook.

The renewed interest in Epstein was prompted by a memo put out by Trumps 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 had previously promised to release files on Epstein as recently as last year. QAnon conspiracy theorists in his base wonder why his administration is now treating the Epstein files like a nonissue. (Followers of QAnon consider Epstein a key figure in a satanic cabal of pedophiles that includes the worlds most powerful people. Though Trump was friends with Epstein for years, hes long been seen as the white-knight figure destined to defeat that cabal.)

As more details emerge about Trumps friendship with Epstein  last week, The Wall Street Journal released a report detailing an innuendo-laced birthday letter Trump gave to Epstein, and this week, it was reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in the spring that his name appeared in the Epstein files  the president has implored his supporters and the press to just move on.

Future President Donald Trump and his then-girlfriend (and future wife) Melania Knauss pose with financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in February 2000. Davidoff Studios Photography via Getty Images

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.

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On Truth Social, the president called his base stupid and foolish for inquiring about Epsteins sex trafficking investigation.

Team Trump and the president himself have tried to flood the zone on social media. But any story or Truth Social post theyve thrown out to distract Americans from this latest controversy  releasing thousands of files about civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination and a bizarre AI-generated video of President Barack Obama being arrested and thrown in jail  has failed to make a mark.

Republicans, it seems, are struggling to get out from this news cycle because, for once, its their MAGA base that is leading the charge against Trump. (When youve lost the support of QAnon shaman Jake Chansley, you know youve got problems.)

A billboard in Times Square calls for the release of the Epstein files. Adam Gray via Getty Images

Trump is disappointing some who saw him as a crusader against sexual deviancy.

As many have noted  Trump included, a number of times  no rules apply to him in Trump world. Though hes bragged about being able to grab [women] by the pussy and been accused of sexual misconduct numerous times, for many in the MAGA movement, Trump is still seen as the avenger of what they deem sex deviancy: gay people, trans people, celebrities and elites they claim are involved in pedophilia rings.

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When we look at the MAGA hardcore, we typically see the pathological othering of two specific classes of people: immigrants and sex perverts, said Steve K. D. Eichel, a psychologist who studies cults and other cultic relationships.

Eichel believes the latter category is mostly the result of a moral panic that is also a projection of significant psychosexual confusion and repression on the part of hyper-religious MAGAs.

Research has shown that homophobes tend to see far more gay people than is statistically valid, just as antisemites see far more Jews than actually exist, he said.

Similarly, Eichel said, sex-obsessed MAGAs see far more sexual and gender perverts and perversions than actually exist and believe Trump is a warrior against this tide. For them, hostile masculinity and sexual violence dont count as sexual perversion.

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Drag shows are repulsive but grabbing them by the pussy is OK and in the MAGA manosphere, actually welcomed by women, Eichel said.

Trumps hesitation to release the Epstein files could be a breaking point for some, but other MAGA faithful have let it slide.

Its far too dissonant for some in MAGA to reconcile, so theyll deny reality  Trump will continue to be seen as an innocent victim of liberal, Democratic misinformation  while others will feel directly and personally betrayed and, for now, become enraged, he said.

MAGA's inability to let the Epstein files go is "sunk cost fallacy meets betrayal," said Natalie Feinblatt, a psychologist who specializes in cult recovery. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images

People really want to punish the elites.

As Josh Marshall noted this week in a Talking Points Memo piece, one of the most revealing aspects of MAGAs obsession with the Epstein files is the focus on the punishment of the elites who are supposedly implicated in them. Marshall argued that for Trump supporters, Pizzagate, QAnon and the Epstein case are less about tracking down pedophiles and more about punishing liberal elites.

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Widening the scope, though, theres been a steady drumbeat against the billionaire class since COVID, when differences in experiences based on social class and income were never more obvious, said Manahil Riaz, a therapist in Houston. (Think of eat the rich and the general scorn directed at the hyper-wealthy.)

Since the pandemic, people have started to question class privilege and are less inclined to idealize billionaires, CEOs or political elites, Riaz told HuffPost.

Theres a growing awareness that power doesnt equal virtue, and that often, those in power use it to harm rather than help, she added. The Epstein case symbolizes that betrayal, and for many, its a line that cant be morally overlooked  regardless of political affiliation.

A protester holds a photo of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump in Los Angeles. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Theyve invested too much in Epstein-related conspiracy theories to let this one go.

Theres some sunk cost fallacy going on here, too: QAnon believers have invested so much time and energy into the Epstein files, theyre not going to let go now.

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Its sunk cost fallacy meets betrayal, said Natalie Feinblatt, a psychologist who specializes in cult recovery.

People whove poured years of belief, energy and identity into the MAGA and Q world are facing a painful internal contradiction: Ive given everything to this cause ... how could it betray me? she said. These feelings are especially potent when the betrayal comes from someone you viewed as a savior.

"People whove poured years of belief, energy, and identity into the MAGA and Q world are facing a painful internal contradiction," said Natalie Feinblatt, a psychologist who specializes in cult recovery. Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images

Child abuse is an ethical issue that goes beyond Democrats versus Republicans.

Given the gravity of Epsteins alleged crimes  child trafficking, paying girls as young as 14 for sex  there truly is a moral dimension to some peoples need for answers on the case.

What makes this issue resonate so strongly, even across political lines, is that its nearly impossible to ignore, Riaz said. Theres overwhelming evidence that powerful individuals were involved and that a system allowed this exploitation to go unchecked for years.

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Most people care deeply about children. We were all children once, and we instinctively protect those who are innocent and defenseless, Riaz added. That shared humanity makes this issue hit close to home for just about everyone.

For many people  even ardent Trump supporters  this has forced a reckoning. Thats especially true for those whove experienced sexual abuse themselves, said Bandy X. Lee, a forensic psychiatrist and editor of The Much More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 50 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Warn Anew.

They believed Trump when he promised to expose elite networks of exploitation of power, Lee said. Trumps rise to power, exploiting this hidden epidemic, has the potential to be his undoing.

His failure to release the files shatters the trust and pierces through the dynamic of identification with the aggressor, she explained. Like the awakening of a cult or a gang member, this may serve as a crack in the authoritarian bond.

Related...
Maggie Boden: books included Artificial Intelligence and Natural Man (1977) and her 2006 magnum opus Mind As Machine: A History of Cognitive Science

Professor Margaret Boden, who has died aged 88, was instrumental in founding the discipline of cognitive science and was prescient in recognising the potential benefits  and dangers  of Artificial Intelligence or AI.

She became interested in AI not from an expertise in technology, but from her background in philosophy and psychology. As early as the early 1960s she saw the process of computer programming, then still in its infancy, as offering ways of modelling mental processes and thinking about deeper questions about the human mind and consciousness.

At Sussex University, where she taught and researched for more than 40 years, she became the founding Dean in 1987 of its School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences, bringing together such disciplines as neuroscience, psychology, cognitive linguistics, computer science, AI and philosophy, to shed light on the nature of minds, be they human or artificial.

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Her many books on the subject included the groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and Natural Man (1977), examining the intersection of AI with psychology and philosophy, and her 2006 magnum opus, the masterly two-volume Mind As Machine: A History of Cognitive Science.

In a 2017 article Maggie Boden welcomed such developments in AI as programs making it easier for people to get legal advice and help tackle disease. But in other areas  for example military technology and programs which gather data on individuals, however, we should be prudently pessimistic  not to say dystopian  about the future.

Maggie Boden with long-time colleague Prof Aaron Sloman, 2006

Margaret Ann Boden was born in London on November 26 1936 to Leonard Boden, a civil servant, and Violet, nee Dawson. From the City of London School for Girls, she won a scholarship to read medicine at Newnham College, Cambridge, taking the three-year course in two years and finishing top in all her exams.

But her primary interest had always been philosophy, so instead of training as a clinician, she embarked on another degree in moral sciences (philosophy), studying at the newly created Cambridge Language Research Unit under Margaret Masterman, a former pupil of Wittgenstein who was investigating the possibility of machine translation.Then, after three years teaching philosophy at the University of Birmingham, she won a Harkness fellowship to do a PhD in Social Psychology at Harvard.

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Her life changed, she recalled in a BBC interview, when she picked up a book entitled Plans and the Structure of Behaviour (GA Miller et al, 1960), which sought to unify learning theory with a cognitive model of behaviour and saw immediately that [computer] programs give a way of thinking about mental processes.

In 1965 she arrived at Sussex as a lecturer in philosophy, and over the following decades inspired generations of students and helped make the universitys reputation as a centre for interdisciplinary research. She was appointed Professor of Philosophy and Psychology in 1980 and Research Professor of Cognitive Science in 1997.

Asked in her BBC interview whether there was any limit to the ability of computers to model the human mind, she replied that a lot of rubbish had been talked about the Singularity (a hypothetical point in time when AI surpasses human intelligence and becomes uncontrollable) but observed that although the idea of computers matching the complexity of the human brain seemed a fantasy, it was not impossible in principle.

She was more worried about recent developments in AI such as Care-bots or computer companions for elderly people which she warned could become substitutes for one-on-one human contact: The bot] might say, Im sorry youre sad about that, or What a lovely thing to have happened! But either phrase would be literally meaningless. A demented person could be comforted by such words, but at what cost to their human dignity?

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Margaret Boden enjoyed dressmaking and loved her annual six-week visits to the South Pacific Cook Islands. She was appointed OBE in 2002.

In 1967 she married John Spiers. The marriage was dissolved and she is survived by a son and daughter.

Professor Margaret Boden, born November 26 1936, died July 18 2025

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NEED TO KNOW

A USPS mail carrier sprayed an elderly cat with what appeared to be pepper spray in California on July 28, and the incident was caught on camera

After the owner confronted the mail carrier, he "denied" spraying the cat

USPS is now investigating the incident





A mail carrier was caught on camera spraying an elderly cat with what appeared to be pepper spray  but he denied it.

The carrier, a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee, was delivering mail in Rancho Cordova, Calif., on the evening of Monday, July 28, when Chris Commanders cat Xena was sitting outside of his home, as she often does, according to The Sacramento Bee. What the carrier did next shocked Commander, 35, to his core.

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Rather than pet the 15-year-old feline, as other postal carriers typically do, the man appeared to spray Xena with pepper spray  and the entire incident was caught on camera, with Commander watching live, according to the newspaper.

The mail carrier backed away from the tortoiseshell cat, who was standing next to the pathway that leads up to the front door, and said, Get the f--- out of here, the footage, obtained by The Sacramento Bee, shows. Then, despite no reaction from Xena, who was completely motionless, the carrier grabbed a spray bottle from his bag and proceeded to spray liquid at the cat.

Xena then scurried across the pathway and away from the carrier, as he repeated, Get the f--- out of here, and began to approach the door. He decided against it, however, instead leaving without dropping off the mail. (He left it on the hood of a car, Commander told The Sacramento Bee.)

As the incident unfolded around 7 p.m. local time, Commander  an owner of two dogs and four cats  was sitting in his living room when he heard one of his dogs barking near his front door, he recalled to The Sacramento Bee. Curious, he decided to look at his Ring doorbell camera livestream, and proceeded to witness the mail carrier spray his oldest cat, seemingly unprovoked.

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The Rancho Cordova resident told the newspaper that he immediately got up to confront the USPS carrier, who was already in his vehicle. Despite evidence to the contrary, he denied spraying the cat.

I asked him directly, Did you spray my cat? He denied it. And then he said something about hes a cat lover himself, Commander told The Sacramento Bee.

Upon returning home, the proud pet owner found Xena covered in what he described to the newspaper as an oily, strong-smelling substance. He was worried that the spraying may have left the elderly cat with respiratory problems, particularly given her age, but she appeared unscathed and in good spirits, he said.

I didnt know I had to be worried about this, Commander told The Sacramento Bee. I just cant understand how this even happened, to be honest.

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.

After his confrontation was met with denial, the concerned pet owner submitted a formal complaint to USPS. The institution is aware of the incident, which USPS spokesperson Meiko S. Patton said is currently under review in a statement obtained by The Sacramento Bee.

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The United States Postal Service holds its employees to high standards of conduct, and any actions that conflict with these values are taken seriously. We are currently reviewing this incident and will take appropriate action based on the results to ensure alignment with our commitment to integrity and professionalism," Patton said.

While Xena is okay, her owner still wants answers. "I don't see why you'd spray a cat that just wanted to be pet," Commander told CBS News Sacramento.

"It was just frustrating, the owner added, and kind of sad to see that."



Read the original article on People
The fitness model husband whose personal-trainer influencer spouse was found dead with multiple stab wounds in their Manhattan apartment will remain in jail after a judge denied him bail and the case is being investigated as a homicide.

After calling 911 to report finding his husband dead on the toilet in their Harlem apartment, Donald Zieben-Hood, 40, was arrested for violating a November order of protection barring him from contact with his husband, police sources said.

In the 911 call that night, Zieben-Hood acknowledged as much to the operator, saying I had an order of protection placed against me. Im getting arrested, right? prosecutors said at his arraignment Sunday night.

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The death of 34-year-old Jacob Zieben-Hood is being investigated as a homicide, prosecutors said. He is currently charged with first-degree burglary  under the section of the law that applies when the suspect physically injures someone during the commission of a crime.

He is also charged with weapon possession and aggravated criminal contempt for violating the order of protection. Donald has demonstrated an escalating pattern of violence toward his husband in defiance of multiple public court orders, culminating in his husbands death, prosecutors said at his arraignment.

Jacob and Donald were both models and social media influencers who promoted physical fitness. The victims Instagram page features photos of the two of them dating to 2016, often showing off their buff physiques and globetrotting together.

So I got married  reads a happy Aug. 2, 2020, post on Jacobs Instagram page alongside a photo of the two of them together.

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The victim studied to be a doctor and was a trainer at SystimFit, a Greenwich Village body-sculpting gym that specializes in wireless electrical muscle stimulation, according to the companys Instagram page.

On the night of Jacobs death, he called his father and told him Donald was coming after him and preventing him from leaving the apartment, prosecutors said. The victims father heard the defendants voice in the background screaming at the victim and calling him derogatory names, the prosecutor said.

When police arrived at the W. 138th St. apartment near Frederick Douglass Blvd. at about 4 a.m. Friday, Donald was sitting on the sofa and told police Jacob attacked him, prosecutors said. He had three cuts to his arms requiring stitches, according to prosecutors.

The victim, meanwhile, was slumped over on the floor covered in blood with gashes from his head and multiple stab wounds to the back of his leg, including a stabbing on the back of his calf that penetrated his muscle, the prosecutor said.

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Police believe one of the wounds cut an artery, and that the victim bled to death. Multiple knives were recovered from the apartment.

An autopsy will determine if Jacobs wounds were accidental, self-inflicted or a homicide.

At his arraignment Sunday night, Donald appeared with stubble on his face, wearing a black T-shirt, black shorts and sneakers. His defense attorney said he had been attacked at Rikers Island.

Donald was arrested earlier this year for two assaults against his husband in the Harlem apartment  one at 11:30 p.m. Feb. 26, and the other early the next day. He was accused of choking Jacob and then two hours later choking him again and hitting him in the face.

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Jacob almost lost consciousness in the earlier incident and suffered swelling, pain and cuts to his face in the second assault, prosecutors say.

Donald was hit with a slew of charges including assault, strangulation, harassment, criminal obstruction of breathing and contempt of court in that case and was freed on $20,000 bail.

At about 7:05 p.m. on June 14, Donald allegedly confronted Jacob outside their Harlem home with a knife and said, I will attack you, according to a criminal complaint. He was charged with menacing and contempt of court and released on $5,000 bail. Donald is due back in court Aug. 28 for those cases.

In addition to the two open cases, prosecutors said there were nine domestic incident reports between March 2024 and Jacobs death where Donald was not arrested, including one where a neighbor called 911. When the police arrived in that case, Jacob had a gash in his forehead that was gushing blood, but the victim and the defendant both said the victim fell and hit his head, according to the prosecutor.

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Its not clear if Donald had at some point resumed living with his husband despite the active order of protection barring him from doing so.

As recently as May 2024, the couple attended a Kentucky Derby and birthday party for Town & Country editor and socialite Gillian Hearst, where they were pictured wearing matching white pants and blue blazers in front of a backdrop of pink flowers.

Donalds familys lawyer John Waldron said Sunday he didnt know whether there was  consensual contact or not in this instance yet.

My understanding is, especially with the [order of protection], that the relationship was volatile at times, Waldron added.

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Waldron said hes helping Donalds mother navigate the criminal justice system.

She is very distraught, upset, he said. She loves her son. Shes doing the best she can to help him out right now. And shes totally confused right now because she hasnt heard from him so she doesnt know the circumstances of what occurred.

The couple moved into the Harlem building just over a year ago and could often be heard arguing, neighbors said.

They were booted from an apartment in Stuyvesant Town last year for not paying more than $50,000 in back rent, court records show.

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They would get into arguments, a neighbor in the Harlem building said after Jacob was found dead there.

They would fight pretty often. It was different things. Earlier this week, I heard something about a divorce lawyer. There were times in the past when I heard about family drama, stuff like that. It just varies.

They were fighting hours before Jacob was found dead, according to neighbors and police.

Theyve been arguing for months, and Ive been complaining, said another of the couples neighbors, who only identified himself as Craig. I know couples fight, but this was abnormal. They were very loud. Slamming doors all the time.

I knew something tragic would happen, he added. Its unfortunate.

With Colin Mixson
EL PASO, Ill. (WMBD)  A man is in custody after allegedly shooting a gun near a woman.

Derrico Quinn, 36, was arrested and booked on charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery, Woodford County Chief Deputy Dennis Tipsword.

At 10:36 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, Woodford County Communications learned of a domestic situation at 48 North Pine Street in El Paso.

Tipsword said they were informed the man in the home had a handgun and had allegedly shot once in the direction of a woman.

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Officers from the El Paso and Eureka Police Departments, as well as deputies from the Woodford County Sheriffs office, went to the home.

He said the victim was able to escape the home uninjured. But the suspect, later identified as Quinn, was barricaded in the single-family home and still had the gun.

Tipsword said the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team was called to the scene.

Quinn eventually came out of the house. He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Woodford County Jail.

Tipsword said Woodford County detectives are still investigating the scene, and additional charges are possible.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
NOTE: This story has been updated with the announcement of a second arrest late Saturday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Two Jackson, Tennessee, men have been arrested as accessories after the fact in connection with a quadruple murder in Lake County, Tennessee.

Tanaka Brown, 29, an associate of suspect Austin Drummond, is charged with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Saturday.

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U.S. Marshals increase reward for Austin Drummond

Brown was booked into the Lake County Jail, where he remains without bond. The Lake County Sheriffs office did not release a mug shot Saturday.

Late Saturday night, TBI announced the arrest of Giovontie Thomas on a charge of Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder.

Thomas was already being held in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge for Failure to Appear. He will be transferred to the Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges, TBI said.

Who is Austin Drummond? Records show Vice Lords tie, violent past

Drummond is still wanted by authorities in the killings, which were discovered Tuesday. He was last seen on Wednesday in Jackson, where he has deep ties.

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A white Audi associated with Drummond was found in Jackson on Friday. A pickup truck allegedly belonging to one of the victims was found Saturday in Dyer County.

Drummond is wanted on warrants for four counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Kidnapping, four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.

Truck tied to murder suspect Austin Drummond found in Dyer County: TBI

The bodies of James Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, were found Tuesday along Carrington Road in Tiptonville.

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An infant who was related to the victims was also found safe in front of a house in Dyer County.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man faces more than 25 counts of various charges  including attempted murder  after being accused of trying to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) inside an East Tennessee house when authorities came to arrest him Friday.

According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, detectives and deputies went to an address in Old Fort on Friday, Aug. 1 to look for 54-year-old Kevin Wade ONeal, who had active arrest warrants for threatening to kill public officials and law enforcement personnel in Polk County.

Dickson man accused of running from Trigg County authorities in underwear, handcuffs

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When authorities arrived at the home, they made contact with ONeal and took him into custody, but then they noticed something was smoldering in the bedroom where ONeal had been. Officials said law enforcement saw what they believed to be an IED inside the room, so they immediately evacuated the residence and called the Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to the scene.

While executing a search warrant, the sheriffs office said CPD Bomb Squad officers and ATF agents found 14 IEDs inside the house.

According to the CPD, none of the devices on the premises detonated, allowing all of the first responders to return home safely.

(Courtesy: Polk County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Over the course of their investigation, officials said Polk County detectives and ATF agents discovered ONeal attempted to detonate the devices when authorities arrived and when they were trying to apprehend him.

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The sheriffs office said ONeal is charged with 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder for the nine detectives and deputies present during the arrest and the two other people who were at the residence. He also faces 14 counts of prohibited weapons and one count of possession of explosive components.

Law enforcement announced shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 that ONeal was being held at the Polk County Jail for the aforementioned charges, but his bond had yet to be determined.

4 men arrested following failed ATM theft in Murfreesboro that led to deadly shooting

Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross thanked all of the agencies that assisted during this incident and investigation, including West Polk Fire and Rescue, AmeriPro EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the ATF, the CPD Bomb Squad, and the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
New Hampshire State Police arrested an Ashland man Wednesday for boating under the influence on Squam Lake in Holderness.

Marine Patrol officers "responded to reports of a hazardous boater threatening individuals on the shore of Squam Lake" at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, according to a state police news release.

The release said officers found Joseph Wescott, 44, after arriving at the scene and determined he had been boating impaired.

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Wescott was arrested and charged with boating under the influence and criminal threatening. He was held at Grafton County Jail the next day, pending arraignment.

The Ashland and Holderness police departments assisted marine patrol officers while they responded to the incident.

Police say the investigation is still ongoing and that anyone with additional information can contact Marine Patrol Officer Meredith Brinton at meredith.l.brinton@dos.nh.gov.
(KRON)  A man clinging to the rocks in Lake Merced was rescued by firefighters with the San Francisco Fire Department Saturday evening.

Firefighters responded to a call for a water rescue at Skyline Boulevard and Harding Road near the Lake Merced Boathouse.

Paramedics from the San Francisco Fire Department are currently assessing the individual, SFFD said in a statement at 6:38 p.m.

The general location of the water rescue at Lake Merced on Aug. 2, 2025. (SFFD) File: Lake Merced is seen in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014. (Photo By Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Wanted Bay Area man caught stealing 21 bottles of probiotics: sheriffs office

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The man was taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

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Man dead, another in custody after shooting in Fitchburg

A man is dead and another was taken into custody after a shooting in Fitchburg early Sunday.

According to Fitchburg police, around 12:15 a.m., officers responded to the area of Mechanic Street for a report of a person who had been shot.

Upon arrival, officers located a 63-year-old male Fitchburg resident suffering from an apparent gunshot wound outside a vehicle.

The victim was transported to a Worcester-area hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.

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Wendy Bennett, a neighbor of the area, describes what she saw.

I heard a lot of yelling, and then I heard a gunshot, and then I saw ambulance after ambulance, she explained. Our city has been going downhill for a while its not the city it used to be.

Preliminary investigation indicates that this was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

A large police presence was seen throughout the morning, with officers going in and out of a home.

Boston 25 News reporter Alyssa Azzara saw a car being towed from the scene.

Marline Crooks, another neighboring resident, expresses concern.

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Its such a scary thing, you know? Crooks said. You dont know at any time on any day, are we safe anywhere?

42-year-old Jonathan Reyes-Contreras of New Jersey was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Reyes-Contreras is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, causing serious bodily injury, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.

Reyes-Contreras is expected to be arraigned in Fitchburg District Court on Monday.

An investigation into the shooting continues.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating after a man died in a fight on Friday.

Officers responded to the 3300 block of Geronimo Street after a man was hit by a car. According to BRPD, Montrell Green, 35, and another man were involved in an argument that led to Green firing a weapon.

Police said the other man got into a vehicle. While trying to escape, they hit Green as he tried to block the way out. Green was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries on Aug. 2.

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Police said the driver was detained for questioning and later released. No charges were announced.

The investigation is ongoing, and police ask anyone with information to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or call Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

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Man Dies After Fall During Oasis Concert in London originally appeared on Parade.

A man has died after falling at a sold-out Oasis concert on Saturday, the BBC reported Sunday.

Citing the Metropolitan Police, the BBC says the man in his 40s "was found with injuries consistent with a fall" and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Oasis said in a statement they were "shocked and saddened" to hear of the death of a fan, adding that they "would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved."

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According to the BBC, police at the scene reported the stadium was busy and they "believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage."

The Grammy-nominated English rock band began its "Oasis Live '25" reunion tour in July. Saturday's concert was part of seven sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium, which can hold up to 90,000 fans.

Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis have returned after a nearly 16-year split, with the current tour marking their official reunion.

According to the BBC, Wembley Stadium said in a statement that medics, police and the London Ambulance service attended to the injured man.

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"Despite their efforts, the fan very sadly died," the stadium said in a statement. "Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers."

The stadium added, meanwhile, that Sunday's Oasis concert is going ahead as planned, according to the BBC.

Following Wembley, Oasis will perform three shows in Edinburgh and then travel to Ireland, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico as part of their tour. The band will return to Wembley for performances on Sept. 27 and 28.

Among the band's successes before their split was the 1995 album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, which featured their hit songs "Wonderwall" and "Champagne Supernova."

Man Dies After Fall During Oasis Concert in London first appeared on Parade on Aug 3, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is investigating the states 17th boating-related fatality of the year following an incident in Nashville Saturday afternoon.

According to officials, the Nashville Office of Emergency Management notified the TWRA about a possible drowning near the Hamilton Creek area of the Percy Priest Reservoir shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Woman killed, man injured in shooting at East Nashville block party

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The TWRA said the preliminary investigation indicates 74-year-old David Holcroft was aboard his sailboat with his wife, drifting on the lake, at the time of the incident. Holcroft  who wasnt wearing a personal flotation device  was making adjustments to the vessel near the bow when a series of waves reportedly struck the boat, causing him to lose balance and fall overboard.

Authorities said nearby boaters heard calls for help and entered the water to assist. TWRA officers quickly arrived at the scene and pulled the unresponsive Nashville man aboard their patrol vessel, where they performed CPR.

According to the TWRA, emergency personnel brought Holcroft to TriStar Summit Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Officials issued a reminder that wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is the most effective way to prevent drowning during boating incidents.

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The TWRA said Saturdays incident, which remains under investigation, brought the number of boating-related deaths on Tennessee waters for 2025 up to 17.

No additional details have been released about this incident.

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PINEVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Pineville officers responded to The Brook Apartments around 6 p.m. Saturday in response to an assault with a deadly weapon call inside an apartment.

When officers arrived, they found 37-year-old Jose Roberto Ferreira with a gunshot wound. Immediate aid was rendered, but unfortunately, Ferreira died at the scene.

Before officers arrived on the scene, the suspect fled on foot and was later captured by Pineville police at a local gas station.

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Johann Manuel Ibarra, 23, was arrested without incident. Pinevilles Criminal Investigations Unit is currently interviewing him and criminal charges are pending.

Officials say both the victim and the suspect knew each other and this was not a random act of violence.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

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Man found dead after Hastings house fire was shot in head, medical examiner says originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

The death of a 74-year-old man found in Hastings after a house fire earlier this year has been ruled a homicide.

William Eickholt, 74, of Denmark Township, was reported missing after a Feb. 1 fire at his home. His body was found on the side of the road the next day on the 1300 block of Ravenna Trail.

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Eickholt had been identified as missing on Feb. 1 after police responded to multiple fires on his property, sparking a missing persons appeal.

On Aug. 1, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner said it had determined Eickholts manner of death to be homicide. His cause of death was listed as a gunshot wound to the head.

William Michael EickholtMinnesota BCA

A friend of Eickholts told the Star Tribune he worried Eickholt, who often wore womens clothing while walking in the area, was the victim of a hate crime.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Hastings Police Department at (651) 480-2300 or the Washington County Sheriffs Office at (651) 439-9381.

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Previously, authorities asked residents and business owners in the area of 127th Street and Morgan Avenue, between Manning Avenue/Highway 61 and St. Croix Trail South, to check their security cameras for anything suspicious between midnight on Saturday, Feb. 1 and 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2.

They also asked to hear from anyone with information on Eickholt's activities leading up to Feb. 1, or from anyone who witnessed a vehicle at or near his property on Jan. 31 or Feb. 1

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A man died after being hit by a pickup truck while attempting to cross I-80 on foot Friday night, according to Utah Highway Patrol.

The deceased individual is identified as Joel Sotelo Cabrera, 28, of West Jordan.

Just before midnight on Friday night, Aug. 1, police responded to an auto-pedestrian accident on I-80 Eastbound at milepost 145, according to Trooper Davies Sanchez, Utah Highway Patrol.

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There is construction in the area, Sanchez said, and for an unknown reason, Cabrera reportedly pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the car, and attempted to cross I-80 to enter the construction zone.

While trying to cross on foot, Cabrera was struck by a pickup truck. Medical personnel responded to the scene and Cabrera was airlifted to the University of Utah hospital, but was declared deceased en route.

Witnesses at the scene, including individuals that were passengers in the vehicle with Cabrera, suspected impairment on Cabreras behalf.

The driver of the pickup truck stayed on scene and is cooperating with authorities, Sanchez said.

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No further information is available at this time.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man is in the hospital following an early Sunday morning shooting in Grand Rapids.

Around 2:10 a.m., officers with the Grand Rapids Police Department were sent to the area of M.L.K. Jr. Street SE west of Fuller Avenue SE after receiving reports about a shooting.

GRPD said that a man was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Officers are looking for the shooter.

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Its unclear what led up to the shooting.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police are investigating after a man was shot in Northwest overnight.

The Metropolitan Police Department said officers found the man suffering from a gunshot wound just after 1:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of S St. after responding to a reported shooting. This is in the area between Dupont Circle and Logan Circle.

Officials: Two people wake from sleep, escape house fire in Northwest DC

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Medics took the man, who was conscious and breathing, to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

As of Sunday morning, police have not released information regarding the mans condition, and no suspect information is available.

Investigators urge anyone with information to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to the departments tip line at 50411.

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A contractor paid a $20,000 fine with over 12,000 pounds of coins.

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Kirk Sherman, who purchased waterfront property along Lake Sheepscot in Maine in April 2024, faced a hefty fine in December for violating the towns lakeshore ordinance.

We actually approached the town before we bought the property about what could be done on it, Sherman told WABI.

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While we cant speculate why they did what they did, we find it very unprofessional on their part. Palermo Selectman Robert Kurek said.

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Sherman claimed he was initially willing to pay a $10,000 fine and take responsibility, but decided to pay in coins when the fine exceeded that amount, WABI reported.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed Sherman disrupted wetlands with the construction but did not issue a penalty, leaving further action to the municipality.

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Within a day of the notification, wed hired the people that we had were supposed to. Wed contacted DEP. Weve done exactly everything the DEP asked us to do, and the DEP is fine with it; they didnt write a violation or even give a fine, Sherman said.

Sherman dropped off the coins at the Palermo Town Office last Thursday, fulfilling his promise to pay in pennies.

Im paying it, and I just want them to realize that they werent fair with us. So this is our kind of one fun way of saying, Heres your payment, good luck, he said.

The town is considering issuing Sherman a handling fee due to the work required to count the change.

The unusual payment method highlights Shermans dissatisfaction with the fine, while the town considers additional fees for handling the coins.

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UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo.  An investigation is underway after a man was shot Saturday afternoon in University City. Police say the victim was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the 6700 block of Julian Avenue.

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When police arrived to the scene, they found one man with gunshot wounds. He was briefly treated at the scene, then rushed to a hospital.

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Its unclear what led up to the shooting, and not suspects are in custody at this time.

The University City Police Department says this is an active investigation. Anyone with relevant information in this case is urged to contact U-City Police at 314-725-2211, extension 8010.

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Law enforcement officials searching for an Army veteran accused of killing at least four people in Montana Friday morning have located the white Ford F-150 allegedly used by the man to flee, though he has not yet been located.

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center identified the shooting suspect as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown of Anaconda and said Friday he is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Brown was last seen in the Stumptown area, which is west of Anaconda, the law enforcement center said.

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Authorities released a photo of Brown Saturday, showing him barefoot and shirtless walking down what appeared to be a flight of outdoor concrete steps.

Vehicle Of Tennessee Quadruple Murder Suspect Found As Details Of Criminal Past Emerge

The Department of Criminal Investigations in Montana released a new photo of Michael Brown fleeing after he allegedly shot and killed four people at a bar Saturday.

The newly released photo showed Brown wearing black shorts and fleeing after the shooting Friday, according to the state Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

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It is unclear what led to the shooting, which occurred at about 10 a.m. at The Owl Bar. The victims were only identified as a bartender and three victims. Names have not yet been released.

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DCI Administrator Lee Johnson said in a statement Friday evening that officials had located the white F-150 pickup truck in which Brown allegedly fled. However, Brown was not located in or around the vehicle.

Gunman Shoots Multiple People At Montana Business, Authorities Launch Intensive Manhunt

Still, after discovering the vehicle, authorities focused their search on the mountains near Stumptown Road. The search continued into Saturday, and involved air and ground resources.

SWAT also cleared Browns house Friday, though he remained at large.

Law enforcement officials have not received reports of Brown harming any other people, though he is believed to be armed and dangerous.

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Residents in the area have been encouraged to stay inside their homes and remain on high alert.

Manhunt For Alleged Killer Dad Reignited After Campers Report Possible Sighting Over Holiday Weekend

Law enforcement personnel respond to a reported shooting in Anaconda, Mont., Friday.

With no sign of the Army veteran in the white pickup or his home, authorities converged on the Stumptown Road area west of Anaconda by ground and air Friday, locking it down so no one was allowed in or out. Authorities had lifted the lockdown by Saturday.

DCI have warned residents that if they see Brown not to approach him. Instead, residents are encouraged to call 911 immediately. He has been described as 5-foot-10 and about 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.

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While authorities have identified all four victims in Fridays shooting, names will not be released until all family members have been notified, and as DCI said, when "the time is appropriate."

Brown was an armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005 and served in the National Guard from April 2006 to March 2008, Army Public Affairs confirmed to Fox News Digital. He deployed to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005 and left the service with the rank of sergeant.

He also served as an armor crewman in the Montana National Guard from April 2006 to March 2009, officials said.

Fox News Digitals Alexandra Koch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Manhunt intensifies for Army veteran suspected of killing 4 in bar shooting after truck found abandoned
Police have named four people killed in a shooting at a bar in the US state of Montana as a manhunt for an army veteran suspected of the attack entered its third day.

Barmaid Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, and three customers - Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74 - died as a rifle-wielding assailant opened fire at the pub in the city of Anaconda on Friday morning.

Police said the suspect, 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, fled to the nearby foothills afterwards.

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Authorities have offered a reward of $7,500 (5,650) for any information that will lead to his capture.

"This is an unstable individual who walked in and murdered four people in cold blood for no reason whatsoever," Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen told a news conference on Sunday.

"So there absolutely is concern for the public."

He added that officials had since widened their search area to include national forest land outside Anaconda, a town with a population of almost 10,000 in south-western Montana that is surrounded by dense, mountainous terrain.

"We want to find this guy," Mr Knudsen said. "This is a dangerous individual who has committed an absolute heinous crime against this community."

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Around 250 law enforcement officers - federal, state and local - have been aiding in the search on foot as well as by car and helicopter, officials said.

The shooting happened at The Owl Bar at around 10:30 local time on Friday morning, officials said.

Mr Knudsen noted that the suspect was a regular at the pub and had lived next door. He said it was "likely that he [the suspect] knew the bartender and these patrons, which makes this even more heinous".

Cassandra Dutra, another barmaid, told CNN that the suspect would come into The Owl Bar frequently, but "he wasn't a part of the camaraderie" among customers. Ms Dutra was not working on Friday.

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Ms Kelley's daughter, Nancy Kelley, told NBC News her mother had been a nurse for around 30 years until retiring recently, when she found part-time work at the bar as "it kept her a little bit social, just seeing people".

She said a mass shooting was once unthinkable in Anaconda.

"We didn't even lock our cars outside, you know, or the house, and it's, I mean, I wouldn't say, it's dangerous here at all," she said.

Police released a photo of suspect Michael Paul Brown [Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center]

Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that Mr Brown may now be deceased, but said they were acting on the assumption that he is alive, armed and dangerous.

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Mr Brown is a veteran of the US Armed Forces who served as an armour crewman from 2001-05 and was deployed to Iraq from 2004-05, a military spokeswoman told US media.

After the shooting authorities found a white Ford-150 pick-up truck that they said the suspect had used to get away, but no sign of him.

On Saturday, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation released an updated image that they said showed the suspect fleeing the scene.

In the photo, a man is seen shirtless, barefoot and wearing only black shorts, and walking down stairs while leaning against a stone wall.

Mr Knudsen said the photo was taken after the suspect got rid of some personal belongings and his clothes.

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He believes Mr Brown later got other clothes and shoes, and was "able to get around".

The shooting forced many businesses in the area to shut down. Some have since reopened, but numerous public events have been cancelled due to the manhunt.

Mr Brown's niece, Clare Boyle, told the Associated Press news agency her uncle had struggled with mental illness for years.

"This isn't just a drunk/high man going wild," she said in a Facebook message.

"It's a sick man who doesn't know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn't know where or when he is either."
A maniac who stabbed a beloved Brooklyn deli worker appeared hell-bent after an earlier scuffle with the frightened father  despite his own mothers screams for him to stop, witnesses said Saturday.

The fight at the NY Deli & Mini Market Corp. at the corner of Hegeman and Van Siclen avenues in East New York broke out just after 3 p.m. Friday, cops said.

The worker, Diego Sandoval Nava, was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center where the father of three, including a nerwborn, died, cops said.

Diego Sandoval-Nava was the bodega worker stabbed at New York Deli and Mini Market at the corner of Hegeman and Van Siclen avenues in East New York just after 3 p.m. Friday. Diego Sandoval-Nava / Facebook

The unhinged knifeman fled the scene and has not been captured, an NYPD spokesman said.

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Ivor Dowridge saw some of the attack when he went into the store to use the ATM and said three workers were trying to hold the berserk attacker back.

It is unclear what led to the fight.

The stabbing was preceded by a dispute inside the bodega, cops said. ABC 7

He was hell-bent on going after the guy, Dowridge, 63, said. The victim looks scared. I saw his face, I saw it in his eyes.

The maniac put his hands down and walked out of the store, but returned a short time later with a knife, he said.

When I was leaving the store, I saw him running back in, Dowridge said. I saw him going in his pocket.

His mom was outside shouting at him as he was going back, What the fk are you doing? What the hell are you doing? 

It wasnt clear what the fight was about but the irate man returned to the deli and appeared hell bent to get Nava, a witness who knew both men said. Diego Sandoval-Nava / Facebook

Dowridge, a union worker who lives in the area, knows the stabber, who was out of work, has two kids and gets help from his mother, he told The Post.

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He just had to walk away and nothing like this wouldve happened, he said. You stabbed somebody, your life is over.

A 45-year-old woman who works nearby said Nava always made her breakfast.

Nava, who has three children, including a newborn, was rushed to a hospital but couldnt be saved. Diego Sandoval-Nava / Facebook

Once you became a regular, he knew what you wanted and you didnt have to tell him, the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

He was very humble, did not speak much, just did his job  very nice guy, she said. Its heartbreaking. I bought a candle to put outside the store in his memory.

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, who was at the deli, called working at a bodega the most dangerous job in the city.

It goes against the grain of what weve been told by both Mayor Adams and (Police Commissioner) Jessica Tisch: Its a perception of crime, he said. Well, if you happen to be behind a bodega counter, you know it aint no perception. Its reality every day.
The L.A. teachers union and its allies held a rally Saturday calling on the school district to more aggressively fight for immigrant families, including by demanding that the federal government return all detained and deported students to Los Angeles.

School district officials  in both a statement and at the rally  downplayed the union's confrontational tone and said they are united, along with various constituent groups, in supporting immigrant families.

The Saturday rally was held outside school district headquarters and included a march through downtown. It drew about 500 raucous participants, many of them wearing the bright red shirts associated with United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents about 38,000 teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses and librarians.

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"Education not deportation," they chanted.

And: "Say it loud! Say it clear! Immigrants are welcome here!"

Speakers at the rally included rising senior Vanessa Guerrero, who attends the nearby Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. She spoke about a classmate who was seized and deported.

"She was going to be a senior this year," Vanessa said. "She's known for coming to school every day, working hard, and she was an honors student. She did contribute to the community of the school. And was a great person."

Her classmate and the girl's mother were seized when they attended an immigration appointment, said Vanessa and others.

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"Honestly, everybody is terrified," Vanessa said.

The union called for a directly confrontational approach with the Trump administration  including involvement in litigation to protect immigrant rights. The school system is not currently involved in litigation with the Trump administration, officials said, although district leaders have strongly criticized its actions.

Specific union demands include establishing a two-block perimeter around schools where immigration agents would not be allowed.

It's not clear that district officials or staff would have jurisdiction beyond school grounds.

Kindergarten teacher Esther Calderon joins hundreds of other educators in a Saturday rally calling for better protections and support for immigrant students and families. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The union also called for a "formal campaign" that would work with families to update emergency cards and add additional trusted adults to the list of a family's contacts, in case, for example, a student's parents are detained.

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L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho has said outreach for this purpose is ongoing.

The union also is calling for counselors to be paid to return to work prior to the first day of school to make sure families affected or potentially affected by immigration enforcement are willing and prepared to have their children return to school.

It's not clear how many students or family members of students have been taken into custody or deported. The school district does not collect information on immigration status. A few cases have become high profile and widely reported on. In other instances, however, both district policy and privacy protections limit what the school system discloses.

Union leaders said they also want the district to provide food and personal care items "to undocumented families who are sheltering in place in their homes," as well as provide a virtual learning option for students "who are afraid to attend school in person because of immigration raids."

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And they called for the district to develop a "pathway" for students who have been deported to earn their LAUSD diplomas through virtual completion of all required high school units, and to be a "leader" in providing legal support for all those affected by the immigration raids  including school staff who stand up in defense of immigrants.

The superintendent's office had no immediate response to the specific demands, but school board President Scott Schmerelson said the district would consider any steps to protect and support families.

Schmerelson attended the Saturday rally as a spectator.

"Some of these ideas seem very workable," Schmerelson said. "The superintendent is working on the safe passageways," he said, referring to the concept of a safety perimeter.

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In their chants, union members vowed to shut the school system down if it did not meet their demands  even though their hostility was more clearly directed toward the federal government.

"This violence affects all of us," said UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz. "Immigrant students are Black, they're brown and they're Asian. And the trauma inflicted on these communities impacts every single one of them. When a student is torn from their family or lives in fear, their classmates feel it, too."

She added: "The mental well-being of entire classrooms is at stake. That is why we demand LAUSD join educators in publicly calling our local and state leaders for the immediate return of all students who have been deported or detained so that they can resume their education."

In a statement in response to the union rally, the school system emphasized shared goals.

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"It is clear that Los Angeles Unified and our labor partners are united in our deep commitment to protect every student, including our immigrant children," the statement said. "Together, we will continue to take every measure necessary to ensure that all children in Los Angeles are safe, supported, and educated  rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution."

At his traditional back-to-school address  classes begin Aug. 14  Carvalho saluted two principals who, along with their staff, turned away immigration agents at two elementary school campuses.

The agents  who stopped at the schools on the same morning in April  said they were doing welfare checks on particular students but provided no documentation to support this claim.

The principals turned them away.

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"You became shields, protecting the innocent lives of 7-, 8-, 10-year-olds from fear they should never, ever know," Carvalho said in his remarks. "Yes, you followed protocol, but more importantly, you followed your conscience. Because of your conviction, ... an unimaginable day did not become an unthinkable tragedy."

School district officials have touted a list of measures taken to protect students and families and characterize campuses as a safe environment from which federal immigration agents will be excluded to the fullest extent of the law.

The union is involved in contract negotiations with Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second-largest school system. It's standard practice for the union to rally members around its contract demands and put pressure on the school system at this stage of negotiations, but Saturday's rally was almost entirely focused on supporting those affected by immigration sweeps targeting the L.A. area under the Trump administration.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Aug. 2Marjorie E. Ulrich On July 28, 2025, Marjorie E. Ulrich quietly slipped away from this world, journeying to reunite with her beloved mother, father, and six cherished brothers who awaited her with open arms. Born Marjorie E. Sangret on July 14, 1927, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, she was welcomed into the world by Norman and Edith Sangret. Marjorie grew up in a bustling household, the only daughter among seven children. In 1949, Marjorie married Frank Gear in her hometown, beginning an extraordinary adventure that would take her far from the prairies of Saskatchewan. As an Air Force wife, she embraced a life of frequent moves, transforming each new posting into a warm and loving home. She and Frank built memories in: Tucson, Arizona, Spokane, Washington, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (twice), San Santonio, Texas (twice), various cities in France, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Travis AFB, CA. After her marriage to Frank ended, and following the untimely loss of her second husband, Earl Ulrich, Marjorie chose to settle in Albuquerque. There, she found solace and joy in the art of ballroom dancing, a passion that brought sparkle to her days and lasting friendships to her life. To support her family and her passion for dance, Marjorie built a career in retail jewelry. She began as an associate at Value House, moved on to the jewelry counter at Broadway, and completed her career at Macy's, where she retired. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Norman Sangret, and by her brothers: Stan, Lloyd, Ernie, Huey, Leonard, and Wesley. Theirs is a joyful reunion, surely filled with stories and laughter. She leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience in her sons, James and Dan Gear; her daughter-in-law, Beverly Gear; her grandchildren, Brady and Lindsay Gear; and her great-grandchildren, Hunter and Harper Gear. Also mourning her loss and celebrating her life is a dear friend, Dede Gear, as well as a host of friends who will forever cherish her memory. A celebration of Marjorie's life will be held September 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at the Church of the Risen Savior. All who knew her are invited to gather, to share stories and memories, and to honor a life that touched so many. A light reception to follow. Please visit our online guestbook for Marjorie at www.FrenchFunerals.com
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield says the city is at a turning point one where curfews, housing, education, and cultural identity all converge to shape its next chapter.

In a one-on-one conversation, Sheffield laid out her vision for Detroit as a "destination of opportunity," emphasizing investments in neighborhoods, public safety, education, and affordable housing.

"For the first time in decades we have had population growth, which means were doing the right thing," she said. "Were investing in public safety, affordable housing, our neighborhoodseverything important to attract and retain our population."



A City in Transition

After losing two-thirds of its population over the past 70 years, Detroit saw growth in 2023 for the first time in decades. Sheffield credits that shift to deliberate policy choicesand says its just the beginning.

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She wants to develop walkable, vibrant neighborhoods.

"It starts with our neighborhoods. It starts with our educational system," she said.

Crime and Curfews

Public safety remains front and center in her platformparticularly when it comes to youth. A recent curfew policy change enacting steeper fines has sparked debate. Sheffield supports the measure.

"Its a tool in the toolbox, and it sets a tone and a culture in Detroitthat we are taking this seriously, and that our babies matter," she said. "For 40, 50 years weve never increased the fines or the penalties. We decriminalized it and added the possibility to get parental responsibility training."

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The policy includes options for parents to receive support and education rather than face solely punitive consequences.

"Were trying to ensure that were holding parents responsible for where their kids are at 2, 3 oclock in the morning when theyre minors," Sheffield added.

She pushed back against critiques of government overreach, saying, "Its not normal for young people to be in their home and be scared that a bullet will come through and kill them."

Education: Critical Foundation

On education, Sheffield said she sees her role as a partner to the Detroit Public Schools Community Districtnot a controller.

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"Its not about controlling the school system, but I can be a partner," she said.

She wants to boost after-school programs, literacy initiatives, and tutoring options, while proposing the creation of a Community Education Commission.

Sheffield also named chronic absenteeism as one of the biggest issues facing Detroit students and called for a coordinated strategy to address it.

Culture and Responsibility

The conversation also touched on culture and its influence on public safety.

"Theres no one solution when we talk about gun violence or public safety. Its not just an elected officials issueits all of our responsibility," Sheffield said.

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When asked whether leaders could help set a cultural standard around family or the types of figures society idolizes, Sheffield said her goal is to "educate."

In her view, the curfew policy is part of that broader effort. "It allows for parental education," she said.

What's next?

Sheffield currently leads the field in both polling and fundraising in the race for mayor. Hilary Golston is conducting in-depth interviews with top contenders ahead of this pivotal election. The primary is August 5th.

All of the mayoral candidates in Detroit were offered the chance for 1-on-1 interviews. Many of them will be featured in the days leading up to the election.
Maryland State Police Aviation Command performed an aerial hoist rescue Aug. 2 after a rock climber was injured in West Virginia.

At about 2:20 p.m., rescue personnel from Pendleton County, W.Va., were dispatched to a remote area on Seneca Rocks for an injured person that fell while rock climbing. Due to the victims remote location, extended extrication time and the nature of their injuries, Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to perform an aerial hoist rescue. Trooper 5, the MSP helicopter based in Cumberland, Md., was dispatched to the mission by the MSP Systems Communications Center Duty Officer.

West Virginia rescue personnel and local emergency medical services personnel maintained patient care during ground operations. A trooper/rescue technician was lowered down through a clearing in the trees, where the victim was prepared for aerial extraction via a Patient Extrication Platform device.

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Trooper 5 hovered over the steep terrain and successfully hoisted the victim to the aircraft. Once the victim was safely in the aircraft, the flight crew transitioned directly into a medevac role, transporting the patient to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., for further assessment and treatment. The flight crew of Trooper 5 used an Augusta Westland AW-139 helicopter to perform the rescue.

The MSPAC has served since 1970 and operates a fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters from seven bases in Maryland. Each aircraft provides round-the-clock coverage to Maryland residents and visitors.

The agencys missions include medevac, law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security and disaster assessment. The success of the missions relies heavily on the cooperative efforts of local fire, rescue, EMS, law enforcement agencies and partner agencies.

MERITUS EARNS HIGH MARKS: Maryland hospital earns national honor for aneurysm procedure

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RENTAL PROPERTIES IN HAGERSTOWN: Hagerstown rental program grows, but officials say quality, outreach remain key

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: MSP Aviation Command performs rescue for injured W.Va. rock climber
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command rescued an injured rock climber from a remote area of West Virginia on Saturday.

According to police Sunday, rescue personnel in Pendleton County, West Virginia, were dispatched to a remote area of Seneca Rocks for the report of an injured person who fell during rock climbing around 2:20 p.m. Saturday.

Circumstances surrounding the victims location, extended extrication time and the nature of the injuries resulted in a request for Maryland State Police Aviation Command to perform an aerial hoist rescue, police said.

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Trooper 5, a Maryland State Police helicopter based in Cumberland, was dispatched, while local rescue and emergency medical service personnel provided care to the victim, according to police.

Police said that upon arrival, Trooper 5 hovered over steep terrain and a clearing in the trees while a rescue technician was lowered from the aircraft to rescue the victim using a patient-extrication platform device.

The victim was successfully hoisted into the helicopter and taken to the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, for further assessment and treatment.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.
Thousands of demonstrators in Israel late on Saturday called for the release of all hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas is using the captives as "live hunger experiments," the brother of 24-year-old Evyatar David was quoted as saying in Tel Aviv by the Times of Israel.

A Hamas propaganda video showing a severely emaciated David was published with his family's permission earlier on Saturday.

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The nearly five-minute clip shows the 24-year-old in a narrow tunnel, being forced to dig what is described as his "own grave." He recounts the days in July when he was given only beans, lentils or nothing at all to eat.

David was abducted on October 7, 2023 while attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel during the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.

"Stop this nightmare, that has continued for 666 days," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum - which brings together the relatives of those held in Gaza - wrote on X, speaking of 60,000 people demonstrating in Tel Aviv. "Sign a comprehensive agreement that will bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting."

According to the Times of Israel, people also took to the streets in other cities in Israel. The newspaper reported one of the highest numbers of participants in recent weeks.

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Evyatar David's brother, Ilay, called on the Israeli government and world leaders, in particular US President Donald Trump, to secure the release of the hostages "by any means necessary," according to the paper.

According to Israel, 50 hostages are still being held by Hamas and other groups. At least 20 of them are said to be alive. Months of efforts to bring about a ceasefire through indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and to secure the release of the hostages, are considered to have all but failed for the time being.

The unprecedented terrorist attack in October 2023 triggered the Gaza war. The attackers killed more than 1,200 people and abducted another 250 to the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive.

In the ongoing war, 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the health authority controlled by Hamas. The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, though the vast majority of victims are said to be women, minors and the elderly.
CHICOPEE  Police say Connor Doran drank a couple margaritas before he went into the mens room at Frontera Grill in Chicopee, took his pistol out of its waistband holster and placed it against the wall.

What happened next, Doran told police, was an accident. It also triggered events that led to a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the states firearms licensing laws.

Doran told police that the way he held the pistol that day in March 2019 caused it to fire. The 9 mm slug passed through the wall and crashed into the womens restroom, filling it with smoke.

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A woman inside washing her hands initially thought the smoke was from an air freshener. Restaurant staff thought they heard a gas explosion. But they called the police when they found a bullet casing in the urinal.

Chicopee police charged Doran with firing a gun within 500 feet of a building and carrying a gun while intoxicated, both misdemeanors.

Dorans attorney, Daniel Hagan, said his client initially lost his gun license over the incident. But when Doran sat down and spoke with the police chief in South Hadley, where he lived at the time, he regained his access to guns. Years later, after Doran moved to Belchertown, the police chief there took a different view  and pointed to the Chicopee incident to deny Dorans firearm license renewal.

How can constitutional rights be done like that? Hagan asked in an interview. How is that possibly proper?

Decisions by police chiefs

For years, police chiefs in Massachusetts have played a role in the states gun licensing process by determining if an applicant seeking a license to carry a gun is a suitable candidate.

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Supporters of this suitability requirement say its a valuable tool in rare instances to keep guns out of the hands of people who local law enforcement believes may be a danger.

In most cases, the law is clear on who is prevented from owning firearms: Police departments that spoke to The Republican for this story said convictions for felonies, drug crimes and violent crimes doom an application. Many residents with such records dont bother applying, they said.

In suitability cases, the line isnt so clear.

Recently, a slew of lawsuits have cropped up challenging the police role in determining suitability, arguing that because of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision, police officials have too much say on who can and cannot exercise a constitutional right.

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Dorans case is one of 15 across the state working their way through the Superior Courts.

The judge hearing Dorans case has not issued a decision. The states appellate courts have not weighed in to create a legal precedent. Gun rights advocates hope one of these cases will end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

How we got here

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, saying New Yorks law requiring people who wanted to carry a gun to show they had a proper cause was unconstitutional. The court also said the nations firearms laws needed to be consistent with firearm regulations of the past, setting up a new way for judges to analyze gun laws moving forward.

The Massachusetts Legislature revised the states laws in 2022 as a result.

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Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners Action League, said his advocacy organization is monitoring three cases in the state regarding the suitability standard, assisting the attorneys bringing the cases financially and tracking the cases on its website. One pending in the Boston area, however, became moot when the plaintiff moved, he said.

Wallace said the states revision of its gun laws following the 2022 Bruen decision amounted to a refusal to comply with the Supreme Courts directives. It basically had a tantrum, he said.

A case before the high court is necessary because states like Massachusetts and New York keep playing games, he said. Wallace said a similar situation happened before, pointing to a Supreme Court ruling nearly a decade ago in which the justices unanimously said the SJC erred when it ruled the state could ban the possession of stun guns.

David Pucino, legal director at Giffords Law Center, said the 2022 Bruens decision said agencies granting gun licenses needed to rely on objective standards. The ruling also raised questions about the nations gun laws, some of which were answered by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2024 when it considered whether a man subject to a domestic violence restraining order could have guns. In United States v. Rahimi, it said the man could be disarmed.

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There are also constitutional duties that you owe to the public at large and that the government of Massachusetts owes to its citizens, Pucino said. Amongst them is keeping the people safe.

Pucino said there are gun rights groups that seek to challenge as many gun laws as they can. Passing new gun laws, as Massachusetts did when it revised its suitability standard, invites litigation.

According to the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office, 15 cases across the state have sought to challenge the constitutionality of the suitability standard. The office has intervened in 11 of them.

Massachusetts has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country that are enforced consistent with public safety and the Second Amendment, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said in a statement. My office will continue to defend them against any challenge in order to keep our communities and our Commonwealth safe.

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Judges in the Superior Court have ruled in the states favor six times. Two cases has already been appealed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

The cases

In February, for instance, Judge Susan Sullivan in Bristol Superior Court said Fall River Police acted appropriately when they revoked Dana Dupras license to carry when they discovered a Glock pistol that could hold a large number of bullets in a bedroom when they searched his home.

In March, Judge Ira Gant said Scituate police acted consistent with the Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation when they stripped Joseph Lanza, a Navy veteran and military-certified expert in .45-caliber pistols, of his license after he was charged with  but not convicted  of two instances of physical assault involving his teenage daughter.

Like several other Superior Court judges, Gant based his decision on a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that said the nation has maintained laws since its founding that sought to keep firearms away from people who threaten harm.

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In Norfolk Superior Court, Shawn Christopher Wesley sought to challenge the Braintree Police Departments decision to deny his firearm application. It did so because when he was a college student in 2012 he used a gun to rob someone in their apartment of their marijuana. The department also flagged an incident in 2007 when as a teenager Wesley was stabbed during a fight and did not cooperate with police.

I cannot find that there are no legitimate grounds to support the denial, Norfolk Superior Court Judge James Budreau wrote in his March 12 decision.

Another case, one that GOAL has been monitoring, has been playing out in Hampden County involving a Holyoke man whose run-ins with the law happened years ago.

Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt denied Randy Westbrooks firearm license application in August 2023 because of a 2010 incident. Police records say Westbrook shook and punched his former girlfriend, who was nine months pregnant. Then in 2014, State Police discovered baggies of cocaine in a vehicle where Westbrook was a passenger.

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In both cases, Westbrook accepted continuations without findings from the court, and after periods of probation the matters were dismissed.

The Holyoke Police Department declined to speak about its process to vet firearm license applicants, citing the pending lawsuit.

In May, the Superior Court judge hearing the case ruled in favor of the Holyoke Police Department. To accept a continuation without a finding, a defendant needs to admit that prosecutors presented facts that could have led to a conviction, Judge Deepika Shukla said.

A person of ordinary intelligence would be able to ascertain that assault and battery on a pregnant woman and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute are indicative of a risk to public safety should such a person receive a license to carry a firearm, Shukla wrote in her decision.

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William Smith, the Princeton-based attorney representing Westbrook, appealed Shuklas decision to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, which acknowledged receipt of the appeal July 22. He said he is planning on eventually asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. While the SJC issued a decision in March affirming the states gun licensing procedures, Smith said the constitutional arguments he plans to make before the appeals court in Westbrooks case are broader than what the state justices considered.

The Bruen case invalidated  all subjective decisions made in the firearms licensing process that are devoid of objective criteria, Smith wrote in an email in response to questions from The Republican.

Smith added that when it came to police, The root problem is that we have a law in Massachusetts that vests them with what is literally unbridled discretion in deciding whether any given person gets to exercise this fundamental Constitutional right.

The charges against Westbrook, who Smith described as peaceful, hardworking, were more than a decade old.

Historically, Smith said, people accused of crimes did not lose their Second Amendment rights. The presumption of innocence must no longer be allowed to be taken as lightly as it is in gun licensing and appeals of those decisions, Smith wrote.

Meanwhile, Hagan, who is representing the man whose gun discharged in the Chicopee restroom, said regarding Dorans charges, his client had no other record.

It was a simple accident, Hagan said. And for how long should we deny somebody their rights on an accident?

An important tool

Massachusetts police departments together handle thousands of applications and renewals for gun licenses a year. In 2024, police in West Springfield fielded 608 applications. And while denials are few, a West Springfield man learned his name once appeared on the terrorism watchlist when police denied his firearms license in 2020.

Chicopee processed about 1,200 applications for licenses to carry and firearm identification cards last year, said Travis Odiorne, public information officer for Chicopee Police. After applicants show up to get fingerprinted and photographed, Chicopee police send the materials to the states Firearms Records Bureau for approval or denial.

Meanwhile, Worcester Police Department has about 22,856 residents who have licenses to carry handguns, said Worcester Police spokesperson Joseph Cersosimo. It has 1,888 residents who hold firearm identification cards, which only give them permission to possess rifles and shotguns. Every year, the department fields requests from roughly 4,200 people seeking either a new license or renewal. Of those, 1-2% are denied by the department, Cersosimo said.

When it comes to the suitability standard, Worcester police will search its records for reports of lost and stolen guns and restraining order affidavits, for instance.

Above all, we try to maintain a consistent standard so as not to be perceived as arbitrary or capricious in our decision-making, Cersosimo wrote in an email.

If the police departments decision is appealed, Cersosimo said its licensing officers testify in District Court. In most cases, Cersosimo said, the judge sides with the police decision.

In Springfield District Court, people filed 17 lawsuits naming Lawrence Akers, Springfield Police superintendent, as a defendant in 2024 and 2025. All of them were about firearms license appeals.

Before he became executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, Michael Bradley said the question of suitability of a firearms applicant only came up only a handful of times during his 16-year stint as chief of the Upton Police Department.

Bradleys organization represents almost 400 police chiefs across the state. It is monitoring the lawsuits challenging the suitability standard.

Its an important tool for us to keep people safe and keep the public safe, Bradley said. We caution our chiefs to use that on a case-by-case basis, not to make any assumptions or generalize for certain offenses or behavior.

Bradley said a chief could deny a license if they know the mental health of a suicidal person is getting worse but they are not disqualified according to the law, or if a domestic violence prosecution falls apart because, say, a witness did not testify.

For Ruth Zakarin, CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, the suitability standard is a key part of a multifaceted approach to addressing gun violence. That approach includes educating members of a local community, and a legislative agenda that, for instance, proposes a measure directing the state to reexamine unsolved homicides.

Zakarin said shed like to know that communities have mechanisms in place to remove firearms from a home where there have been several domestic violence calls, as the presence of firearms there increases by a factor of five the risk of a homicide.

These lawsuits will play out the way that they play out, Zakarin said. In the meantime, our work moves forward.

A patchwork

The first step in obtaining a gun license in Massachusetts is a basic firearms course. The co-owners of Pioneer Valley Arms, Kendall Knapik and Michael Meunier, offer the class in a 34-seat, wood-paneled classroom at their East Longmeadow gun shop.

When aspiring gun owners leave the class, they face slightly different application processes with police departments, depending on where they live, Knapik and Meunier said.

Chicopee asks for two character references. Holyoke residents can sign up for an appointment online. Four municipalities in the region  Springfield, Chicopee, Hampden and Ludlow  require applicants to fire a gun in a range setting.

When the regulations were first adopted, Meunier said, police chiefs had the ability to impose conditions on a gun license and few allowed applicants to fully carry a gun for general self-defense.

Until laws changed after the Bruen decision, Meunier said police would often impose restrictions on the firearms license, limiting its use to target shooting and hunting, for instance.

When some applicants were denied licenses over suitability, Knapik said they were often able to get the decision overturned because a police chief had not interviewed them, which theyre supposed to do.

Some people are hesitant to challenge a firearm license denial, Knapik said, even if they think they are in the right.

As a resident of a town, do you sue the town you live in? How does that look for you? Knapik asked.

Meunier said some police departments may have stopped doing interviews of gun license applicants as part of a holdover from the pandemic.

The issue that we see with suitability is that oftentimes it is improperly applied, Meunier said. To apply a subjective opinion and a subjective regulation to a constitutionally protected right is crazy.

more news from Western Massachusetts

Read the original article on MassLive.
Two lucky Massachusetts State Lottery players bought winning Powerball tickets worth $50,000 at convenience stores across the state on Saturday.

Two tickets were purchased at Woodbine Country Store in Monson and Gomezs Liquors in Lawrence, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Saturday nights winning numbers were 6, 8, 34, 35 and 36 and the Powerball number was 2.

In Powerball, players select five numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. They then choose how many drawings they want to use those numbers for.

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Players that match all five numbers and the Powerball number win the jackpot. They have 1 in 292,201,338 chances of winning this way.

Players that match four numbers and the Powerball number win $50,000. They have 1 in 913,129.18 chances of winning this way.

Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The jackpot stands at $90 million as of Sunday.

Overall, at least 216 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including three in Springfield, three in Worcester and 20 in Boston.

The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600.

Massachusetts State Lottery

Read the original article on MassLive.
Psychedelic medicine could be on the cusp of becoming mainstream in the US, thanks to the Make America Healthy Again movement, Wired reported.

Drugs like MDMA and psilocybin have been studied for years as possible treatments for conditions like depression and PTSD. But they have never won approval as a prescription medication; MDMA came close, but the US Food and Drug Administration rejected it last year, a major setback for advocates of the drugs therapeutic potential.

Now, the FDA commissioner has declared MDMA a top priority, while President Donald Trumps nominee for surgeon general has touted psilocybin-assisted therapy.

One company plans to submit an MDMA application to the FDA again in the hope the new administration will reexamine the data.
As Donald Trump was flying back from Scotland, he revealed how he had discussed the horrific images of starving children in Gaza with his wife, the first lady.

She thinks its terrible, he told The Telegraph aboard Air Force One.

She sees the same pictures that you see and we all see. Everybody, unless they are pretty cold-hearted or worse than that, nuts  theres nothing you can say other than its terrible when you see the kids.

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Melania Trump has kept a low profile during her husbands second term. Her rare appearances at the White House have sparked Wheres Melania? headlines and questions about whether she is a part-time first lady.

But her influence can be spotted in Mr Trumps policies, and she is credited by insiders for being the quiet force behind the presidents tougher stance on Russia.

For Melania, it is not a new role.

Melania Trump in Kerrville, Texas following the deadly floods that hit in July - Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The Telegraph can reveal that she was a key factor in Mr Trumps decision to launch air strikes on Syria during his first term following a chemical weapons attack by the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

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A former White House official said she was horrified by videos of children dying in Khan Shaykun in 2017 and impressed upon her husband the need to act.

Mr Trump abandoned his campaign promises not to intervene in Syrias civil war, and launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea at a government airbase in Syria.

It was the first time that the US acknowledged striking Assad targets.

The former official said Mrs Trump was highly influential in the decision.

I think she reacts to human suffering as a mom, without a policy or political filter, and shares her gut reaction with her husband, they said.

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Katherine Jellison, a history professor at Ohio University and an expert in the role of first ladies, said Mrs Trump was performing her role in a highly unconventional way, rejecting the traditional role of simply appearing beside her husband at public events.

Donald Trump kisses his wife at the inauguration on Jan 20 - Pool/Getty Images North America

Her approach may mean she is underestimated by the media and public at times.

It may be that she does have more influence on her husbands thinking about issues than the general public might initially recognise because they seem to have this very traditional marriage in terms of gender role: Hes the boss. Shes the helpmate, she said.

But I think there has to be more to her than that, in that she has gone her own way a number of times.

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Mrs Trump, 55, was born Melanija Knavs in the part of Yugoslavia that is now Slovenia.

She launched her career as a fashion model at the age of 16, and met her future husband in 1998, when she was 28. Mr Trump was recently separated from Marla Maples, his second wife.

They married seven years later and their son, Barron, was born in 2006.

Mr and Mrs Trump at a New Years party at their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in 2004 - Davidoff Studios Photography/Archive Photos

She was an unconventional first lady from the start, being only the second foreign-born woman to hold the position (after England-born Louisa Adams) and the first to have once appeared naked on the front cover of a magazine.

She did things her own way during Mr Trumps first term, waiting for five months to move down to Washington DC from New York so Barron could finish his school year, and broke with her husband over family separations at detention facilities at the southern border.

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She made headlines in 2018 with a jacket she wore during a visit to see migrant children separated from their families. I really dont care, read a statement on the back, do u?

It caused an uproar on social media as commentators pondered its meaning.

Mrs Trump wears a jacket saying I really dont care, do u? in 2018 - KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS

Mrs Trump later said it was a message to reporters who used anonymous sources to undermine her.

In fact, I decided to let them know that their criticism would never stop me from doing what I feel is right, she said in her 2024 memoir, entitled Melania.

She also used her book, published a month before the election, to speak up for abortion access. It marked a clear break with much of the Republican Party and her husband, who had taken a more conservative stance.

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Some people, they see me as just the wife of the president, but Im standing on my own two feet, independent. I have my own thoughts, she told Fox News ahead of Mr Trumps second inauguration.

I dont always agree [with] what my husband is saying or doing, and thats OK.

Donald, Melania and Barron Trump celebrate in the 2024 election - Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America

Mr Trump recently described his wifes influence when it came to the conflict in Ukraine, describing her sceptical take on Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, and his warm words.

I go home, I tell the first lady: I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation, Mr Trump said. She said: Oh really? Another city was just hit.

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That turned her into an immediate heroine in Ukraine.

She was nicknamed Agent Melania Trumpenko and memes quickly spread showing Ukrainian iconography on her clothing.

Agent Melania Trumpenko pic.twitter.com/rVzf6tJfvJ  Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) July 14, 2025

Prof Jellison added that Melania was often underestimated in public because of her heavily accented English.

It wouldnt surprise me that she does have some differing opinions, and might assert those to her husband behind closed doors and might have an influence on his thinking, she said.

The first ladys office did not respond to a request for comment.

For her part, Mrs Trump told GQ in 2016 that she had plenty of opinions and shared them with her husband.

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Nobody knows and nobody will ever know, she said about the advice she gives him... Because thats between me and my husband.

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In a small village in Switzerland's beautiful Loetschental valley, Matthias Bellwald walks down the main street and is greeted every few steps by locals who smile or offer a handshake or friendly word.

Mr Bellwald is a mayor, but this isn't his village. Two months ago his home, three miles away in Blatten, was wiped off the map when part of the mountain and glacier collapsed into the valley.

The village's 300 residents had been evacuated days earlier, after geologists warned that the mountain was increasingly unstable. But they lost their homes, their church, their hotels and their farms.

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Lukas Kalbermatten also lost the hotel that had been in his family for three generations."The feeling of the village, all the small alleys through the houses, the church, the memories you had when you played there as a child all this is gone."

Today, he is living in borrowed accommodation in the village of Wiler. Mr Bellwald has a temporary office there too, where he is supervising the massive clean-up operation - and the rebuild.

The good news is, he believes the site can be cleared by 2028, with the first new houses ready by 2029. But it comes with a hefty pricetag.

Rebuilding Blatten is estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, perhaps as much as $1 million (USD) per resident.

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Voluntary contributions from the public quickly raised millions of Swiss francs to help those who had lost their homes. The federal government and the canton promised financial support too. But some in Switzerland are asking: is it worth it?

Though the disaster shocked Switzerland, some two thirds of the country is mountainous, and climate scientists warn that the glaciers and the permafrost  the glue that holds the mountains together  are thawing as the global temperature increases, making landslides more likely. Protecting areas will be costly.

Switzerland spends almost $500m a year on protective structures, but a report carried out in 2007 for the Swiss parliament suggested real protection against natural hazards could cost six times that.

Is that a worthwhile investment? Or should the country - and residents - really consider the painful option of abandoning some of their villages?

The day the earth shook

The Alps are an integral part of Swiss identity. Each valley, like the Loetschental, has its own culture.

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Mr Kalbermatten used to take pride in showing hotel guests the ancient wooden houses in Blatten. Sometimes he taught them a few words of Leetschar, the local dialect.

Losing Blatten, and the prospect of losing others like it, has made many Swiss ask themselves how many of those alpine traditions could disappear.

Today, Blatten lies under millions of cubic metres of rock, mud, and ice. Above it, the mountain remains unstable.

When they were first evacuated, Blatten's residents, knowing their houses had stood there for centuries, believed it was a purely precautionary measure. They would be home again soon, they thought.

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Fernando Lehner, a retired businessman, says no one expected the scale of the disaster. "We knew there would be a landslide that day But it was just unbelievable. I would never have imagined that it would come down so quickly.

"And that explosion, when the glacier and landslide came down into the valley, I'll never forget it. The earth shook."

Landslides are 'more unpredictable'

The people of Blatten, keen to get their homes back as soon as possible, don't want to talk about climate change. They point out that the Alps are always dangerous, and describe the disaster as a once in a millennium event.

But climate scientists say global warming is making alpine life more risky.

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Matthias Huss, a glaciologist with Zurich's Federal Institute of Technology, as well as glacier monitoring group Glamos, argues that climate change was a factor in the Blatten disaster.

"The thawing of permafrost at very high elevation led to the collapse of the summit," he explains.

"This mountain summit crashed down onto the glacier and also the glacier retreat led to the fact that the glacier stabilised the mountain less efficiently than before. So climate change was involved at every angle."

Geological changes unrelated to climate change also played a role, he concedes - but he points out that glaciers and permafrost are key stabilising factors across the alps.

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His team at Glamos has monitored a record shrinkage of the glaciers over the past few years. And average alpine temperatures are increasing.

In the days before the mountain crashed down, Switzerland's zero-degree threshold  the altitude at which the temperature reaches freezing point  rose above 5,000 metres, higher than any mountain in the country.

"It is not the very first time that we're seeing big landslides in the Alps," says Mr Huss. "I think what should be worrying us is that these events are becoming more frequent, but also more unpredictable."

A study from November 2024 by the Swiss Federal Research Institute, which reviewed three decades of literature, concurred that climate change was "rapidly altering high mountain environments, including changing the frequency, dynamic behavior, location, and magnitude of alpine mass movements", although quantifying the exact impact of climate change was "difficult".

More villages, more evacuations

Graubunden is the largest holiday region in Switzerland, and is popular with skiers and hikers for its untouched nature, alpine views and pretty villages.

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The Winter Olympics was hosted here twice - in the upmarket resort of St Moritz - while the town of Davos hosts world leaders for the World Economic Forum each year.

One village in Graubunden has a different story to tell.

Brienz was evacuated more than two years ago because of signs of dangerous instability in the mountain above.

Its residents have still not been able to return, and in July heavy rain across Switzerland led geologists to warn a landslide appeared imminent.

Elsewhere in Switzerland, above the resort of Kandersteg, in the Bernese Oberland region, a rockface has become unstable, threatening the village. Now residents have an evacuation plan.

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There too, heavy rain this summer raised the alarm, and some hiking trails up to Oeschinen Lake, a popular tourist attraction, were closed.

Some disasters have claimed lives. In 2017, a massive rockslide came down close to the village of Bondo, killing eight hikers.

Bondo has since been rebuilt, and refortified, at a cost of $64 million. As far back as 2003, the village of Pontresina spent millions on a protective dam to shore up the thawing permafrost in the mountain above.

Not every alpine village is at risk, but the apparent unpredictability is causing huge concern.

The debate around relocation

Blatten, like all Swiss mountain villages, was risk mapped and monitored; that's why its 300 residents were evacuated. Now, questions are being asked about the future of other villages too.

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In the aftermath of the disaster, there was a huge outpouring of sympathy. But the possible price tag of rebuilding it also came with doubts.

An editorial in the influential Neue Zurcher Zeitung questioned Switzerland's traditional - and constitutional - wealth distribution model, which takes tax revenue from urban centres like Zurich to support remote mountain communities.

The article described Swiss politicians as being "caught in an empathy trap", adding that "because such incidents are becoming more frequent due to climate change, they are shaking people's willingness to pay for the myth of the Alps, which shapes the nation's identity."

It suggested people living in risky areas of the Alps should consider relocation.

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Preserving the alpine villages is expensive. And Neue Zurcher Zeitung was not the first to question the cost of saving every alpine community, but its tone angered some.

While three quarters of Swiss live in urban areas, many have strong family connections to the mountains. Switzerland may be a wealthy, highly developed, high-tech country now, but its history is rural, marked by poverty and harsh living conditions. Famine in the 19th century caused waves of emigration.

Mr Kalbermatten explains that the word "heimat" is hugely important in Switzerland. "Heimat is when you close your eyes and you think about what you did as a child, the place you lived as a child.

"It's a much bigger word than home."

Ask a Swiss person living for decades in Zurich or Geneva, or even New York, where their heimat is, and for many, the answer will be the village they were born in.

For Mr Kalbermatten and his sister and brothers, who live in cities, heimat is the valley where people speak Leetschar, the dialect they all still dream in.

The fear is that if these valleys become depopulated, other aspects of unique mountain culture could be lost too - like the Tschaggatta, traditional wooden masks, unique to the Loetschental valley.

Their origins are mysterious, possibly pagan. Every February, local young men wear them, along with animal skins, and run through the streets.

Mr Kalbermatten points to the example of some areas of northern Italy where this loss of culture has happened. "[Now] there are only abandoned villages, empty houses, and wolves.

"Do we want that?"

For many, the answer is no: An opinion poll from research institute, Sotomo, asked 2,790 people what they most cherished about their country. The most common answer? Our beautiful alpine landscape, and our stability.

But the poll did not ask what price they were prepared to pay.

Trying to tame a mountain

Boris Previsic, the director of the University of Lucerne's Institute for the Culture of the Alps, says that many Swiss, at least in the cities, had begun to believe they had tamed the alpine environment.

Switzerland's railways, tunnels, cable cars and high alpine passes are masterpieces of engineering, connecting alpine communities. But now, in part because of climate change, he suggests, that confidence is gone.

"The human induced geology is too strong compared to human beings," he argues.

"In Switzerland, we thought we could do everything with infrastructure. Now I think we are at ground zero concerning infrastructure."

The village of Blatten had stood for centuries. "When you are in a village which has existed already for 800 years, you should feel safe. That is what is so shocking."

In his view, it is time to fight against these villages dying out. "To fight means we have to be more prepared," he explains. "But we have to be more flexible. We have always also to consider evacuation."

At the end of the day, he adds, "you cannot hold back the whole mountain".

In the village of Wiler, Mr Previsic's point is greeted with a weary smile. "The mountain always decides," agrees Mr Bellwald.

"We know that they are dangerous. We love the mountains, we don't hate them because of that. Our grandfathers lived with them. Our fathers lived with them. And our children will also live with them."

At lunchtime in the local restaurant in Wiler, the tables are filled with clean-up teams, engineers and helicopter crew. The Blatten recovery operation is in full swing.

At one table, a man from one of Switzerland's biggest insurance companies sits alone. Every half hour, he is joined by someone, an elderly couple, a middle aged man, a young woman. He buys each a drink, and carefully notes down the details of their lost homes.

Outside, along the valley's winding roads, lorries and bulldozers trundle up to the disaster site. Overhead, helicopters carry large chunks of debris. Even the military is involved.

Sebastian Neuhaus commands the Swiss army's disaster relief readiness battalion, and says they must press on despite the scale of the task. "We have to," he says. "There are 300 life histories buried down there."

The abiding feeling is one of stubborn determination to carry on. "If we see someone from Blatten, we hug each other," says Mr Kalbermatten.

"Sometimes we say, 'it's nice, you're still here.' And that's the most important thing, we are all still here."

Lead image: The village of Blatten after the disaster. Credit: EPA / Shutterstock

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Two foreign leaders have become more vexing to President Trump than he expected: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Each of them has complicated the political calculus for Trump on the world stage, owing not only to the suffering each of them has imposed on Ukrainians and Palestinians, respectively, but also to their reluctance to change course.

The presidents shift in attitude has been starkest in relation to Putin, who has resisted Trumps urging to bring down the curtain on the war in Ukraine. Russia started the war by invading its neighbor in February 2022.

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On Friday, Trump announced he had ordered two nuclear submarines to unspecified appropriate regions in response to highly provocative statements from Moscow.

The backstory to that move lies in Trumps declaration earlier in the week, during a trip to Scotland, that he was tightening his deadline for Russia to work toward a ceasefire. The president said he was bringing the time frame down to 10 or 12 days.

Moscow responded with a shoulder shrug, however. A Kremlin spokesperson said the nation had developed a certain immunity to such threats.

The sequence of events  and the general tone toward Putin  is a massive difference from late February, when Trump and Vice President Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office for his supposed ingratitude over American assistance.

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Several times earlier in the year, Trump appeared to blame Ukraine for starting the war. In April, he said of Zelensky: When you start a war, youve got to know that you can win the war, right? You dont start a war against somebody thats 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles.

The reason for the recent change in tone is straightforward. Trump wants to bring the war in Ukraine to an end and Putin is not playing ball.

Trump has seemed especially irritated about Putins propensity to have constructive or even friendly phone conversations with the president  only for Russia to launch ferocious bombardments against Ukrainian cities hours later.

We get a lot of bulls thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth, Trump said in early July. Hes very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.

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One reason for Trumps ire, presumably, is that Putins recalcitrance places the president in a tough political spot.

During last years presidential campaign, he promised he would be able to bring the war in Ukraine to an end within 24 hours. That promise has proved hollow, and no breakthrough seems close at hand.

On the other hand, it seems highly unlikely that Trump will shrug off his long skepticism about U.S. aid to Ukraine entirely.

That leaves the president in a kind of uncomfortable limbo, neither ending the war nor shifting the tide in Ukraines favor.

The specifics are very different with Netanyahu. But in that case, too, there are reasons for political discomfort on Trumps part.

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Trumps relationship with Netanyahu is in some ways even more turbulent than with Putin.

The president is extremely pro-Israeli in his overall outlook. In his first term, he moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and came up with a peace plan so aligned with Israeli priorities that it was dismissed out of hand even by the comparatively moderate Palestinian Authority.

But Trump also fell out with Netanyahu after the Israeli prime minister recognized former President Bidens victory in the 2020 election. His annoyance then led him to air a complaint that the Israeli prime minister had allegedly backed out of what had been originally conceived as a joint operation to kill the head of Irans Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani. The U.S. went ahead alone, killing Soleimani in January 2020.

Bibi Netanyahu let us down, Trump said in late 2023.

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Trumps actual policies have remained staunchly pro-Israeli in the first six months of his second term, but his tone has pitched in wildly different directions.

He nudged the Israelis toward a ceasefire even before he took office  but seemed fairly unbothered when they broke it off in March, blocking all aid from getting into Gaza for more than two months.

Trump has talked up the idea of moving the Palestinians out of Gaza, even suggesting transforming one of the most benighted places on earth into some kind of coastal resort.

But he also broke early this week with Netanyahus insistence that there is no starvation in Gaza. Trump averred that he had seen footage of children who look very hungry, adding you cant fake that.

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On Friday, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited an aid distribution site in Gaza run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Witkoff said part of the purpose was to help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.

Back at home, there have been signs that the traditionally staunch support Israel has received from the right is beginning to fray, further complicating the picture for Trump.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) recently became the first prominent Republican to call what Israel is doing in Gaza a genocide. Influential commentators within Trumps base, from Tucker Carlson to podcasters like Theo Von and Joe Rogan, have become more inclined to criticize Israeli policies and their effects.

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But none of that guarantees that the Israeli prime minister will shift.

Among the counterweights are Netanyahus repeated assertions that the war aim is not only the release of all hostages held by Hamas but total victory; his desire to keep together his governing coalition, which includes extremely hard-line figures from minor parties; and his presumed interest in continuing to delay his long-running corruption trial.

Trump could play hardball with Netanyahu more easily than with Putin, given the massive aid the U.S. gives to Israel. But whether he has the urge to do so is widely open to question.

For the moment, it seems likely that the Russian and Israeli leaders will cloud Trumps political outlook for some time to come.

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The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Aug. 3Two men, in separate cases, are facing domestic violence charges and a South Point man is facing a charge of sexual contact with minor after the July Lawrence County Grand Jury returned indictments on July 25.

John Paul Blair, 46, Ironton, is facing one count of fourth-degree felony strangulation and one count of first-degree domestic violence for attempting to strangle a woman that the indictment said was either a family member or lived in the same household or the pair was dating. The case will be heard by Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Ballard.

Charles Andrew Hardy, 25, Proctorville, facing one count of third-degree felony strangulation and one count of first-degree domestic violence to a woman, that the indictment said was either a family member or lived in the same household. The case will be heard by Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Christen Finley.

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Harold W. Masker II, 82, South Point, has been charged with having sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 from July 1, 2022 through Sept. 1, 2022. His case will be heard by Ballard.

He was indicted on one count of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition.

Other people indicted and their charges include:

James M. Gray III, 71, Gallipolis, two counts of fourth-degree felony grand theft of a motor vehicle and first-degree misdemeanor misuse of credit card.

Thomas J. Coe, 41, South Point, fourth-degree felony trespass in a habitation.

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Dennis Ray Cook, 46, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs, fifth-degree felony possession of drugs, third-degree felony having weapons under disability and fourth-degree misdemeanor illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Haleigh Dunford, 23, Proctorville, third-degree felony tampering with evidence and fifth-degree felony vandalism of government property for damage to a GPS monitor.

Joseph A. Rollins, 26, Gallipolis, second-degree felony felonious assault, first-degree misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

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Daniel Lee Lucas, 38, South Point, fourth-degree felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Devin Michael Stapleton, 24, Ironton, two counts of fifth-degree felony theft.

Michael R. Sisler, 34, Ironton, fourth-degree felony failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and first-degree misdemeanor endangering children.

Mulu F. Gemerew, 45, Reynoldsburg, fourth-degree felony receiving stolen property and first-degree felony possession of cocaine.

Kerry T. Coleman, 39, Ironton, fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and third-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France's Emmanuel Macron were among international leaders expressing their condemnation on Sunday of propaganda videos released by the Palestinian militant group Hamas showing emaciated Israeli hostages.

"I am appalled by the images of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Hamas is torturing the hostages, terrorizing Israel and using its own population in the Gaza Strip as a shield," Merz told the German newspaper Bild.

"This is precisely why there is no way around a negotiated ceasefire for the time being. The release of all hostages is an absolute prerequisite for this."

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In the nearly five-minute video released on Saturday, hostage Evyatar David is so thin his bones stick out all over his body.

He points to a calendar and tells the viewers when he has eaten - and when not. At times, the 24-year-old has gone three days without food or water.

David is then forced to dig what he says is his "own grave" in the propaganda video released by the terrorist organization. His family approved the video's release.

The images have prompted widespread criticism and a mass rally in Tel Aviv calling for the release of the remaining 50 hostages, of which around 20 are believed to be still alive.

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The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said "the images of Israeli hostages are appalling and expose the barbarity of Hamas."

She also acknowledged the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, saying "large-scale humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need."

Macron denounced the "unbearable images," warning: "An abject cruelty, an unlimited inhumanity: this is what Hamas embodies."

"We think with deep emotion of Evyatar David, Rom Braslavski, all the hostages still held captive, as well as their families and loved ones who have been plunged into hell for more than 660 days," Macron wrote on X.

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"Frances absolute priority and imperative is the immediate release of all hostages," he stated. "We continue to act tirelessly toward this goal  to obtain their unconditional release, to promptly restore the ceasefire, and to enable the massive delivery of humanitarian aid, still blocked at Gazas borders."

David and Braslavski were taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.

More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing conflict according to the health authority controlled by Hamas.

The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, though the vast majority of victims are said to be women, minors and the elderly.

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Macron insisted that the release of the hostages and the end of the conflict must be accompanied by a "political solution."

"That solution is the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace," he argued. "It is the only possible path toward a future where justice, security, and dignity are guaranteed for all the peoples of the region."

"Let there be no ambiguity: within this political vision that we uphold, we demand the total demilitarization of Hamas, its complete exclusion from any form of governance, and recognition of Israel by the State of Palestine," said the French president.

Macron last month announced that France would recognize Palestine, prompting condemnation from Israel.
Almost 100 people rallied in support of causes including immigration, voting and abortion rights at Roosevelt Park near Michigan Central Station in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Protesters participating in the Solidarity in Our Streets rally marched to the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building to show opposition to federal policies. The protest took place in tandem with local 50501 Rage Against the Regime protests around the country.

Michele Leeland, of Detroit, said as a young teen in the 1960s, she remembers intense protests and wants to see more of them in 2025. She said the Solidarity in Our Streets protest was small but meaningful.

Sanctuary city

Comite de Accion Comunitaria organizer Kassandra Rodriguez said the group started in April to oppose deportation and hopes to pressure Detroit to become a "sanctuary city."

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We should be demanding our city become a true place of sanctuary not just with flimsy promises but legislation  legislation that bans Detroit Police Department from ICE cooperation, legislation that bans our tax dollars from being used to aid raids and deportations," Rodriguez said. "We can win. We can make society safer for everyone regardless of legal status."

Comite de Accion Comunitaria also organizes court support for immigrants, know your rights workshops and bimonthly meetings at Vamanos!, with its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 7, Rodriguez said.

To those in office who will build walls and will persecute our people, we will build movements and we will fight back," Rodriguez said.

Detroit has taken a "Welcoming City" approach, according to the police department, meaning DPD "does not engage in immigration enforcement," but "regularly cooperates with federal officials in their law enforcement efforts."

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The department does not inquire about an individual's immigration status when interacting with the public, and crime victims and witnesses are not asked about their legal status, according to the police department.

Though, in criminal arrests, "DPD does not shelter any suspect from federal immigration enforcement," according to a statement by DPD.

Leelan said she moved to Detroit about a year ago from a sanctuary city in California and hopes to see Detroit become one, too. She said she is considering candidate stances on becoming a sanctuary city in the upcoming mayoral election.

More: Detroit archbishop fires 3 conservative seminary professors who criticized Pope Francis

Voting

Charles Thomas, 65, of Southfield, is an organizer with When You Vote  I Win, a non-profit and non-partisan organization that promotes voting. Thomas said its important to remember history when going to the polls.

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When you dont vote, you hurt me. You hurt my family. You hurt my community," Thomas said. "When I go to the ballot box ... I am trying to protect social security. I'm trying to make sure people have healthcare. When you dont vote, you put all of that in a place where I am subject to lose it.

Charles Thomas, director of the voter mobilization organization When You Vote - I Win, joins protesters at Roosevelt Park during the Solidarity in Our Streets protest in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

What else brought people out to protest?

March chants included everything from "Free Palestine" to "No hate. No fear. Everyone is welcome here." Hydra Mutal Aid Fund, a project supporting abortion access in Michigan, was also in attendance.

Detroit Anti-War Committee organizer Celia Erickson, of Berkley, said the group came because the Palestinian cause is connected to many of the other causes people came to protest. For example, Erickson said, President Donald Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill put more federal money towards the military, while taking away from community programs such as Medicaid.

The Detroit Anti-War Committee aims to pressure Detroit divestment from companies associated with Israel. In November 2023, City Council passed a ceasefire resolution.

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More: Israel releases Michigan attorney after seizing boat on hunger mission to Gaza

In an email to the Free Press on Aug. 2, spokesperson John Roach said "The City of Detroit has no legal authority over divestment decisions." The Pension Investment Committee, which has been independently appointed since 2014 pursuant to then-Gov. Rick Snyders bankruptcy legislation, is in charge of divestment, Roach said.

This protest follows a series of spring and summer anti-Trump protests in Detroit and around the country, including Hands Off in April, May Day protests on May 1, No Kings in June and Good Trouble, Families First and Elbows Up in July.

Craig Paulette, 51, of Detroit, has attended many of these protests, along with others, and said he spends his free time trying to make things better.

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He said something many people on all parts of the political spectrum have in common is inequality compared to billionaires like Jeff Bezos. He said he wants to see taxation rethought and wealth redistribution.

Leeland's relatives in New Zealand are scared for her when she protests, but its too important to be quiet, she said. One thing she hopes to see from the federal government soon is the release of the Epstein files, and for the people involved to get jail time, she said.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Protestors rally for rights near Michigan Central Station
On a sunny spring day last year, a young attorney named Gisela Gaytan kicked off her campaign for mayor in this gritty Mexican city.

Under her blouse she wore a ballistic vest.

Celaya had become the epicenter of a bloody cartel war, with one of the highest homicide rates in the world, and a local police force that appeared powerless to stop it.

We must recover the security that we so long for, Gaytan, 38, wrote on social media before setting out that day.

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As she shook hands at an event on the outskirts of town, a man approached, raised a gun and shot her in the head.

After her funeral, where a priest lamented a death caused by murderers who believe they control society, local Morena party leaders picked a new candidate: Juan Miguel Ramirez Sanchez, a bespectacled former university rector who had worked on Gaytan's campaign.

Forensic personnel study the scene after candidate Gisela Gaytan was killedduring a rally on April 1, 2024, in Celaya, Guanajuato. (Oscar Ortega / AFP/Getty Images)

Ramirez believed that one of Celaya's most urgent problems was its police, who instead of fighting organized crime appeared to be involved in it.

His son-in-law had been killed in a case that was still unsolved, and officers had demanded bribes and obstructed the investigation. Police misconduct was well documented: Local cops were prosecuted for abusing detainees and participating in kidnappings and even homicides.

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Ramirez won the election. And in his first act as mayor, he fired 340 of the roughly 600 officers on the force. Then  as officials across Mexico have been doing for nearly two decades now  he called in federal troops.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon first deployed soldiers into the streets to fight drug traffickers in 2006, promising then that the military would stay only until police could be reformed.

In the years since, leaders across the political spectrum have repeatedly vowed to better train and root out corruption among the country's cops  a step that security experts agree is essential to reducing crime and violence.

But with the exception of Mexico's capital and a few other major cities, those efforts have lost steam. Officials have slashed funding for state and local police forces, and disbanded the federal police altogether. Cops continue to be near-universally reviled, with federal surveys showing that 9 out of 10 Mexicans don't trust the police.

A missing person's portrait is posted at the town hall in Celaya, Guanajuato.

At the same time, Mexico has vastly expanded the military's role in public security. There are now more soldiers, marines and members of the national guard deployed nationally than state and local police officers, according to an analysis by the Citizen Security Program at the Universidad Iberoamericana. In most parts of the country, there are fewer state and local police today than there were when the drug war began in 2006.

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"The police have been abandoned in favor of militarization," said Ernesto Lopez Portillo, a researcher who leads the Iberoamericana program.

There is little evidence that the strategy has worked. Homicides remain persistently high, although they have dipped slightly in recent years. And cartels have only expanded their reach, with a U.S. military analysis finding that criminal groups control more than one-third of Mexico.

A member of Mexico's national guard patrols in Celaya.

Yet officials continue to embrace militarization as the country's primary security strategy. That even includes leftists who once fiercely warned of the dangers of ceding public security to soldiers, including President Claudia Sheinbaum and her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The mayor's abrupt decision to summarily replace most of the police force in Celaya, a patchwork of farmland and factories in central Guanajuato state, is a case study in why Mexicans have lost faith in local law enforcement  and what happens when soldiers take over.

The historic center in Celaya, Guanajuato.

Celaya used to be a tranquil city. Its location along a highway and railroad that stretch 600 miles to the United States drew Honda and other automakers to build plants here.

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For years, a local criminal group called the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel quietly stole fuel from the major oil pipelines that cross the region.

It wasn't until the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel edged in several years ago that violence exploded. The groups battled for control of pipelines but also drug trafficking, extortion rackets and theft of cargo trucks.

Celaya became synonymous with violence as criminals gunned down shopkeepers who refused to pay extortion fees, drug users who couldn't pay their dealers and everyday citizens who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They carried out massacres at hotels, bars and even funerals.

By 2024, Celaya had a homicide rate of 87 killings per 100,000 people  17 times the rate in the United States.

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It had long been clear that the city's police force was, at best, not up to the challenge  and, at worst, deeply corrupt.

Celaya police officers take an intensive course in radio communication at the city's Municipal Institute of Police Training facility.

The 600 cops on the force in Celaya, which has a population of around half a million, were half of the 1,200 that the United Nations recommends for a city of its size. Officers were poorly trained and badly paid.

That made them easy targets for criminals who offered cash in exchange for intelligence, muscle or simply looking the other way when a crime was committed. When police didn't cooperate  or didn't cooperate correctly  they were often killed.

In 2024, a cop here was 400 times more likely to be killed than one in the United States.

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Fanny Ramirez, the daughter of a street vendor and a maid, was 21 when she enrolled in Celayas police academy. After eight years with the force, she earned just $900 a month, little more than a worker on an assembly line. Her boyfriend was also a police officer in Celaya.

Fanny warned her family to steer clear of the cops, said her sister, Elisabeth. After Elisabeths husband witnessed a triple homicide several years ago, Fanny instructed him: Go inside and say you dont know anything.

The police are supposed to take care of you, Elisabeth said. But here, we have to protect ourselves from the police.

Police Commander Ruben Pineda conducts an intensive course in radio communication at Celaya's police training facility.

Mayor Ramirez wasn't the first local politician to try to clean house. Previous leaders had made a show of purging dozens or even hundreds of police officers that they claimed were rotten.

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But with most mayors serving just a single three-year term and scant public funds, reform efforts gained no traction. Experts say change takes time and requires concrete action to raise salaries, improve recruitment criteria and strengthen oversight.

On the national level, the approach to policing was inconsistent. Before he was elected president in 2018, Lopez Obrador criticized his predecessors for replacing police with soldiers.

"We cant use the military to make up for the civilian governments shortcomings," Lopez Obrador insisted, vowing to send soldiers "back to their barracks."

Angel Romero, center, an instructor in defense training, teaches cadets hand to hand combat. Cadets perform tactical rifle training to be officers. Marcos Alfredo Morales, an active municipal police officer of 20 years, instructs cadets in practical firearm usage.

On taking office, he changed his tune. Facing record high homicide rates, he released a security plan that argued that taking soldiers off the streets would be disastrous because cops were controlled by organized crime and moved by self-interest and corruption.

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He dismantled the federal police, a famously corrupt force whose longtime leader was convicted in the U.S. of taking bribes from the Sinaloa cartel.

And Lopez Obrador steered money once destined for local and state law enforcement to create a 120,000-officer-strong national guard, a force he vowed would be incorruptible" and civilian-led, and which was supposed to take over the investigative functions of the federal police.

In fact, nearly 90% of the members of the national guard are former soldiers, and few have been trained to carry out investigations.

In Celaya, violence continued to spiral. And policing never improved.

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Last year, about a month before the mayoral candidate was cut down with bullets, Fanny set out to drop her 6-year-old daughter off at child care before starting work. She was driving a sedan that belonged to her boyfriend.

Assailants opened fire. She and her daughter died on the spot. A few months later, Fanny's boyfriend was gunned down, too.

Neither case has been solved, but Fanny's sister believes the deaths were connected to the boyfriend's ties to organized crime.

A Celaya police officer questions a woman after a person was detained for suspicious behavior. The subject was later released when it was revealed he lived at the home with the woman. National guard troops and police apprehend a subject for suspicious behavior in Celaya. A fake firearm was found in the suspect's possession. He was released.

Shortly after he was elected mayor in June 2024, Ramirez said he was approached by cartel members who asked for positions in his government. He said he rebuffed them, but was shaken.

"I've been afraid like all citizens," he said.

He met with Mexico's top public security official and told her he had no confidence in Celaya's police. "Not all of them were bad," he said recently, "but most were." She pledged to send him 500 members of the national guard.

The mayor's mass firing of police faced criticism from his political opponents.

Mauro Gonzalez Martinez, the top security official in Guanajuato state, a former federal police officer and member of an opposition party, said national guard troops and other members of the armed forces were not equipped to fight crime.

"The army is trained for war," he said in an interview. "A police officer investigates. A soldier kills."

Nancy Angelica Canjura Luna, an analyst at a think tank called Causa en Comun, said that while soldiers are seen as less corruptible than police because they typically come from other parts of the country, that means they know little about the region they are supposed to be protecting.

They are always new," she said. "They don't know the criminal dynamics and they don't know the territory itself.

The Mexican Army on patrol in Celaya, Guanajuato, with the Mexican national guard and the Celaya Municipal Police.

But others in Celaya, exhausted by years of violence, welcomed the troops and two high-ranking military officers loaned to the city to lead its new security force as a show of strength.

Army Col. Pablo Munoz Huitron and Lt. Col. Bernardo Cajero rode into town in an armed convoy, dressed in camouflage fatigues. As they strode into City Hall, they were flanked by soldiers.

Munoz was quickly sworn in as Celaya's secretary of public security, a role traditionally occupied by civilians, but which in many cities is now filled by current or former soldiers or marines. Cajero was tasked with leading the officers who had survived the purge and the guardsman who now worked alongside them.

When Cajero switched from his olive green army fatigues to a blue police uniform, he was startled by how differently people treated him.

"My first realization was how much people hate the police," he said.

Police officers and members of the army monitor the surveillance cameras placed throughout the city at a control center in Celaya.

The pair, who had served in cartel hot spots like Tamaulipas and Michoacan, devised a plan. The city's remaining police would patrol alongside members of the military to reduce opportunities for corruption.

Security forces would focus on improving response times for 911 calls and increasing the number of checkpoints around the city to make sure drivers weren't carrying guns or drugs.

Celaya's leaders say crime rates have fallen.

Between January and June, there were 158 homicides in the city, according to the local government, down from 257 during the same time last year.

But high-profile acts of violence continue.

A woman holds the daughter of a taxi driver who was shot and killed in May in Celaya, Guanajuato. The young girl was in the passenger seat. Police and paramedics at the scene where a taxi driver was shot and killed.

Cajero was patrolling on a recent night when the radio crackled with a report of a homicide. His convoy raced to an intersection where a taxi lay overturned. The driver had been shot. His 12-year-old daughter, who had been in the passenger seat, survived but was in shock.

Take me to my father, she wailed as a paramedic tended to her wounds.

Earlier this year, the mayor's bodyguard was shot to death outside his own home. Ramirez, who cries while remembering him, said the perpetrators were likely criminals angry about his new security plan. "Obviously it was to send me a message," Ramirez said.

Some locals have bristled at the presence of federal forces in their streets. Alejandro, a 24-year-old Uber driver who did not give his last name because of fear of reprisals, said he had been stopped frequently by national guard members, and treated as roughly as by police while they reviewed his car and identity. "They're all the same," he said.

This summer, 11 members of the national guard were charged with theft after they were caught extracting fuel from an illegal tap not far from Celaya.

"How can we trust people who are robbing from us?" Alejandro said. "That's not logical."

Read more: She's likely to be Mexico's next president. Can she save the country from cartel violence?

Cadets rappel down a building during training at the Municipal Institute of Police Training in Celaya, Guanajuato.

Sheinbaum won the presidency last year in part on a promise to replicate the security strategy she had embraced as mayor of Mexico City, which focused on improving investigations, professionalizing cops and implementing community policing models developed in U.S. cities such as Oakland. But as president she has taken few steps toward police reform, and she recently pushed a constitutional amendment that puts the national guard permanently under military control.

The lack of federal help has made it challenging for Celaya's efforts to rebuild its police force.

On a recent afternoon at the city's aging police academy, young officers rappelled down walls and simulated hand-to-hand combat. They practiced wielding guns but not actually shooting them because the cost of bullets was too high.

One recent graduate, 29-year-old Jose Francisco Hernandez Herrera, decided to join the police after his brother, a merchant, was killed by criminals.

Hernandez said instructors rarely discussed how police should handle bribery offers from organized crime, even if it may be only a matter of time before he is approached.

A mural of the assassinated Gisela Gaytan, a candidate for mayor, in Celaya's historic center.

"You're never 100% prepared," he said, adding that he would refuse to cooperate for his brother's memory, and because he wants his son to live in a city where he can trust police. "If you really want to change your society, you have to make the right decision, even if it's the more complicated one."

Ramirez has touted young officers like Hernandez as the future of Celaya. But the academy is graduating fewer than 20 officers a month, and is struggling to recruit new officers. Pay starts at just $800 a month.

Recently, the city put out a call to current and former soldiers, asking them to take jobs on the force.

Estefania Vela, a human rights lawyer at a think tank called Intersecta, worries militarization is near-sighted.

"Nobody disputes that the police have problems," she said. "But what are you doing to fix those problems?"

Officials say the new force is not intended to be permanent. But how long will they stay? And what happens when they leave?

Its necessary today," said Munoz, the colonel in charge of the deployment. "Tomorrow, who knows?"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A New Mexico man is behind bars Saturday night after police say he tried to ram officers with his truck while driving drunk. Officers responded to a northeast Albuquerque home after a neighbor reported that 48-year-old Dustin Smith damaged their window and security camera.

Authorities arrest Albuquerque man accused in five bank robberies

According to the criminal complaint, when police arrived, Smith sped directly towards officers in a white truck. Thats when he got out of his car, refused commands, and charged at officers.

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Police say they believed Smith had a knife and shot him with a projectile. APD later revealed that it was a key in his hands.

Smith is facing 12 charges.

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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.
On March 11, 2025, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist launched his campaign for governor, becoming the third Democrat to seek the position heading into 2026. | Kyle Davidson

This story was originally reported by Grace Panetta of The 19th. Meet Grace and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy.

The race to replace Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is crowded on both sides.

Whitmer, a Democrat and potential 2028 presidential contender, is term-limited. The current Democratic primary contenders are Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson; and Marni Sawicki, the former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida. If elected, Gilchrist would be the states first Black governor.

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The crowded Republican field includes Rep. John James, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Sen. Aric Nesbitt, former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and Anthony Hudson, a truck driver who ran for Congress in Michigans 8th District in 2024.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a Democrat, is also running for governor but as an independent candidate, potentially throwing a wrench into the dynamics of what is expected to be one of the closest and most competitive 2026 governors races.

Michigan has long been a key swing state  and a pipeline for women leaders  where control of the governors office has switched between Democratic and Republican over the last 40 years. Former President Joe Biden won the state by 2.8 points in 2020. In 2024, Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin won her election to the U.S. Senate by just 0.3 points while President Donald Trump carried the state by 1.4 points.

In all, 36 governorships are up in 2026. Five Democratic-led states won by Trump in 2024 (Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) are holding elections for governor in 2026, while two Republican governors in states won by former Vice President Kamala Harris (New Hampshire and Vermont) are up for reelection.
Aug. 2Milly (Melpomeni) Loudi Daskalos Milly (Melpomeni) Loudi Daskalos was born on January 16, 1939, in Grevena, Greece, to her loving parents, Theodore and Evangelia Loudi. She passed away peacefully, joining her beloved husband, Chris Daskalos, who preceded her in death on August 28, 2024. They were inseparable partners in life and marriage for 66 beautiful years. Milly is survived by her devoted children: daughter, Evangeline Dupas (husband Theodore), and sons, George Daskalos (wife Jeannine) and Jimmy Daskalos (wife Nadine). She was a cherished grandmother to Chris Daskalos (wife Lauren), Melody Beck (husband Andrew), Matia, Milania, David, Demetri, Thalia, and Elina Daskalos; George, Katerina, and Christina Dupas; and a beloved great-grandmother to Timmy and Sophie Beck. Milly is also survived by her dear sister Anastasia Georgitsis, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family who loved her deeply. Milly's love story began when Chris traveled from America back to Grevena and saw her at a class reunion. It was love at first sight and they soon got engaged and married. They married on June 13, 1959, in Grevena and soon after boarded a ship to begin their life together in America. At just 20 years old, Milly left behind her homeland, family, and childhood to start a new chapter with Chris. Milly was a strikingly beautiful woman with thick, gorgeous hair, and a radiant personality to match. She was incredibly bright, hardworking, and full of life. Milly had a beautiful singing voice and often filled her home with songs while cooking and caring for her family. Together with Chris, she co-owned and operated the Court Cafe restaurant (Albuquerque, New Mexico), becoming successful business owners through their dedication and teamwork. After retiring from the restaurant business, Milly pursued her passion for people and learning by becoming a realtor. She was known for her hospitality, warmth, and love of cooking, reading, writing, and singing. She especially loved hosting large name-day parties for her husband and entertaining friends and family. Above all, Milly was a devoted wife, mother, and yiayia. Everything she did was for her husband and her family, whom she adored deeply. When her son George opened a restaurant in her honor, he named it Milly's. Milly proudly visited the restaurant daily, greeting customers and offering a friendly smile and conversation to all. Milly had an extraordinary memory and was a storyteller, historian, and source of comfort for all who knew her. She welcomed everyone with open arms and an open heart. She and Chris traveled extensively, creating unforgettable memories in countries across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. These adventures enriched her life and reflected her belief that the world was meant to be explored and appreciated. After Chris's passing in 2024, Milly's health began to decline. The love of her life was gone; her heart never fully recovered. We are heartbroken, but we find peace knowing Milly and Chris are reunited once again. She will be remembered always for her love, kindness, strength, generosity and unwavering devotion to family and friends. May her memory be eternal. Pallbearers: Grandsons; Chris Daskalos and George Dupas; great Nephews; Thanasi Manole, Nectarios Pavlakos, Billy Ninopoulos, Petros Daskalos; future son in laws; Aleko Massouris-Culp, Ian Pappas. Honorary Pallbearers: Ted Dupas, Nick Manole, Jason Daskalos, Vasili Georgitsis, Aaron Martinez Service Details Memorial Trisagion service will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025, 5:00 p.m. (viewing 4:30 p.m.), at FRENCH -Wyoming. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 308 High Street SE, Albuquerque, NM. Makaria Luncheon A Makaria lunch will be served directly after the funeral service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church Hall, and all are welcome. Interment Details Burial will follow the Makaria luncheon at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Milly Daskalos' memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Church or Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Please visit our online guestbook for Milly at www.FrenchFunerals.com
If ultra successful businessman Tommy Duff does run for governor of Mississippi in 2027, history will not be on his side.

Duff, of Hattiesburg, who along with his brother James are listed as the states only billionaires, according to Forbes Magazine, has made no secret of the fact he is considering a run for governor.

If he does, it will mark the first time for Duffs name to be placed on ballot for public office. The 68-year-old would be starting his political career vying for the highest office in Mississippi.

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Combustible Vicksburg contractor Kirk Fordice, a unique politician in Mississippi on many levels, is the only person in the modern era to win the Mississippi governorship in his first venture as a candidate.

All other successful candidates for governor in the modern era have held other elected offices before capturing the seat.

Going all the way back to the 1950s, Ross Barnett was a successful trial attorney before running for governor  his first elected office. He lost the governors race twice before finally winning the post in 1959 and then becoming a national figure as he fought to maintain Mississippis segregated society.

A few other people have tried to win the governors mansion in their first campaigns. They have not been successful.

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People always say a candidate needs strong name identification to run for governor. Even though he has not run for statewide office, Duff has the wherewithal and presumably the willingness to write seven  and maybe eight  figure checks to develop that recognition. And with his money, he has the ability to craft the narrative he wants Mississippians to hear.

But what we dont know yet is whether Duff has the it factor. Will Duff look comfortable in his own skin traveling around the state asking people for their support?

Often, though not always, it comes down to the old adage that people vote for the candidate with whom they would have a beer or glass of tea.

It can take a special personality to navigate campaigning. Experience on the campaign trail helps develop the skills to do and say the right things in often stressful circumstances. It helps to be quick on your feet.

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Andy Mullins, a longtime administrator at the University of Mississippi and before then an aide to Gov. William Winter, tells the story of Winter campaigning.

Winter entered a drug store in south Mississippi and went to the pharmacist to ask for his support. The pharmacist told him in no uncertain terms, Mullins said, that he would not vote for Winter because he would not help get his son into medical school.

After enduring a verbal beating from the pharmacist, Mullins recalled what Winter said as he left the store: Put the pharmacist down as undecided.

Who knows how Duff will perform if he does engage in his first campaign. He may be a natural.

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Many thought Tupelo businessman Jack Reed was a natural in 1987 when he entered the governors race as a political novice. Indeed, he did appear to be one, but he ran into and lost a close election to a politician with more experience in Ray Mabus.

Reed will go down with others, such as Mike Sturdivant and John Arthur Eaves Jr., who waged and lost their maiden political campaign for the hard-to-obtain office of governor.

Sturdivant, a Glendora farmer and businessman, spent a large sum of his own money running in the Democratic primaries in 1983 and 1987. Eaves also wrote large personal checks to his campaign against incumbent Haley Barbour in 2007.

Duff recently appeared at an economic forum hosted by Mississippi Today and JPMorgan Chase. During his on-stage interview before the hundreds of attendees, he deflected most questions and laid out few policy specifics.

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But Duff has plenty of time to develop a campaign platform before the 2027 election. The question is whether he has the skills to connect with Mississippians as he delivers it.

This column was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is the editor of Mississippi Today Ideas.
Have you ever had to replace a living legend? Or follow in the footsteps of a sister, brother, or co-worker who seemingly could do no wrong? If so, you can relate to my predicament.

For those who have been reading the "Justice Matters" commentaries for the past two years, you will be disappointed to learn this commentary is not penned by the Marvelous Mary Russell. Judge Russell is an extraordinary person and even more remarkable judge. She proudly grew up on a dairy farm near Hannibal, and from these humble beginnings, she went on to become one of just a few women practicing law in northeast Missouri. From there, she went on to the court of appeals and eventually became only the third woman ever to serve on our states high court  and the first to serve twice as chief justice! By the time she ended her second term as chief justice, she was presiding over the Courts first female majority. And, as you well know, she does not like to toot her own horn but rather is committed to recognizing our local court staff who admirably serve the people in our local communities. It is a true honor and privilege to work with Judge Russell, and as long as the St. Louis Cardinals arent playing the Kansas City Royals, we get along spectacularly!

Supreme Court of Missouri Judges Mary R. Russell, an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, and W. Brent Powell, an avid Kansas City Royals baseball fan, share a moment of good humor at the Court as they prepared to cheer on their teams for Major League Baseball's opening day in March 2025.

Alas, Judge Russell has turned over the gavel  and the responsibility of penning these commentaries  to me. I cannot begin to replace her, so I wont try, but I want to continue the "Justice Matters" tradition.

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Unlike my predecessor, I didnt spend my childhood on a dairy farm. But like Judge Russell, I am proud of my heritage. I hail from southwest Missouri and can honestly say I grew up down the street from Brad Pitt. He was a few years older than me, and I passed by his house every day as I walked to elementary school, always thinking he and his teenage friends were sooooo cooool!

You wont be seeing me in any upcoming movies with my old neighbor, so let me introduce myself. My name is Brent Powell, and for the last eight years, I have been honored to serve as one of seven judges on the Supreme Court of Missouri. Becoming a lawyer and later a judge wasnt something I planned, but looking back, it seems the law was always meant to be a big part of my life.

I am very blessed for many reasons. I was raised by parents and a community that loved and embraced me. I grew up in a family of legal professionals who worked in courthouses across the state. My mom was a probation and parole officer, my uncle a respected lawyer, and my dad has been practicing law for more than 50 years. Not surprisingly, I decided to become a lawyer.

After graduating from William Jewell College in Liberty, I went to the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. At Mizzou, I met the love of my life. Beth and I married shortly after graduating from law school. That was more than 25 happy years ago. God willing, she will put up with me for at least another 25 years!

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Beth inspired me to enter public service. After more than a decade as a state and federal prosecutor, I applied to become a trial judge in Jackson County and was appointed in 2008. It gave me a different perspective of the courtroom and sparked a passion to improve the administration of justice in our state.

To fulfill my passion, I applied for a vacancy on the Supreme Court of Missouri in 2017. Thanks to the nonpartisan court plan  the merit-based system Missourians implemented 85 years ago to fill judicial vacancies in appellate courts and some trial courts across the state  I was fortunate enough to become a member of the Court. It was bittersweet to leave the incredible people I worked with in Jackson County, but the opportunity to focus on improving our judicial system was too exciting to pass up.

Outgoing Chief Justice Mary R. Russell passes an oversized gavel to her successor, Judge W. Brent Powell, during a staff event in June 2025 at the Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City.

Serving on the Supreme Court of Missouri has been incredible. My colleagues are brilliant, collaborative, and even a little musical! We dont always agree, but we respect each other and work side by side to tackle challenges facing our courts. I also get to work with amazing staff and judges across the state, all dedicated to improving the administration of justice.

In coming months, I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts about enhancing the way our courts serve Missourians across the state  especially in the realm of criminal law, a special interest of mine. Ill also share with you some of my priorities as chief justice, including expanding access to justice, addressing the mental health crisis in our criminal justice system, and ensuring the continued success of Missouris nonpartisan court plan. All of these issues are close to my heart, and Im committed to making progress during these next two years.

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Being a lawyer and judge is more than a job to me  its a way of life. Im proud to be part of a profession that puts the needs of others first, whether its serving clients, communities, or the legal system itself. I hope my story inspires others to consider entering the legal profession and working with me to make our courts better and more responsive for the citizens we serve.

W. Brent Powell, who grew up in Springfield, is chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri Chief Justice grateful as he takes up the gavel | Opinion
RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4)  The Monroe Canyon Fire burning near Richfield in Sevier County is getting a slight break as the fire is no longer under Red Flag conditions for the first time in nine days, according to an incident update on Sunday.

Today, Aug. 3, is the first day in nine days that the wildfire has not been under Red Flag conditions. This is due to slightly lower wind speeds, officials said. However, Red Flag conditions are expected to return tomorrow, Aug. 4, and persist moving forward.

We remain in a fire weather watch, the incident update states. Temperatures around the fire have been in the high 80s and low 90s. Humidities across the landscape have been around 5%. Fuel moistures remain historically low at around 8%.

Monroe canyon Fire. Courtesy: Lone Peak Fire District

Monroe canyon Fire. Courtesy: Lone Peak Fire District

Monroe canyon Fire. Courtesy: Lone Peak Fire District

Monroe canyon Fire. Courtesy: Lone Peak Fire District

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Monroe Canyon Fire. Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest

Monroe Canyon Fire. Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest

Monroe Canyon Fire. Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest

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The Monroe Canyon Fire made an afternoon run that burned from Manning Meadows Reservoir to the 2014 Box Creek Rx and the 2012 Box Creek Rx, according to Sundays update. When the fire reached the prescribed burn, officials said the fire was pushed north, running back into itself and burning out.

Another weather-driven run happened on the north side of Indian Peak but was reportedly stopped on the ridgeline when the fire reached the 2016 Indian Peak Rx. A third run also occurred near the recent Cove Fire and Bear Valley Road.

Monroe-Canyon-Fire-Map-Aug-3Download

Crews continue to build out fire line in multiple areas and hope to conduct small tactical firing operations in the coming days in order to create a larger fire break that will help the wildfire from burning more towards Monroe.

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Evacuation orders for people living in certain areas of Monroe Canyon have been lifted, according to the Sevier County Emergency Management system.

Latest headlines:

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The Brief

Deputies were called for a welfare check on East Marlin Street.

A deceased man was found inside the home with gunshot wounds.

Multiple agencies are investigating.

WILLIS, Texas - A man was found shot and killed in a Willis home early Saturday morning, and multiple agencies are investigating the matter as a homicide.

Montgomery County crime: Man shot, killed in Willis

What we know

Montgomery County authorities said they responded to a welfare check at a home on East Marlin Street at about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.

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When deputies arrived, they reportedly found a man deceased inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds. Officials identified the man as 64-year-old Anthony Scott.

What we don't know

No other details are available at this time.

The Source

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Families were invited to celebrate at the first Back 2 School Bash hosted by the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office (MCSO).

Photo of Deputy Sheriff Kidwell cutting a boys hair, via Kris Sproles, WDTN.

It was held at the Harrison Township Government Center on N. Dixie Drive. on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The free event provided students with haircuts, school supplies, child ID cards and food. There was a SWAT truck on display alongside games and activities.

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2 NEWS caught up with Sheriff Rob Streck, who shared his excitement for the event.

Were giving free haircuts to individuals who need it before they go back to school. Were giving all the school supplies youd need, said Streck. And just have a good time.

He said the event is important because the cost of things is rising.

If you have three kids and want to get them haircuts before school, the bill on that is not cheap, said Streck. To be able to come here with the talent and professionals we have here, those who volunteered their time to be here on a Sunday morning to come and do this, its just phenomenal.

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DPS event offers health resources, supplies

He thanked everyone who donated school supplies for the event. He said he was pleasantly surprised by the high turnout at the event. Closing, he thanked all the volunteers.

We just cant thank them enough, said Streck. The deputies are doing the hard work and moving all the items around. Were lucky enough to have some deputies who have been through barber school and are very good at it. They love doing it, but they love police work also, so this gives them a chance to do both their loves.

To learn more about the MCSOs upcoming events, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Many Democrats are betting on a blue wave next year to help them regain favor with disenchanted voters and claw back some control in Washington  but several key indicators are turning into warning signs instead.

Recent polling shows Democrats are still struggling to regain their footing with voters who lurched right in 2024, and thats compounded by growing gaps in fundraising, an increasing number of messy primaries and a congressional map that Republicans are redrawing to make it harder for Democrats to win.

I dont see a blue wave, said Matt Taglia, the senior director of Emerson College polling, a non-partisan group that routinely administers political opinion surveys. Its more like a blue trickle.

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Still, as Democrats go on offense during the August recess, they are trying to juice up a blue wave by stoking backlash to the policies enacted under a Republican trifecta. They've tried rolling out a variety of playbooks already, on President Donald Trumps handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, tariffs and economic woes that could come from the megabill.

Democrats are placing so much stock in a wave midterm election partly because it could help them stymie Republicans in Congress and chart a path into the 2028 presidential election and beyond. Some Democrats acknowledge the party doesnt yet have the momentum it needs to gin up a blue wave, but they say theyre confident itll come by early 2026.

There's a lot of angst about the Democratic Party writ large. I totally hear that. But you have evidence of people on the Democratic side pretty motivated to come out and vote, said Neera Tanden, the president and CEO of the left-leaning think tank Center for American Progress who served as former President Joe Bidens domestic policy advisor. I think the midterm election will be about who is angrier.

And Courtney Rice, a spokesperson for the partys House campaign arm, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, emphasized the resolve to create a wave election next year: Its clear that Democrats are on a path back to the House majority come 2026.

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Republicans reject the idea that Democrats can overcome their hurdles by 2026.

Vulnerable House Democrats are sitting on our turf, said Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Theyre getting blown out of the water in the money race, theyre eating their own in messy primaries, the Democrat Partys approval ratings are at rock bottom, they are consistently on the wrong side of wildly popular issues, and theyve completely lost touch with hardworking Americans.

Heres a look at the headwinds that could put the legitimacy of the blue wave in question.

The polls don't yet look good for Democrats

Even as Trump's approval has tanked, about 63 percent of voters hold negative views of Democrats, marking a three-decade nadir for the party, according to a recent poll released by The Wall Street Journal. And Democrats projected wins are modest: Separate polls conducted by Emerson Collegeand YouGovshow that in a generic matchup between the parties, they are ahead by just 2 percentage points.

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That suggests Democrats are having trouble capitalizing on what they say is Republicans shaky handling of economic and foreign policy.

Around this time in 2017  ahead of Democrats monster 2018 blue wave year in which they gained a net of 41 House seats  Democrats were up about 6 percentage points in the generic ballot, noted Taglia, the Emerson pollster.

That doesnt mean the blue wave dream is dead. Election Day is still 15 months away, and that same Emerson poll shows about a quarter of voters are currently undecided on the congressional ballot. Americans could start feeling the impacts of the megabill and other marquee policies like mass deportations well into campaign season, which could offer Democrats an opportunity to win back some voters who swung right in 2024.

If we get to March of next year and we still see Democrats at 2 or 3 points up in the generic ballot, that is alarm bells for them, Taglia said. Theyre going to want to be at least 4 points up. For their ideal result, probably more like 6 points  Then youre starting to look a little bit like a blue wave.

Redistricting could bite into Democrats' opportunities

Texas Republicans unveiled a new congressional map Wednesday that, if enacted, would carve out five additional red-leaning districts. Those efforts, done at the behest of Trump, could throw a monkeywrench in Democrats plans to reclaim the House.

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Now Democrats are trying to reforge relationships with voters in four newly created majority-Hispanic districts in Texas who swung right in 2024.

Donald Trump and Texas Republicans are playing a dangerous game, and we're ready to defeat now-vulnerable Republicans next November, said CJ Warnke, a spokesperson for House Majority PAC, Democrats top House super PAC. Were bringing the full weight of our operation to the Lone Star State to make this backroom deal backfire and take back the House in 2026.

Republicans also hope to squeeze out a few more red districts in other states. Control of the House hinges on razor-thin majorities, and those redistricting efforts alone could significantly stymie Democrats ability to retake the chamber.

Some Democratic governors, including Californias Gavin Newsom and New Yorks Kathy Hochul, have threatened retaliatory gerrymandering crusades ahead of midterms, though its unclear how feasible these efforts will be because those states have ceded redistricting power to independent commissions, unlike Texas. Those states would have to rely on voter referenda or court orders to claw back this power, and they only have until early 2026 to pull it off.

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Tanden says shes optimistic California can counter Texass gerrymandering by 2026. If someone was like, while Trump is president were going to get rid of the commission, people would be down with that.

Democrats are facing down messy primaries

House Democrats are facing crowded primaries across the map.

Some in the party worry that months of fighting over intraparty tactics or thorny issues like Israel's war in Gaza could splinter voters and drain resources that could be used in the general election.

Democratic infighting over the idea of challenging incumbents has roiled the Democratic National Committee, where former Vice Chair David Hogg lost his position amid consternation over his plan to primary "asleep at the wheel" Democrats.

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Democratic leaders have begun to worry that contentious primaries could derail the partys path to retake the House, and House Majority PAC has threatened to intervene in primaries if it sees it as necessary to reclaim the House.

Republicans, meanwhile, have tried to clear their fields. Trump asked a number of ambitious Republicans to stand down last month rather than risk months of infighting, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said hes prepared to intervene in primaries that could produce nominees who would likely lose in November.

But Democratic strategists who spoke with POLITICO insist these races can also energize their voting base ahead of general elections against Republicans.

Julian Mulvey, a Democratic media consultant, said the busy primaries could help Democrats sharpen their knives before the general election. You may think that youre saving energy, resources, but if youre not putting forward your best fighters and theyre not able to sharpen up their attacks, sharpen up their defenses, youre not actually helping Democrats, he said.

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Others say Democratic primaries this cycle arent shaping up to be the kind of ideological clashes that can leave voters feeling burned heading into the general election. There arent many candidates who stand far from their median voters and would put the party at risk of losing a seat, said Ian Russell, a Democratic strategist: It means you dont have a bunch of wounds that need to be healed in the party.

Democratic fundraising is still lackluster

Republicans have generally raised more money than Democrats this year, particularly in the House battlegrounds.

In campaign finance reports filed Thursday, Congressional Leadership Fund, the top House GOP super PAC, revealed it had raised over $32.7 millionin the first six months of the year  about $11.5 million more than its Democratic rival, House Majority PAC.

Its a reflection of the shaky relationship between Democrats and donors who have become rancorous over infighting among party leadership and discordant messaging. And its turned the fundraising narrative upside-down: House Democrats have usually crushed Republicans in the money race because of strong online fundraising.

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Democrats insist they can catch up by early next year because the GOP front-loaded fundraising through joint fundraising committees that pool funds for dozens of members. Because those groups tend to rely on large national donors, that rate of fundraising may be less sustainable for individual candidates.

For DCCC-targeted House Republicans, about 30 percent of fundraising in the first half of the year came through joint fundraising committees, compared to just four percent for NRCC-targeted House Democrats, according to a POLITICO analysis.

Tanden is hopeful there will be a fair amount of resources for Democratic units, and pointed to Roy Coopers recently announced bid for North Carolina Senate, which broke fundraising records in its first 24 hours.

Warnke, the House Majority PAC spokesperson, said money cannot overcome negative optics from GOP policies.

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Republicans tariffs are raising prices on American families, and they are hiding from their constituents because of their deeply toxic budget, he said. No amount of money will salvage their chances at reelection.

Jessica Piper contributed to this report.
A march for Transgender Day of Visibility passes in front of Jackson Square in New Orleans on Friday, March 31, 2023. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

A group of state attorneys general, led by New York, has filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of mounting an unconstitutional pressure campaign against gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The lawsuit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, challenges actions taken by the Justice Department to investigate and halt gender-affirming care across the country.

The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration is pursuing a backdoor strategy to restrict gender-affirming care at the federal level through threats of criminal and civil penalties, while skirting state laws that protect transgender patients health care.

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This report was first published by The 19th. The Illuminator is a founding member of The 19th News Network.

As federal investigations and funding threats roll out, hospitals across the country are shutting down their gender-affirming care programs for minors  including in areas where access to this care is protected by state law. Clinics and medical programs have shuttered in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois and Washington, D.C., among others  despite state laws that protect the cares legality. Multiple hospitals have attributed shuttering or pausing their gender-affirming care programs to President Donald Trumps executive orders and federal administrative actions, including the Yale health system and Denver Health in Colorado.

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The White House recently celebrated these closures as a direct result of Trumps executive orders.

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The administrations actions put providers in an impossible position: either comply with unlawful federal threats or violate state laws that require nondiscriminatory access to medical care, New York Attorney General Letitia James office said in a statement.

James and other attorneys general suing the Trump administration argue that these actions are not based in law, since no federal statute prohibits gender-affirming care in the United States. Instead, these actions are an intimidation tactic to suppress the health care, the lawsuit alleges. Through the courts, they are attempting to halt the Justice Departments actions.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the attorneys general of states where gender clinics have recently shuttered, as well as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. They assert that gender-affirming care is legally protected in all of their states and that federal efforts to block that care violate states rights provided by the 10th Amendment.

Over the past few months, federal agencies have begun to follow through on Trumps executive orders regarding gender-affirming care.

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In early July, Chad Mizelle, chief of staff at the Justice Department, announced that the agency had launched at least 20 subpoenas into clinics involved in gender transition care, alongside subpoenas to drug manufacturers and investigations into hospitals providing the care. Doctors are being subpoenaed for patients private information, the New York Times reports. The agency is following the White House directive it received in January, via executive order, to broadly investigate gender-affirming care. In these directives, the Trump administration has incorrectly conflated the care with female genital mutilation.

The New York lawsuit challenges these actions, as well as FBI criminal investigations into three childrens hospitals that currently provide gender-affirming care or have done so in the past. Although the lawsuit is being brought against Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Justice Department, it also references other actions taken by federal agencies targeting gender-affirming care  including an all-day event hosted by the Federal Trade Commission. That event, titled the dangers of gender-affirming care for minors, is where the Justice Department first announced its subpoenas for confidential patient information.

Major medical groups including the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have endorsed gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The new president of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which sets global standards for doctors and nurses providing health care to trans patients, has expressed concerns that banning gender-affirming care will simply drive the care underground and endanger patients.

Transgender people, as well as the families and parents of transgender youth, are feeling increasingly worried and scared as the Trump administration targets their identities and their health care. For years, states have banned gender-affirming care for minors in red states and through Republican-controlled legislatures; but now, with the crackdown taking place on a national level, trans people living in blue states and liberal cities face the same threat.

This story was originally reported by Orion Rummler of The 19th. Meet Orion and read more of his reporting on gender, politics and policy.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Lets get a check in the latest in news and weather with KELOLAND On The Go.

One person died in a crash involving four motorcycles near Mount Rushmore.

One dead after four-motorcycle crash near Mt. Rushmore

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly motorcycle crash on Interstate 90, east of Chamberlain.

Deadly motorcycle crash on I-90

Meade County sheriffs deputies were busy Friday on the first day of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

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Meade Co. Sheriffs Offices day-1 rally tally

A Sioux Falls gym is doing its part to combat a disease that affects more than seven million Americans.

Putting in the miles for Alzheimers

Showers and storms rolled through KELOLAND on Saturday, but a few areas saw a deluge of rainfallespecially north of Huron.

Storm Center AM Update: Cooler Temps Depart; Storms Possible

Project S-O-S has started giving away backpacks filled with supplies to students in-need.

Preparing kids for school with Project S.O.S.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  A mountain lion that killed a dog in Boulder on July 25 and remained in the area has now been relocated.

Boulder Police Department posted on X, saying a mountain lion that killed a dog last week and stayed in the area was safely captured, tagged and relocated on Friday night.

Mountain lion safely captured, tagged and relocated on Aug. 1 (Boulder Police Department)

Mountain lion safely captured, tagged and relocated on Aug. 1 (Boulder Police Department)

BPD previously said the attack occurred on July 25 around 9 p.m., when Boulder residents were said to have been walking their small dog in the 2400 block of Balsam Avenue when a mountain lion attacked and killed the dog.

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Mountain lion kills dog in Boulder: police

Boulder police said previously that the mountain lion did not threaten the residents before taking the dog away, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife were notified of the situation.

FOX31 previously interviewed the Boulder family whose 10-pound dog, Bodhi, was killed in the mountain lion attack. The family had said to FOX31 that they hoped their story would teach of safety, as the mountain lion was still out in the community at that time.

Mountain lion kills Boulder dog on walk, family shares heartbreak in hopes of helping others

Kara Van Hoose with Colorado Parks and Wildlife made a statement previously to FOX31 after the incident:

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We also came up the next day trying to locate this lion and with the hopes of maybe getting a dart in it to tranquilize it and then relocate it, said Hoose. The lion was in a an area that would have made it too difficult to get to and kind of not safe for that particular tranquilizer dart. So we are still monitoring and hoping that people will report sightings of this mountain lion to us so we can have another crack at relocation. 

The capturing, tagging and relocating of the mountain lion on Friday is said to have been a joint effort by CPW, BPD and Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The National Weather Service has extended the states Red Flag Warning for the second time, this time set to expire on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.

The initial Red Flag Warning was set to expire on Aug. 1, but was then pushed back to expire on Aug. 2. But this second extension currently has the Red Flag Warnings end for Aug. 3.

What you need to know about wildfire red flag warnings

A Red Flag Warning is issued when there are continuous strong winds and low relative humidity.

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The NWS says that trade winds will contribute to fire weather conditions, with the winds expected to begin to slowly decline on Aug. 3.

As a result, leeward portions of the islands are at the most risk, in addition to interior sections of Hawaii Island.

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During this warning, the NWS says east-northeast winds could reach up to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 40 miles per hour on Oahu and Kauai. Maui County and Hawaii Island are expected to see stronger gusts, with the NWS saying their gusts could go up to 50 miles per hour.

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For humidity, NWS says that the relative humidity could be as low as 35 to 45 percent.

We have to continue to be vigilant and careful when conditions are this dangerous, Gov. Josh Green said. Nearly all of Hawaiis wildfires are started by human activity, which means nearly all of them are preventable.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The governor expressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols to avoid a potential disaster.

Residents and visitors alike have a role to play in reducing the risk, Green said. Please take this warning seriously, avoid activities that can spark fires and do your part to keep our communities and ohana safe.

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For the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the warning is a serious call for the community to work together.

Fire weather watch v. red flag warning: What they mean

Red Flag Warnings are a serious call to action, HIEMA Administrator James Barros said. We have all seen how a single spark can have devastating consequences. It is everyones kuleana  our shared responsibility  to prevent ignition and protect our communities.

Officials remind the public to stay vigilant against fires by doing the following:

Removing dry vegetating and other flammable materials from around structures.

Avoid fire-starting activities such as burning debris, tossing cigarettes or using open flames outdoors.

Clear your gutters and trim fire-prone vegetation, while also securing loose items.

Know at least two ways out of your neighborhood and have your emergency go bag prepared.

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Wildfire preparedness is everyones kuleana  from individual homeowners and landowners to public land managers, large agricultural operations and even visitors, State Fire Marshal Dori Booth said. We can and must all work together to build a safer, more resilient Hawaii.

For live weather updates, visit the NWS website. For more information on current wildfire conditions, visit the states 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 KHON2.
CUMBERLAND  Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland held a town hall meeting last week at the Metropolitan AME Church to hear community concerns and share their legislative goals.

The caucus main focus is to work to improve the quality of life for Black Marylanders. The Allegany County NAACP sponsored the July 26 event to bring the caucus to Western Maryland, where Black voices might be overlooked, NAACP Chapter President Tifani Fisher said.

I knew that this community and all of Mountain Maryland need to be able to express their concerns and be heard, because my voice is loud, Fisher said. But it is not the only voice here.

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Although Western Maryland has no representation in the Black caucus, 13 members from across the state came to the church to meet with the local Black community.

Unfortunately, we dont have any Black caucus members that represent this area in terms of Western Maryland, but the Black caucus is just a voice for the Black community everywhere in Maryland, Caucus Chairperson Jheanelle K. Wilkins said.

Before the event, caucus members joined the NAACP for a local tour of critical Black history sites, such as the renovated playground on Pine Avenue.

In just the short time weve been here today, we are committed to making sure that Western Maryland is seen and heard in Annapolis, and bringing these issues with our priorities in this upcoming session, Wilkins said.

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Wilkins underlined the importance of Black voices in the Legislature.

Our representation matters, Wilkins said. It matters as much here in Western Maryland as it matters in Prince Georges and Anne Arundel  and Baltimore City. We know that when we show up, when we speak up, when we advocate and when we persist, that it makes a difference.

Marylands Black caucus is the largest in the nation with 67 members, but, Wilkins said, while this is a good time in Maryland for Black representation, its not enough if all Black Marylanders are not represented.

... its critical that this representation delivers for all of Black Americans, Wilkins said.

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Fisher said that there is more to civic duty than voting. Staying informed and making your voice heard is just as important.

If we want change here in Mountain Maryland, our vote cant stop at the ballot, Fisher said. We have to reach out to the people that are at that table (in Annapolis).

During the town hall, members introduced the caucus past projects, shared ideas for future goals and answered questions about local concerns.

Founded in 1970, the caucus has focused on a variety of legislative topics, such as the improvement of living, working, housing, health and educational conditions of people in respective communities of color, according to its website.

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During the meeting, caucus members shared information on their work regarding fair housing opportunities, Black maternal health, entrepreneurship, racial disparities in Maryland prisons and education equity.

Wilkins encouraged attendees to share their top concerns with the caucus to inform their agenda for the next legislative session.

Give us the top three priorities, Wilkins said. Give us that charge so that we can carry that so that we can advocate for that, we can come back and say, heres what we got done for you specifically, Western Maryland.
Late Judge Richard H. Dinkins had a pronounced stutter growing up, something he overcame personally that had a far-reaching impact.

Nashville Public Schools start classes on Aug. 5, with a school that has a new name: Richard H. Dinkins Early College Magnet Middle School, previously Brick Church Middle.

A dedication ceremony held on Aug. 2 included Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, Metro Nashville Schools Director Adrienne Battle and Richard H. Dinkins Middle Principal Robyn Beard-Tillman among the speakers.

People view photos and other memorabilia during a ceremony renaming Brick Church Middle School after Judge Richard H. Dinkins Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Dinkins died in 2023 at the age of 71. The school board unanimously approved the new name for the school last March. Richard H. Dinkins Middle is in Metro's Whites Creek High School cluster.

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Dinkins was the lead attorney in a long-running school desegregation case that helped reshape public education in Nashville.

Cousin Margaret Campbelle-Holman told dedication ceremony attendees in the library about Richard Dinkins stutter and how reading and education provided Dinkins "an unwavering belief in what education could do."

"He never forgot about removing barriers," Campbelle-Holman said. "He saw that any impediment for a child's learning had to be worked on," which she believed fueled Dinkins in his desegregation work.

Exterior photo of Richard H. Dinkins Middle School, formerly Brick Church Middle School, taken Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Richard H Dinkins later became a judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals in 2008 and served with distinction until his retirement in 2022. He had previously served as a Davidson County Chancery Court chancellor from 2003 to 2008.

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"Nashville, and really everywhere, has a lot of unsung heroes and people who have done the work to get us to this point," said Richard Dinkins' son Ian Dinkins, 30. "So it's important that people like my dad, Robert Lillard, are honored ... and have students living out (their) legacy every day."

A display case honoring Judge Richard H. Dinkins is revealed during a ceremony renaming Brick Church Middle School after him Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Dinkins Middle student Aria Telfor read a poem to the audience and signage that reflects the new name is up inside and outside in time for school to start.

"I think students have the opportunity to do anything they want if they put their minds to it," Aria said after reading her poem.

Dinkins Middle School feeds into Whites Creek High School, which offers the Early College program in partnership with Nashville State Community College. The initiative allows students to earn both a high school diploma and up to 60 college credits, placing them on a fast track to an associate degree.

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"The name is more than symbolic, it's a commitment," Beard-Tillman said about the name change."

Margaret Campbelle-Holman, a family representative for Judge Richard H. Dinkins, speaks during a ceremony renaming Brick Church Middle School after Judge Richard H. Dinkins Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Brick Church Middle renamed for Judge Richard H. Dinkins
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  National Geographic released a list of eight underrated state parks across the United States, naming one Oregon park thats the epitome of the Pacific Northwest coast.

National Geographics list names state parks to visit in lieu of busy national parks, calling the state parks less famous but just as unforgettable.

If long lines and packed parking lots have you rethinking your travel plans to some of the busiest national parks, consider one of these eight state park alternatives that deliver the awe without the crowds, National Geographic said.

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For those thinking of visiting Olympic National Park in Washington, National Geographic instead recommends Oregons Harris Beach State Park near Brookings.

Washingtons Olympic National Park encompasses three distinct landscapes: wild Pacific coastline, mountains, and temperate rainforests. Outside of Alaska, its hard for other public lands to compare, but a state park and its immediate surroundings in the southern corner of Oregon come close, National Geographic said.

Plans for Portland-area In-N-Out restaurant moving forward: What to know

Harris Beach State Parks sea stacks epitomize the Pacific Northwest coast. While the main road ramps down to easy coastline access, the Rockaway Beach Trailheads steep descent yields hidden tidepools in front of the notched Goat Island, the outlet added. Search for sea stars, anemones, and crabs as waves crash through the gap in the rocky outcrop. To the immediate north, the area offers more cliff walks and a natural stone arch bridge.

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National Geographic continued, The nearby Klamath Mountains and Californias Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Parkjust 30 minutes southcomplete the Olympic-experience trifecta.

Other underrated state parks on the list are Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada; Palo Duro State Park, Texas; Custer State Park, South Dakota; Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire and Camden Hills State Park, Maine and Catalina State Park, Arizona.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON  In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.

ACYF Announces Tribal Consultations on "Supporting America's Children and Families Act

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) and the Childrens Bureau (CB) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recognize the central role that Tribal Nations play in the care and protection of children and families.

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To advance our collaborative efforts to that end, we extend an invitation to participate in formal tribal consultation on the Supporting Americas Children and Families Act, (Public Law 118-258), which reauthorized Title IV-B of the Social Security Act (Act). Consultation will focus on the changes to title IV-B of the Act, listed in detail in attached documents, and how they may impact Tribes. In summary, the focus areas are the Indian Child Welfare Act, title IV-B funding for child welfare agencies, the Court Improvement Program and remote hearings, and the Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

Read the Letter



Congress Rejects Trump Cuts to Native Housing Programs for Fiscal 2026

Appropriations committees in both the House and Senate have rejected the Trump administrations proposed cuts to Native housing programs for fiscal 2026. However, bureaucratic congestion and administrative uncertainty could still hamper tribal housing authorities that don't plan ahead, Native housing advocates say.

President Donald Trump's fiscal 2026 budget request would have slashed $477 million from block grant and competitive grant funding programs. The House Appropriations Committee instead suggested that the Department of Housing and Urban Development preserve current funding levels, at $1.344 billion. The Senate Committee on Appropriations kept that funding in their markup, S. 2465, which passed in a 27-1 vote in late July. If passed into law, the money would support programs under the Native American Housing and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA).

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Rudy Soto, executive director of the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC), said the bill would safeguard vital Native housing resources.

Congress' proposed funding level demonstrates a recognition of the crucial importance of tribal housing programs for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, Soto wrote to Tribal Business News. The funding, he said, would support tribal self-sufficiency, sustain community economic development, and address housing gaps.

Read more in Tribal Business News

US Senate Passes FY26 Appropriations Bill

The bill provides $235 million for the Food Distribution on Indian Reservation Program (FDPIR) and $3 million for a FDPIR pilot program that allows Tribes participating in FDPIR to purchase traditional food from small Tribal producers.

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The bill also provides $700,000 for processing and federal inspection of Tribal bison, which will help support Tribal food sovereignty by enabling Tribes to include bison raised on their own lands to be included in federal nutrition programs like school meals.

Additionally, bill provides $5.1 million for the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Office of Tribal Relations, which is responsible for government-to-government relations between USDA and Tribal governments.

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 Brief

A Navy sailor who went missing at sea spoke to his father 12 hours before he was reported as possibly going overboard in the Timor Sea near Australia.

Crews searched for Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch for more than 45 hours, but he hasnt been found.

A missing U.S. Navy sailor whos believed to have gone overboard on the USS George Washington has been identified.

Search and rescue crews searched the Timor Sea near Australia for more than 45 hours and covered roughly 2,200 square miles, but were unable to locate him.

Navy sailor presumed lost at sea

What we know

The sailor has been identified as Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV. Rivera Lynch, of Middleburg, Florida, enlisted in the Navy in June of 2024 and reported to USS George Washington in January.

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READ MORE: Papa Jake Larson, D-Day veteran and TikTok star, dies at 102

Australian military crews assisted with the search.

What they're saying

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of our shipmate, Airman Rivera Lynch," Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer, USS George Washington, said in a statement. "I am sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units who assisted in the search effort, including our partners from the Australian Defence Force and Border Force."

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with Airman Rivera Lynch's family, friends, and shipmates during this incredibly difficult time," Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, said. "The courage and dedication shown by all personnel involved in this operation exemplifies the professionalism and commitment that defines our Navy."

What we don't know

Its unclear what caused Rivera to go overboard on the ship.

Father said Rivera was eager to serve

His father, Jose Rivera III, told WVEC his son was eager to serve.

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"He was a person that, whenever you met him for the first time, you met somebody that was so likeable, very humble, very helpful. No matter where I went with him, people just loved being around him," Rivera told the outlet. .

Rivera said he and his son spoke 12 hours before he went missing. Riveras memorial was held over the weekend in his hometown in Florida.

"I'll forever be grateful that they did their due diligence in searching for him. They will cover every wave and every rock, and they couldn't recover him, but the effort was there, and I commend them for that," his father said.

The Source

This report includes information from the U.S. Navy and WVEC.
The U.S. Navy identified the sailor from the USS George Washington who went missing in the Timor Sea earlier this week.

On Friday, Aug. 1, the Navy announced that the lost sailor was Aviation Boatswains Mate (Launch/ Recovery Equipment) Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV. According to his family, he was declared dead. He went missing during a training exercise on Monday, July 28 and is believed to have gone overboard. He was 19.

The USS George Washington, as part of Carrier Strike Group 5, is currently operating in the Indian Ocean as part of the Talisman Sabre 2025 bilateral exercise with Australia.

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The Navy, along with the Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force, began searching for Rivera Lynch after he was reported missing on Monday. Search and rescue efforts involved several U.S. Navy assets, including the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Robert Smalls, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup and aircraft from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, HSM 51 and Carrier Air Wing 5, which is attached to the USS George Washington. Search operations covered 22,000 square miles and ended on Wednesday, June 30 after 45 hours.

According to the Navy, Rivera Lynch enlisted in the Navy in June 2024. He began serving on the aircraft carrier in January. and reported to USS George Washington in January.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of our shipmate, Airman Rivera Lynch, Capt. Tim Waits, the commander of the USS George Washington, said in the Navys announcement. I am sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units who assisted in the search effort, including our partners from the Australian Defence Force and Border Force.

Top Stories This Week

News The Marine Corps is looking for volunteers to leave the service early The Marine Corps is looking for volunteers to leave the service early By Patty Nieberg News South Korea tours will now be a year longer as Army cuts down on moves South Korea tours will now be a year longer as Army cuts down on moves By Patty Nieberg Tech & Tactics Brutality over precision  What the Army is learning from Russia in Ukraine Brutality over precision  What the Army is learning from Russia in Ukraine By Kyle Gunn

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In a post on Facebook, his father, Jose Rivera, wrote that the family was notified of the sailors death on July 30.

Fair winds and following seas, my son, Rivera wrote. You are loved, you are remembered, and you will never be forgotten.

Rivera told local news outlet 13News Now that his son had been eager to join the military, and that the two spoke a few hours prior to when Rivera Lynch was declared missing, calling it a great conversation.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The pilot of a small plane was forced to make an emergency water landing at a North Carolina island Saturday evening, officials said.

The incident was reported at 7:33 p.m. when a single-engine aircraft went down in the ocean, near the Oak Island Pier at 705 Ocean Drive, according to an Oak Island news release.

The pilot was the only person aboard the plane and was quickly rescued by Oak Islands Beach Safety Unit, which was already nearby because of a previous water rescue call, the news release said.

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During rescue efforts, a person in a lifejacket and a lifeguard could be seen clinging to the plane as it barely floated on the waterline.

Photo courtesy: Chip Cavan

The beach unit was able to launch watercraft to retrieve the pilot, officials said. The pilot was treated on shore for non-life-threatening injuries.

The plane was recovered and was towed out of the water Saturday night. Aviation 24/7 identified the aircraft as a Jabiru J230-D with N784J as the tail number.

Photo courtesy: Chip Cavan

The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the matter.

The Southport Fire Department, Caswell Beach Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Brunswick County EMS assisted in the call, officials said.

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The proposal reportedly includes a demand that Hamas disarms and released all hostages immediately, and threatens the US giving permission to the IDF to operate freely if Hamas declines.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are conducting advanced negotiations on a new comprehensive hostage and ceasefire proposal, issuing an ultimatum to Hamas regarding the release of hostages and the future of the Gaza Strip, N12 reported on Saturday night.

The proposal reportedly includes a demand that Hamas disarm and release all hostages immediately.

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In the aftermath of the demands being met, the US would lead an international administration that would be established in the Gaza Strip, the report added.

As part of the ultimatum, Trump would give a "green light" for the IDF to act freely in the enclave if the terror group rejects the proposal, N12 claimed.

This report comes amid Gaza terror groups publishing footage of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, showing them both appearing to be starving and emaciated. These videos have escalated Israeli officials discussing Hamas's starvation policy against hostages to increase pressure on Israel, N12 reported.

A screengrab from a Hamas propaganda video with Israeli hostage Evyatar David. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

We know the captors are not starving, Israeli official states

"We know from testimonies of freed hostages and from the information we have today that the hostages' captors do not appear this way," a senior Israeli official was cited as saying.

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This is deliberate starvation not only to abuse the hostages themselves but to torment their families and the public, they added.

Earlier in May, Trump said that the US should take control of the Gaza Strip, deal with Hamas, and turn it into a freedom zone, while the US president was on a state visit to Qatar.

If its necessary, I think Id be proud to have the United States have it, take it, make it a freedom zone, he said during a business roundtable.

Let some good things happen, put people in homes where they can be safe, and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with, Trump was quoted as saying.
A LexisNexis search by The Dallas Express reveals the medias use of terms like Russia, election, and critical infrastructure surged dramatically in mid-2016  shortly after a newly declassified email from a George Soros-linked operative appeared to suggest deploying exactly that language as part of a political strategy.

Between Jan. 1, 2016, and August 2019, the phrase combination appeared 23,448 times in English-language media sources indexed by LexisNexis, with spikes beginning in July 2016 and peaking during the early months of President Trumps first term in 2017.

The timing aligns closely with emails described in a newly declassified annex to the Durham Report, released by U.S. intelligence leaders including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The emails, allegedly authored by Leonard Benardo of the Open Society Foundations, suggest discussions within Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign and Soros affiliates about portraying Trump as compromised by Russia.

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The point is making the Russian play a U.S. domestic issue, Benardo purportedly wrote on July 27, 2016. Say something like a critical infrastructure threat for the election to feel menace since both POTUS and VPOTUS have acknowledged the fact IC would speed up searching for evidence that is regrettably still unavailable.

Benardos email came just days before the FBI formally opened its counterintelligence probe, Crossfire Hurricane, on July 31, 2016.

Though some of the annex materials were reportedly obtained through Russian intelligence hacking and are described by Special Counsel John Durhams team as possibly a composite of real emails, Durham stated that those he interviewed believed the Benardo emails to be likely authentic.

In total, LexisNexis indexed over 6,900 instances in TV news transcripts, more than 4,100 in web-based publications, 3,466 in newswires, and 2,125 in newspapers. The figures do not account for social media, podcasts, or other forms of new media, and the archive omits some local or online-only outlets. The actual total usage of the phrase combination may be significantly higher.

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The medias uptake of critical infrastructure in connection to Russian interference was later echoed by federal agencies. A joint analysis from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI on Dec. 29, 2016  titled GRIZZLY STEPPE  Russian Malicious Cyber Activity  included language about threats to U.S. election infrastructure and urged heightened cybersecurity awareness.

The Durham annex, meanwhile, includes intelligence that Julianne Smith, who later became Bidens ambassador to NATO, and Benardo allegedly brainstormed messaging strategies to demonize Putin and Trump following the Democratic National Convention.

Julie says it will be a long-term affair to demonize Putin and Trump, Benardo allegedly wrote in a July 25, 2016, email. Now it is good for a post-convention bounce. Later the FBI will put more oil on the fire.

Benardo, when questioned by the Office of Special Counsel, denied remembering the emails and said he didnt recall Julie. Smith likewise denied drafting or receiving the messages and told investigators she did not enlist the FBI in such a strategy. But Durham concluded that Smith was, at a minimum, playing a role in the Clinton campaigns efforts to tie Trump to Russia.

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Open Society Foundations has vehemently denied the claims, telling Fox News Digital that the Durham report found no wrongdoing by our staff, and that the allegations are grounded in malicious disinformation traced to Russian intelligence.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who coordinated the effort to release the documents, reportedly said he has been fighting for years to assemble and publicize all the facts surrounding Durhams investigation, Crossfire Hurricane, and related matters.

Grassley also called it one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history.

The LexisNexis archive is a collection of historical news articles, business information, public records, legal documents, and other public material available through the Nexis service.
RYE  A 35-year-old man has been identified as the deceased person who was recently found in the water near the Isles of Shoals, according to New Hampshire State Police and Marine Patrol.

David Paul Stover Shader, of Boston, was found on July 13, when Marine Patrol responded to reports of a human body seen floating. A fisherman is known to be among those who reported the sighting. Officers located and recovered the remains of the person who has now been identified, with assistance from the state medical examiner.

New Hampshire State Police are investigating after a body was discovered Sunday morning in the Atlantic Ocean off the state's coast.

The investigation "has yet to fully determine the details of Shaders entry into the water. Shader was last seen in the Boston area, and his death is not believed to be suspicious," according to state police.

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More local news: Portsmouth councilors aim to protect residents' rights amid ICE raids

"There is no known cause for concern for public safety related to this matter," police added.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and ask anyone with information to contact Sgt. Stephen OConnor at 603-556-3183 or Stephen.J.OConnor@dos.nh.gov.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH police identify man found dead in water near Isles of Shoals
CHICAGO  Chicago faith leaders and community activists are joining forces to call for peace in the city. Several No Crime Weekend events are being held through Sunday.

I was an ex-gang member, so I come out here to be part of something positive and give back to our community which I grew up in, Gregory Collins said. I fight for peace.

Collins was among several former gang members-turned community activists leading a peace walk on the Far South Side on Saturday.

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Were trying to put the neighbor back in the hood, and thats all were basically trying to do. Im sick of all these kids out here shooting and stuff and all this gun violence, Collins said.

Attendees marched from 127th Street and Michigan Avenue in West Pullman to 111th Street and Indiana Avenue in Roseland  nearly two miles  in hopes of making a difference.

Along the way, even more people joined in.

It all led back to Palmer Park where a picnic was held, bringing together the community, people who are boots on the ground, 5th District officers and families impacted by violence.

Their whole focus is to stop the shooting, lets save lives, Geri Jones, Executive Director of St. Titus One Youth Program, said.

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The walk and picnic were part of a wider effort by eight different churches and organizations.

In its fourth year now, organizers say they have expanded their call from No Crime Day to No Crime Weekend.

We get real encouraged after this every year when the statistics come out and show that there was a decrease. Thats what keeps us going, Pastor Michael Jones, of St. Titus One Missionary Baptist Church, said.

On Saturday, Chicago police released new statistics that show the city saw 35% less homicides in July 2025 compared to July 2024.

They say there has also been a 26% drop in shooting victims.

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Since the start of the year, police say theyve seen the lowest number of homicides in more than a decade.

Were going to get through this as a city. It might not be today, but we are planting the seeds right now to where our kids can grow and not have to go through the same thing we went through, Allen Mickle said.

Events were also held in the city in the Englewood and South Shore neighborhoods. Organizers put on fun fests and picnics while also distributing school supplies and free food at some events.

On Sunday, the Little Village Community Council will host a free fishing camp in North Lawndale as part of No Crime Weekend at the Douglas Park Pond from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
After a resounding defeat last November, it's clear that the Democratic Party needs to figure out how to move forward.

Chip Somodevilla/ Kenny Holston-Pool / Getty Images

So, we asked the BuzzFeed Community who they would like to see as the new face of the party. Here's what they said:

1."AOC or Jasmine Crockett. We need someone who actually wants the best for the American people and has our best interests at heart."

Andrew Harnik/ Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Anonymous

Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words

2."I hadn't heard of Andy Beshear until that period where we were all wondering who was going to be chosen as Kamala's running mate, but he seems like a great fit to lead the party right now. He's connected with voters enough to keep winning elections in his red state of Kentucky, and we could certainly use some of that in the next presidential election."

Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Anonymous

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3."I love those videos of Katie Porter breaking things down on her whiteboard to emphasize how corrupt and greedy corporations have gotten. She fearlessly calls out companies that don't pay their workers enough, Big Pharma for exploiting sick people, etc. She is a true supporter of the middle class and exactly who I want to represent me."

Anonymous

4."I feel like the clear option has to be a governor or early-term senator. Historically, Democratic candidates have often won elections by being outsiders to Washington politics. So, I think the key faces of the Democratic Party should be people like Pete Buttigieg or Wes Moore. What we need the least is for another senator or other person with a long Washington record to come in and march the party to another defeat."

Alex Wong/ Mike Coppola / Getty Images

Anonymous

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5."I think Adam Schiff should run as the Democratic nominee for president in 2028. Hes really smart, has experience in Congress, and is well-spoken. Most importantly, he has no fear of Trump or Trumpites. Go Adam!"

Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

Anonymous

Related: If You Want To Know How MAGA Feels About The Epstein Files And Trump RN, Consider This Clip Of A Fox News Host Being Booed

6."I recently saw clips of James Talarico speaking on Joe Rogan's podcast, and I was blown away. I hadn't heard of him before, but he was smart, had common sense, and made me hopeful for the future of the Democratic Party. He wants to return the party to really looking out for the working class  something we should all agree on. Even Joe agreed with him and urged him to run for president. I don't think James has the name recognition for a 2028 run, but he's a rising star, and I hope to see much more of him."

The Joe Rogan Experience / CNN / Via youtube.com

Anonymous

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7."Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. Shes a veteran who lost both her legs fighting for her country and is committed to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. She had to use IVF to become a mother and went public about what it took for her to have children. Shes not going to sit idly by while the rights of women and reproductive healthcare are being actively suppressed and undermined."

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Anonymous

8."Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, and AOC. They're young enough to know how to play this game MAGA plays. We should have learned from the first election Trump won. Americans who voted for the economy, without any regard for the morality of the one they voted for, got exactly that  look at all the immoral and chaotic mess! Now, we all have to deal with it."

Win McNamee/ Anna Moneymaker/ Alex Wong / Getty Images

Anonymous

Related: "My Generation Will Never Forgive You": 25 Of The Very Best And Very True Political Tweets From The Last Week

9."Given the results of our presidential election and a discombobulated Democratic Party (plus the reluctance to replace career old farts with modern-day thinkers), I don't believe our country is capable of voting in a woman, let alone a woman of color. Hurts me to believe that, as a lifelong Democrat of mixed race and a mother of adult Democrats. But if we make it beyond Trump, well need healing and major rebuilding by  sadly and likely  a more centrist white male. One with the integrity and guts to empower the brilliance and partnership of a woman like Jasmine or AOC. Perhaps Walz?"

Stephen Maturen / Getty Images

Anonymous

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10."Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico should also be in the limelight as a true leader. She had the courage to call out Congressmembers who objected to placing the entirety of Project 2025 into the public record."

Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Anonymous

11."I've been very impressed with Zohran Mamdani. He's getting people engaged and passionate. His proposals are good for the many, rather than the few. I believe a democratic socialist is precisely what the US needs right now, despite what old, corporate Democrats think. It's so frustrating how other countries can take care of their citizens while the US is too focused on greed. It's time we caught up with the rest of the world."

Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

Anonymous

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12."Andy Kim of New Jersey. Hes shown that hes willing to fight. Im looking three years ahead, and I think he might actually be presidential material."

Pool / Getty Images

Anonymous

13."Pete Buttigieg has such a way with words. Very smart and articulate, with the ability to break complicated issues down in ways that regular people can understand and care about. He also seems to have a calm demeanor, patiently explaining stuff without becoming hot-headed, but still standing his ground. It would be a welcome change after Trump."

Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Anonymous

Related: Gavin Newsom Has Been Roasting MAGA Left And Right, And WOW, Is It Entertaining

14."Jamie Raskin has demonstrated he is willing and capable of fighting back."

Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

Anonymous

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15.And finally, "AOC, because I like that she works with the left wing of the party while the rest of the establishment is courting moderate votes. Jasmine Crockett is also a good candidate to lead the party, but Id like to know more about her inter-party strategies as well. For now, AOC seems to connect with the people and has the ability to use the system to make the most possible change of the moment. Hey, maybe AOC-Crockett 2028!"

Chet Strange/ Jemal Countess / Getty Images for Congressional Integrity Project

Anonymous

Who would you like to see as the new face of the Democratic Party? Why? Share your thoughts in the comments or in the anonymous Google form below.

Also in In the News: "How Can You Possibly Be This Ignorant": 26 Tweets Calling Out The Sh*t Show That Is Politics This Week

Also in In the News: Trump Can't Stop Talking About Pete Buttigieg, And Pete Responded With One Simple Tweet

Also in In the News: President Obama Just Responded To Donald Trump's "Bizarre" Claims Of Him Committing Treason

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Indian shrimp exporters will face a new, unprecedented challenge in US markets after the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on India, said Rahul Guha, Senior Director at Crisil Ratings. "Indian shrimp exporters face an unprecedented new challenge in the US market, which contributes close to 48 per cent of their exports," Guha added. He noted that with the proposed US tariff hike, additional financial penalties, the 5.77 per cent countervailing duty imposed last year, and existing anti-dumping duties, India is set to become one of the most heavily taxed major shrimp exporters in the US market. "In contrast, Ecuador, the largest shrimp exporter globally, faces just a 10 per cent tariff and countervailing duties of 3-4 per cent in the US," Guha added. "In this milieu, the shrimp export volume could potentially fall 7-9 per cent in this fiscal, even as players look for alternative markets to boost their exports," he anticipated. According to the Crisil Ratings Senior Director, the operating margin will also fall 50-100 basis points due to the added cost burden of tariffs and their gradual pass-through due to competition from Ecuador. "Thus, the credit profiles of shrimp exporters, already under pressure, will witness further challenges," Guha stated. During the financial year 2023-24, India exported an all-time high volume of 17,81,602 MT of seafood worth Rs. 60,523.89 crore. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, promotes and regulates the export of marine products. The initiatives by MPEDA for boosting shrimp exports are oriented towards production and processing, and not port-specific. To strengthen the export value chain, the government has sanctioned projects adjacent to major ports, namely, modernisation and upgradation of fishing harbour at Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Paradip, Cochin and Mumbai Port with 100 per cent financial assistance under PMMSY in convergence with Sagarmala at a total cost of Rs 651.14 crore. The government, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, provides financial assistance to the state governments, Union Territories and implementing agencies for the construction of fishing harbours, fish landing centres, the modernisation/upgradation of existing fishing harbours and the maintenance dredging of the fishing harbours. During the last five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, Rs 3,490 crore have been allocated under the scheme. The scheme provides for sustainable investment in infrastructure with the objective of enhancing production, productivity, exports and addressing key gaps, including the reduction of post-harvest losses in various components of the value chain. (ANI)
North Carolina lawmakers override veto on armed teachers bill

The North Carolina House and Senate have overridden a veto on a bill that allows private school teachers and volunteers to carry weapons if approved by the administration.

The bill has sparked debate among lawmakers. Proponents argue that it addresses the lack of school resource officers.

During the floor debate, Iredell County Representative Jeffrey McNeely argued that the bill is necessary for schools without school resource officers. He emphasized the importance of having armed personnel on-site to respond quickly to threats.

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These children are precious, and I dont think we can take the time to wait 15, 20 minutes for somebody to get there thats going to bring a gun, when we could have somebody there that already has a gun, McNeely said.

But opponents raise concerns about potential risks, one even questioning the right to own a gun.

READ: Two unaffiliated candidates run for Charlotte City Council

Matthews Representative Laura Budd expressed her concerns about the safety implications of the bill. She highlighted a scenario where police responding to a school incident might encounter someone with a gun, potentially leading to tragic outcomes.

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Thats a tragedy that we can avoid if we simply act with common sense and stop thinking that somehow owning a gun and possessing a gun is a God given right from the US Constitution or the North Carolina Constitution, Budd said. Its not. It is not a God given right.

Shelly Willingham of Rocky Mount was the only Democrat to vote in favor of the bill.

WATCH: Two unaffiliated candidates run for Charlotte City Council
NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU)  The North Sioux City Fire Department has renamed its training facility to honor its fire chief, who served the community for over three decades.

Since joining the fire department in 1986 and becoming the fire chief in 1989, Chief William Pappas has demonstrated strong leadership and made a positive impact in North Sioux City, according to a press release from the North Sioux Fire Department. He has guided countless firefighters through their initial training and has overseen nearly every major development in the history of the North Sioux City Fire Department.

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In appreciation of his service, the firefighters have decided to rename their training facility the Chief William Pappas Training Facility.

I think Id like everyone to know that I work with the best people in our community, said Chief William Pappas. Every day, I get to go to work and meet fine people.

Several firefighters from Nebraska and Iowa gathered at the facility to express their gratitude to the chief for his hard work.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
(FOX40.COM)  Fire Stations in the Sacramento and Manteca area are sending firefighters to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties to battle a fast-moving wildfire.

The Gifford Fire has already burned 30,519 acres as of 9:35 p.m., and it has been five percent contained, according to the Cal Fire website.

San Joaquin woman sentenced for illegal firearm trafficking, the DOJ says

This is a very rapidly moving fire through steep terrain with lots of dry vegetation, said Mark Nunez, Public Information Officer for Sacramento Metro Fire Department. This type of fire, how fast it is growing, the size of it, and the amount of possible acreage its going to consume. It takes a lot of personnel to take on something of this size.

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Metro Fire said that there have been multiple evacuation zones that are in effect as fire activity continues to escalate. The strike team includes resources from Metro Fire, Sacramento City Fire, Cosumnes Fire, West Sacramento Fire, and Manteca Fire.

Nunez stated that crews are ready to stay in Southern California for up to two weeks if needed.

Justin Sylvia, who is the public information officer for Sacramento City Fire, said crews went into action right away as the states system relies on whoever is ready to go when the phone rings.

This was an immediate need, not a plan need like we typically see. So that means they need boots on the ground to fight these fires right away, Sylvia said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
The Brief

A woman was reportedly attacked by dogs near Mills Road by FM 1960.

The woman was flown to a hospital with serious injuries.

Anyone with more information can call the Harris County Sheriff's Office (713-221-6000).

HOUSTON - A woman was flown to a hospital after she was allegedly attacked by dogs on Saturday night in northwest Harris County.

Harris County: Dog attack reported on Mills Road

What we know

According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the dog attack happened somewhere around the 9200 block of Mills Road, near FM 1960 and Tomball Parkway.

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The woman's injuries are said to be serious.

What we don't know

There's no other information on the victim, the dogs, who the dogs belong to, or why they attacked.

What you can do

Harris County detectives are looking for more information on the attack. Anyone with any knowledge of this incident is asked to call the sheriff's office at 713-221-6000.

Last night, an adult female was reportedly attacked by unknown dogs around the 9200 blk of Mills Rd, FM-1960 Rd W and 249.



The female was transported by Lifeflight with serious injuries. Our @HCSOTexas detectives are trying to gain additional information. If you can provide any pic.twitter.com/fOZRhEiC0p  Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 3, 2025

The Source

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez
UPDATE ON 8-3-25: As of 11:16 a.m., the NYS DEC has updated the advisory to include Central New York.

NEW YORK STATE (WSYR-TV)  For the full 24 hours of Aug. 3, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is issuing an air quality health advisory for the Western New York, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Adirondacks regions.

The advisory is due to smoke traveling from wildfires in Canada. Specifically, it is for fine particulate matter, which consists of smoke particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller, small enough to be invisible to the naked eye.

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The smoke thus creates a severe health risk if it enters your lungs or bloodstream, particularly for those with heart or breathing problems.

A toll-free line with updates on the air quality situation, run by the NYS DEC, is available at 1-800-535-1345.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
An NYPD officer was sexually assaulted by her mentor  then sent to a shrink by her bosses when she spoke out, she claims in a new lawsuit.

Brooklyn Detective Jasmin Walls, 31, says she endured over a year of harassment and abuse from her partner, Detective Carlos Zambrano, who allegedly groped her, sent texts saying he was horny and flashed explicit photos, according to court papers filed July 24 in Manhattan Supreme Court.

When she alerted her bosses of the behavior, Walls told The Post, she was smeared with rumors, referred to NYPD Psychological Services and stripped of her gun, shield and ID.

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I just never thought I would be a victim like this, Walls said. I expect that from someone on the streets  not somebody in blue.

NYPD Detective Jasmin Walls was repeatedly sexually harassed by her partner, Det. Carlos Zambrano, while the two were assigned to Brooklyns 90th Precinct, a new lawsuit alleges. Helayne Seidman

The alleged harassment began in November 2022, when Walls, a cop at the time, was assigned to Brooklyns 90th Precinct in Williamsburg while on the NYPDs 18-month detective track, the lawsuit says.

He was supposed to technically be my mentor, Walls said of Zambrano. As he got to know me, it started progressing  you never knew what you were gonna get.

What began with lewd comments turned into groping, sexually explicit messages and threats shed be labeled a rat if she told anyone, the lawsuit alleges.

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In one revolting instance in January 2023, Zambrano allegedly grabbed her by the bun and yanked her head toward his crotch in a stairwell to simulate oral sex, she told The Post.

The harassment began with daily offhand comments but grew into encounters involving groping, unsolicited touching and flashing explicit photos, according to the lawsuit. 50-a.org

I was just so shocked, Walls said. For him to grab me by the head  how could somebody in the police department really do that?

Still, she stayed silent  determined to get her detective shield, she told The Post.

But after a precinct holiday party in December 2023, where Zambrano allegedly rubbed his penis against her leg in public, Walls reported the abuse to a Detective Endowment Association delegate and welfare officer, the lawsuit states.

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The union rep asked if she could still work with men, and said Zambrano would apologize, the suit claims.

Walls told The Post that after finally reporting the abuse to a union delegate, she was smeared with rumors, branded problematic and denied overtime while Zambrano remained on the job. Obtained by the New York Post

DEA lawyer James Moschella said the officer wasnt represented by the DEA when she informed the delegate of the allegations.

Nevertheless, let me be clear, the DEA takes any report of this type by an officer  regardless of rank  with the utmost seriousness, but must respect the wishes of the officer concerned if she did not want it reported to the NYPD at that time, Moschella said.

Several supervisors also allegedly knew about Zambranos behavior but failed to intervene, according to the suit.

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From that point on, Walls says she was ostracized.

Walls claims Zambrano allegedly grabbed her by the bun in a precinct stairwell and yanked her head toward his crotch to simulate oral sex, an incident that left her shocked, she told The Post. Helayne Seidman

She was labeled problematic, a log dropper and rat, denied overtime and iced out by coworkers  all while her delegate allegedly spread rumors and told others Walls had filed an EEO complaint, Walls told The Post.

Walls transferred to Brooklyns 81st Precinct in Bedford Stuyvesant and Stuyvesant Heights in April 2024, but said the gossip followed her as the delegate allegedly continued the smear campaign for over a year, the lawsuit alleges.

To escape the hostile environment, Walls asked to transfer to patrol in July 2025. But she said she was forced to withdraw the request under pressure.

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Then, Capt. Robert Corrado, one of her supervisors, labeled her indecisive and sent her to Psych Services, where she was stripped of her gun, shield and ID, according to the lawsuit.

They tried to discredit me and humiliate me, Walls said.

While Walls said she didnt want to file a lawsuit, even staying silent for months, the detrimental psych referral left her with her hands tied, she told The Post. Helayne Seidman

Walls was cleared the same day by a department psychologist, she said.

Zambrano, whos married, remains on the job.

He gets to work on his cases like nothing happened, she said. Meanwhile, my career is tarnished because of his actions.

Her attorney, John Scola, said, The NYPD protects sexual predators and punishes the women who dare to speak up. This case shines more light on a broken system of harassment, retaliation and institutional failure, one that  will only change because of brave women like Detective Walls.

Walls is seeking unspecified damages.

The NYPD declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Zambrano and Corrado could not be reached for comment.
MANCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  An RV rolled over on the New York State Thruway Saturday afternoon, causing major traffic issues, but fortunately no one was seriously injured.

The crash happened just after 2 p.m. near Exit 43 in Manchester.

New York State Police said a vehicle in the left lane appeared to have missed its exit and stopped suddenly, causing traffic to slow quickly, with some vehicles merging into the right lane, resulting a ripple effect of sudden stops.

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The RV was unable to stop in time and moved over the shoulder to avoid hitting other vehicles, before overturning.

The driver and passenger, both of Pennsylvania were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, but no series injuries were reported.

At this time, no tickets have been issued or charges filed.

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Oasis said Sunday (Aug. 3) that its members are shocked and saddened after a man fell to his death during a concert held by the band at Londons Wembley Stadium.

The Metropolitan Police force said officers and paramedics responded to reports of an injured person just before 10:30 (21:30 GMT) on Saturday night.

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It said a man in his 40s was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force urged anyone who saw what happened or caught it on phone video to contact police.

We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night, Oasis said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press, offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.

Stadium management said Sundays gig would go ahead as planned.

In a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter, a Wembley spokesperson confirmed, Last night, Wembley Stadium medics, the London Ambulance Service and the police attended to a concertgoer who was found with injuries consistent with a fall. Despite their efforts, the fan very sadly died. Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers. The Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

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Oasis first tour in 16 years kicked off July 4 in Cardiff, Wales. Saturdays concert was the fourth of seven planned shows at Wembley. The tour continues in North America, Asia, Australia and South America after its European run.

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CHICAGO - An off-duty Chicago police officer engaged in an exchange of gunfire after he was confronted by multiple armed people early Sunday morning on the city's South Side

The shooting happened in the 4800 block of S. Bishop Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

What we know

The off-duty officer was confronted around 6:13 a.m. by the offenders, and an exchange of gunfire ensued, police said.

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The officer had minor injuries from broken glass. He was taken to an area hospital for observation.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities said the suspects got into a white-colored sedan and fled in an unknown direction.

The Investigative Response Team is on the scene. COPA is also investigating the use of force.

The officer will be placed on routine administrative leave for at least 30 days, per department protocol.

Anyone with information is asked to contact COPA at 312-746-3609 or at chicagocopa.org.
CHICAGO  An off-duty Chicago police officer exchanged gunfire after being confronted by multiple armed offenders early Sunday morning in New City on the Southwest Side, according to police.

7 people shot at house party in south suburban Harvey, including 4-yo. injured and suspect killed, authorities say

Police say the incident happened around 6:15 a.m. when the off-duty officer was confronted by multiple armed offenders in the 4800 block of South Bishop Street. A gunfire exchange ensued, according to police, and the offenders then got in a white-colored sedan and fled in an unknown direction.

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The off-duty officer sustained a minor hand injury from broken glass and was taken to an area hospital for observation, police say. No other injuries were reported, and CPDs Investigative Response Team arrived at the scene to investigate.

1 killed, 2 wounded when argument leads to shooting in Humboldt Park overnight, according to Chicago police

The specifics of the incident, including the comprehensive use of force investigation, are being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), with the full cooperation of CPD. The officer involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.

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In a move to accelerate India's digital transformation and industrial modernisation, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing Industry 4.0 technologies across the country. The MoU was inked during the "Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs" held under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance in Guwahati. The event saw participation from several senior dignitaries, including the Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), CMD and MD of NRL, Director (Enterprise Business) of BSNL, MD of AMTRON, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and various Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The discussions at the workshop emphasised empowering CPSEs to embrace cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies such as 5G Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPN), Digital Twins, AI-powered 3D Printing, Virtual Formulation, AR/VR/MR applications, IoT, and Big Data Analytics. These technologies are expected to drive innovation, boost operational efficiency, and contribute to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. Under the MoU, BSNL and NRL will collaborate to deploy India's first 5G CNPN in the refinery sector, marking a pioneering step in leveraging indigenous 5G infrastructure for secure, ultra-reliable, real-time industrial connectivity. This initiative is designed to support mission-critical operations with enhanced cybersecurity and operational agility. The Secretary of DPE lauded the partnership as a prime example of the Government's "Whole of Government" (WoG) approach. He highlighted its potential to modernize the nation's industrial base, promote advanced skill development, and create new employment opportunities--especially in the North Eastern Region. CMD NRL described the integration of 5G CNPN as a transformative move that will enhance operational efficiency and enable advanced technologies such as AR/VR-based training, Digital Twins, and real-time IoT applications. He termed the collaboration a "game-changing moment" for India's refinery sector. CMD BSNL, A. Robert J. Ravi, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, "This collaboration exemplifies BSNL's commitment to empowering India's strategic sectors with next-generation digital infrastructure. The dedicated 5G CNPN deployment at NRL will be a technological leap forward, redefining core industry operations and supporting a self-reliant, digitally intelligent Bharat." The Director (Enterprise Business) of BSNL reinforced the importance of this milestone in accelerating the adoption of 5G and Industry 4.0 across India's industrial ecosystem, reaffirming BSNL's dedication to providing secure, robust, and future-ready communication infrastructure for CPSEs and enterprises. This strategic partnership between BSNL and NRL is expected to serve as a replicable model for other industrial sectors, reinforcing the Government of India's vision of a digitally empowered and self-reliant nation. (ANI)
Officials at Cochin International Airport were surprised when they found six wild animals in a couple's luggage at customs.

What's happening?

According to the Times of India, a couple arriving at the airport on a flight from Bangkok had six live animals in their luggage: three marmosets, one hyacinth macaw, and two white-lipped tamarins.

Once officials became suspicious, per the article, they searched the luggage and found the wild animals, which are illegal as pets.

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One customs official said, "These animals are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, and their possession is strictly prohibited in India," reported the New Indian Express. The article also noted that all three species are native to South America.

The people who smuggled them into the country will appear in court, while the critters will receive additional care at a zoological park, per the Times of India.

Why does animal trafficking matter?

Illegal wildlife trafficking, like this incident, can pose problems for humans, animals, and the environment.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime explained that wildlife trade can spread disease and parasites that can make people sick  or harm their pets or native animals.

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Another concern is biodiversity loss, which can impact our food supply and the overall ecosystem. According to Rare, when poachers remove wild creatures from their habitats, they can no longer play a role in pollination or seed transportation.

The organization also emphasized that smaller populations can hurt the local economy, especially in areas where people rely on wildlife viewing for tourism.

Plus, trafficking can lead to animals becoming endangered or extinct on a local or global scale, reported the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The organization also highlighted that the methods used to capture and transport these critters  and the care they receive at their destination  are inadequate and can lead to death.

What can you do to stop animal smuggling?

Wildlife smuggling is a global problem, with incidents in the U.S. and even worldwide trafficking rings. But, there are plenty of ways everyday people can help put a stop to it.

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Rare recommends that if you visit another place, avoid participating in or posting about animal attractions, including rides or cuddling. Or, if you're online shopping and notice products like tiger skin rugs or elephant ivory, avoid purchasing and report those sites.

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums has a list of legislation you can urge your local lawmakers to support. And if you suspect wildlife crime in your community, report it to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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Massive wildfires have forced thousands of Manitoba residents from their homes and led to the Canadian province being put under a state of emergency.

What's happening?

For roughly two months, Manitoba has been battling huge wildfires. The early fire season started in late May, as The Guardian reported, with tens of thousands of people having to be airlifted out of wildfire zones.

Just at that time, the blazes had already burned nearly a half-million acres  roughly three times the province's yearly average  and led to the first state of emergency.

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Another state of emergency was announced on July 10 as more wildfires surged. As of July 21, CBC News reports, the province had 120 active fires, with 331 having been discovered in total during the fire season. The number of acres burned had increased to 3.2 million. And as of early August, there are nearly 130 active wildfires in Manitoba, with outdoor events frequently being canceled during what Global News has called the region's "summer of smoke filled with toxins."

"This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said in a May press conference, per The Guardian. "For the first time, it's not a fire in one region, we have fires in every region.

"That is a sign of a changing climate that we are going to have to adapt to."

Why are wildfires important?

The change that Kinew referred to is a warming planet. Last year was the warmest in Earth's recorded history, a record that will likely be broken in the next few years.

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This temperature hike, scientists agree, is human-caused, as the burning of dirty fuels causes toxic gases to be released into the atmosphere, trapping our planet's heat.

This change also leads to extreme weather events, including wildfires, happening more frequently and with more severity. In Canada, officials have noted that the fire season is starting earlier and lasting longer than ever before.

These effects are being seen far outside of Canada. In recent years, wildfires have spiked by 150% in the Amazon. And experts note that some fires have become so large, they've created their own "fire weather."

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.

What's being done about wildfires?

Even in difficult times, some people are able to use their knowledge and ingenuity to come up with helpful solutions.

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For instance, one Canadian college student whose family lives in Manitoba created an interactive map that helps communities track the fires and find nonprofits to help those affected.

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You've heard the saying "dropping like flies," right? Well, in Texas, they are about to drop millions of flies from planes. It may sound like a bad script for a low-budget horror flick, but Texas ranchers see it as a gift from the heavens.

The New World screwworm, an invasive, flesh-eating parasitic insect, is spreading from the south to terrorize farms across the region.

Folks from Panama to Texas are on edge, as CNN reported that since 2023, these nasty buggers have infested over 90,000 animals throughout Central America after being dormant for decades.

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While this kind of infestation is bad enough for cattle ranchers, the danger doesn't end there. The screwworm fly infests wounds on horses, deer, and pets and will gnaw away until the animal can't fight back.

Phillip Kaufman, head of entomology at Texas A&M, put it like this: "After mating, the female fly finds a living host, lands on its wound, and will lay up to 200 to 300 eggs." Within 24 hours, the eggs hatch, and the larvae begin digging deep into living tissue.

"It's a daily chore to provide those inspections to our livestock, just to make sure they're not infested," Stephen Diebel, a rancher and first vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, told CNN. "We know the incredible economic impact an infestation would cause."

No vaccine can stop them. No proven repellent works. So the United States Department of Agriculture wants to bring back an old fix: Fight flies with flies.

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Here's how it works. Inside specialized "fly factories," crews breed screwworms. But before the screwworms mature, the crews zap the males with gamma rays. This damages their DNA, so they mate but leave wild females with unfertilized eggs. Soon enough, the population drops.

This plan saved the U.S. cattle industry billions of dollars in the 1960s and 1970s. But the stakes are just as high now. "When you offset the $300 million to the $10 billion of economic impact these flies would have, it's an easy trade-off to understand," Diebel said.

The USDA already uses a facility in Panama but needs backup. A new fly factory near the TexasMexico border could churn out hundreds of millions more sterile flies for air drops.

If you're picturing a fly shower over your backyard, don't worry. Kaufman told CNN that these releases target remote areas where livestock roam, not cities.

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Similar tactics are catching on elsewhere too. In California, officials cracked down on invasive fruit flies harming crops. Farmers have tried natural predators such as the samba wasp to curb spotted wing drosophila infestations. This mirrors efforts in Hawaii, where teams drop lab-raised mosquitoes to protect honeycreepers from avian malaria.

One catch? Wildlife spreads screwworms too. Some ranchers rely on local action plans  more wound checks, better fencing, and quick reporting.

If ranchers don't keep it in check, this tiny bug could cost the industry billions. But with this unusual fly force, ranchers hope the screwworm stays grounded for good.

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Maryland coastal residents have a new tool at their fingertips  one that provides them with flood risk scenarios around their property and community.

What's happening?

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources just released a user-friendly planning tool  Maryland Coastal Flood Explorer. The interactive map provides visuals of present and historical flooding events, future high-tide flooding, and projections of sea level rise for Maryland's coastal areas.

"Knowledge is our greatest defense, and the Flood Explorer puts the latest coastal flood science directly into the hands of the public," said Natalie Snider, director of the DNR's Office of Watershed and Climate Services.

Why is this planning tool important?

Ocean waters have pushed Maryland's sea levels more than 1 foot higher over the last century  and they're rising faster every year.

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The burning of dirty energy sources, such as coal, oil, and gas, releases pollution into the atmosphere that traps heat, warming the Earth and causing ocean waters to expand and ice sheets to melt. That leads to higher sea levels, more frequent flooding, and worsening storm damage  especially in low-lying states like Maryland.

Tools like this are especially timely as extreme weather events become more destructive. Although intense storms have always existed, scientists agree that human-caused pollution is now intensifying these events, making them more frequent and dangerous than in the past.

What's being done to prevent future flooding?

The new Flood Explorer supports smarter decision-making for residents, planners, and local governments  from elevating homes to restoring wetlands to updating emergency plans. It builds on other community-forward innovators, like South Carolina's "smart reefs" that monitor storm conditions in real time and floating homes designed to rise with floodwaters.

On a personal level, people can explore critical climate issues and take steps to reduce planet-overheating pollution: drive less, switch to electric appliances, and support renewable energy projects in their community.

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And if you're concerned about power outages caused by flooding or storms, installing solar panels with battery storage can help keep your home powered during extreme weather events. EnergySage offers a free service to compare quotes from vetted local installers and can help homeowners save up to $10,000 on solar installations.

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Catching an invasive species of fish could now be a profitable venture for Arkansas anglers.

Across the state, anyone who catches a black carp will be eligible for a $100 payment, KATV reported. Anglers can claim up to 10 rewards per month, but each catch must meet proper criteria and be properly documented.

The rewards are funded through the "Keep, Cool, Call" program, run by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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"Commercial anglers and recreational anglers, including bowfishers, who happen to catch a black carp are eligible," Racheal Irby, invasive carp biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said in a statement. "But they'll need to follow the correct procedure to ensure they receive payment for their catch."

Upon catching a black carp, anglers should humanely kill the fish and keep it on ice or in a freezer, as keeping a live black carp is illegal. They need to note the exact location of the catch, the type of gear and bait used, and any conditions such as water temperature and flow. That information, along with photos of the carp's head and mouth, should be sent to the proper state officials.

According to KATV, the program started in Illinois and has now expanded to other states along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Black carp are one of four species that form a group known as invasive carp. According to the Fish & Wildlife Service, they are native to eastern Asia and first came to the United States in the 1970s and 1980s to help control the population of yellow grub and other pests in private fish farms. They made their way into the Mississippi River in the 1990s.

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Just like other invasive species, invasive carp reproduce quickly and can take over their new environments by using up resources typically used by native plants and wildlife. Invasive carp feast on phytoplankton, which are a key food source and the basis of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Previously, the overconsumption of phytoplankton has led the federal government to spend $1 billion on trying to prevent the spread of invasive carp in the Great Lakes.

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Nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives purchased with American tax dollars could be incinerated, the Associated Press reports.

What's happening?

The stockpile has been sitting in a "U.S.-funded warehouse" in the city of Geel, Belgium, for an unspecified timeframe.

It is said to include various forms of long-acting reversible contraception, such as pills, intrauterine devices, implants, and injectables.

According to CNN, the earliest expiration date for contraceptives stored in the warehouse is in 2027, with some not set to expire until 2031.

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In a release, Doctors Without Borders  also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF  called plans to destroy the medical devices and pills "unconscionable," "a callous waste" that jeopardizes the lives of those who can become pregnant.

The cache of contraceptives was originally procured by the United States Agency for International Development, which was controversially and abruptly dismantled by the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year.

USAID requisitioned the supplies for distribution in low- and middle-income countries and crisis settings as part of the agency's broader international aid work. Nongovernmental organizations have reported that the sudden cessation of USAID operations has imperiled lives, caused chaos, and resulted in the waste of food and other critical resources.

Plans to incinerate the contraceptives have drawn bipartisan criticism, including in a letter from Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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"This action would be a waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars as well as an abdication of U.S. global leadership in preventing unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and maternal deaths  key goals of U.S. foreign assistance," the lawmakers wrote.

A State Department spokesperson said that incinerating the stockpile would cost taxpayers an additional $167,000, per CNN. A congressional aide, meanwhile, told the news outlet that, because the active ingredients would not be absorbed in human bodies, "They have to double incinerate the products because they contain high levels of hormones and they don't want to risk leaking the byproducts out in the environment, which likely adds to the cost."

Why is this so important?

In their release, MSF USA chief executive officer Avril Benoit described the contraceptives as "essential and lifesaving health products."

"The U.S. government's decision to incinerate millions of dollars' worth of contraceptives is an intentionally reckless and harmful act against women and girls everywhere," Benoit remarked.

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The humanitarian organization said the plan was the "latest in a series of moves by the U.S. government" that exacerbated a "growing global health emergency [the government] created by abruptly terminating billions of dollars of foreign assistance" in early 2025.

The potential spoilage and waste of $500 million worth of food aid was met with shock when first reported in February, and MSF cited a separate decision to incinerate food aid this month.

In mid-July, the State Department confirmed and defended its decision to intentionally destroy 500 tons of food that it said had expired.

With the stockpiled contraceptives not set to expire for years, waste concerns include not only the medical items themselves but also the potential burning of paper and plastic packaging as well as wasted production and shipping.

What's being done about it?

In addition to bipartisan efforts from American lawmakers to prevent the incineration of the contraceptives, European leaders have sought to intervene.

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Concerns that the products could be moved to France for incineration have prompted members of the country's Green Party to request that "the [European] Commission's legal services assess the legality of destroying medical goods on [European Union] soil under EU legislation, citing the bloc's commitments to sustainable development and gender equality."

The aid group MSI Reproductive Choices has also offered to "purchase, repackage, and manage logistics at [MSI's] expense, ensuring the products reach those in need," but so far it has been "repeatedly" rebuffed.

Officials in Belgium confirmed negotiations with the U.S. government to attempt to prevent the destruction but declined to say more "to avoid influencing the outcome" of the talks.

CNN also reported that MSF has "cited reports saying that more USAID-branded contraceptives are being housed in a warehouse in the United Arab Emirates." Advocates may next focus their attentions on attempts to save these supplies from going to waste.

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An Ohio firefighter has been placed on administrative duty after being indicted on gun charges, according to our media partners WBNS-10 TV.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

William Ungar, a 22-year-old firefighter with the Columbus Division of Fire, was indicted on improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises charges.

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Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter told WBNS-10 that Ungar will the Licking County Common Pleas Court records indicate that Ungar allegedly shot a gun on a public road or highway on April 28.

Additional information on what happened wasnt immediately available.

He is scheduled to appear in court on August 19, according to WBNS-10.

We want to emphasize that the Columbus Division of Fire holds all personnel to the highest standards of conduct. We expect every member of this Division to carry out their duties lawfully, ethically, and honorably at all times--both on and off duty, Geitter said in a statement.

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CHEYENNE  Music was never something Sheryl Cohen had to think about. It always was just a part of her.

Born and raised in Cheyenne, Cohen is a flutist whos been just about everywhere in the world you can think of to perform, teach and perfect her craft.

Having been a flutist since she was 12 years old, Cohen has experienced a lot in her 60-plus-year career. Most recently, shes been honored for her hard work at the National Flute Associations 53rd Annual Convention, and will be accepting her award Aug. 9 in Atlanta. Along with two others, she is set to receive the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors accomplished luminaries in flute-related fields and is given annually to recognize people who have a significant and lasting impact on the flute community and NFA.

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The thing is, though, Cohen never set out to play the flute, and she never set out to be a musician. It just happened.

As a kid growing up in Cheyenne, she experienced music just about everywhere. Not only did she attend concerts with her family about two to three times per week in Aspen, Colorado, but she also came from a musical family. Her sister took piano lessons and was considered a virtuoso, and her parents both played instruments when they were younger as well.

There was always music in the house. I dont remember any time there wasnt, said Cohen. And Cheyenne was kind of a musical community; the music and the arts were valued, similarly to now.  Whenever there was a concert around here or in Denver, (my family and I) would go together.  I loved going to concerts.

She was put into piano lessons when she was 5, and although she didnt hate it, she knew it wasnt the instrument for her. Wanting to find her own path in the music world, Cohen was permitted to quit piano, but it took a few years for the flute to find its way to her.

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Cohen and her family then started spending their summers in Aspen after her sister started studying piano at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Every week, they found themselves going to three or four concerts. The concert that changed everything for Cohen was one she saw at 10 years old with famous flutist Albert Tipton.

I had absolutely no expectations when I saw Albert Tipton, said Cohen. (At Aspen), we saw the greatest artists in the world, and we had season tickets for everything. So, when I would go, I just expected to hear a good concert.

Tiptons performance that fateful day was the first time Cohen had heard a solo flutist. Cohen told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that although this concert inspired her to play the flute starting two years later, it wasnt about the instrument itself. It was about the way Tipton played.

The flute is like a paintbrush to a painter, said Cohen. Its not about being a flutist, its about being a musician that happens to play the flute. The flute is the paintbrush. It had nothing to do with the flute. It had to do with his astonishing musicianship, and probably the piece he played. And it awakened my ears in a new way, and I thought, I want to play that music.

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Flute was the instrument she played throughout junior high and high school, and when she went to college at the University of Michigan, she majored in flute performance. At the time, it was common practice for people who studied wind instruments to study other instruments. So, in college, Cohen also took clarinet, violin, double bass, trumpet and more. Taking these classes also allowed her to be qualified to get a teachers certificate, when shed go on to be a music director and flute teacher.

I learned them enough to be able to teach them, but once I picked up the flute, that was my life, said Cohen. Then, when I got to college, I didnt have a plan; I just went to school to start my degree program, but I didnt sit down and map out the course of my life.

By that time, Cohen had studied with Tipton for several summers in Aspen, which is how the University of Michigan was brought to her attention in the first place. She was also good friends with Tiptons daughter, who also went to Michigan. After graduating with her bachelors degree, she was nominated for a fellowship to get her masters there, too.

In a way, the Tiptons raised me, said Cohen. I dont think I ever told him directly, but he knew that he was the inspiration for my life.

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Her first job outside of college was with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra in Ohio in 1967. She saw an announcement for auditions while she was still attending Michigan, auditioned while she was in the middle of her masters degree at the age of 22, and left the following fall. Cohen was with the Toledo Symphony for five years and also taught at the University of Toledo as a flute professor.

After five years, she took a leave of absence to study with Tipton for a year at Florida State University before officially applying there to get her doctorate.

Every part of my life is my favorite part. I never thought about (things), I just did them, said Cohen. One minute youre playing music from the 18th century and the next minute youre playing music from the 20th century  Its a life, and whatever came into my life, I did it. I was (always) prepared for the next step, and if an opportunity came my way, I was ready for it.

Sheryl Cohen

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Sheryl Cohen in Paris, in front of the Eiffel Tower.

In her first year at Toledo, though, the second guest soloist who came in was Jean-Pierre Rampal. Rampal was a French flutist who passed away in May 2000 and is considered one of the greatest flutists in the world. After hearing Cohen play, he invited her to France to come and study with him the following summer in 1968, and so she did. After her summer abroad, she went to Florida State, and from there, taught at the University of Alabama.

I never marketed myself or sent out letters with my resume, said Cohen. Every performance (and opportunity) Ive had throughout the world happened because people came to me, heard me play, and gave me an opportunity.

Throughout her career, Cohen has performed throughout the United States in Carnegies Weill Recital Hall, in Atlanta with the Thamyris Contemporary Ensemble, in California at SongFest Art Song Festival, and at regional flute festivals. She also performed a set of concert tours in Asia in 1987.

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Shes also taught and performed abroad in Argentina, China, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Rio, among many others. After returning to the United States, she attended Marcel Moyses summer courses in Vermont and, during a sabbatical leave, studied Robert Dicks flute techniques and compositions with him in New York. Shes has been living in Rhode Island since 2007, when she retired from her last university job  but not her musical life.

Despite how many places shes been, shed never describe herself as homesick. She had always experienced a melting pot of people wherever she was, even back in Aspen, Colorado.

It was a European town in the middle of Colorado. There was a real French bakery, there were Hungarians with restaurants, an Alpine jeweler from Germany, a man from Switzerland who had a Swiss restaurant  and everybody was a part of the same world. So, as an 8-year-old, I felt part of the world. Wherever I went, whether it was in China, Korea, Japan, France, Sweden, all the countries in South America or the United States, I felt part of wherever I was.  As far as Wyoming goes, the landscape of the West is in me, and its always been kind of my heart and soul.

Wherever I go and whatever I do, Im living an artistic life, and my mother set the stage for that. She brought art into everything she did.

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Toward the end of Tiptons life, Cohen was asked to prepare a program to honor him at the National Flute Convention when he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995, and she did. She attended many other National Flute Association conventions over the years, judging competitions, performing, giving presentations and more.

She also honored Rampal, the French flutist, at a tribute concert where he was honored with the very first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. When Rampal died and Cohen was asked to honor him, she was paralyzed to play and was filled with many emotions. She ended up playing the first thing she played when she took a lesson with him.

Cohen also felt compelled to write a book about him called Bel Canto Flute: The Rampal School, which won the National Flute Associations Newly Published Music Competition in 2004. The book talks about her studies with Rampal, stories and the history of him and the way he taught music.

Unbeknownst to her, people had been writing to the NFA since 2019, nominating her for the Lifetime Achievement Award. She received the call about a year ago.

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I never examined my career in retrospect, said Cohen. Every day, I just kept doing what I do. When I look back and see what I did, though, I realize it was significant in ways that I had never imagined, and I was just being myself.

EDITS: Cohen got her doctorate from Florida State University, not the University of Toledo; she started flute at 12 years old, not 10.
DES MOINES, Iowa  One person was killed during a motorcycle crash in Des Moines on Saturday evening.

According to the Des Moines Police Department, DMPD and DMFD crews were called to SE 30th Street and E. MLK, Jr Parkway on reports of a crash with injury just before 9 p.m.

First responders arrived as bystanders were performing CPR on a 34-year-old male motorcyclist who had crashed. Medics took over care and transported the motorcyclist to a hospital in Des Moines. No others were injured in the crash.

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AG Bird holds annual Barn Bash talking about current efforts, reelection campaign

Despite lifesaving efforts, the motorcyclist died at the hospital. The name of the victim has not been released at this time.

After speaking with witnesses and examining evidence on the scene, authorities say the preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcyclist lost control while traveling northbound on SE 30th Street and crashed into a concrete barrier.

Police say the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit continues the technical investigation of this crash.

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WARREN COUNTY, Iowa  One teenager was killed, and another was injured during a crash in Warren County on Saturday evening.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened just after 3:30 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 5 and 200th Avenue, southeast of Carlisle.

One killed in motorcycle crash Saturday evening, DMPD investigates

A Ford Focus was traveling eastbound on Highway 5 when it left the road near 200th Avenue. The driver of the vehicle overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle. The car then entered the ditch sideways and rolled at least once before coming to a rest on the drivers side.

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The passenger of the car, 16-year-old Donald McCormick, was pronounced dead at the scene. Th driver of the vehicle, 16-year-old Isabella Ashford, was taken via ambulance to a Des Moines hospital.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Warren County Sheriffs Office, the Carlisle Police Department, the Warren County Medical Examiner, and the Hartford Police Department.

Metro News:

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Several leading voices from the Malayalam film industry came forward to take part in the conclave, including superstar Mohanlal.

The first day of the event saw key discussions on the issues in the industry, focused on promoting inclusivity, safety, employment laws, working hours, legal safeguards and much more.

State minister Saji Cherian, who was also present at the event, spoke to the media and shared details about the discussions at the conclave.

Cherian noted that the first day of the Kerala Film Policy Conclave concluded successfully with the participation of many prominent personalities and five panels.

Some of the key issues that were actively discussed during the conclave were on "defined working hours, employment laws, work overload, and job security. There was also a strong suggestion that both male and female representatives must be present in grievance redressal cells. Discussions at the conclave strongly raised the demand for legal safeguards against online hate and cyberattacks. There was also a call to form a state-level jury for selecting films for various film festivals."

Cherian also spoke about a public demand to reduce the cost of food items sold in theatres.

"The entire film industry should not be seen as problematic. The issues we witness are isolated incidents. Once the policy framework is in place, stricter measures will be adopted wherever necessary," he added.

The Kerala Chief Minister also shared an update from the conclave, stating that the initiative marked a significant step in shaping the future of Malayalam cinema.

https://x.com/pinarayivijayan/status/1951644829252722983

Speaking at the event, the CM reiterated his thoughts on the 71st National Film Awards, calling out the recognition of Adah Sharma's 'The Kerala Story.'

The film received the Best Director and Best Cinematographer awards. (ANI)
What is the point of a union if it does not stand up for the interests of its members? Say what you will about the antics of Aslef and the RMT  as The Telegraph has frequently pointed out, their industrial action has inflicted misery on millions of commuters who have to endure delays and cancellations on commuter trains and the London Underground  but their exorbitant demands on pay and conditions have clearly been to the benefit of train and Tube staff.

The National Education Union (NEU), led by the avowed Marxist Daniel Kebede, has had a rather poorer record in defending some in the teaching profession. A teacher at Preston College in Lancashire posted on Facebook to say that Lucy Connolly was obviously wrong to say what she had on the platform in the aftermath of last summers Southport murders, and that the comments were appalling but that she should not have been jailed for them.

A representative of the NEU at Preston College then made a formal complaint to the college, saying that the teachers own posts were Islamophobic and racially discriminatory. After an investigation, the college dismissed the teacher for violating its policies, although this is now being challenged in the courts.

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The NEU did the very opposite of sticking up for a member of the profession. In this regard, it is a serial offender. The union has more than 34,000 members working in independent schools. Labours imposition of VAT on school fees clearly goes directly against these members interests. Some will lose their jobs as schools are no longer economically viable and close. Many more will see their conditions of employment not improve and pensions worsen as schools try to cut costs to balance their budgets and ameliorate the impact of the tax hike on parents.

But the NEU did not campaign against the move, saying that they could best use their influence behind the scenes. Ideology seemingly trumps members interests. Teachers deserve better.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Lollapalooza draws hundreds of thousands of music fans to Grant Park every year, making it a music festival of elevated importance to artists big and small. Its part of the reason one Chicago mom turned her grief into grace, and led to the development of an organization dedicated to helping grow the citys brightest musical minds.

I started the foundation due to the death of my son. He was a Chicago Hip Hop artist [that was] a part of the hip hop collective Pivot Gang,' Nachelle Pugh said. After his passing, we wanted to do something in his honor, and that thing was to start a scholarship fund for youth between the ages of 14 to 24 who are young aspiring artists.

Pughs organizationThe John Walt Foundationis named after her deceased son. Walt was one of nine members of Pivot Gang who all grew up on the West Side of Chicago. Some are related by family, others are the children of their parents friends. The group released their first single in 2012.

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Five years later, Walt was stabbed to death on the way home from work in February 2017. It led Pugh and music artist SABA to give back to the community. Most notably, the two worked to feed West Side communities during the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.

During COVID, it was really important that families in the community had food and different things, and we stepped in to kind of help with that as well, Pugh said. We continue to do, annually, a back-to-school event. We secure 500 backpacks each year. Make sure that all the young kids that come out, theyre able to take home a backpack full of school supplies.

Back-to-school events and helping support young Chicago music artists arent the only two things the John Walt Foundation does, either.

They also offer an apprenticeship program that helps anyone between the ages of 14 to 24 become more skilled in their respective creative fields.

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Throughout my apprenticeship at the John Walt foundation, it has been an incredible experience. Ive learned so much, Allison Bolden said. Ive developed so much, both as an individual and as an artist. Ive gotten opportunities that I could have not gotten unless I was in this program.

One of those opportunities for young music artists who come through the John Walt Foundation is a partnership with Lollapalooza called Lolla University.

Lolla University invites participants to listen to panels of industry professionals and get a behind-the-scenes look prior to performing at the festival. Then, a program co-founder and an artist-teacher help prepare the programs apprentices for a performance at the music festival through regular meetings and practices.

The group met for their last group prep meeting this year in the citys Austin neighborhood. Together, they wrote about their best memories of each other ahead of their performance at Lollapalooza on Sunday afternoon.

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When we first met, a lot of them didnt know each other, a teaching artist said. So, they were able to make new friends and kind of build a family amongst each other.

One of the apprentices, an up-and-coming rapper named Youngin, shared how the John Walt Foundation helped strengthen his love for the artistry that comes with his music.

I felt like I lost that way of expressing myself, Youngin said. Because I didnt know if that was a thing that could be as productive for me as how many years it was when I first started.

When Pugh hears kids from Chicago like Youngin speak to the impact the John Walt Foundation has had on their lives, she said it proves they are doing important work that needs to carry on.

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All of the things that we are doing in the City of Chicago [are] to make sure that young people have safe spaces to express themselves with their art, Pugh said. No matter what type of art.

With the 2025 apprenticeship program ending, more creatives can sign up next year through an application on the John Walt Foundation website.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Those attending the weekend of Dead & Company performances at Golden Gate Park have the option of taking trippy rides to and from the shows.

San Francisco braces for half-a-million visitors as music capital of the world

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has wrapped three Muni vehicles  the 5 Fulton, 7 Haight/Noreiga and N Judah with psychedelic designs.

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Were not just showing up with more service, said SF MUNI. Were making your rides groovy. We created custom psychedelic designs and wrapped them around one Muni train and two Muni buses that run along Golden Gate Park. When you hop on our Trippy Train and Psychedelibus, you go back in time to the early days of the Grateful Dead.

Photo courtesy of SF MUNI. Photo courtesy of SF MUNI.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Deads rocking beginnings in San Francisco, Dead & Company is performing from Aug. 1 to 3.

Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia has childhood street named for him in San Francisco

@deadandcompany crushed it last night at @GoldenGatePark! said SF Muni in a social media post on Saturday. Then Muni brought everyone back to Earth. Only in SF.

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Calls to ban Tea Dating Advice, a women-only online dating safety app where users can share stories and information about men they dated, have exploded in recent weeks, driven by fears that reputations, especially of young men, could be damaged by anonymous and potentially false allegations of sexual misconduct. But what does it say about our cultural priorities when the potential for reputational harm against men sparks more outrage than the prevalence of sexual violence against women that online dating has facilitated for years?

The Tea app was designed to help women avoid harmful dating partners, and it recently became the most downloaded free app on Apples App Store. With that increase in popularity came a public outcry, especially from among men  who cannot access the app. They argue that Tea encourages doxxing (the unwanted release of personal information) and enables the spread of intentionally false and defamatory stories that can ruin mens reputations and dating prospects. Criticism of Tea has led to security breaches of the app and doxxing of the women who use it.

The potential for Tea to be misused for reputational damage has led to calls on social media for the app to be shut down entirely. Yet by this logic dating apps themselves shouldnt exist.

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Unwarranted reputational damage associated with the Tea app is largely speculative at this point, but dating apps have long been associated with very real incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Studies across the United States and Australia consistently show that approximately 10% of reported incidents of rape are attributable to dating apps. This is likely an underestimate given the propensity for sexual violence to go unreported and the potential for online daters to cause sexual harm unintentionally due to misunderstandings regarding consent.

The majority of victims of sexual violence are women. Despite this knowledge, we seldom hear calls for dating apps to be shut down because of the role they play in sexual harm against women. Weve certainly not heard any such calls expressed with the fervor that Teas opponents have expressed.

Not only are dating apps still as popular as ever, safety-oriented improvements in their design have been superficial at best. Almost every safety feature built into dating apps is reactive  such as user blocking and reporting features meaning they require women to first be harmed before the feature can be used. Its telling that Tea is a standalone app and not a feature built into any existing dating platform where users actually discover and chat with dating partners.

Tea is the first real advancement in online dating safety sinceever. It is certainly the most popular tool for women to avoid, rather than react to, online dating harm.

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The Tea app should be controversial, but for very different reasons. Why is Tea the only dating safety technology for women to get mass attention in recent years?

What Tea really symbolizes is that womens safety in online dating has been severely overlooked  to the point that some women even blame themselves for sexual harassment and apologize to their perpetrator for inconveniencing them in their pursuit of sexual gratification.

Because Tea addresses an underserved safety need doesnt mean it should be exempt from criticism or that false accusations against men should be an acceptable side effect. Instead of calls to outright ban the app, though, we should be hearing more people asking for  and demanding  better dating safety technologies.

How could an app like Tea continue to provide safety benefits to women while also reducing the potential for false accusations against men? Research in my own lab consistently finds that men actually desire more dating advice and dont always consciously realize how they could misinterpret sexual interest or engage in a behavior that may actually be unwanted.

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Could the men being discussed on Tea want, and benefit from, feedback about their dating behavior? How could they be informed of reviews about them in ways that do not put women at risk of retaliation? Such questions are only examples of a much larger conversation that should be happening about how to make online dating safer.

Ultimately, the outcry against Tea is not just about one app. It reflects a larger debate over how we prioritize dating harms and the safety of people most likely to be hurt. What this debate reveals about us is troubling. Calls for Teas downfall proclaim that lies that cause reputational harm against men are unacceptable (and rightly so). But sexual harm against women? The silence suggests that we consider that an allowable consequence of dating apps. Because if we took sexual violence against women as seriously as we take the potential hit on mens reputation, then wed hear calls to ban the multitude of dating apps filling our phones.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Book clubs nationwide have been talking for months about whether you are Abundance-pilled, a reference to the recent book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson that has made it into the lexicon of many public policy nerds.

And public policy nerds happen to be everywhere in the District of Columbia. That is why the waitlist to borrow this book at the D.C. Public Library is more than 300 people long for a hard copy, over 500-long for an eBook and more than 800-long for an audiobook.

How many copies does the D.C. library system have of this New York Times-bestseller, which was published in March? Well, from March to July, the total was just one. One hard copy, zero eBook registrations and zero audio books.

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Only in August did the D.C. public library finally expand its catalogue to 51 copies, which is still little relief for the hundreds who have been waiting months. Think of the debates we missed out on, the replies we never sent. The online discourse was impoverished by the absence of witty, wonky D.C.-based keyboard warriors.

Other library systems nearby have copies of Abundance. The Arlington Public Library has had 47 copies all along. Fairfax County has 45 and Montgomery County has 18 hardcover copies, 63 eBook registrations and 75 audiobooks. So these books have been lining the shelves of our suburban friends and families local libraries. Just not ours.

Abundance isnt the only new nonfiction title of interest to D.C. readers that is sparsely filling our shelves. Jake Tappers Original Sin has just two hard copies that more than 50 library patrons are waiting to read. Jacinda Arderns A Different Kind of Power has two hard copies and more than 70 on the waitlist. John Greens Everything Is Tuberculosis has seven copies for a nearly 200-person-long waitlist.

Not every recent release is getting this treatment. Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collinss highly anticipated Hunger Games prequel, which was published the same day as Abundance, has 100 copies at the D.C. library system.

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The argument of Abundance is that an overly regulatory environment, often championed by well-intentioned liberals, has halted or slowed progress on large and ambitious projects. Or so I have been told. I wouldnt know. Im waiting in line to read it with more than 1,500 other D.C. library patrons.

Could it be that one of the places we need to modernize by removing regulations is our public library? I reached out to the director of new title procurement at the D.C. library, asking about the policies regarding the acquisition of new copies, but I did not receive a response.

As D.C. has an overly complex regulatory system in other areas  which is not entirely the Districts fault, given its status as a federal district  it is not out of the question that the city should review its internal policies to see where they could be streamlined.

It must be noted that the current financial constraints on the District are quite severe. The House of Representatives has effectively stolen $1 billion from the District of taxes already paid by residents. This has led to fewer police officers, cuts to school programs and other fiscal limits. Mayor Muriel Bowser has been tirelessly advocating for the restoration of these funds and should be commended for her efforts.

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Perhaps the public library has put large-scale purchase orders of new books on hold until the District is paid what it is due. If that is the case, I sincerely request that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pass the District of Columbia Local Funds Act of 2025. The Senate passed it back in March, and it just is waiting for the Speaker to bring it to the floor. These are taxes already paid by over 700,000 residents of the district, and we should be free to spend that money in a way we deem necessary  and yes, that includes new titles for the public library.

Whether the backlog of new titles is due to internal library policies or to the withholding of funds by the federal government, something must change. It may feel like a small thing to have to wait over six months to check out a new book, but it is clearly possible, since the rest of the region can adequately procure popular books.

If it is the latter, it is time to rethink the policies between D.C. and federal government on matters of public libraries and services. If the former, it is time to take inspiration from our neighboring library districts and update our internal policies.

Libraries have served as the centers of learning and cutting-edge information for centuries, and the capital of the richest nation to ever exist should be a shining example of this long tradition. I believe the D.C. library should have an abundance of books, across topics, with reasonable waitlists.

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Chase Lanfer is a D.C.-area international tax lawyer, Texas Longhorn football fan and avid library enthusiast.

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Much has been made of Mark Rutte recently calling President Donald Trump daddy at the recent NATO summit. Certainly, the slip indicates how impotent Europe has shown itself to be in the face of geopolitical threats. But dependence on American support for its defense is not the only problem. The European Union, a bold experiment in international governance envisioned in the follow-up to World War II, has reached its limits.

What we are witnessing is a sunset of Europe, the decline of a union founded on principles of peace and diplomacy that can no longer effectively respond to the moment. Todays crisis requires decisive action  not the cooperation and incrementalism designed to prevent war, but the admission that war is already here, and that now it is time to fight.

In the 1950s, after the calamity of World War II, European countries, understandably, were desperate to find an arrangement that would safeguard the peace and security of the continent going forward. The uniting of European nations began with only six countries as its founding members (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg), comprising an institution radically different in size and scope from the one we know today. France and Germany were constant sources of tension for the continent, and leaders were eager to find a way to prevent these conflicts from spiraling into another war.

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The simple idea on which the European project was founded was that economic integration would liquidate the threat of war. Countries financially and politically intertwined with one another would have more at stake in ensuring continued peace. Cooperation would increase the economic pie for all, and that would in turn create incentives against military escalation.

As the European experiment grew, it changed not only in scope but in its fundamental nature. It began its radical transformation with the Maastricht Treaty in 1991, which established the European Union. A few years later came monetary union, the adoption of the euro, and subsequently the Schengen Agreement which opened borders inside Europe. All these changes paved the way for further growth: In 1995, three countries, Austria, Finland and Sweden, joined the Union; in 2004, in one big-bang enlargement, Europe invited 10 additional members. The formerly subjugated countries of the East were accepted into the fold, given a chance at stability, prosperity and a peaceful European future. It was also a geopolitical promise: Those who adhere to Western values and accept the rules can become members of the European family. Throughout this process of growth, the European project continued to hold on to the same idea: that free trade, prosperity and liberal values would serve as bulwarks against the threat of war.

Unfortunately, that idea, as logical as it may have seemed at the start, has not panned out.

It is true that we have seen, as the European experiment has unfolded, a series of remarkable successes. Even the continuity of the project, spanning so many years, is itself a form of achievement. But the unions successes have been rooted in its bedrock principles of incrementalism and cooperation. Naturally, an organization founded on such principles gives rise to a certain style of politics, and a certain brand of politician who excels within its parameters, one who is cautious, well-spoken, an excellent negotiator. The institution shapes the individuals within it, and vice versa. Over time, the prevailing pattern becomes more and more entrenched.

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The problem is that, eventually, a challenge will arise that requires a deviation from the accepted method of doing things, an extreme threat that requires extreme action. When that happens, a system built on finding consensus and avoiding conflict will have a hard time embracing radical change. Not to mention the massive institutional inertia that must be overcome in the case of the EU; consider the sheer number of countries, offices and officials involved.

As cracks  or, more aptly, chasms  have emerged in the system, radical parties have unsurprisingly sprung up in the empty spaces. They reflect the publics understandable backlash to the style of incrementalism that has come to dominate European politics, and that has shown itself woefully incapable of responding to present challenges. An alternative has long been desperately needed and has not been provided within the framework of the mainstream political parties. The extremist parties that have emerged may have correctly identified and capitalized on the problem  that the politics of cooperation is insufficient to rise to todays challenges  but they do not represent any real movement toward a solution.

The solution requires a wholesale re-envisioning of what European leadership will look like in the 21st century, in response to the new threats facing the continent. These threats are existential ones; they come from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, a vast network of terrorist groups, and all the other entities that make up what can be called the global network of authoritarianism.

Confrontation is a vital part of the ideology of these regimes; part of their very DNA is the assault and destruction of free, democratic market economies. Their survival necessitates waging war on their enemies. The EU is not equipped to deal with outside actors who fundamentally threaten its existence, with whom it cannot find a negotiated solution and peacefully coexist. The politics of minimizing risk and looking for consensus has no place when you are engaged in a war for survival.

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And lets be clear: Today, the Western world is at war with the enemies of democracy. We need institutions that are capable of addressing this dire threat, of mobilizing all available resources and taking urgent action, not looking for concessions and work-arounds wherever possible. The structure of the EU as it is today was not built to transition to a regime of confrontation, having been founded and nurtured on a vocabulary of cooperation. The assets that have been its greatest strengths are fundamentally unsuited to the nature of the present challenges.

In addition to the growing strength and consolidation of the global authoritarian network, we have seen the simultaneous retreat of America from the international stage. Thats why NATO is not the answer to the challenge Europe faces from the authoritarian network  it is too thoroughly dominated by and too dependent on the United States.



It is easy to blame Trump for pulling back and leaving Europe weak and defenseless, but he has only exposed what has always been a devastating flaw in Europes architecture. The EU was established and cultivated under the umbrella of American protection, its formula of economic integration never tested without the might of the worlds largest military power to back it up. The Union has never had to stand on its own.

It was neither realistic nor wise to expect America to always foot the bill for the continents security, and Trump has finally pulled the rug out from underneath this flimsy assumption. Europe has been left scrambling to find a way forward, as Putin continues his advances  and America largely withdraws to the sidelines.

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The latest trade deal signed with the U.S. only underscores this dependence, and its high costs. The one-sided tariffs and the $750 billion the EU pledged to spend on American energy are barely disguised payments for the continued presence of the American troops that remain on the continent. Europe, unable to furnish its own defense, is hanging on to whatever America is willing to provide.

So far, Europe has not been able to mount an effective response to the threat from Russia, because to do so requires an entirely new, and bold, paradigm for European governance. Instead, we have seen European countries floundering, taking scattershot actions in the direction of their goal, with no real appetite for confrontation. The history of sanctions imposed on the Putin regime over the course of the war in Ukraine is a perfect illustration. Eighteen tranches of sanctions have been signed into law, and yet Putin is still able to wage his war, maintain the offensive on the battlefield, and engage in business with his international cronies. There is still plenty of room to inflict economic damage on the regime, even after all these rounds, because none of the sanctions were designed to deal a decisive financial blow. They are exemplars of the incremental approach to policy-making that the EU embodies, one that aims to nudge the adversary to the negotiating table gently. Of course, this kind of approach does not work on a dictator; indeed, it only feeds their aggression.

Another example is the 1 million 155-millimeter artillery shells that were supposed to be sent to Ukraine. Half a year later, Europe had to admit that a union of 27 countries was unable to produce or procure that amount. To add insult to injury, Russia announced that North Korea had provided 1 million shells from its own stockpiles. One of the poorest nations in the world had, apparently, out-performed the most prosperous continent in supplying ammunition to its wartime ally.

In the absence of European leaders willing to accept authorship for its new path forward, the continents future might very well be written in Moscow. If Putin were to attack a NATO country that is also a member of the European Union, that would shake the foundations of European unity like nothing before. And so it is worth asking whether a Europe that is unable to defend its own people can have any meaningful future. A meeting held after the bombing of a European capital to discuss a compromise resolution would serve only as the tombstone for the European project itself.

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Even if the worst-case scenarios do not materialize, the Unions current ineffectiveness has already become crippling. Could todays Europe have the vision and ability to create something like the Schengen Area or the monetary union? Can it meaningfully enlarge if deadlock eventually reduces it to the status of a mere spectator in the war against Ukraine, the hybrid war against Moldova, or the non-military takeover of Georgia?



The inescapable conclusion is that the EU is risking irrelevance and evaporation unless fundamental changes are made to the Treaty itself. This is obviously a monumental task, but after witnessing so many bottlenecks and breakdowns in the current system we at least have a clear picture of what the necessary changes would need to look like. And the basic proposal isnt even new.

In 2017, German and French leaders floated the idea of a multi-speed Europe, proposing the most fundamental overhaul of the framework of the EU to date. Had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic and Russias war on Ukraine that followed, this proposal could have evolved into a more vocal debate on the regionalization of the Union. This idea still has the potential to make a comeback, particularly in the Nordic-Baltic region, where countries are actively seeking stronger security and defense integration, and where the Russian threat is clearly understood. Meanwhile, parts of Western Europe are already diverging in interests from those in the North. And in the illiberal bloc, Hungary and Slovakia are eagerly awaiting elections in Czechia, hoping a new government will join their anti-European, pro-Russian ranks.

And yet, todays European leaders continue to hold on to the ideal of a wholly peaceful bloc, touting this commitment to non-aggression as what differentiates it on the international stage. It is as though adapting to the new reality of war would invalidate the EUs founding mission, when it is precisely the opposite  embracing new, tougher measures is the only chance Europe has to save the peace-driven project it has so carefully fostered.

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In that spirit, its time to turn over a new page in the evolution of the EU. Russias imperial ambitions were not limited by the Minsk agreements in 2014 and 2015 but could be limited by a revision of the treaties that form the Union.

It is now time for the next iteration of the European project, rewired and reinforced for the future.

First, unanimity. The European Union was founded as a project of shared goals and has passed mountains of agreements intended to advance its vision. Achievements on such a scale now seem unimaginable  because not everyone in Europe shares a common purpose. Hungary, one of the top recipients of EU cohesion funds, is actively working against the European project. Slovakia is not far behind. On security, Spain still insists that the EU is a project of peace and culture rather than a coalition that also has to defend itself. If Europe is to survive, it must abandon the principle of unanimity.

Second, geopolitics. Europe healed many of the wounds left by the Cold War by welcoming the countries of the Eastern flank into its fold. This enlargement was arguably the EUs greatest geopolitical success. But the task is not finished, and there are more benefits to be reaped. Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia have populations that overwhelmingly identify with the West. The EU must either offer these countries a credible path to a European future, or the enemies of democracy will continue to build paths for them in the other direction.

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Third, defense. The project of peace cannot survive if peace is not defended. The age of the peace dividend is over. A new era must begin  an era in which Europe stands up for itself and its allies. There will be no peaceful coexistence with Putins Russia. And Europe might eventually come to understand that such coexistence with Xis China is also impossible. The trusted U.S. security shield will not be as strong  or as reliable  as before. Europe has to develop instruments that can help in the defense of the values that the EU stands for. It must transform from a peace-loving commune into an institution capable of responding to threats of real violence, able to stand firm against those who wish for its demise.

Europe is not doomed to fail. But to survive will take the understanding that freedom is no longer free, and that all available means must be used to defend it.
Aug. 2Leaders must address violence at UNM

I was horrified to hear about the shootings that occurred on campus in a student dorm July 25.

This occurred in a student dorm by a nonstudent with a gun. Just three weeks ago I had a conversation with my step-granddaughter during her visit about her concerns for her safety attending University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. I assured her that she should be safe on campus and certainly in her dorm. As a graduate of two state schools, Rutgers University and University of California, Los Angeles, I believed that her university would protect her on campus. UNM failed to do that with this occurrence.

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The university is getting the best and brightest in the state. They have a responsibility to the students and the parents of every student to provide a safe living environment. The student dorm is the substitute home for these students away from their families for the first time in their lives. Immediately, President Garnett Stokes must address these safety concerns. She should be working 24 hours every day to address these issues before many first-year students start their year at UNM. There should be limits to who has access to student dorms. What type of surveillance is provided by the preceptors in the dorms? No one noticed this large group of young men, including a 14 year old, hanging out in a student's dorm room late at night.

And Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham needs to immediately become involved in addressing the safety issues to students at the lead educational institution in New Mexico. These are her students, too. Of course, the issue of violence and gun control need to be addressed, but first students should be provided with a safe space to live and learn.

Terry Kiely

Newtown, Pennsylvania

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Spotlight on health care issues in NM

Great job by the Sunday Journal July 27 Opinion section in underscoring the significant and very real medical provider problem in today's New Mexico.

It has been building for years and, absent an expedited major fix, it will surge to a life-threatening issue if already not. The lead article from the Journal Editorial Board was vividly reinforced by the personal saga being endured by Journal Executive Editor Jay Newton-Small. Her case typifies what's drastically wrong with medical care/lack thereof in our state. It's a sad commentary on the self-inflicted wound by an inept Legislature that repeatedly fails to effectively address the issue. There are numerous fixes that need to be tried, several of which were stated in the companion article by primary care provider Alex Deradke in his column.

At recent New Mexico Legislature sessions, doctors and other medical professionals pleaded with legislators to reform medical malpractice laws to no avail. The trial lawyers in the Legislature and their deep-pocket lobbyists want no part of that.

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These issues are compounded by the sky-high number of New Mexicans on Medicaid. The state has enabled many Medicaid recipients to receive and remain on Medicaid when a fair number are able bodied and capable of working and attaining employer-provided health coverage.

Given these doomsday scenarios, it is no wonder that prospective new businesses, retirees and doctors are hesitant to come to the state.

Good to see that University of New Mexico Hospital is planning a large expansion of its medical school. That will help in the long run but, as emphasized by the Editorial Board, immediate measures are required. Don't ask, demand that your legislator take action.

Sincere best wishes that all goes well with Newton-Small's care and new addition to the family.

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David Coulie

Albuquerque

Immigration policies are creating fear

Do you know how many kids are afraid to leave their house this summer? Do you know how many moms are afraid to go grocery shopping? Do you know how many local companies are short of laborers?

Citizens' safety is not guaranteed anymore, but are people in government listening? Have any of them recently sat and had a conversation with someone who would be considered an immigrant?

Republicans in Congress, how do you justify slashing funds for colleges and education  investments in our future  while pouring astronomical sums into Immigration and Customs Enforcement? Shouldn't our priority be building opportunities, not expanding enforcement budgets? How do you justify taking opportunities away from our kids to instead fund more enforcement? Don't our children deserve that investment in their future?

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The DOGE claims to have saved an estimated $1,200 per citizen per year in taxes, but more than 80% of those savings have been reallocated towards a large budget increase toward ICE. Is it worth it to lose our health care, our social security (that we paid into), so that a masked, unidentified agent can walk onto your property with no consequences?

if someone commits a crime, what difference does it make to the victim or his/her family whether the perpetrator is an (undocumented) immigrant?

Nicholas Harrison

Albuquerque

Homelessness, drug addiction solutions

We would all like to think otherwise but giving money to nonprofits and 30-day stints in rehab are a total waste. People always want to throw around the word compassion. How compassionate is it to let most of these people die horribly on the street? And what about the rest of us who are forced to live in the middle of all this crime and sorrow?

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Use California as an example: $24 billion dollars in the last five years and it continues to get worse and worse.

The best chance to end this ever increasing disaster is an enormous facility to deal with all of these problems under one roof. A virtual self contained city incorporating:

Secure facilities for low-level offenders.Mental health services.Substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation.Transitional living which would include working within the facility and out with nightly return, helping people become functioning in society once again.

Yes, this is a massive undertaking but it really would end homelessness, addiction and the associated crime that goes with it. This all needs to be under one roof because most of these people need multiple services.

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It would be extremely expensive but when you add up all the time and money that is wasted on all the current options it starts to make sense.

Ellie Aucoin

Albuquerque

Stewart's comments not harassment

I am a retired Albuquerque Public Schools teacher and an admirer of Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque. Stewart acknowledges she made intemperate remarks to a staffer. However, she apologized soon after she learned of the staffer's reaction. That was the right thing to do and that should have been the end of the matter. However, the effort to call this incident "harassment" threatens to set an unfortunate precedent.

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The Legislature is populated by people with strong personalities, with conflicting opinions, and they are working under high pressure. These days a toxic level of partisanship undermines collaboration and inspires members of each party to treat the other side as "the enemy." This environment often leads to unfortunate remarks and rude behavior. If any employee of the Legislature can claim that such language is "harassment," the Legislature will be bogged down with such claims, making it even more difficult to conduct the people's business. I urge the Legislature to avoid taking that path.

Lenore Pardee

Albuquerque
A recent poll conducted by CBS News provides an encouraging look into public support for the Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon and eventually send humans to Mars.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents favor a return to the moon and just 33 percent oppose one. On Mars, sixty-five percent favor sending astronauts to the red planet with 35 percent in opposition.

Support for sending astronauts back to the moon tracks favorably among all age groups, with 71 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds in favor.

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The current favorable view of the Artemis program contrasts with what people thought of the Apollo program to land men on the moon while it was ongoing. As space historian Roger Launius pointed out, most Americans, with the exception of one poll taken in July 1969, took a dim view of going to the moon.

Consistently throughout the decade, 45-60 percent of Americans believed that the government was spending too much on space, indicative of a lack of commitment to the spaceflight agenda, Launius wrote.

Incidentally, the CBS News poll shows that now Americans believe that the Apollo program was worth the effort, 77 to 23 percent. The findings were consistent with those taken on the 50th and 40th anniversaries of the first moon landing.

The fact that support for going back to the moon and on to Mars is uniform across all age groups jumps out. In times past, some have suggested that supporters for sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit mainly consisted of boomers nostalgic for the glories of the Apollo program.

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If that was ever the case, it isnt any longer.

Laura Seward Forczyk, a space career consultant, video blogger and author of Rise of the Space Age Millennials, likely spoke for a lot of younger people on X when she posted, I hope to live to see humans walking on another world again. Artemis III cant come soon enough.

Her sentiment expresses a desire for something beautiful and glorious in a world often ugly and dispiriting. Come to think of it, that was the Apollo 11 moon landing in the midst of the turmoil of the 1960s.

A lot of famous space influencers, such as former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, billionaire private space traveler Jared Isaacman, video blogger Eliana Sheriff and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk were not alive when men first walked on the moon.

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One word of caution should be made about how poll results can often be influenced by question-wording. In 2023, the Pew organization released a poll suggesting that returning to the moon and on to Mars were of lower priority than things like asteroid detection and measuring climate change. Nevertheless, when combining the answers top priority and important but lower priority space exploration still enjoyed healthy support, with 57 percent favoring a return to the moon and 56 percent going to Mars.

People are looking forward to witnessing the first footsteps on the moon in over 50 years and the first ever on Mars. Donald Trump was the latest president of the United States to make that promise when he started the Artemis program during his first term. Now, he has to deliver.

Unfortunately, President Trump is in serious danger of blowing it. Over six months into his second administration, America still does not have a permanent NASA administrator, thanks to Trumps capricious, last-minute withdrawal of Isaacmans nomination.

The White House and the Congress are wrangling over NASA science funding and how long the space agency should retain the Orion Space Launch System architecture for returning to the moon.

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Trump needs to move quickly to nominate a permanent head of NASA. He could change his mind again about Isaacman, though he may be loath to admit to making a mistake.

The White House also needs to reestablish the National Space Council as a center for the formulation of space policy. The council performed great service during the first Trump administration. It can do so again.

Finally, Trump and Musk should resolve their feud. The most powerful man in the world and the worlds richest man work better together than at cross purposes.

Trump has won some great domestic and foreign policy victories. It will be a pity if his legacy is one of letting China get back to the moon before we do.

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Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled  Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?  as well as  The Moon, Mars and Beyond  and, most recently,  Why is America Going Back to the Moon?  He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Pakistan and Iran on Sunday signed agreements pledging to raise bilateral trade to $10 billion and committed to work more closely to eliminate the menace of terrorism in favour of peace and prosperity in the region.

Agreements across various sectors, including energy and trade, were signed during the two-day visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

We have set a target of $10 billion in trade and hope to achieve it as soon as possible, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said addressing a joint press briefing

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Sharif reiterated Pakistans stance of supporting Irans right to a nuclear programme for peaceful purposes under the UN charter and condemned Israels aggression against Iran saying there was no justification.

He said the two countries would take effective steps to eliminate terrorism and open the avenues of prosperity in the region.

The Iranian president said he thinks reaching the $10 billion trade mark - which would represent a more than three-fold increase in trade - is doable.

My deep belief is that we can easily, in a short time, increase the volume of our trade relations from the current $3 billion to the projected goal of $10 billion, Pezeshkian said.

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He thanked the government and people supporting Iran during the 12-day terrorist aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States.

Pakistani-Iranian relations not often rosy

Relations between Pakistan and Iran have often been shaky, especially over cross-border militancy, and tensions escalated in January 2024 when both sides launched tit-for-tat missile strikes.

Despite the strains, the two countries have kept the diplomatic door open.

In May, the Iranian foreign minister visited Pakistan amid rising tensions with India. During the Iran-Israel war, Pakistan supported Iran's right to self defence and condemned the US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Pakistan and Iran have signed agreements pledging to raise bilateral trade to $10bn and committing to work more closely to eliminate the menace of terrorism in favour of peace and prosperity in the region, as both nations have recently been embroiled in conflicts with their respective regional foes.

Sundays agreements across various sectors, including energy and trade, were signed during the two-day visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

We have set a target of $10bn in trade and hope to achieve it as soon as possible, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, addressing a joint press briefing.

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Sharif reiterated Pakistans stance of supporting Irans right to a nuclear programme for peaceful purposes under the United Nations charter and condemned Israels aggression against Iran, saying there was no justification for the 12-day June conflict in which the United States militarily intervened on Israels behalf.

He said the two countries would take effective steps to eliminate terrorism and open the avenues of prosperity in the region. Pakistan and regional rival India were on the cusp of their fifth all-out war earlier this year before a ceasefire ended several days of heavy and deadly aerial exchanges.

The Iranian president said, My deep belief is that we can easily, in a short time, increase the volume of our trade relations from the current $3bn to the projected goal of $10bn.

He thanked the government and people supporting Iran during the 12-day terrorist aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States.

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Analyst Ammar Habib Khan of the Institute of Business Administration told Al Jazeera that the informal trade between Iran and Pakistan is likely to increase more than the formal trade target shared by the countries.

Discussions have been held on how to formalise the informal trade that is already happening, whether it is oil, gas or something else, he told Al Jazeera from Karachi.

The analyst said Pakistans normalising relations with Iran might lead to the creation of a trade route between Pakistan and Europe.

It would be an efficient and logistically sound route, he said.

Along with a high-level delegation, including foreign and defence ministers, Pezeshkian arrived on a two-day visit to Pakistan on Saturday.

Tense ties

Pezeshkian called for better border management and cooperation around the mutual border to counter security threats.

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In return, Sharif said that Islamabad and Tehran have a common stand against terrorism, and no such activity would be allowed in Pakistan or Iran.

We have to protect our borders and take strict steps against terrorism to open the roads to peace and development in the region, said Sharif.

Relations between Pakistan and Iran have often been shaky, especially over cross-border tensions that escalated in January 2024 when both sides launched tit-for-tat missile strikes.

Al Jazeeras Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said Pakistan and Iran have agreed to cooperate in order to ensure violence is prevented on either side.

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They agreed to have more border management between the two countries, he said.

Hyder added that the sides also discussed Pakistan acting as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, among other countries trying to ease tensions between archenemies.





Despite the strains, the two countries have kept the diplomatic door open.

In May, the Iranian foreign minister visited Pakistan amid rising tensions with India. During the Iran-Israel conflict, Pakistan supported Irans right to self-defence and condemned the US attacks on Irans nuclear facilities.

The leaders of Pakistan and Iran also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Israels attacks in the enclave.

The two sides also inked a string of memorandums of understanding in the fields of information technology, law and justice, climate change, and tourism.




In his candid thoughts, Kher wrote, "Instead of collecting money, I have collected a few friends. This is why even the 'older' ones are still working out... #HappyFriendshipDay."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DM4KwtniJds/

The actor in his caption added, "Best wishes to all of you on #MitrataDivas."

Fans were quick to respond as many flooded the comment section with Friendship Day greetings for Kher. Others appeared impressed with his wordplay.

Like every year, Friendship Day falls on the first Sunday of August, i.e., August 3 this year.

Anupam Kher has been basking in the success of his latest release, 'Tanvi The Great,' which also marked the actor's return to direction after two decades.

Besides Kher, the film also features Shubhangi Dutt, Boman Irani, Karan Tacker, Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Nasser, and British actor Iain Glen. Made under the banner of Anupam Kher Studios in collaboration with NFDC, 'Tanvi The Great' received accolades both domestically and internationally.

It also enjoyed a successful festival run at Cannes and across major cities like New York, Houston, and London.

'Tanvi The Great' focuses on the story of a young girl who lives with her mother and grandfather. Inspired by her late father, an Indian Army officer, the girl is determined to join the forces.

On the lines of his film, Anupam Kher also launched his book 'Different But No Less' on Wednesday.

The book launch event was attended by many celebrities like Mahesh Bhatt, Boman Irani, Gajraj Rao, Shubhangi Dutt, author Amish Tripathi, and Kher's mother. (ANI)
Ever since the October 7 pogrom of 2023, Saturdays on the streets of London and other British cities have been sullied by so-called Palestine solidarity marches. Too often the police have stood aside when chants of dubious legality  coming uncomfortably close to outright praise for the proscribed terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah  have been declaimed by some among the crowds.

The police have responded to criticism by stating that what has been witnessed is ambiguous. Next weekend there will be no such ambiguity.

After Palestine Action claimed responsibility for breaking into RAF Brize Norton and vandalising two jets in June, Parliament voted in July to proscribe this organisation too  in the Commons, by 385 in favour and 26 against. Expressing support for Palestine Action is now a criminal offence punishable with a term of up to 14 years imprisonment.

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Campaigners are planning for a mass flouting of the terror laws, with 500 or more activists openly and unambiguously planning to proclaim their support for Palestine Action next Saturday. Their tactic is that the police will have to charge so many with terrorism offences that the courts will be overwhelmed  or else that the law will not be enforced and that it will thus become a dead letter. If trials follow, the campaigners will seek to turn them into spectacles where Israel too rather than just those accused are in the dock.

This is now about more than just the rights and wrongs of Israels response to the Hamas murderers. It is about whether the will of Parliament is enforced on Britains streets or whether random self-appointed tribunes can overturn laws they do not approve of.

It is essential that the police enforce the law to its full extent next weekend. To the demonstrators favourite chant of Whose streets? Our streets, the only correct response is that the streets are not the domain of those who have brazenly come to endorse a group that our elected representatives have deemed to be terrorists. This could not be allowed to happen at the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and it cannot be allowed to happen in London now.

It is an indictment of the state of our court system that it may not have the capacity to cope with a few hundred arrests, but enforcing the law comes first.

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Thousands of Palestinians protested in the occupied West Bank's major cities Sunday against the war in Gaza and in support of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

One of the largest marches took place in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority located just north of Jerusalem, with hundreds gathering at the main square, waving Palestinian flags.

Many protesters carried photos of Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel, as well as photos depicting the hunger crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip, where UN-backed experts have warned that a "famine is unfolding".

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"My son is in (Israel's) Megido prison and he suffers from many things, such as the lack of medicine the lack of food," Rula Ghanem, a Palestinian academic and writer who took part in the march, told AFP.

She told AFP that her son had lost 10 kilograms and suffered from scabies in jail.

The number of Palestinians jailed by Israel skyrocketed after the start of the war in Gaza, some for violent acts, but some also for posting political statements on social media, the Palestinian Commission of Detainees' and Ex-Detainees' Affairs says.

The commission's spokesman Thaer Shriteh told AFP: "The international community is a partner in all this suffering, as long as it does not intervene quickly to save the Palestinian people and save the prisoners inside the prisons and detention centre."

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A group of protesters dressed as skeletons and carried dolls around to symbolise the Gaza war's dire effect on children, who are most at risk of malnutrition.

Israel has heavily restricted the entry of aid into Gaza, which was already under blockade for 15 years before the war began.

UN agencies, humanitarian groups and analysts say that much of the trickle of food aid that Israel allows in is looted or diverted in chaotic circumstances.

"We hope that our stand today will have an impact in supporting our people in Gaza and the hungry children in Gaza," said 39-year-old Tagreed Ziada, one of the protesters at the Ramallah march.

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Protests were held Sunday in other major Palestinian cities such as Nablus in the north and Hebron in the south, with many government employees receiving a day off to attend the demonstrations.

While there have been somewhat regular demonstrations against the war in Gaza, they are rarely coordinated across various cities in the West Bank.

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  Panama City residents brought their concerns to city staff Saturday morning. One resident brought up the citys proposed speed detection systems in school zones.

The city identified speeding problems in all school zones and said cameras would help slow traffic down.

We want to let folks know that the ticket is not automatic, that it is reviewed by the police department. You dont get a ticket for just going three miles over the speed limit. Theyre looking for excessive speeders, and so there are multiple steps involved with this, Panama City Commissioner Janice Lucas said.

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One suggestion was that money from the tickets could go back into public safety efforts.

Jackson County First Credit Union Hosts Back to School Bash

We are considering it and looking at the advantages of using these funds to address public safety in those schools on areas, Lucas said.

The items second reading and final vote will take place at the next commission meeting on August 12th.

Another concern was the proposed plans for the Panama City Marina.

I see your vision is to extend Harrison Avenue out onto the marina and retail and residential. With all of the empty land and empty buildings that we have downtown, why would we have to use prime marina property for retail and residential? a Panama City resident said.

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Residents also proposed adding swings to the playground in Hentz Park.

We actually do those in-house. One of our facility maintenance carpenters kind of designed that. And so for the cost of around, I think maybe 1200 to 1500 dollars, we can build those pergola suites, and so well look at that and absolutely add some of those into the plan, Panama City City Manager Johnathan Hayes said.

Hayes says theyve received 63 applications for the facility manager position at the MLK Recreation Center.

The application will close on Monday morning. Other concerns that were brought up include improving transportation, fixing road signage, and utility problems.

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Hayes says town hall meetings allow city staff to address specific issues.

It was a possum start to the 2025 Wausau Possum Festival

They want to kind of help be the eyes and the ears for staff out in the community as that liaison between staff and the community, because that is their role as their representatives, Hayes added.

Hayes will host a Monday meeting with the manager at 8:30 a.m. in City Hall on August 4th. Then later that day, the city commission will host a virtual workshop at 4:30 p.m. with the housing and community services department.

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FBI Director Kash Patel called out the left-wing media Saturday for labeling him a liar over his discovery of a trove of sensitive documents related to the origins of the Trump-Russia probe buried in multiple "burn bags" in a secret room inside the bureau.

Sources previously told Fox News Digital the "burn bag" system is used to destroy documents designated as classified or higher.

Sources also said multiple burn bags were found and filled with thousands of documents. One document FBI officials found in a burn bag, sources said, was the classified annex to former special counsel John Durhams final report, which includes the underlying intelligence he reviewed.

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Patel addressed the burn bags on X, reminding people of what he proved in 2017 and 2018.

Soros' Alleged Ties To Russiagate Exposed In Declassified Annex Of Durham Report

"In 2017/18, I proved the Steele Dossier was fictitious intelligence, weaponized by corrupt FBI officials to deceive a federal judge and unlawfully spy on then presidential candidate Trumps campaign  all paid for by his opponent," the FBI director said. "The media called me a liar.

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"Now Im the FBI Director: We just uncovered burn bags/room filled with Russia Gate files, including the Durham annex, and declassified them," Patel continued. "Once again, I released the prior FBIs own documents and exposed the truth. The same media is calling me a liar again. Maybe this FBI will release more docs directly, from FBI HQso we can see who is lying  wouldnt want to deprive the fake news of more bogus Pulitzers."

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The declassification of the classified annex is being done in close coordination between CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi and acting National Security Agency Director William Hartman.

Patel Found Thousands Of Sensitive Trumprussia Probe Docs Inside 'Burn Bags' In Secret Room At Fbi

Director Kash Patel speaks with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum before a bill signing ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., May 19.

The declassified annex will be transmitted to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who ultimately will release the document to the public.

Patel, in a June interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, revealed that he found a room full of documents and computer hard drives "that no one had ever seen or heard of."

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"Just think about this," Patel told Rogan. "Me, as director of the Fbi, the former 'Russiagate guy,' when I first got to the bureau, found a room that Comey and others hid from the world in the Hoover Building, full of documents and computer hard drives that no one had ever seen or heard of. Locked the key and hid access and just said, 'No one's ever gonna find this place.'"

Patel and his staff have been working through the documents, some of which are related to sensitive investigations, including the FBIs original TrumpRussia probe, known inside the bureau as Crossfire Hurricane.

Fbi's Controversial Trump-russia Actions Predicted With 'Alarming Specificity' By Foreign Actors: Sources

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has requested information related to former special counsel John Durhams probe.

It is unclear what the latest documents cover specifically, but sources told Fox News Digital that the most recent discovery was pursuant to an investigative request from Grassley.

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Patel has turned the documents over to Grassley.

Grassley has been requesting information related to Durhams probe. Durham was appointed after then-special counsel Robert Mueller completed his yearslong investigation into the origins of the TrumpRussia probe  including intelligence community malfeasance during and in the aftermath of the 2016 election.

Sources told Fox News Digital that Grassleys team is now reviewing the underlying information as part of its investigative work.

As for the other records, Patels staff is working to turn them over to Congress pursuant to investigative requests by committees of jurisdiction.

Fox News Digitals Brooke Singman contributed to this report.





Original article source: Patel fires back at media critics after uncovering secret FBI 'burn bags' with classified documents
Former Food Network star and celebrity chef Paula Deen has abruptly closed her popular Savannah, Georgia, restaurant, The Lady & Sons, after 36 years.Its companion, The Chicken Box, also was closed.A statement published on the restaurants Facebook page reads, My sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday, July 31st, was the last day of service for The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box. We will now focus our attention on the four Paula Deens Family Kitchen locations across the country -- in Pigeon Forge, Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), Nashville, and Branson (Missouri).

The post did not go into further detail on why the restaurant that helped boost Deen to a household name suddenly closed its doors.

The Lady & Sons officially opened in 1996 and featured popular southern comfort dishes such as fried green tomatoes, banana pudding, and fried chicken. The success of the restaurant helped bring Deen fame, with her landing a spot on the Food Network and soon her own spin-off show called "Paulas Home Cooking."

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The show was canceled in 2013 after a controversy where Deen admitted to having used the N-word and expressed that she wished for a wedding where waiters dressed as slaves in her past.

Deens Nashville-based restaurant, Paula Deen's Family Kitchen, opened in 2020 at Opry Mills. The restaurant remains open seven days a week.

In the social media post, Deen expressed that in the coming weeks, she and her sons will make appearances at the Paula Deen's Family Kitchens.

Were excited to continue visiting these restaurants regularly, starting with Branson on August 8th, the social media post reads.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Paula Deen closes Savannah restaurant, keeps Nashville spot open
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Who  back in 2020  wouldve imagined it?

Five years after one of the biggest divisions between Democrats and Republicans was over whether or not to require masks in places like schools, politicians from both parties are now sponsoring bills not only not requiring, but prohibiting, the wearing of masks.

Alas, theres still disagreement, this time over who should not wear masks.

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Pennsylvania House Democrats, led by Paul Friel (D-Chester County)  alarmed by masked ICE agents rounding up suspected undocumented immigrants, plus a political assassination in Minnesota by a man posing as a police officer  want to prohibit most law enforcement agents from wearing masks.

People dont know who is law enforcement, who is not, where these officers are from? Are they legitimate officers? Friel said. And I think it creates a fear thats really unnecessary.

Masked law enforcement officers are common in some countries but have generally been rare in the United States.

Its not the America I grew up in, Friel said, adding his concern is specifically with ICE  not with most local and state police agencies, nor would he stop those agents either from wearing masks in limited cases.

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Absolutely, theres an appropriate time  undercover work  where police or law enforcement wont identify themselves, and its for the officers safety and everyones safety not to do so, Friel said. Theres nothing in our bill that says you dont do that.

But Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks County) said shes concerned about different people wearing masks: pro-Palestine protestors, who in some cases have spread antisemitic messages, as well as masked criminals.

Along with Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), Marcell is sponsoring two bills. One, addressing the protests, would prohibit wearing masks in public spaces. The other would impose harsher sentences on people who wear masks while committing crimes (such as bank robberies).

Were trying to ensure were not helping criminals evade the system and evade arrest, Marcell said.

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As for the protests, We still have a lot of these antisemitic incidents and protests occurring, Marcell said. And many of the photos Ive seen include everyone wearing masks and face coverings.

Friel called the enhanced sentences bill unnecessary (a bank robber should already be in prison for robbing a bank, he said) and the public spaces bill excessive.

Somebody whos saying were going to deny free speech or protesters dont wear a mask, then I think thats eroding our civil rights, Friel said.

Any of the bills would require some bipartisan support  and thus likely some compromise  in order to become law. Thats because the bills would need to pass both the Democrat-controlled House and GOP-controlled Senate before they could go to the desk of Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, for him to consider signing them into law.

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Obviously, we want to make sure were upholding the First Amendment, Marcell said.

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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseths series of blunders sparked internal strife in the Pentagon and triggered concerns among some congressional Republicans over his ability to lead the department.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Current and former employees of the US Department of Defense say the root of Hegseths problems lies in his lack of management experience of an organisation as large as the Pentagon.

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As noted, Hegseth had conflicts with high-ranking generals and sacked three senior aides who were highly regarded by the White House.

Some Republican lawmakers worry that Hegseths loss of his closest aides has left him particularly ill-equipped to lead the Department of Defense.

"If you just look at the broader turnover and the lack of consistency there in terms of executive management, I think its a red flag," said Republican Senator Thom Tillis.

At the same time, according to the publication, there are currently no signs that Hegseth is at risk of losing his position. He enjoys personal support from President Donald Trump, who was especially pleased with the successful US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

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At the same time, the publication points to a series of episodes that negatively affected the reputation of the head of the Pentagon.

Among them, in particular, the leak of an intelligence report with preliminary data on the US strike on Iran in June, the scandal with the Signal messenger, the conflict with high-ranking generals, the situation with the termination of aid to Ukraine and the fact that Trump was not informed about it, the obstruction of the promotion of General Douglas Sims, insufficient US military budget.

While some mercilessly criticise Hegseth, there are also Republicans who passionately defend him.

"I think Secretary Hegseth has done a great job. You can see the direction were moving. Its in the right direction. So if he needs a front office filled, hell fill it as he needs it," said Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin.

Background: Recently, media reported that Hegseth had been privately discussing the possibility of running for Governor of Tennessee the following year.

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(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Dozens of protesters gathered downtown in front of the Colorado Springs City Hall on Saturday, Aug. 2, as part of the national Rage Against the Regime protest in opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump.

I feel like if we could get our voices heard, people understand that were not capitulating, said Tom Howes, a volunteer with 50501.

Signs reading American first, dump Trump and Hate does not make us great again, lined the sidewalks of downtown Colorado Springs as dozens of people joined the nationwide protest.

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Everyone is here because were really concerned about everything thats going on in our federal government right now, said Jamey Smith, congressional candidate for Colorado District five. All of the different cuts that theyre making, all of the extremism thats going on, said Jamey Smith, congressional candidate for Colorado District five.

Rage Against the Regime protests planned across US: What to know

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey

Organized by 50501 Movement, many protestors also say they are fighting for due process against ICE, after an operation took place in Black Forest on Thursday.

Its very hard to see humans running like theyre being chased by hounds and theyre foxes. Its dehumanizing and its sad, said Dinny Weber, a volunteer with 50501.

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The protestors are also upset about the federal governments plans to possibly bring two new ICE facilities to Colorado Springs as part of the six that are planned in Colorado. Protestors say the city should step in to stop the proposal.

I like to think of it as we are the sharp end of the spear that is going to poke that beast in Washington, D.C. and kill it, said Tom Howes, a protestor.

Organizers stated that the protests, intended to be peaceful, aim to unite the community against the Trump administration and its ongoing threats to democracy, human rights, and the environment, and that the event is about standing up for justice, truth, and equity.

The event also featured keynote speakers, resource tables, art, and music.

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Climbers on a trail on Cengia Garbari, with Cima Falkner in the background (stock image). | Credit: Getty Images

Hikers and climbers in the Italian Dolomites have been told to stay off Cima Falkner after a series of rockfalls on its western and eastern sides. Popular trails on and surrounding the mountain have been closed as investigators work to assess their safety.

All hikers in the area have been evacuated. We urge everyone to pay maximum attention and strictly follow the ordinances to ensure their own safety," warned officials from the local Trentino-Alto Adige council.

Cima Falkner in the Italian Dolomites | Credit: Getty Images

The mountain is currently going through permafrost degradation, meaning that ground that usually stays frozen all year round is thawing, allowing rocks to become loose and tumble down the mountain. This phenomenon has caused the summit to open "like a flower," according to the council.

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The fractures, previously filled with ice, are now partially empty, indicating a change in the morphology of Cima Falkner, it explained.

Although it's difficult to link single events to climate change, scientists have previously warned that increasingly extreme heat can melt the vital ice that holds otherwise unstable mountain rocks in place.

The Scientific Committee of the Italian Alpine Club told La Repubblica: "Landslides are on the rise, and the main cause is the climate crisis. Theres no doubt about it.

"Mountains, by definition, are destined to collapse, they wont remain as we know them forever. Whats different now is that were seeing a clear acceleration of these processes, driven by heat and extreme weather events intensified by the climate crisis," it continued.

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The local council says that Cima Falkner has already shed over 12,360,13 cubic ft (35,000m3) of rock and could lose upwards of 24,72027 cubic ft (70,000ft3) before the rockfalls stop.

Rockfall safety

Despite their dangers, rockfalls are relatively uncommon on hiking trails. Even so, it's important to be prepared, so check out some of our top tips to keep yourself safe from falling rocks in the mountains.

Stick to proper paths - Established trails are more likely to be well-maintained, and offer better stability than untamed wilderness sections.

Check the weather - Heavy rain and strong winds increase the likelihood of rockfalls, especially in steep or wild sections, so make sure to check the weather ahead of time and prepare accordingly.

Heed warnings - Local mountain authorities will publish rockfall warnings if incidents are likely or have been reported. You should check ahead of time and take any warnings seriously before embarking on a trek.

Don't go alone - Hiking with a friend or in a group is a great way to stay safe in the mountains, as they can call for help in an emergency situations, including rockfalls.

For more top tips, check out our expert rockslides safety guide.
For JoAnna Reyes, selecting art for museum walls is a much different job than her father's work as a roofer.

Reyes, one of the Phoenix Art Museum's newest curators, tries to keep her father and her background in mind when selecting each piece of art.

I always think about that in the way that I write, approach, and put things out, she said. Because if my dad cant connect with it  I need to rethink my approach.

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From ranch-town Amarillo, Texas, to Phoenix-based art devotee, Reyes role as a curator for the Art of the Americas at the Phoenix Art Museum is much more than a career milestone for her  it's a time of renaissance.

Reflecting the complexity of a community in a museum space is a tall order.

She wants to zoom out and look across the entire hemisphere to find how societies and cultures are influenced.

First, she plans to tackle the Art of the Americas and Europe installation, which has gone 10 years without renovation. The refreshed Americas exhibit and galleries, led by the curation team and Reyes, will debut in late November 2025.

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She aims to show, through the exhibit, how European culture was gradually absorbed by Latin American countries, like a chain reaction.

To curate art, Reyes hopes that the installation will provide a sense of agency for people from a wide range of backgrounds, highlighting gaps in the portrayal of Western narratives.

The museum should be a space, or is a space, that people should feel belonging, she said.

Uncovering hidden, shared histories

Unknown, Mexico, Portrait of Our Lady, the Pilgrim of Quito, 18th century. Oil on canvas. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Denison Kitchel (1965.41.A).

One of her interests is the idea of "shared identities" across the globe. Specifically, the cultural exchanges between Japan and Mexico, noting broader connections of various continents over centuries. Her mission is to shed light on the histories, which she said may not be widely known or understood.

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She wants to link traditions from around the globe to today's modern art. By hanging old and new art next to each other on the wall, she can show how history continues to shape and influence the meaning of local art today.

I love the way that art has the ability to connect people, and underscore these histories that we share, right?" Reyes said.

She wants to localize shared histories. Her objective is to rethink how the multiplicity of histories in the museum is represented and to contextualize unseen objects with emphasis on the Age of Discovery.

"I want there to be spaces where people see some of their culture reflected or they see some history that connects with them in some way," Reyes said.

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For example, she mentioned the San Xavier del Bac mission, a Spanish Colonial structure near Tucson, that has not only symbolized important European relevance but also made a prominent local impact.

Im highlighting those global connections and also thinking about how European culture was absorbed and brought into the New World, Reyes said.

To achieve localization, Reyes will draw from resources, such as ASU's rare book collections, to uncover the connections in history across America, Latin American, viceregal and Spanish Colonial art.

Viceregal art encapsulates European and indigenous traditions from the Spanish colonies, specifically in religious contexts. Reyes will use the museum's current art collections to show how artists in Latin America interpreted and adapted imagery from Asia and Europe. Reyes exhibit will also feature modern artwork by today's artisans who continue to draw from old traditions.

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(There are) points of intersection and points of exchange, cultural exchange, where our history is aligned with other peoples in the ways that we might be surprised by.

The hemispheric approach to curiosity

Part of the curation process assesses both the collection's strengths and areas to develop.

As Reyes put it, there's an aesthetic side of doing exhibitions and looking at objects. But there's so much more to it and there are all these different layers, she said.

Museum Director and CEO Jermey Mikolajczak said Reyes appointment marks a transition in how art across the Americas is looked at, especially as it is a pivot for the museum. He said Reyes contributes a broad stroke perspective on how Western art continues to expand.

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Mikolaiczak said he knew Reyes would be a great fit after their first conversation because of her background experiences at museums and her practice in academia, but most importantly, her curiosity.

Reyes uses a "hemispheric approach" in her work, which underscores the ways narratives of exchange and connection have shaped the regional history of the Americas at large. Mikolajczak said this approach aims to broaden the narrow narratives of the West in the movement toward the role globalization plays in our definitions.

I think that's really critically important for us specifically in Phoenix, given our location, given our community makeup," he said.

Mikolajczak said the museums idea of the West is not as an isolated region, but rather it is an amalgamation of cultures. This stance dismantles the often romanticized cowboy versus indigenous tropes, he said.

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(Reyes') ability to sort of respond to it and be open to understanding some of the challenging dialogues around American art  is a lot to absorb and she  she had a response for everything, he said.

As director, Mikolajczak appreciates a curator who sees beyond the formal research and takes on a responsibility to the people. He said he and Reyes both agree the collection doesn't just show art that is important in history, but also pushes forward modern creations for the community today.

This is not just necessarily a historic look back, but really looking at how this collection is important to the present. We were really grateful to bring JoAnna in at this critical time, Mikolaiczak said.

Mikolajczak has had several conversations with Reyes about upcoming local art installations in development.

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We want to ensure that the community has that opportunity to also have their voice on the wall, Mikolajczak said.

Establishing her love of art

Unknown, Mexico, Madonna and stand, 1519-1829. Gilt wood. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Denison Kitchel on behalf of the Walter Douglas Family (1965.39).

Reyes said, an art history class in high school initially opened her realm of imagination. Later, in her 20s, she lived at her great aunt's house in Mexico. While there, she fell in love with the architecture, and wandering the city streets helped solidify her calling.

Today, the connection to art she first felt has transformed into a mission of giving back  as a thank you to art  through teaching. She wanted to be a teacher growing up. With this job, she said, she can marry her passions: a curator, researcher and educator.

Reyes will soon lead a seminar in collaboration with the museum in the education building. The class will draw on the reinstallation of the museums North Wing, 15th to 16th-century history and the theory behind art collection.

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I love teaching with objects. I love giving people the opportunity to actually see stuff, not just look at slides," she said. "So that's something I care a lot about in my teaching.

Connecting art to identity

Unknown, Mexico, Portrait of Dona Maria Moreno y Buenaventura, c.1760. Oil on canvas. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Denison Kitchel (1966.57)

A strength Reyes noticed in the Phoenix Art Museum's Latin American collection is its set of devotional paintings of saints, specifically Catholic devotional imagery. She said devotional objects are often a point of pride within communities and are among the few art forms to survive the test of time.

While she doesn't pick favorites, a painting of Saint Teresa of Avila is one of many objects Reyes connects to. She said her sweetly painted face carries a lot of emotion for such a small piece. It could be easy to skip past if you weren't paying attention, but it is one she keeps returning to, she said. When she saw it, she was reminded of the small religious cards, saints and statuettes at her grandmother's house. She is also excited to bring out a painting of Santo Domingo to add to the exhibit.

When people have the opportunity to actually look at objects in person, it can be really impactful and it can create opportunities to kind of want to dig a little bit deeper.

Reyes said images and symbols affect how she and others think about place and culture, especially in borderland regions home to a wide array of identities.

A famous example of an iconic piece that reflects identity is the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Reyes said.

It was a way to kind of root Catholicism as a Mexican, like this distinctly Mexican icon, she said.

Reyes said the image can be taken for granted in the modern day, for the Virgin of Guadalupe has been a cultural symbol for Mexican identity for centuries before her image became popularized. This goes with her theory of uncovering untold stories.

She appears like on, you know, air fresheners swinging from your car to earrings to whatever, but really, when her image was being spread in the 18th century, it was really kind of revolutionary, she said.

The opportunity to curate in Phoenix is a full-circle moment for Reyes. One of the first things Reyes did when she got into town was get her library card. As she stepped inside, she saw everything come together when she saw an important name on the wall: Sybil Harrington.

Philanthropist Sybil Harrington was a woman from Amarillo who enjoyed collecting art from around the world. Reyes grew up admiring Harrington's meaningful advocacy in the arts in her hometown, which helped shape Reyes' passion. Harrington donated several renowned art pieces to the Phoenix Art Museum, including one from Claude Monet, according to the museum. Seeing Harrington's name all across Phoenix showed Reyes the job was meant to be.

Reyes said this close connection between her hometown and the Phoenix Art Museum felt like a true synchronicity.

I've already been able to build bridges across different institutions, across different collections. And so that opportunity is something that is just really exciting to me.

The installation has connected her to the community even further, with local artists, visitors and the vibrant art scene of Phoenix.

Arizona has been really, really good to me."

How and when to attend the exhibition

While the exhibit Reyes is curating will be closed for renovation until November, the museum is still welcoming visitors to check out its many other exhibits.

The Phoenix Art Museum is located at 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ.

It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but is open Wednesday  Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.  5 p.m. each week. For more information, visit phxart.org.

Reach the reporter on Instagram @Violets_Journalism or bucaro.violet@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Meet the Phoenix Art Museum's new Americas curator, JoAnna Reyes
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock have begun shooting for 'Practical Magic 2,' the sequel to their 1998 cult classic. Kidman revealed that she and Bullock, 61, have such a close bond that they are "like sisters," reported People. "It's insane," she says of their dynamic, adding, "I can tease her, and she teases me," shared Kidman, noting, "We're both living in London, very close to each other." The two stars are reprising their roles as witch sisters Gillian and Sally Owens in the long-awaited sequel. She said they can hardly believe they are back in the Practical Magic world again after 27 years. "We're both like, 'What?' But we were just right back into it," she said, adding of Bullock, "I adore her and she is so funny and so lovable. And we're just having the best time together," reported People. Kidman also had high praise for others involved in the making of the sequel. "We have this wonderful female director, Susanne Bier. Warner Bros. is behind the film. And they've been incredibly supportive in making this, going back and then expanding it," she added, as per the outlet. "And then we have beautiful Joey King, who I've worked with before and who's just lovely," she continued. "So it's a group of amazing, amazing women and some great men who are creating the next phase, the next stage of the witches' life." Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are set to reprise their roles as the Owens sisters' aunts, Franny and Jet, respectively. Along with King, new additions to the cast include Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Mariduena and Solly McLeod, reported People. The first film followed the story of Sally (played by Kidman) and Gillian Owens (played by Bullock), two sisters born into a family of witches who must deal with a family curse that causes the men they love to die. The original film was directed by Griffin Dunne, while the upcoming sequel is being directed by Susanne Bier. The details about the sequel's plot are being kept under wraps. "Twenty-five years ago, Sally, Gillian, Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny flew off the pages of Alice Hoffman's beloved novel and into theaters around the world, and we are thrilled to bring the Owens family back to the big screen with Joey, Lee, Maisie, Solly and Xolo joining the next chapter in our story," the filmmaking team behind Practical Magic 2 said in a statement via a press release, as per the outlet. "The enduring affection for these characters has been our inspiration to deliver the next instalment in the Owens' story to new fans, and those who've been with us since the beginning," they added, reported People. The script for Practical Magic 2 has been co-written by Akiva Goldsman (who also co-wrote the 1998 film) and Georgia Pritchett. Both Bullock and Kidman are producers on the sequel, along with Denise Di Novi, who also produced the original. 'Practical Magic 2' is set to be released in theatres on September 18, 2026. (ANI)
Pittsburgh convenience store worker charged in double shooting that left man dead, another hurt

A Pittsburgh convenience store worker has been charged in connection with a double shooting that happened in Lawrenceville early Saturday morning.

According to court documents, police were called to a gas station on the 5000 block of Butler Street in Lawrenceville at 3:38 a.m. on Saturday for reports of a shooting.

Two men had arrived at Childrens Hospital with gunshot wounds after this. One of those men, identified as Davon Smith in court documents, died from his injuries.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 2 men shot, 1 fatally, overnight in Lawrenceville

Smith had been shot four times in the chest and back. The other victim was shot in the foot.

Randell Antonio Tate, 22, of Pittsburgh, was working the convenience store for a shift that started at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Police reviewed surveillance video where they saw an argument break out between Tate and the other two men. The men were seen following Tate into the cashiers station, past a secure bulletproof door and behind his back. Tate is then seen pulling a gun from his waistband, turning around and firing at the men. A separate video also shows Davon Smith being shot while he is crawling away from the building on his stomach.

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The man who was shot in the foot later told police he was intoxicated and he had only wanted an apology from Tate for an incident that had happened between them in the past.

Tate was detained to be questioned by the police. According to a criminal complaint, he told them his disagreement with the victim happened about a year and a half ago, when that man was present at an attempted sexual assault of someone Tate cared about.

Police said he also told them that man went to the gas station and asked him if they were okay with one another enough to talk. Video showed Tate putting his hands up in agreement.

Tate said the victim then told him to hold on and went outside. He returned with Davon Smith.

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Police said Tate told them the victim wanted an apology from him for putting his name on the street over the previously mentioned sexual assault incident.

Tate told police he apologized but that the victim began making further comments, indicating that people die for less, and at one point said, What if I kill you? He said the victim had his foot in the bulletproof door of the cashiers station as he made these comments.

Tate said he was not concerned about the comments but he was concerned about Smith, who he claimed had his pants low and was fidgeting with his hands in his pockets.

Police said Tate said he never saw a weapon on Smith and that Smith never said anything to him, but said the other victim motioned for Smith to do something to Tate with a hand motion.

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Smith and the other man then followed Tate into the cashiers station, surrounded by bulletproof glass. Tate said there was no way for him to escape and said there was an emergency exit door but he would have had to hop over a gate to get there and that the door is locked by the business owner.

At this point, Tate turned and began shooting at the Smith and the other man, who ran away.

Tate told police he shot at whoever was closest to him. He continued to tell police that he was worried the men were going to pull a gun on him, so he continued firing when the men took cover behind the gummies counter. He said he remembered trying to get the men out of the store but did not stop shooting until he saw Smith fall down outside the store.

Police said Tate said he did not see any weapons on the men during that entire time. Court documents never mention a second gun being found at the scene.

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After the shooting, Tate went back behind the cashiers station and called 911. Police said he had a legally registered gun and a valid concealed carry permit.

He faces a charge of criminal homicide and aggravated assault.

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PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Police need help to track down an alleged thief at Weis Market.

Surveillance video caught a suspect who broke into Weis Market on North River Street.

Police say the burglar smashed a front window and made their way into the store Saturday shortly after 4:00 a.m.

Police investigating after man was shot twice

The intruder filled up a bag with candy and may have taken other items.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the Plains Township Police Department or message them on their Facebook page.

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Planes dropped aid from European countries and beyond into Gaza on Saturday, though both aid groups and Palestinians say changes have been only incremental.

The aid comes from a coalition of Jordan-led nations, including Germany, France and Spain. To circumvent restrictions on aid trucks crossing overland into Gaza, they have orchestrated parcels being dropped from the skies.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the first French aid drop of several tonnes of food was carried out on Friday and that more would continue over the weekend.

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Spain reportedly dropped 12 tonnes of aid deployed in 24 parachutes. This is enough for around 11,000 people, according to Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.

Germany said 14 tonnes of food and medical aid was dropped off by plane, but German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul said that sufficient quantities of relief supplies can only be provided to the people by land.

Both Italy and the Netherlands are set to begin airdropping aid into Gaza next week, according to the countrys governments.

We expect Israel to do more to enable humanitarian aid via land routes and to fully honour its humanitarian agreements with the EU, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told the Dutch parliament. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must end.

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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had given the green light to military forces for the transport and airdrop of basic necessities to civilians in Gaza, who have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict.

Hunger has grown in Gaza during the past 22 months of war between Israel and Hamas because of aid restrictions, humanitarian workers warn. Experts say the worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza.

Naima Abu Ful poses for a photo with her 2-year-old malnourished child, Yazan, at their home in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. - AP Photo

Israel enforced a complete blockade on food and other supplies for two and a half months beginning in March.

It said its objective was to increase pressure on Hamas to release dozens of hostages it has held since its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

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Though the flow of aid resumed in May, the amount is a fraction of what aid organizations say is needed.

Situation on the ground

At least 18 people were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza on Saturday, according to local hospitals. Eight of these people were reportedly aid seekers.

Near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site, Yahia Youssef, who had come to seek aid Saturday morning, described a panicked scene now grimly familiar.

After helping carry out three people wounded by gunshots, he said he looked around and saw many others lying on the ground bleeding.

Its the same daily episode, Youssef said.

In response to questions about several eyewitness accounts of violence at the northernmost of the Israeli-backed American contractors four sites, the GHF media office said nothing (happened) at or near our sites.

A Palestinian is carried after being wounded while trying to reach trucks carrying humanitarian aid en route to Gaza City, in the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip - AP Photo

The groups efforts to deliver aid to Gaza has been marred by violence and controversy. However, Israel and the GHF have said they have only fired warning shots and that the death toll of aid seekers has been exaggerated.

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An Israeli strike also hit a family house in an area between the towns of Zawaida and Deir al-Balah, killing two parents and their three children, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

Another strike hit a tent close to the gate of a closed prison where the displaced have sheltered in Khan Younis, killing a mother and her daughter, they said.

Israel's military did not immediately respond to questions about the strikes or deaths near the aid sites.

Related

Hostage's families protest to end war

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and their supporters protested in Tel Aviv and urged their government to push harder for the release of their loved ones.

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US President Donald Trumps special envoy to the region Steve Witkoff joined them a day after visiting Gaza.

Families of hostages protest, demanding the release from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, at the plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Aug. 2, - AP Photo

Of the 251 hostages who were abducted when Hamas led an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, around 20 are believed to be alive in Gaza.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

A subsequent Israeli offensive has to date killed over 60,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry whose figure does not distinguish between fighters and civilians.

The Israeli military says almost 900 of its soldiers have died since the start of the war.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD  On this To The Point, more than a year from the primary, well talk with two more candidates for governor.

U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, is seeking the Republican nomination and tells us,

Michigan used to be the destination for people to come for a better life, but now, as my wife and I are looking forward at our childrens futures, planning college funds and things of that nature, we see a new generation having to leave Michigan to find it. Its supported by the data. Michigan is 49th out of 50 in population growth. Thats wrong, he said.

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And former Attorney General Mike Cox, another Republican, is also seeking the nomination.

Weve got to do something different here in Michigan for our economy, for job creation, and as we were talking about off camera, our education system has been spiraling. My granddaughters in Mississippi get a better education in Hernando, Mississippi, than the kids in my neighborhood in Lavonia, Michigan, and weve got to fix that now, he said.

Introducing the candidates as we gear up for a big election cycle in 2026 on this To The Point episode for the weekend of Aug. 2.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Poland will extend temporary border controls with Germany until October 4, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski announced on Sunday, according to the PAP news agency.

The checks, initially set to expire on August 5, had been widely expected to be prolonged.

Poland's centrist government introduced the controls on July 7 in response to ongoing German checks aimed at curbing irregular migration. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has linked the removal of the controls to potential changes in German border policy.

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Germany began conducting random checks along the Polish border in October 2023 and intensified them after the conservative government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May. Berlin has also authorized turning back asylum seekers at the border.

Tusk's government in Warsaw has faced mounting pressure from right-wing vigilante groups patrolling the border area in search of undocumented migrants.
Poland will extend temporary border controls with Germany until October 4, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski announced on Sunday, according to the PAP news agency.

The checks, initially due to expire on August 5, had been widely expected to continue. They were introduced on July 7 in response to ongoing German controls aimed at curbing irregular migration. Border checks with Lithuania will also remain in place.

Kierwinski said the extension had been notified to the European Commission and communicated to neighbouring EU countries. Our European partners fully understand the decision, he was quoted as saying. A further assessment of the measures will be made in September based on data from border guards, the military and police.

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When asked to comment on Poland's move, a spokesman for the German Interior Ministry referred to earlier statements by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who had previously welcomed the Polish checks as an "important step in the joint effort to combat illegal migration."

The Polish government argues that the stepped-up controls have been effective. Since their introduction, Poland has reported a 98% coverage of its borders.

Germany began conducting random checks at the Polish border in October 2023 and intensified them after Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative government took office in May. Dobrindt also authorized the return of asylum seekers at the border, prompting a response from Warsaw.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has linked the lifting of Polands border checks to possible changes in German policy.

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Tusks centrist government has also come under pressure from right-wing vigilante groups who patrol near the border and accuse Germany of pushing back migrants who never previously entered Poland.

According to the Polish Interior Ministry, from July 7 to 30, authorities checked more than 243,000 people and 110,000 vehicles at the German border. Entry was denied to 105 individuals. During the same period, Poland accepted 72 people returned by Germany and rejected two others; it also returned six migrants to Germany.
The grooming gang scandal will repeat itself if police do not share the immigration status or ethnicity of dangerous suspects, the Tories have warned.

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, issued the warning after police were accused of covering up an alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl by Afghan asylum seekers.

Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was charged last week with the rape of the girl in Nuneaton, while Mohammad Kabir, 23, was charged with kidnap and strangulation.

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Warwickshire Police reportedly advised local councillors and officials not to reveal the asylum-seeker background of the two suspects, for fear of inflaming community tensions.

Mr Philp told the Daily Mail: The police must be open about who is committing these alleged offences, and not try to hide it.

Otherwise, we risk a repeat of the rape gang scandal where horrendous crimes were covered up because of the identity of the perpetrators.

I also call on the Government to ensure that the immigration status and nationality of all offenders is published for each crime, and as quarterly totals. The public rightly expect complete honesty.

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George Finch, the Reform UK leader of the county council, said in a letter to the forces chief constable: The continued cover-up of the true nature of Ahmad Mulakhils immigration status risks public disorder breaking out on the streets of Warwickshire.

The same detail has been covered up today concerning Mohammed Kabir. I am disgusted that one year on from the social unrest that we saw in parts of the UK in 2024, the Home Office and police have clearly not learnt any lessons from the handling of similar incidents last year.

I strongly believe that the only risk to public order from this case in Warwickshire comes from the cover-up itself.

George Finch, the Reform UK leader of the county council, has written to Warwickshire Police and the Home Secretary over the case - Andrew Fox

Warwickshire Police has not denied reports that Mr Mulakhil and Mr Kabir are asylum seekers.

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The pair have appeared at Coventry magistrates court and were both remanded in custody until an appearance at Warwick Crown Court on Aug 26.

It comes after protests outside a migrant hotel in Epping, Essex, after it emerged an asylum seeker staying there had been charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

One man, from Warwickshire, told the Mail on Sunday: Theyre hushing it up because they dont want an Epping situation on their hands.

In a statement, the force said that once someone is charged with an offence, they follow national guidance, which does not include sharing ethnicity or immigration status.

Farage: Police acting against British people

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, which runs Warwickshire county council, said: I am afraid police and elected officials are acting against the British people.

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In Mr Finchs letter, which was also sent to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, he claimed the councils chief executive told him Mr Kabir was an asylum seeker.

He said: Residents can see they have not been told the full story. If these accusations turn out to be true, it indicates that organised crime centring around the abuse of young girls is present in Warwickshire. This is unacceptable.

He also called for all asylum seekers living in houses of multiple occupation (HMO) in Warwickshire to be rehoused.

Mr Finch said: Our community has had enough of the Home Office breaking planning regulations to turn sections of local communities into unrecognisable, ghetto-like areas.

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Having my ear to the ground locally, it is clear that there is much appetite for protests to take place across the county.

Let me be clear, I do not want to see protests taking place outside migrant hotels and HMOs in Warwickshire. Nor do I want to see any form of violent disorder.

The victim is said to be receiving specialist care after the attack.

Mr Mulakhil, who reportedly crossed the Channel on a small boat, is said to have raped the victim in the Cheverel Street area of Nuneaton, between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on July 22.

The Mail on Sunday published CCTV footage from a residents house near the street, which appears to show a man walking with the girl. The pair walked past the property at 8pm.

Accused pair lived on adjoining streets

Warwickshire Police said Mr Mulakhil was arrested four days after the incident, and charged the following day.

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He appeared before Coventry magistrates court on Monday charged with two counts of vaginal and oral rape of the victim.

Kabir was arrested on Thursday, and charged with aiding and abetting rape of the 12-year-old, as well as strangulation and kidnap. He appeared before Coventry magistrates court on Saturday.

Warwickshire Police said in a statement: At this stage, we do not believe there to be anyone else involved but we continue to appeal for witnesses who were in the Cheverel Street area between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Tuesday 22 July and who saw anything of interest to please come forward.

The Mail on Sunday said Mr Mulakhil and Mr Kabir lived in two tax-payer-funded rented houses about 70 yards from each other on adjoining streets.

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Both properties are managed by Serco, which has accommodated about five asylum seekers in each house. Serco has a 1.9bn contract with the Home Office to house asylum seekers across the country.

When the paper contacted the owner of the property in which Mr Mulakhil lived, she said she was sickened to the stomach when hearing about the incident.

She said: I dont know anything because Serco manage the house completely.

Serco said in a statement: We do not confirm individual addresses, nor the names of people in properties we manage.

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Simi Valley police are investigating a late-night assault involving multiple juveniles that took place early Friday in a movie theater parking lot and has since drawn widespread attention on social media.

Officers responded just after midnight on Aug. 1 to the Regal Cinemas parking lot at 2751 Tapo Canyon Road following a report of a physical altercation.

According to the Simi Valley Police Department, several juveniles were involved in the incident. One adult victim was located at the scene and sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening, police said.

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Videos of the incident began circulating online shortly afterward, prompting community concern. Some social media users, including at least one Facebook commenter, have described the incident as a horrific anti-Black racist hate crime.

1 teen killed, 2 injured in Coachella shooting, officials say

The police department said it is reviewing those videos as part of its investigation, but has not yet determined what initiated the altercation or whether the incident will be classified as a hate crime.

Anyone with video evidence or information is encouraged to contact Officer Juarez at 805-217-7905.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  Police say one person has died after a shooting with multiple victims at a Warren convenience store over the weekend.

Read next: Fugitive of the Week could be in Youngstown or Cleveland

Police officers and detectives responded to the Convenient Food Mart in the 1400 block of Elm Road around 5:20 a.m. for a report of several gunshot victims.

According to a police officer who was on the scene of a different shooting on Scott Street at the time, he heard six gunshots, followed by about 20 more.

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Two male victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. One was shot several times in the chest and the other was shot in both legs, according to a police report.

Police said one of them died from their injuries.

Read next: Warren police respond to multiple shootings over the weekend

Our news crew on the scene could see shell casings in the street and over 50 evidence markers in the area. The store also had a broken window.

There was caution tape around the store, and part of the intersection of Larchmont and Elm was taped off as well.

If anyone has information regarding this shooting, theyre asked to contact Det. Nicole Smith at 330-841-2684.

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Andrew Peterson and Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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Police investigation underway in Fitchburg

A police investigation is underway in Fitchburg on Sunday morning.

Neighbors say they heard gunshots during the night and woke up to police on Mechanic St.

A large police presence was seen throughout the morning with officers going in and out of a home.

#NOW An investigation is underway in Fitchburg. Deceives are on Mechanic St. and crime scene tape is blocking off a good portion of the street. Im told police have been here for hours. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/kLlV8NUBUj  Alyssa Azzara (@alyssaazzaraTV) August 3, 2025

Boston 25 News reporter Alyssa Azzara saw a car being towed from the scene.

Boston 25 has reached out to Fitchburg Police and the Worcester County District Attorneys Office for more information.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The actor has appeared in several Marvel projects in the past, including the 'Avengers' films, 'Thor: Ragnarok,' and 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.'

On Friday, Sony Pictures dropped a teaser video of what appeared to be a new Spidey suit in the upcoming fourth instalment. The 8-second-long video opens with close-up glimpses of the new suit, with visible raised black webbing against a sharp red cover, something that strongly resembles the classic red-and-blue costume from the Marvel comics.

It also shows a faint, black spider design. "Something brand new is coming... #SpiderManDay," the makers wrote alongside the video.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM0DKVwxxaj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The teaser was unveiled on August 1, which is also touted as National Spider-Man Day, leaving fans enthusiastic and eager for further developments.'Spider-Man: No Way Home,' which came out in 2021, featured a quick shot of Tom Holland swinging through NYC in the new suit with the red-and-blue combination from the comics.

However, fans will have to wait for another year as 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' is lined up for release in 2026. While Tom Holland is returning as the "friendly neighbourhood" Spider-Man, stars like Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will also reprise their roles as Peter Parker's girlfriend and best friend, respectively.

Sadie Sink has also joined the cast for a new secret role.

Details about the film's plot have been kept under wraps.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the fourth 'Spider-Man' film will be released on July 31, 2026. (ANI)
Police looking for info on cold case murder victim with ties to Eastland County

EASTLAND COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A $6,000 reward is now being offered in a cold case murder with ties to Eastland County.

The reward is for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the death of 37-year-old Courtney Allan Sholar.

Sholar was last seen on June 29, 2019, in Ranger, after just returning from a trip while driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck.

At that time, he was in the process of moving from Ranger to Oklahoma. On May 16, 2024almost five years laterhis body was discovered in a rural area of Eastland County.

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Sholar, who was known to many as Opie, had worked various oil field jobs in the area. He had deep ties to the local oil industry and the surrounding community.

The murder of Sholar is still actively being investigated by the Texas Rangers and the Eastland County Sheriffs Office. Investigators have conducted DNA testing and interviewed several witnesses. However, they believe there are still individuals who have information about what happened to Sholar.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-8477.

Tips can also be submitted online through the Texas DPS website by selecting Cold Cases Featured and Cold Case.

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Police are looking to identify a person of interest related to Fridays shooting in Downtown Pittsburgh that left two people injured.

Pittsburgh police shared photos of a man on social media Sunday, asking for the publics help in identifying him.

Anyone with information is asked to call (412) 323-7161.

The shooting happened in the area of Penn Avenue and Garrison Place around 4:20 p.m.

>>> PHOTOS: Police respond to shooting in Downtown Pittsburgh <<<

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A man was shot in the arm and leg, and a woman was shot in the leg. Both were taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Police said Friday that two people had been detained for questioning but were not in custody. They added that there is no active threat to the community.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Providence police are investigating after a man reported he was assaulted and robbed early Saturday morning.

Anthony Vega, a spokesperson for the Providence Police Department, said officers were called to Tockwotton and Bridge Streets just before 3:30 a.m. for reports of a robbery.

The man, 24, told police he was beaten up by six men and they took his three gold chains and a gold bracelet before running away.

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Nobody is in custody at this time.

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Police found several snakes, reptiles, and a hedgehog dead in an abandoned storage unit.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police were called to a storage unit in Mayfield Heights, Ohio on July 11.

Management at a storage unit facility entered the unit because the tenant was two months past due, CBS-affiliate WOIO reported.

Management then discovered all the reptiles.

Management told police the suspect, Erwin Lawery, purchased the unit in April using an online account.

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Management had last spoken to Lawery on June 27.

Officers found a large glass aquarium with a malnourished lizard inside, several turtles in a plastic storage tub, more lizards in other containers, and snakes in containers.

Police said there was also a dead hedgehog in a storage bin and several dead snakes in another container.

It should be noted that storage locker [redacted] is a 10 X 10 enclosure that is not separately climate controlled," the report said.

The Herps Alive Foundation responded to the scene to take the reptiles.

While police were on scene, the storage unit management made contact with Lawery and told him some of the animals were dead.

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Officers overheard Lawery respond, I dont care about which ones are dead.

Lawery faces 16 counts of cruelty to animals, and a warrant was filed for his arrest.

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By Joshua McElwee

ROME (Reuters) -Pope Leo celebrated the largest event yet of his nearly three-month tenure on Sunday, encouraging a crowd of more than a million Catholic young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Rome to spread their faith.

Amid shouts of "Viva il Papa" (Long live the Pope) from young people dressed in colourful t-shirts and waving national flags at the Tor Vergata field, Leo led a Mass that capped a special week of events meant to energise Catholic youth.

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"Dear young people ... spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith to everyone you meet," the pope said during his sermon for the event.

Leo also lamented the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine in an appeal at the end of the Mass, and called on the youths to help create a better world.

"We are with the young people of Gaza, we are with the young people of Ukraine," the pontiff said.

"My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible," he said. "A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue."

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Many of the youths attending the event spent the night outside in the field, to be ready for the pope's arrival at 7:45 a.m. (0545 GMT) in advance of heat expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) later on Sunday.

"It's amazing to see just how big the world church is, and how many people are here ... and (are) on fire to see the pope," said Rita Piendl, 19, who came from Germany.

"We want to truly spread hope and love to the world and we really want to make a difference for the better."

The Catholic Church, which numbers more than 1.4 billion members globally, has grown slightly in recent years but has experienced sliding adherence in Europe.

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Sunday's Mass was part of a week-long series of events in Rome for Catholic youth, tied to the ongoing Catholic Holy Year.

Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, was elected on May 8 by the world's cardinals to replace the late Pope Francis.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Additional reporting by Veronica Altimari and Roberto Mignucci;Editing by Helen Popper)
When one door closes, another opens  and that is certainly the case for a beloved Italian restaurant in San Luis Obispo County.

Giuseppes Express in Pismo Beach has expanded to a fresh new spot on the same street with a new name and fresh offerings.

Now known as Giuseppes Italian American Club, the place has a full bar, distillery, deli, gelato shop and restaurant all in the new space at 801 Price St.

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The new spot, which opened last Thursday, is next door to Giuseppes Cucina Rustica at 891 Price St.  a feat that management said helps the two eateries share ingredients.

Breads, pizza dough, sauce and pasta are all made onsite at the Italian American Club and are then easy to cart over to the restaurant when needed.

Giuseppe's Italian American Club is open on Price Street. The new restaurant includes a deli, gelato shop, wine room, bar and distillery, seen here on July 31, 2025.

Its nice to be close by, restaurant manager Aurash Afshar told The Tribune. We definitely like being right next door to each other. Giuseppes Italian American Club is adorned in red neon signs, highlighting the full-service deli, gelato and lounge aspects of the restaurant.

A wooden bar serves its vodka that is distilled onsite, and a wine room is displayed inside a former bank vault in the corner  after all, the spot was home to three banks before Giuseppes moved in, Afshar said.

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Its really different than any place Ive been where you have a full deli plus a full lounge, Afshar said. We love the way it looks. Its very light and bright. Basically like our standard Giuseppes, but a bit more casual, which is cool.

Giuseppe's Italian American Club is open on Price Street. The new restaurant includes a deli, gelato shop, wine room, bar and distillery, seen here on July 31, 2025.

Like the standard Giuseppes Cucina Rustica, the new lounges menu still has favorites including pizzas, pastas and deli choices, with additions such as a Kobe cheeseburger and a corned beef Ruben sandwich that have been fan favorites, Afshar said.

We tried to offer things that you can't get at the restaurant next door to kind of differentiate a bit, he said. So depending on what you need, you may need to go next door for it, or we have it here.

The new deli and restaurant also has a full bar program with a fully redesigned cocktail menu, all including distilled vodka produced in-house, Afshar said.

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Italian and New World red and white wines are found on the back of Giuseppes Italian American Clubs menu, along with bubbles and half bottles. All wines are available in the wine vault for purchase.

Giuseppe's Italian American Club is open on Price Srteet. The new restaurant includes a deli, gelato shop, wine room, bar and distillery, seen here on July 31, 2025.

Its really easy for us to put in everything when you know Joe, the owner, is also putting everything in, Afshar said. Were just going to be focused on making sure that this place is running smoothly, as well as our other two restaurants as well.

For more information

Giuseppes Italian American Club at 801 Price St. is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information, visit its website or Instagram.
Blu Jam Cafes Woodland Hills location has temporarily closed following a fire that caused significant damage to the restaurants kitchen and dining area. The fire broke out on the afternoon of Aug. 1 inside the cafe, which is located at 23311 W. Mulholland Drive, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Fire crews responded to reports of heavy smoke around 4:30 p.m., and additional companies were dispatched, including units from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. No injuries were reported, but damage to the business was described as extensive.

Iconic queer bar at risk of closing over legal battle

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In a statement posted to Facebook on Thursday, Blu Jam Cafe confirmed the closure and thanked patrons for their support. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but we need time to assess and repair the space before reopening, the post read. The restaurant encouraged guests to visit its other locations during the closure.

Chef and owner Kamil Majer told KTLA that the fire may have originated from oil dripping from the kitchen hood, although the official cause is still under investigation. The restaurants insurance company is expected to conduct a separate inquiry into the incident.

Blu Jam Cafe in Woodland Hills Blu Jam Cafe in Woodland Hills

Majer expressed deep frustration and sadness over the latest setback, calling it part of a string of challenges his business has faced in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, labor strikes, rising food costs, and declining tourism.

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This location is our second best, so it will be a struggle, but I am used to struggle, he said. It has been five-plus years of hell. We had 300 employees in 2019  now we have around 70. I am truly sad and upset.

Blu Jam Cafe is a locally beloved brunch chain known for its signature crunchy French toast and organic ingredients. Its Woodland Hills outpost has long served residents in the west San Fernando Valley and nearby Calabasas. No reopening timeline has been announced.

The cafe said it will continue to provide updates through its social media channels.

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POQUOSON, Va. (WAVY)  A Poquoson man was arrested following an investigation into possession of child sexual abuse material.

The Poquoson Police Department conducted a search warrant on a residence on Volunteer Trail on Friday. They did so in conjunction with the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Virginia Attorney Generals Office Forensic Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Poquoson Police launched an investigation once they received several CyberTips through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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The execution of the search warrant resulted in the arrest of James Lindsay, 34, who was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography, 10 counts of reproduction/distribution of child pornography and 1 count of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children.

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(NewsNation)  International researchers who studied the prehistoric lineage of the modern potato have reached a surprising conclusion: The first spuds were partly derived from tomatoes 9 million years ago.

They speculate in an article published in the academic journal Cell that wild tomatoes mingled with a potato-like plant, Etuberosum, which notably did not produce nutrient-rich tubers underground. The hybrid result did, however, and thus was born an early version of the versatile, starchy potato that is prominently featured in produce aisles and restaurants today.

A potato is the child of tomato and Etuberosum, study participant Zhiyang Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences told The New York Times. We did this analysis and we found, Oh, hes a child of two plants.

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Potato cartel conspired to spike frozen potato prices: Lawsuits

The researchers studied hundreds of genomes from cultivated and wild potatoes, but scientists previously suspected a potential connection among Etuberosum, tomatoes and potatoes, based on their features.

The ability of that first hybrid organism to store nutrients and water underground is considered an evolutionary breakthrough. The tomato parent is credited with providing the genetic switch for that characteristic, even though tomatoes dont produce tubers.

Researchers say unlocking the mystery of the potatos origin could lead to the development of more resilient and disease-resistant crops.

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Dmitry Medvedev has traveled a long way from his time as Russian president, when he once stood beside then-US President Barack Obama and declared that the solution of many world problems depends on the joint will of the United States and Russia.

This week, in his semi-official role as Kremlin attack dog, Medvedev twice suggested that the administration of President Donald Trump was pushing the US and Russia towards war and warned of Russias nuclear capabilities, after Trump suggested he would apply new sanctions on Russia.

While Medvedev is the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, he wields no executive power. But his provocative comments this week still made a splash.

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Medvedev said on Telegram Thursday that Trump should picture the apocalyptic television series The Walking Dead, and referred to the Soviet capacity for launching automatic nuclear strikes.

The US president responded Friday by ordering two nuclear submarines to move to the appropriate regions.

The skirmish comes after Trump set a new deadline for Putin to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, threatening US sanctions if a ceasefire was not agreed upon  an ultimatum that the Kremlin is unlikely to heed.

Medvedev cuts a different figure today than when he became Russian president at the age of 42. He was qualified as a lawyer with no connections to the security services, unlike current leader Vladimir Putin, a former KGB agent. Comfortable with the internet  again, unlike Putin  he was eager to modernize Russias economy and tackle corruption.

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But his presidency was seen as a stop-gap, a way for Putin to side-step constitutional limits and retain power.

Since stepping down as president in 2012 to allow Putin to return to the post, Medvedev has transformed himself from a relatively liberal technocrat into an uber-nationalist, taunting Russias adversaries with provocative social media posts.

Just compare what he said in a CNN interview in 2009  that Russia needed to have good, developed relations with the West in all senses of the word, to this comment in May: Regarding Trumps words about Putin playing with fire and really bad things happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing  WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!

That shift appears to have begun following his presidency, when Medvedev began repositioning himself in an effort to retain the confidence of the ruling United Russia party.

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In 2012, he told lawmakers: They often tell me, Youre a liberal. I can tell you frankly: I have never had liberal convictions.

As president, Medvedev had told CNN that the level of corruption is categorically unacceptable. But later, when prime minister, he was the target of an investigation by opposition figure Alexei Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation that claimed he had amassed a corruption empire of lavish properties, luxury yachts, and vineyards across Russia.

Medvedevs spokeswoman, Natalya Timakova, dismissed the investigation, which quickly garnered 14 million views on YouTube, as a propagandistic outburst, but Medvedev became a target of street protests.

In 2020, he abruptly resigned as prime minister as Putin embarked on a constitutional overhaul to cement his grip on power.

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Since then, from his seat on the Security Council, he has launched a stream of xenophobic and offensive attacks on Ukrainians and Western leaders. Medvedev has 1.7 million subscribers on Telegram, as well as Russian and English X accounts with a total of nearly 7 million followers.

After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Medvedev referred to Kyivs leadership as cockroaches breeding in a jar.

In a speech earlier this year, Medvedev featured an image depicting Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Muppets and urged the destruction of the Kyiv neo-Nazi regime.

He frequently conjures up the specter of Nazism, saying this year that new German chancellor Friedrich Merz had suggested a strike on the Crimean Bridge. Think twice, Nazi!

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And hes not afraid of rattling the nuclear saber, saying in 2022 that the idea of punishing a country that has one of the largest nuclear capabilities is absurd and potentially poses a threat to the existence of humanity.

Medvedev also rejoices in ad hominem attacks. Last month he taunted Trump with a social media post warning: Dont go down the Sleepy Joe road, a reference to Trumps own description of former President Joe Biden.

Despite his outlandish rhetoric, Medvedev has played a calculated role in the Kremlins messaging, according to analysts.

The Institute for the Study of War says he is used to amplify inflammatory rhetoric designed to stoke panic and fear among Western decision-makers, as part of a top-down, concerted Kremlin informational strategy.

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But commentators say he should not be taken literally.

Referring to this weeks back and forth, Anatol Lieven at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft described both Medvedevs remarks and Trumps response as pure theatrics.

Having refrained from the use of nuclear weapons over the past three years, Russia is obviously not going to launch them in response to a new round of US sanctions, Lieven said.

At that news conference with Obama back in 2009, Medvedev was a confident, freshly minted president who saw himself as much more than a placeholder for Putin. He said that day: We do have the major nuclear arsenals and we have full responsibility for those arsenals.

Sixteen years later, he has the freedom of the provocateur.

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The Indian National Congress reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional values and democratic principles during a National Conclave on "Constitutional Challenges: Perspectives and Pathways" held on Saturday in New Delhi. Speaking at the event, Chairman of the AICC Media and Publicity Department, Pawan Khera, stated that "more than freedom, how we got freedom is of far greater importance," underlining the legacy of the independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and its relevance in contemporary politics. According to an official statement by the AICC's Law, Human Rights and RTI Department, Khera said that just as the Congress once questioned colonial rule, it is now questioning those in power, noting that "the struggle has become more intense in today's world and polity." According to the release, former Chief Minister of Puducherry V Narayanasamy shared his experience of alleged interference by then Lieutenant Governor Kiren Bedi, who interfered in various actions of the state. He cited the example of her interference in the appointments of officers. He vehemently rejected the very idea of the BJP government undermining federalism and noted how Governors are creating trouble for the states on the behest of the BJP government. According to an official statement, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda described the Constitution as a living document that reflects the aspirations of the Indian people. He said the Congress is not just a political party but a movement rooted in ancient Indian values of fraternity, equality, and justice. Hooda also highlighted the pivotal role played by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in shaping India's Constitution and democratic polity. Speaking in his concluding remarks, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Chairman, Law, Human Rights and Law, described "the Constitution as both a map and mirror. It shows the path, and it also shows us who we are." Strongly underlining the role of the Indian National Congress as an "architect, custodian and trustee of the Constitution", Singhvi said that "it was the party that birthed the Constitution of India. Singhvi said that "today we stand at a precipice where Democracy in danger". Recounting the attacks on Democracy, he said that "Parliament, the temple of Democracy, has been reduced to a formality. Dissent is silenced. Scrutiny is throttled, Federalism is being hollowed out, and investigative agencies have become satta ke sevak." "This is not governance in the service of the people, it is power wielded in utter contempt. They proclaim "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" but foster a culture of exclusion. This regime is a carefully curated theatre of Democracy, hiding a culture of exclusion", Singhvi said. In his closing remarks, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D K Shivakumar, said that "Congress's history is the country's history, Gandhi family has kept the Congress Party united, and the Congress Party has kept the Country united," as per the release. Recalling the sacrifice of Sonia Gandhi in 2004, he said that "this is a time for sacrifice for our nation, our Constitution and our Democracy." Reiterating Rahul Gandhi's proposal of setting up a Legal Bank on the lines of Blood Banks in hospitals, he exhorted that the Congress legal department should implement such an initiative in every assembly segment across the country, according to the release. (ANI)
Princeton man killed in motorcycle crash; authorities investigating originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A 27-year-old man was killed when he crashed his motorcycle in central Minnesota Thursday night.

According to the Sherburne County Sheriffs Office, the crash occurred at around 11:15 p.m. at 146th Street and 285th Avenue Northwest near Princeton.

Witnesses reportedly saw the driver traveling at a high rate of speed just before the crash. Investigators also found a helmet in the roadway near the crash scene.

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The driver has been identified as Andrew R. Steadman, 27, of Princeton.

Officials are investigating the crash.

Pixabay

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fearing Zionism could die among Democrats, many party leaders are explicitly breaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try to stop anti-Israel attitudes from becoming a litmus test for next years midterms and the 2028 presidential primaries.

But privately, several tell CNN, they worry it may be too late.

Last weeks failed resolution to block new arms sales to Israel, supported by a record number of Senate Democrats, was just the start. A new letter to recognize a Palestinian state is gaining signatures in the House. Devoted allies of Israel are speaking out against its government, brushing off whatever texts and phone calls theyve been getting from the dwindling number of party voters or donors still standing steadfast behind Israeli actions in Gaza nearly two years after Hamas October 7, 2023, attack.

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Its no longer just the far left rejecting Netanyahus years of identifying more with Republicans. There is also a bitter backlash among many Democratic politicians, who have felt bullied by the Israeli government and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group, and theres revulsion over the images of starvation and dying children.

We can disagree about a lot of things in the foreign policy space, but theres no room to tolerate mass starvation, said Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is Jewish and widely seen as one of the partys future leaders in the Senate. Schatz argues theres a conflation of opposing the Israeli government and opposing Israels right to exist that he calls ridiculous and an intentional strategy meant to distract.

I think theres a recognition that Netanyahu is making Israel and Israelis and Jews unsafe all over the world, Schatz said. More and more of us are saying so and voting accordingly.

US Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents a moderate district in New Jersey with a significant Jewish population and is now the Democratic nominee for governor in a traditionally blue state where Trump ran stronger than expected, said she has sensed a clear shift among voters.

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We are seeing more and more people coming to: October 7 was horrific, the hostages need to be released, Israel has a right to exist, Netanyahu has been a really bad actor in this space, the starvation of people in Gaza is unacceptable, the idea that in rooting out Hamas youre going to kill hundreds and hundreds of innocent children and families is not the way the United States conducts their support of their allies, Sherrill told CNN in an interview last week. So Netanyahu has to be held accountable.

And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee and is considering his own presidential run, said after how he saw the Israel conflict resonate on the trail last year, itll still be an issue for 2028.

As for what comes next, Walz said, People are going to have the conviction of how they talk about it.

When Netanyahu visited Capitol Hill during a trip to Washington in July, only a handful of Democratic senators participated in a bipartisan photo with him. Among those was New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, an adamant defender of Israel who was mocked on social media for seeming to stand in a way that his face couldnt be seen in the shot.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Sen. Cory Booker, right, on July 9, 2025, in Washington. - Samuel Corum/Sipa USA

Booker, who has been raising money ahead of another potential presidential run, told CNN that was just about a bad angle and he stood where the photographer directed. He said he agrees in being critical of Netanyahu, but you cannot demand, negotiate, work towards a resolution of the conflict if you are not having conversations with the principal players that are doing those things.

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Leaders of multiple Jewish and pro-Israel groups told CNN privately that they have grimly determined their best and most practical approach is to see what Israelis do in elections next year.

But critics have tried in vain for parts of four decades to wait out Israels longest-serving prime minister, a conservative who has stymied Democratic presidents going back to Bill Clinton. Netanyahu rejects the creation of a Palestinian state and has claimed there is no starvation in Gaza, even as his government has been under international pressure to permit the distribution of more aid.

And there are still top Democrats who will stand with Netanyahu or at least limit the distance they keep from him.

Asked whether they were ready to break with Netanyahu, an aide to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries pointed to recent statements decrying violence and calling for humanitarian aid. An aide to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer did not respond.

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The traditional AIPAC-funded trip of House Democratic freshmen to Israel, this year led by Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the former House majority leader, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California, leaves later this week. The group is expected to meet with Netanyahu while there. A Hoyer spokesperson declined to confirm details of the trip, including whether the group would meet with Netanyahu.

The rare Democrat to stick with Netanyahu in public, voicing feelings that still resonate among some voters and donors, is Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.

Thats the democratically elected leader. If you have to make a choice, Hamas or the democratically elected leader, Im always going to stand with Israel through this, Fetterman said . I saw those pictures. Obviously its appalling, heartbreaking. Many people will blame Israel for that. I only blame Hamas, and I blame Iran ultimately.

We have to balance

Zohran Mamdanis June win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary proved both that being unwilling to affirm support for Israels right to exist as a Jewish state or calling Israels conduct a genocide is not disqualifying, even in a city where Jews make up a large portion of the electorate.

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A mid-July CNN poll found just 23% of Americans saying Israels actions have been fully justified, in a 27-point drop from a poll shortly after the October 7 attacks.

The share of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults saying that the US provides too much military aid for Israel rose from 44% in March to 59%. Democratic-aligned adults under the age of 35 are particularly opposed to US military aid to Israel, with 72% saying the US is doing too much.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, known much more for the seriousness with which he approaches military matters than for chasing political trends, said he voted for a narrow rifle sales stoppage amendment to last weeks resolution to get Netanyahus attention, though we have to balance sending a message and also ensuring that strategically they can protect themselves.

Being out of the White House and either majority in Congress limits their options, Reed said, arguing Republicans have not done enough beyond President Donald Trump expressing dismay over the photos of starving children and trendsetter Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene using the word genocide.

Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on June 25, 2025. - Eric Lee/Bloomberg/Getty Images

But Reed, 75, said hes disturbed to see anti-Israel sentiment taking root anywhere, including among younger Democratic voters.

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Part of it is theyre reacting to the scenes of the violence against children, and theyre also, I think, a generation that have not, like me, literally grown up with Israel, when you saw a struggling nation that had been persecuted worse than any people on Earth start building a real democracy, Reed said.

To Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, another Democrat stoking chatter about a 2028 run, theres no ambiguity in how to talk about it.

I know our political enemies want to make people believe that if you dont support what Netanyahu is doing right now inside Gaza then you dont support Israel. We shouldnt concede that. We shouldnt operate from a position of fear, Murphy told CNN.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, also being talked about as a presidential hopeful, said his own conviction is that we always need an Israel that is able to defend itself, both for its and the United States national security, and also people shouldnt be starving in Gaza.

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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who wrote the military aid resolution but also cautioned Mamdani when they huddled last month to be more deliberate about making clear he wasnt anti-Israel or antisemitic, told CNN he thinks his colleagues risk losing an authentic connection to voters if they dont rapidly change what theyre doing and saying on Israel.

Asked whether that risked Democrats being seen as anti-Israel, Sanders pointed out that he is Jewish himself and decades ago lived in Israel for a few months.

To be anti-Netanyahu, anti-a-right-wing-racist-extremist government, thats anti-Israeli government, Sanders said. If youre against Trump, youre not against America.

Rahm Emanuel, whose middle name is literally Israel, recalled Netanyahu calling him a self-hating Jew when he was President Barack Obamas chief of staff.

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Devoted Obama supporters raged at what they perceived as disrespect, especially as Obama approved aid increases, including for the missile defense system known as the Iron Dome. In 2015, Netanyahu broke protocol to go around Obama and address a joint session of Congress to blast the Iran nuclear deal the president was pursuing. By 2016, he was building up a supportive relationship with Trump, which eventually had him talking up the Republican just days before the close 2020 election.

Netanyahu cleaved close to Trump to the point of hesitating to condemn the presidents some very fine people on both sides comment following the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Last month, Netanyahu accepted an interview with a MAGA-friendly podcast and when asked about Mamdanis position on Israel, responded first by talking about the candidates past support of defund the police, a favorite Trump topic.

He made a conscious decision to position Israel as a partisan political issue. Everybody warned him it was a mistake, said Emanuel, a CNN contributor. As always, he thought he was the only smart guy in the room.

Now Emanuel is considering a presidential run of his own. Asked whether he worried Israel support would be a litmus test, he said, I dont believe you can say where things will be in two or three years, but if we dont change course, you can see where this road leads.

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Leaders of multiple Jewish and pro-Israel groups told CNN privately that they have grimly determined their best and most practical approach is essentially to quietly wait out the trauma and hope the politics turns. Theres another Israeli election next year, and while Netanyahu is now in a minority coalition, he has been counted out before.

To the extent that Democrats are increasingly voicing their concern and disapproval on the situation in Gaza, this is largely aligned with where the vast majority of Jewish Americans are as well, said Halie Soifer, the CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, a group formed in the aftermath of Trumps comments about Charlottesville and which she said has seen a massive increase in its membership since his second inauguration.

The party still faces deep divides

Many American Jewish voters last year were driven toward Republicans by a mix of feelings that Democratic leaders were not pro-Israel enough and that they had been too accepting as some anti-Israel protests tipped into antisemitism. That was with Joe Biden in the White House, a president who was unabashedly Zionist and who in retrospect, several Democratic leaders say, should be seen as having staved off how much worse the humanitarian crisis has gotten since he left office.

President Joe Biden joins Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Bidens actions and comments also fueled the Uncommitted movement and protesters who regularly interrupted his events last year, arguing that the same positions that others deemed insufficiently pro-Israel were in fact overly pro-Israel.

By November, Kamala Harris campaign had been tied into knots trying to satisfy all the factions. The widespread disappointment helped fuel narrow losses in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which both have large Jewish and Arab American populations, and beyond.

There are three major Democrats running Michigans open Senate seat next year: Abdul El-Sayed, who backed the Uncommitted movement and has accused Israel of genocide; state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who at a campaign event on Wednesday spoke about being a mother watching the suffering and said of Netanyahu, We cannot let this man tell us that what we are seeing with our own eyes is not what is actually happening; and US Rep. Haley Stevens, who has been praised by AIPAC for her support of Israel and described it in April as a strong ally of the United States of America, a democracy, and a beacon of hope.

Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Senate Democrats campaign arm, have expressed a preference for Stevens, who put out a statement last week calling for cooperation to get food into Gaza and Israeli hostages out.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, the first Jewish leader of his state, said that he is not convinced the issue will move voters overall. But he said there is no way to look at the policy or politics and not be incredibly sad.

Democrats have a tougher line simply because Republicans say, Were all in with Israel, so people know to either go or leave, whereas people just get angrier at Democrats, Stein said. I think you can be a Zionist and critical of the government of Israel. I dont think those things are in conflict. And the reason I think that is because thats where I am personally.

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A planned pro-Palestinian protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge has gone ahead after it was authorised by the Supreme Court just one day prior, in what organisers called a "historic" decision.

Tens of thousands turned out for the March for Humanity on Sunday despite torrential rain - with many carrying placards with messages to politicians to stop the war.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was spotted among the protesters, with other notable attendees including federal MP Ed Husic and former NSW Premier Bob Carr.

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The Sydney Harbour Bridge was last closed for a public assembly in 2023, when some 50,000 people marched over the iconic roadway for World Pride.

[Dean Lewins/EPA]

"Shame shame Israel, shame shame USA," the crowds chanted. "What do we want? Ceasefire. When do we want it? Now."

Lots of families, many with small babies, came out to support the peaceful demonstration. Alongside them, stationed across the bridge, were police officers from the riot squad.

"I know it's the other side of the world but it affects us here massively as well," says dad Alec Beville, who compares the children in Gaza to his three-year-old son Frankie. "We could be helping a lot more with aid."

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"Our government hasn't put any decent sanctions on Israel," says Zara Williams as she carries her baby, Avery, in a sling. "We [Australia] just can't do nothing while there's a forced starvation of an entire population."

Two hours into the march, attendees received a text from NSW Police that read: "In consultation with the organisers, the march needs to stop due to public safety and await further instructions."

It asked everyone on the bridge to stop walking north and turn back toward the city in a "controlled" way.

Police have estimated that 90,000 people attended Sunday's march.

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Transport for NSW told motorists to avoid the city, warning of major delays and disruptions across Sydney's road and public transport network due to the protest.

Sydney-based activist organisation Palestine Action Group lodged a notice of intention for the march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge last Sunday, in response to what it called the "atrocity" in Gaza.

Police rejected the application on the grounds that there was not enough time to prepare a traffic management plan, and warned of a potential crowd crush and other safety concerns.

In a statement the following day, NSW Premier Chris Minns said they could not allow Sydney to "descend into chaos" and would not be able to support a protest of "this scale and nature" taking place on the bridge.

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The police also made an application to the NSW Supreme Court for a prohibition order for the event, which was declined just 24 hours before the protest was due to go ahead.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Justice Belinda Rigg said safety concerns regarding the march were "well founded", but march organiser Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group had "compellingly" explained the reasons why he believed there needed to be an urgent response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

She said there was no evidence that a prohibition order would enhance public safety, and ordered the Sydney Harbour Bridge to be closed to vehicles, in addition to roads surrounding the proposed route.

The final-hour authorisation gives attendees protection under the Summary Offences Act, meaning they will not be charged for offences specifically relating to public assembly, such as blocking traffic.

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In a statement published to Instagram, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said that it was "disappointed" by the Supreme Court's decision to authorise the protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Australia has been under mounting pressure to recognise Palestinian statehood, after France, Canada and the UK all separately indicated that they would do so with conditions at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.

Speaking on ABC's 7.30 programme, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wants to see conditions met that achieve lasting security for Israel before Australia commits to recognition of a Palestinian state.

He added that he would not be pushed into the decision by other nations.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators thronged the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday to protest against Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and highlight conditions in the war-ravaged region.

Police estimated the number of participants crossing the iconic bridge in pouring rain and windy conditions at around 25,000, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) news agency reported.

Australian politicians, many of them from the ruling Labor Party, joined the march. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was among the protesters.

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Ahead of the march, police warned that they would act to counter any signs of violence.

Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales, the state in which Sydney lies, had opposed the march for fear that Australia's largest city could descend into chaos.

Former foreign minister Bob Carr, who joined the march, said in Australians "want the Netanyahu government's humanitarian blockade to stop, the starvation and the killing to end".

According to the Hamas-controlled health authorities in the coastal region, more than 60,000 people have been killed, many of them in Israeli military operations since Hamas and other organizations mounted an attack on Israeli from the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

Israel insists it is combating Hamas and seeking to release the remaining hostages seized by Hamas, while attempting to minimize civilian casualties.
FAIRMONT  Public health officials will airdrop oral rabies vaccine bait around Morgantown after an individual was bitten by a rabid raccoon on Thursday in Monongalia County.

The airdrop that covers most of Monongalia County also takes place in August, because the USDA wants to wait until animals born in the spring are old enough to eat the baits and be inoculated, Jenifer Costolo-Michael, Monongalia County Health Department environmental health program director, said. Well also ask them to specifically target the area where this raccoon was found.

The Mon Health Department reported the racoon was trapped in the New Hill Community off of Route 7 near the Meadow Ponds development. It tested positive for rabies.

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Officials began measures to ensure an outbreak of rabies didnt take place in the region.

The Monongalia County Health Department reached out to the United States Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which conducts rabies surveillance and distributes oral rabies vaccine baits by fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The Monongalia County Health Department said vaccine baits will be distributed around Morgantown on Aug. 28 and 29.

Rabies is a high priority for environmental health, Costolo-Michael said. Anytime there is an exposure, we take it very seriously.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies attacks the brain and nervous system, and ultimately causes death. The saliva of an infected animal or a bite or scratch is enough to transmit the disease.

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Early symptoms of rabies are fever, headache, general weakness and discomfort, which mirror the symptoms of other more common illnesses. However, as the disease progresses more specific symptoms emerge, such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation and a difficulty swallowing and fear of water. Death occurs within days of these symptoms.

Rabies affects the parts of the brain that control speaking, swallowing and breathing. The hypersalivation occurs because the virus thrives in saliva, and swallowing reduces the spread. Therefore, the virus forces victims to produce more saliva and spread it on its surroundings. The virus also causes throat spasms which induce a fear of water. Hydrophobia is a late stage symptom of rabies.

In the United States, its not unusual for one to two people to die annually. Among animals, there were 3,579 reported cases of rabies in the U.S. in 2022, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Post exposure care for rabies is intense and expensive. According to the CDC, a vaccine is given four times, once at first medical visit, and again on days 3, 7 and 14 after the first dose. Cost ranges between $1,200 to $6,500. Rabies immunoglobulin, a medication made up of rabies antibodies, is also part of the treatment protocol.

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Monongalia County Health Department Health Officer Dr. Brian Huggins urges area residents to make sure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. If theyre out of date, he said residents should get their pets caught up as soon as possible. Its state law to have animals on current rabies vaccines. If a pet is exposed to a rabid animal, euthanasia is sometimes necessary.

Huggins said to keep watch for any strange behavior from animals or other signs, such as foaming at the mouth or abnormal gait patterns.

If a nocturnal animal is out during the daytime, that can also be a clue, Huggins said.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Sioux Falls gym is promoting fitness while also bringing awareness to a disease that affects over seven million people across the country.

It was cooler than your typical August morning at Lake Lorraine, but the shoes still hit the walking path to raise money for the South Dakota Alzheimers Association.

I think the overall goal is just to bring more attention to Alzheimers and dementia as a whole. Its a really hard diagnosis of a disease. Anybody thats struggled with it knows what Im talking about and all the hurdles that come with it, organizer John Witzke said.

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Witzke is the senior director of sales at Blue Star Investments, which owns the Anytime Fitness near Lake Lorraine. The distance around the lake is about a mile, so calling the event Miles for Memories was fitting.

It works perfectly because we threw in a little bit of whoever walked the most miles today is going to get free membership for a year, Witzke said.

Everyone had their one reason for coming out to the event, but for one walker in particular, raising awareness for Alzheimers has a special meaning.

Alzheimers is very dear to my heart. Both my mother and my husband passed away from that, so a walk is a simple way of showing our support for the Alzheimers Association, walker Laura Iverson said.

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Iverson sees events like these as a necessary step in the pursuit of ending Alzheimers.

I think any support we can give them to get that cure is what we need to do, Iverson said.

And a cure is closer with every step.

If you were unable to make it but would still like to donate, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
A Queens grandma has been identified as the mystery woman who was accidentally struck in June by two grandsons of the late Teflon Don John Gotti  while the men were violently attacking her son, The Post has learned.

Cathy Gabrielli, 60, of Howard Beach, was the person allegedly trying to play peacemaker outside her 84th Street home on June 2 when the incident unfolded.

Gabrielli was seen attempting to fend off John Jr. and Frankie Gotti who had begun slugging her son, Gino, the brother-in-law of his alleged attackers.

Cathy Gabrielli apparently tried to play peacemaker during the brawl. Makeup_by_victoriaa/ Instagram

No, thank you, Im really not interested, Cathy said on Thursday when the Post asked her about both her and her sons ordeal when they had been confronted by the two Gottis.

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Gino Gabrielli, 32, told the Post that his mom was struck in the arm by one of Johns errant punches. She tried to push John off, and then he [John] hit her  and then thats when the police ran it, like ran in and broke it up.

He recalled a massive cops presence outside her home on that day. So too was the pugilist bros dad, Peter Gotti.

He was just standing there watching it, said Gino. He didnt try to stop it.

Once he and his mom pulled up in the white Mercedes-Benz SUV, the sea of blue parted and the young man said he was taking incoming.

A volley of insults were lobbed before a combination of blows.

Video showed the alleged brawl in Howard Beach. Obtained by the New York Post

John Jr. called Gino a rat, piece of st, scumbag, and Gino returned verbal fire.

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Fk you, you piece of st cksucker, he said he told the brothers. Your uncles a rat! Your whole familys [are] fking rats. And youre fking white trash!

Gino was in a daze.

I really cant remember, because it happened so fast, yeah, and I was trying to defend myself, and I got punched in the face, he said. I kind of like, you know, I was seeing stars and stuff like that.

Gino Gabrielli claimed Peter Gotti didnt try to stop the fight  while his own mom did attempt to intervene. Stefan Jeremiah

Both John, 31, and Frankie, 27, were slapped with third-degree attempted assault and harassment charges for slugging Gino Gabrielli.

They each pleaded not guilty at their arraignment and are due back in court on Aug. 7.

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The family feud was fueled by Gino, who was captured on CCTV breaching John and his sister Eleanors Jamaica home and allegedly swiping $3,000, a pair of his sisters earrings, a watch, a wallet, and belt, according to the criminal complaint.

No further information was available about Ginos case, the Queens District Attorneys office said.

Gino has denied taking anything but the cash.

And he stressed the money was only two months back rent John Jr. owed his grandfather  who, he says, rented out the place at a discount of $1,500 per month to his sister and John Jr. and their newborn daughter.

Gino also suspects John Jr. wasnt being faithful to Eleanor.

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So my sister caught him cheating with the girl from Howard Beach, he said. She threw him out, okay, and, and so he stopped paying rent to my grandfather.

He added: So, you know, it got me really, really pissed and upset, and thats why I went inside the apartment to collect the rent.

Frankie Gotti, (left), and John Gotti III seen here outside of court, William C Lopez/New York Post

But Gino also admitted to wrecking one of John Gotti brothers Rebel Tattoo parlors.

I went to Johns tattoo parlor and there was this, like, glass shelf top thingy, about like six feet high, and there was a bunch of like, like, I guess, like souvenirs in there and stuff like that. And I took it and I tossed it, and chucked it against the ground, and it shattered everywhere in front of the customers, in front of the manager, in front of the workers, and they were like, What the fk you doing? And I didnt say anything. And then I just walked out.

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Gino says beyond his grandfather allegedly getting stiffed for the Jamaica flat rent  the infamous mob descendants also allegedly slapped his father, Gino Sr., around at a Stop & Shop when he asked to spend time with his granddaughter; and was refused.

I heard about that, and I-I lost it, he said. My fathers 66-years-old. Johns 31. You know, if you have a problem with me, you confront me  not my father that did nothing wrong to you.

Who cares, attorney Gerard Marrone, who reps Frankie Gotti, said when asked about Ginos accusations.

A lawyer for John Jr. did not return a message seeking comment.
FANCY FARM, Ky.  The three high-profile Republicans gunning for longtime U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnells seat gathered under one roof this weekend alongside the man they're running to replace.

Yeah, there were some fireworks.

The annual Fancy Farm political picnic was absent of Democrats in 2025, save for John "Drew" Williams, an enthusiastic West Kentucky native running a longshot bid to unseat U.S. Rep. James Comer, who had plenty of buzz of his own.

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But it wasn't absent of drama. After months of potshots before and after they'd officially entered the race, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington businessman Nate Morris finally had a chance to trade barbs in person, with a raucous crowd cheering and jeering and McConnell joining them on stage.

It was, to sum it up, Fancy Farm. Here's a quick look at some of the highlights.

Morris vs. McConnell  and everyone else

McConnell, a Fancy Farm staple for more than 40 years, stayed above the fray on stage at the picnic. With protesters chanting "ceasefire now," he stuck to his script of ripping former President Joe Biden and Democrats and promoting his ties to President Donald Trump, who he's clashed with at times over the past decade.

But he was more pointed earlier in the day at the Graves County Republican Breakfast. While speaking to audience members, McConnell  whose planned attendance at the weekend event was not announced ahead of time  noted one candidate running to replace him has said they don't want to be like him, a clear reference to Morris.

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"I'm wondering how you'd want to be different from the longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history?" McConnell said.

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell-KY and his wife Elaine Chao and Ashley Watts, president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, at left, on the speakers' stage at the St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

Morris, who did not join Barr and Cameron in standing and applauding when speakers praised the senator throughout the day, had plenty to say in response. McConnell "helped push lawfare against President Trump," he said after arriving at the event, "blamed January 6 on President Trump and "wrote blank checks for Ukraine."

"That's how I'm going to be different," he said.

More: Who had the best zingers? Here's a round up from Fancy Farm

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Both Cameron and Barr criticized Morris for continuing to sit while McConnell was being recognized, though they took care to draw a line in the sand between their beliefs and those of the incumbent senator. But they weren't shy about coming after each other once they had the mic.

Cameron said Barr "wants you to think he's America First, but it's hard to believe him when he voted with Nancy Pelosi 1,200 times." And Morris "wants you to think he's tough, but when he was asked about his donation in the primary to Nikki Haley over Donald Trump, rather than own up to it, his first thought was to throw his wife under the bus."

U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Cameron greets supporters at the St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

In a recent interview with Spectrum TV, Morris said a contribution to Haley's 2024 primary campaign against Trump came after he "got stuck with the bill for a dinner that my wife attended" where Haley spoke.

"Nate, that's not tough talk, that's a night in the doghouse," Cameron told the crowd.

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Morris founded the waste management company Rubicon and has used his background as a "trash man" in his campaign, joking that it's time to take out the trash in Washington, D.C. and running an ad that shows him throwing away a McConnell cardboard cutout. He arrived at Fancy Farm in a garbage truck branded with his campaign logo, surrounded by supporters wearing orange vests.

More: Senate candidate Nate Morris says he's 'going to trash McConnell's legacy' at Fancy Farm

But Barr flipped that image in his speech. Morris, he said, "calls himself the trash man, but dumpster fire is more like it," as he once voiced some understanding for racial justice protesters in a 2020 letter to employees and did not rush workers back to in-person work in April 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As the rest of the crowd on the political stage stood to honor Sen. Mitch McConnell's decades in office, senate candidate Nate Morris remained seated and did not join in the applause at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

"It's been a tough couple of years for Nate," Barr joked. "His company collapsed, Nikki Haley lost the primary, Brooks Brothers stopped making his favorite COVID mask and now Trump is phasing out the penny. How in the world is anyone going to be able to buy Rubicon stock?"

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And as he roasted Gov. Andy Beshear, Barr threw in a shot at the governor's opponent in the 2023 gubernatorial campaign, conveniently on stage with him  "You know, I'd say anyone could beat (Beshear), but I wouldn't want to offend Daniel Cameron."

U.S. Representative Andy Barr speaks at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

Morris took it a step further.

He took aim at McConnell as "a senior citizen who freezes on national television during his press conferences," equating him with Biden in age and demeanor, and said his presence alongside Barr and Cameron felt like "bring your boys to work day."

Barr is "a fully owned subsidiary of Mitch McConnell," he added, and Cameron "managed to choke like a dog and lose the general election to Andy Beshear and our commonwealth in a state that Trump won by 30 points."

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Morris took by far the most boos from the crowd, a far cry from the warm reception he received at his campaign's opening rally alongside conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. McConnell spoke early in the event and had left the stage by the time the three Senate candidates spoke.

But Morris had a vocal set of supporters as well, including state Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, who donned an orange vest like the rest of his backers. He's friends with Cameron and Barr too, Hodgson said, but he's "always supported candidates that are outsiders. Disrupters break up the status quo."

One Democrat speaks up

Beshear was nowhere to be seen, due to a "scheduling conflict" that was the butt of plenty of jokes.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman made an appearance at the Democrats' annual bean supper dinner the night before the Aug. 2 picnic but did not speak or attend the event the following day. And state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, a Louisville Democrat who's currently the frontrunner for the party's nomination for Senate, didn't show either.

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Instead, it was Williams  a 32-year-old dock builder who's proud to tell you he's helped revitalize his hometown of Benton's annual Tater Day celebration  left to take the stage alone.

U.S. Representative Democrat candidate John "Drew" Williams urged for common ground between both parties at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

Some credit is due. The boos and the sea of "Comer for Congress" signs he faced didn't stop him. He told The Courier Journal he's in the race to "bring people back to the table, make sure that people are heard and their voices and concerns are heard."

"These spaces need us here and need our voices, and we're never going to get that unless we show up and we're in," Williams said.

Still, you could tell he was outnumbered. Comer shook his hand before they both spoke but later joked he didn't know his opponents name and presented him with a mock endorsement from President Joe Biden "signed by the autopen" as a show of good sportsmanship because "we know Andy Beshear won't endorse him ... and I'm pretty confident that no national leaders will come campaign for him."

Drew Williams supporters heckled the Republicans as the GOP candidates threw barbs at the Democrats during the political speeches at St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

In 2025, Fancy Farm is a Republican show. State Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, noted that hasn't always been the case in his 14 years in office and more that two decades of attending the event.

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"This year was probably the most stark contrast we've seen," Meredith said after the speeches. "When I first started coming 21 years ago, the very first time I was here, it was probably two-thirds Democrat and a third Republican. Republicans have just had electoral success, they've had success in changing party registrations in this part of the state, and it's like after years of dominance, the Democrats have decided because they're not dominant anymore (then) it's irrelevant."

Comer, Coleman and the governor's race

U.S. Rep. James Comer gestures about how the "llberal media took it on the chin" after President Donald Trump and the Republicans were elected as he speaks at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky. "But now, (the media) is on one of its newest false narratives, and that is Andy Beshear is popular in rural areas," Comer said. "Some of you are writing that Andy Beshear can help deliver rural America in 2028. Well, y'all obviously didn't grow up in rural Kentucky."

He's not on the ballot yet. But Comer is already getting plenty of buzz ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race, where a term-limited Beshear will not be on the ballot and Republicans have a strong chance to take back the governor's mansion.

Agriculture Commissioner Johnathan Shell openly told the crowd "Governor Comer" has a nice ring to it. And the congressman, who's running for reelection in 2026, did the opposite of shutting down speculation.

"The governor's race is two years away. I don't think it's any secret I'm very interested in that," he told reporters after speeches ended. "... I'm getting a lot of encouragement from people all over Kentucky, so it's something that we're looking very seriously at, but it's going to be another year before that decision."

U.S. Rep. James Comer supporters yell loudly in support during his speech at the 145th St. Jerome Catholic Church Fancy Farm Picnic Saturday August 2, 2025 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

He has an idea of who he may face in the general election if he enters the race and advances through the primary  Coleman, Beshear's lieutenant governor. She has not said what she plans to do after her time in her current role ends.

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Rocky Adkins, a former candidate and special advisor to Beshear, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate. But Comer said he doesn't believe voters in Louisville and Lexington will line up to back Adkins due to his previous support for some anti-abortion legislation and other stances more in line with conservative voters.

"Right now, Jackie Coleman's the overwhelming favorite to be the Democrat nominee for governor," Comer predicted.

Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm takeaways: Mitch McConnell, James Comer, other highlights
Neon lights illuminate the faces of roughly a dozen people sitting before machines bearing names like Quick Hit as black window coverings block the afternoon sun and the gazes of passersby.

This isnt the Las Vegas strip, a cruise ship or a casino run by one of Floridas federally recognized Native American tribes, all places where gambling is legal. Its a Lake County business nestled in a tidy retail plaza off a quiet stretch of highway just south of Leesburg.

Open for at least eight years, the establishment, called Hot Seats, is an example of how Floridas casino operators continue business despite falling outside of the state-sanctioned gambling regime and regardless of law enforcement raids.

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The arrest of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez in June for his alleged role in a massive Central Florida gambling operation has shone a light on this illegal  yet hardly secretive  industry.

Lopez, who prosecutors say first became involved in an illegal gambling scheme in August 2019 and was elected sheriff the following year, is accused of tapping the enterprise for campaign contributions and personal payments while using his office to shield it from law enforcement. Five other people, including Lopezs wife, also were arrested, but the extent of his role has not yet been publicly disclosed, sealed in an unreleased 255-page affidavit.

Much of the Lopez case centers around a now-closed Kissimmee casino called The Eclipse, in which the now-suspended sheriff allegedly played a direct ownership and operating role. But recently released court records now tie Lopez and his co-conspirators to Hot Seats and a handful of other casinos, retail complexes and a car wash, mostly located in Lake County, where investigators say group members sought to expand their operations.

Its unclear why they chose that area as their next frontier, although Lake County has a recent history of sending mixed messages about its tolerance for illegal gambling.

Shut this illegal casino down

Though most of the records furnished to defense attorneys purportedly outlining the multi-county gambling operation have not yet been released to the public, the list of gaming businesses recently filed in court offers clues to the scope of the probe.

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Those establishments include Jungle Hut and Players Club in Lake County, which have ownership structures that overlap with that of The Eclipse, according to public records. Those businesses do not appear to be open currently.

Also listed is the still-operating Hot Seats, sandwiched between a church-run thrift store and a walk-in medical clinic in a retail complex on U.S. Highway 27, south of Leesburg. Visitors must ring a doorbell for entry.

A security guard admitted an Orlando Sentinel reporter on a recent afternoon, asking only to check inside her purse. More than a dozen customers, many of them seniors, sat in a dark room filled with electronic slot machines. It was unclear whether, or how much, anyone was winning.

A second employee working at Hot Seats declined to speak to the reporter.

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As with other gambling operations, it is difficult to determine who owns or runs Hot Seats, which has no obvious connection to The Eclipse.

And like many gambling establishments, Hot Seats has been raided at least once. In 2017, the Lake County Sheriffs Office conducted a sting called Operation Jackpot, involving undercover detectives to 10 illegal casinos across the county, including Hot Seats, where the agency seized more than $20,000, according to a social media post at the time. The agency seized another $17,000 from Dreamers Arcade, another casino tied to the case against Lopez and his co-defendants.

In an interview Friday, a Lake County Sheriffs official declined to confirm or deny knowledge of Hot Seats continued operation. Hot Seats is operating under the same name and in the same location as when it was raided more than seven years ago.

Enforcing gambling laws is difficult across the state because casino operators often move their operations and open under a different name after they are raided.

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I have always said that you will never get rid of these arcades, said Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University. Its like playing Whac-A-Mole. You could go on a major bust and try to close the ones in your county and eventually they will come back.

Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione said she believes the sheriffs office has taken a very aggressive stance toward illegal gambling operations in that community, and that those businesses largely were closing through attrition or because law enforcement had shut them down.

However, in 2021, Lake County passed an ordinance that actually granted permits to up to 25 gaming businesses and required annual inspections. In effect, it allowed these businesses to operate despite running afoul of Florida law, creating confusion among the deputies assigned to enforce it, said Lake County Maj. Todd English, who oversees the agencys Investigations Division.

It wasnt until last year that commissioners voted to end the practice of county oversight. That change was prompted by issues at several of these establishments, including a shooting at one in northeast Lake, Campione said.

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We decided it was better to turn that over to law enforcement and do everything we can to dissuade a business from starting up and hopefully, over time, the businesses that exist would fade away, she said.

The countys vote also followed concerns expressed by the Florida Gaming Control Commission that the Lake ordinance conflicted with state statutes. Florida outlaws internet cafes, often linked to illegal gaming, and generally restricts the sale and use of slot machines to tribal areas as well as Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Its not clear how many of the establishments that previously had permits remain in operation.

I think the only problem that continues to exist is youre still left with what was already created, English said. As for the business owners, at the end of the day, theyre responsible for knowing whats legal and whats not and for them, as businesses, to do the right thing.

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The FGCCs law enforcement unit that focuses on illegal gambling has fielded more than a dozen complaints about Hot Seats over the past couple of years, according to records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.

Shut this illegal casino down in my area, one person wrote to the commission on June 10. This place is full of slot-type machines that are taking advantage of the elderly in the communities nearby.

Two years earlier, Commission Director of Law Enforcement Carl Herold had sent a letter to Hot Seats, saying the agency had received a tip that the business might be operating illegal slot machines.

The operation or possession of slot machines outside of a licensed facility is unlawful in the State of Florida and subject to criminal and administrative penalties, Herold wrote.

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But no further enforcement action was taken at the time due to other investigative priorities and the limited resources available, Herold wrote in an email to the Sentinel in response to questions about Hot Seats.

The gaming commission received more than 1,200 complaints last year about illegal gambling, Herold said in an interview with the Sentinel, and sometimes the commission investigates tips about illegal gambling. Other times, other law enforcement agencies take action, but local agencies often must make tough choices about investigating these types of crimes, he said.

From a law enforcement administrators perspective, you have to balance your resources against the particular communitys needs and it just depends on how they want to balance that, he said. Theres no right or wrong.

Most of the other gambling businesses mentioned in the Lopez discovery records are now closed, including Players Club, located a half mile from Hot Seats.

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Players Club was owned by Proactive Genius, a limited liability corporation tied to Krishna Deokaran, who owned The Eclipse, the Kissimmee casino allegedly protected by Lopez. Though investigators have referred to Deokaran as a co-conspirator in the Lopez case, he has not been charged with a crime. Proactive Genius was among the contributors in the early months of Lopezs 2024 re-election campaign, kicking in $1,000 in February of that year.

Common Threads

Business records make it difficult to trace who owns and operates the casinos and other entities named in the Lopez records. Many of them use an out-of-state attorneys address and include no local contact person.

But several of the establishments are registered to entities with the phrase Proactive Genius in their names. Those include a car wash across the parking lot from the former Players Club, a Lake County casino, and the entities that own strip malls that housed several casinos that were named in documents related to Lopezs case.

Other public documents tie Deokaran to several of those entities.

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His Lake County expansion irked at least one competitor, the owners of the former Dreamers Arcade in Clermont, who accused him of rigging the competition by opening a rival gameroom called The Palace in 2021. Five months later, according to a lawsuit filed by the owners of Dreamers, Deokaran purchased the plaza that housed Dreamers and began manufacturing incidents and disputes that he reported to authorities, including the gaming commission, about the arcade.

The Lake County Sheriffs Office raided Dreamers last August and the suit was resolved in Deokarans favor in January after the arcades owners ended their lease.

A corporation using the address of an Orlando home owned by Deokaran owns another retail complex mentioned in the Lopez records. That property, the Tavares Commerce Center, used to house a gambling establishment called Jungle Hut, which was raided by law enforcement earlier this year and is now closed.

anmartin@orlandosentinel.com

creyes-rios@orlandosentinel.com
Supporters of former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have rallied across the main cities of the country against the Supreme Court coup trial that could land the ex-leader in prison for years.

Protesters in Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities on Sunday carried Brazilian and the United States flags, in an apparent reference to United States President Donald Trumps support for a staunch ally.

They also held banners with Bolsonaros and Trumps pictures on them as they shouted slogans.

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Bolsonaro is accused of seeking to overturn the 2022 election won by his left-wing opponent, current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazils congress in January 2023, ransacking the chambers and attacking police, in violent scenes that evoked Trump supporters attack on the US Capitol two years before.

A Brazilian general has given evidence that the alleged plotters also wanted to assassinate leftist Lula and several other public officials.

The prosecution told the court that former army officer Bolsonaro and seven others were guilty of participating in armed criminal association and had sought to violently overthrow the democratic order.

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A coup conviction carries a sentence of up to 12 years. A conviction on that and other charges could bring decades behind bars for Bolsonaro.

The former president has repeatedly denied the allegations and asserted that he is the target of political persecution.

A witch hunt

Bolsonaro says he is the victim of political persecution, echoing Trumps defence when the US president faced criminal charges before his White House return.

Al Jazeeras Monica Yanakiew, reporting from Sao Paolo, said that protesters were thanking Trump for his support.

There are a lot of American flags here and people are saying Thank you Trump, she said.

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They are thanking President Trump for sanctioning Brazil, Yanakiew added.

Trump has slammed the trial a witch hunt and his Treasury Department has sanctioned Brazils Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in response.

Brazil has strongly criticised the US decision to impose sanctions on de Moraes.

Trump has openly admitted he is punishing Brazil for prosecuting his political ally Bolsonaro. He also signed an executive order slapping 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports, citing Bolsonaros politically motivated persecution.

Protesters gathered on the streets of Brazil on Friday to denounce Trump for the steep tariffs he imposed on the countrys exports. The demonstrations erupted in cities like Sao Paulo and Brasilia, as residents voiced their anger on the first day of Trumps latest tariff campaign.

Brazil is slated to see some of the highest US tariffs in the world. The tariff is due to enter into force on August 6.




Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday highlighted the significant contribution of Makhana production in Bihar and the continuous efforts to connect agricultural science with the farms. Addressing the gathering of farmers, officials and dignitaries in Patna, Agriculture Minister Chouhan said that Bihar is a pioneer in Makhana production. "The legacy of knowledge and industriousness of this state is incomparable. The land witnessed Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha, which gave a new direction to India's freedom struggle," he added. The Union Minister reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to make farming profitable. Over Rs. 3,77,000 crore has been transferred directly to the accounts of farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme so far. On this occasion, over Rs. 20,000 crore was deposited in the accounts of farmers, providing financial assistance to lakhs of farmer families across the country. Chouhan emphasised efforts like Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Yojana to increase agricultural productivity per hectare, especially in low productivity areas. He highlighted the significant contribution of Makhana production in Bihar and the continuous efforts to connect agricultural science with the farms. The Union Minister assured the timely and adequate availability of fertilisers and pesticides. He also informed about the efforts under various schemes to provide compensation in case of crop failure. He said that now the crops are procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), to which 50 per cent profit is added on the production cost. This reflects the farmer-centric approach of the government. Highlighting the measures for farmers' welfare, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chouhan said that with the help of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), the government is ensuring that the assistance reaches directly into the accounts of the farmers. He said, "Earlier, farmers used to get only a few pennies of Rs. 1 sent by the government, but now they receive the whole amount without any leakage." (ANI)
Last week's brutal assault in downtown Cincinnati has shaken our community. The violent incident at Fourth and Elm streets left multiple people injured and forced uncomfortable conversations about downtown safety that many have been avoiding.

Some on the right have used the incident to highlight media bias, while some on the left have claimed the problems simply don't exist. But rather than talking past each other, we should use this moment to talk with each other  not despite the fact that we disagree, but because of it.

That's why I'm hosting a town hall on Aug. 4 at Jim & Jack's with former Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman, a dedicated public servant who also spent a decade as president of the Cincinnati chapter of the NAACP.

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I've spent this week talking to victims, business owners, and concerned residents across Cincinnati. Their voices tell the story that the statistics confirm: Through July 27, 2025, 995 crimes had been reported downtown  a 53% increase from the 652 reported during the same period in 2024. A Cincinnati resident now has a 1-in-137 chance of being the victim of a violent crime, far higher than comparable cities like Newark, St. Paul and Plano. For families planning a night out, Cincinnati no longer feels like a safe place.

More: More police and more arrests expected in wake of Cincinnati brawl, mayor and chief say

Mayor Aftab Pureval speaks during a press conference on Aug. 1, 2025, at a press conference at Riverfront Park in Cincinnati.

Anti-cop culture has real-world consequences

The reasons arent a mystery. For years, we've seen increasing hostility toward law enforcement. Anti-cop culture is real. In 2018, becoming a police officer was among the top three career aspirations for children, more popular even than becoming a professional athlete. Today, law enforcement barely cracks the top ten.

This cultural shift has real-world consequences. Last year, more than 70% of law enforcement agencies reported that hiring is much harder now than five years ago. On average, departments are staffed at just 91% of their authorized levels. Cincinnati has not been spared, with almost 200 open jobs on a force of just 1,000 officers.

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When police presence is lacking, criminals run free.

Yet some local leaders seem to be in denial. Mayor Aftab Pureval claimed there's been a "significant decrease" in crime and assured reporters that the city is already "on the right track."

More: 'There are 2 sides to every story': Cincinnati grapples with image after brawl | Letters

Denial won't fix the rising crime rate in Downtown

Problems don't get solved by pretending they don't exist. They get solved through free speech, open debate, and testing ideas to figure out what works. Last September, I held a similar town hall in Springfield during their immigration crisis. That community dialogue helped us move beyond finger-pointing and toward practical solutions. I believe Cincinnati deserves the same.

A video of a fight in downtown Cincinnati, posted on July 26, circulated social media.

I've long been an advocate for free speech, but this one feels personal. I grew up in Cincinnati. Ive seen Over-the-Rhine transformed into a cultural destination and The Banks come alive with nightlife. But none of that matters if law-abiding citizens are afraid to set foot downtown after dark.

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The choice is ours. We can continue pretending that everything is fine, or we can have the honest conversations needed to restore the public safety that makes cities great. The Aug. 4 town hall  which will be livestreamed so that every resident can attend  is an opportunity to come together, to voice our opinions respectfully, even when we disagree.

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a town hall, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at Bushnell Events Center in Springfield. Ramaswamy held the town hall to discuss the nation's immigration debate and other political topics. Now the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Ohio will host a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Jim & Jack's with former Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman to discuss the July 26 violent incident in downtown Cincinnati that has made national headlines.

More: Attorney: Video shows racial slurs that 'triggered' downtown Cincinnati brawl

Here's what I know: Every parent wants their kids to be safe. Every business owner wants customers to feel secure. Every young professional wants to enjoy their city without fear. These aren't Republican or Democrat values; they're universal.

The question isn't whether we can solve Cincinnati's problems. Its whether were willing to do so. Join us on Aug. 4, online or in person. Because when we stop talking honestly about the challenges we face, violence fills the void.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ramaswamy is the Republican candidate for Ohio governor in 2026. He previously ran for president in 2024 and is a billionaire author and entrepreneur who grew up in Evendale and graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vivek Ramaswamy talks Cincinnati town hall on downtown brawl | Opinion
HANOVER, Pa. (WHTM)  Main Street Hanover is looking to honor local service members.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Hometown Heroes banner program.

Community members can sponsor a banner to recognize veterans or active service members in their lives.

I really like getting to hear the stories that people talk about, the people sponsoring and nominating, Moriah Tyler, executive director of Main Street Hanover, said. We actually have a we have a group of aunts that, every year, they sponsor their uncle and his banner gets hung up outside his apartment window downtown.

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Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices

Heroes have to be Hanover residents, property owners, local graduates, or born in the borough.

For more information, visit Main Street Hanovers 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 ABC27.
A record number of migrants are claiming asylum despite arriving in the UK with legal visas, Telegraph analysis of Home Office data shows.

Some 4,394 legal migrants who came to the UK in 2022 with visas to work or study had claimed asylum within three years of arriving.

That was almost triple the number two years previously when just 1,518 migrants with visas had claimed asylum within three years of arriving, according to the Home Office figures.

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Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, is preparing to unveil new restrictions to prevent migrants using study and work visas as a backdoor into Britains asylum system.

Being granted asylum enables migrants to stay in the UK permanently whereas work and study visas are only temporary. Rejected asylum seekers can prolong their stay  sometimes indefinitely  by making repeated appeals to frustrate their deportation.

According to the Home Office data, there were some 18,442 migrants living in the UK in 2024 who had switched from work, study or other visas and were either seeking asylum or had been granted refugee status. This was double the number a decade ago and up from a mere 151 in 2006.

Of the 18,442, one in five were Pakistani, with 3,982 of them having gone down the asylum route despite arriving with a legal visa at some point. The vast majority  3,603  had arrived as students. This was followed by Afghans (2,097), Iranians (1,685), Libyans (1,367) and Bangladeshis (1,463).

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One of the cases involved a Pakistani man who first arrived on a student visa but was granted refugee status by an immigration tribunal and allowed to stay in the UK despite being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017.

The man, now aged 53 and given anonymity by the judge, arrived in the UK in 2006 as a student. He was initially granted leave to remain only until the end of that year, but he overstayed his visa and lived in the UK illegally for 11 years.

Another Pakistani, Nadra Almas, first arrived in the UK in 2004 on a student visa, valid for five months. She was served with a removal notice in 2008 but won a 16-year legal battle to secure refugee status by claiming she was a Christian who would face persecution if deported back to Pakistan.

Under Labours plans to crack down on such abuses of the system, work and study visas will be rejected for individuals who fit the profile of someone who is judged likely to claim asylum and comes from a country with high rates of people switching to claim asylum.

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There will also be restrictions on asylum claims from individuals switching from work and study visas where conditions in their home country have not materially changed since their arrival.

Ms Cooper is also planning to introduce measures to bar migrants who came to the UK on a work or study visa from claiming taxpayer-funded accommodation.

Asylum seekers can claim accommodation and other financial support if they are destitute or likely to become destitute. However, work and study visa holders must prove they have sufficient funds to sustain themselves while in the UK.

Officials will use the bank statements submitted by visa holders as part of their initial application when deciding whether to grant them asylum accommodation. This will make it significantly harder for asylum seekers to claim free accommodation if they came to the UK on a visa.

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A Home Office source said: We need to impose further restrictions to cut the number of people applying for asylum to extend their stay because their visa has run out.

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.
Recreational fishing industry leaders are calling on President Trump to limit industrial fishing of forage fish, such as menhaden.

Forage fish, also called bait fish, serve as food for other species. In recent years, oversight of the menhaden reduction fishery in Virginia has been debated through regulation requests and ongoing court cases that sought to reduce the catch amounts. Industry fisheries at the center of the conversation, such as Reedville-based Omega Protein, have long denied that their operations create a lack of fish.

Steve Atkinson, chairman of the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association, said Virginia coasts get hammered by the overfishing. Currently, menhaden are not classified as overfished, but Atkinson said there has never been an assessment of the impacts of an industrial fishery using purse seine nets in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

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In effect, (menhaden) are the canary in the coal mine, Atkinson said. So at this point, weve had enough. It is time for strong executive action to put America first by protecting these important forage fish. Leave them in the water where they can fulfill their ecological role and protect Virginias billion-dollar recreational fishing economy.

In September, the association sent a letter to all members of the Virginia General Assembly, urging legislation that would fund research into menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay, but each time, progress on passing those bills has stalled. Atkinson said one hurdle is that many legislators may not understand the importance of menhaden and other forage fish, especially if they dont live or recreate in coastal areas of the state.

Weve been trying to get a number of things done to improve the management of this fishery, he said. Part of the problem is we have significant political donations to key people in our legislature, including our governor. We have, unfortunately, very good industry lobbyists.

Trump posted a video on the social media site Truth Social about the issue, so Atkinson and other anglers said they hope the president signs an executive order to limit industrial fishing of forage fish in federal waters. Recreational fishers associations also point to other species as victims of potential impacts of menhaden being less available. Researchers released a report earlier this summer about the status of ospreys, a predatory bird that nests in coastal Virginia. According to research from William & Mary, a lack of food could be one of the reasons that osprey nests are failing in coastal Virginia.

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If everyone would have a piece of the pie and we could all exist, then there would be a little bit more harmony, said Vinnie Calabro, owner of Karen Ann Charters and Commercial Striped Bass Fisherman. This treasured resource, these menhaden fish, wouldnt be so exploited.

Our fisheries  the tuna fishery, the striped bass fishery, the birds  theyre very dependent upon this, this very small fish that is really overlooked.

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
A recruitment drive is underway after temporary staff were brought in to manage delays to rubbish collections.

Rotherham Council has advertised new roles to boost capacity on routes after frustration from residents over missed collections.

In a public notice on the council website, it acknowledged the delays had been frustrating for residents, and thanked people for their patience while crews work to catch up.

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It said: "We know that delays to bin collections in some areas have been frustrating, and we're very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.

"We're continuing to take practical steps to resolve the issue - including bringing in and training new temporary staff to strengthen our collection teams. We also have new roles out for recruitment.

"If your bin hasn't been emptied as expected, please leave it in its usual collection place (where it is safe to do so). Our crews are working hard to catch up and will return to collect it as soon as possible."

The council has also published a searchable directory of missed collections. If a street is already listed, residents do not need to report it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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Missed bins can only be reported after 15:00 BST on the scheduled day, or the next working day.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North

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"Hamas's lie of starvation resonates around the world, while the actual systematic starvation is against our hostages who suffer brutal physical and mental abuse," he said.

The head of the regional International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Julien Lerisson, pledged that the organization would play a role as a "neutral humanitarian mediator and assist in the release of all hostages at any stage," in a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, according to a statement from the aid organization.

Netanyahu demanded that the ICRC provide food and immediate medical care to the remaining hostages in Gaza, while in the call, the Prime Minister's Office said.

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Lerrison told the prime minister that the ICRC continues to push for access to the hostages so that the organization can provide them with care and restore contact between them and their families, according to a statement from the organization.

The prime minister demanded countries worldwide denounce terrorist organizations such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and said their actions go against international law and the Geneva Conventions.

"Hamas's lie of starvation resonates around the world, while the actual systematic starvation is against our hostages who suffer brutal physical and mental abuse," Netanyahu told the Red Cross official. "The world cannot stand idly by in the face of the shocking images reminiscent of Nazi crimes."

International Red Cross vehicles drive by on the day of the handover of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander to the International Red Cross, in the Gaza Strip May 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

The Red Cross has facilitated the transfer of hostages from the Gaza Strip into Israel following previous agreements between Hamas and Israel during the war. The organization has faced criticism for failing to provide aid to the hostages in the nearly two years since the war began from hostage families and Israeli officials.

Status of hostages recently seen in propaganda videos

The discussion between the two came a day after Hamas and PIJ published three hostage videos between Thursday and Saturday. The videos included Israeli captives Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, who both appeared emaciated. In the video of David, he said the terrorist organization had ordered him to dig his own grave.

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David's older brother, Ilay David, on Saturday, appealed for immediate international intervention to save the hostages, particularly mentioning Guy Gilboa-Dalal.

The two hostages were last seen together in a propaganda video by the terrorist organization, where they were both forced to watch as other hostages were released in a deal back in February of this year.

Earlier on Thursday, the PIJ published a video of hostage Rom Braslavski on their social media. The terrorist group claimed that this was the last footage of Braslavski before contact with his guards was lost two days later.

"They managed to break Rom. Even the strongest person has a breaking point. Rom is an example of all the hostages," his family said.

Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report.
A Reddit post by a user who claims their father voted for Donald Trump twice has recently gone viral for revealing what finally turned their MAGA dad into a Trump critic.

Bloomberg / Getty Images

At the start of the post, the redditor explained what initially attracted their father to Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign. "What got him into Trump was the first primary debate he participated in, in which he brutally attacked Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and the others..."

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Related: I'm Crying Laughing Over These Hilarious Job Tweets From June

They went on to explain that their father, a business owner, personally benefited from Trump's tax cuts, which made his view of Trump's first presidency a "success," despite events like Jan. 6.

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Roy Rochlin / Getty Images

According to the redditor, things started to change for their father when Trump's tariff war threw his business into "disarray."

Related: 20 Funny, Wholesome, And Absolutely Adorable Posts From This Week That Lowkey Restored My Faith In Humanity

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The negative financial impact of Trump's tariff war made their father seek out more "accurate reporting" of Trump, and the new information "awakened" him.

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Related: 32 "Why Would You Put That In Writing?!?!?" Photos That Prove Some People Are The Worst

"He wishes Trump would stop being such an idiotic fuckup."

And finally, the post ended with the redditor's realization about changing the minds of "casual Trump voters." "You can bring all that stuff up, and they'll just wave it off. But as soon as he does do something harmful that affects them, they can be turned."

After reading the post, people in the comments shared their perspective on "uninformed voters" who supported Trump.

"I just think so many people drank the 'John Wayne' kool aid in the Reaganite '80s, the idea that, like the lone gunslinger, Americans are singular, self sufficient individuals, not members of a society. So many in the U.S. bought that BS wholesale, like this guy's Dad," one user wrote.

Jim Watson / Getty Images

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"He thinks he only need care about his business, his family and his bikes, but he forgets that for businesses to flourish he needs society at large to be healthy, he needs trade rules to be enforced, and he needs stability in trade policy. He hates paying taxes, but never thinks about why the roads are maintained, why water comes out of the tap or electricity out of the socket. Hes been trained and rewarded to see himself as a lone entity, independent of all social bonds. Now hes been uncomfortably reminded he is part of an interdependent society, but Im sure hell forget the reminder soon enough. Individualism is too deeply ingrained in his psyche for him to abandon it now."

Related: "Both Sides Of The Family Don't Talk Anymore": Here Are 16 Wildly Unhinged Stories From People Who Had Sex With Their Partner's Family Members

"Everyone keeps saying 'they voted for this.' But in reality, some didn't. There are lots of uninformed voters out there. I'm not excusing it, but it's true. My dad is the same way," another user admitted.

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"He liked the sound bites he saw about draining the swamp and liked the idea of a businessman instead of a career politician. My dad is woefully misinformed and wouldn't listen to me either. But he's not an evil monster. Just complacent and kinda ignorant. He's also 83, so there's that."

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"They're not going to figure out Trump sucks until they get burned by the hot stove," this user wrote.

"I think there is a large portion of classic Republicans, not the MAGA people, who probably just didn't give a shit about most of Trump's agenda harming other people."

And finally, "I feel like the real takeaway from this is that the dad is against something Trump did, but still doesnt regret his vote."

Jim Vondruska / Getty Images

"The popular Reddit sentiment is that conservatives are feeling regret now that his policies are hurting them, but the actual sad truth is that given the opportunity at a revote, theyd probably vote for Trump again because theyre convinced Harris wouldve still been worse or as bad as Trump anyway," another user wrote.

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What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

Also in Internet Finds: Private Investigators Are Sharing The Most Disturbing Cases Theyve Ever Gotten, And Wow

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com
During World War Two, Greater Manchester was a hive of activity building planes that played a vital role in the war effort.

And the factories - and people who worked in them - were a target for German bombers.

Joe Jervis, now 102, began working as an apprentice fitter at the Fairey Aviation works at Heaton Chapel in Stockport in 1937, when he was 14.

He said he remembered a time when "German planes raided Fairey's but they missed by a few yards and they hit the back of the McVitie's biscuit works".

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"People stayed calm and we continued to make planes for our aircraft carriers," he said.

Joe Jervis began work at the Fairey Aviation factory at Heaton Chapel in 1937 [BBC]

The munitions factory at Heaton Chapel, which opened in 1917, made hundreds of bombers for the Royal Air Force during the First World War.

The site was acquired by Fairey Aviation in 1934 and five years later it was visited by King George VI, who inspected the planes on the eve of the Second World War.

Thousands of people worked at the factory during the war, making hundreds of planes like the Fairey Battle, the Fairey Barracuda and the Handley Page Halifax.

Planes were transported from Heaton Chapel and were assembled at the nearby RAF Ringway, which became Manchester Airport in 1957.

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Roy Clarke, who began work as an apprentice at Fairey Aviation in 1950, said he remembers growing up on a farm at Styal, close to Ringway Aerodrome.

The 90 year-old said: "I watched the planes being assembled at Ringway as a schoolboy and the farm where I was born is underneath the second runway now.

"I remember the tarpaulins at Manchester Cathedral after a bombing raid and I thought Herr Hitler can't possibly win because he's offended the Lord."

Roy Clarke began work as an apprentice at Fairey Aviation in 1950 [BBC]

Several aircraft factories across Greater Manchester employed tens of thousands of people during the Second World War.

Aeroplane propellers were made by De Havilland at Lostock in Bolton, Rolls Royce engines were made at Trafford Park, while Lancaster bombers were made by Avro at Chadderton, then assembled at Woodford in Stockport.

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There were also component factories in Hyde, Parrs Wood and Reddish.

Many of the aeroplanes used RAF Burtonwood near Warrington, which was the largest military airbase in the UK during World War Two.

Frank Pleszak, 67, an aviation historian from Marple Bridge in Stockport, said: "The war effort around Greater Manchester was so significant and there is a huge legacy.

"Everybody thinks about Avro being the main local aviation company but Fairey's employed about 24,000 people in Greater Manchester during the war."

Frank Pleszak is an aviation historian from Marple Bridge in Stockport [BBC]

The Fairey Aviation factory later began producing military bridges and the company is now owned by the European defence giant KNDS.

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Around 450 people now work at the factory in Heaton Chapel, where they also have a contract to help produce Boxer armoured vehicles for the British Army.

A concert to mark VJ Day, featuring the KNDS Fairey Aviation Brass Band, is taking place at the Romiley Forum Theatre in Stockport on Sunday 17 August.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 223
The Brief

Texas lawmakers unveiled a newly drawn congressional map earlier this week.

Among the districts with the most changes, Rep. Julie Johnson's district goes from urban and suburban to a more rural area comprising of eastern Texas.

Johnson sat down with FOX 4's Steven Dial to discuss the proposed changes.

DALLAS - Texas lawmakers unveiled a proposed redistricting map this week. The map shifts several districts that are currently held by Democrats.

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One such district is represented by Rep. Julie Johnson. Under the proposed map, Johnson's district would switch from urban and suburban to a more red eastern Texas.

FOX 4's Steven Dial sat down with the congresswoman to talk about those changes.

Is the new map voter segregation?

Rep. Julie Johnson, (D - TX 32): I think this first draft of the maps is one of the most racist attempts at voting segregation I've ever seen. And that's going be brought out. And if you look at all of the redistricting hearings that have happened throughout the state, you now, I was at the one Monday night here in North Texas, you know, over a thousand people came out to protest this map. And that's been the case throughout all the other redistricting hearings as well. And what I know is that these Texas Republicans are ignoring the overwhelming loud voice of Texans opposing these maps.

FOX 4's Steven Dial: Why do you think the map is racist?

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Johnson: Well, because it really divides communities of color and separates them. What the Voting Rights Act was intended to do was to give communities of color, in particular, who have historically been disenfranchised in the vote, the opportunity to come together as a community, as a block and elect a candidate of their choice. And what they're doing is they're piecing them apart and stringing them out over hundreds of miles with different right urban, right rural counties. And they're just really disenfranchising that. If you look at my current 32, it's very compact. It's very urban. They don't have a single rural area in that. I don't think there's a single plot of farm in 32 currently. And they are taking a section of it and stringing it out. And that's what they've done through many of these districts throughout the state in this redistricting process.

Will this map help Republicans gain five seats?

Dial: President Trump said he thinks he can pick up five seats in Texas alone. With that proposed house map, does it look like he could pick up five seats?

Johnson: I think it makes some of them very competitive. You know, I think the Houston seat that they're trying to draw out is a very competitive race. You know, I haven't had a chance to really dig deep into all the data. The maps have just come out. We're gonna do a hard look to see. But what I do know is that these maps are based on 2020 census data and that data has changed dramatically. You know we've had two and a half million people move to Texas. A lot of that here in North Texas since these census maps were drawn. And that these new maps do not factor into that population shift. And so I think they don't accurately represent or reflect the partisan voting nature of these districts. And it's gonna be a very interesting couple of months to figure it out.

Will Democrat-led states retaliate with their own redistricting?

Dial: Do you still have that same feeling that Democrat states like California should do their own form of gerrymandering?

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Johnson: Absolutely. We all need to play by the same rules. That's the thing. I support independent redistricting throughout the entire country. But what we can't have is half the country doing independent redistricting and half the country doing partisan gerrymandering. We all need to play by the same rules. And so, if Texas chooses to proceed and finalize these maps and approve something like this, and I think California, New York, Illinois, they all need to do the same, because there's a lot at stake nationally. Our national, the soul of our country is at stake and the future of our democracy and the vast amount of the American people do not agree at all with what Trump and these national Republicans are doing, and they deserve to have an opportunity to stop it.

Dial: I know hundreds of people are going to testify at how many ever hearings that happen in the coming days, weeks, whatever. Is that just going to the motions? Is the deed already done in Democrat's eyes?

Johnson:There's a lot of Republicans, and a lot of people who are showing up to these hearings outraged, viscerally outraged expressing their displeasure with this process. Republicans can choose to ignore those voters, but they may pay the price for that come November.

You can watch Texas: The Issue Is on FOX on Sunday nights and anytime on FOX LOCAL.

The Source

Information in this article comes from FOX 4's Steven Dial's interview with Rep. Julie Johnson.
ST. LOUIS  Change for STL, a nonprofit supporting Mayor Cara Spencers transition, released a wide-ranging transition advisory report last month with key recommendations to improve public safety, strengthen the economy and address other citywide priorities.

The 62-page report, released just ahead of the mayors 100th day in office, outlines short-term, mid-term and long-term recommendations from her transition advisory team, along with guidance on how they align with disaster recovery effort following the devastating May 16 tornado.

The recommendations are based on discussions from the transition advisory team, along with public input shared with Change for STL.

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Heres a closer look at recommendations for St. Louis public safety and the St. Louis economy.

Public Safety

SHORT-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Hold an emergency officer recruitment and retention drive

Improve emergency management

Reactivate intersection camera enforcement

Deploy additional mobile SkyCop units

Move forward with improvements to the Justice Center

Expand youth violence intervention programs

Create a public safety board or commission

The report highlights a need to recruit 200 officers and 30 civilian dispatchers to be more adequately equipped for emergency response and day-to-day public safety operations. It calls for expanded hiring incentives, retention bonuses and community job fairs to help meet the citys staffing goals.

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Additionally, the report suggests hiring dedicated emergency management to implement warning systems, while strengthening communication systems and emergency operations plans, priorities that came into focus after the May 16 tornado.

The report notes that driving and red-light violations have surged in recent years and suggests that reactivating a red-light traffic enforcement system could help curb issues and be done with privacy safeguards in mind. The SkyCop system, meanwhile, would deploy mobile surveillance units in areas where police presence is limited.

To reduce youth violence, the report recommends expanding the outreach to at-risk youth, proposing programs that include art therapy with police officers, summer activities and mentorship opportunities.

The report also supports the creation of a new public safety board to provide oversight and monitor the implementation of crime-reduction initiatives.

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Finally, theres a renewed focus on improving conditions at the St. Louis City Justice Center. Suggested upgrades include addressing overcrowding, enhancing security, and expanding access to rehabilitation, education and job training programs for detainees.

MID-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Expand co-responder mental health and crisis intervention services

Redesign streets for pedestrian safety

The report mentions that embedding social workers with police across all districts can help with 24/7 crisis intervention and divert behavioral health calls from police where possible.

It further notes that redesigning city streets for pedestrian safety could mean lowering speed limits, improving lighting and crossings and implementing more traffic calming measures. It also suggests ending plea bargains for major moving violations and introducing income-adjusted fine schedules.

LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Reform SLMPD governance and oversight

Create a regional criminal justice data consortium

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After Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe approved a plan to shift control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from the mayors office to a state board, the report suggests pursuing legislation to return to local control and creating civilian oversight bodies and reform of elected law enforcement positions.

The report also seeks a long-term data consortium to centralize and share crime data across agencies for evidence-based decision making. Proposed changes also include a chief data officer and public-facing crime dashboards.

DISASTER RECOVERY

The report recommends training all public safety departments on disaster protocols, improving coordination between police and other first responder agencies and measuring progress through response time and drill reports.

Economy

SHORT-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Formalizing homeless services partnership through MOU

Improving language access across city services

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The report notes that the mayors office partnering with the St. Louis Continuum of Care could be essential in coordinating emergency response, permanent housing and strategic funding goals. Relevant proposals with this partnership in mind include increasing year-round shelter beds and developing a coordinated plan for addressing homeless encampments.

The report also notes that language access is vital to improve short-term supportive services in workforce development. Suggestions include providing interpreters at city job fairs and health clinics, building partnerships with immigrant and refugee-serving organizations.

MID-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Streamline city housing development services

Implementing a citywide language access plan

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The report proposes conducting a cross-agency review of all housing-related developments, task force and commissions with the goal to standardize processes, align reporting and focus on housing for senior adults and low-income families.

It also mentions that language access is a crucial factor in ensuring equity and inclusion for non-English speaking residents. With that in mind, some priorities include developing a language access plan for all departments that report to the mayors office and opening more city jobs to non-native English speaking residents.

LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS

Modernize the City Charter

Explore regional shared services

Establish a working capital fund to strengthen CDCs

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The report suggests launching a transparent initiative to modernize the City Charter in order to improve government operations and service delivery. It also emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration, particularly with St. Louis County, to align or integrate services.

Another long-term vision is expanding the role of community develop corporations (CDCs) in revitalizing underinvested neighborhoods. The report proposes creating a working capital fund to provide low-interest loans and grants, supporting small-to-mid-scale local developers and leveraging public-private partnerships to bridge financial gaps.

DISASTER RECOVERY

The report suggests hosting a statewide disaster resilience summit to coordinate long-term recovery and strengthen funding strategies ahead before natural disasters. It also proposes appointing a citywide disaster recovery and resilience coordinator to manage funding preparedness and infrastructure priorities.

What else

The Change for STL Transition Advisory report also addressed education, neighborhood transformation, commercial transformation and disaster recovery, among other things. Additional recommendations included

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Launching a downtown activation campaign to boost morale, with an emphasis on delivering a wow moment for St. Louis, like a high-profile event.

Activating public spaces and vacant storefronts through art installations, pop-ups and cultural programming.

Establishing cross-departmental neighborhood action teams to tackles systemic issues and coordinate neighborhood development plans.

Create incentives to offer free or low-cost community college, workforce training and home ownership assistance.

Reinvesting in schools that remain open or can be rebuilt following the May 16 tornado.

Transitioning the St. Louis sheriffs position from an elected role to a mayoral appointment.

Leveraging the modernization of Lambert Airport and regional transportation access.

Launching modernized central data systems and incorporating data into priority-based budgeting processes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
August 3, 2025: Israel has formed Refaim, a new experimental Special Operations unit combining ground operations drones, robotics, and real-time intelligence. Officially known as the 888 Multi-Dimensional Unit, Refaim is the Israeli Defense Forces/IDF effort to apply new drone warfare weapons and techniques while gathering information on who the enemy is, where they are and what they can do. In the midst of all this, Refaim will coordinate attacks on detected targets from army , air force and naval units.

Meanwhile, the Americans created Maven, a software-based target selection system that was used in 2023 to help the IDF quickly identify and attack 85 targets in seven different areas of Iraq and Syria. Israel created its own system called Gospel that worked the same way Maven did. Both were based on Ukraines similar but quite original and deadly effective software fire control system used in stopping the 2022 Russian invasion.

This use of enhanced mission planning software has been around for nearly a decade, but the concept has been around for decades until technology and software capabilities reached the point that such systems became reliable and useful.

While some civilians regard AI enhanced target selection as a nightmarish and improbable effort, the reality is that it works for the troops whose lives depend on it. The success in using AI-based software for target selections is being expanded to include other types of intelligence collection. The fact of the matter is that an AI-based system can make accurate decisions more quickly than human analysts. Human operators must constantly monitor this process to watch out for errors made in the process. Some of those errors were caused by faulty software which is ultimately created by human software engineers. There are always humans in the loop, either directly or indirectly.

American operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and some parts of South Asia, have regularly used algorithms to help decide the state of these regions and what actions the United States should take.

U.S. forces began using Project Maven's computer vision systems in real campaigns after Hamas' surprise attack on Israel during October 2023. Israeli intelligence was criticized for not detecting the Hamas operation. Israeli intelligence did detect the Hamas plans, but Hamas devised a deception that persuaded the Israelis that there was no danger. Successful deception and surprise are one of the most effective military techniques if you can make it work. Hamas did make it work.

Maven and Gospel are AI-based systems used by the Israeli military to rapidly identify and target enemy combatants and equipment, enhancing targeting capabilities during operations. It was first utilized during Israel's conflict with Hamas in 2021 and has been designed to reduce civilian casualties while increasing the speed of targeting decisions.

Israel has other Special Operations units that perform similar functions. In addition there are other ways to develop new capabilities in troops. One technique was to use Role Playing Games/RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons/D&D. It was long suspected that the IDF took a dim view of recruits who admitted to playing D&D. But eventually the IDF admitted that recruits who indulge in this sort of thing are less likely to get a high security clearance, which bars them from many good jobs in intelligence, electronics or special operations. This was no small matter, for in Israel nearly everyone serves in the IDF, and a good job in the military opens doors to good civilian jobs as well. The IDF has said that D&D players are detached from reality and susceptible to influence. The IDF described how these people had a tendency to be influenced by external factors which could cloud their judgment. They may be detached from reality or have a weak personality. These are elements that make it difficult to obtain a security clea

The IDF never revealed how many recruits were affected by this policy, or how long it has been in place. Rumors about the policy have been circulating among young Israeli D&D players for several years, and as a result, many do not admit to playing RPGs when they are interviewed by IDF screeners. The IDF admitted that it has had to resort to indirect interrogation methods in order to find out which recruits were D&D players. Many of these were then sent to see IDF psychologists.

In the United States, where RPGs were invented in the early 1970s, there have been many accusations by religious leaders, lawyers and distraught parents about the bad effects of playing RPGs. There has never been any concrete evidence that RPGs do any harm. The American military encourages the use of RPG and other games by troops, both for recreation and professional training. RPG game design techniques have been used in professional wargames.

In response to the IDF revelation, one D&D player provided a list of positive reasons for having IDF recruits who play D&D. RPGs develop the ability to make split second decisions while simultaneously thinking about how the entire scenario will play out. RPGs also help someone to think outside the box and develop new concepts. Then there is a heightened ability to read people and determine what their intentions are.

These are all items that Refaim operators continually use and develop for use in combat.
According to police, the incident took place in the Gelabil area of the district under the Sarupathar assembly constituency on Friday after the mob led by three brothers allegedly physically tortured the two victims.

A senior official from the Golaghat district police confirmed that three brothers were the main accused behind the act. Meanwhile, both injured individuals were admitted to a local hospital and are currently recovering.

"Three brothers who led the mob are the main accused and they have been absconding since the incident. We have launched an operation to nab the culprits," the police officer stated.

Reacting to the incident, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday condemned the act and assured strict action against those involved.

"We will definitely do a thorough investigation, and the culprits will be punished," Sarma stated.

Local MLA Biswajit Phukan also condemned the assault, noting deep concerns about the lawlessness of the act.

"I strongly condemned the incident that took place at Gelabil. The administration and law will definitely give appropriate punishment to the culprits," Phukan said.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has written a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP), Assam, demanding immediate legal action against those responsible for the alleged moral policing and assault.

Further investigation is ongoing. (ANI)
A protester being escorted out of the ballroom at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando on August 2, 2025 (Photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix)

ORLANDO  The Republican Party of Florida has never been more powerful than right now.

It has controlled the governors mansion for nearly three decades  and also currently holds all three Cabinet offices, maintains a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature and maintains a more than 1.3 million voter registration lead over Democrats.

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Yet several top-leading GOP leaders at the Florida Freedom Forum in Orlando on Saturday warned that complacency and infighting could give an opening to their political rivals.

Dont get high on your own supply, said Gov. Ron DeSantis. There is nothing permanent in politics.

For proof, both the governor and his close ideological ally, newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, referenced two proposed constitutional amendments on last years statewide ballot that nearly passed.

Amendment 3 would have legalized adult recreational cannabis, while Amendment 4 would have enshrined abortion rights into the states Constitution. Both received more than 55% support, a clear majority but not enough to break the 60% threshold required for passage.

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If the left can spend $250 million running these ballot initiatives, they can turn this into California through the backdoor, DeSantis said. Without ever having to control the Legislature. Without even ever being able to elect a governor, again, and we could wake up in 10 years and all of a sudden, weve got a left-wing state. And so Amendments 3 and 4 were really a big test for this state.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia at the Florida Freedom Forum in Orlando on August 2, 2025 (Photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix)

Never, ever underestimate leftists and their ability to lie, cheat and steal, added Ingoglia. Leftist and progressives know they cant win in Florida as candidates anymore. So now theyre trying to buy our Constitution in an effort to turn this state into California. Massive voter fraud. Hundreds of millions of dollars spent. Vague language. Enticing titles. Foreign money. Last years amendments should be a wake-up call for every God-fearing Republican in this room  theyre not going to let up, and neither should we. Guard our Constitution!

Left unsaid was the fact that in reaction to those proposals, the Legislature passed and DeSantis signed into law a measure that Democrats say has made it significantly more difficult to pass (or even get on the ballot) citizen-led constitutional amendments in the future. The criticisms over Amendment 3 are also notable because the measure was backed by President Donald Trump and state Sen. Joe Gruters, who Trump is now backing to become chair of the Republican National Committee.

So it could be seen as notable that Byron Donalds, the Naples-based Republican U.S. Rep. who President Trump endorsed in the 2026 gubernatorial race, said the only thing that could shut down the GOPs momentum in Florida is intraparty fighting.

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Listen man, we cannot fight among ourselves in this moment, he told conservative influencer Benny Johnson in a conversation. The wind is at our back. 1.3, 1.4 million voter advantage in the state of Florida. We are winning. And the only way you stop winning is when we start fighting each other, because this person wants to be in charge. That person wants to be in charge. Or I want my committee.  We need to stay united and we need to keep winning.

Donalds has already won the backing of Trump for governor, but DeSantis has declined to endorse him so far.

Other officials who spoke at the event which also included an award handed to Susie Wiles, Trumps chief of staff who has been at odds in the past with DeSantis  included Attorney General James Uthemier, who like Ingoglia, was appointed to his position by DeSantis earlier this year (in his case to replace Ashley Moody).

While relatively unknown except in Florida political circles before his appointment, Uthmeier has been in the news frequently this summer, warning local officials they could be removed from office if they dont get with the DeSantis agenda on illegal immigration.

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Uthmeier took a victory lap of sorts telling the audience how he had come up with the notion of the detention facility in the Everglades dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.

And he accused state Democrats who recently paid a visit to the site as political grandstanding and said they cared more about the undocumented than American families who have suffered from the open border policies under former President Joe Biden. Which is why their party is getting their butt kicked every single day, he said.

Uthemier also reminded the crowd of Republicans that he will be on the ballot next year.

If you want somebody whos soft on crime, thats lenient, that wants illegal immigrants to get an easy way out, I am absolutely not your guy, he said.

A day of protests

Uthmeier also had to deal with a protester who began shouting at him early in his presentation, one of more than half-a-dozen such outbursts that took place throughout the day at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel.

One of several protesters who were ejected from the ballroom at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando on August 2, 2025 (Photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix)

Get this guy outta here, he shouted. You know what? I think weve got a spot in Alligator Alcatraz for that guy.

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Nobody was interrupted more than DeSantis.

Youve got to do a better job than that if youre going to interrupt, he proclaimed after a fourth protestor began shouting out during his speech. The protestor was escorted out of the ballroom and DeSantis offered: That was a weak performance.

Two other protesters also were escorted out earlier in the morning after shouting at U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, who was in conversation with fellow Republican congressional members congress Daniel Webster and Aaron Bean.

The group of activists issued a press release later in the day explaining their actions.

Republican lawmakers have made it difficult to register complaints, read a portion of the statement. Theyve dodged town halls, ignored petitions, ducked our phone calls, and generally done everything they can to avoid hearing from any constituents who dont already agree with them.

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Joy Metzler, who wore a Veterans against Fascism T-shirt and described herself in the press release as a recently separated Air Force Veteran, blasted Florida Republicans for helping to construct the immigration detention center, saying they had built a concentration camp in our own backyard, a stunningly disrespectful insult to my grandfather, who fought against the Nazis in WWII.

The intermittent outbursts were mostly treated as annoying distractions in a day otherwise set aside for a celebration of GOP dominance in the state.

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It seems too early, but its not. Just as Democrats are plotting how to win the next presidential election, Republican candidates are too.

But while Democrats will try to outdo themselves in their opposition to President Donald Trump, Republicans will have to navigate a party that Trump has rebuilt around his own political instincts.

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I talked to CNNs Eric Bradner about which Republicans are likely to run for president in 2028 and how they will balance making their own name with paying homage to their current leader, who likes to joke about not leaving office no matter what the Constitution says.

Our conversation, conducted by phone and edited for length, is below.

Will Trump try to run again, despite the Constitution?

WOLF: Will Trump try to run for a third term despite whats in the Constitution? Because its something that hes teased, right?

BRADNER: There is no constitutional path for him to seek a third term. But that doesnt mean ambitious Republicans who want to be a successor can flout Trump. They cant be seen as at odds with him. Theyre trying to stand out in their own ways, but they cant be seen as going against Trump and suggesting that he is ineligible for a third term, even though the Constitution makes that crystal clear to be problematic.

President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he departs the White House on July 25, 2025, in Washington, DC. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

How do candidates not get crosswise with him?

WOLF: He likes to joke about running, but has also said he will not run. So lets assume, for the moment, that he doesnt try to do something that would violate the Constitution. How do potential Republican candidates plot a campaign for voters while still staying in his good graces?

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BRADNER: You have to do it carefully. Part of it is, while Trump is still so popular with the Republican base, demonstrating that you are supportive of his agenda. That can look different depending on whether you are the vice president, in the Senate, in a governors office.

So far, were seeing ambitious Republicans traveling to some of the early voting primary states and using their speeches to highlight their support for Trumps agenda and looking for ways to cast themselves as the successor to that agenda.

Its made much more difficult by the fact that Vice President JD Vance is obviously positioned as Trumps understudy. But theyre looking for ways to show that they are, at least in some ways, ideologically aligned with Trump and are taking substantive actions to support his agenda, while sort of pitching some of their own accomplishments and their own differences in terms of approach. But its clear that most Republicans that are already hitting the 2028 travel circuit are looking for ways to align themselves.

Will Republicans keep the traditional calendar?

A crowd attends their Republican caucus on January 15, 2024, in West Des Moines, Iowa. - Joe Raedle/Getty Images

WOLF: The Democrats are trying to change the early primary map and de-emphasize Iowa and maybe even New Hampshire. Is the Republican calendar going to be what it has been in recent decades where we go: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada. Or is that going to change?

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BRADNER: It wont be official for a while, but Republicans appear to be on track to keep the same calendar. I talked to Jeff Kaufmann, the longtime Iowa Republican Party chairman, recently, and he said he had already made his case to the White House to keep Iowas caucuses first, and said they were very receptive. Republicans didnt have the kind of disaster that Democrats had in Iowa in 2020 and have shown no real inclination to shake up their primary

WOLF: But Republicans did have a disaster in 2012  just ask Rick Santorum.

BRADNER: They did. But 2012 at this point will have been 16 years ago, and they have passed on opportunities to change the calendar since then, and there doesnt seem to be any momentum to do so now.

Which Republicans are already in the early states?

WOLF: Who are the Republicans who are flirting with a campaign at the moment and are actively in those states?

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BRADNER: Even within the last couple of months, weve seen a number of Republicans visiting the early states. Look at Iowa alone. This month, Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia governor, visited Iowa to headline the state Republican Partys annual Clinton dinner.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders arrives prior to the inauguration of Donald Trump at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. - Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders was there for an event hosted by The Family Leader, a conservative Christian group led by Bob Vander Plaats, a well-known activist there. Recently, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was in Iowa, where he got a little bit of a chilly reception at times because he was making the case for changes to Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill. And Florida Sen. Rick Scott was there also touting his support for further reductions in spending that the bill included.

He also got a bit of a frosty reception from some of the attendees at the fundraiser that I talked to afterward who really wanted to hear more support for Trumps agenda from him and less about their defenses.

Is Vance Trumps heir apparent?

WOLF: The most obvious heir to Trump would be Vance. What is the thinking among Republicans? Do they believe the nomination is his to lose, or will he really have to work for it?

Vice President JD Vance speaks at Metallus, a metal products manufacturer, on July 28, 2025, in Canton, Ohio. - Maddie McGarvey/Pool/Getty Images

BRADNER: He clearly starts in the pole position. But I was a little surprised during a recent visit to Iowa how frequently the name of Secretary of State Marco Rubio came up, often in the same breath as JD Vance. Both of them, despite their own very public criticism of Trump in the past, now seem to be viewed as team players; as closely aligned with Trump and with his current administration, obviously, as leading members of it.

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Theres interest in Rubio in part because he has run for president before, unlike Vance. A lot of people in the early voting states remember Rubio visiting them in 2016, when he finished third in Iowa in what were pretty competitive caucuses. So a lot of these early-state Republican voters have met Rubio before. Theyve already formed opinions of him.

They like Vance, but they dont know him yet. They havent had a chance to go through the usual process with him. He obviously starts with an advantage as Trumps legacy, but based on the conversations Ive had, it doesnt appear to be a lock. I think a lot of Republican voters are going to want to at least meet and hear from a broader range of candidates.

Ted Cruz actually beat Trump in Iowa nine years ago

WOLF: That 2016 Iowa race you mentioned, Rubio came in third. Trump came in second. The winner was Sen. Ted Cruz. Is he going to run again? And would he do better this time?

BRADNER: He certainly has never stopped acting like someone who wants to be president, right? He has obviously remained in the public eye and has been supportive of Trump, including in that contentious interview with Tucker Carlson, for which Cruz faced a bit of online backlash.

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Hes built a fundraising network. He is someone who has clearly already been a runner-up in that 2016 primary, and probably would enter 2028 with vast name recognition. So he has a number of potential things going for him if he, if he does want to run.

Sen. Ted Cruz delivers remarks during a press conference on Capitol Hill on May 8, 2025, in Washington, DC. - Win McNamee/Getty Images

Where will the GOP ideology be after Trump?

WOLF: The party has changed around Trump, who doesnt really have a political ideology so much as political instincts. Now Republican candidates will have to adjust to Trumps populism. Will a person like Sen. Josh Hawley, who sounds very populist, do better than a more traditional Republican like, say, Youngkin?

BRADNER: It certainly seems like that lane could be open, although I would say as of right now, Vance probably starts in the pole position there. He has populist instincts that he displayed for quite some time before he became Trumps vice president. Youre right about Trump having political instincts that these potential candidates are going to have to react to and adjust to on the fly.

Being nimble in interviews and messaging is always important, but its going to be especially important in a landscape where Trump is the dominant figure in the party. While he wont be on the ballot, he is very likely to have interest in steering things.

How should we look at the Republican field of potential candidates?

WOLF: How do you group the potential field? There are senators, there are governors, there are people in the administration.

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BRADNER: I think thats the right starting point. People in the administration, which you can kind of divide into two groups, right? Vance and Rubio are by far the best known and are the ones that I have heard from Republican voters about the most clearly.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio boards his flight before departing from Subang Air Base, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, on July 11, 2025. - Mandel Ngan/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

There are some other folks, like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and potentially others who are former governors, are Trump allies and have their own ambitions, but dont carry the sorts of advantages that Vance and Rubio have.

Then theres a group of governors, and to me, this is potentially the most interesting group, because they have their own agendas outside of Washington and are less tied to whatevers going on in the White House or on Capitol Hill on any given day.

Youngkin, the Virginia governor, ran an impressive campaign in 2021, and because Virginia does not allow governors to run for second terms, he is just a few months away from leaving office, which means he will be a popular Republican elected in a Democratic-leaning state who now is out of a job and has all day to campaign.

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A couple other Republican governors who are in that basket would include Sanders, who obviously is forever aligned with Trump due to her time as his White House press secretary, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association, which gets him a way to build connections with donors all over the country.

Kemp is among the Republicans who have had the biggest differences with Trump on the list of prospective 2028 candidates because he didnt support Trumps claims that Georgia was stolen from him in 2020. But the two of them seem to have played nice in more recent years and Kemp is conservative. He does have his own record in Georgia that he can talk about.

Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia, speaks during a meeting of the Republican Governors Association at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2025. - Samuel Corum/AFP/Getty Images

Then finally there are the senators. Tim Scott is one who ran for president in 2024 and did appear to end that race with a closer relationship with Trump than when he started it, which was a really tricky thing to (do).

The problem Scott faces is one that Trump laid out in 2024, which is that hes a better salesman for Trump and his agenda than he is for himself. There are other senators, Rand Paul (Kentucky), Rick Scott (Florida), Josh Hawley (Missouri), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), who I think everyone will be keeping an eye on. But its going to take some lucky breaks for them to make a ton of headway in a potentially crowded field, especially when theyll be having to spend so much of their time participating in and reacting to whats happening in Washington. They dont have the kind of freedom that governors have at this stage.

Governors of large red states could make a case

WOLF: There are also two governors that are closely aligned with Trumps policies in Texas and Florida, which are the two biggest red states in terms of electoral votes. What about Ron DeSantis (Florida) and Greg Abbott (Texas)?

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BRADNER: Both are clearly aligning themselves with Trumps most popular policies, which is strict immigration enforcement, border security and ramping up deportations. For DeSantis, building Alligator Alcatraz was a clear example of political maneuvering to be seen publicly as having Trumps back. Both of them are absolutely on the 2028 landscape, and DeSantis, in particular, appears to have smoothed over the tensions that remain from his 2024 run. DeSantis is one to watch because he has already built a fundraising network. He has already traveled the early states and made those inroads, so launching a presidential campaign, perhaps earlier and perhaps without some of the mistakes that hampered his 2024 effort, would certainly be possible.

President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visit a temporary migrant detention center informally known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in Ochopee, Florida, on July 1, 2025. - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

MAHA 2028?

WOLF: What about someone from Trumps new coalition? Robert F. Kennedy ran as a Democrat and an Independent in 2024; why not a Republican in 2028?

BRADNER: If Kennedy runs in 2028, itll be a fascinating test of how durable parts of Trumps winning 2024 coalition are once Trump is off the ballot.

How big is the so-called MAHA movement that was merged into Trumps MAGA movement? Does party loyalty still matter at all in Republican primaries and caucuses? Or are figures who werent even Republicans  like Kennedy and potentially former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps director of national intelligence, who grabbed headlines recently with wild accusations that former President Barack Obama committed treason  received with open arms? Have cultural issues like abortion, where theyve long staked out positions at odds with the GOP base, lost some sway?

How to extricate yourself from the Trump administration

WOLF: Vance would run from within the administration. Rubio would have to leave the administration. Extricating yourself from Trumps orbit without drawing his ire would be kind of an incredible feat. What would be the timeline to do something like that? When should we start to expect to see would-be presidential candidates leave the Trump administration?

BRADNER: The traditional answer would be shortly after the midterms, but it also depends on, obviously, the point you raised about Trump and a third term, and whether that sort of freezes the start of the 2028 primary and stops candidates from campaigning openly. It depends on what Vance does. I think people who are in the administration will have to react to the speed at which the field appears to be developing. I can tell you that in the early states, party leaders, activists, donors, party faithful are already eager to hear from these 2028 prospects and I doubt there will be much room to wait long past the midterms.

So potentially late 2026, early 2027 is when anybody in the administration that wants to run for president would probably need to be in motion.

Is there a lane for a Trump critic?

WOLF: A lot of what happens will depend on how popular Trump remains with Republicans and how successful his second term is. Is there a lane for a Nikki Haley or somebody who has been critical of Trump, or should we assume that everybody who tries to run will just be swearing fealty to him?

BRADNER: Only time will tell. Right now, none of these major Republican figures are publicly distancing themselves from Trump, but if Republicans are shellacked in the midterms, if they lose the House or  much, much longer shot  if they lose the Senate, that could change the landscape significantly.

Primary voters want to win, and theyre loyal to Trump, but if his popularity nosedives; if the party performs poorly in the midterms; if his tariffs wind up damaging the economy; if the roiling controversy over his administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files continues  all these sorts of things could wind up becoming political time bombs that could change the landscape and lead Republicans, even if they arent publicly criticizing Trump, to do more to show their differences and to pitch themselves as their own person.

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A British hiker is being billed 14,000 (12,200) by Italian emergency rescue services for failing to heed mountain warning signs.

The 60-year-old, who has not been named, found himself in the midst of an avalanche on a rocky mountain path near San Vito di Cadore in the Belluno area of the Dolomites.

He was lucky to survive, emergency services said, but not lucky enough to get off with a smaller fine, which he would have done if this had happened before Britains exit from the European Union.

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The British man is understood to have set off alone from Passo Tre Croci, near Cortina dAmpezzo, on Thursday morning.

He was hiking on the Ferrata Berti path at an altitude of 8,200ft (2,500m) despite signs in English and Italian urging hikers to turn back.

The man was hiking on the Ferrata Berti path at a height of 8,200ft despite signs in English and Italian urging hikers to turn back

He said he didnt see the signs warning of the danger, Nicola Cherubin, head of alpine rescue in San Vito di Cadore, told The Telegraph.

Rocks have been falling continually in that area for the past two months. With these landslides it is not secure. He was really afraid.

Photos of the signage posted on the alpine services Facebook page read: Warning. Trail no. 242 (Via Ferrata Berti) and trail no. 241 (Dogana Vecchia-Cengia del Banco) closed due to risk of collapse.

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One said in English: Stay safe, do not go beyond this warning.

Italy has been warning tourists of the risks of trekking in the alps amid a record number of deaths  nearly 90 this year. The biggest causes have been inexperience and poor preparation while overcrowding has prompted calls for better management of the trails and protection for the environment.

The British hiker sounded the alarm at around 3.30pm after becoming distressed by falling rocks. The volunteer rescue service sent a helicopter to rescue him but were initially thwarted by low clouds, forcing it to make a second trip to confirm his location.

He was eventually brought to safety with no injuries but is now being asked to pay 14,000 (12,000 pounds) to the regional health service for the helicopter rescue because he is British.

The unnamed 60-year-old was rescued from a rocky mountain path in the Belluno area of the Dolomites - Alamy

The rescue bill for an Italian or French climber might be a few hundred euros. But for non-EU nationals, the fee is considerably higher.

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If someone calls because they are tired or stuck because they find themselves in a place where they shouldnt be, or if they are unharmed with no health issue, they have to pay, a national rescue service spokesman said. If you are from outside the EU without insurance, you have to pay more.

On Sunday rescue service volunteers completely closed the three access points to the Ferrata Berti trail and erected new signage in Italian, English and German warning of continuous rockfalls.

On July 19, two Belgians ignored or failed to read the warning signs and were rescued in the same area.

Alpine Rescue Service said half of the hikers or climbers billed for their rescues never pay up.

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Thanks to the combined efforts of two animal welfare groups in Washington, a critically injured bald eagle was returned to the wild after a lengthy rehabilitation process.

KATU reported that the stricken bird was found unable to fly around the Tacoma waterfront.

It was safely captured by community members, who contacted Featherhaven, a local nonprofit that helps injured and orphaned birds. Its members transported the eagle to the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

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The article noted that the eagle was in some distress with serious injuries, including a spinal fracture that could have turned fatal if the bird hadn't been taken in.

Fortunately, after 34 days of veterinary treatment, the eagle had recovered well enough to return to the wild.

A PAWS wildlife biologist, Anthony Denice, told the outlet the bird was doing well after its ordeal: "Now he's flying around the bay and engaging other eagles in his natural habitat this morning, barely a month after what would have been a lethal injury."

The bald eagle population in Washington, like in other states, has recovered remarkably well after facing a serious threat to its survival in the immediate post-World War II years.

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Contamination of water sources by runoff from chemical pesticides poisoned the eagle's primary food source and caused its numbers to dwindle to just a few hundred breeding pairs nationwide. Thankfully, a ban on DDT and conservation efforts led to a dramatic recovery.

Eagles are now widely distributed across the Evergreen State and have been delisted as an endangered species. Of course, other threats remain, and it's important not to get complacent with conservation efforts.

This story highlights the vital work that takes place at the local level and emphasizes the importance of providing financial support to such groups. It's also a reminder that rehabilitation is a viable conservation strategy; studies have shown that birds returning to the wild after human intervention do just fine in the long run.

Raptors such as the bald eagle aren't just a potent national symbol; they fulfill an essential role in the ecosystem as apex predators and scavengers.

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A new study links sewage sludge and wastewater treatment plants to "concerning" levels of "forever chemicals" in waterways across 19 U.S. states.

What's happening?

The Guardian summarized the research, for which the Waterkeeper Alliance tested rivers bordering 32 sewage sludge sites, including wastewater treatment plants and agricultural fields where sewage sludge has been used as fertilizer.

The researchers tested water both upstream and downstream of the sites, a strategy that The Guardian reported has never been used before. They found that levels were higher for at least one PFAS compound downstream 95% of the time, suggesting that the sludge sites were to blame.

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"We have an indication of very widespread problems and significant exposures that people are going to be facing," Kelly Hunter Foster, an environmental attorney with the Waterkeeper Alliance, told The Guardian.

Why is this study important?

This study adds to a growing body of research about PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are man-made chemicals that have been used in products like non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and firefighting foams since the 1940s.

Though they have been used for decades, PFAS have only recently come to the public's attention, as they are being found with growing frequency in soil and water across the world.

For instance, scientists in New Mexico recently discovered that one lake there has the highest concentrations of PFAS of any place in the world. And residents in many communities are now finding high levels of these chemicals in their drinking water and ultimately in their bloodstreams, as was the case in Kallinge, Sweden.

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While research is still ongoing, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that PFAS have been linked to a number of health concerns, including decreased fertility, increased risk of certain cancers, and reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections.

What's being done about PFAS?

The EPA has been resistant to banning the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural fields, according to The Guardian, adding that a 2024 lawsuit could force regulatory action regardless.

Meanwhile, some local governments are doing what they can to reduce PFAS contamination in their communities. One example is New Hampshire, where lawmakers recently banned ski, snowboard, and boat waxes containing these chemicals.

Plus, scientists are always looking for ways to help break down PFAS, which are notoriously persistent in the environment. For instance, researchers at the University of Illinois found a way to remove the full spectrum of PFAS from water in a single process.

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You can help reduce your exposure to the dangerous chemicals by looking for PFAS-free brands with the help of PFAS Central.

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Microplastics are everywhere  air, water, seafood, and even our bodies. Though small, their impact on the environment and human health is significant.

Along the shores of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay, a major new research effort is launching to better understand these invisible threats.

The University of Rhode Island has announced a $7 million research initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation, to study the socio-ecological impacts of microplastics.

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The project also aims to strengthen the state's scientific research capacity and workforce development in coastal and environmental fields.

Leading the effort is URI associate professor Daniel Roxbury, who will coordinate a team of researchers from URI, Brown University, Rhode Island College, and Roger Williams University.

Each institution will contribute its unique expertise, ranging from sample collection and microplastic analysis to community outreach and environmental modeling.

A strategic planning meeting will be held within the next three months to outline project milestones, goals, and how the funding will be distributed among the partners.

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Despite their size, microplastics can pose serious health risks, linked to everything from hormonal disruption to reproductive issues and even cancer. These particles have quietly made their way into our drinking water, the air we breathe, and the food we eat, without us even realizing it.

But there is good news: scientists are zeroing in on these threats with new focus and funding, such as this initiative in Rhode Island. This research brings hope, not just for cleaner coastlines, but for healthier communities.

At a time when climate and health news often feel bleak, this effort offers a tangible step forward, showing that solutions are possible when science and community work together.

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Ultimately, the initiative in Rhode Island seeks to understand, reduce, and respond to microplastic pollution while fostering collaboration across institutions and engaging the public in meaningful ways. It's a major step toward cleaner waterways and a healthier planet.

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This project has garnered a wave of excitement, with supporters praising the news.

Comments like "This is great news," and "Congratulations, URI!" reflect the community's enthusiasm and pride in the university's leadership on this critical issue.

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A family in Stoughton, Wisconsin, got the shock of a lifetime when their backyard surveillance cameras revealed the true identity of a furry troublemaker.

What's happening?

According to WMTV News, Maureen McNeely and her family assumed raccoons were to blame for their overturned bird feeders and disappearing seed.

That was until the cameras captured a young black bear making itself at home in their yard.

"It actually climbed back in to finish cleaning up its mess from the night before," McNeely told the station with a laugh. The bear even left bite marks on their locked storage bins.

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McNeely and her daughter said other neighbors in the town of Pleasant Springs and nearby areas also spotted the bear, including a state wildlife warden who caught it on his doorbell camera.

"I would never have suspected [a black bear]," McNeely added, noting that in over a decade of living in Stoughton, she'd never seen one in the area.

Why are increased public bear sightings concerning?

While this particular bear encounter ended without incident, there's a growing trend of wildlife appearing in suburban spaces across the country.

In mid-June, two black bears were spotted near a popular recreational area in South Dakota. Around the same time, residents in Punta Gorda Isles, Florida, were surprised to see a black bear roaming their neighborhood.

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As Earth continues to overheat, wild animals are being pushed out of their natural habitats by droughts, food shortages, and land development. This increases the likelihood of human-wildlife interactions.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirmed to WMTV that bear sightings in the state's southeast region are rare but not unheard of. As BearWise observed, most young male bears explore their surroundings in search of food and new territory.

What's being done about these sightings?

The Wisconsin DNR encourages residents to remove bird feeders, secure food and garbage, and clean grills to reduce the chances of attracting hungry wildlife.

It also asks neighbors to report sightings so officials can track movement patterns and issue safety guidance.

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Organizations such as BearWise help keep both people and wildlife safe, but every small action adds up. By taking local steps toward change, we can create an impact that reaches a global scale.

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In a small German village, residents are transforming the future of housing using little more than straw, clay, and wood.

The eco-village of Sieben Linden in Saxony-Anhalt is home to roughly 150 people living in homes built from affordable, renewable materials, Deutschland.de reported.

At a time when conventional construction accounts for 37% of global heat-trapping pollution, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, Sieben Linden's low-cost, low-pollution model offers an inspiring and practical alternative.

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The village's signature building material? Straw bales. Straw is inexpensive, insulates well, and even helps capture carbon. A study published in MDPI stated that it also costs significantly less than conventional construction materials like concrete or steel.

What's more, World Habitat shared that the production of an average straw-bale house can help save 25 tons of harmful carbon pollution, unlike standard construction or materials like mineral wool.

Local residents build these homes almost entirely by hand, using clay and locally sourced wood. One of the standout structures in the village, dubbed "Strohpolis," is among the first three-story straw-bale buildings in Europe to meet formal building regulations.

Beyond carbon absorption, these homes can withstand extreme weather conditions. Residents finished the walls with lime render to protect the straw bales and timber frame structure from rain.

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Additionally, straw bales provide excellent thermal insulation, according to a study published in ScienceDirect, reducing the need for heating and cooling, as well as the associated energy bills. Passive solar design, a sewage treatment plant, and dry composting toilets further reduce the community's environmental impact.

Sieben Linden isn't a recent trend. The project began in 1997 and continues to evolve. Today, solar panels help meet electricity needs, while shared infrastructure lowers costs for everyone. As communities turn to low-impact, self-sufficient designs, more solar-powered homes and other straw-bale construction projects continue to emerge.

Installing solar panels is one of the biggest energy-saving hacks, reducing electricity costs to almost nothing. EnergySage offers a free tool to compare quotes from vetted installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installation.

With weather extremes on the rise and conventional building costs surging, homes like those in Sieben Linden highlight what's possible  beautiful, functional spaces that don't negatively impact the planet, which may one day become the norm, not the exception.

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.
A reunion has taken place for the pupils and teacher of a Kent primary school class after almost 60 years.

Former classmates from Loose Primary School, near Maidstone, got together to reminisce and retake their school photo from 1966.

It took two friends a total of five years to trace 20 of the 36 pupils shown in the original photo - 14 of whom turned up for the reunion.

Lynne Higson, who helped organise the event, said it was "wonderful to catch up and find out what everyone had been up to".

The former pupils and teacher Shirley Arnold (centre) gathered at a hotel in Maidstone [Piers Hopkirk/BBC]

She hatched the reunion plan in 2020 with former school friend Sue Brattle after re-connecting on Facebook.

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Ms Higson, who now lives in Aldwick, West Sussex, told BBC Radio Kent: "I still had the class photo from 1966.

"We're not in school uniform, but it was the whole class."

The pair put the photo in a local community group on Facebook and people responded.

John Halls, one of the ex-pupils who got in touch, turned out to be a former detective "which proved useful in tracking down others", Ms Higson said.

The former classmates gathered in a hotel in Maidstone for the reunion, along with their teacher Shirley Arnold, now 86.

Class teacher Shirley Arnold, now 86, was presented with a book of memories [Piers Hopkirk/BBC]

She said was "thrilled" to be there and was presented with a book filled with what her class had been up to over the past 60 years.

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"It has really made my day," she said.

"I have looked forward to it and it was great to see so many smiling faces."

Ms Higson said Ms Arnold was "absolutely wonderful".

"She was really strict, kept everyone in their place, but was lovely," she said.

"She really grounded us. We wouldn't be the people we are today without her."

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By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -The U.S. Marshals Service on Sunday posted a $7,500 reward for any information leading to the capture of the man accused of shooting four people dead in a Montana bar before he vanished, sparking a search for the suspect in the nearby mountains.

The reward was announced as state Attorney General Austin Knudsen visited the small southwestern Montana town of Anaconda to be briefed by investigators and provide a public update on the third day of the manhunt.

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According to authorities, the suspect, Michael Brown, 45, walked into the Owl Bar late on Friday morning and opened fire with a rifle, killing the bartender and three patrons, then fled the scene.

A stolen pickup truck used as a getaway vehicle was later recovered, but law enforcement's last sighting of the suspect was during a brief pursuit about two hours after the shooting, Knudsen told reporters.

Investigators have yet to determine a motive, but Brown lived near the bar, was a regular there himself and presumably knew all four of his victims, Knudsen said.

They were identified publicly on Sunday as bartender Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, and customers Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.

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The manhunt, which has involved as many as 250 local, state and federal law enforcement personnel and various aircraft, remained focused on a mountainous area west of Anaconda, a town of fewer than 10,000 residents about 75 miles (120 km) southeast of Missoula.

"We want to find this guy," Knudsen said. "This is a dangerous individual who has committed an absolutely heinous crime against this community and his victims."

Authorities have released a photo showing the suspect dressed only in black underpants and barefoot as he descends a flight of concrete steps with his hands braced against a wall. His face is smudged, and his chest and neck appear to be scraped.

Knudsen said the photo was taken after Brown had fled to another location near the shooting where "he got rid of some personal belongings and he got rid of his clothes."

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The vehicle he is suspected of stealing was loaded with camping gear, and "we have very good reason to believe that he is clothed, he does have shoes, and he's probably able to get around," Knudsen said.

The attorney general said Brown also was presumed to still be carrying the murder weapon.

Asked whether he believed authorities expected to find him dead or alive, Knudsen said, "He could have committed suicide and be dead, yes, but we are acting under the assumption that he is alive, well armed and extremely dangerous."

He said the reward of $7,500 offered by the U.S. Marshals Service for information leading to his arrest was an initial sum, indicating it might be increased.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman; Editing by Chris Reese)
In the wake of the recent natural calamity in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday visited disaster-hit areas in Mandi district, including regions affected by flash floods and a cloudburst, to assess the ground situation and extend support to the affected families. The Governor visited Tungal Colony near Jail Road, one of the severely impacted areas, and interacted with the victims of the disaster. He inquired about their well-being and listened to their concerns with empathy and compassion. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property, he assured the families that the administration would extend all possible support. In a post on X, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said, "At the Panchayat Bhawan in Mandi, I interacted with the disaster-affected families and understood their pain and suffering. The disaster was so horrific that it sends shivers down the spine. These are very emotional moments. A mountain of sorrow has fallen upon those whose homes were damaged in this disaster. I have given appropriate instructions to the district administration." The Governor stated that both the State and Central Governments are working in close coordination to ensure timely relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in the affected regions. He emphasised the government's commitment to provide shelter, food, medical aid, and other essential services to the victims without delay. During the visit, the Governor reviewed the ongoing relief operations and directed officials to strengthen their efforts to provide swift and effective assistance. He appreciated the proactive response of the district administration, disaster response teams, and local volunteers for their tireless efforts in helping those affected. "The people of Himachal Pradesh have always shown remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity. The administration is working with urgency and dedication to provide relief and restore normalcy," said the Governor. The Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, Apoorv Devgan, briefed the Governor on the relief and rehabilitation work being carried out across the district. The Governor also visited the Panchayat Bhawan, where arrangements have been made to accommodate displaced families. He personally interacted with the affected families and assured them of continued support. Earlier, the Governor assessed the heavy damage caused by a cloudburst on Jail Road in Mandi. He also paid a visit to the historic Gurudwara Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Paddal and met a bereaved family that lost three members in the tragedy, offering them his heartfelt condolences. C P Verma, Secretary to the Governor, Apoorv Devgan, Deputy Commissioner, and other senior district officials accompanied the Governor during the visit. (ANI)
When then-16-year old Mariam Kaba won $1 million through the Transform Rhode Island scholarship three years ago, she saw it as her opportunity to create the change she wanted to see in her nearly 45,000-person community of Woonsocket.

I dont see much positive representation from our community all the time, Kaba said. I was thinking my scholarship wont get picked. But it did  and I was able to bring something so big to my community, a community that already doesnt have the most funding in the world.

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The scholarship, funded by the Papitto Opportunity Connection Foundation, asks students to answer, if you had $1 million how would you target the lives of those in Rhode Island and how would you create change?

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Kabas investments resulted in a number of youth-centered spaces and opportunities popping up across the city, including 120 calm corners in elementary classrooms to support students sensory functions, new physical education equipment for all Woonsocket elementary schools, job fairs, hundreds of donated books, and field trips to local colleges & universities, among others.

Kaba, who is now a rising sophomore at Northeastern University, describes the experience of winning the scholarship as surreal.

It didnt occur to me that I was the last person standing and I won $1 million, Kaba said. But when I won, the first thing I thought was, OK, lets get to work. Im given this opportunity to help improve my community. What steps can I take? And when does the groundwork start happening?

When a teen leads, adults follow

Watch

This Rhode Island Teen Won $1 Million for Her Community

Bringing Kabas vision to life meant working alongside adults with experience in project management and community engagement while keeping up with her student life at Woonsocket High School.

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In high school, I managed both classwork and extracurriculars like student council, being a peer mentor and participating in Future Business Leaders of America, Kaba said. Balancing those things with my work with the scholarship came easy to me.

Kaba partnered with community organizations across the state like nonprofit Leadership Rhode Island. This collaboration helped lay out a roadmap for Kabas proposal, manage the scholarship funds and coordinate meetings with community leaders.

The winning student also sits on the board of the Papitto Opportunity Connection Foundation for a year. This provides an opportunity for them to build their network and connect with leaders in Rhode Island.

High schoolers can make a difference through spaces and support like this, Kaba said, and also advises teens interested in engaging with their community to not be afraid to start off small.

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This small gesture, Kaba added, can be as simple as gathering a group of friends to organize a community cleanup or starting a school club or Instagram to advocate for something theyre passionate about.

Starting off small is going to give you those steps to leading these big impactful projects, Kaba said.

The feedback Kaba received on her community investments, primarily from peers, community members and teachers in Woonsocket, was overwhelmingly positive.

People told me, I was able to go to this job fair and I got connected to this job, or, Im going to the Harbour Youth Center to get items from the food pantry you created and its been helping my family a lot, Kaba said. Community organizations reached out to me to let me know they would love to find a way to work together and do their part to take action too.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Bikers from throughout the region came together to ride for a meaningful cause.

On Sunday afternoon, bikers gathered at Sheldons Harley-Davidson in Auburn for the second annual Ride to End Homelessness, hosted by the Springfield Rescue Mission.

Rock, Roll, and Gather! Northampton event celebrates 35 years of the ADA

The ride ended in Springfield at the Rescue Missions headquarters for a community celebration, featuring food, raffles, and live music. Members of the public not taking part in the ride were welcome to join the festivities for a small donation fee.

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This charity event raises funds for those struggling with homelessness, providing food, clothing, shelter, and programming for those most vulnerable. Organizers say the bike ride has helped bring attention to the vital work the Springfield Rescue Mission does within the community.

This is just something that I love to do, said Kevin Ramsdell, Executive Director of the Springfield Rescue Mission. I love to ride myself, and we were trying to come up with some different ideas to bring awareness to what we do here, and this was one thing that came up that just seems to be growing each year.

Ramsdell said that there is a growing need during the summer months at the Springfield Rescue Mission, and they plan to expand their locations by adding transitional living and a womens facility in the future.

For more information on future programs and events, visit springfieldrescuemission.org.

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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A man who died after being found injured has been named by police, who have started a murder investigation.

At 06:30 BST on Friday, officers were called to a canal footpath behind Auctioneers Court, Northampton, where Robert Brown, 57, was found fatally injured on a bench.

Currently a cause of death is unknown but a forensic post-mortem examination on Saturday found he had a wound to his arm.

Part of the River Nene has been closed to pedestrians and river traffic between London Road bridge and Nunn Mills Road bridge.

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The force said the river will likely remain closed until Tuesday evening while searches take place.

The canal footpath between Trenery Way footpath at Wathen Wigg bridge and Becket's Bridge also remains closed.

Searches are taking place near the River Nene [Northamptonshire Police]

Thanking the community for their support, Det Ch Insp Jen Lovatt said: "This is an exceptionally sad incident and our thoughts and sincere condolences remain with Robert's family, who continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

"We have already spoken with a number of people as part of our ongoing inquiries but we are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have information, who we haven't yet spoken with, to come forward."

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On Saturday, Northamptonshire Police appealed to those living in nearby apartments overlooking the River Nene as they may be able to help the investigation.

Those with information or video footage have been urged to contact the police.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  It has been 35 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and local advocates gathered to celebrate this major milestone in US history, saying disability rights and civil rights.

Enfield attracts crowd for 99th annual Italian Festival

The Stavros Center for Independent Living hosted its first-ever Rock, Roll, and Gather! event in Northampton, celebrating disability culture, community, and rights.

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22News Reporter Kristina DAmours had the honor of emceeing the event Saturday afternoon at Look Park. Advocates at the event shared their commitment to paving the way for individuals with disabilities to ensure equity, access, and independent living for all.

We wanted to do an event that brought people together and out, and really celebrated the momentous achievement that was the ADA, said Jason Montgomery, Director of Development and Communication at the Stavros Center for Independent Living.

To learn more about the services offered by the Stavros Center, visit stavros.org.

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.
Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has entered the race for the Senate seat that's soon be vacated by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis opted not to run for re-election after publicly opposing President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill." Cooper joined Rachel Maddow to discuss the role he anticipates health care playing in the Senate race.
PENDLETON  A rummage sale in a quiet neighborhood Saturday helped bring encouragement to a young woman awaiting a life-saving multivisceral transplant.

The sale, featuring tables bearing merchandise including clothing, household items and other collectibles, drew dozens of people to make purchases in support of Becca Mattson.

Mattson, 23, has aged out of foster care and needs transplants of multiple abdominal organs, including her stomach, small intestine and colon. Shes been diagnosed with gastroparesis, a chronic digestive disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents.

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She also has chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, where muscle or nerve problems disrupt the normal coordinated muscle contractions of the intestines, slowing or stopping the movement of food and fluid through the digestive system, according to the Mayo Clinics website.

For the past seven months, Mattson has spent most of her time at the hospital. The decision to have the transplants was made in May.

To help her with necessities like housing, transportation and home health needs, a family involved in a foster childrens charity made arrangements for the rummage sale, which they decided to call Organ-ize for Becca.

Elizabeth Lemon, a volunteer from the charity, met Mattson a few years ago. She was immediately struck by Mattsons perspective on life.

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Her personality and how much she has overcome, basically on her own, I think that is the first thing that all of us recognize and see when you meet Becca, Lemon said. Shes had to overcome so many significant obstacles, but her personality is just still so bubbly and uplifting, and shes just super sweet.

For someone who goes through so much and to be able to continue to keep that uplifting spirit, it speaks volumes.

Organizers started by posting on social media, asking for donations to put on the rummage sale and distributing flyers about Mattson. In the end, two storage units, a garage and an enclosed trailer were filled with donations for the rummage sale.

People showed up the day before the sale, and they ended up making $800.

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Angela Hensley, another volunteer from the charity, said people have welcomed Mattson into the community.

Becca is not from Madison County, but shes a part of Madison County, Hensley said. A lot of people know her face and her story, and they have definitely shown to help support her.

Mattson graduated from Butler University earlier this year with a bachelor's degree in youth and community development, focusing in sociology and social work.

She has since been accepted to several law schools and had plans to move to Seattle, but was told to stay in Indiana so she could be added to the transplant list.

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However, the school has decided to hold Mattsons spot for her until she can make the cross-country move.

Mattson hopes to become a lawyer for foster kids.

At home, Mattson has a yellow lab named Felicity, who visits her when Mattson is in the hospital.

Hensley said it is important for people to be there for Mattson.

Without somebody stepping up, she has no one, Hensley said. Shes going to do great things. She just needs to have some support right now to get to what shes going to achieve.

Amber Martin, who is also a volunteer from the charity, said the transplants are crucial for Mattson.

It would give her a chance at life, Martin said. To live her life like she would like to. To be able to fulfill her dream of going to law school and living a semblance of a normal life that shes not had for a really long time.
Russia and China are staging mock combat drills and other war games in the Sea of Japan in a sign of strengthening military ties.

Though pre-planned, the joint naval exercises that began on Sunday came a day after Donald Trump moved US nuclear submarines closer to Russia in response to inflammatory comments from Russias former president Dmitry Medvedev.

The Joint Sea-2025 drills were launched in waters near to Vladivostok, Russias largest port on the Pacific Ocean, according to a statement from Chinas Defence Ministry.

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Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, will be participating in the three-day exercises.

This will include submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat, followed by naval patrols in relevant waters of the Pacific.

Russia and China, which signed a no-limits strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries.

Though Russia and China have both said that no third country is being targeted by their military cooperation, Japan has objected to the drills.

It said that greater strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow poses a strong concern for its national security.

A warship from the Russian fleet fires missiles in a previous war game exercise - Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/via AP

Announcing the drills on Wednesday, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for Beijings defence ministry, criticised US Air Force drills with Japan and others in the western Pacific.

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The US has been blindly flexing its muscles in the Asia-Pacific region and attempting to use military drills as a pretext to gang up, intimidate and pressure other countries, and undermine peace and stability in the region, Zhang claimed.

China and Russia have held military exercises together for more than two decades, with Joint Sea exercises beginning in 2012.

However, their cooperation, which was once sporadic, has deepened considerably over the past decade, with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping having met more than 40 times.

Mr Trump said his submarine order was made in response to what he called highly provocative remarks by Mr Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries.

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Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines.

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Editor's note: This article was updated to include information about a second strike on the bridge.

Russia attacked a key bridge in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast on Aug. 2, prompting local officials to urge residents to evacuate.

The strike occurred around 6 p.m. local time, when Russian forces dropped two guided bombs on the city of Kherson, according to regional authorities.

The attack damaged a bridge connecting the city to the Korabel neighborhood. Three houses and a high-rise residential building were also damaged, officials said. No casualties were immediately reported.

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Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on Telegram at 11:45 a.m. on Aug. 3 that Russian forces were once again striking the same bridge.

Prokudin urged residents of the Korabel district to evacuate, citing complications to logistics and infrastructure.

"As a result of the airstrike, logistics have been complicated. Because of this, it will be difficult to deliver food and other things for the time being," Prokudin wrote on Telegram.

Kherson Oblast, located in southern Ukraine just north of Russian-occupied Crimea, has been repeatedly targeted by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion.

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Read also: Inside the Battle of Kostiantynivka, as Ukrainian forces brace for three-sided Russian assault

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The Russian military attacked Ukraine with 83 aerial weapons, namely 76 drones, an Iskander-M ballistic missile, five S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles and a Kh-22 cruise missile on the night of 2-3 August.

Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

Details: The Air Force reports that 60 UAVs and an Iskander-M missile were shot down or suppressed by electronic warfare.

The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems and mobile fire groups from the defence forces of Ukraine.

Six missile and 16 drone hits were recorded at eight locations, and the fall of drone debris in two locations.

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(Reuters) -A Russian attack killed three people in southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Sunday, the regional governor said, as Moscow's forces press on with their slow advance westward along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line with Ukraine.

Governor Ivan Fedorov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the three people were killed in the daytime strike on the town of Stepnohirsk. Private homes were destroyed.

Reuters could not independently confirm the report.

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In Kamianske, a town a few kilometers south of Stepnohirsk on the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia region, a military spokesman said on Saturday that Ukrainian troops were holding on to their positions despite Russian attempts to take control.

Fedorov's account came amid reports in recent days of new Russian military action in Ukraine's east and southeast.

Ukraine's top commander said Moscow's forces were changing their tactics, using smaller sabotage units in a bid to push forward with their drive through eastern Donetsk region.

Russian forces have focused their drive on parts of Donetsk region, particularly the logistics center of Pokrovsk, under Russian attack for months.

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Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday its forces had scored a major gain by capturing the town of Chasiv Yar, to the northeast, after months of fighting, though Ukraine has not acknowledged this. Russia's Defence Ministry on Saturday said it had taken control of another village closer to Pokrovsk.

Denis Pushilin, the Russia-installed head of parts of Donetsk region under Moscow's control, said in a video posted online on Sunday the capture of Chasiv Yar, located on high ground would enable them to make further gains.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top commander, writing on Facebook on Saturday, said his forces faced the fiercest fighting around Pokrovsk and in two other sectors.

"At the same time, the Russians are resorting to the tactic of 'total infiltration' with the increase of sabotage actions in our rear," he wrote. "It is in this way that they are trying to enter Pokrovsk."

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Ukrainian forces, he said, had set up "counter-sabotage reserves, whose task is to seek out and destroy enemy reconnaissance and sabotage groups."

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Bogdan Kochubey; Editing by Chris Reese)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday responded to questions regarding the life imprisonment sentence given to expelled Janta Dal (Secular) leader and former Lok Sabha MP Prajwal Revanna in a rape case, stating that it should be the leaders of his own party and their allies who should be questioned on this matter. The Deputy CM emphasised that commenting on the issue could turn it into a political controversy and that it should be his party's leadership to say what is "what is right and what is wrong." "If we talk about Prajwal Revanna's life sentence, it will become political. Therefore, it is very important for JDS-BJP leaders to respond," Shivakumar said. "Rather than asking me for my reaction to this verdict, the leaders of his own party, JDS, and his ally, the BJP, should be asked. They should say what is right and what is wrong. They have the power and ability to respond to this. Let the JDS state president, national president, and youth wing president respond," he added. Questioning the silence of senior BJP leaders, he said, "Why are important BJP leaders, including Ashok, Narayanaswamy, and CT Ravi, not speaking out?" When pressed about Prajwal Revanna allegedly claiming the case to be a conspiracy during trial proceedings, Shivakumar declined to comment, stating, "I don't know about that. I will not respond to the statement he gave in court." Earlier in the day, Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Court for People's Representatives in connection with the rape of a domestic worker at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura in Karnataka's Hassan district. A fine of Rs 10 lakh has also been imposed on the expelled JDS Leader and former Lok Sabha MP. The court said that the victim will be given a compensation of Rs 7 lakh. On Friday, a special court in Karnataka found Prajwal Revanna guilty in a rape case involving a domestic helper. Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was convicted in one of four rape cases filed against him. The conviction comes just 14 months after the case surfaced. Following the verdict, Revanna broke down in court. The matter came to light in April last year after obscene videos of sexual harassment against multiple women were leaked ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was arrested in May 2024 after returning from Germany. He had earlier been denied bail by both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court. Revanna had challenged the Karnataka High Court order dated October 21, whereby it dismissed his regular bail and anticipatory bail pleas. On May 31, 2024, he was arrested at Bengaluru airport by CID's SIT on his return from Germany, where he had remained for 35 days, after hundreds of explicit videos surfaced, allegedly featuring him with multiple women. (ANI)
MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet was quoted as saying on Sunday.

The drills are taking place two days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action.

Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers.

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It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The manoeuvres are part of exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025" which are scheduled to end on Tuesday.

Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practise anti-submarine and air defence missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea.

Russia and China, which signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries.

Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries.

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Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines.

Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war.

(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Toby Chopra)
A Russian drone strike destroyed a warehouse belonging to Blue/Yellow, a Lithuanian humanitarian aid organisation for Ukraine, during a large-scale attack on Kyiv on the night of 30-31 July.

Source: LRT, Lithuanian public broadcaster, as reported by European Pravda

Details: As noted by the organisation, their Kyiv warehouse was completely destroyed as a result of the attack. Neighbouring buildings were also seriously damaged.

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Blue/Yellow reports that this warehouse was one of several that the organisation uses to temporarily store humanitarian aid from Lithuania before sending it to the front.

At the time of the impact, the premises were practically empty  only personal protective equipment (helmets, vests) for employees and medics were stored there. The organisation suffered no serious losses.

"No one in Ukraine is immune from such attacks. This is the everyday reality of war. The most important thing is that no one was injured. The foundation has not suffered serious losses, so our work shall not stop  we will continue to collect funds and send them to the defenders of Ukraine", said the director of Blue/Yellow, Laura Paukste.

Background:

Earlier, a field base belonging to Norwegian People's Aid, a humanitarian organisation assisting with mine clearance in Ukraine, was hit in Mykolaiv on the night of 23-24 July.

Egils Helmanis, Mayor of the Latvian city of Ogre, was injured during his volunteer mission to Ukraine, likely near a frontline area.

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Russian forces have used a drone to attack Ukrainian firefighters as they were extinguishing a blaze in the frontline town of Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, damaging a fire engine.

Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES)

Quote: "Firefighters have come under a treacherous attack in frontline Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The Russians launched a drone strike on emergency personnel just as they were putting out a burning car.

A fire engine has been damaged in the attack."

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(Reuters) -A Russian missile strike on the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine injured at least seven people and destroyed or damaged dozens of homes and civilian infrastructure buildings, the regional governor said on Sunday.

Two of the injured were hospitalised as a result of the late Saturday attack, Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said on the Telegram messaging app.

Kim posted photos showing single residential buildings almost destroyed, with building debris spread around. He said 23 private homes, 12 apartment buildings and a post office were damaged.

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Reuters could not independently verify the report. There was no immediate comment from Russia about the attack. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Moscow launched with a full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine's air force said on Telegram that Russia had launched 76 attack drones and seven missiles targeting Ukraine overnight, striking eight locations throughout Ukraine. Ukraine's air defence units destroyed 60 of the drones and one missile, it said.

In the early days of the war, the Mykolaiv region stood on the front lines, facing frequent artillery strikes and aerial attacks. Even after Russian forces were pushed back in late 2022, drones and missiles have remained a constant danger to communities.

In the front-line regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, at least three people were killed and more than 12 injured as a result of Russia's attacks over the 24 hours into Sunday morning, regional governors said.

Russia also launched a short-lived missile attack on Kyiv overnight, but there were no reports of injuries or damage.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by William Mallard)
A Russian missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv overnight on Aug. 3, injuring seven and damaging homes and civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials.

Following the attacks, emergency crews from Ukraine's State Emergency Service were dispatched to the site to conduct rescue operations and extinguish fires caused by the attack.

Four people injured received medical care at the site of the attack, while two men, aged 57 and 74, were hospitalized in moderate condition, Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevich said early in the morning. Another man, aged 32, received outpatient treatment for injuries.

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Located about 480 kilometers (298 miles) southwest of Kyiv, Mykolaiv remains near the front lines and has faced repeated Russian drone and artillery attacks.

Strikes have routinely damaged homes, utilities, and critical infrastructure, impacting civilian life across the region.

Read also: Russian attacks kill 6, injure 37 in Ukraine over past day

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A Russian combat unit that posed for photos at a position in the village of Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk Oblast has been destroyed by soldiers from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)

Quote: "The occupying army continues its attempts to break through to the border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and report another 'victory'.

Ukrainian soldiers at the position previously occupied by Russian troops, taken on 27 July.

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Photo: DIU

A Russian army combat unit decided to pose for photos in the village of Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk Oblast and report to their command that they had 'captured' the position on the way to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

However, the invaders had entered the area of responsibility of the Bratstvo (Brotherhood) unit, part of the Tymur special unit of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, so their media 'triumph' was short-lived."

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The embattled town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast remains one of the "most difficult" areas of the front line, with Russian forces employing "total infilitration" tactics in attempts to breach Ukraine's defenses, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on Aug. 2.

Pokrovsk has for months been one of the most heavily contested battlegrounds of Russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Syrskyi, who visited command posts near Pokrovsk on Aug. 2, said Pokrovsk remains "the most difficult situation" in Donetsk Oblast, along with the towns of Dobropillia and Novopavlivka.

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"The enemy is stepping up its efforts to capture our key agglomerations, looking for vulnerabilities in our defense, and conducting active combat operations in several directions simultaneously," Syrskyi reported.

"At the same time, the Russians are resorting to a tactic of 'total infiltration' with an increase in sabotage activities in our rear."

Map tracking Russia's offensive near Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, in summer 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

According to Syrskyi, Russian troops are attempting to enter Pokrovsk via these infiltration tactics, but have not yet succeeded. Ukrainian forces are repelling Russian sabotage and small infantry groups, he said.

Ukraine's military is responding to Russia's tactics by creating and deploying anti-sabotage reserves, Syrskyi said. Local commanders are also working to establish and strengthen fortifications, explosive and non-explosive barriers, and anti-drone tunnels.

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Syrskyi's report comes days after the Ukrainian military said on July 27 that Russian troops had advanced between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, as their summer offensive in Donetsk Oblast grinds on.

Previously, the battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported on July 22 that Russian troops had entered Pokrovsk, prompting Ukrainian units to scramble to prevent the situation "from spiraling into disaster."

Russia has concentrated the bulk of its offensive forces near Pokrovsk. Assaults in the sector have spiked in recent weeks as Moscow attempts to expand the front line by breaking through to neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Syrskyi reported in June that Russia had amassed 111,000 troops near Pokrovsk.

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Read also: Inside the Battle of Kostiantynivka, as Ukrainian forces brace for three-sided Russian assault

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A volcano in far eastern Russia has erupted for the first time in more than 500 years, which experts say may be linked to last week's massive earthquake.

The Krasheninnikov Volcano in Kamchatka threw up an ash plume up to six kilometres (3.7 miles) high overnight. There are no threats to populated areas, Russia's emergency ministry said.

Hours later, another large earthquake in Russia led to tsunami warnings in three areas of the peninsula.

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Both events may be connected to a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake which hit a similar area last week, which caused tsunami warnings as far away as French Polynesia and Chile.

Russian experts had warned strong aftershocks were possible for several weeks after Wednesday's earthquake - which was one of the strongest ever recorded and saw millions of people evacuate.

Sunday's 7.0 magnitude quake hit the Kuril Islands and could lead to waves of up to 18cm (7in), Russia's emergency ministry reported.

It said people in three areas of Kamchatka "must still move away from the shore", despite the low wave heights.

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The last recorded eruption of Krasheninnikov was in the 15th century, according to the head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team.

Olga Girina also said it may be linked to the earlier 8.8 magnitude earthquake, according to Russian state news agency RIA.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is remote but lies in the "Pacific Ring of Fire" - so called because of the high number of earthquakes and volcanoes that occur here.
An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv and several oblasts in the early hours of 3 August due to the threat of ballistic missiles.

Source: Kyiv City Military Administration; Air Force

Details: At 01:06, an air-raid warning was issued in the capital and several oblasts.

The Air Force warned of a possible Russian ballistic missile attack.

In addition, the Air Force reported missiles heading towards Kyiv.

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Tymur Tkachenko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, said that "the enemy is attacking Kyiv with missiles".

Explosions were heard in the capital amid the missile threat.

Update: At 01:37, the all-clear was given in Kyiv.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Residents in San Diegos Middletown neighborhood are rallying against a proposed 14-story apartment complex that they say would upend the character of their quiet, residential community.

At a protest held on Saturday, neighbors voiced concerns about Elda Developments planned project on Columbia Street  a 172-foot tower called Celine Residences that would include 161 units. The company says the project will include affordable housing, but residents argue that a building that big shouldnt be in any neighborhood.

Rage Against the Regime protests planned across US: What to know

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This ruins the landscape  the uniqueness of the neighborhood, said Laurie Case, a longtime resident. Weve all worked to preserve our homes and each others views.

Residents also raised alarms over parking availability, traffic congestion, and emergency response challenges due to narrow streets. Scott Case pointed to a nearby seismic hazard.

Theres an active earthquake zone running right through those two lots, he said, adding that the building also poses a potential risk to aviation because of its height and proximity to the airport. Its officially an obstruction according to the FAA.

Case also accused Elda Developments of exploiting affordable housing incentives through the citys Complete Communities program. He claimed only six affordable units would be included  small studios that, he argued, do little to support families  and suggested those could legally be relocated to another area.

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Kaiser health care workers make picket signs for upcoming protest regarding working conditions, patient care

In a statement, Elda Developments CEO, Ahmed Eldahmy, said the company has already paused the project in response to community concerns and is working to revise the design:

After learning about community concerns about our Celine Residences project on Columbia Street in Middletown, we paused development so we could engage in meaningful dialogue with residents and better understand their perspectives. Despite enduring financial losses and our employees who were on the project losing their jobs, we made numerous attempts to reach out to neighbors who refused to communicate with us to arrive at a compromise.

Despite us inviting feedback from the neighbors so we can revise the development, weve unfortunately encountered hostility in the form of personal and business harassment, protests and rallies from the community. One neighbor reached out to us July 23 and told how he and several community members were pooling funds to pay ELDA Developments so wed stop the project. We told him we do not need or want money and instead prefer to have open and constructive conversation with him and all the neighbors so we can arrive at a project that works for everyone.

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Eldahmy emphasized that no active fault lines have been confirmed on the site and that geotechnical studies are being conducted in compliance with city regulations. He called on residents to participate in constructive conversations.

Its unfortunate that area developers who are working tirelessly to help solve San Diegos housing crisis are continually being bullied by community members who refuse to participate in the solution. It appears the wealthy neighbors living up the hill do not care about the San Diego housing crisis and those who cannot afford to live here and instead appear to only care about protecting their own net worth. This has been going on for years and as a result, it is no surprise San Diego has a housing crisis.

We understand that new development brings important questions about traffic, density and long-term livability. Our goal is to collaborate with city partners to create solutions to support, not strain, the neighborhood.

We also have been accused of building on a fault line without regard to safety. Safety is non-negotiable. While there has been concern about potential fault lines near the proposed project site, no active fault lines have been confirmed on the property. Before any construction can begin, we are required by The City of San Diego to conduct comprehensive geological and seismic assessments. These studies, conducted by Geocon Geotechical Engineers, have been in motion following all City of San Diego regulations for seismic safety and emergency response planning and will determine whether any adjustments are necessary.

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We believe transparency and open community dialogue that go both ways are essential to thoughtful growth. Thats why from day one our goal has been for Celine Residences to be shaped by input, backed by research and guided by safety and sustainability standards. Our goal has always been to work toward solving San Diegos severe housing crisis while improving area communities. Community feedback shapes how we approach everything from design to execution because Celine Residences and all ELDA Developments projects are being built with the community in mind, not just around it.

Pacific Beach residents rally to block high-rise development plans

Related Video: Proposed high-rise in Middletown

Despite the pause, opponents say they will continue to fight the project  and others like it  that they feel threaten the character of San Diegos neighborhoods.

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This is happening all over  University City, Pacific Beach, you name it, Scott Case said. Its everywhere, and its wrong.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Reacting to the acquittal of all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, Shahid Nadeem, the lawyer representing the families of the victims, expressed deep disappointment, saying that even after 17 years, "no justice" has been served. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Nadeem explained that the court gave the accused "benefit of the doubt" due to lack of a clear link in the statements made by officers of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). "No justice has been done to the victims even after 17 years... The court said that the prosecution failed to establish concrete evidence about the involvement of the accused," he said. He further raised concerns about the sanction under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), noting that the legality of the sanction would need to be examined by the High Court. "The doors of the High Court are still open... The declaration of UAPA sanction as illegal would have to be looked into by the High Court... A benefit of the doubt has been given because there was no clear link with the ATS officers' statements," Nadeem added. On Thursday, Mumbai's NIA special court acquitted all seven accused of being involved in the 2008 Malegaon blasts, with the court saying that the prosecution failed to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The NIA court has also ordered the Maharashtra government to award Rs 2 lakh compensation to the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 compensation to the injured. A total of seven people were accused, including former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (Shankaracharya) and Sameer Kulkarni. "All bail bonds of the accused are cancelled and sureties are discharged," the NIA special court said. The court had examined 323 prosecution witnesses and eight defence witnesses before pronouncing the verdict. The seven people have been acquitted of all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and all other charges. On September 29, 2008, six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City's Bhikku Chowk. Originally, 11 people were accused in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against 7, including former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya. (ANI)
(FOX40.COM)  Alejandra Susana Castillo, 34, of Tracy, was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to five years in prison for illegal firearms trafficking.

 Video above: How to report a public safety threat

Active U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez said that the court documents showed that between Aug. 22, 2023, and Aug. 27, 2024, Castillo and a co-conspirator trafficked firearms by allegedly purchasing them in Nevada and selling them on the back market in California.

Officials said that since Castillos co-conspirator is a convicted felon, she was not able to purchase the firearms himself. The two were able to obtain firearms by traveling together to a firearms dealer in Nevada. The co-conspirator would enter the store first, identify the firearm he wanted to Castillo through text messages, and then leave the store.

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Castillo, who was not a prohibited person at the time, would then enter the store and purchase the firearms, pretending they were for another person. Once she had the firearms, the two would then travel back to California, where they would sell them unlawfully to people who could not purchase firearms legally.

Country, comedy, and R&B legends to perform at Hard Rock Live through December

On July 27, the DOJ said that Castillos co-conspirator allegedly led a law enforcement officer on a high-speed chase, which was ultimately ended because of public safety. Two days later, another officer saw the car that was involved in the chase parked at a gas station.

The officer had detained Castillo, who was then using the car, and during the search of the vehicle, the officer found a semi-automatic rifle in the trunk, along with three extended magazines.

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In total, more than 30 firearms were traced to this conspiracy. At least four of these firearms have been recovered by the California Highway Patrol in the possession of a felon in Vallejo on July 25, which was only three days after Castillo purchased the firearm in Nevada.

Castillos co-conspirator was reported to be in prison on Nov. 1, and her co-conspirator is currently in federal custody for a related case, the DOJ 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 FOX40 News.
Sark is to issue its first postage stamps, marking a historic milestone.

It is the first island to issue British stamps for more than 40 years, after Alderney launched its own stamps in 1983.

The milestone sees the release of two Sark stamp issues, under the postal administration of Guernsey, on 27 August and 3 September.

The first issue, subject to Royal Approval, will mark the island's wartime history with stamps highlighting key moments from the Nazi German Occupation during World War Two, and the 80th anniversary of the island's liberation, held on 10 May 2025.

The second set will feature Sark's wildflowers [Guernsey Post]

The second set will feature Sark's wildflowers, with the stamps showcasing several species.

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Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: "We are incredibly proud to support Sark in issuing its first stamps, which is a historic moment for the island.

"The commemorative stamps reflect the character and resilience of Sark's community and we are honoured to mark this important time in its history."

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DETROIT (FOX 2) - Former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins is making her return to city politics with a message that centers the places where most Detroiters livethe neighborhoods.

She spoke with Hilary Golston Friday.

Jenkins, who most recently served as CEO of THAW (The Heat and Warmth Fund), stepped down to run for mayor. Shes currently polling second and trailing in fundraising but believes her years of public service and nonprofit leadership uniquely position her to tackle the next phase of Detroits growth.

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"We have to focus on our neighborhoods now and rebuild the neighborhoods in the same way [we rebuilt downtown]," Jenkins said in a one-on-one conversation. "We have to decide what the vision for each of the seven districts is."

Shes developing a strategic master plan for each districttailored not just to geography, but to the unique needs of the residents who call those areas home.

From Cradle to Career

Jenkins says the inequities that show up in Detroit classrooms start well before kindergarten. Drawing from her early-career experience with Healthy Start, she pointed to maternal and child health as critical areas of investment.

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"Kids are coming into school already behind," she said.

She wants the Grow Detroits Young Talent program to be more intentional, with a clearer path to employment for young people, and she believes the city should be investing in Detroiters "from cradle to career and beyond."

Public Safety & Accountability

Youth safety, Jenkins says, must be a top priority for the next administration.

"We must find a way to keep our babies safe and keep guns off the streets," she said.

That includes creating positive, structured opportunities for young peopleand recognizing that gun violence is not simply a policing issue but a symptom of deeper, systemic failures.

Housing & Shrinking Budget

Jenkins also hopes to tackle Detroits housing challenges through affordable housing bondstools she believes can support the construction and preservation of safe, accessible housing options.

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"Utilizing affordable housing bonds is my plan to address some of these issues," she said.

But a bigger question looms: how to keep city programs funded now that Detroits $826 million in federal COVID-era ARPA funds is nearly gone.

"How do you fill the gap?" Golston asked. "Im not sure theres a way to fill a nearly $1 billion gap. Well have to figure out if the city can live off of its own budget and revenues."

Jenkins wants to aggressively pursue outside grants and create a new leadership role in city governmenta Chief Growth Officerto focus solely on identifying new opportunities and funding streams.

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"That role already exists at the state level," Golston noted, referencing Michigans Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe. Jenkins concedes this is not a new idea, but wants to bring this type of innovation to the city level.

"Well have to make sure our liabilities are properly aligned with our revenues," Jenkins said.

Water, Equity, & more

Jenkins is also concerned about basic servicesincluding access to clean water.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says it needs $800 million to replace approximately 72,000 lead service lines across the city. At the same time, the Lifeline Plan, which once helped 30,000 low-income Detroiters afford their water bills, has been scaled back to serve only about 8,000 residents.

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"Its one of the first things we will look at when we talk about finding revenue," she said of the massive task ahead of DWSD. "I dont know if well get $800 million in this current political environment, but it doesnt mean we stop looking."

What's Next

Jenkins is ranked in the top 3 among candidates in terms of fundraising and polling. Hilary Golston is conducting in-depth interviews with all top candidates ahead of Detroits August 5th primary election.

All of the mayoral candidates in Detroit were offered the chance for 1-on-1 interviews. Many of them will be featured in the days leading up to the election.
American farmers are using the voice of Scarlett Johansson and rock music to scare wolves away from their cattle.

Quadcopter drones blaring AC/DC and violent film scenes are being used by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to scare off wolves that have been preying on cattle in Oregon and California.

The drones are equipped with thermal cameras that can spot wolves lurking in the darkness and shine a light on them.

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They also have a loudspeaker that broadcasts alarming noises including the sounds of fireworks, gunshots and people arguing. One recording is of the fight scene between Johansson and Adam Driver in the film Marriage Story.

I need the wolves to respond and know that, hey, humans are bad, Paul Wolf, a USDA district supervisor in Oregon, told The Wall Street Journal.

Wolf population has soared in US

Mr Wolf has led a government study since 2022 on using drones to frighten away the animals.

It is the latest technological innovation in the fight to stop attacks by wolves in Americas rural north west.

The US wolf population has soared since they were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in 1995, growing from 300 to around 6,000, excluding Alaska.

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As a result, attacks on cattle and sheep have shot up, with farmers often unable to harm the predators because of their protected status.

Jim and Mary Rickert, who own Prather Ranch in California, have lost as many as 40 calves to wolf attacks over the past year.

Its basically like driving through Burger King, easy pickings for them, Mrs Rickert, 73, told the WSJ.

Since their deployment, drones have dramatically reduced the number of wolf attacks in Oregon.

All-night stakeouts stop attacks

In the Klamath Basin, in the southern part of the state, the number of cows killed by wolves fell from 11 over a 20-day period to two over the next 85 days following the drones introduction.

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The $20,000 flying vehicles are capable of doing a battery hot swap, meaning their power source can be changed without switching the drone off, enabling near continuous surveillance.

Mr Wolf and his team travel to ranches in Oregon and California where there have been reports of calves killed by wolves and carry out all-night stakeouts to ward off further attacks.

Footage of the team at work shows a screen displaying a wolf illuminated by a spotlight, captured by a night-vision camera on a drone hovering above.

Hey get out of here! Get! Mr Wolfs colleague, Colby McAdams, shouted via the microphone on the drones controller, causing the animal to run off.

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Public schools have long been a battleground for major shifts in politics and society in the United States, and Tennessee is no exception.

A decade after Tennessee was admitted to the Union in 1796, lawmakers established two colleges and an academy in each county, according to the Tennessee Encyclopedia. But even in those early days, there was already debate over what is best when it comes to educating Tennessees children.

A look at the history of public schools in the U.S. and Tennessee illustrates their evolution and the increasingly heated debates around them.

1635: First public school founded

In April 1635, the first public school in the U.S. was founded in Boston. Now named Boston Latin School, it remains open today.

1867: Department of Education established

President Andrew Johnson established the Department of Education in 1867 and tasked it with collecting information on the nations schools. The department was downgraded shortly after, and its power and roles fluctuated in the years that followed.

1925: Supreme Court strikes down mandatory public school attendance

In 1925, the Supreme Court struck down an Oregon law that made public school attendance mandatory.

1925: Scopes ruling in Tennessee

Tennessee high school teacher John Scopes was tried and convicted for teaching evolution, which was barred under Tennessee law. His case was appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court, which upheld the law but let Scopes off on a technicality.

Jury in the Scopes trial also known as the 'Monkey trial' when Professor John Scopes was tried for teaching Darwinian evolution theory in Dayton, Tennessee. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1931: First US desegregation ruling

The San Diego Superior Court ruled Mexican and Mexican-American children must have the same access to school facilities as their white counterparts, according to the San Diego History Center.

1954: Brown v. Board of Education

In the 1954 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed that "separate but equal" policies were unconstitutional, kicking off a wave of desegregation in schools nationwide.

1962: Engel v. Vitale

The Engel v. Vitale U.S. Supreme Court ruling barred schools from mandating prayer in classrooms. The ruling cemented the separation of church and state in schools.

1964: Civil Rights Act passage

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public places and barred employers from discriminating based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

1965: Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act mapped out a plan to improve the quality of education for all students and established Title I.

1979: Department of Education reestablished

Then-President Jimmy Carter reestablished the Department of Education in 1979 and made the Education Secretary a cabinet position.

1992: First charter school opens

The City Academy High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, opened its doors in 1992, one year after the state passed laws to allow charter schools.

2002: No Child Left Behind

The No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2002 and focused on tightening accountability for elementary and secondary schools by setting national test score standards for subgroups of students.

President George W. Bush waves as he arrives Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base. Bush was in town to speak to 1,000 Republican supporters -- raising $1 million for his re-election campaign -- and to visit with students at West View Elementary School to celebrate the two-year anniversary of his No Child Left Behind Act.

2002: Supreme Court upholds private school vouchers

The U.S. Supreme Court found that a private school voucher program in Ohio did not violate the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment because parents were not limited to only religious schools.

2003: First charter schools open in Tennessee

After the passage of a 2002 state law, the first charter schools opened in Memphis and Nashville in 2003.

2007: Student censorship and First Amendment rights ruling

In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of officials from Juneau-Douglas High School in Alaska, who suspended student Joseph Frederick for displaying a "bong hits for Jesus" banner during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

2009-2010: Race To The Top and the Achievement School District

In 2009, the Education Department launched a competitive grant program to award states money for programs to incentivize change in K-12 education.

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Race to the Top invested $4 billion into 19 states, including Tennessee, which led to the state establishing the Achievement School District in 2010.

2019: First voucher program in Tennessee

In 2019, legislation was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to launch a program for private school vouchers. The Education Savings Account, ESA, allowed those who met an income restriction and were located in Memphis and Nashville to participate. The program launched officially in 2021 and later expanded to include Hamilton County.

2020: Global pandemic

Students around the nation and world were forced to take their learning home due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some schools remained closed for months, while others shut their doors to students for over a year.

2022: Arizona creates universal voucher program

Arizona launched its universal voucher program in 2022. It allows all students, regardless of financial status, to receive vouchers for private school tuition, homeschooling or extracurricular activities. Arizona faced a $1.4 billion budget deficit in 2024, due in part to the voucher program.

2025: Tennessee expands voucher program

Lawmakers passed a statewide expansion to Tennessee's school voucher program, opening $7,295 Education Freedom Scholarships to 20,000 students for the 2025-26 school year. The first 10,000 scholarships are reserved for families who meet income restrictions, while the remaining 10,000 are open to all.

2025: Supreme Court blocks Oklahoma Catholic charter school

In a 4-4 ruling, the Supreme Court was split on whether to allow a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. That upheld the previous ruling of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which said charter schools are public schools and state law requires public education to be secular.

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Brooke Muckerman is the education and children's issues reporter for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at brooke.muckerman@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How education debates have shaped Tennessee and the United States
Scientists were caught by surprise after discovering a massive flood of subglacial lakewater burst through Greenland's ice sheet, spilling copious amounts of water across its surface.

As detailed in a new paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, it's the first time such a phenomenon has been observed, highlighting the fierce power being stored in meltwater lurking beneath a thick sheet of ice.

The event also defies our predictions of how the Greenland ice sheet evolves over time, even when taking climate change and the accelerating melting of ice sheets into consideration.

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"The existence of subglacial lakes beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet is still a relatively recent discovery, and  as our study shows  there is still much we dont know about how they evolve and how they can impact on the ice sheet system," said lead author and Lancaster University PhD Jade Bowling in a statement.

The team analyzed data from several European Space Agency and NASA satellite missions to construct three-dimensional models of the area.

Over just ten days in 2014, they watched as a 278-feet-deep crater opened up across a 0.7-square-mile area, causing 23 billion gallons of water to flood out.

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According to the statement, that's the equivalent of nine hours of water gushing over the Niagara Falls at its peak flow.

The gushing water caused a massive area, roughly twice the size of Central Park, of fractured and distorted ice to appear.

"When we first saw this, because it was so unexpected, we thought there was an issue with our data," explained Bowling. "However, as we went deeper into our analysis, it became clear that what we were observing was the aftermath of a huge flood of water escaping from underneath the ice."

The team is hoping to use the data to get a better sense of the effects this phenomenon has on the immediate area.

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"Importantly, our work demonstrates the need to better understand how often they drain, and, critically, what the consequences are for the surrounding ice sheet," Bowling said.

As global warming continues to threaten the Earth's polar ice sheets, scientists are hopeful that these kinds of measurements can give us a better sense of how human activity is actively reshaping the planet.

"Satellites represent an essential tool for monitoring the impacts of climate change, and provide critical information to build realistic models of how our planet may change in the future," said coauthor and Lancaster University environmental data scientist Mal McMillan in the statement. "This is something that all of us depend upon for building societal resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change."

More on ice sheets: Horrifying Research Finds Melting Glaciers Could Activate Deadly Volcanoes
This toxic element can cause damage to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, according to the World Health Organization.

A new report by NPR revealed concerns of an increase in mercury levels near an invasive species of algae in North Carolina.

What's happening?

North Carolina beaches are being impacted by an invasive species of macroalgae, known as Gracilaria vermiculophylla.

Due to the long, stringy nature of the algae, it easily gets tangled in  and damages  native species of grass and marshland, according to the Non-Native Species Secretariat. These strands join together to create algal mats, which can displace plants and animals, as well as kill larvae by reducing the availability of light and oxygen.

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Concerningly, the low-oxygen conditions these algae create are the perfect breeding ground for tiny microbes that create methylmercury. Coastal biologist Byron Toothman tested the mercury levels in Eastern mud snail populations that lived near the algae and others that lived further away. He told NPR that the snails closest to the algae were found to have "about two to three times as much mercury" in their system.

With the same pattern also being found in shrimp and oysters, Toothman said, scientists are concerned that these higher levels of harmful mercury could end up being eaten by humans.

Why are invasive species such a serious issue?

According to a study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, "inorganic mercury circulating in the general environment is dissolved into freshwater and seawater, condensed through the food chain, ingested by humans, and consequently affects human health."

Invasive species, such as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, are so damaging because they outcompete native species for vital resources, completely unbalancing and decimating the native ecology of an area.

What's being done about this invasive species?

Once invasive species have established themselves in a new ecosystem, they are notoriously difficult to get rid of.

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One method of protecting native species includes growing native plants, which creates enticing habitats for local animal and insect species. This can help conserve natural resources, protect the food supply, and even limit the spread of diseases.

Since the Gracilaria vermiculophylla is easily spread by boat, according to the Global Invasive Species Database, boatkeepers are being asked to be extra vigilant with cleaning out their boats. Boat owners are being asked to check their vessels regularly for small pieces of the invasive plant and let boats dry out properly to prevent the further spread of this harmful species.

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New research suggests that nor'easters  large-scale Atlantic storms that typically form near the stretch of coast between North Carolina and Massachusetts  are rising in intensity, fueled by higher oceanic temperatures and atmospheric moisture.

What's happening?

Nor'easters tend to originate when cooler air masses from the North collide with warmer, wetter air over the Gulf Stream Atlantic current, coming together with a level of spin that creates a cyclone.

According to Inside Climate News, nor'easters today are "significantly windier and rainier than they were in the middle of the 20th century," making the threat to our homes and lives more perilous than ever.

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The research, conducted by climate scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, established a trend of rising wind speeds over 900 different nor'easters from 1940 to the present day.

Why are intensifying nor'easters concerning?

Taking into account that the destructive potential of a storm is proportional to the cube of its wind speed, the study's Michael Mann noted that the increasing nor'easter wind speeds over the years are even more alarming than they seem, amounting to a rise in destructive potential of over 17%. This translates to greater infrastructure damage when these storms make landfall, as well as more civilian lives endangered  not to mention the economic burden of rebuilding and relocation.

But more severe storms and similar weather events are only one symptom of the ongoing issue of human-induced changes to the climate, fueled by large-scale carbon pollution that traps heat within our atmosphere. While isolated weather phenomena aren't by any means unnatural, higher atmospheric moisture and higher sea levels due to melting Arctic ice sheets supercharge these events to devastating consequences.

What's being done about extreme weather?

If you're worried about nor'easters or similar weather phenomena in your area, consider making your home more resilient by installing solar panels in conjunction with a battery system to keep your power running during an emergency.

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To address the ongoing issue of supercharged storms in the long term, however, we need to cut down on our carbon pollution. Even small switches  like taking public transportation instead of driving or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances at home  can make a difference.

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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South Dakota Highway Patrol Lt. Zach Bader confirmed Aug. 3 the first fatality of the 85th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

At about 9:30 a.m. Aug. 2 on Highway 16A near Mt. Rushmore, the driver of a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway, Bader said during the daily media briefing for the rally.

According to reports from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, a 58-year-old male driver was traveling west in the passing lane before tipping onto its right side and sliding into eastbound lanes. The motorcycle collided with three eastbound bikers, all of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The victim died on the scene, and helmet use for all four bikers is under investigation.

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Bader also confirmed 13 non-fatal injury crashes for day two of the rally, including two that resulted in serious, life-threatening injuries.

One motorcyclist also led Sturgis police on a late-night pursuit before crashing into a ditch on U.S. Highway 14A near Lovell, Wyoming, and another motorcyclist rear-ended a Ford Escape at a stoplight on South Dakota Highway 34, each of whom are still in the hospital.

DUIs are up: Sturgis police chief, county sheriff report first day rally numbers

Meanwhile, Meade County Sheriff Pat West recorded seven DUIs and 208 calls for service Aug. 2, confirming nearly 400 calls for service within the first two days of the rally.

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Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater confirmed 140 calls for service on his end, 23 of which ended up in arrests.

We need to work on slowing down, he said, adding that open container citations in downtown Sturgis are everywhere.

Please take a breath and relax, he said. Even our ambulances were spread thin last night.

VanDewater and West said they were busiest after midnight on Aug. 2.

Media briefings will continue daily through Aug. 8 at the Sturgis City Hall.

Angela George is a trending news reporter for the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, part of the USA Today Network. She'll be covering the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills through Aug. 8. Email ageorge@gannett.com with tips.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SD Highway Patrol confirms 1st fatality at the Sturgis Rally
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said on Sunday he would support an investigation into President Trumps firing of the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

I think an investigation is certainly in order, Padilla said in an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press.

Padilla noted he recently called for an investigation into potential violations of the Hatch Act related to the White Houses involvement in the GOPs redistricting effort.

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The example after example of Donald Trump weaponizing, no longer just the Department of Justice, but hes trying to weaponize the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Padilla said.

Trump on Friday directed his team to fire BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following a large jobs data revision that he blamed squarely on the appointee of former President Biden.

The jobs report released Friday showed a significant downturn in May and June of this year, suggesting the U.S. added 258,000 fewer jobs over those months than had initially been reported.

Trump said McEntarfer faked the Jobs Numbers before the 2024 election in order to boost former Vice President Kamala Harriss White House bid, citing labor statistics revisions during the Biden administration that boosted job numbers ahead of the election.

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Padilla said Trumps decision to fire the commissioner reveals the GOPs anxiety about the economy.

That tells you a lot about their insecurity about the economy and the state of economic affairs in America because everything that theyre claiming to be true is not true, he said.

Prices are still going up. This is from a president who promised to bring prices down. And so the American people are feeling it. The impact of tariffs, $2,400 a year for working families across the country. Thats the reality of tariffs.

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Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das expressed deep grief over the death of a 15-year-old girl who succumbed to her injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS New Delhi. The girl had been critically injured after being allegedly set on fire by miscreants in the Balanga area of Odisha's Puri district on June 19. Speaking to ANI, Das warned that the Congress party would stage a protest outside the BJP office on August 7 if the culprits were not arrested soon. "... May God give her family the strength to bear such a huge loss. It has been 14 days, but the culprits have not been caught yet... You have to look at this case in conjunction with the Balasore student's self-immolation case... Why was her statement recorded again and again? Was it to save the culprits? The whole case has come under suspicion," Das told ANI. "If they don't arrest the culprits soon, then we will surround the BJP office on 7 August and demand justice. If the government refuses to arrest the culprits, then we will consider this case as murder and will believe that the government is somehow involved in this," he added. Congress leader Mumtaz Patel also condemned the incident, saying daughters are not safe in the country. "...Justice delayed is justice denied...There have been two incidents in Odisha in the past two months...The President of India should put pressure on the Odisha government to ensure justice...The daughters are not safe in the nation..." Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka expressed condolences and criticised the Odisha government. "...The people behind this incident have not been arrested till now...When will the state government wake up?... The Odisha government is against women...The state government should ensure that such incidents don't recur in the future..." The victim had sustained 75 per cent burns and was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to AIIMS New Delhi on July 19, where she was admitted to the Burn ICU. Earlier on Saturday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences. In a post on X, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote, "I am deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of the girl victim in the Balangir incident. Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavours of the specialist medical team at AIIMS Delhi, her life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of the girl's soul and beseech God to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss." Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida also reacted to the incident and called it "unexpected and unfortunate." "Following an unexpected and unfortunate incident, the victim from Balangir, who was under treatment at Delhi AIIMS, has passed away. While praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul, I express my condolences to her family in this sorrowful situation. Despite all efforts by the medical team and the government, we are deeply saddened that she could not be saved," said Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in a post on X. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Odisha police urged people not to make any "sensitive comments" regarding this matter during this tragic moment, as the investigation has reached its final stage. "As to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved. Therefore, we request that everyone not make any sensitive comments regarding this matter during this tragic moment," the police said. According to the police, the minor girl went out with her friends, but she was allegedly abducted midway and taken to the riverside, where she was set on fire. The victim reached someone's house from the incident spot, after which she was taken to the hospital by her cousin. (ANI)
Washington - The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination of Jeanine Pirro, an ardent loyalist of President Trump and a Fox News fixture, confirming the cable news personality to a top prosecutor post in Washington, D.C.

Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge, was confirmed in a 50-45 vote. She has been in the job as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia on an acting basis since May. Before then, she co-hosted "The Five" on Fox News on weekday evenings.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is a powerful position with a huge staff, budget and portfolio. Her confirmation came days after the Senate approved the nomination of Emil Bove, Mr. Trump's former defense lawyer, to serve on a U.S. appeals court.

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Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate will adjourn until Sept. 2 once they finish with the round of votes scheduled for Saturday evening.

"I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourns to then convene for pro forma session only," Thune said.

Senators have 12 votes remaining following Pirro's confirmation, which is why Thune asked for senators to stay in the chamber to expedite votes. There was no objection.

Mr. Trump on Saturday praised Republican senators and Thune for fighting to get his appointees approved. In his Truth Social post, Mr. Trump blamed Democrats for "doing everything possible to DELAY these wonderful and talented people from being approved."

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The president nominated Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia after his nomination of Edward Martin collapsed in the wake of Martin's firings of prosecutors who handled some of the Jan. 6 criminal cases. Martin  a "Stop the Steal" advocate and MAGA political activist who was among the crowd outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021  appeared to lack enough support in the Senate needed for confirmation, Mr. Trump said when he announced Pirro's nomination.

Compared to Martin, there was little pushback from Congressional Democrats in response to Pirro's selection.

During Mr. Trump's first term, on his last day as president, he pardoned Pirro's ex-husband, Al Pirro, who was convicted of tax evasion and conspiracy while his wife was district attorney in Westchester County, New York.

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The Senate on Saturday night confirmed President Trumps pick Jeanine Pirro as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

Pirro, a former Fox News host and prosecutor who served as district attorney for Westchester County in New York, was confirmed along party lines in a 50-45 vote. Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) did not vote.

Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the vote in a post on the social platform X.

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Congratulations to my dear friend @USAttyPirro on her confirmation today! Jeanine is not only a wonderful person  she is a warrior for law and order, Bondi wrote.

I am absolutely thrilled to work side by side with my friend to keep Washington, DC safe, she added.

In a post on Saturday, Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Pirro should never be a permanent U.S. Attorney.

She endorsed the firing of January 6 prosecutors. She recklessly spread the Big Lie to the point her *own producers* had to tell her to cool it. Ultimately, shes a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, he wrote.

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The Judiciary panel gave its approval to Pirro in mid-July despite Democratic backlash. Democrats walked out of a business meeting after debate on Pirro and another controversial Trump nominee was cut short.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in his own X post that it was a sad moment for the Senate and the country.

Republicans just confirmed Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Yes, the same Judge Jeanine that even Fox News said was crazy and had to take off the air. How can they vote to confirm these people? the Democratic senator wrote.

Pirro, who has been serving as the interim U.S. attorney in D.C. since May, thanked Trump in a post on X for giving me the opportunity to bring justice to the swamp in D.C. She shared a message for the city: get ready for a real crime fighter.

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Republican senators left Washington for their August recess without passing a major Russia sanctions bill, effectively handing U.S. President Donald Trump full authority to decide whether to follow through on his threat to penalize Moscow if it doesnt halt its war against Ukraine by Aug. 8.

Trump warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to agree to a ceasefire, the U.S. would impose tariffs on countries that continue importing Russian oil. As a preview, he announced 25% tariffs on India  a far cry from the 500% rate outlined in the Graham-Blumenthal bill that has yet to reach a Senate vote.

I think (Trump)'s going to be very careful about what he does, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), told the Hill. But I think he is clearly disappointed in Putin, and I think he is now coming around to recognizing that many of us were right.

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Trump has recently expressed growing frustration with Putins refusal to deescalate, calling Russias ongoing attacks on Ukraine "disgusting." He also said on Aug. 1 that he had ordered nuclear submarines to the region in response to recent threats from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. "Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences," Trump posted on Truth Social. "I hope this will not be one of those instances."

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), co-author of the sanctions bill with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said he would consider it a win if Trump imposed even a portion of what the Senate proposed. We propose in our bill 500 percent. If its 250 percent, I could live with it. Even if its 100 percent, possibly. But you ought to impose bone-crushing sanctions that will stop them from fueling Russias war machine, Blumenthal told the Hill.

Some Republican senators said the Senate missed a key opportunity by leaving Washington without voting on the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill. Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. should continue ramping up pressure on Russia and ensure Ukraine remains well-armed.

Read also: Trumps India tariffs show Russias allies he will act if Ukraine ultimatums ignored, experts say

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Aug. 2Washingtonians breathed a sigh of relief when an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia on Tuesday brought only small waves to the coast without triggering destructive tsunamis.

But what many might not know is that two tsunami waves already hit the state just last November  300 miles inland.

When most people think of a tsunami, they picture giant ocean waves crashing into coastal cities. But more often than not, tsunamis in Washington are triggered by landslides, and most of them occur at Lake Roosevelt.

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The giant Columbia River reservoir behind the Grand Coulee Dam covers almost 125 square miles as it reaches nearly to the Canadian border. After construction of the dam was finished in 1941, the waters behind it became a national recreation area that attracts more than 1.5 million visitors a year.

On Nov. 17, 2024, at approximately 7:45 a.m. and again at 4:13 p.m., two large landslides occurred on Reed terrace, a steep slope of pines, shrubs and grasses. The landslides hollowed out part of the riverbank measuring 850 feet wide and 180 feet high.

Miles Oliver, who lives near the site, was sitting on his porch late in the day when he heard and felt a deep rumbling from the ground.

"I thought in my head, 'I don't remember being able to hear the train from across the river,' " he said. "Then I automatically realized that doesn't make any sense."

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After reading the first reports of a landslide on Facebook, he wasn't surprised.

"I've walked by that many times, and I just thought to myself, 'That looks like it can go,' " Oliver said. "The erosion was visible."

Although posts on social media described a 30-foot wave hitting the shore, a recently published report by the Washington Department of Natural Resources estimates the waves were smaller, about 11 to 14 feet above lake level.

Using evidence left from the tsunami, like scars on nearby trees, flattened grass, displaced debris and unusual seismic disturbances recorded that day, DNR estimated the wave's impacts reached as far as 2 to 3 miles from the slope.

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"When we talk about tsunami hazards, this area in Eastern Washington is actually the most prone and has the most events," said Alex Dolcimascolo, a Tsunami Hazards Geologist with the Washington Geological Survey involved in the research.

Historically many landslides in the area were caused by the raising and lowering of the lake's level from the dam.

Between 1894 and 1953, 19 slides were recorded near Reed Terrace, an area on the west bank of the river a few miles south of Kettle Falls and the Highway 20 bridge over the river. One of the largest tsunamis was in April 1952, when a landslide produced a 65-foot-tall wave. It was the largest wave recorded anywhere on Lake Roosevelt.

Since strict limits on water-level drawdown began to be enforced in the late 1950s, the Reed Terrace area stopped causing major tsunamis. But the other areas kept sloughing into the lake.

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In January 2009, a 17-acre landslide unleashed a 30-foot wave into Breezy Bay, damaging private docks and vessels for at least 1.5 miles downstream from the site.

Later that year in August, a large landslide near the Blue Creek drainage launched a wave approximately 12 feet high by the time it hit Porcupine Campground. No one was severely injured, although numerous people were swept into the water. The wave damaged log booms, docks, a swim platform and other park facilities, costing about $250,000 worth of damage.

Researchers haven't determined the exact cause of last November's landslides, but they don't directly attribute it to the dam, as it was not being filled or drained at the time.

Instead, discoloration in the hill's slope indicates wet soil may be the culprit.

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"We think that there was some groundwater within the landslide itself that kind of caused a disturbance," Dolcimascolo said.

The damage from November's slides didn't just impact mother nature  many private docks and shores were not spared from the wave's reach.

A dock and several fish pens from Sherman Fish Hatchery were dislodged by the waves. The tsunamis also damaged the Ricky Point Sail Club's dock and shoreline located directly across from the slide.

Eric Weatherman, a marine contractor for the Bureau of Reclamation who has a boat ramp about 3 miles upstream from the tsunami location, said the day after the tsunamis, he took his boat to Reed terrace to survey the damage.

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The lake was laden with the remnants of large trees, some 70 to 80 feet tall, lodged in the lake bed or floating atop the water. Chunks of dirt still trickled from the crumbling ledge. As he approached the shore south of the slide, he saw vegetation and other debris lodged between the standing trees about 100 yards from the water.

"Imagine how big a wave it took to do this, to rise 100 yards up into the woods up there, unearth the trees and the brush and the shrub and everything, and bring them all back down," Weatherman said. "You could definitely see the water line 20 and 30 feet up in the existing trees that were able to withstand the pressure."

Weatherman has lived his entire life working on Lake Roosevelt, previously residing on its shorelines about a mile and a half from the site.

He even has an old picture of his kids and grandkids smiling as they climb the site of the very slide that fell in November.

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Today, looking at the photo turns his stomach.

"That was a real wakeup call," he said. "I hope before anything happens, maybe we decide to make a priority of surveying those potential areas and spending the effort to identify them ahead of time."

If the Reed Terrace landslide happened during a summer day with lots of visitors, the damage wouldn't just be material.

When last year's tsunami hit, the cold November conditions meant the closest recreational area, Colville Flats Beach, was empty save for a few fishermen. But in the summer when temperatures are warmer, the beach's shores fill with visitors looking to bathe in the sun and swim in the cool water.

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An unexpected massive wave carrying sludges of debris could be perilous for a crowd of beachgoers, even deadly.

"Luckily the people who were here were on a shoreline or on a boat, and they had enough warning that they could pay attention," said Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area spokesperson Denise Bausch. "If this had been as packed as it can be, then we might have actually had some injuries."

Brandon Hatch is a Kettle Falls resident who frequently fishes in the reservoir. In his years on the water, he's witnessed chunks of sediment fall from the slide area, even as soon as this past week.

"It was jaw-dropping," he said. "There was a wave, but it looked like a bomb with the silt."

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He grew up by the ocean in Western Washington, so he's familiar with the protocol for handling tsunamis. But he can't say the same for other residents who've lived inland their entire lives.

"I guarantee you that there would have been a multitude of people that didn't know how to handle the wave," Hatch said. "They just wouldn't have that knowledge. Why would they?"

"This is mother nature doing what mother nature does."

Bonny Matejowsky'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.
Seven civilians have been killed in Russian strikes on Donetsk and Kherson oblasts.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration on Telegram; Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Details: On 2 August, the Russians killed five residents of Donetsk Oblast: two in Kostiantynivka and one each in Siversk, Pokrovsk and Raiske.

Another 11 people in the region were injured during the day. In particular, seven in Druzhkivka, two in Sloviansk and one each in Kostiantynivka and Siversk.

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During the same period, two people were killed in Kherson Oblast and another 11 were injured due to Russian aggression.

One of the casualties was injured in the city of Kherson on Sunday morning. As a result of the Russian attack, a 69-year-old man sustained a blast injury and shrapnel wounds to his leg and head.

On Saturday 2 August, the Russians damaged a road bridge, a gas pipeline and cars in Kherson Oblast.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  Santa Fe police have arrested two burglary suspects in two different incidents. SFPD says earlier Saturday morning, officers responded to a call at a Speedway because of a burglary in progress.

Upon arrival, police say they saw 48-year-old Monica Diaz inside the locked building. When police tried to stop her, she ran away, but was quickly caught and arrested. Santa Fe police say Diaz has a lengthy criminal history for drugs and shoplifting.

Investigators release new details on shooting involving New Mexico State Police

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Soon after that arrest, the SFPD was called to an apartment complex where a man was trying to break into someones storage closet. Both suspects were booked at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center.

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PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Jean Lewis likes the idea of her unfixed fixer-upper  which she bought 25 years ago for $39,900  being worth $240,000, because if it were, she would sell it to someone willing to pay that.

The problem? Its now assessed at that for tax purposes  said Lewis, speaking in front of her above-ground pool, in view of her asbestos siding  even though she says theres no way its worth that.

I did offer them, Ill take a third of that for the house, if they want,' Lewis joked  although she says the idea that the house isnt worth even $100,000 is no joke. The home  like all in Perry County  hadnt been assessed since 2010, when its value was pegged at $77,000.

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Lewiss increase was particularly high  overall, assessed values in the county roughly doubled since 2010, said Randy Waggoner, the countys chief assessor  but shes not alone in her reaction.

When this came in, I was shocked, said Josi Lauver of Millerstown, pointing to her assessment letter  like all, dated June 30  showing her homes value rose from $227,000 to $428,000. Shocked, Lauver repeated. She said theres no way her home would sell for that much.

In any other state, waiting 15 years to reassess properties would be unheard-of, because it would be illegal. In Pennsylvania, Perry County is doing better than many by only waiting that long.

For properties that have appreciated significantly since the base year, it can feel like a real shock, said Marielle Macher, a lawyer with the Harrisburg-based Community Justice Project (CJP), which  separately  has filed a lawsuit to try to force all counties to reassess properties more frequently and using current market conditions, rather than just multipliers from base years, since which some properties, the CJP lawsuit says, have actually appreciated far more than others. And part of the need for regular reassessment is so that there isnt this massive change when a reassessment goes into effect.

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Waggoner, the assessor, said homeowners should know two important things:

First, a somewhat higher assessment wont necessarily mean higher tax bills in 2026 from the county, municipalities and school districts. Thats because Pennsylvania law requires taxing authorities to lower their millage rates  essentially, the multiplier of property values that determine property taxes  when assessed values go up after an assessment.

Reassessment cannot be used as a significant tax windfall, Waggoner said. After controlling for all the other changes, taxing authorities can then raise their millage rates by enough to collect 10 percent additional revenue compared to the last year before the reassessment, although they rarely do.

Based on Perry Countys preliminary assessed values (preliminary being a key word; more on that next), very roughly, someone whose value nearly doubled might get a similar tax bill as before. Someone whose value tripled  like Jean Lewiss, if she doesnt appeal her assessment, which she says she will indeed do  would indeed pay more in taxes. Someone whose assessed value rose only a little would pay less.

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A third of the property owners will see their taxes go down, a third will see it stay the same and a third will see an increase, Waggoner said, speaking generally of what happens after assessments; the exact figures for Perry County wont be known until after appeals are processed and then taxing authorities set their new millage rates.

Speaking of appeals, thats the second important thing Waggoner wants homeowners to know: The appeal deadline is Aug. 11. The appeal form is here; other information about the assessment process is here.

The best form of evidence is an appraisal done by a licensed Pennsylvania appraiser, Waggoner said. However, its not a requirement.

Homeowners can take photos to show the condition of their homes, and they can cite recent sales of comparable properties  recent means ideally within the past six months and no more than one year ago, Waggoner said.

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Authorities are investigating a shooting that took place at a house party near the campus of the University of Southern California overnight.

Officers responded to a home along Budlong Avenue shortly before 2 a.m., according to preliminary information.

At 2:38 a.m., the USC Department of Public Safety put out an advisory warning community members that there was police activity north of Jefferson Boulevard in the area of 29th Street between Budlong and Walton Avenue, located just west of the University Park Campus. Those living in the area were told to stay away from the scene.

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Reports from the scene indicate there were more than 100 people at the party when gunfire erupted. At least one person was injured; it is believed that this victim self-transported to California Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles.

There was no immediate information on their identity or condition. Additionally, there was no description of a possible suspect.

A shooting was reported at a large house party near USC campus early Aug. 3, 2025. (KNN)

Video footage and reports from news stringer service KeyNews indicate that many attendees became agitated when police arrived and that there were people trying to wash away blood. These reports were not confirmed by law enforcement right away.

Police investigate teen assault caught on video outside Regal Cinemas in Simi Valley

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At least two people were detained; however, it is unclear whether they were formally arrested.

Police cleared the scene around 4 a.m., according to the USC Department of Public Safety.

No further details on the shooting were immediately available.

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ESPANOLA, N.M. (KRQE)  This week on New Mexico Crime Files, KRQE anchors Dean Staley and Jessica Garate discuss the controversial La Jornada statue of Juan De Onate, originally located in Espanola, N.M. Protestors from both sides of the debate got heated, leading to multiple incidents of violence.

The case at focus here is a shooting by pro-statue protester Ryan Martinez of an anti-statue protester after the debate escalated into a physical altercation and violence. How this case unfolds, the consequences of the shooting, and where the statute is now.

About Crime Files

This is New Mexico Crime Files  Taking it from the streets, then to the courtroom, to finally answering where are they now?. Each week, KRQE News 13 anchors Dean Staley and Jessica Garate bring you the notorious, the unforgettable, and the unbelievable crime stories from the Land of Enchantment.

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(FOX40.COM)  A simple bike stop for riding on the wrong side of the road quickly turned into a three-block pursuit and the discovery of a large amount of methamphetamine, according to the Yuba City Police Department.

 Video Above: What do the different schedules of drugs mean?

YCPD said that when officers attempted to pull over the bicyclist, the suspect attempted to flee, but his escape came to an abrupt end when he collided with a tree. Subsequently, he was arrested.

Yuba City police said a man was arrested after he allegedly led police on a chase while riding his bike and was found to have more than 40 grams of meth. /Yuba City Police Department

After a search, police said they found 44 grams of meth in the suspects backpack. Ironically, police said he was wearing a shirt that read, this is what a legal drug dealer looks like.

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Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed the development works in the state. According to a release by the Chief Minister's PRO, during this meeting on Saturday, CM Sharma apprised HM Amit Shah about the innovations, development works and public welfare schemes being done by the double-engine government in the state. On this occasion, CM Sharma also informed him about the proposed exhibition to be organised to widely showcase the institutional reforms in the judicial system and the positive confidence built among the general public as a result of the successful implementation of new laws in the state. Sharing an X post, Bhajanlal Sharam wrote, "In New Delhi, I had a courtesy meeting with the esteemed Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Honourable Shri @AmitShah ji, and received his inspiring guidance." "On this occasion, I apprised the Honourable Union Minister ji about the various innovations, public welfare schemes, and priorities being undertaken by our double-engine government in Rajasthan in the direction of good governance, development, and public welfare. Additionally, I informed him about the proposed exhibition to widely showcase the institutional reforms in the judicial system and the positive trust generated among the general public following the successful implementation of new laws in the state," the X post read. CM Sharma also expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah for their support towards 'New India's New Rajasthan' initiative. "Under the able guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the continuous support of Honourable Home Minister ji, 'New India's New Rajasthan' is touching new heights of development," the Chief Minister wrote. Earlier, CM Sharma also met Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at his residence. During this, he discussed in detail about Rajasthan Refinery and various projects related to the petroleum and gas sector, the press release said. (ANI)
WHITESTOWN, IND. (KELO)  Sioux Falls Little League claimed its second shutout win in as many days to open the Midwest Regional with a 2-0 victory over Missouri Saturday afternoon.

Team South Dakota scored both of its runs in the bottom of the second inning. SFLL has outscored its opponents 9-0 over the two days.

Murphy Seefeldt registered 10 strikeouts, including for the final out of the game as Missouri left the bases loaded.

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Sioux Falls is now set to take on Fargo as the only two 2-0 teams in the field Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.

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In the last few hours, six countries have dropped 136 aid packages with food for residents in both northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday.

In cooperation with Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, France, Germany and Belgium conducted the air drops, which are led by Israel's coordinating agency for the Palestinian Territories, COGAT.

The IDF, on its Telegram channel, said the drops are a continuation of the "actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip."

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Two A400M transport aircraft from the German Armed Forces, carrying 44 pallets containing food, medical supplies, and other aid weighing approximately 19 tons, were dropped over Gaza, an Air Force spokesman told dpa in Berlin.

Another drop is planned for the beginning of next week.

According to the United Nations, the Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine. Israel controls all access points to the coastal territory on the Mediterranean and, for several months, allowed no or only minimal aid deliveries to pass through.

Israel said this was intended to increase pressure on the Islamist Hamas to release the last of the hostages abducted on October 7, 2023.

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Since last weekend, following growing global criticism of the dire situation faced by the Palestinian civilian population, Israel has been allowing larger deliveries via land routes and supporting the airdrops of aid by allied nations.

Germany has been participating in the operation since Friday with up to two aircraft, which are loaded at a military base in Jordan. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that options for distributing German aid via land routes are also being explored.
Hamas claimed that Evyatar David had been eating what the people of Gaza were eating, referencing the accusation that Israel had forced starvation on the Palestinian enclave.

After Hamas released a new clip of hostage Evyatar David on Saturday, the second hostage propaganda video in two days, the Foreign Ministry drew attention to the different muscle and fat composition on the arm of the terrorist captured in the video.

Look atDavids arms  an Israeli hostage, starved to the edge of collapse, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X/Twitter.

Now, look at the arm of his Palestinian Hamas captor  strong, well-fed, offering out a can for show.

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The Hamas propaganda unit made a mistake. In minute 02:31 of their disgusting video, a Hamas terrorist gives Evyatar a can of food. One can see that the terrorists arm is thicker than both Evyatars legs. The only people being starved in Gaza are the hostages, a diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visit the US-launched Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid site in Rafah, southern Gaza, August 1, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X)

'Famine' in Gaza

Hamas said that David had been eating what the people of Gaza were eating, referencing the accusation that Israel had forced starvation on the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has long denied Hamass accusations, and the US recently announced that the Jewish state was matching a $30 million contribution to the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

This relates to senior Trump administration officials telling Congress this month that Israel agreed to match a US award of $30 million to the GHF, a previously unreported contribution to the private aid operation, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

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Aside from Americas contribution, which the US State Department announced in June, the sources behind the foundations funding have been opaque, as the GHF does not disclose its donors.

Hamas has said that the GHF aid sites have become massacre points in the Gaza Strip. Both this organization and Israeli officials have denied these allegations.

The US began backing the GHF as an alternative to the aid organizations that previously provided resources to the Gaza Strip, citing Hamass frequent looting of incoming aid provisions.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A small earthquake was felt near New York City on Saturday night but left no reports of injuries or structural damage.

The 3.0-magnitude earthquake hit the New Jersey town of Hasbrouck Heights, about nine miles from Manhattan, around 10:18 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It had a depth of 10 kilometers and people reported feeling it as far as Philadelphia and New Haven, Connecticut.

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The New York City Office of Emergency Management said after the tremors were felt that it was monitoring for potential impacts. It later said that there were no reports of damage.

The USGS explained that the earthquake happened as a result of faulting at shallow depths in the crust, and such earthquakes are infrequent but can be felt on the East Coast.

"Although this event did not occur near a plate boundary, such 'intraplate' earthquakes can and do occur," the USGS said.

The earthquake prompted jokes on social media from accounts that include one for the Empire State Building, which quipped, "I AM FINE."
A magnitude 3 earthquake struck the New York City metropolitan area on Saturday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS said the earthquake occurred at 10:18 p.m. local time near Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., which is about 7 miles directly west of Harlem in New York City.

Magnitude 3 earthquakes are often felt but do not typically cause damage. Social media users were quick to describe their experiences.

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I AM FINE, a post on the social platform X read from the Empire State Building account.

The earthquake did not occur near a plate boundary; rather, it resulted from faulting at shallow depths in the crust, according to the USGS.

Another earthquake struck an area approximately 37 miles west-southwest of Hasbrouck Heights in April 2024. That tremor had a magnitude of 4.8, the USGS said. The USGS said the weekend earthquake is not an aftershock or related to the other earthquake.

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HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP)  A small earthquake rattled the New York metropolitan area Saturday night.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor had a magnitude of 3.0.

It hit in the New Jersey suburb of Hasbrouck Heights, less than 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of Central Park, at a depth of about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).

One resident of New York's Brooklyn borough described it as a very brief tremor, just a slight swaying for a moment.

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Nevertheless, social media quickly lit up with people who felt it. The official account of the Empire State Building reported in on the social platform X to say: I AM FINE.

The tremor was much milder than a 4.8-magnitude quake in 2024 that struck in Tewksbury, New Jersey, a little farther west of the city.

A 3.0 earthquake is typically not strong enough to cause any damage, but tremors that mild are somewhat rare in the Northeast.

New York City Emergency Management said there were no immediate reports of major impacts.
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will once again mention President Donald Trump in an exhibit on presidential impeachments after the removal of a placard noting his two Senate trials sparked concerns this week over the White House's influence on the institution. MSNBC's Eugene Daniels breaks down the news and shares his biggest question following the Smithsonian's reversal.
The number of senior Scottish civil servants earning more than 100,000 a year has grown under the SNP, figures show.

The Scottish Government currently employs 73 senior civil servants (SCS), who are the heads of various departments and directorates.

The highest paid is Caroline Lamb, the director-general of the health department and head of the Scottish NHS, whose annual salary is listed as between 205,000 and 209,000.

Caroline Lamb, who is head of the Scottish NHS, commands a salary of more than 200,000 and is the top earner

Last year, only 66 staff were on six-figure salaries, adding up to a total of 7.5m. But the top tier of civil servants now costs taxpayers 8.6m a year in wages with many earning in excess of 110,000  three times the average annual salary in Scotland.

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Levels of pay for SCS are set by the UK Government in Westminster, but the size of the civil service in Scotland is determined by Holyrood.

There were 52 senior officials earning salaries of more than 100,000 in 2023, 38 in 2021 and just 14 as recently as 2018.

This year, top earners included Joe Griffin, now the permanent secretary to the Scottish Government, who was paid 140,000 per year in his former role of director general of strategy and external affairs, and Alyson Stafford, who earns 160,000 per year as director general of the Scottish Exchequer.

Alyson Stafford on a visit to the Treasury in London with John Swinney, now First Minister, centre - Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive

Joe Griffin, now the permanent secretary to the Scottish Government

The growing wage bill has emerged after the Scottish Government launched a round of cuts to the budgets of NHS and mental health services citing growing financial pressures.

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Last September, Shona Robison, the finance secretary, announced 115.8m in cuts to health and social care as part of the SNP governments savings plan.

Critics have criticised the out of control cost of civil service wages to taxpayers, and accused the SNP of having the wrong priorities.

Craig Hoy, the spokesman for finance and local government for the Scottish Conservatives, told the Mail: The civil service, and the cost of it, have ballooned out of control under the SNPs watch, and by far the biggest expansion has been in those on the highest salaries.

When Scots are paying the UKs highest taxes, but seeing worsening services, theres no excuse for fat cat pay packages of this sort.

Equalities and rights roles also surged

In May, it emerged that the number of civil servants working on equalities and human rights in Scotland had also grown under the SNP, surging by almost 50 per cent in two years.

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Scottish Government figures released under Freedom of Information laws showed the costs of its Equalities and Human Rights Directorate had risen sharply after a huge increase in staffing and salary levels.

The number of officials on the departments payroll rose from 105.6 in 2022-23 to 152.7 in 2024-25  an increase of 44.6 per cent.

The period of the increase coincided with Nicola Sturgeons government tabling the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill, which would have allowed biological men to change legal gender by simply signing a declaration.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: Senior civil servants manage performance and delivery, and ensure the Scottish Government achieves its goals. They bring significant expertise and progress the governments plans for delivering on its Programme for Government.

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Twenty-year-old National Guard soldier Maksym Nahornyi  the author of the letter will publicly quoted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in parliament in June 2023  was reportedly killed during a combat mission near the city of Pokrovsk on 19 July.

Source: Maksyms fiancee Nataliia Suiva and his sister Ivanka

Details: At the end of July, the soldiers relatives learned that Maksym, who served in the 3rd Spartan Brigade of Operational Assignment, had gone missing. His body was taken to a morgue in the city of Kamianske on 1 August.

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His fiancee says that Maksyms body was not shown to them, as it had lain in the heat for 10 days in the combat zone. They were only given a photo of his tattooed hand and images of his chain and bracelet for identification.

Nataliia and Ivanka submitted their DNA for identification, but were told that "this is not enough", as a male relative was required, otherwise the body would not be returned for at least six months.

"Maksym was an orphan. He has no living male relatives. We have no one to turn to. We do not know how to bring home the body of our loved one. We do not know how to bury a hero who gave his life for his country," said Nataliia.

After returning to the city of Lutsk, Nataliia and Ivanka contacted the police. However, they were told that this was a matter for the military enlistment office, but no one explained which one specifically.

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Maksym Nahornyi was born in Lutsk and was raised in an orphanage from the age of four. He was later adopted but eventually returned to the orphanage. At 18, he voluntarily joined the Armed Forces and fought on the Kupiansk front, where he was wounded.

His name became known in 2023 after Ukrainska Pravda published his will in the form of a letter written in a dugout after a Russian attack. In it, the young soldier called not only for victory in the war but also for changing the country, particularly by dismantling the orphanage system he grew up in.

"I am a private in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an 18-year-old soldier, Maksym Nahornyi," he wrote. "I am an orphan, and if I die for Ukraine, I do not want to become just another ink entry in the bureaucratic statistics of losses. I have a dream  to live a life that is not in vain and, besides achieving victory at the front, to help many orphans."

Maksym wrote that he dreamed of a country without orphanages. He said this system harms children and deprives them of a real childhood. He asked that Ukraine not return to the old system after the war:

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"I do not want such a system to be rebuilt. I dream of a new Ukraine: a country without orphans; a country where children live in families and only in families. Because children need a family, not a warm place without love, dignity and respect, without happiness."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly quoted an excerpt from this letter during his speech in parliament on 28 June 2023, Constitution Day.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I want to quote the words of a Ukrainian soldier. His name is Maksym Nahornyi. He was born in 2004. He is an orphan. He serves Ukraine in the 14th Mechanised Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great.

Here are Maksyms words:

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I have witnessed terrible things that I want to forget, not remember, erase from my memory, just like yesterday in this damned war. But what about tomorrow?.. We must not rebuild the old system  let us create a new and much better Ukraine!

These words from Ukrainian soldier Nahornyi deserve our support."

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
A Southern California man was convicted of embezzling over $2.2 million in money and property from an elderly victim.

Jamal Nathan Dawood, 54, a.k.a. Jimmy Dawood, of Burbank, was found guilty of wire fraud and money laundering on July 31, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The elderly victim had inherited real estate properties and retirement savings from a brother who had passed away. In 2019, Dawood offered to help the victim manage his inheritance, convincing him to open a trust account to manage the funds, prosecutors said.

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Without the victims knowledge, Dawood began transferring money from the new account to people he had personal or business relationships with.

He later convinced the victim to transfer ownership of his home and his late brothers real estate holdings to third-party companies that were actually controlled by Dawood or people he knew.

Dawood falsely represented that the victim would retain an ownership interest in his residence and the inherited real estate through these companies, court documents said.

Through this scheme, Dawood obtained at least $2,202,688 in the victims money and property. He then used the stolen funds to purchase real estate in La Crescenta and Fontana.

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Following a seven-day trial, Dawood was found guilty of six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled on Dec. 8. Dawood faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years in prison for each money laundering count.

Anyone over 60 years old who may have been a victim of financial fraud can seek help by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps, federal officials said. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses.

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Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for releasing the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, under which over Rs 20,500 crore was transferred to more than 9.7 crore farmers across the country. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sharma highlighted the significance of the scheme, stating, " Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 20th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, transferring Rs 20,500 crore to over 9.7 crore farmers...PM Modi has rightly said that the nation will not develop until the farmers of the country develop...The money is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode..," he said. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 20th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Varanasi, transferring an amount of more than Rs 20,500 crores into the bank accounts of 9.7 crore farmers With the release of the current 20th instalment, the total disbursement under the scheme since its inception has surpassed Rs 3.90 lakh crore. The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by the Prime Minister to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under the scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year is transferred in three equal instalments into the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. With Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar and mobile phones, every part of the scheme works online. Farmers can register themselves, and their land is verified digitally; money is then sent straight to their bank accounts. The scheme has also inspired new tools like Kisan eMitra, a voice-based chatbot, and AgriStack, which will offer farmers personalised and timely help. These steps are making Indian farming ready for the future. The Department of Posts offers the facility of linking/updating mobile numbers with Aadhaar for farmers benefiting from the PM-KISAN scheme. This is to complete e-KYC through India Post Payment Bank (IPPB). (ANI)
BATON ROUGE, La (Louisiana First News)

Southern University is turning up the volume on student voices with the launch of WSUB 106.1 a brand-new student run radio station. More than just music WSUB will be a learning lab for mass communication students and a bridge between campus and the Baton Rouge community.

Its a new day for Southern Universities voice in the community. On Friday the mass communication department unveiled WSUB 106.1 a rebranded, student run FM station with big plans for Baton Rouge and beyond.

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Darrel Glasper says, It gives them a start. It gives them an opportunity, which they have a lot of bright minds at Southern University. It gives them the right to be able to chart their own direction, to be able to write, to be control of the communication.

Formally known as WTQT, the station is now a learning lab giving students the opportunity to gain hands on experience in live broadcasting, journalism, and media production.

Oh, its going to be very positive because now theyre writing their own content mostly in the media. You see the negative parts of it, right? What is going on with our youth in America They need to understand that success dont just start overnight.

Communicate what those things that is good with the university. What can be done? How people can change their lives and what really can it really be. There for them as resources. Glasper says.

Still will have the opportunity to take classes this fall and as the transition continues the legacy of WTQT will continue.

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Nicolette Gordon says, WSU B will serve as a training ground for our students. Of course, they will have a chance to take introduction to radio. Of course, w t u t has a rich history in this community and so well just going to continue that legacy.

With the new sign unveiled WUSB will broadcast Jaguar with powerful voices in the community.

Youll expect to see us in the streets. And when I say on the streets in our community, you know, we are the culture and the community will get a chance to see exactly how that, I guess, translate in the years to come. Gordon Says.

WSUB will show students it is more than just a station it is where the classroom will meet learning.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  This week on The Spectrum:

A new perspective on the long-running battle for control of the State Teachers Retirement System: the hostile takeover allegation from the Ohio attorney general, and why an investment firm said it was a rescue attempt.

Ohio Republicans are blaming Democrats for rising crime in the states biggest cities.

Its just not true, Columbus Office of Violence Prevention Director Rena Shak said. Its misinformation. Its meant to stoke fear.

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See what the data really shows.

An organization is working to restore faith in democracy across key battleground states. Hear about the heavy lift it has ahead of it.

Republican strategist Bob Clegg and Democratic strategist Brian Rothenberg join the all-star roundtable to discuss crime rates in Ohios biggest cities and why the narrative from some leaders may not match the statistics.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A woman in Springfield turned 100 years old this week, marking this significant milestone with much celebration.

Brew at the Zoo sells out at Forest Park

Elia Sorrells, also known as Auntie Elia, turned 100 earlier this week. On Saturday, she celebrated her birthday at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center. Family members traveled from across the country to Springfield for this milestone event.

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Auntie Elia has lived in Springfield for over 70 years and has been an active member of the Third Baptist Church for 65 years.

Treat people the way you like to be treated, and do what God wants us to do, Sorrells said when asked about her secret to living a long life.

During the week, Auntie Elia enjoys playing dominoes at the senior center and is a founding member of the Domino Club there. Her 100th birthday is also being recognized by Governor Maura Healey, declaring August 2 as Auntie Elia Day.

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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AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Kerr County leaders are facing mounting scrutiny over their handling of the Fourth of July flooding. On Thursday, the questions came from state lawmakers who traveled to the flood zone for a special session hearing.

Inside the packed Hill County Youth Event Center, which has been taken over by emergency responders, pointed comments were directed at local leaders.

You were nowhere to be found

Everyone was here that day working their a** off and you were nowhere to be found, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Texas, told Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly. I dont know where you were on day one, on July 4th, but you should have been here directing your response. Thats your responsibility.

State lawmakers met with residents, local leaders at a hearing in Kerrville on July 31. (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant)

Kelly said he was out of town at a house at Lake Travis. He sat at a table across from lawmakers next to other local officials. Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator W.B. Thomas said he was ill and asleep. Sheriff Larry Leitha said he didnt wake up until after people were already trapped on roofs.

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Asked why an evacuation wasnt issued, Kelly replied: It was too late. It was too late, saying the wall of water was too massive and arrived too quickly.

During more than three hours of testimony, it was revealed there are no records of communications with Camp Mystic, where at least 27 campers and counselors died. A CodeRED mobile alert requested at 4:22 a.m. wasnt issued until 5:01 a.m.  almost 40 minutes later  with dispatchers overwhelmed, Leitha said, noting other life-saving measures were taking place.

The three guys of Kerr County who were responsible for sounding the alarm were effectively not available, remarked Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston.

We have a lot of folks who have titles but when the time came to act they did not do so in a timely fashion, said Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo.

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Live Blog: Lawmakers hear testimony in Kerrville on deadly July 4 floods

Rep. AJ Louderback, R-Victoria, spoke with KXAN before the July 31 hearing. (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)

For state lawmakers, the hearing was about seeking solutions  including warning sirens and upgrading communications equipment, from radios to cell towers.

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring told lawmakers he would like to see a flood warning system  sirens or a data-driven alerting system  installed in Kerr County by next summer.

Some proposed ideas related to sirens and ensuring radios work between different agencies were introduced in House Bill 13, co-authored by committee member Rep. Joe Moody during the recent legislative session. It failed to pass.

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Another solution mentioned mirrored one from a recent KXAN investigation. Sonoma County, California Emergency Management Dep. Director, Sam Willis, said after deadly fires in 2017, they began holding weekly drills to practice using their emergency alert system.

Lessons that we painfully had to go through, which is we have to understand what the capabilities and limitations of systems are, Wallis told KXAN. We have to come up with policies and procedures before the disaster, so we know exactly what to do, and we need to practice, practice, practice.

Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, asked how the emergency leaders how often their plans are rehearsed and suggested: Plans are great unless theyre rehearsed  rehearsals are key.

As Kerr County leaders avoid alert questions, new audio surfaces in CodeRED timeline

I wish I had superhuman power to see the future

There were so many lives lost here, Rep. AJ Louderback, R-Victoria, told KXAN before the meeting started. So, Im interested in looking at the entire process.

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Louderback said he hoped to be able to clearly understand the process here, what happened in order to more efficiently, more effectively  save our citizens during future disasters.

The Upper Guadalupe River Authoritys director, Dr. William Rector, who is appointed by the governor, told lawmakers flood sirens were never installed  and its eight property-tax funded river gauges arent locally monitored  with data instead collected by the National Weather Service.

I would say that you should be in the business of protecting people from the things that are going on in the river, said Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels. I dont see how the Upper Guadalupe River Authority helped in any way in this flood.

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. spoke with KXAN investigative reporter Matt Grant before the July 31 hearing. (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)

Lawmakers questioned what had been done since the UGRA was created in 1939 and floated the idea of merging it with the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority.

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KXAN also had our own questions for Herring after records we obtained showed he never saw emails from the Texas Division of Emergency Management asking him to join a Situational Awareness Call for Severe Weather Affecting the State of Texas the day before the flood.

I think I read your reporting and it said, if Im remembering correctly, that you reviewed those slides from that presentation, the mayor told KXAN, referencing TDEM briefing materials, which warned of a slight risk for flash-flooding. So, what I think, honestly, is that the event that occurred here was beyond the limits of current meteorology science.

Do I wish I had seen that email? I do, Herring added. But, even if Id seen it, I dont know that it would have prepared me for the event that followed.

KXAN asked, looking back, what, if anything, he wishes he could have done differently.

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Well, Herring replied, I wish I had superhuman power to see the future.

Before the meeting, KXAN sent our recent investigations to every member on the House and Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. Lawmakers told residents it will take not just this special session but future legislative sessions to address the fallout from the flood and make necessary changes.

The flooding killed 108 people, including 37 children in Kerr County. Two people are still missing, as of Thursday.

Texas Senate passes full THC ban again

The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 5, a full ban on THC, in a 21-8 vote. The bill is very similar to SB 3 from the regular session, which Gov. Greg Abbott ultimately vetoed, saying it would not hold up in court. That version of the bill also passed 21-8.

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Gov. Abbott vetoes THC ban, calls upcoming special legislative session

That a full ban on THC passed in the chamber that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over isnt surprise. The Lieutenant Governor has been a major proponent of banning THC, and has argued that legal hemp-derived products are marketed to children with harmful consequences.

Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, delivered remarks on the Senate floor in response to Abbotts legal critique in the veto proclamation.

After the Arkansas case was recently overturned in the Eighth Circuit, no Federal Court has held that the state regulations of consumer health products are preempted from federal law, Perry said.

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Perry and Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, engaged in a floor debate over the decision between regulation, as Abbott suggested in his veto proclamation, and a total ban. Cook pointed to the fact that the government regulates other things, including intoxicating products like alcohol. Perry appeared to suggest that alcohol should be banned too.

[The alcohol] ship has sailed, Perry said. The difference is, Im told the THC component goes from 18 hours to four days in the body, that you could literally be tripping for four days on some of this stuff.

Cook pointed to the fact that THC can have therapeutic benefits, while alcohol does not, but still has consequences.

I think alcohol has very, very few therapeutic benefits. I think cannabis has a lot of therapeutic benefits. Alcohol is an unbelievably high-risk substance  DUIs, overdoses, liver disease, Cook said.

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The arguments between regulation and ban are the same arguments the legislature has heard for months, both in floor debate and in public testimony. Now, the bill must clear the Senate one last time before heading to the House for consideration.

It is unclear if Abbott would sign a nearly identical bill to the one he vetoed last month.

Texas House committee advances congressional redistricting plan

In a Saturday morning meeting, the Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting approved legislation to change redraw voting districts for the Congressional seats in the state. The committee vote sets the stage for the bill to be considered by Texas House members next week.

House Bill 4 calls for redrawing 37 of the states 38 congressional districts, with changes primarily focused on five districts drawn for partisan Republican advantage. President Donald Trump previously called for Texas leaders to redraw maps to gain Republican seats in the 2026 elections.

Just a very simple redrawing, we pick up five seats, the president told reporters last month.

The committee vote came shortly before 9:30 a.m. Saturday, hours after a lengthy public hearing over the legislation that started Friday morning. The hearing stretched past midnight, ending just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, presented House Bill 4 at the start of Fridays hearing. Hunter acknowledged the map was drawn using political performance as a criteria, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent allowing partisan considerations in redistricting.

These districts were drawn primarily using political performance, Hunter said. That criteria from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Hunter, who is listed as the author of HB 4, faced several questions about whether he instructed map makers to carve out five new Republican seats, as Trump requested. Hunter said he did not give any direction as to the outcome of redrawing the map. Hunter also claimed repeatedly that he did not know who drew the maps used in the legislation.

We have to do a congressional redistricting. A law firm was hired. They no doubt were doing work. The chairman of the committee asked me to file the bill. I agreed. I met with counsel. They showed me the data and what they were, think that they could be able to show on the data. I said, lets get it in bill form, Hunter said early Saturday morning, responding to a question from Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat from Dallas.

The proposed changes target Districts 9, 28, 32, 34 and 35, creating what Hunter described as Republican-leaning seats while establishing new majority-minority districts. Under the plan, four of the five redrawn districts would have Hispanic citizen voting-age population majorities.

Below is an interactive map that lets you see the differences in the current congressional map and the proposed map. You can slide the white line to compare both maps:

The proposed map appears to target congressional members in Austin, Dallas, south Texas and Houston. Brian Smith, a political professor at St. Edwards University, explains the map makers are taking democratic districts that are already safe and making them even safer, which then may makes the neighboring Republican districts more Republican.

For example, parts of district 35, held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, has been merged with district 37. That seat is currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.

Merging the 35th and the 37th districts is illegal voter suppression of Black and Latino Central Texans, Casar said on social media Wednesday morning. By merging our Central Texas districts, Trump wants to commit yet another crime this time, against Texas voters and against The Voting Rights Act.

Here is a close up view of major cities in Texas and how different they look from the current map to the proposed map:

Doggett plans to run again for his seat in District 37, which under the proposed map has become an even safer seat for Democrats, but at the expense of taking away another Democratic congressman.

I think Trump has taken a hatchet to Austin and to really the entire state, in order to preserve his one man rule, Doggett said of the proposed map.

According to 2024 results, President Trump would have won 30 districts under the proposed map. President Trump told reporters earlier this month the goal of redistricting is to pick up five new seats for Republicans in Texas.

Each of these newly drawn districts now trend Republican in political performance, Hunter said. Doesnt guarantee electoral success. Does not guarantee  thats up to the candidates.

Partisan advantage acknowledged

During Fridays hearing, Hunter and State Rep. David Spiller, R  Jacksboro, openly discussed the partisan intent behind the redistricting effort. Spiller noted that Texas currently holds a 65% Republican advantage in its congressional delegation despite being 58% Republican statewide, compared to larger advantages in Democratic-controlled states.

There is nothing wrong with doing it, Hunter said regarding partisan redistricting. Im telling you that we have five new districts, and these five new districts are based on political performance.

The proposed changes would affect major metropolitan areas including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

State Rep. Christian Manuel, D-Port Arthur, questioned whether the changes represented political retaliation against Black congressional members who have opposed the current administration.

Is this political retribution against congressional members, particularly those who have been outspoken and who, whether its intentional or not, happen to be Black African American? Manuel asked.

Hunter responded: The answer I can only speak for Todd Hunter, is no.

The committee vote Saturday morning to advance the bill was 12-6 along party lines. Committee Chair Cody Vasut, R  Angleton, said he expects the proposed map will be discussed on the House floor as early as Tuesday next week.

House Democrats do not have the votes to block the redistricting plans, with few, if any Republicans expected to vote against the measure. Some Democrats have spoken openly about what some call the nuclear option, breaking quorum to stall the legislation. That would likely involve leaving the state so the House does not have enough members in attendance to pass legislation.

Republicans have previously passed rules that toughen penalties for House members who break quorum. Those include fines of $500 per day and even potential expulsion from the House. Despite the stiff penalties, Democrats are not ruling out a quorum break.

I wont reveal what strategy were taking, obviously that would be counterproductive, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D  Austin, said. I will say that, for instance, a quorum break that is a procedural tool that legislators have within our pocket to use to represent our constituents. Those rules, I believe are unconstitutional under the Texas Constitution, because they punish members for using what is a legislative tool.

U.S. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries came to Austin earlier this week to meet with Texas Democrats. Reporters asked if he would push state legislators to break quorum to block attempts to redraw the states congressional map.

All options should be on the table to protect the people of Texas, but Texas Democrats are going to be the ones to decide that, Jeffries said during a news conference.

We will fight them politically. We will fight them governmentally. We will fight them in court. We will fight them in terms of winning the hearts and minds of the people of Texas and beyond, Jeffries added.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R  Texas, was critical of Jeffries getting involved with state lawmakers.

Im sure there are not many Texans willing to be preached at by a New York liberal about how to draw congressional districts in Texas, Cornyn said.

He expects the redistricting legislation to pass, even if Democrats attempt to break quorum.

I think itll all work out over the coming weeks, and then itll be up to the for the courts to pass on, on the districts that are actually drawn, Cornyn added.

Seeking answers and accountability after flood response

Records obtained by KXAN investigators show the mayor of Kerrville received an invite two days before the deadly July 4 flood in and around his community to attend a call with state officials briefing area leaders on the weather dangers ahead. The discovery comes amid continued criticism local decision-makers failed to prepare for the disaster, alert residents and evacuate people sooner.

In an email sent by the Texas Division of Emergency Managements State Operations Center on July 2, Mayor Joe Herring was invited to attend a Situational Awareness Call for Severe Weather at 10 a.m. the following day. Associated slides  which indicated a flash flooding risk for the region  were also sent by TDEM a half hour before that call to both the mayor and Jerremy Hughes, then employed by the city as its emergency management coordinator.

MAP: Where have flash flooding deaths been confirmed in Texas?

I was not aware of the invitation or the phone call, Herring told KXAN investigators Monday. I had not seen the emailed invitation. I thought the statements made by others indicated I had received a telephone call, which I had not. I misunderstood.

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring addressed reporters on July 9. (KXAN Photo)

KXAN investigators requested record of any communication made between certain city officials and the state in the days surrounding the flood. The inquiry followed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick saying in a July 4 press event  just hours after the Guadalupe River rose around 30 feet  that TDEMs Region 6 director, Jay Hall, personally contacted the judges and the mayors in that area and notified them all of potential flooding.

Yesterday morning, the message was sent, Patrick said. It is up to the local counties and mayors under the law to evacuate if they feel a need, but that information was passed along.

As Kerr County leaders avoid alert questions, new audio surfaces in CodeRED timeline

KXAN investigators also requested record of similar communication from TDEM and a list of city and county participants on that call. The agency has not commented specifically on the matter but told KXAN following the flood its coordination includes daily statewide situational awareness calls leading up to and during disasters.

READ: Weather briefing materials sent to local officials by TDEM Download

According to the email TDEM sent to Herring, the purpose of the call was for situational awareness only and not for resources requests.

This information will focus on life safety or immediate jurisdictional support priorities only, the email read. This briefing is designed to provide real-time, high-level information in a very short time period.

Herring earlier told reporters he personally wasnt invited to the call but now acknowledges to KXAN investigators an invitation had indeed been emailed to him but he did not see it.

I wish I had seen the invitation/email, because I would have participated in the telephone call, he said in a statement to KXAN investigators.

The email invite was among more than 70 documents provided by the city in response to KXANs record request. They included communication from TDEM to Herring, Hughes and other city officials between July 2 and 7.

Sheriff hints at after action review as records reveal warning of worst case flood event

KXAN investigators also reached out to Hughes Monday for a comment about the records. An automatic reply received back stated Jerremy Hughes no longer works for the City of Kerrville and left another public information contact, which said in a statement Hughes was helping set up a Mobile Command Post in a city park for July 4 festivities at the time of the TDEM call and that he had submitted his retirement on July 2nd after 31 years of dedicated service. Hughes served in the role through July 24, and the city could not verify if he saw or received TDEMs email to him.

TDEM confirmed to KXAN investigators Kerr County leaders were also invited to the call. Those include County Judge Rob Kelly and Emergency Management Coordinator W.B. Thomas, who have not responded to KXANs request for comment.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Kansas state Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin speaks with attendees at the Kansas House Democrats Fight Back event in Pittsburg, Kan., in July. Statehouse Democrats across the country are aiming to link their Republican counterparts to President Donald Trumps massive tax and spending cuts package. (Photo by Jonathan Shorman/Stateline)

PITTSBURG, Kan.  Amid a summer swelter last week, more than 80 people crowded into a trendy gastropub in downtown Pittsburg, Kansas, for cold drinks and hot talk.

The subject? Democrats.

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After disappointing results in November, Kansas state House Democrats are touring the Republican-leaning state, trying to improve relationships and set the stage for a comeback. Pittsburg, a college town of 20,500 in the southeastern corner of the state, elected a Democratic state representative as recently as 2018 before choosing a Republican in the past three elections.

Your guyss messaging sucks, local resident Justin Mcelwain told a panel of state Democratic lawmakers during the Q&A portion of the town hall-style event last Thursday, adding that when it comes to getting their points across, Democrats are not even in the same sphere as the right wing.

Earlier, Mcelwain had raised his hand along with a handful of others to indicate he had never before attended a political event.

During a brief interview, he described his political views as so far to the left that guns are cool again. What Democrats need to do, he said, is repeatedly emphasize the effects of President Donald Trumps and Republicans policies.

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They need to drive it home and hold on to that forever  that your life, over the next five, 10 years or whatever, all the decline in your quality of life is a direct result of the Republican Party, Mcelwain said.

Some state-level Democrats believe Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides a perfect opening.

Trump signed the massive tax cuts and spending legislation into law on Independence Day. The sweeping measure cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, the safety net insurance program funded jointly by the federal government and states. It slashes spending on food assistance and green energy programs and cuts taxes in a way that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest earners.

In Kansas and a majority of states, Republicans dominate the legislature, with many increasingly tying themselves to the Make America Great Again movement. As Democrats search for a path back to power, both at the federal and state levels, they are seizing on Trumps signature legislation six months into his second term as a major rallying cry.

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Lets not even get started about the one big beautiful awful bill, Kansas state House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard told the Pittsburg crowd.

A few audience members groaned in agreement.

Trumps sweeping law is an opportunity, Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, said in an interview with Stateline. Portions of it are so obviously cruel and detrimental to so many people, she said. Reductions to Medicaid and food assistance, for example, will cut across party lines.

They need to drive it home and hold on to that forever  that  all the decline in your quality of life is a direct result of the Republican Party.

 Justin Mcelwain, Pittsburg, Kan., resident

Kelly said Republicans already appear worried about the political consequences: She pointed to efforts by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, to repeal some of the federal cuts to the safety net health program.

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I do think that theyre very concerned, as they should be, Kelly said. And I hope that the public stays engaged, stays informed, continues to protest as they have been, and that those of us in positions to educate and inform take that role very seriously.

Not a bumper sticker bill

The laws enactment comes as Democrats have been searching for a compelling message. Theyre trying to connect with disaffected voters after Trump and Republicans attacked the party last year as elitist and out of touch, and theyre highlighting Trumps actions since his inauguration.

But amid a daily barrage of Trump developments, the party has been pulled in a multitude of directions  spotlighting everything from violent immigration raids to Trumps connections to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Earlier this month, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats at the state level, launched ads in several states with upcoming competitive legislative races slamming Republicans for selling us out with Trumps tax and spending law.

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The group is focusing heavily on New Jersey and Virginia, the two states with legislative and gubernatorial races in the fall. In 2026, it will target swing states including Michigan and Wisconsin, but also divided states, such as Kansas, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, that have Democratic governors but Republican control of one or both legislative chambers.

Nevada Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, a board member of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said Republicans have failed to live up to the rhetoric of the 2024 race that focused largely on lowering costs, presenting a big opportunity for his party.

In his state, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is expected to face one of the nations most competitive gubernatorial races next year.

Yeager said Nevada Democrats will tell voters about the complicity of Republicans at the state level  and share a positive vision of Democratic priorities.

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I think Democrats in Nevada and nationwide are a little more clear-eyed in terms of what our objective is and should be, and thats just to help people with the day-to-day issues that they face, he said.

State Democrats may also look to a GOP strategy from 15 years ago.

Chris Cooper, a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University, wondered whether Democrats would employ Trumps big, beautiful law against Republicans the way the GOP used President Barack Obamas signature health care law against his allies.

Is this going to become the Republican version of Obamacare? Cooper asked. Despite proving popular over time, the passage of the Affordable Care Act was initially a political albatross for Democrats, who lost hundreds of seats in statehouses in 2010, Cooper said.

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But at hundreds of pages long, Trumps federal legislation will require lots of education for voters to fully appreciate the implications to taxes, social services and immigration. And many of the deepest cuts wont be felt for months or years, with Republicans setting up the cuts to go into effect after the midterm elections.

Its not a bumper sticker bill, Cooper said.

The Democratic strategy cant just be, Remember what happened, he said. First they have to teach people what happened, and then they have to work to assign blame, and then they have to work to mobilize that blame to their benefit.

Kansas Democratic state Rep. Kirk Haskins, gesturing, speaks to a crowd of more than 80 people in Pittsburg, Kan. (Photo by Jonathan Shorman/Stateline)

In Pennsylvania, officials expect more than 300,000 residents to lose health coverage through Medicaid cuts and over 140,000 to lose food assistance. Pennsylvania Democratic state Sen. Vincent Hughes said Republicans will be held accountable for that devastation in next years state races.

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The very loud silence coming from Republican elected officials, MAGA elected officials, Trump-loving elected officials all across the country, that will be spoken about, that will be talked about, because their silence screamed volumes, Hughes said. They chose to look the other way, knowing the kind of damage this would do.

For their part, national Republicans have sought to frame the law as a major win because of its deep tax cuts and huge influx of spending on immigration enforcement. At the state level, the messaging has so far been more mixed. In May, 20 of the nations 27 GOP governors signed a letter in support of the bill.

The Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, the partys state committee, did not respond to Statelines requests for comment.

Michigan state Sen. Aric Nesbitt, former chair of the committee, said that Democrats will feel the consequences next year of opposing Trumps bill. The minority leader of Michigans state Senate, Nesbitt is running to be the GOPs nominee for governor.

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Democrats walked the political plank by voting for a $2,000 tax increase on working families, for allowing illegal immigrants to continue collecting Medicaid, against eliminating taxes on tips, overtime & Social security benefits, for [former President Joe] Bidens war on American energy & against enforcing our immigration laws, he wrote in a statement to Stateline.

Democrats fight back

This summer, Kansas House Democrats have embarked on a Fight Back tour across the state, visiting communities where the party has struggled in recent years.

Were going to places that unless theres someone representing them as a Democrat, were being defined by cable news as to what a Democrat is, Woodard, the Kansas House minority leader, told Stateline.

The headquarters of the Crawford County Democratic Party in downtown Pittsburg, Kan. (Photo by Jonathan Shorman/Stateline)

In Pittsburg, some Democrats said they are unsure whether the federal tax and spending law will help shake loose Republicans grip locally.

Janice Arthur, a lifelong Democrat who retired after working in the customer service industry, refused to say Trumps name as she spoke about the legislation, declaring theres nothing about the current occupant of the White House that I agree with or I appreciate.

When asked whether the law would cause her Republican friends and neighbors to vote for Democrats, she voiced uncertainty. I dont know, she said.

Pittsburg was historically a Democratic stronghold in Republican-leaning Kansas. The party lost substantial ground locally over the past two decades, until the last Democratic state representative failed to win reelection in 2020. Last year, the citys Democratic candidate for the state House received just 40% of the vote.

But these are the kinds of races Kansas Democrats will have to win if they want to break the Republican supermajority in the state legislature and, one day, take control of a chamber  something that hasnt happened since the 1990s. Democrats need to flip five seats in 2026 to end the Republicans veto-proof majority in the House.

Emily Walters, who chairs the Crawford County Democratic Party, which includes Pittsburg, said many voters locally cast ballots for the first time last year, enthusiastic about what she called the image they have of Trump. They voted Republican down the ballot, she said.

My suspicion is  they are being quickly disillusioned by the reality of Donald Trump, Walters said. And without that artificial buoyancy, I think that Crawford County has a very good shot of reverting to its blue self.

Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org.

This story was originally published by Stateline, which 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.
Aug. 3The preseason forecast for steelhead appears to be off by a wide margin and that is good news for the fish and anglers.

Prior to the start of the run, state, tribal and federal fisheries managers predicted a total of about 75,000 steelhead would return to the Columbia River, including 55,600 A-run fish and 11,800 B-run fish.

The A-run fish have already surpassed their forecast with several weeks yet to go for the run that is made up of fish that generally spend just one year in the ocean. Their abundance compares favorably to years when the runs were more robust.

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"Unless the bottom falls from underneath it, we are looking at the same number of A-run (steelhead) we had in those years it was really great from 2000 to 2014 where we were exceeding 200,000 annually at Bonneville," said Chris Donley, fish program manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at Spokane.

As of the middle of last week, nearly 58,000 A-run steelhead had been counted while passing Bonneville Dam. The 10-year average for the same time span is about 30,000.

Anadromous fish runs are difficult to forecast from year to year. But Donley noted that it's rare for a run's trajectory to change dramatically in season.

"Generally the way runs work is if they start coming in at low numbers and that trend holds for a month, it's going to be low numbers and the same is true if they come in at high numbers, it's going to stay at high numbers," he said. "The last 30 days it's been double or more of the 10-year average."

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He cautioned that it's too early to know if B-run fish that tend to spend two years in the ocean survived at the same rate. He also noted the steelhead run has sputtered over the past decade, sometimes dipping to concerningly low numbers.

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"Remember, the last 10 years it has stunk," he said. "It's an average based on the last decade and the last decade has been bad for steelhead."

It has been especially bad during odd-numbered years when booming pink salmon runs flood the northern Pacific Ocean and outcompete other species for available food. That makes this year's early returns even more perplexing. He said the dramatic uptick is probably not related to subtle management changes like the amount of water spilled to help juvenile fish pass Snake and Columbia River dams or the number of juvenile fish that are barged through the hydropower system.

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"Something is good in the ocean," he said. "Something has changed out there where it's more productive because they certainly survived at a much higher rate."

It's not just hatchery fish. Early counts indicated that wild steelhead protected by the Endangered Species Act make up about 50% of the turn.

"That is the reason we are conservative and we have put all the rules in place to be conservative so these wild fish could recover when conditions are right," he said.

Donley noted fisheries managers have reduced or shut down harvest during some of the poor years and put fisheries restrictions in place around the mouths of Columbia River tributaries that give steelhead a place to escape high water temperatures.

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But some advocacy groups wanted fisheries managers to do even more to help protect wild steelhead.

"The rules we have implemented last decade  different rules for different reasons  have been highly protective of steelhead, and when the ocean turned around those things have been able to respond and those folks who were critical of what we were doing were wrong."

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com.
NORWALK, Conn. (WTNH)  Stew would never call himself a hero.

Thats what Stew Leonards said in a Facebook post on Friday after president Stew Leonard Jr. saved someone from choking after a guest segment at a New York news station.

Stew Leonard Jr.

This is what Milford is all about: 2 Aldi employees recognized as heroes

Stew was allegedly leaving the studio, when someone started choking on a piece of steak. Leonard performed the Heimlich maneuver and helped to save that persons life.

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Stew learned the skills at the Stewie the Duck Swim School, created to honor his 21-month-old son, who died in a drowning accident in 1989, according to the Facebook post.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Police and investigators work at a crime scene in Washington, D.C., where two people were shot and killed in May 2025. Research suggests police officers experience about three traumatic events every six months  roughly 180 over a 30-year career  compared with just one over a lifetime for about half of U.S. adults. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Police officers may face hundreds of traumatic incidents over the course of their careers, but many still hesitate to seek mental health support when they need it.

Despite growing investments in wellness programs by law enforcement agencies across the country, a recent study of just over 100 surveyed officers from the Fargo Police Department in North Dakota found that stigma remains a major barrier to mental health care for officers.

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The study found that 60% of surveyed officers said most of their peers wouldnt disclose a mental health condition to a colleague, and nearly three-quarters believed officers wouldnt tell a supervisor. Slightly more than half agreed that most officers would expect to face discrimination at work if they disclosed they were experiencing mental illness.

Carol Archbold, the studys author and a criminal justice professor at North Dakota State University, said officers may avoid disclosing mental health struggles because doing so also conflicts with societal expectations that they remain strong and unemotional.

The nature of [police officers] work really, really makes it difficult and important for them to have services available and for them to actually utilize them, Archbold told Stateline, adding that departments also need to foster a culture where officers feel comfortable using the support available to them.

Departments across the country have expanded access to services like counseling, peer support, therapy, substance use programs, and on-site gyms in response to growing concerns about post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, depression, and suicide among officers. The Fargo Police Department, for example, hired its first-ever health and wellness coordinator last year.

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While the department offers a wide range of mental health-related services and programs, the study found that relatively few officers are using them.

Eighty-four percent of surveyed officers were aware of the departments new health and wellness coordinator, but only 22 had interacted with them, and 19 found the interaction helpful. About 68% knew about the Employee Assistance Program; 20 had used it, with 17 reporting it was helpful. Awareness of the peer support program was higher at 93%, yet only 42 officers had used it, and 36 said it was helpful.

Still, stigma and fears about career repercussions may discourage some officers from using such services.

About half of all U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes, though most will not develop PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. For police officers, the rate of exposure is significantly higher. Research suggests police officers may experience about three traumatic events every six months, or roughly 180 over a 30-year career.

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Repeated exposure to traumatic events has been linked to a wide range of health issues in first responders, including poor sleep quality, depression, alcohol misuse and a heightened risk of PTSD.

In the Fargo survey, 53% of officers agreed that most police officers view being treated for a mental illness as a sign of personal weakness and would not seek professional help if they were experiencing mental health issues.

Forty percent believed that having a history of mental illness would negatively affect an officers chances for promotion. Many officers also disagreed with the idea that mental illness would lead to mistrust or social exclusion among peers. Sixty-four percent of officers disagreed with statements suggesting that most officers would avoid partnering with or think less of a colleague who had experienced a mental illness.

While agencies have expanded mental health resources in recent years, the studys findings suggest that organizational culture remains a key factor in whether officers feel comfortable using those services.

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The U.S. law enforcement system includes more than 17,000 federal, state, county and local agencies. While smaller and rural departments may be less likely to offer robust mental health services, Archbold said that does not reflect a lack of interest from leadership. Many departments  regardless of size  struggle to meet officer wellness needs within existing budgets and often must seek additional funding to support mental health programs.

Its likely that police chiefs would like to have these services available, but they just dont have the money to be able to do that  to provide those services, Archbold said.

Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@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.
(FOX40.COM)  Deputy Chief Antonio Sajor Jr. retired from the Stockton Police Department on Friday after nearly 28 years of service, according to SPD.

Video Above: Sacramento region firefighters head to Southern California to battle wildfire

The department said DC Sajor Jr. was the first person of Filipino descent to become Captain and Deputy Chief in the departments history after being hired in November 1997 and worked in:

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Field Operator as a Directed Patrol Officer in the STAND area

Community Police Officer assigned to the Sierra Vista Housing Development

Narcotics Officer within Special Investigations and the Central Valley High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force

In December 2007, Sajor Jr. was promoted to Sergeant and worked in Field Operations. He was then promoted to Lieutenant in 2011 with multiple roles, including:

Watch Commander

South Strategic Operations Commander

Crisis Negotiations Team Commander

First program manager for the Chiefs Community Advisory Board

He was promoted to Captain in 2014 and commanded four of the five divisions for over eight years.

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In 2015, he became the only second Stockton Police member to graduate from the prestigious Naval Postgraduate Schools Center for Homeland Defense and Security with a Master of Arts degree, said the department. In 2020, he graduated from the California POST Command College, and his article was published in Police Chief Magazine.

Westfield Galleria celebrates 25th anniversary with month-long Sip, Shop & Celebrate series

SPD said he was appointed Deputy Chief of Police in 2023 and assumed command of the Logistics Bureau.

Over Logistics, he oversaw significant changes to our hiring process, departmental training, and the creation of the Community Relations Section, SPD said.

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Police officials said DC Sajor made a positive impact on the community.

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STONEWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY)  The third annual Stonewood Firefighters Festival is underway this weekend in Harrison County as members of the community gather for fun, fellowship and food.

Kicking off the day was the 5 Alarm 5K Race. The Harrison County Sheriffs Department hosted a meet & greet and demonstration with K-9 officer, Voodoo, and the Stonewood Volunteer Fire Department hosted an equipment demonstration showcasing the equipment the festival helps fund.

Bridgeport Lions Club hosts 3rd Annual Golf Ball Drop

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Plenty of craft vendors and food trucks were available as well as live music on the main stage. The Harry Lynch Chili Cook-Off Challenge, which is a national competition, also took place on Saturday.

Chili being prepared at the Stonewood Firefighters Festival (WBOY Photo)

Ron Woods, Chief of Stonewood VFD said that he was glad to be able to give back to his community.

I love it, I mean, to give back to the community, thats what its all about. Were here, we volunteer our time to take care of others, and this is our way of just giving a little something back to the community and theyre helping us in the same respect so, its a win-win, Woods said.

The fun continues into Sunday with a community picnic at 2 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has lashed out at Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of deceiving the public with false promises and betraying the farming community after returning to power. Reddy strongly criticised Naidu for once again betraying farmers by dismantling the 'Rythu Bharosa' scheme and going back on his pre-election promises. He said Chandrababu's track record of making grand promises before elections, distributing fake guarantee bonds, and later abandoning them after gaining power has been exposed yet again through the failure of the Super-6 and Super-7 initiatives. Taking to social media platform X, the YSR Congress Chief on Saturday said that by his own admission, Chandrababu has made it clear that farmers have no guarantee of support as long as he remains in power. He recalled that despite inheriting an empty treasury in 2019, his government launched the Rythu Bharosa scheme within four months and implemented it without interruption for five consecutive years. The YSRCP government provided Rs 13,500 per farmer annually, exceeding the Rs 12,500 promised in the manifesto, and disbursed a record Rs 34,288 crore in investment support. In contrast, Chandrababu had promised Rs 20,000 per farmer per year under the "Annadata Sukhibhava" scheme, excluding the Centre's Rs 6,000. Over two years, farmers were entitled to Rs 40,000 each, but only Rs 5,000 has been given so far, with no clarity on how many even received it. Even two months into the Kharif season, not a single rupee of investment aid has been released, forcing farmers into private debt and moneylenders' hands. He alleged that the TDP government had deliberately dismantled the YSRCP-implemented Rythu Bharosa scheme, which was a lifeline for farmers. "Your promise is one lie, your guarantee is another, and your bonds are a third deception," Jagan charged. The YSR chief accused the current government of deliberately excluding nearly 7 lakh eligible farmers through arbitrary conditions. He described the Darsi event as a staged political drama designed to mislead the public. He also slammed the coalition government for scrapping the Price Stabilization Fund and the zero-interest loan scheme, cancelling free crop insurance, and weakening crucial systems like RBKs, e-Crop registration, and soil testing labs. He pointed out that his government spent over Rs 7,800 crore through the Price Stabilization Fund and Rs 7,802 crore under free crop insurance. Now, with these benefits withdrawn, farmers are being forced to pay insurance premiums on their own. Jagan Reddy said that the tragic suicides of over 250 farmers and the lack of remunerative prices are a direct result of the current government's negligence and indifference. Not even basic support has been extended to the affected families, exposing the government's inhumanity and lack of empathy. (ANI)
An internationally famous Lancashire scientist who helped unlock the secrets of the atom is to have a street named after him in his hometown.

Nuclear physicist Sir Ernest Marsden will be honoured in a new 30-home estate on the site of the former Albert Mill in Rishton.

On Wednesday Hyndburn Council's street naming committee will be asked to approve the title of Ernest Marsden Close for the road leading off Mary Street.

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Sir Ernest - who was born in Rishton's Hermitage Street in 1889, and attended Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School - conducted ground-breaking work into the construction of the atom while an undergraduate at Manchester University in 1909.

'Old mills and canals'

Working in the dark, the young physicist painstakingly counted the flashes produced when recently discovered alpha particles hit a piece of gold foil.

Two years after his work was published his professor Lord Ernest Rutherford - credited with splitting the atom in 1932 - was able to assess the implications.

Sir Ernest's study found that only a tiny part of the atom is made up of a charge, rather than the whole atom, helping the understanding of how they attract each other.

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Nuclear physics was born, enabling new mathematical calculations and leading to many of the advances of the 20th Century.

Sir Ernest died in 1970 aged 81 in New Zealand where he has worked as leading academic.

The naming of the new street after him was proposed by Rishton councillors Kate Walsh and Bernard Dawson and backed by Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith.

Councillor Walsh said: "While I am proud of our industrial heritage it would be lovely to give the children of Rishton a former resident to look up to whose scientific work was internationally recognised.

"We aren't just old mills and canals but renowned scientists too."

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In 2002 Sir Ernest was honoured with the unveiling of a plaque at his birthplace, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.

More on this story
If you're feeling the pinch financially, you're not alone. With so much uncertainty in the air, many people are worried about the possibility of a recession.

Suriyawut Suriya / Getty Images/iStockphoto

In the r/Millennials subreddit, u/Soup_stew_supremacy recently asked about "funny recession indicators," like skinny jeans and tall Uggs coming back into fashion this fall and winter. However, most redditors offered more serious responses to watch out for  perhaps an indicator in itself. Here's what they said:

1."Women not dyeing or highlighting their hair is a real indicator, from what Ive read."

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u/ifweweresharks

"Yeah. Shelling out $260 every eight weeks is not easy."

u/chrispg26

2."Read an article saying that theres no song of the summer for 2025 due to the economic environment. And of the top ten most-streamed songs this year, only one was released in 2025. People are supposedly returning to recession-era music as well."

u/ChunkyBubblz

"Seriously  saw a TikTok saying our 'summer song' this year is 'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday' ."

u/showmenemelda

3."Hot people in minimum wage jobs. I'm in a college town, so a lot of employees in retail/food service are good-looking, but I've seen quite a few really hot people working at McDonald's over the summer."

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u/noyoujump

"For me, it's retirement-age people working those traditionally teenage jobs. Scares the hell out of me as we're getting closer to retirement age (whatever that means anymore)."

u/RoguePlanet2

JackF / Getty Images

4."I was in Target the other day and noticed a lot of the womens clothing was becoming more drab in color and utilitarian in style. Lots of beige and denim in very simple cuts."

u/cowplantskeleton

"I can't remember where I saw it called 'Handmaid's Retail,' but that's all it is now."

u/_Aperture-Scientist_

"Apparently, hem length of skirts is an indicator of recession. The longer your skirt is, the more of a recession we are in."

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u/thr0ughtheghost

5."I'm in a transition point in my life. Biggest recession indicator of them all."

u/Spackle_the_Grackle

"The quintessential millennial experience. Big life change coming up where your predecessors came out on top? Let's tank the economy and put you through your 15,000th 'unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime' event."

u/othermegan

6."I've found newer restaurants are not busy, but more established restaurants are about the same. Shows that people are not taking as many risks with their money."

u/The-original-spuggy

"My wife and I just had our first kid and our first date post-child. Our options were trying something new or somewhere we trust. I did not want to risk our first outing being at a new restaurant, so we stuck with an old faithful. Dont have the money or time to risk a bad experience ."

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u/ilikebourbon_

Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images

7."Kesha dropped [the song] 'Tik Tok' during a recession, and I'm afraid to tell y'all that she has dropped no fewer than two absolute bangers this year."

u/severalandalso1

"Im thinking that if Rihanna drops an album, its over for all of us."

u/farty__mcfly

8."I work for the countys child services and support division. Theres been a noticeable uptick in the number of people filing for divorce. Jobs go bad, stress increases, and marriages fail."

u/Alternative_Smile528

9."Concerts are not busy unless youre Morgan Wallen or Taylor Swift. Hotels and resorts not even half full."

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u/Narrow-Aardvark-6177

"I saw pics of Vegas being dead this summer, truly tragic."

u/DullCartographer7609

"A lot of non-Americans are boycotting the USA."

u/MrPlowThatsTheName

Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61

10."I read yesterday that the most popular selling beer this summer is Miller High Life. Cheap as shit. This could be an indicator as well. I thought it was interesting at least."

u/brixowl

"Worked in the beverage industry. This is absolutely an indicator. People change brands in hard times. They don't stop drinking, though."

u/woojo1984

11."In my social circle, half the couples have one person recently unemployed and getting NOWHERE on the job hunt. Pretty good indicator."

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u/floppydo

12."More car accidents. Bald tires."

u/AwesomReno

"Bald tires are a good one. And more expired license plate tags. Those are the types of things that people will try and stretch out."

u/ritzcrackerman

Getty Images

13."The only thing you need to pay attention to is the male underwear index. Yes, it's a thing. Men stop buying undies when times are tight. Whos to see them?"

u/PotentialPlum4945

14."The 'we buy houses for cash' signs all over. I see commercials now, too. 'Any condition.'"

u/Oomlotte99

15.And finally, "Strippers reporting smaller take-home tips."

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u/DullCartographer7609

"The Stripper Index is a real thing. It's powerfully effective at predicting the economic health of a society. Sex work in general is very accurate as an indicator, as a so-called canary in the coal mine."

u/P_Nessss

M-Production / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Know any other recession indicators? Share them in the comments or in the anonymous form below.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  A new political party formed by the students who spearheaded an anti-government movement ousting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday rallied in Bangladeshs capital and pledged to build a new Bangladesh amid political uncertainty over the next election.

Separately, supporters of the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, also held a rally in the capital, Dhaka, where party leaders also vowed to work to establish democracy following the fall of Hasina.

The rallies took place two days before the countrys interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus is marking the anniversary of Hasina's fall.

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Hasina fled the country to India last Aug. 5 amid a mass uprising, ending her 15-year rule. Yunus took over three days later and pledged to restore order following weeks of violence that left hundreds killed and thousands injured.

The rallies reflect the shifting power dynamics in Bangladesh following Hasinas dramatic ouster. With her Awami League banned and the political landscape fractured, the country is at a crossroads. The emergence of new political actors and unresolved tensions over the timing of the next election raise concerns about whether Bangladesh will move toward a stable, democratic transition  or slide into deeper political turmoil.

On Sunday, some 1,000 supporters of the student-led National Citizen Party rallied in front of the Shaheed Minar national monument in Dhaka, the capital, where its top leader Nahid Islam announced a 24-point agenda for a new Bangladesh.

Exactly one year ago, at this Shaheed Minar (memorial), we vowed to free this country from the hands of dictatorship. By responding to that call, we together defeated the fascist rule and regained control of our country, he said.

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He said his party wanted a new constitution that would replace one adopted in 1972 after Bangladesh was born under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasinas father. Bangladesh had just fought a nine-month war to gain its independence from Pakistan.

Let us all unite and transform this historic 24-point agenda into reality to build a new Bangladesh  a Bangladesh that fulfills the dreams of all citizens, as we move toward the formation of our second republic, he said.

Also on Sunday, thousands of supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's student wing rallied elsewhere in the city. Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the party, asked his supporters to seek support from young voters in the next election. Rahman has been in exile in London since 2008 and joined Sundays rally online. He is expected to return to the country before the next elections.

Bangladesh has been at a crossroads since Hasina's ouster and the interim government has been struggling to restore order with allegations of failure in controlling mob violence and maintaining human rights.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  The After Hours Artwalk may be winding down, but it is still the perfect time to support local artists.

The After Hours Artwalk is a monthly event for artists to feature their own artwork in an open-air gallery. The Artwalk takes place in downtown Wichita Falls, with a majority of it being between 6th and 10th street from Ohio to Austin, along with spots in the Farmers Market available.

For any artists wanting to set up and display their works, there are a few things that need to be done.

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For individuals or businesses looking to establish a presence on 8th and Ohio, an application must be completed, which can be found here. Information on the fee will be inside the application.

However, other spots across 6th to 10th street are open to everyone, but artists are told to ask the business or property owner nearby for permission. Make sure to be as close to the building as to leave 5 ft for pedestrians, wheelchairs and strollers. For information on collecting sales tax, visit https://www.msusbdc.org.

The next After Hours Artwalk will be on Thursday, August 7, from 6 to 9 pm. Whether this is your first time or you are an art walk veteran, this is the perfect opportunity to visit and support local artists. For more information on the Artwalk, visit the Downtown Wichita Falls page.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
Faith leaders and advocates gathered outside 26 Federal Plaza on Saturday morning to denounce the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainment of a young college student from South Korea and a Peruvian immigrant, who were both arrested by agents as they left their routine court hearings Thursday.

Gabriela Lopez said her best friend, 20-year-old Yeonsoo Go, had some anxiety ahead of her Thursday morning court hearing, having read about mass ICE arrests at city immigration courthouses amid the Trump administrations ramped-up deportation campaign.

Weve talked about it, and she has been a little nervous. And reasonably so, Lopez, 19 said. I spoke to her the night before over text and I was, like, Youre gonna be fine. Everythings gonna be fine. Everything is not fine.

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At the hearing, an immigration judge gave Go another court date because her lawyer didnt show, but agents grabbed her anyway, according to Gos boyfriend, Leo Cho.

Right after she got it rescheduled, right outside was ICE. They took her, Cho,18, told the Daily News. She was with her mom, too, so her mom was there for the whole thing.

Go immigrated from Seoul with her mother, an Episcopal priest, on a religious visa roughly four years ago, and was in the process of switching to a student visa. After finishing her freshman year at Purdue University, where she is studying to become a pharmacist, Go was back home in Scarsdale, Westchester County, with her mother for the summer.

Trump administration officials told The News Sunday that Go overstayed her visa that expired more than two years ago.

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President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S., Department of Homeland Securitys Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

Those who are in our country illegally have a choicethey can leave the country voluntarily or be arrested and deported. The United States taxpayer is generously offering free flights and a $1,000 to illegal aliens who self-deport using the CBP Home app. If they leave now, they preserve the potential opportunity to come back the legal, right way. The choice is theirs.

Go has been held on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza since, and complained to her mother on the phone that they barely let her have her glasses, Lopez said. She also hasnt been given a change of clothes.

Her mom is really in denial, shes heartbroken, Cho said. She called me later that day and she was breaking down. I cant imagine how mentally tough that is on a mother.

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Lopez described her pal as an extremely bright young woman with a heart of gold.

I know if she was here today shed probably be very upset that Im crying, Lopez said, a tear rolling down her cheek. Its honestly very, very devastating to lose someone so important to me. Its not fair that you should go to a court hearing and then you step out  and youre detained. Its not right.

Gos mother, who was too bereft to speak to the media Saturday, was able to tell Go on the phone that theyd be rallying to demand her release Saturday morning.

She knows were here, and that means the world, one speaker told the roughly 75 supporters who showed.

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A 59-year-old Peruvian asylum seeker named Ketty was also arrested by federal agents as she left a routine asylum hearing Thursday.

The womans priest, Este Gardner, said Ketty worked at her familys very successful bakery in Peru, until organized thugs threatened them with violence and even death, if they didnt pay them a large sum of money, forcing them to scatter and flee the country.

Ketty is a kind, gentle, funny, very hardworking person in so many of the ministries in our church community, Gardner, 75, said. Everyone is devastated.

After crossing the border alone and arriving in New York three years ago, Ketty applied for asylum.

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Every single thing they asked her to do, she did, Gardner said. She filled out all the paperwork, she was extremely careful to follow every directive that she got.

Kettys next court date was set for October, but she received a call last week and someone told her to come Thursday instead.

She was very excited. Its really moving along, she thought, Gardner said. She went to the hearing and afterwards she was detained, with so many others.

New York Immigration Coalition President Murad Awawdeh decried the two womens arrests, saying they are part of a larger system of injustice.

They are showing up, following the rules of the letter of the law, Awawdeh said. And what is this telling people? That if you go to your court hearing, you may not make it out, but if you miss it, you definitely will be deported? This is not a system of justice. This is a system of injustice. We are calling for peoples rights to be upheld. We are calling for due process to be respected and upheld.
Suspect dies after falling from sixth-floor balcony

(FOX40.COM)  A suspect died Sunday morning after falling from a sixth-floor balcony after allegedly breaking into a business, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Metro Fire said crews responded to an internal alarm around 2:37 a.m. at a business on 1750 Howe Avenue.

Video Above: Property Crime Statistics

The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said the man fell from the sixth-floor balcony, shortly after they arrived to assist fire crews, just before 3 a.m.

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According to fire officials, crews provided life support care and transported the suspect to the hospital.

SCSO stated that the suspect allegedly broke into the business and caused over $100,000 in damage.

The person then pulled the fire alarm, forced entry onto a balcony and fell after climbing on the railing.

Man barricades himself after assaulting roommate, sheriffs office says

According to the sheriffs office, the man died.

The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident.

This is a developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
This story was initially published on MyNorthwest.com

The man the Seattle Police Department believes shot a wheelchair-bound man at Pier 55 Thursday evening, remains behind bars at the King County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail.

We are not naming him, as he has not yet been charged. He opted not to appear in court Friday, and the judge found probable cause for assault and robbery.

The incident happened in front of the Starbucks at Pier 55 just after 6 p.m. Witnesses said the victim, Harold Powell, who regularly plays music for donations along the Pier, was sitting in his wheelchair when the suspect walked up, started harassing Powell accusing him of stolen valor.

Wheelchair-bound man shot at Seattle waterfront

When the victim pulled out a knife, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Powell once in the chest. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious but stable condition. The suspect was taken into custody and opted not to appear in court this afternoon.

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The suspects attorney hinted at self-defense as justification for the shooting. However, Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecutors Office, said that defense is not likely to be successful..

A key in self-defense cases is who the first aggressor is. If you provoke an attack upon yourself, you lose the right to claim self-defense, McNerthney said.

The suspect is due back in court next week, at which time he could be officially charged.

This story was originally published on July 31, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.
Suspect at large after woman jogging sexually battered in East County

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Authorities are searching for a man accused of sexually battering a woman while she was jogging in the unincorporated area of El Cajon.

The San Diego County Sheriffs Department is searching for a man accused of grabbing a 24-year-old woman from behind while she was jogging around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. He allegedly put his left arm around her neck and chest to restrain her before sexually battering her, sheriffs say.

The woman screamed and was able to run away from the man, who ran from the area in the opposite direction.

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The sheriffs office says the suspect was last seen running from the 1600 block of Hilton Head Road in the unincorporated area of El Cajon. He is described as a white man in his mid-20s, 56, 150 pounds, with short, shaggy medium brown hair, and wearing a dark colored top, a possible black hat and black flip flops.

Suspect accused of sexually battering woman jogging in the unincorporated area of El Cajon on July 30 (PHOTO: San Diego County Sheriffs Department)

The sexual battery is under investigation by San Diego County Sheriff Detectives.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sexual Assault Unit at 858-285-6112 /after hours at 858-868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling 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.
Long Island authorities are hunting down a hateful vandal who carved swastikas and a racial slur into playground equipment at a public park.

An employee at Wantagh Park in Nassau County noticed the abhorrent graffiti  which included two swastikas, each about six-by-six inches in size  and reported it to police around 3 p.m. Friday, according to the Nassau Police Department, which declined to divulge the nature of the racial slur.

Cops have yet to make any arrests.

The offensive graffiti included a racial slur and two swastikas, according to the Nassau County Police Department. NCPD

An employee at the Wantagh County Park reported the hateful etchings to police around 3 p.m. Friday. MapQuest

The perp could face felony criminal mischief charges since the damage caused by the etchings exceeds $250, a department spokesperson told The Post.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the disturbing incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911.
SWAT responded to a scene in Scott Township, where a man was taken into custody Sunday.

Click here for photos from the scene.

Allegheny County 911 officials confirmed police were in the 600 block of Carothers Avenue around 9:45 a.m.

Scott Township Police said the situation began after officers received reports of an exchange of gunfire between two people.

The men were believed to have barricaded themselves inside an apartment on Carothers Avenue.

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Police said one man exited the house shortly after their arrival and was taken into custody without incident.

The second man remained inside, which prompted the response from SWAT units. Police said the second man came out peacefully after communication with police.

Channel 11 crews on scene saw the man surrender.

SWAT responded to a scene in Scott Township, where two men were taken into custody.

Travis Coles, 30 and Ean Stimlan, 21 have both been charged with simple assault and terroristic threats.

Coles also had an arrest warrant out of the City of Pittsburgh for terroristic threats.

I commend the swift and coordinated efforts of the Scott Township officers, assisting mutual aid agencies and SHACOG CIRT in resolving the incident safely and without injury to residents, suspects and responding personnel, said Scott Township Police Chief Matthrew R. Podsiadly.

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Residents were asked to avoid the area but community operations are back to normal at this time.

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In view of the upcoming last Monday of Sawan, a heavy influx of Kanwariyas is being witnessed in Moradabad as devotees arrive with holy water from Haridwar. To ensure smooth conduct of the Yatra, the district administration has implemented traffic diversions and deployed adequate police personnel and magistrates along the designated routes, said an official. Speaking to ANI, "The last Monday is the busiest day, so diversions are planned on all routes used by Kawadiyas. Diversions for large vehicles and 4-wheelers are arranged, with sufficient magistrates and forces deployed. Bhandaras have been verified and organised systematically. Instructions were given to be cautious of electric wires. The fire department and forces have been instructed to manage crowd control in temples, and a mock drill has been conducted." Earlier on July 21, the administration in Bulandshahr has mounted a multi-layered security operation to ensure a peaceful and seamless passage for the pilgrims. With all pilgrimage routes now mapped into zones and sectors, and surveillance stepped up, officials say they are leaving no stone unturned to maintain order during one of the largest religious gatherings in northern India. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Tejveer Singh said a patrolling bike has been deployed every kilometre, with police posted at all diversion points to manage traffic and block heavy vehicles. "In Bulandshahr district, all routes for the Kanwar Yatra have been divided into zones and sectors for security arrangements, with one patrolling bike deployed every kilometre. Police are stationed at all diversion points to manage route diversions and prevent heavy vehicles from entering. CCTV cameras have been installed on all routes, and all officers are actively patrolling," SP Singh told ANI. The Kanwar Yatra began on July 10. During the annual pilgrimage, Kanwariyas collect holy water from rivers and carry it over hundreds of kilometres to offer it at Lord Shiva temples. Devotees across the country observe fasts, perform rituals, and undertake the Yatra as a mark of devotion. 'Sawan' holds a special place in Hindu mythology. Devotees undertake fasts and offer prayers to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva during this period. The chanting of Shiva mantras, singing bhajans (devotional songs), and performing Rudrabhishek (ceremonial bathing of Shiva Lingam with holy substances) are common practices observed with fervour across households and temples during the 'Sawan' month.This year, Sawan month commences from July 11 and will conclude on August 9. (ANI)
The defense ministry accused the SDF of carrying out a rocket barrage on one of the army's outposts in the city's countryside, injuring four troops and three civilians.

Syria's defense ministry and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces traded blame over an attack in the northern city of Manbij on Saturday, casting a shadow over a landmark integration deal they signed in March.

The defense ministry accused the SDF of carrying out a rocket barrage on one of the army's outposts in the city's countryside, injuring four troops and three civilians, according to the state news agency SANA. It described the attack as irresponsible and without justification.

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The US-backed SDF said in a statement they were responding to "an unprovoked artillery assault targeting civilian-populated areas with more than ten shells" from factions operating within Syrian government ranks. The statement made no mention of any casualties.

In March, the SDF signed a deal with the Damascus Islamist-led government to join Syria's state institutions.

The deal aims to stitch back together a country fractured by 14 years of war, paving the way for Kurdish-led forces that hold a quarter of Syria to merge with Damascus, along with regional Kurdish governing bodies.

SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC Forces celebrate the first anniversary of Raqqa provinces liberation from ISIS, in Raqqa, Syria, in October 2018; illustrative. (credit: ABOUD HAMAM / REUTERS)

However, the deal did not specify how the SDF will be merged with Syria's armed forces. The SDF has previously said its forces must join as a bloc, while Damascus wants them to join as individuals.

Ankara deems SDF as extension of PKK

A Turkish defense ministry source said last month the SDF must prove it is adhering to the agreement with the Syrian government. Ankara deems the SDF an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

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"While we reaffirm our commitment to respecting the current de-escalation arrangements, we call on the relevant authorities in the Syrian government to take responsibility and bring the undisciplined factions under their control," the SDF said in its statement.

This is a developing story.
The Brief

The bridge was closed around 3 p.m. on Friday after a crane hit a support beam, officials said.

No injuries were reported.

Structural engineers assessed the bridge and determined it was safe for drivers just over three hours later, reopening around 6:30 p.m.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah has reopened to traffic after a crane boom struck the structure Friday afternoon, according to the Savannah Fire Department.

What we know

The bridge was closed around 3 p.m. on Friday after a crane hit a support beam, officials said. No injuries were reported.

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Structural engineers assessed the bridge and determined it was safe for drivers just over three hours later, reopening around 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Savannah Fire Department released photos showing the crane boom being removed. Images also revealed visible damage to a support beam, including scrapes to the paint.

What we don't know

Fire officials have not released the cause of the fire.

The Source

Information in this article came from the Savannah Fire Department.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Dozens of Tampa Bay residents lined the streets of downtown near the Riverwalk area in protest of the Trump administration Saturday morning. The protest was part of a nationwide effort to speak out against Republican policies, dubbed the Rage Against the Regime.

We want people to pay attention. We want people to know that its not ok, whats going on is not ok, said Rachel Potts, a protestor.

About a hundred protestors held signs, and chanted for a few hours Saturday. Those who spoke to 8 on Your Side focused on policies surrounding immigration enforcement, the economy, the Jeffrey Epstein case, and foreign relations.

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(Immigration policies) are a nightmare. They (ICE) could grab me, claiming Im an illegal alien and bring me to Alligator Alcatraz without due process. Im an American, and this is the end of America, said Gerald Ramos.

Protests were also held in St. Petersburg, and numerous locations throughout the United States.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Erin Stamey, currently serving as the first assistant criminal district attorney in Taylor County, has officially entered the race to become the countys next district attorney. In a wide-ranging interview on Big Country Politics, Stamey discussed her background, career highlights, and the challenges facing the criminal justice system today.

I grew up in a small town south of Wichita Falls called Scotland, Texas, Stamey said. Im the youngest of eight, and Ive always been close with my family. My parents instilled in us a strong work ethic, and thats carried me through my career.

Stamey, a graduate of Texas Tech School of Law, began her legal career at the Eastland Court of Appeals before moving on to prosecution roles in Ellis County and later Taylor County. Her decision to enter the legal field came early in life.

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I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in junior highand I knew I wanted to be a prosecutor, she said. The law still fascinates me. Its always changing, and youre always learning something new.

Veteran prosecutor Erin Stamey launches campaign for Taylor County DA

Handling High-Stakes Cases

Stamey has prosecuted some of the regions most sensitive and complex cases. One of the most notable was the trial of Jeffrey Forrest, a man convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14.

Former Abilene church daycare worker Jeffrey Forrest sentenced to 99 years

On the day of trial, he fled to Mexico, Stamey recalled. We had the help of the U.S. Marshals Office putting him on the most wanted list, and then we were able to get a tip and catch him in Mexico, and they were instrumental in getting him back. We were able to get him on the most wanted list, track him down, and bring him back.

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Stamey reflected on the outcome of the trial that ended in a life sentence and justice for multiple victims. We tried that case. It was a sexual assault that was a delayed outcry, aggravated sexual assault with a child younger than 14 that had gone on for many, many years, Stamey recalled. There were actually five additional victims that we put on that case. He got a life sentence, and that was a real good victory, and had a lot of cooperation across the board.

While high-profile cases attract more public scrutiny, Stamey said each case deserves equal diligence.

An assault family violence case is as important to that victim just as a murder case is important to the victim and in that family, she said. I think that when you get one of those cases that we call high profile, that the community is invested in, you have to be a little more diligent in what you do and the transparency of that case, but youre still going to prosecute the exact same way as you would any other case.

Fentanyl and the Fight Against Drugs

Stamey also addressed the growing concern over fentanyl-related deaths in Taylor County. While no jury trials have occurred yet under the states new fentanyl murder statute, she said the office has several pending cases.

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Confronting the Fentanyl Crisis in the Big Country

We havent had any that have gone to a jury trial yet. To be able to prove that these are the drugs that were sold at that time, that they took, that caused the death, they have to work really hard at getting that, and it usually comes through their phone downloads and text messages, or social media, and that kind of thing. And so not a lot of those cases can be prosecuted if they cant prove where they got those drugs from. But if, if we do, when we have that case, its a case where you want to give them justice for the fentanyl, for the death, but at the same time, you have a drug user as your victim, and sometimes we have to address that with the jury.

When asked how she separates emotion from duty, especially in tragic cases, Stamey admitted its not always easy.

Sometimes you can get really invested in a case, and its hard to separate yourself out from that, but most of the time you just do a case as you know, the law is the law and the facts are the facts, and present it to the jury and and you hope for the best, Stamey said.

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Ive always told victims, you know, I cant guarantee you this verdict, but Im going to, you know, Im going to tell your story, Im going to present it the best way I can. And so weve been really successful with that. And Im proud of that, proud of my trial record.

Leadership and Vision

Stamey credits current District Attorney James Hicks as a mentor who encouraged her to run.

Hes really mentored me to take over when hes done, she said. And so hes really pushed me in that regard and to continue the work that hes done in his office. So its not necessarily something that when I started, I thought that I would end up doing, but I really feel like Ive come into that role, started out with being a misdemeanor chief, and then moved into the first assistant role. So Ive learned a lot about leadership. And I actually thought that leadership kind of came a little more naturally to me than I thought, and so its been, its been a good ride, and hes been a great mentor, and Im excited to carry on what he started.

If elected, Stamey identified three top priorities: restoring respect for law enforcement and prosecutors, modernizing the office with new technology like artificial intelligence, and addressing substance abuse at the root of many criminal cases.

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We are coming into some AI, Stamey said. The criminal justice system is always behind and and we have to catch up. I think thats where were behind, and we need to play some catch-up.

Reducing Recidivism and Public Outreach

Stamey acknowledged challenges like recidivism and overcrowded dockets, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and shortages in the defense barsomething now being addressed with the addition of a public defenders office.

We kind of got pushed back with COVID on the dockets. We are really doing better there, said Stamey. We had some issues with the defense bar and not having enough attorneys, and now we have the public defenders office, so were playing a little bit of catch-up in regards to that. But, you know, we work hard to resolve our cases the best way we can. Weve got to; there are cases that have to be tried, and so we just have to get in there and try them, and then there are cases that maybe dont need to be tried, and were going to resolve those. But as far as recidivism, weve got to address the drug issue.

Stamey believes drug addiction is a major driver of repeat offenses.

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It changes from what we had, you know, cocaine, and then you had methamphetamine, and now youve got the fentanyl and the drugs, the pills, and so its changing, said Stamey. I dont know, thats something we can address. We can get them the rehab that they need, but its also going to be the people who want to make their change in their life.

Building Trust in the System

To maintain and improve public trust, Stamey emphasized transparency and education.

I think education is important. And through jury service, you know, people come and this is your it next to voting, said Stamey. Jury service is your greatest public service you can do. And so I think its important for as a community, and we have really good turnouts, but you know, thats something that I would promote transparency, working with, with the media, with you guys, and telling you, informing you of what is happening in each of the cases that the public is concerned about, I think is important and that we have that I think it will continue that trust that We have in this community

Defining Justice

When asked to define justice in a single sentence, Stamey replied:

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I think you have to ensure the rights of each party in a case, the defendant as well as the victim, and the state to uphold the rule of the law.

Stamey added: Its not always about prison time. Sometimes its about finding the best resolution. In a murder case, for instance, both families are devastated, and their lives have changed, and theyll never come back.

Stamey is currently unopposed in the race for Taylor County district attorney. The primary election is set for March 2026, with the general election to follow in November.

Erin Stamey is running in the upcoming election to serve as Taylor Countys next criminal district attorney. For more interviews like this, tune in on Sundays on Big Country Politics at 6:30 am on KTAB.

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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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert on Sunday for a missing 72-year-old man, who has since been found safe.

The TBI previously said Mark Knapp was last seen at his residence in Dickson County around 10 p.m. Saturday. Officials said he often visits White Bluff and Charlotte.

Mark Knapp (Courtesy: TBI)

He was last seen wearing last seen wearing dark green sweatpants, a dark green shirt and black shoes with a white trim.

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The TBI said Knapp has a medical condition that could impact his ability to return safely without assistance.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 teacher suspected of murdering a couple in front of their children on an Arkansas hiking trail had previously exhibited odd behavior around his former students, parents say.

Police believe Andrew James McGann, 28, fatally stabbed Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 42, while hiking with their 7- and 9-year-old daughters in Arkansas Devils Den State Park on July 26. The children are now being looked after by family members.

A man seen leaving a trail with blood on his face entered a black Kia Stinger, sparking a four-day manhunt. Police said they eventually found the car in Springdale, where McGann was getting a haircut.

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The barber, Adriana Ruiz Avalos, told NBC News that she immediately had a bad feeling about him due to his tired and timid behavior. A true crime fan, she even saved his hair clippings as DNA evidence.

Five minutes into the haircut, a law enforcement officer entered the shop, asking questions about the car parked outside, leading him straight to McGann. He has been charged with capital murder after his DNA matched evidence at the scene, and authorities said he admitted to the crimes.

Elementary school teacher Andrew James McGann, 28, allegedly killed Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 42, in Arkansas Devils Den State Park on July 26 (The Independent)

Ruiz Avalos isnt the first person to report McGann acting strangely. Two years ago in Texas, McGann  who reportedly worked at four schools in four years  allegedly exhibited odd and grooming behavior around young girls in his Donald Elementary School classroom. Lindsay Camp Polyak said she and other parents grew concerned that he wasnt effectively teaching their children, resulting in them falling behind.

My kid would come home and say, Mr. McGann loves to play tag. He plays tag at recess every day with the girls, Polyak told NBC News, adding that her son claimed McGann gave out candy and special prizes only to the girls.

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Parents in a fourth-grade group chat shared concerns that McGann held special lunches with select girls in his classroom, with some alleging he encouraged them to sit on his lap, Polyak said.

Megan Perkins, another parent of a student at Donald Elementary, told the outlet that McGann was odd, noting what she described as his overly competitive behavior with kids during field day events. She said other parents often discussed his unusual conduct, though not everyone found it concerning, as some chalked it up to insecurity, as he was new to the community.

McGann was placed on administrative leave by Lewisville ISD in spring 2023 over concerns about classroom management and favoritism, though an internal investigation found no inappropriate conduct, NBC News reports.

He resigned in May 2023 and moved to Oklahoma, teaching fifth grade at Spring Creek Elementary, where some parents described him as quiet but well-liked by students, despite being awkward around adults.

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An anonymous woman who spoke with the outlet said her son admired McGann so much that he began wearing Polo shirts like his teacher. McGann showed interest in wrestling, hiking, and the outdoors, and even started a running club for students, she said.

McGann had a job lined up for the upcoming school year at the Springdale Public Schools system. (Arkansas State Police)

However, she did notice that McGann was often awkward around parents and avoided eye contact during conferences, once allegedly joking he taught elementary kids because he was "afraid of adults."

McGann later taught at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, for the 202425 school year, resigning again after one year. Though he had no disciplinary record or red flags in background checks, the Texas Education Agency flagged his teaching certificate following his arrest.

McGann had recently relocated to Arkansas for a new teaching job in the Springdale Public Schools system. Two weeks before the start of the school year, he was arrested for the murders.

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McGann has been charged with capital murder after his DNA matched evidence at the scene. Authorities said he made statements admitting to the crimes.

Investigators have a search warrant for his home and car, which they hope will lead to more information about his motive for his alleged crimes.

He remains in the Washington County Detention Center without bond.
LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-TEAM has found investigators are still working to determine why three Lorain Police officers were shot last month, leaving one of them dead.

Always ready to help: Untold stories of police heroes ambushed in Lorain

The Elyria Police Department is leading the investigation, and Chief James Welsh wrote in an e-mail to the I-TEAM, The Elyria Police Department is in the early stages of this investigation which includes conducting interviews, locating, cataloging, and processing evidence.

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He added, I want you to know that Elyria Police Detectives are working extremely long hours to get answers on how and why this tragedy occurred so we can report our findings to the public, and our partners in the media. Given the importance of this investigation, if we have to choose between doing this right and doing this fast, we will choose accuracy over speed.

Police say a gunman ambushed officers whod simply stopped to take a break for lunch. The shooting killed Officer Phillip Wagner and left officers Brent Payne and Peter Gale injured. Police shot and killed the suspect, Michael Parker.

Police say he had multiple weapons and explosives with him at the time.

Bill renaming portion of road after fallen Lorain police officer to be introduced

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Investigators did not immediately have a motive.

The I-TEAM later revealed that back in 2022, police charged Parker with driving left of center. We found that case had been handled by one of the three Lorain officers shot. But, again, investigators have not said if theres any connection between that case and the shooting.

Just days ago, officer Wagner was laid to rest with an endless stream of officers showing up at Rocket Arena for a service to say goodbye.

Elyria Police Chief James Welsh also wrote, As I said from the beginning, the Elyria Police Department will conduct an impartial, unbiased investigation, and we will be transparent with the results of that investigation once it is completed. We just arent there right now.

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Lemonade stand raising money for families of Lorain officers shot during ambush

The I-TEAM has also revealed the Lorain County Sheriff and others are investigating threats toward officers posted on social media after the shootings along with 9-1-1 calls harassing police. We could see criminal charges, at some point, for that.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.




NEED TO KNOW

Laurie Show, 16, was stabbed to death in her bedroom in 1991  a murder prosecutors said was fueled by jealousy and planned by two classmates

One of the killers, Tabitha Buck, posed as a school official to lure Lauries mother away  then helped hold Laurie down while her throat was slit

The killing was preceded by a months-long campaign of harassment. After her daughter's death, Lauries mother pushed for Pennsylvanias first anti-stalking law, passed in 1993





Laurie Show was just 16 when she was ambushed in her own bedroom  stabbed, slashed and left bleeding on the floor by classmates in what prosecutors would later call a murder fueled by teenage jealousy and rage.

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On the morning of Dec. 20, 1991, Laurie was found dying by her mother, Hazel Show, at her East Lampeter Township home in Lancaster County, Pa.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, her throat had been slit and more than two dozen defensive wounds were found on her body.

She managed to whisper Michelle did it as she lay dying, according to court transcripts cited by the Los Angeles Times.

Police quickly identified three suspects: 19-year-old Lisa Michelle Lambert, 17-year-old Tabitha Buck, and 20-year-old Lawrence Butch Yunkin. Lambert and Buck were classmates of Laurie's.

The Inquirer reported that Lambert had become obsessively jealous after Laurie briefly dated Yunkin the previous summer, and court documents noted Laurie had accused Yunkin of rape  a claim that intensified Lamberts hostility, per the outlet.

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Lambert and Buck systematically stalked and threatened Laurie, repeatedly calling the condo where she and her mother lived as well Laurie's workplace at the local mall. In one instance, Lambert punched Laurie at the mall  bystanders were too frightened to intervene, per the Inquirer.

"Witness after witness told us of the threats of Lambert to kill Laurie, to kidnap Laurie, to harm Laurie, in any way possible by Lambert," prosecutor John Kenneff told ABC News. "And these were not necessarily Laurie Show's friends. Many of these [witnesses] were the friends and acquaintances of Lambert herself."

Early on the morning of Dec. 20, Buck called Lauries mother, Hazel, posing as a school counselor in order to lure the mother away. According to the Inquirer and the Los Angeles Times, this enabled Lambert and Buck to enter the home while Hazel was gone.

Prosecutors said Buck held Laurie down while Lambert repeatedly stabbed her and slit her throat.

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Yunkin, who waited in a getaway car, later admitted under oath to disposing of evidence, including blood-stained clothing and the murder weapon, per a December 1991 arrest affidavit .

All three suspects were apprehended later that day at a bowling alley. Police noted fresh scratch marks on Buck, and investigators found Lauries makeup  a powder compact and mascara  in her purse.

Yunkin struck a plea deal in exchange for his testimony, pleading guilty to third-degree murder. He later admitted to lying under oath and had his sentence increased; he was eventually paroled in 2003, according to WGAL.

In July 1992, Lambert was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy; Buck, a minor at the time, was found guilty of second-degree murder. The Inquirer reported both received life sentences without parole.

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In 1997, U.S. District Judge Stewart Dalzell overturned Lamberts conviction during a federal habeas hearing, citing wholesale prosecutorial misconduct including suppression of evidence and false testimony, according to ABC News.

Dalzell declared Lambert actually innocent, but his ruling was reversed in 1998 by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on procedural grounds, leading to her return to prison. Now, Lambert remains behind bars.

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.

Bucks case resurfaced following the 2012 U.S. Supreme Court decision that deemed mandatory life sentences for juveniles unconstitutional. She was re-sentenced in 2017 to 28 years to life and was granted parole in late 2019, according to WGAL.

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She was released Dec. 21, 2019, at age 45, after nearly 28 years behind bars. Her parole is subject to strict conditions, including a ban on contact with Laurie's family and a prohibition on returning to Lancaster County, according to WGAL.

Meanwhile, Hazel Show emerged as a leading advocate for anti-stalking legislation. According to the Los Angeles Times, her efforts led to the passage of Pennsylvanias first anti-stalking law  dubbed Lauries Law  in June 1993.

Laurie was my life, Hazel told Los Angeles Times reporters while campaigning for the bill. "I had to do something."



Read the original article on People




NEED TO KNOW

Two California children contracted a rare parasite commonly spread by raccoon feces and occasionally by dogs

The two unrelated kids  a teenager and a toddler  were hospitalized and treated for B. procyonis infections in 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people should "avoid contact with raccoons and their feces"





Two children in California contracted a rare parasite that is commonly spread by raccoon feces and occasionally by dogs.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailed two 2024 cases of a B. procyonis infection found in two unrelated children  a 14-year-old boy and a 15-month-old boy  in its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published on Thursday, July 31.

The infection, commonly referred to as raccoon roundworm infection, is caused by the Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm, which is often spread by exposure to raccoon feces and can also be transmitted to dogs in rare cases.

According to the report, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) was notified last year of two patients with neurological signs and symptoms  such as behavioral change, lethargy and "gait instability"  consistent with the infection.

Both cases were in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, according to a LACDPH release from September 2024.

Getty Raccoon appears on roof of a home in Toronto, Canada Raccoon appears on roof of a home in Toronto, Canada

According to the CDC, raccoons can "shed millions of roundworm eggs in their feces every day," which then become infective after a few weeks and can develop into larvae when consumed by "nondefinitive hosts."

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There have only been 35 cases in humans reported in the U.S., the health organization said.

The teenage boy, who is autistic, had a history of ingesting non-food items and was initially hospitalized in May 2024 due to a series of "behavioral changes," according to the new information from the CDC.

After "enhancing" lesions were detected in the boy's brain, doctors discovered and treated what the CDC called "a live parasitic nematode" in his eye. The teen was prescribed medication for a six-week period, before symptoms "subsequently resolved" and he returned to his "baseline neurologic status," according to the agency.

The second patient, a toddler, was also hospitalized that June, before a brain MRI found "diffuse white matter abnormalities." Months later, doctors eventually discovered a "live parasitic nematode" in his eye  which, like the older boy, was treated with a laser.

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Both boys were also treated with a drug for paramedic worms, albendazole and the anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.

While a source of the infection was not clear for the toddler, the CDC reported that a raccoon latrine  or an area where the animals defecate  was located on the rooftop of the teenager's home, "directly above the entrance to the premises, allowing feces to roll onto the landing below."

The child was suspected to have consumed the feces or feces-contaminated soil. Due to the extent that raccoons visit the home, and unsuccessful efforts to move the animal's latrine, the family is planning on moving, the CDC said.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

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"Given the severity of disease in humans, the high prevalence of B. procyonis infection in raccoons, and the proximity of raccoons to humans and pets, B. procyonis is a substantial public health concern," the CDC said.

"To prevent infection, the public should avoid contact with raccoons and their feces, not keep raccoons as pets, ensure that children or persons with developmental disabilities do not place contaminated objects or fingers into their mouths, practice good hand hygiene after outdoor activities and safely remove raccoon latrines on properties, paying special attention to flat surfaces such as rooftops, decks, tree stumps, or unsealed attics and other areas where raccoons prefer to defecate," they continued.

Since dogs can also be infected, the CDC encourages dog owners to prevent their pets from eating raccoon feces and said pets should be treated with a "year-round parasite prevention product."

Read the original article on People
After Ben-Gvir's visit, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying that Israel's status quo on the Temple Mount "has not changed and will not change"

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ascended the Temple Mount on Sunday to pray, where he called for Israeli sovereignty over Gaza, he announced in a social media post.

The horror videos released by Hamas are meant to pressure Israel, Ben Gvir said, referring to new footage released by Hamas on Saturday showing hostage Evyatar David in a tunnel being forced to dig his grave.

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I say this precisely from here - from the Temple Mount, where weve proven sovereignty is possible - that a clear message must be sent: The entire Gaza Strip must be occupied, sovereignty declared, Hamas uprooted, and voluntary emigration promoted. Only then will we return the hostages and win the war.

Ben-Gvir and hundreds of other Jews were visiting the Temple Mount to mark Tisha BAv, the Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

The status quo on the Temple Mount, established after 1967, allows Israel to oversee security while the Jordanian-backed Islamic Waqf administers the site. Non-Muslims, including Jews, may visit during limited hours but are strictly prohibited from praying there. The status quos aim was to maintain religious balance and prevent conflict, though it has often been tested by political and security tensions.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir arrives for a visit at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Old City, during the Tisha BAv, August 3, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Ben-Gvirs number two, Negev and Galilee Minister Yizhak Wasserlauf, also visited the site on Sunday and posted a video of himself praying along with dozens of other people.

Ben-Gvir joined by Amit Halevi, Sharren Haskel

MKs Amit Halevi (Likud) and Sharren Haskel (New Hope-United Right) also ascended the Temple Mount to mark Tisha B'Av.

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Minhelet Har Habayit (The Temple Mount Directorate), an NGO that provides services to visitors to the site, said on Sunday that some 3,527 people had visited the site throughout the day. According to the NGO, this set a record for the number of visitors in one day.

After Ben-Gvir's visit, the Prime Minister's Office issued a short statement saying that "Israel's policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will not change." The PMO had to put out nearly identical statements numerous times since the current government took office in late 2022, due to repeated statements by Ben-Gvir that the status quo had changed.

"Israel's policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed and will not change."

For the first time, more than three thousand Jews ascended to pray on the Temple Mount in one day, with 3,527 Jews ascending for Tisha B'Av prayers on the Temple Mount, according to the Temple Mount administration.

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MKs Amit Halevi (Likud) and Sharren Haskel (New Hope-United Right) also ascended the Temple Mount to mark Tisha B'Av.

In March, the Shin Bet wrote in the conclusions of its internal investigations into the failure of the October 7 massacre, that repeated declarations about a change in the status quo on the Temple Mount contributed to Hamass decision to launch the attack, which it called Al Aqsa Flood.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned what it called the "storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque," saying that it was "a flagrant violation of international law" and "an unacceptable provocation."

The ministry then added that Israel has no sovereignty over the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Vishva Hindu Parishad on Sunday slammed the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI)'s statement that called for the case registered in Chhattisgarh against two Christian nuns from Kerala to be quashed. The VHP said that the nuns were arrested for the heinous crime of human trafficking and illegal conversion. "The CBCI statement Welcoming Bail for nuns in Chhattisgarh and Call for the Case to Be Quashed, is the height of hypocrisy exposed again," Said Surendra Jain, Joint General Secretary VHP, as quoted by a post on the organisation's X handle. "Nuns were arrested for heinous crime of human trafficking & illegal conversion. Why did they deny charges after 7days? It is the acceptance of charges. Nothing new," he said. On Saturday, CBCI President and Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath welcomed the NIA Special Court's decision to grant bail to the nuns. He said that their arrest was based on "false accusations." "I thank God and everyone for this good news... The two sisters had come to work in a hospital with the permission of their parents... A mob of extremists attacked them... and they were arrested under totally false accusations," he told ANI. Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath called for a law from the government to protect people from such incidents. He also thanked everyone for making efforts for the release of the two Nuns."Our request is that the case be quashed at the earliest, because the delay might lead to more false accusations... There should be an Act from the government to protect against such incidents... Many fringe groups have attacked Christianity in recent times... I thank all the people of goodwill for taking efforts for the release of the sisters and thank the centre and state governments for their active intervention," he added. The nuns were released from jail after an NIA court granted them bail on Saturday. Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajeev Chandrasekhar received the two Nuns from Durg Jail. The case was filed under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3 of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967. (ANI)
Officials in Tennessee found 14 improvised explosive devices in a man's home while they were arresting him this week on suspicion of threatening officials, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Sheriff's deputies and detectives went to an address Friday seeking to arrest Kevin Wade O'Neal on active warrants. O'Neal was accused of threatening to kill public officials and law enforcement personnel in the county, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

The home of Kevin Wade ONeal in Old Fort, Tenn. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

While they were taking him into custody, they noticed something smoldering in the bedroom where they found O'Neal and determined it was an IED, officials said.

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Bomb squad officers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who searched the home found 14 IEDs inside, the sheriff's office said. Detectives said O'Neal's plan was to detonate the bombs as law enforcement arrived to arrest him.

ONeal, 54, faces a slew of charges, including 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 14 counts of prohibited weapons and one count of possession of explosive components, the sheriffs office said.

The attempted murder charges relate to the responding sheriffs office personnel and two other people who were at the scene, the office said.

Improvised explosive devices. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff's office said O'Neal is being held at Polk County Jail and bond has yet to be determined. It was not immediately clear whether he had legal representation.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Efrat. (photo credit: MENAHEM KAHANA)

The IDF's Home Front Command announced that the incident is now over and residents are permitted to exit their homes.

Terror infiltration sirens sounded in Efrat in the West Bank on Sunday night, when a vehicle with a Palestinian license plate that was stolen had not stopped for inspection at the gate and had broken through, local authorities said.

Residents of the settlement were ordered to remain in their homes and were informed that security forces were dispatched and investigating the incident.

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The vehicle then made a U-turn and left the settlement without dropping off any additional individuals, according to the authorities.

Home Front Command announced that the incident had concluded before it had.

Israeli soldiers guard at the entrance to the Jewish settlement of Efrat, October 25, 2023 (credit: GERSHON ELINSON/FLASH90)

Home Front Command announced incident was over prematurely

Home Front Command is investigating the error.

In March, Israel Police arrested a Palestinian on suspicion that he had broken into homes in the area of Efrat in Gush Etzion dressed in a series of disguises.

The suspect wore a kippah and sandals while walking around the community of Elazar and attempted to break into a home.
Dozens of Democratic state legislators fled Texas over the weekend, denying a quorum on Monday to Republicans hoping to vote on a new congressional map that heavily favors the GOP even more than its current districts.

Texas Republicans have responded by floating civil arrest warrants if their Democratic colleagues don't return to the state and threatening to have the missing lawmakers removed from office altogether. Democratic legislators have remained defiant, and have encouraged states led by Democrats to respond by redrawing their congressional maps  setting up a national standoff over redistricting.

"Greg Abbott has answered the call of Donald Trump, and he's holding this special session hostage to try to pass a mid-district, mid-session redistricting to try to steal five congressional seats away from the Texas people," state Rep. John Bucy, the top Democrat on the Texas House's elections committee, said of the Texas governor.

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"That's unacceptable, and that's why we're here to fight back," said Bucy, who spoke to CBS News in a Monday interview from Illinois, one of several blue states currently hosting the Texas Democrats.

Shortly after attempting to convene on Monday, House Republicans voted to approve a motion for the Texas House sergeant-at-arms to secure the attendance of all absent lawmakers, "under warrant of arrest if necessary."

"Leaving the state does not stop this House from doing its work. It only delays it," Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, said in a brief speech Monday afternoon.

He told Democratic lawmakers, "If you choose to continue down this road, you should know there will be consequences."

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Before the House met on Monday, Abbott also said he would seek to "remove the missing Democrats from membership in the Texas House," invoking a 2021 legal opinion from Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton that suggested a court could determine that a legislator had forfeited his or her office.

"The absconded Democrat House members were elected to meet and vote on legislationnot to prevent votes that may not go their way," Abbott said.

Texas House Democrats responded with a four-word statement: "Come and take it," a reference to a statement of defiance on an old Texas battle flag.

Democrats protest GOP-dominated Texas congressional map

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Republicans unveiled the new congressional maps last week as part of a mid-decade redistricting in an attempt to protect the GOP's razor-thin U.S. House majority. President Trump said in July that he believes Republicans could win five more seats in Texas with different districts.

Abbott included redistricting to be addressed in a special legislative session, along with other high-profile topics like approving disaster relief for the deadly Texas floods and a THC ban.

Democratic lawmakers announced Sunday evening they would leave the state to hold up the special session. "We will not allow disaster relief to be held hostage to a Trump gerrymander. As of today, this corrupt special session is over," Texas House Democrats said in a statement.

"For weeks, we've been warning that if Republicans in Texas want a showdown  if they want to delay flood relief to cravenly protect Donald Trump from an inevitable midterm meltdown  then we'd give them that showdown," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement, accusing Mr. Trump and Republicans of "rigging the system" and "scheming to hold onto power."

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Both houses of the Texas legislature are controlled by Republicans, but if most Democratic lawmakers leave the state, they could deny the state House and Senate the two-thirds quorum that they need to vote on the new congressional maps.

At least 51 Texas Democrats have fled the state for Chicago. Politico was first to report the lawmakers had left the state.

"We're not here to have fun. We're not here because this is easy, and we did make a decision to come here today  we did not make a decision lightly," Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu said after arriving in Illinois. "But we come here today with absolute moral clarity that this is absolutely the right thing to do to protect the people of the state of Texas."

Texas Democratic state Rep. James Talarico speaks during a rally to protest against redistricting hearings at the Texas Capitol, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Austin, Texas. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP

Republicans in Texas currently hold 25 of the state's 38 congressional seats. The party hopes the new maps could bring that number up to 30, and all of those new 30 seats were won by Mr. Trump in November by at least 10 points.

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The five seats come from redrawing Rio Grande Valley districts  where Mr. Trump has made gains in what were once Democratic strongholds  and combining Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Greg Cesar's districts in Austin. In North Texas, Rep. Julie Johnson's suburban 32nd District would be reshaped to stretch from the Dallas area to rural Republican strongholds, and Rep. Marc Veasey would be moved out of Tarrant County entirely, which would leave only a small portion of the county represented by a Democrat. All four Houston-area seats were redrawn, with Rep. Al Green's being the most dramatic.

"They're turning our districts into crazy shapes to guarantee the outcome they want in the 2026 election," Democratic state Rep. James Talarico said in a message posted to social media. "If this power grab succeeds, they will hang on to power without any accountability from the voters."

Wu said Texas Republicans are "using is a racist, gerrymandered map, a map that seeks to use racial lines to divide hard working communities who have spent decades building up their power and strengthening their voices, and Governor Abbott is doing this in submission to Donald Trump."

Democrats have fought back against the new districts, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries traveling to Austin on Thursday to pledge national support.

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"We are not fighting for the Democratic Party, we are fighting for the democratic process, and the stakes could not be higher. We have to take a stand," Talarico added.

Martin said in an appearance Sunday on MSNBC, "I'm proud of the Texas Dems for actually breaking quorum here. Our democracy is literally under assault by Donald Trump, Greg Abbott and the Republicans, who know that they are on a track to lose the House majority next year. So what do they do? They cheat. They rigged the system. That's all they have left."

"We're certainly going to be standing with folks who will be litigating this in the courts," Martin added. "We will continue to organize on the ground in Texas, and we will continue to support the House Dems, as they have broke quorum right now."

This is not the first time Democrats have left the state to deny Republicans a quorum  and not the first time they have done it to protest redistricting. During the landmark 2005 mid-decade redistricting, Texas Democrats fled during two separate special sessions to stop the redistricting. But the redistricting eventually did go through. And in 2023, Republicans passed legislation that levies a $500-a-day fine on lawmakers who leave the state.

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The last significant quorum break in the Texas House was in 2021, when Democrats fled the state to prevent a restrictive voting bill from passing.

Last month, Paxton threatened to assist police in "hunting down and compelling the attendance" of any Democratic lawmakers who leave the state to block votes during the special session.

"If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go," said Paxton, who is also running for the GOP nomination in next year's Senate race.

Abbott on Sunday said that "Any Democrat who 'solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept'" donations to help cover any fines they may be subjected to under Hous rules for skipping votes, "may have violated bribery laws."

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Can other states take on redistricting efforts?

As the efforts ramped up in Texas to redraw the maps, other Democrat-led states threatened to do something similar. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been one of the most prominent voices behind this effort, posting on social media after the GOP's new maps for Texas were unveiled that "California won't sit back and watch this happen."

Other governors have joined suit, with some of the Texas House Democrats joining New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for a press conference on Monday about the topic. Hochul said, "I'm tired of fighting this fight with one hand tied behind my back."

Pritzker also said Sunday "everything has to be on the table."

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But legally, it will be difficult to pull off in many of these states. Texas is one of a few states that allows the state legislature to set up the congressional maps, and can allow mid-decade redistricting. In California, an independent commissions is in charge of redistricting  and there is a law in New York banning gerrymandering for political gains. New York's congressional maps went through a number of legal challenges before the final maps were settled on.

Hochul and New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie acknowledged it would require a change to the state constitution, but Heastie insisted that "we're in close conversations about options there, and so I would say we're presenting all options right now."

"It's very difficult to say play fair when your opponents are playing dirty and using every tool in their tool shed toolbox to kind of undermine democracy," Heastie said.

As for Illinois, the state legislature draws the map and Democrats control the legislature  and they cut out two Republican seats when they redrew the maps in 2021. Prior to redistricting, Illinois had 13 Democrats and five Republicans in the House. The state lost a seat due to population loss, and they ended the 2022 elections with 14 Democrats and three Republicans.

How safe is our Social Security safety net?

Full Interview: 3 Democratic Texas lawmakers on fleeing state amid GOP redistricting push

Number of butterflies decreasing across U.S.
(Reuters) -Democratic lawmakers in Texas said on Sunday they were leaving the state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, a move Republicans are seeking to protect their narrow U.S. House majority in next year's midterm elections.

President Donald Trump has championed the redistricting plan, telling reporters he expects the effort to yield as many as five additional House Republicans. Republicans hold a narrow 220-212 majority in the House of Representatives, with three Democratic-held seats vacant after members' deaths.

In a video shot in front of an airport, Democratic Representative James Talarico said the redistricting plan amounted to "rigging" the 2026 elections.

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"If you're seeing this video, my Democratic colleagues and I have just left our beloved state to break quorum and stop Trump's redistricting power grab," Talarico said in the video posted on X on Sunday.

Several other Texas Democrats said on X they were headed to Illinois, whose governor is Democrat J.B. Pritzker.

Republican Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement late Sunday that any Democrat House member who did not return would be removed from the Texas House.

"Democrats hatched a deliberate plan not to show up for work, for the specific purpose of abdicating the duties of their office and thwarting the chambers business", the Governor said in his statement, adding that leaving amounted to an abandonment of the office.

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States are required to redistrict every 10 years based on the U.S. Census but the Texas map was passed just four years ago by the Republican-dominated legislature. While mid-cycle redistricting occasionally takes place, it is usually prompted by a change in power at the legislature.

Republicans have pursued redistricting in a special legislative session that will also address funding for flood prevention in the wake of the deadly July 4 flash flooding that killed more than 130.

Under the current lines, Republicans control 25 seats, nearly two-thirds of the districts in a state that went for Trump last year by a 56% to 42% margin.

Redistricting experts have said the plan could backfire if Republicans try to squeeze too many seats out of what is already considered a significantly skewed map.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer and Jasper Ward; Additional reporting by Chandni Shah in Benagluru; Editing by Sandra Maler and Saad Sayeed)
Dozens of Texas Democrats plan to flee the state amid a special session Sunday afternoon, making a last-ditch effort to disrupt a mid-decade redistricting attempt forced by President Donald Trump, according to two people briefed on the matter.

It marks their second act of breaking quorum  when the state House will lack the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business  since 2021. And it comes as the party scrambles to counter the aggressive action in Texas, intended to keep Republicans in power in Congress next year by creating five GOP-friendly seats in the state.

Four years ago, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for the arrest of fleeing lawmakers upon their return to their state.

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Sundays move will almost certainly set off a nationwide redistricting arms race that threatens to upend the 2026 midterm election map.

For weeks, Texas state lawmakers have been debating their strategy for responding to the GOP: Some members fully support a walkout; others are reluctant to take such a risk that could put them in legal and political jeopardy.

Breaking quorum is an extreme step. It should be a last resort, State Rep. James Talarico told POLITICO in an interview last Tuesday. He was among the 50 Democratic lawmakers who fled the state in 2021 over an election bill. Democrats are said to be headed to Illinois, a blue state with a governor who has accused Texas Republicans of cheating by trying to finagle redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

They are expected to touch down in Illinois on Sunday, setting off a standoff with Abbott in the high-stakes redistricting battle.

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The move to deny quorum follows Texas Republicans unveiling a new congressional map that would provide their party with five new red-leaning districts  part of an effort to boost the GOPs chances of hanging onto the House after the 2026 election. The Democrats need fewer than a handful of seats next year to seize control of the lower chamber after losing power at every level in Washington last year.

Republicans have strategically tied the redistricting plan to financial relief for families affected by devastating floods last month that left more than 120 people dead.

That move has angered Democrats, prompting the effort to hold up the special legislative session.
ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS  Texas Democratic lawmakers fled the state Sunday in a bid to block passage of a new congressional map designed to give the GOP five additional seats in the U.S. House next year, raising the stakes in what's poised to be a national fight over redistricting ahead of next years midterm election.

The maneuver, undertaken by most of the Texas Houses 62 Democrats, deprives the Republican-controlled chamber of a quorum  the number of lawmakers needed to function under House rules  ahead of a scheduled Monday vote on the draft map. The 150-member House can only conduct business if at least 100 members are present, meaning the absence of 51 or more Democrats can bring the Legislatures ongoing special session to a halt.

This is not a decision we make lightly, but it is one we make with absolute moral clarity, state Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement, in which he accused Gov. Greg Abbott of using an intentionally racist map to steal the voices of millions of Black and Latino Texans, all to execute a corrupt political deal.

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Most House Democrats left Texas Sunday afternoon en route to the Chicago area. Some also headed to New York to meet with Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has condemned Texas mid-decade redistricting effort and entertained the idea of retaliating with new maps in her state. A third contingent of lawmakers departed for Boston to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual legislative summit, alongside some Senate Democrats, according to a source familiar with the senators plans.

It was not immediately clear how many Senate Democrats had left the state, and the caucus did not indicate any plans to deny quorum in the upper chamber.

There are just over two weeks left of the Texas Legislatures special session, during which Abbott has also asked lawmakers to take up measures responding to the deadly July 4 Hill Country floods, stiffer regulations for consumable hemp, and contentious GOP priorities such as cracking down on abortion pills and the bathrooms transgender people can use. The prospects for those items, along with the new redistricting maps, were immediately thrown in doubt by the Democrats departure.

Texas House Democrats go through security screening at Signature Aviation in Austin prior to boarding a flight to Chicago on Aug. 3, 2025. The lawmakers left the state in a bid to deny the quorum needed in the House to redraw the state's congressional maps. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

In his statement, Wu said, "As of today, this corrupt special session is over.

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At a news conference alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Sunday night, however, Wu was noncommittal about Democrats' long-term plans, telling reporters he wasn't sure what the caucus' next steps would be.

Were still taking this day by day, he said.

Abbott, meanwhile, sent a letter to each of the departed members late Sunday informing them that he would attempt to have them removed from office if they do not return to Austin. The governor cited a nonbinding 2021 legal opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton, who said it would be up to a court to decide whether a lawmaker who had left the state to deny quorum had forfeited their office. If a court were to decide that the legislators had vacated their offices, Abbott would be permitted to fill those seats with appointees of his choosing, Paxtons opinion stated.

[Denying quorum has been a Texas political strategy since 1870]

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Democrats have excoriated the mid-decade redistricting plan  which was demanded by President Donald Trump ahead of a potentially difficult midterm election for Republicans  as a political power grab that would unconstitutionally suppress the votes of people of color.

But locked out of power in the Legislature, Democrats have few tools at their disposal to fight the effort, even as they promised to delay the maps adoption and to use that extra time to educate Texans on what they framed as an attack on democracy.

Preventing a quorum was the nuclear option, coming just before the map was set to reach the House floor. Republicans advanced the redistricting plan out of a House committee Saturday morning and later scheduled it for a floor vote Monday. Democrats could skip town long enough to run out the clock on the current session  which began July 21 and can last up to 30 days  but Abbott can continue calling lawmakers back for subsequent sessions.

Texas House rules adopted by Republicans in 2023, after Democrats decamped in 2021 to block new voting restrictions, impose a threat of arrest and a $500-per-day fine on each lawmaker who absconds from the state. House rules also prohibit lawmakers from using their campaign funds to pay the fines, making the decampment a potentially expensive move. But Democrats have been raising money in recent weeks in anticipation of the quorum break, and those involved in the fundraising say they have found a way to circumvent the campaign restrictions.

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At Sundays news conference, Wu acknowledged the financial and personal strain legislators would face by staying in Illinois for a prolonged period. He noted that, as part-time lawmakers, they earn only $600 a month.

Were all away from our families that weve already been away from for six months, he said, referring to the 140-day legislative session that ended in early June. Weve been away from our jobs. Weve not earned a lot of income this entire year. ... This is not a decision that we take lightly.

Among those fundraising to support Democrats is Powered by People, a political group launched by former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke in 2019. The group raised over $600,000 in 2021, the last time Democrats deprived the House of a quorum, to help cover the costs associated with staying out of state, and an O'Rourke spokesperson confirmed the group is again supporting this year's effort.

National Democrats have offered their support, with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, visiting Austin last week to strategize with state Democrats and vowing to stand with them in trying to block the new map. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said in a statement that the party would fight alongside Texas Democrats, as well as take aim at Republican-held seats nationwide in 2026.

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Pritzker's involvement began at a dinner in late June hosted by Oklahoma Democrats, where he discussed the possibility of helping Texas Democrats fight back against the redistricting plan with state party chair Kendall Scudder, according to a source familiar with the Illinois governor's thinking. Pritzker and his team are helping Texas Democratic lawmakers find lodging and meeting spaces, but the governor, a potential 2028 presidential candidate and billionaire, is not providing direct financial support, the source said.

Paxton wrote on social media Sunday that Democrats who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately.

Other Republicans called for House Speaker Dustin Burrows to take aggressive action against members who were not present when the chamber gavels in Monday at 3 p.m.

Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, posted on X that he doubted all the Democrats participating in the quorum break had actually left the state, and said Burrows, R-Lubbock, should send the House sergeant-at-arms or state law enforcement after anyone who wasnt on the floor Monday. He also suggested that Abbott  who controls the agenda for special sessions  allow lawmakers to redraw the lines of state House districts to penalize absent Democrats. Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, added that any participating Democrats who serve as House committee vice chairs should be stripped of their positions.

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On social media, the speaker said if the House lacked a quorum Monday, all options will be on the table. He did not elaborate on what those options might be, and his spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Abbott did not respond to a request for comment.

Were going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them, Pritzker said Sunday.

Trumps political operatives had pressured state leaders to draw Republicans up to five new seats in Texas to help buffer the GOPs slim majority in the U.S. House against potential losses in a midterm election next year expected to favor Democrats. The first draft of the map was unveiled Wednesday, targeting Democratic members around Austin, Dallas, Houston and South Texas.

While federal law permits redistricting for partisan gain, the Voting Rights Act prohibits diluting the votes of people of color. Democrats argued that the proposed map unconstitutionally packed voters of color into some districts while spreading them throughout others to reduce their ability to elect their preferred candidates.

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U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, whose seat would be partially dismantled under the new lines, noted at a committee hearing Friday that his district was drawn by a federal court to ensure that communities of color, Black and brown Texans, could finally have a voice in Congress.

Now, that voice is again under threat, he said. This is a map that was drawn behind closed doors  as weve heard here today  to dismantle representation and weaken our power in turn.

Disclosure: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has been a financial supporter 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.

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.
The Brief

A WWII pilot from Georgetown, missing in action for 82 years, was finally laid to rest.

First Lt. Charles W. McCook was killed when his B-25C Mitchell crashed in Burma in 1943.

His remains were identified using DNA analysis and other scientific methods.

GEORGETOWN, Texas - After being declared missing in action for 82 years, the remains of First Lieutenant Charles W. McCook, a World War II pilot killed in action over Burma at the age of 23, were finally returned to his home of Georgetown Saturday morning.

WWII pilot memorial

The Texas VFW organized a funeral at the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown to honor the life of the fallen pilot.

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Commander of Texas VFW District 29 Casey Wade spoke to FOX 7 about the memorial service.

Memorial service

What they're saying

"We never leave anyone behind," Wade said. "Were here to honor a service member who was lost overseas whos been found and accounted for and finally brought him to be laid to rest in his hometown."

Lt. McCook, known to his friends and family as Woody, was the pilot of a B-25C Mitchell.

On his final mission in 1943, his aircraft went down, killing him and three others.

Sergeant John Boyd  a crewmember who survived  credited McCook with saving his life.

To honor McCooks life, VFW Post 8587 held graveside services with full military honors  including a motorcycle procession and a missing man formation flyover to pay tribute.

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"Its bringing everyone together to honor the sacrifice of our service members present, past, and hopefully in the future to understand that there are some who live by selfless service," Wade said.

At last, a heros welcome for one of Georgetowns bravest.

"Their memories are not forgotten," Wade said. "We cant lose those memories."

The Source

FOX 7 attended the memorial service for Lt. Charles W. McCook.
In a brazen smash-and-grab in DeLand, Florida, a masked thief made off with an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 in rare Pokemon cards from Gem Mint Cards in a burglary that lasted just 75 seconds.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect smashing the glass front door, storming into the store with a large plastic tub and targeting the front display case.

Shop owner Christen Wybo told News 6, There was glass everywhere, cards everywhere.

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As the collectible card market heats up, small shops have become increasingly at risk to burglaries. Heres what happened, and what shop owners can do to protect themselves.

Don't miss

Glass everywhere, cards everywhere

According to FOX 35, the suspect seemed to be targeting high-value Pokemon cards specifically. There were several rare cards in the case, including one graded a "Gem Mint 10."

"That means it's basically a perfect card in grading and condition," Shop owner Christen Wybo explained to FOX 35, "It happened to fall forward and was stuck against the glass. Its one of the few things he didnt grab."

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Wybo told FOX 35 Orlando that the situation is terrible, saying that the shop is meant to be fun and open to everybody.

Despite the financial hit, the store has gotten an outpouring of community support after posting the footage online.

Were incredibly grateful for the amazing community thats been built here and for the continued support from every player and patron, the shop wrote.

The store was temporarily closed to assess damages, but has since repaired the front entrance and reopened its doors to customers.

Pattern of theft emerges at Florida card stores

While this was the first time Gem Mint Cards had been targeted, the hit appears far from random. The shop suspects a connection to a string of similar heists at other card stores across the state.

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Similar robberies have taken place in the past few months, according to News 6, including in New Bedford, where more than $113,000 in graded Pokemon cards were stolen in just 30 seconds. In Jacksonville, police say $5,000 worth of Pokemon cards were taken in a smash-and-grab. And in Belleville, police say a thief stole $35,000 worth of cards.

Based on security footage, it appears to be the same individual responsible for multiple thefts at other card shops across Florida. Same hoodie, gloves and tote, the shop wrote on Facebook.

Local police have not confirmed any official link between the other cases, and no arrests have been made.

Read more: Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)

Why Pokemon  and what can retailers do?

From Massachusetts to Florida, the trend of ultra-fast thefts is shaking the collectibles world, but why Pokemon cards?

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Collectible trading cards have exploded in resale value over the past few years, with top-condition items selling for thousands, or even tens of thousands, online, making shops like Gem Mint Cards a target for thieves looking to cash in fast.

Rare Pokemon cards are high-value and highly liquid. Ultra rare cards can be sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, like the first edition Charizard.

Perpetrators are being strategic, too. Theyre scouting storefronts, layouts and display cases leading up to their planned hit. They time robberies for the middle of the night when shops are closed.

Theyre getting in and out quickly and making sure to stay anonymous by wearing masks and gloves. And the stolen goods are sold off anonymously online through platforms like eBay and Discord so that theres no trace.

What business owners can do

For small business owners, the losses are brutal, and recovery is difficult. While shop owners may feel powerless, there are steps they can take to reduce risk. If you want to protect your collectibles, retail experts recommend:

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Take inventory: Photograph and log serial numbers of high-value cards and collectibles.

Level up security: Install reinforced glass, motion detectors, and silent alarms. Surveillance footage can help catch suspects, or at least warn other stores.

Dont display everything: Dont leave your most valuable merchandise in display cases overnight. Use vaults or safes after hours.

While these strategies cant prevent every break-in, they can limit losses and improve recovery odds. For stores like Gem Mint Cards  meant to be a place of joy and community  the emotional impact often hits just as hard as the financial one.

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As Wybo put it: Its terrible that the stress of this has to be associated with something thats supposed to be fun and open to everybody.

With thieves zeroing in on niche collectibles, the industry may need to rethink what safety looks like in a market thats no longer under the radar.

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.
A third child has died as a result of Mondays barge-sailboat collision in Biscayne Bay, the Miami Yacht Club and U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday.

The Miami Yacht Club (MYC) and the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation (YSF) are deeply heartbroken to share that a third young sailor has tragically passed away as a result of the incident that occurred on the water earlier this week, the Yacht Club email said. This devastating news comes after two young sailors lost their lives in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

Now, with the passing of a third sailor, the entire sailing community is shattered by grief.

READ MORE: Not some boujee yacht club. Miami Yacht Club has mission of teaching kids to sail

Herald sources confirm that Lehrman Community Day School student Arielle Ari Mazi Buchman, 10, died after spending days in Jackson Memorial Hospital. The school is in North Beach.

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Ari died on Wednesday, according to her online obituary page. Several media outlets in Argentina  where her family is from  reported her death Thursday via social media.

The obituary page of Arielle Ari Buchman

Aris levaya or funeral is Sunday afternoon, the afternoon of Tisha Bav, which the American Jewish World Service states is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Its a day of mourning the destruction of the first two temples in Jerusalem and Jewish deaths from religious or ethnic hate over the last 2,000 years.

Ari is the youngest of Todd Buchman and Rhonda Mitranis three children. Among Aris other relatives is Bal Harbour former Mayor Gabriel Groisman.

On the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, my family mourns the loss of our 10 year-old cousin Arielle, who passed away as a result of a tragic sailboat accident that occurred early in the week.



Baruch Dayan HaEmet  Gabriel Groisman (@GabeGroisman) August 3, 2025

Aris death follows the Monday deaths of 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich and 13-year-old Erin Victoria Ko Han shortly after a 60-foot barge being pushed by a tugboat crashed into a 17-foot Hobie Getaway sailboat between Hibiscus and Monument islands in Biscayne Bay around 11:15 a.m.

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Of the five girl campers on the sailboat, three have died. An 8-year-old girl has been released from Jackson, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, while a 12-year-old girl and the 19-year-old camp counselor were treated for injuries on the scene. The Coast Guard, which is leading the investigation of the crash, has not publicly identified the two surviving girls nor the camp counselor.

A U.S. Coast Guard vessel (far right) seen next to a barge that hit a sailboat that sank off Miami Beachs Hibiscus Island in Biscayne Bay Monday morning, July 28, 2025. Five children and a camp counselor were aboard the sailboat, part of a Miami Yacht Club summer camp. Three girls died as a result of the crash.

The Coast Guard tested the tugboat captain for impairment and found no impairment.

Our hearts continue to mourn with all those impacted by Mondays tragic incident, especially with the passing of another one of Miamis children today, said Capt. Frank Florio, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Miami. The Coast Guard remains committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure all facts are uncovered.

READ MORE: Coast Guard loopholes could be linked to barge crash, maritime experts say

The Coast Guard said investigators from Argentina, where Mila and Ari had relatives, will be joining the investigation and that the Chilean National Maritime Authority has been invited to join. Erin and her family had moved from Chile to Miami in December.

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Our hearts are broken for these families, the Miami Yacht Club said. There are no words that can ease this pain, but we stand in full solidarity with the families, counselors, and every member of the YSF during this unthinkable nightmare.
By Cordelia Hsu and Jill Gralow

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Tens of thousands of demonstrators braved pouring rain to march across Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge on Sunday calling for peace and aid deliveries in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where a humanitarian crisis has been worsening.

Nearly two years into a war that Palestinian authorities say has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza, governments and humanitarian organisations say a shortage of food is leading to widespread starvation.

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Some of those attending the march, called by its organisers the 'March for Humanity', carried pots and pans as symbols of the hunger.

"Enough is enough," said Doug, a man in his 60s with a shock of white hair. "When people from all over the world gather together and speak up, then evil can be overcome."

Marchers ranged from the elderly to families with young children. Among them was Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Many carried umbrellas. Some waved Palestinian flags and chanted "We are all Palestinians."

New South Wales police said up to 90,000 people had attended, far more than expected. The protest organiser, Palestine Action Group Sydney, said in a Facebook post as many as 300,000 people may have marched.

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New South Wales police and the state's premier last week tried to block the march from taking place on the bridge, a city landmark and transport thoroughfare, saying the route could cause safety hazards and transport disruption. The state's Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that it could go ahead.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Peter McKenna said more than a thousand police were deployed and the size of the crowd had led to fears of a crush.

"No one was hurt," he told a press conference. "But gee whiz, I wouldn't like try and do this every Sunday at that short notice."

Police were also present in Melbourne, where a similar protest march took place.

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Diplomatic pressure ramped up on Israel in recent weeks. France and Canada have said they will recognise a Palestinian state, and Britain says it will follow suit unless Israel addresses the humanitarian crisis and reaches a ceasefire.

Israel has condemned these decisions as rewarding Hamas, the group that governs Gaza and whose attack on Israel in October 2023 began an Israeli offensive that has flattened much of the enclave. Israel has also denied pursuing a policy of starvation and accused Hamas of stealing aid.

Australia's centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he supports a two-state solution and Israel's denial of aid and killing of civilians "cannot be defended or ignored", but has not recognised Palestine.

Therese Curtis, a marcher in her 80s, said she had the human right and privilege of good medical care in Australia.

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"But the people in Palestine are having their hospitals bombed, they're being denied a basic right of medical care and I'm marching specifically for that," she said.

(Reporting by Cordelia Hsu and Jill Gralow in Sydney; Writing and additional reporting by Peter Hobson in Canberra; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Thousands of Facebook Group members and administrators are reporting unexpected bans.

After a surge of account suspensions on Instagram and Facebook, users reported that Facebook Groups have been removed. Many have claimed that they were removed without breaking any clear policy.

Meta Confirms Technical Error Amid Mass Suspensions

Facebook Groups are the lifeline of users when they need to ask a question or simply learn firsthand experiences from other people. The mass ban spanned from science to content creation, gaming, and other groups.

Based on complaints posted throughout Reddit and online forums, the problem reaches both U.S.-based and global communities, with groups of all sizes. Some have more than one million members, and they receive unsubstantiated violation notices.

In response to growing outrage, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed in a statement to TechCrunch that the company is aware of the issue and is working on a fix.

"We're aware of a technical error that impacted some Facebook Groups. We're fixing things now," Stone told TechCrunch in an emailed statement.

Meta has yet to detail what triggered the error, how many groups were affected, or how long it will take to fix it. Without answers, users blamed AI-driven moderation tools, which many accuse of triggering bans due to buggy detection systems.

Read more: Meta Cracks Down on Spammy Facebook Posts and Hashtag Abusers in Major Update

Harmless Groups Flagged for Baffling Violations

Admins of groups have posted screenshots of their groups being suspended for purported reasons like nudity, terrorism, and mentions of harmful organizations. These claims have raised suspicion, particularly when groups based on bird photography, Pokemon, or home decor are reported.

One moderator said their family-oriented Pokemon community with close to 200,000 users was accused of citing extremist material.

Another spoke of having their nearly million-member bird photo community banned for nudity. The majority of these communities strictly enforce moderation policies and have never been given content strikes in the past.

Reddit Becomes Support Hub for Frustrated Admins

The r/facebook subreddit has become a crisis hub for group admins trying to understand what is going on. Numerous have cited that several groups they administered were simultaneously taken down, with minimal recourse or direct communication from Meta.

Members who tried to appeal the bans claim the process results in an automated response or no response at all. Some have since begun suggesting that admins refrain from appealing right away, as there is a chance the bans will be reversed automatically when Meta resolves the technical glitch.

Meta Verified Support Sees Mixed Results

Some users who signed up for Meta Verified, a service that offers priority customer support, were able to recover their groups. Others report, however, that their paid subscription did them little good, particularly as the problem seems systemic and not a case-by-case affair.

With the Facebook Group ban, the users not only complained about what happened, but they also called out Meta's lack of reliable support during these times.

Automated Moderation Criticized on Other Platforms as Well

Meta is not alone in this scrutiny. In the past few weeks, mass suspensions have also occurred on Pinterest and Tumblr. Again, many users blamed AI was responsible for handling the moderation tools.

Pinterest owned up to its problem as a technical glitch but stated that AI was not involved. Tumblr attributed its suspensions to a new content filtering system but did not specify if AI was used.

While public anger worsens, the users have started a petition calling for Meta to own up and be transparent on what led to the suspensions.

The petition has already received over 12,000 signatures. Some entrepreneurs, whose Facebook Groups are a central part of their income streams, are now weighing the possibility of taking legal action.
Andhra Pradesh police have arrested two individuals from Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district who were trying to smuggle ganja (cannabis) from Odisha to Kerala. The accused were caught transporting ganja in a car when the L. Kota police intercepted them and seized 71 packets of ganja from them, weighing approximately 145 kgs. The Police officials said, "Two individuals have been arrested while attempting to smuggle ganja from Odisha to Kerala. The arrests were made by the L. Kota police in the Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh." District Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal, IPS, said, "The accused were caught transporting 145 kilograms of ganja in a Bolero vehicle. Acting on a tip-off, police set up a vehicle check at Goljam Junction on August 1st. During the inspection, they intercepted the Bolero vehicle, bearing registration number KL 10 P 9473, and recovered 71 packets containing ganja." The two accused have been identified as Dambu Shiragam alias Krishna, a 21-year-old from Kudub village in Paduwa mandal, Koraput district of Odisha and Mohammed Shafiq, aged 36, from Husanagali village in Manjevaram mandal, Kasaragod district of Kerala. As per investigations, the ganja was procured in Odisha by accused Dambu Shiragam and was being transported to Kerala on the instructions of another accused, Abubakar Siddique, also from Husanagali in Kerala. Police have launched a search to apprehend Siddique, who is currently absconding. Police said that the seized ganja and vehicle have been taken into custody, and the arrested individuals have been remanded. SP Vakul Jindal stated that a financial investigation is underway, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act. Authorities are also considering invoking the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against the accused. Further investigation is ongoing. Earlier, on July 3, the Andhra Pradesh Government's special wing, the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), intensified operations on trains arriving from Odisha, leading to the seizure of over 21,736 kilograms of ganja in the past six months, officials said. Inspector General Ake Ravi Krishna told ANI, "We are thoroughly monitoring and checking all trains originating from Odisha. Over the last six months, we have seized 21,736 kilograms of ganja. A majority of the ganja is being transported from Odisha, which is why we are focusing more on trains from that region." (ANI)
The annual CHOC Walk in the Park returned to the Disneyland Resort Sunday morning, bringing thousands together to raise money for Childrens Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)  and to celebrate hope, healing, and happiness.

This walk was really filled with that, said Disneyland Resort Ambassador Jada Young. We had some special guests. We had some fun friends that our guests and walkers got to take photos with. We had some fun music. You could see the balloons. We were cheering them on. It was the best time.

The beloved event started before dawn, winding about three miles through both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks before ending in the Downtown Disney District.

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Like you said, the last walkers just finished up, Young told KTLAs Erin Myers live on the KTLA 5 Weekend Morning News. I got to be there at the start line with my fellow Disney ambassador, Raul. We also got to cheer our walkers at the finish line. So the energy was just so high, full of smiles. We were really happy to be here.

Young said shes participated in the CHOC Walk before, but this years event was especially meaningful in her ambassador role. Ive actually had my own personal journey with the CHOC Walk. I had a friend whose brother was part of CHOC Hospital when I was in elementary school. And then when I became a cast member, I got to help walk or support it. And now as Disney ambassador, Im representing our cast, representing Disneyland, and getting to welcome all the guests. So CHOC has been a big part of my life.

The relationship between CHOC and Disneyland goes back decades. Walt Disney himself got to stand on the original board, Young explained. So were so grateful that all these years later, we got to continue that relationship through CHOC Walk, through visiting the hospital with some of our fun friends and were really grateful that this year we got to continue celebrating that magic weve created together.

CHOC Walk in the Park has raised more than $46 million since its founding over 30 years ago. Proceeds support pediatric programs, research, and services across CHOCs health system  including behavioral health care, school-based mental health spaces, and direct aid for families of hospitalized children.

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If you missed the walk, its not too late to make a difference. Donations are still being accepted online.

Its all about the community, Myers said from the finish line. You can help with research and education. That is what this is all about today.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This fall, the Centre County Commissioners will have the opportunity to decide whether to provide access to sunlight to our incarcerated citizens for the first time in 20 years. The Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Prison Society joins numerous other groups and members of our community in urging our elected leaders to take immediate positive action.

When the current county jail was constructed in 2005, its designers eliminated an outdoor yard, replacing it with several small indoor gyms each with a garage door along one wall that opens from the top, letting in a small amount of fresh air. The design was approved in spite of state law that guarantees incarcerated people, with some restrictions, at least 2 hours daily, physical exercise in the open, weather permitting.

Today, Centre Countys incarcerated citizens cannot see the sky, experience sunlight, encounter nature, or witness the changing seasons unless they are on work release.

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Fortunately, people across the nation are waking up to the consequences of denying sunlight to prisoners. In a recent court case in San Francisco, the judge found the city was recklessly indifferent when it deprived county prisoners access to direct sunlight. Doctors in that case testified that over time, the lack of natural light and fresh air can lead to osteoporosis and heart disease, anxiety, depression and disrupted sleep.

Our Centre County Prison Board has heard similar testimony from formerly incarcerated people about the physical and mental health consequences of not being able to see and feel the sun and fresh air in our jail.

To their credit, our county elected officials are taking steps to make this right. In January, the Commissioners approved a study to determine what could be done to modify the jail to provide outdoor access. The study, by TranSystems Corporation, is expected to be made public as soon as September.

Ahead of that, the advocacy group Central PA United will hold a panel discussion about outdoor recreation, including the testimony of both experts and formerly incarcerated people. It will be held this Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at the Boalsburg Fire Hall, 113 E Pine Street.

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Some may insist that any modifications to our county jail are too expensive. Truthfully, though, we are paying the price now for decisions made by our elected officials 20 years ago. We do not believe the people of Centre County intend for our incarcerated people to come out of jail less able to function in society than they were when they went in.

Janet Irons is a State College resident and a member of the Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Prison Society. Founded in 1787, the Society works to promote the health, safety and dignity of people in prison and their families.
This year, I chose to author Assembly Bill 1441, which would direct the County of Merced to establish an independent citizens redistricting commission to ensure county districts are fairly drawn in order to reflect the appropriate demographics and communities of interests.

There is no reason for elected politicians to have control over redistricting. It is clearly a conflict of interest. When you remove the average voter from the decision-making process, what were left with is a system of government that is even more out of touch and disconnected from voters than the ones we have now. Its safe to say that we dont want that to happen.

Over the last several decades, Californians have been moving redistricting away from elected officials and placing that responsibility in the hands of independent citizens commission to ensure a more equitable process. Regardless of what is currently dominating the headlines regarding redrawing congressional lines between two big blue and red states, voters want a say in redrawing political lines at the local level.

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In 2008, California passed Proposition 11, which created a Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw district lines for the state legislature in both the Assembly and the Senate.

Voters want to be fairly counted and represented. Some elected Merced County Supervisors, however, are trying to exert complete control over drawing their district lines. The board has opposed AB 1441, saying it seeks to usurp control from local government, while imposing a new level of bureaucracy at a significant cost to taxpayers. Nevermind that the state is obligated to reimburse the county of Merced, and I am committed to ensuring the state meets its obligations.

One of the most prominent local voices in support of AB 1441 is the League of Women Voters of Merced County.

(AB 1441) would be a major step forward to ensure residents of Merced County that their districts are created in a fair, equitable and impartial process, said League of Women Voters for Merced County President Susan Walsh. Both urban and rural counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno and San Luis Obispo have already formed redistricting commissions or are scheduled to form commissions for the first time at the next census in 2030. We agree it is Merceds turn to join these counties.

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The Citizens Redistricting Commission was designed to ensure fair elections and increase representation from historically excluded groups.

Under the provisions of Proposition 11, a 14-member commission is selected every 10 years following a thorough screening process to guarantee political neutrality, and is composed of five Democrats, five Republicans and four members with no party preference.

The commission is subject to strict guidelines, such as complying with the Voting Rights Act, to make sure districts are geographically contiguous, recognize communities of interest and, when possible, maintain geographic compactness.

As a 40-year resident of Merced County, I support AB 1441 because our current process lacks transparency and public trust, said longtime Merced resident Rebecca Tucker. Too many decisions ... have been made without meaningful input, and residents who raise concerns are often dismissed or talked down to. An independent redistricting commission would give everyday citizens a fair and impartial voice in shaping our representation, something long overdue in Merced County.

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Following the success of this process at the state level, efforts were taken to implement these reforms at a local level, and my district in the Central Valley should not be an exception to that. We are doing this the right way. These commissions have rules and policies in place to ensure fairness and equitable governance.

Here are the facts: I have heard from people in my district. This is something they want. This is something that will incorporate them, include them and eventually, empower them to make decisions for the people, by the people.

We are seeing this happen more and more up and down California. It is high time a rural community like Merced follow suit and take ownership of redrawing district borders. AB 1441 gives the voters this power, taking it away from the elected politicians who already sit in within those borders.

The worse thing AB 1441 would do is promote transparency, accountability and public trust in Merced Countys government.

Esmeralda Soria, a Democrat, represents the 27th Assembly District.
LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. (WPRI)  A Tiverton woman was killed in a motorcycle crash in Little Compton on Saturday afternoon.

Officers responding to Simmons Road around 1:30 p.m. found what appeared to be a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a car.

Little Compton Police Chief Scott Raynes said the motorcyclist, identified as 29-year-old Tammy Boutilier, was rushed to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

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The operator of the other vehicle, who is not being identified, had minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.

An initial investigation showed Boutilier was traveling westbound on Simmons Road when she lost control and crossed into the other lane before hitting the other car.

The road was shut down for about three hours while crews were on scene. The crash remains under investigation.

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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.

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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 WPRI.com.
By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A top aide to President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of effectively financing Russia's war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the U.S. leader escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil.

"What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia," said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trump's most influential aides.

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Miller's criticism was some of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the United States' major partners in the Indo-Pacific.

"People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," Miller said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures."

The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite U.S. threats.

A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine.

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Miller tempered his criticism by noting Trump's relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he described as "tremendous."

(Reporting by Jasper Ward, editing by Ross Colvin and Chris Reese)
Tornado and derecho threats? Severe weather could ramp up again in Minnesota originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Is there going to be a rise in severe weather in Minnesota this week? After storms slammed the state during the last week of July, the message from esteemed meteorologist and self-described "extreme storm chaser" Reed Timmer is that Minnesota could be the focal point for tornado and derecho threats Tuesday through Sunday.

"This severe weather will target the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest starting as early as Tuesday in ND and SD, spreading east to Minnesota and Wisconsin on Wednesday, and impacting the same areas through the weekend with round-after-round of severe weather," Timmer said Saturday.

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"Each event will usually begin as supercells capable of all hazards, before growing upscale into long-lived complexes of storms or wind bags."

WATCHING AN ACTIVE SEVERE WEATHER PATTERN INCLUDING #TORNADO AND DERECHO THREATS TUESDAY-SUNDAY



This severe weather will target the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest starting as early as Tuesday in ND and SD, spreading east to Minnesota and Wisconsin on Wednesday, and pic.twitter.com/3AvGCPfxNy  Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) August 2, 2025

Derecho was a viral term last week as a much-hyped storm system threatened tornadoes and 100 mph winds in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Minnesota didn't get the 100 mph winds, but winds in excess of 70 mph were confirmed as a damaging line of storms left tens of thousands without power. And there was a confirmed derecho that produced winds up to 99 mph across South Dakota and northern Iowa.

Radar replay of the July 28-29 derecho.NWS Sioux Falls

NWS Sioux Falls

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Timmer is monitoring the Dakotas for severe storms on Tuesday, though he says a strong cap could be a limiting factor. Then on Wednesday, his target turns to Minnesota.

"It looks like on Wednesday that trough pushes off to the east, and that will push the low-level jet, northwest Iowa, into southern Minnesota, maybe up near Minneapolis could be very active on Wednesday," Timmer said in a forecast video he posted on social media.

Timmer says the setup will allow for an "explosion of moisture" to fuel severe storms on Wednesday.

"Eastern Dakotas, southern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa on Wednesday," he said. "Setting up for a wind bag. Initial supercells, then they'll congeal into a mesoscale convective system (MCS)  long-lived wind bag or even a derecho as we go from Wednesday into Thursday."

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We can use the European model's lightning simulation forecast to get a decent idea of what might be cooking in the days ahead. Here's a view of the Euro's lightning simulation Tuesday evening, which puts the focus on South Dakota if storms can break the cap.

The Euro's lightning model doesn't show anything in Minnesota or Iowa on Wednesday, but it does reveal a bowing line of storms Thursday evening.

Attention Friday and Saturday, at this point anyway, points to potential for severe weather in northern Iowa, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, and northern Illinois.

While Timmer isn't shy about forecasting possibilities, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) isn't sounding the alarm for tornadoes or derechos. Instead, the SPC is only acknowledging that a "moist and unstable airmass" will be in place, supporting the "potential for isolated severe [gusts] and hail."

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The SPC does however have a close eye on Saturday.

"Model forecasts develop a relatively large cluster of thunderstorms Saturday evening ahead of the trough from northwestern Minnesota into eastern South Dakota," the SPC says. "The models also have strong instability and moderate deep-layer shear in place ahead of the trough within the favored convective zone. This could support a potential for supercells with large hail and severe wind gusts."

The National Weather Service forecast office in Chanhassen is also focused on what might be a higher-end severe threat next weekend as a strong trough moves into the region from the Pacific Northwest.

"We will need to keep our eyes on the progression of this feature as it's likely to provide our next chance for an organized system next weekend," the NWS Twin Cities said in Sunday's forecast discussion.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Brief

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has highlighted three zones for tropical development.

One system, designated Invest 95L, has a 70% chance of development over the next 48 hours and seven days.

The FOX 35 Storm Team says the system will be no threat to Florida, but periods of heavy rain and flooding are possible over the next seven days.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A low-pressure system located about 180 miles off the coast of North Carolina is being monitored for potential tropical development, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says. The system, designated as Invest 95L, is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms along a frontal boundary in the western Atlantic.

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There are also two other tropical waves being monitored by forecasters. Here's everything we know about the system and its chances of impacting Florida.

Future Tropical Storm Dexter?

What we know

Forecasters say environmental conditions are favorable for the development of an area of low pressure off the North Carolina coast. A tropical or subtropical depression or storm could form either Sunday evening or Monday as it moves east-northeast  away from the U.S. coastline.

"We now have Invest 95L off the Carolina Coast, and it is expected to become a tropical depression by Monday," said FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Laurel Blanchard. "This system formed off the stalled front draped to the north of Central Florida.

Chances of development drop after Monday as conditions become less conducive.

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Currently, the system has a 70% chance of tropical development in the next 48 hours, and a 70% chance of tropical development in the next seven days.

"It's over an area of warmth in the Atlantic and that's fueling the organization and generating more thunderstorms," Blanchard explained.

If the system were to become a named storm, it would be Dexter.

Could the system impact Florida?

Local perspective

The FOX 35 Storm Team said Invest 95L will be no threat to Florida, as it is likely to continue on an eastward path and away from any major landmasses.

However, there is a lot of tropical moisture in the atmosphere being pushed off the coast of the Carolinas, and that moisture is what will also be raising our rain chances here in Central Florida.

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Periods of heavy rain are likely over the next few days, and some flooding is possible. Here in Central Florida, we will still see heavy rain through the afternoon and evening for the next seven days.

Other tropical waves to watch

Looking Ahead

The NHC is also tracking other tropical waves which have varying percentages of development into better organized systems.

Off the Southeast Coast of the United States, another area of low pressure is also riding along this stalled front that Invest 95L formed off of and could develop off the east coast. The warm ocean water is definitely playing a factor in the chance of development. Some gradual development of this system is possible by midweek. There is a 20% chance of development in the next seven days, according to the NHC.

In the Central Atlantic, a tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by late Monday. Environmental conditions could support some gradual development of the wave during the middle to latter part of next week while it moves generally west-northwestward. There is a 40% chance of development in the next seven days.

Quiet hurricane season so far

Big picture view

While the tropics are calm at the moment, August is typically when tropical activity starts to increase.

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On average, the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season happens within the first two weeks of August, specifically Aug. 11. So far this year, there have been three named storms: Andrea, Barry and Chantal.

However, none have threatened or made landfall in the U.S.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issues weather outlooks for 2-3 weeks out, while the NHC issues alerts seven days out.

RELATED: Tropical outlook eyes Florida for possibility in mid-August: Climate Prediction Center

In its latest tropical outlook, the CPC is looking at the possibility of tropical activity on either side of Florida sometime between Aug. 6-12.

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Since it's outside the NHC's seven-day window, the NHC has not issued any tropical outlooks for the same area.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the FOX 35 Storm Team on Aug. 3, 2025.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is now giving the system off the Carolina coast an 80% chance of developing into a tropical system. That could happen as early as Sunday night or Monday. If it gets a name it would be Tropical Storm Dexter.

The Latest: Tropical Storm Dexter forms off North Carolina coast

Regardless of development, the system will continue to drift away from the east coast into the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

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Weather experts have predicted that 13 to 19 storms were forecast for this years Hurricane season in the Atlantic. So far, we have seen Andrea, Barry and Chantal.

Of those, between six to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 miles per hour or higher), including three to five major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher).

Southeastern United States

An area of low pressure could form in a couple of days a few hundred miles southeast of the Carolinas. Some gradual development of this system is possible by midweek as the system drifts to the northwest.

Tropical formation chance through 7 days is 20 percent.

Western Atlantic

Just off the North Carolina coast, an area of showers and storms is being tracked for potential development.

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The non-tropical area of low pressure, located along a frontal boundary, could become tropical as early as Sunday or Monday as it moves away from the North Carolina coast at 10 miles per hour.

As of Sunday night, there was an 80% of tropical development by Monday  up from 40% earlier on Sunday. If the system gets a name, it would be Tropical Storm Dexter.

According to the NHC, environmental conditions become less conducive for development after Monday. Regardless of development, direct impacts are not expected; however, dangerous rip currents and high seas are expected.

PREVIOUSLY: NC coast rip current rescues, bacteria in May raise concerns

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The National Weather Service office in Wilmington put out a moderate risk of rip currents Sunday morning through Sunday night. Theres a high rip current risk in the Outer Banks.

Central Tropical Atlantic

A tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa in the next few days.

Tropical development will be possible mid-to-late in the week as it moves west-northwest across the Atlantic. The chance of development is low at 20% over the next 7 days.

While it doesnt pose a direct threat to North Carolina at this time, its worth watching.

Tropical trends

Development will ramp up over the next few weeks. August, September, and October are the busiest months for the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

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Peak season happens around September 10.

This is a developing story. Check back with the CBS 17 Storm Team 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 CBS17.com.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday insisted the White House has the authority to implement all manner of international tariffs  even when the duties have little to do with economics.

Just ask Brazil. President Donald Trump last Wednesday imposed a 50 percent tariff on the country's goods, the vast majority of it chalked up to Brazil's social media restrictions and the criminal trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally accused of conspiring to overturn the 2022 election.

"He's elected to assess the foreign affairs situation in the United States and take appropriate action," Greer told CBS' Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation." "There's just no question that it's both from a legal perspective, it's completely permissible. And from a policy perspective, that's what he's elected to do."

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A Brazilian official told POLITICO last week that the country's legal system is entirely separate from its executive branch, and that its government could only stop the trial with the help of a sweeping amnesty law. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who prosecutors allege was to be poisoned in a coup plot agreed to by Bolsonaro, has flatly refused U.S. demands.

But Trump is standing by Bolsonaro and drawing connections to his own entanglements with the U.S. legal system.

"This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent  Something I know much about!" he charged on Truth Social in July. "It happened to me, times 10, and now our Country is the 'HOTTEST' in the World! The Great People of Brazil will not stand for what they are doing to their former President."

Greer on Sunday said Trump's tariffs on Brazil had full legal backing under a 1977 law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This is true, he said, even though the U.S. has long enjoyed a trade surplus with the South American country.

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"The president of the United States, historically, whether it's a Democrat or Republican, they have used IEEPA to impose sanctions for all kinds of geopolitical reasons in all kinds of countries," he told Brennan. "Sometimes it's countrywide, sometimes it's specific to certain, you know, individuals and often foreign leaders and foreign officials. So, this is not way outside the market."

Negotiations between the White House and Canada on a trade deal have also stalled. The president issued a tariff hike on Canadian imports last Thursday, but goods covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempt, meaning Canada remains insulated at this point in many areas.

Still, politics could imperil any movement toward economic peace. Trump last week said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to recognize Palestinian statehood "will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them."

Greer on Sunday insisted the administration has a clear-eyed plan for the future of its relationship with the Great North.

"Our view is the President is trying to fix the terms of trade with Canada, and if there's a way to a deal, we'll find it," he told Brennan. "And if it's not, we'll have the tariff levels that we have."
Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Sunday slammed the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government for power cuts across the national capital region (NCR), alleging that the Chief Minister has "implemented the Uttar Pradesh model of the BJP in Delhi." The AAP leader stated that numerous areas across the NCR experience daily electricity cuts of 5-6 hours, including the residence of former CM Arvind Kejriwal, where power has been unavailable since 3 AM on Sunday. "Since the BJP came to power in Delhi, the problem of electricity has been continuously increasing. Since 3:00 AM this morning, there has been no electricity at Arvind Kejriwal ji's residence. The same situation is being observed in many areas of Delhi, where electricity is being cut for 5-6 hours daily. Rekha Gupta has implemented the Uttar Pradesh model of the BJP in Delhi," Kakkar posted on X in Hindi. Earlier on July 31, the AAP leader also alleged that there was no electricity, or even a power backup, in Delhi's National TB hospital for around 3 hours. "In Delhi, the National TB Hospital, which comes under the central government, has now started to have arrangements like those in Uttar Pradesh's government hospitals. There was no electricity for three hours. There was no power backup for ventilators either. Extremely sad," she mentioned in another post. AAP leaders have been raising various issues, alleging that the Delhi government has been going back on their poll promises, while also failing to maintain infrastructure and schemes across the capital. AAP leader Kakkar has also claimed of 'mismanagement' in the Safdarjung hospital, showing a purported video of the hospital's parking being flooded after rains lashed part of the region. "Due to the mismanagement of the BJP government in Delhi, the condition of Safdarjung Hospital, under central control, has become deplorable," the AAP leader said. Earlier on Saturday, party's Delhi state president, Saurabh Bharadwaj has also criticised the proposed Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill 2025, which is set to be tabled in the Assembly soon. Bharadwaj claimed the bill is a direct assault on parents and a bonanza for private schools. He warned that the law is tailor-made to "protect the education mafia" and demanded answers from the Chief Minister and Education Minister on how arbitrary hikes will be rolled back and why audit mechanisms were deliberately erased. "When the new academic session for private schools began on April 1, almost every school increased their fees. Some schools even raised it by as much as 80 to 82 per cent. We saw parents protesting outside schools like DPS Dwarka for several days, shouting slogans against the administration. Children were harassed," he said during a press conference. The party has also repeatedly criticised the Delhi government for the demolition drives being ordered across various regions, alleging that the BJP-led government has gone back on their promise of giving permanent residences to the people. (ANI)
Drivers in Pasco should expect at least three more weeks of construction delays on Broadmoor Boulevard and intersections at Interstate 182, Sandifur Parkway and Burns Road.

Lanes will stay closed until Aug. 23 or later after initial plans to have it done by the end of July.

City officials blamed scheduling delays for not finishing by then, but couldnt give the Tri-City Herald any details on Thursday.

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The city still aims to have construction completed before the start of the school year, the week of Aug. 26.

Construction on the $7 million project began in November 2023.

Drivers navigate road construction near the intersection of Broadmoor Boulevard north of I-182 in Pasco.

Broadmoor Boulevard, aka Road 100, is a key feeder street to rapidly expanding housing developments north of I-182.

It averages 28,500 vehicles a day with peak volumes at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Its the eighth-busiest road in the Tri-Cities, based on the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments biennial traffic survey.

Construction crews work near the intersection of Broadmoor Boulevard and Sandifur Parkway in west Pasco.

Burns Road intersects with Road 68, which has the highest daily traffic in the Tri-Cities area at an average of 49,500 vehicles each day.

Lewis Street upgrades

In another part of town, some of Pascos most heavily-traveled streets are getting updated.

Pasco plans to spend $5.2 million in road improvements on the three miles of Lewis Street from Road 28 to Highway 12.

The city will spend $5.2 million in road improvements on Lewis Street from Road 28 to Highway 12. The distance being repaved is about three miles.

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The east end of Lewis Street is a vital corridor for freight traffic accessing Highway 12, industrial areas and the Port of Pasco.

The city says that improvements will make the roads safer with the growing number of trucks using that corridor.

The vast majority of truck traffic, an estimated 90%, from the Amazon warehouses in east Pasco will use Heritage Boulevard, a designated truck route, to reach the Lewis Street and Pasco Kahlotus Road interchange at Highway 12 to connect to other highways leading to their final destinations.

Lewis Street is a pedestrian and bike route that crosses residential and commercial areas on the east side of Pasco.

All pedestrian areas will be checked to ensure they are compliant with American with Disability Act (ADA). If they are not, they will be upgraded.

Pasco received $4.7 million in federal funds from the National Highway Performance Program. The city will pay about $530,000.

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Work includes asphalt repairs, a two-inch overlay and striping.

Construction is set for 2027.

This project is separate from Lewis Street Overpass construction and underpass demolition.

Clark Street

The Washington State Department of Transportation is funding $1.8 million in improvements for pedestrian and bicycle safety on Clark Street in the downtown area.

Changes include ADA curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, bike lanes and more.

The city will begin construction in 2027.

Ainsworth Avenue

Pasco will invest around $2.5 million for overlay, curb ramp upgrades and storm drain improvements on West Ainsworth Avenue between 10th Avenue and Oregon Street.

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The city entered an agreement with HLA Engineering and Land Surveying Inc. in December 2024 for design services.

Pasco received $2 million in federal money from the National Highway Performance Program and will pay $30,000 in local funds for the project.
An exhibition train travelling across the country to celebrate 200 years of British railways has been fitted with an American whistle, it has been claimed.

Nigel Wilson, a train enthusiast, told BBC Broadcasting House on Sunday he believed the Inspiration train has been fitted with an American-sounding whistle.

Host Paddy OConnell asked Mr Wilson: What is wrong with that hoot?

Mr Wilson responded: It sounded very American to me, the low tone and in particular the bells ringing in the background is something you hear in North American railways, not something here in the UK.

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Its a bit of a shame that we have got a whistle from the other side of the Atlantic when we are celebrating the UKs 200 years.

Mr Wilson was speaking from a three-day event in Derby dubbed the Glastonbury of railways, at which the Inspiration was on display.

The Inspiration was one of the star attractions at the Greatest Gathering in Derby, nicknamed the Glastonbury of Railways

An LMS Royal Scot steam locomotive was one of the many trains on show in Derby - Adam Vaughan/EPA/Shutterstock

More than 40,000 steam train enthusiasts attended the event, which ran from Friday to Sunday.

The Inspirations year-long tour of Britain has been organised by Railway 200, the nationwide campaign to mark the anniversary, in partnership with the National Railway Museum.

The train will visit 60 locations along the way, and Railway 200 estimates more than 200,000 people, including many schoolchildren, will visit it.

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After leaving Derby, the Inspiration will be on show to Norwich from Aug 7 to Aug 10 before heading south to Suffolk. The trains 2026 schedule has yet to be announced.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first steam train to transport passengers, officially launched on Sept 27 1825.

The launch of the Stockton and Darlington paved the way for the expansion of the railway network in both Britain and abroad.

On the bicentenary date, Inspiration will be at the Locomotion museum in Shildon, County Durham, which will also stage a recreation of the first steam-powered train journey.

Emma Roberts, the programme manager of Railway 200, said: Inspiration, Railway 200s travelling exhibition train, tells the story of our railways and has already been a hit with thousands of attendees.

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The whistle in question is a sound effect from one of several interactive exhibits inside the train. Inspiration is hauled by two Class 66 locomotives, each fitted with the same horn as other Class 66s operating across the UK.

Entry to Inspiration is free, and visitors can explore the fascinating past, present and future of an invention that transformed the UK  and the world  forever.

Network Rail and the National Railway Museum were contacted for comment.

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.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Dominic LeBlanc, Canadian Minister for U.S.-Canada Trade, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 3, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to the Canadian Minister for U.S.-Canada trade, Dominic LeBlanc, who joins us this morning from Moncton, Canada. Good morning to you.

MIN. LEBLANC: Good morning, Ms. Brennan.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You were just here, in Washington, negotiating. And while the talks are officially continuing, you left town without a deal, and you left town with, now, what is a 35% tariff on goods. How much of a setback was the President's decision to do that while you are still at the table?

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MIN. LEBLANC: So we were obviouslyobviously disappointed by that decision. We believe there's a great deal of common ground between the United States and Canada in terms of building two strong economies that work well together. That's been the history of the 40-year Free Trade Agreement that goes back to President Reagan. We were pleased the United States is respecting the terms of the USMCA agreement. That's vital, we think, to the cost of living and affordability, certainly in the United States, it's true in Canada, as well. So, we're going to continue to do the work. We left, always, with a better understanding of the American concerns in the trading relationship. Ambassador Greer, Secretary Lutnick, engaged with us in constructive, cordial conversations. So we're prepared to stick around and do the work needed. We think, Ms. Brennan, that the economies of both countries are strengthened when we do things together, the trading relationship between Canada and the United States is unlike other partners. One description, without which I thought was very apt; we don't sell things to each other as much as we build things together. And that's why it's- it's difficult in this relationship when so much is integrated. But we remain very optimistic.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But, you heard Ambassador Greer say Canadabecause Canada retaliated to the initial tariffs all the way back in April, when Prime Minister Trudeau was in office, you're paying the price now, even though you have a new government in place. If that's the issue, why not make that concession and pull back?

MIN. LEBLANC: So, Prime Minister Carney, our new prime minister, has, we think, built a very business-like, respectful relationship with President Trump. We think that's obviously very important to Canada, and we think to the United States. We're dealing with, take, for example, the steel sector in Canada. It's a strategic importance to national security in Canada, as it is for President Trump and the American economy. We now have a situation where there's a 50% tariff. We're the biggest steel export market for the United States. We have a 25% tariff. There's a 50% tariff when we want to sell something into the United States. So, effectively, we're blocked from doing that. But the national security interest of Canada requires that we have a viable steel and aluminum sector, and my conversations with Secretary Lutnick and others are that therein lies an example, where if we do the right work together, we have, Ms. Brennan, the toughest rules of any country dealing with Chinese dumping into Canada. We have melt and pour tracing, so that products coming from other countries with Chinese steel can't be dumped into the Canadian market. So, we're looking and advancing ideas where we can do that work with the United States, at the same time, ensuring that our economy continues to have sectors vital to the economic future of Canada. But, that's not in contradiction to President Trump's national security objectives in the United States, of course.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I want to talk to you more about this idea of the so-called fortress North America to take on China, and some of the specifics of the dispute on the other side of this commercial break. Please stay with us. We'll have more questions for Minister LeBlanc shortly. We'll you see in a moment.

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((COMMERCIAL BREAK))

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to Face the Nation. We return to our conversation with the Canadian Minister for US-Canada trade, Dominic LeBlanc. Minister, we were just talking about some of the sectoral tariffs, the metals. American automakers, GM, Ford, Stellantis, they have all said that these tariffs are hurting their profits. The 50% metal tariffs, which use Canadian aluminum, the Secretary of the Treasury was talking about those just the other day, they're seeing the impact here in the United States, a bit of a backfire in some ways. Do you see room for maneuver on these? Are they willing to negotiate with you on those tariffs?

MIN. LEBLANC: Ms. Brennan, we hope so. And, as I say, we're encouraged by the conversations with Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer, but we're not yet where we need to go to get the deal that's in the best interest of the two economies. But your example is a good one. Canadian aluminum companies massively supply the American market. And by putting a 50% tariff on aluminum from Canada, you've increased the price of a whole series of goods. The automobile sector, again, is an example where there's been deep integration. We're the biggest customer of U.S. made automobiles. Heavily, heavily importing into Canada light and heavy-duty trucks. 50% of the cars that we finish in Canada and sell to the United States are made up of American parts. So, therein lies a perfect example where, instead of tariffing one another, or President Trump for his national security reasons, under his Section 232, tariffs, wants to have a strong domestic steel, aluminum automobile sector. Well, so does Canada. And we understand and respect totally the President's view in terms of the national security interest. In fact, we share it, and what we've said to our American counterparts is, how can we structure the right agreement, where we can both continue to supply one another in a reliable, cost-effective way that preserves jobs essential to the American economy, but the same thing is true, obviously in Canada as well.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are there any plans for the two leaders to speak? I saw President Trump said your prime minister called him Thursday, and they just never connected. I mean, are tensions that high? And given the changing justification for the tariffs, do you really feel like you're negotiating with the other side in good faith?

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MIN. LEBLANC: Sure, we do. Of course we do. As I say, the conversations have been informative, constructive, and cordial. I would expect the Prime Minister will have a conversation with the President over the next number of days. That's certainly my plan, again with Secretary Lutnick, recognizing that we think there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down some of these tariffs, provide greater certainty to investment. We, Ms. Brennan, we passed, in Canada, our version of the President's One Big, Beautiful Bill. It's called the One Canadian Economy Act, which we think will unlock up to $500 billion of investment in Canada for things like pipelines, port infrastructure, mines, all of which offer huge opportunities to American businesses as well. So, we think there's a great deal- a great deal to work on together.

MARGARET BRENNAN: All right, Minister, we'll see if you can get one. We'll be right back.

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The following is the transcript of an interview with Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 3, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Change is coming for the country's Medicaid system as part of the enactment of the Big, Beautiful Bill. To help us understand what's ahead, we turn now to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz. Good morning. Welcome to Face The Nation.

DR. MEHMET OZ: Thank you.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: You've got a lot of work ahead. I want to start on drug costs. The president put this 25% tariff on India, big drug producer. The President's trade deal with the EU puts a 15 percent tariff on imported medicines from Europe. How do you stop the drug makers from passing along those costs to people on Medicare and Medicaid?

DR. MEHMET OZ: Well, the president's letter on Thursday for most favored nation pricing is a good example of that, and he's been working on this tirelessly since the first administration. And just to put this in context for many of the viewers, about two thirds of bankruptcies in America are caused by health care expenses. About a third of people when they go to the pharmacy, they leave empty handed. They can't afford the medication. So the President has said, Enough global freeloading. We've been covering much of the development costs for new drugs to cure cancer, deal with lots of other illnesses that are life threatening. It is in time for the American public to understand that we should not be paying three times more for the exact same medication in the same box, made in the same factories. The president's saying, equalize it out. Let's use a model that's worked, for example, for external threats, that's what NATO did. Everyone has to pay a little more. We'll pay extra too, but we won't pay a lot more than everybody else, so they actually have to raise their contributions, in this case, to an internal threat, which is illness. We'll pay a little less than America that way more Americans can afford these medications, and it's a fair system for the entire globe.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So this was declared in these letters that were sent out to 17 pharmaceutical companies this past week, and it calls for extending that to Medicaid drug prices. Is that intended to offset what will be, you know, cuts to Medicaid? And do you know, you know, if the companies are actually going to follow through on this, like, how do you actually strong arm them into doing it?

DR. OZ: Well just get the numbers correct. We're putting 200 billion more dollars into Medicaid. So we're actually investing

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MARGARET BRENNAN: by the time when costs are going up, so.

DR. OZ: Costs are going up, but there's been a 50 percent increase in the cost of Medicaid over the last five years. So I'm trying to save this beautiful program, this noble effort, to help folks giving them a hand up. And as you probably gather, if Medicaid isn't able to take care of the people for whom it was designed, the young children, the dawn of their life, those are the twilight of their life, the seniors and those who are disabled living in the shadows, as Hubert Humphrey said, then we're not satisfying the fundamental obligation of a moral government. And this President has said over and over that he believes that it is the wise thing and the noble thing to help those who are vulnerable and every great society does that, we're going to as well. So we're going to invest in Medicaid as is required, but we want an appropriate return on that investment. One thing that Medicaid patients should not face are drug prices they can't afford.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, how do you enforce this? Pharmaceutical companies

DR. OZ: Well, the pharmaceutical companies, if you sit them down quietly, Margaret, and we've done that, and say you went into this business at some point, because you cared about people. I know there's many out there shaking their heads, but that is actually the truth. People go into health care, whether they're pharmaceutical companies or insurance companies or the PBMs or anybody in the space. Even at the CMS, the most impressive thing to me in my new task, and the President has appointed me to, is the remarkable quality of people within the organization, just unbelievably talented. They went into this job because they care about health care and about people. Somewhere along the lines, people forget. They put numbers ahead of patients. And when that happens, then you start running into problems. We went to the pharmaceutical companies and we said, you appreciate this is not a fair system. We should not be paying more in America, three times more, for your products than you charge in Europe. They get the joke. They understand the reality of this problem. They are engaging with us. We're in the middle of those negotiations. The President has a unique power to convene. We've done it with dealing with prior authorization, this heinous process where patients feel like they're trying to get care from a doctor. Everything's being done except all of a sudden the arm of insurance comes in and stops the whole process for unknown reasons for weeks, sometimes months. The insurance companies, representing 80 percent of the American public, got together and they said, because we pushed them, we're going to deal with this. We can do the same, I believe, with the pharmaceutical industry, with most favored nation pricing.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Let me ask you about the changes that are coming because of this new law to Medicaid, which is jointly administered between the feds and the states. There are major reduction- reductions to federal health care spending here, one of the changes are these work requirements. It's about 20 hours a week, volunteer or work to qualify for health care. What is the guidance you are giving to states on how to implement this? Because in this economy, things are more complicated. Uber driver, independent contractor, how do they show they work their 20 hours a week?

DR. OZ: Last weekend, I was at the National Governors Association with Secretary Kennedy, who has been a big advocate of work as well. Every Democratic president and Republican president has said that the foundation of a healthy welfare system of a social system of support is work.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, but I'm asking how you actually implement that and register it so that people who are working do qualify, and they don't get caught up in paperwork because they didn't file something on time.

DR. OZ: As long as we're okay that people should work and would want to work, and it's not just work, it's community engagement. They can go get educated, right? They can take care of family members. They can contribute in other ways, but work is a great way of doing and get you out of poverty if you can find jobs and elevate yourself. There have been efforts to do this in the past, but they haven't been able to achieve what we can achieve, because we have technologies now. And we've invested already, as soon as the bill was signed, began pilots to try to demonstrate that we can actually do this correctly. We have pilots now in Louisiana and in Arizona, in both cases, within seven minutes, you can click on where you're working. You mentioned Uber, you're an Uber driver. You click that button on your phone. It just takes you to your payroll provider. Let's say it's ADP. We then ask your permission, can we connect with this payroll provider to demonstrate what you've actually been able to work and earn over the past month? This also, by the way, confirms your eligibility. But there's a bigger benefit here. Once you do that, you're in, you're done. However, what if we take one step further, Margaret? What if we go beyond just proving that you tried the work to actually say, You know what, you didn't work enough, but we can actually help you by connecting you through an employment office?

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MARGARET BRENNAN: So you're still figuring out the technology, but isn't there an end-of-December deadline for a lot of these things to be figured out? And how do you make sure that people don't get kicked off? Because in the state of Georgia, which already had work requirements, they have really struggled to make this work.

DR. OZ: Well, a couple of things. It's not the end of December, it's end of December a year from now, and Georgia is apples and oranges. Georgia had a program only for people under the poverty level, and for those people, if they wanted, they could elect to come into a system to help them get jobs. There have been 50,000 reduction in head count of uninsured people in the overall program in the last five years. Overall, Georgia, 2 million less uninsured people. So Georgia is using a lot of tactics, and they're going in the right direction. I would argue that if you have confidence in the American people and their desire to take to offer to try to get a job, if we challenge you to that. And remember, if you're an able-bodied person on Medicaid, you're spending 6.1 hours watching television or leisure time, so you don't want that

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, KFF Health Policy found 92 percent of adult Medicaid recipients already are working. Or they have the carve out because they have to have caregivers, or they have to do other things.

DR. OZ: They're fine. All they have to do is there'll be a simple app. If you've already carved out, that's super simple. If you're supposed to be if you're able-bodied and supposed to be working, we want to help connect you to the job market and get you into work. We have twice as many jobs available in America as people who seem to want them. The foundation of work is not just about fulfilling eligibility. The goal of health care insurance is to catalyze action in the right direction, to get you healthier, to give you agency over your future, so you recognize you matter, and you should have a job, therefore to go out and change the world.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: So there's a drug addiction problem in this country. How are those changes going to impact people who are on Medicaid in states like Kentucky, in states like West Virginia?

DR. OZ: In many instances, there are carve outs for folks who have substance use disorder problems. There are programs--

MARGARET BRENNAN: How do they prove that?

ADMINISTRATOR OZ: Well, they can

MARGARET BRENNAN: Is this in the app?

DR. OZ: Yes, it will be in the app. The app, again, this is being developed by the United States Digital Service, led by Amy Gleason, who is a wonderful technologist. She and I were with the President and Secretary Kennedy and the head of the czar for AI in this country on Wednesday, talking about overall how we're going to change the use of health technology in America. We've got to get into 2025 with health technology, as is true in every other sector. If you're watching the show right now, you could also be streaming media. You could take an Uber somewhere, the rideshare. You could do an Airbnb. Technology should make the system more efficient. We should have confidence that it will also allow us to do what we all agree is possible. If the whole challenge to a work requirement is that you don't have confidence in our ability to accomplish it, that's a separate question, because I do have confidence in the American people, and we have confidence we can pull this off. Look at the passport system, Margaret. Right now, you can go and get a passport in two weeks without having to go to the post office, send pictures, and all that's gone. It's fixable. Let's use technology.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm still confused on how someone who is in the throes of substance abuse is going to use an app to say, I'm in the throes of substance abuse every week, to file on online

DR. OZ: When they go in to get their help for their substance abuse treatment, assuming they're going for help on that, they can also get enrolled in, in those requirements, can be fulfilled. We want to talk to them in as many ways as possible. It's not going to happen just because we put an app out there, you, you have social workers and other folk elements who care a lot about this population, who are coming together, but they have to have some mechanism to report back. That just has not been done well.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, and this is incredibly detailed, and that's why we wanted to have you on. I have so many more questions for you on rural hospitals and some of the other criticisms. I have to leave it there for now. But thank you, Dr. Oz--

DR. OZ: Can I give you 30 seconds on rural hospitals, because this is important. You have 7 percent of Medicaid money going to rural hospitals. We're putting 50 billion dollars the president wants us to, Congress wants to

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MARGARET BRENNAN: There are a lot questions on how you're going to duel that out, and whether you have already made promises. Do you have any specifics for us?

DR. OZ: Yes. Wait, wait, it's going to be, they'll get the applications in early September. The money is designed to help you with workforce development, right sizing the system and using technology to provide things like telehealth that can change the world. Imagine if we can change the way we think about the delivery of health and make it more about getting people healthy so they can thrive and flourish and be fully present in their own lives and as Americans.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Dr Oz, we'll leave it there. We'll be back in a moment.

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Convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell secured a secret prison transfer after the Bureau of Prisons waived a rule designated to punish sex offenders.

Maxwell, alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epsteins accomplice, has spent the last three years serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She was transferred to a lower-security federal prison camp closer to her family in Bryan, Texas, last week after she reportedly spent two days speaking with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about her connections to Epstein.

Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred to a federal prison camp after speaking to the Justice Department about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein. / Laura Cavanaugh/Getty

The move required the bureau to waive its policy that convicted sex offenders must be held at least at a low-level prison, according to NBC News. Maxwell received a waiver to facilitate the move, according to MSNBC reporter Ken Dilanian, which gave her access to a less restrictive prison environment than the one in Tallahassee.

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A federal prison camp is a minimum-security facility with dorm-like housing, meeting the Bureau of Prisons lowest security-level designation. Low-level security prisons are a step up from prison camps.

A prison consultant told Dilanian he had never seen this done before for a sex offender, Dilanian wrote on X.

The Bureau of Prisons, which confirmed Maxwells move last week, did not respond to immediate requests for comment, including whether it waived the policy for Maxwell. Maxwells attorney also did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown predicted that Maxwell would be moved on the Daily Beast podcast this week. Brown, whose reporting on Epstein in 2018 renewed interest in the story and led to new federal charges, noted that jails were inherently dangerous places. She wouldnt necessarily be safe anywhere, Brown said.

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It is so easy to cover up a crime in jail, Brown said. The cameras are broken, guards fall asleepthey are, for the most part, very corrupt.

The move also came after she was reportedly threatened by other inmates for being a snitch, according to the Daily Mail. The publicity around her conversations with the Justice Department reportedly put a target on her back.

As soon as Ghislaine spoke to the government, she was considered a snitch by other inmates at Tallahassee, a source told the Mail. "There were very real and very credible threats on her life."

Federal Corrections Institution (FCI) Tallahassee, where Maxwell had stayed before her transfer, has faced challenges in recent years. Multiple guards have been convicted of sexually assaulting inmates in recent years, and Maxwell had already faced threats from inmates after she reported them over a blackmail campaign, according to the Mail.

The Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, also houses disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and reality TV star Jen Shah. / MARK FELIX / Mark Felix/AFP via Getty

The Bryan, Texas, prison, however, is a professionally run prison camp with a great warden, working cameras everywhere and properly trained staff, the source told the Mail on Sunday.

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There is a different class of people at Bryan, so she is less likely to be attacked, the source said.

The prison also houses disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah. The families of Epstein victims condemned the move, saying it smacks of a cover-up.

Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for helping Jeffrey Epstein abuse young women, has reportedly asked President Donald Trump for a pardon. / Davidoff Studios/Getty

Maxwell is currently working to overturn her December 2021 conviction for grooming young girls for Epstein to abuse. Her lawyers have argued that a 2007 plea agreement between Epstein and the U.S. Attorneys Office in Florida, which agreed not to prosecute multiple unnamed co-conspirators, also applied to her, Reuters reported.

Maxwell has also reportedly sought a pardon from President Donald Trump, who has not ruled it out as his alleged connections to Epstein have become a topic of intense speculation even among his most loyal followers.
President Donald Trumps administration is investigating former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led two criminal investigations into Trump during the Biden administration, on the supposed basis that Smiths actions may have been politically motivated.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is reportedly investigating Smith over a possible violation of the Hatch Act, a law that aims to make sure that federal workers are nonpartisan and avoid political activities. Smith investigated Trump over alleged his mishandling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including his role in fomenting the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The news was first reported by The New York Post on Friday night and confirmed to NBC News on Saturday.

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Smiths federal prosecution of Trump for election subversion was delayed by the conservative-dominated Supreme Court as it weighed  and then largely granted  the then-former presidents sweeping claims to immunity from prosecution for acts he committed in office.

Smith dropped the Department of Justices investigations into Trump in November and resigned from his position in January, shortly before Trump took office. Around that time, Joe Bidens Justice Department released Smiths report on his investigation into Trumps election interference.

As set forth in the original and superseding indictments, when it became clear that Mr. Trump had lost the election and that lawful means of challenging the election results had failed, he resorted to a series of criminal efforts to retain power, the report read.

Trump has been plotting his revenge against Smith and his team for years, looking for ways to punish them and undo their investigations. He never hid it: The precedent on doing what they did, with the weaponization, using the DOJ and the FBI to go after their political opponents, that is so bad, Trump said last year. That means I can do it too.

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Following Trumps win, members of Smiths team quickly moved to retain lawyers in case Trump followed through on his public pledge of retribution.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a Trump ally who called for an investigation into Smith earlier this week, celebrated news of the investigation.I appreciate the Office of Special Counsel taking this seriously and launching an investigation into Jack Smiths conduct. No one is above the law. Jack Smiths actions were clearly driven to hurt President Trumps election, and Smith should be held fully accountable, Cotton told The Post.

In February, the Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, formed the Weaponization Working Group, and decreed that it investigate, among other things, weaponization by Special Counsel Jack Smith and his staff, who spent more than $50 million targeting President Trump, as well as the officials involved in the 2022 FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago related to classified documents that Trump had reportedly taken from the White House.

Hatch Act penalties include debarment from federal employment for up to five years and a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

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Trumps nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel is 28-year-old Paul Ingrassia, a political commentator who was admitted to the bar in 2024. Ingrassia has apparently associated with both white supremacist Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate, who has been charged with rape and sex trafficking in multiple countries. In November 2024, Ingrassia said Smith should be jailed  along with every other communist whos waged relentless lawfare against Trump.

President Trump wants to appoint Mr. Ingrassia because he knows that this nominee will treat treasonous, secessionist rhetoric as acceptable political discourse; reward extremism instead of condemning it; and work to tear down, not build up, the democratic institutions we have sworn to protect, top Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform and Judiciary committees wrote in June.

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US President Donald Trumps decision to dismiss the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has sparked widespread criticism in the United States, but his economic adviser Kevin Hassett defended the move on Sunday.

Trump announced on Friday, following unexpectedly weak labour market figures, that he intended to dismiss BLS chief Erika McEntarfer, who is a respected economist.

He accused her, without evidence, of manipulating labor market data for political purposes.

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Asked by NBC News whether the administration had any evidence that labour market figures had been manipulated, Hassett said, "Well, the evidence is that there were a number of revisions."

He added that these revisions could appear too partisan. When pressed further on whether there was concrete evidence, Hassett responded: "I think the revisions are concrete evidence."

But he did not explain why a large revision means the data is wrong.

Trump's decision to fire McEntarfer came after data was released showing significant signs of weakness in the US labour market at the start of the summer. For May and June, the Labor Department revised the number of new jobs downward by a total of 258,000.

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The BLS often makes revisions to its initial data, which are preliminary, as do many national statistics offices in many western industrialized countries.

While post-publication corrections of figures are common, the scale of these revisions was unusual. Economists have attributed the disappointing labour market data in part to the effects of the US administrations aggressive tariff policies.

Trump-appointed former chief condemns firing

The dismissal of McEntarfer has drawn sharp criticism in the United States, including from former BLS chief William Beach, who was appointed to the position by Trump.

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On Friday, Beach described the dismissal of his successor on X as "totally groundless" and warned that it "sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau."

In an interview with the news portal Politico, Beach explained that hundreds of people work on the data, with around 40 individuals finalizing it.

These are professionals who have done their jobs under both Republican and Democratic administrations, Beach said.

The BLS chief has no influence over the data and cannot access it before it is fully completed, making any interference from her position highly unlikely, he said.

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Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X that Trumps actions were another step towards authoritarianism.

"One more step toward authoritarianism. Truth being replaced by propaganda. This is what the Soviets did."
Donald Trump launched a written tirade at Charlamagne Tha God Sunday on Truth Social after the radio host and author told Lara Trump he believes traditional Republicans will soon reclaim their political party after the Epstein-files fallout.

Trump described Charlamagne as a Low IQ individual who knows nothing about me or what I have done  like just ending 5 Wars, including a 31 year bloodbath between Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

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I think traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back, Charlamagne said Saturday on My View with Lara Trump.

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I think theres a political coup going on right now in the Republican Party that people arent paying attention to. I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do, he added.

They know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up, he continued. The MAGA base isnt letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take their party back and not piss off the MAGA base.

Charlamagne isnt the only person who has recently noticed changes in MAGA. On Saturday MSNBCs Ali Velshi told viewers the once invincible MAGA machine is glitching due to prolonged secrecy and deferment in respect to repeated questions about Trumps relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

This moment marks a significant rupture. For all his authoritarian instincts, Trump has always relied on one illusion, that he was one of them, Velshi explained. A truth teller. A rebel. A man fighting the man.

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But that was always a con. Trump never saw the base as partners in a cause. He saw them as marks. A means to an end. A block of loyal, gullible voters he could exploit to win power that he couldnt and wouldnt have won without them. Now that his own base is turning the lens back on him, what theyre seeing is just another rich, powerful man protecting himself.

The post Trump Attacks Charlamagne Tha God on Truth Social After Epstein Comments appeared first on TheWrap.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will likely talk "over the next number of days" after the U.S. imposed a 35% tariff on goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, a Canadian official said on Sunday.

Dominic LeBlanc, the federal cabinet minister in charge of U.S.-Canada trade, also told CBS News' "Face the Nation" that he was "encouraged" by recent discussions and believed a deal to bring down tariffs remained an option.

"We're encouraged by the conversations with Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer, but we're not yet where we need to go to get the deal that's in the best interest of the two economies," LeBlanc said, referring to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

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The trade minister said he expected Carney and Trump to speak "over the next number of days."

"We think there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down some of these tariffs provide greater certainty to investment," LeBlanc said.

Washington linked Friday's tariff announcement in part to what it said was Canada's failure to stop fentanyl smuggling. It was the latest blow in a months-long tariff war which Trump initiated shortly after returning to power this year.

Carney says Canada accounts for just 1% of U.S. fentanyl imports and has been working intensively to further reduce the volumes.

(Reporting by Douglas Gillison and Jasper Ward; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Ross Colvin and Nick Zieminski)
Donald Trump allegedly confessed to GOP colleagues that his ear injury was not too bad at the Republican National Convention, despite wearing his infamous oversized bandage.

The then-presidential nominee told Byron Donalds that doctors had advised him to keep the bandage on, the Florida Congressman said, speaking at a GOP conference over the weekend.

Trump arrived at the convention in July 2024 wearing the bandage, two days after surviving an attempted assassination while out campaigning in Butler, Pennsylvania, during which a bullet clipped his right ear.

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Many convention goers decided to mimic the look in solidarity, also sporting bandages of their own.

Donald Trump, with a bandage on his ear from an assassination attempt foiled at his rally on Saturday, speaks at the RNC after accepting the 2024 Republican nomination for president. (Getty Images)

However, Donalds recalled, Trump himself was unenthused about his medical head accessory when the pair met shortly after his convention speech. "I see the bandage, and the second thing [Trump says] is what do you think of the bandage?" Donalds said.

"I said, I don't like it. Take it off. That's what I said. I don't like it. Take it off. I said let everybody see the ear.

"He was like, you know, it's not too bad. It's not too bad..."Doc Ronny [Jackson] says, I gotta wear the bandage."

Im like so what? Youre the president just take the thing off, Donalds added.

A Trump supporter wears a bandage with the words Fight! Fight! Fight! written on it after the attempt on the presidents life in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

An attendee points to her bandaged' ear on the second day of the convention (Getty)

The presidents bandage became the inspiration for many at the RNC, with one Arizona delegate Joe Neglia describing it at the time as the newest fashion trend.

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Everybody in the world is going to be wearing these pretty soon, Neglia told CBS, while sporting a piece of white tape over his own ear. When he came in [to the convention], and there was that eruption of love in the room, I thought, what can I do to honor the truth? What can I possibly do?

And then I saw the bandage and I thought, I can do that. So, I put it on simply to honor Trump and to express sympathy with him and unity with him.

At a rally shortly after the convention, Trump appeared to have downgraded his ear bandage, instead sporting a skin-colored band-aid covering the top part of his right ear.
A suspected attempt to sabotage railway infrastructure was reported near the Rangra-Karmpada section in Odisha's Sundargarh district late last night, officials said. According to the South Eastern Railway (SER), "A banner or flag was reportedly put up by the CPI(ML) group near the railway track between Rangra and Karmpada stations during the night. Acting on this, RPF, local police, and Permanent Way Inspectors (PWI) staff moved towards the spot." Preliminary inspection revealed signs of a blast attempt at Kilometre No. 477/34-35, which caused damage to several railway sleepers. The incident has been reported to the Superintendent of Railway Police (SRP) and Superintendent of Police (SP), Rourkela. Assistant Security Commissioner (ASC) of RPF, Rourkela has also rushed to the site for on-ground supervision and to oversee restoration efforts. Officials informed that no passenger trains runs in this section and only goods trains serving to SAIL loading sidings are running. Till the fitness of the entire section goods movement is stopped taking due safety precaution. Meanwhile, earlier in this week, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared four railway projects aimed at decongesting the national rail network. Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said that the projects include Itarsi - Nagpur fourth line; Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) - Parbhani Doubling; Aluabari Road- New Jalpaiguri third and fourth line; and Dangoaposi- Jaroli third and fourth line. Vaishnaw, who is also the Union Railways Minister, said the increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The multitracking projects will also contribute to the government's climate goals by reducing emissions and fuel imports, as the railways continue to serve as a more environmentally friendly transport option. The Union Cabinet also approved a total outlay of Rs 6,520 crore, including an additional outlay of Rs 1920 crore for the ongoing Central Sector Scheme "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana" (PMKSY) during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (FCC) (2021-22 to 2025-26). The approval includes Rs 1000 crore to support the setting up of 50 Multi Product Food Irradiation Units under the component scheme-Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI), and 100 Food Testing Labs (FTLs) with NABL accreditation under the component scheme, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), in alignment with the budget announcement. The additional funding for PM Kisan Sampada Yojana and the cooperative development scheme are part of the broader strategy to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve farmers' income and support local industries, the government said in an official release. (ANI)
The Department of Justice is on a mission to collect election information, including sensitive voter information, from states as part of President Donald Trumps executive order cracking down on voting accessibility  but its left state officials concerned.

Over the last three months, the DoJs Voting Section has reached out to at least 15 states seeking their voter roll, information about individuals who may have violated federal voting laws, and questions about the states process for identifying and removing ineligible voters, the Associated Press reported.

Traditionally, the Voting Sections main focus is to protect citizens right to vote, but under Trumps direction, its cracking down on voter fraud  a rare occurrence that Trump has mischaracterized as a major problem in the United States.

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But some state officials have flagged concerns with the swath of information being requested, saying voter rolls contain private information about individuals and cannot be shared without congressional notification.

Utahs Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, the states top election official, said she refused to provide expansive information on the states 2.1 million voters to the DoJ.

The Voting Section of the DoJ has requested states provide swaths of information on voters and elections as part of Trumps crackdown on voting accessibility (Getty Images)

Weve offered the public voter list. If they want protected data, theres a process for government entities to request it for lawful purposes, Henderson told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Well address that if it comes, she continued, but so far we havent identified any federal or state statute that would justify handing over to the federal government the personal identifying information of 2.1 million Utah voters, Henderson added.

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Officials in at least four California counties told the Associated Press that DoJ officials requested information about the number of people removed from rolls for being noncitizens, including their ID numbers, dates of birth, and voting records.

Trump has sought to conduct the largest deportation of undocumented immigrants, in part by targeting individuals using government information.

In Colorado, DoJ officials demanded the state hand over all records pertaining to the 2024 election  a massive trove of documents that includes ballots and voting equipment information, as well as records retained from the 2020 election.

Last year, the Colorado state Supreme Court tried to bar Trump from appearing on the presidential ballot, claiming he was ineligible because he violated the Fourteenth Amendment by inciting the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

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The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Trump, declaring that states did not have the authority to determine a federal candidates eligibility.

Trump mischaracterized the 2020 presidential election as littered with fraudulent voters and rigged voting machines, despite no evidence of either (REUTERS)

In Maine, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said she was denying the DoJs request for the states voter registration list, the names of officials who maintain the list, and the number of ineligible voters due to noncitizenship status.

Officials had sent multiple requests for information, one of which insinuated that Maine had an unusually high number of registered voters, the Maine Morning Star reported.

The nature of these questions suggest that the DOJ is more interested in keeping people that they dont like from voting than promoting voter registration and participation, Bellows told Maine Morning Star.

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Already, DoJ officials had spoken to Bellows about a potential information-sharing agreement to provide the department with information on registered voters who are ineligible to vote.

Similar requests were made to Arizona, Connecticut, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

Why on Earth does the Department of Justice need the voter information from all 50 states? Bellows asked. If Congress thought it was appropriate that there be a national voter file, Congress could have authorized the Department of Justice to do that, but they have not.

The DoJs motivation in collecting such information appears to be to assist its efforts to identify and prosecute those who violate federal election laws.

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Trump has directed the attorney general and DoJ to collect election information from states to add extra safeguards to elections.

Despite no evidence of mass voter fraud or noncitizen voting in the last several elections, Trump has continually claimed the 2020 election was rigged with mass voter fraud and that undocumented migrants voted in the 2024 election.
There might be some tension at Mar-a-lago next time Lara Trump comes to visit.

Donald Trumps daughter-in-laws interview Saturday on her Fox News show with Charlamagne Tha God has really gotten under POTUS thin and artificially tanned skin  and The Breakfast Club co-host is lovin it.

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Also linking to an old clip from the Daily Show and Lara Trumps My View, Charlamagne himself reposted the unhinged post that the elder Trump put up early today calling the MAGA critic and member of the loyal opposition a a Low IQ individual, a racist sleazebag, and everything else under the sun.

Taking yet another swipe at Joe Biden and now non-California gubernatorial candidate Kamala Harris plus the CAA-repped Gods moniker, Trump unloaded by declaring the well-informed Charlamagne has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth and knows nothing about me or what I have done. Mixing lower case and upper-case text, and making it very clear to every professional and amateur psychiatrist that a nerve or two had been struck, Trump then proceeded to further attack Charlamagne and list off a series of his own perceived accomplishments.

As has been clear the last month or so since the Department of Justice ignited the MAGA base in outrage by reneging on Trumps promise to release the fabled files on his old pal deceased sex offender Jeffery Epstein, any mention of the pedophile millionaire drives POTUS nutso  even more so when it is on Fox News.

While the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal has been dropping scoop after scoop the past few weeks on just how very close Trump and Epstein seemed to be, the Australian nonagenarians cable news network has barely mentioned the scandal or the MAGA civil war that has erupted.

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Invited on to express his different viewpoint, in Lara Trumps words, Charlamagne changed that this weekend and pointed to possible Trumpless future  as you can see here:

I think traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back, he told the younger Trump on FNC on August 2. I think theres a political coup going on right now in the Republican Party that people arent paying attention to. I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do.

Charlamagne added: They know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up. The MAGA base isnt letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take their party back and not piss off the MAGA base.

Rubbing even a little more salt on to the 79-year-old Trump, whose polls are cratering as his authoritarian approach ramps up, Charlamagne also recommended Jon Stewart run for POTUS in 2028 and that he would also vote for former Veep Harris again.

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Tune in to the Breakfast Club tomorrow  it should be even more fun that usual.

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Donald Trump is looking to hire 10,000 officers to help carry out his administrations widespread detention and deportation of migrants with tens of billions of dollars in funds from his Big Beautiful Bill.

Job postings show that in 25 cities from coast to coast, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is hiring deportation officers who will arrest, detain, and deport migrants, and manage migrants cases. The listings give insight into where ICE may be ramping up operations.

ICE has already been carrying out broad arrests, including at workplaces and courthouses. Agents have been wearing masks and lacking identifying information as they snatch immigrants, sometimes breaking their car windows to drag them out faster.

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Are you ready to defend the homeland? the job posting reads. Launch a dynamic and rewarding career as a Deportation Officer with Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) at ICE! Join a dedicated team safeguarding U.S. borders and upholding immigration laws, playing a key role in defending our nation.

At a time when the U.S. job market is slowing down and prices remain high, ICE is offering $50,000 signing bonuses and $60,000 in student loan repayment with a salary of about $50,000 to $90,000.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already issued 1,000 tentative job offers, the Associated Press reported Friday. A spokesperson for DHS said many of the people offered jobs were ICE officers who retired under President Biden because they were frustrated that they were not allowed to do their jobs. These retired officers are being offered $88,000 to $144,000 along with a $50,000 bonus.

An image of Uncle Sam, the ultimate recruitment propaganda, appears on the DHS website with the words RETURN TO MISSION.

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Your country is calling you to serve at ICE. In the wake of the Biden administrations failed immigration policies, your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said earlier this week. This is a defining moment in our nations history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.

ICE is hiring in Los Angeles, where Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines to lead a militarized crackdown on protests against his immigration raids.

Major cities where ICE is hiring include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The agency is hiring in several large cities with large Latino populations including Dallas, Houston, Miami Beach, Phoenix, San Antonio, and San Diego. ICE is also hiring in Baltimore, New Orleans, Newark, Saint Paul, and Salt Lake City.

The agency is hiring in El Paso, a city on the Texas.-Mexico border where detentions are reportedly increasing. They are also looking to hire in Detroit and Buffalo, which are on the U.S.-Canada border.

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ICE is looking to hire in Harlingen, a Texas border city. The deportation flights taking migrants to an El Salvador torture prison and war-torn South Sudan, both in defiance of judicial orders in cases that went to the Supreme Court, took off from Harlingen.

DHS is hiring new criminal investigators, or special agents, at salaries of $63,000 to $102,000 with a bonus $50,000. Returning criminal investigators are being offered $105,000 to $171,000 per year, plus the $50,000 bonus. The department is hiring attorneys all over, at field locations in 90 cities.

The jobs are being funded with tens of billions of dollars included in Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, the presidents first major agenda legislation. The bill also slashes taxes for the wealthy and will force millions of Americans off Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income and disabled people.

The funding from President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill will play a key role in fulfilling his promise to the American people to deport criminal illegal aliens, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement, Politico reported.

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Getting 10,000 [new employees] means basically hiring the people who walk in the door because youre trying to hit your quota, Josiah Heyman, an anthropology professor who directs the University of Texas at El Pasos Center of Inter-American and Border Studies, told The Los Angeles Times. Rapid, mass-hiring lends itself to mistakes and cutting corners.

The Trump administration is also looking at increasing their use of the military in domestic immigration enforcement, The New Republic reported Saturday. A memo from Philip Hegseth, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths younger brother, calls on military leadership to feel  for the first time  the urgency of the homeland defense mission and work together with ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents.

The memo is alarming, because it speaks to the intent to use the military within the United States at a level not seen since Japanese internment, Carrie Lee, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told The New Republic. The military is the most powerful, coercive tool our country has. We dont want the military doing law enforcement. It absolutely undermines the rule of law.

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With a combination of executive orders, legal maneuvers and staffing decisions, President Donald Trump has already put in motion his next effort to subvert upcoming federal elections in 2026 and 2028.

Since taking office, Trump has installed loyalists who follow his orders into key positions at the Department of Justice, issued executive orders centralizing decision-making within the White House, attempted to unilaterally change state and local election laws, demanded unprecedented access to voter data, dismantled election security protections, threatened elections officials and workers, law firms and others who have historically stood up to protect elections and defended, hired or pardoned those involved in previous efforts to subvert elections.

All of these actions combine into a concerted strategy to undermine federal elections, according to a new report by the Brennan Center for Justice, a left-leaning nonprofit that advocates for voting rights. The report highlights how these actions are being used together to set the stage for future lies about election integrity and attempts by the White House to try to change the outcome of elections altogether. It also details how they are being fought by states, election officials and voting advocates.

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We are seeing this as an unprecedented intrusion by the White House into the way that our elections work in a way that really makes us concerned for our elections moving forward, said Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the voting rights and elections program at the Brennan Center.

President Donald Trump has made subversion of elections central to his political agenda. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

Trump has made the subversion of elections central to his political career, which he launched by questioning whether President Barack Obama was eligible to be president. He has claimed every election since 2012 that did not go Republicans way was rigged with illegal votes and fraud, even claiming that his 2016 win would have been bigger if not for alleged fraud. This false campaign culminated after his 2020 loss when he illegally attempted to remain in power and sparked an insurrection aimed at stopping the certification of President Joe Bidens victory on Jan. 6, 2021.

That effort was haphazard and desperate, according to Morales-Doyle, but with four years of planning and an even more supine Republican Congress, Trump returned to office with time to put a similar plan into place.

What we are witnessing now is that Trump, from day one of this administration, has started putting the wheels in motion to undermine elections and to make sure the people who would be carrying out that plan wont say no this time around, Morales-Doyle said.

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The most important change from his first administration is that Trump has shied away from hiring experienced eminences into key posts in the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Defense and instead appointed toadies who follow his orders.

After the 2020 election, Trumps attempt to steal the election was hamstrung by his appointees, including Attorney General William Barr, who refused to seize voting machines at Trumps request, and other DOJ officials who fought Trumps efforts to appoint Jeff Clark as acting attorney general in order to issue a letter saying the election was marred by fraud.

This second Trump administration is instead staffed with people who helped Trump lie about the 2020 election, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI director Kash Patel, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and Ed Martin, a right-wing attorney who now leads a Justice Department task force on the weaponization of the federal government. The shift means voting rights advocates are now fighting the federal government itself rather than fringe outside actors.

Many of the strategies and tactics that weve seen developed by the election denier movement are actually coming from within the federal administration, Morales-Doyle said, and that is like nothing weve ever seen before.

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Unlike Barr, these appointees may have no qualms with fulfilling Trumps election fraud fantasies by seeking to seize voting machines, publicly claim election fraud or pressure state or local election officials to take actions to undermine the election results. They have already begun this process by targeting and threatening election officials through the Weaponization Working Group headed by Martin and the election integrity task forces set up in the offices of the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, previously held by Trumps former lawyer Alina Habba, and the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., led by former Fox News anchor Jeanine Pirro.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi both fueled Trump's lies about the 2020 election and are now in positions of power to fulfill Trump's wishes. Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images

This Department of Justice has acted differently than every other Department of Justice in every previous administration, including the first Trump administration, said David Becker, executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research. Theyre acting more like a political campaign arm of the White House.

Trumps appointees are aided by many of the presidents other actions, which aim to cast a cloud of doubt over the integrity of elections. On March 25, Trump issued a sweeping executive order aiming to allow the president to directly set state election law, despite the president having almost no constitutional role or legal power in the administration of elections.

The order directed the Election Assistance Commission to mandate that states require voters to show proof of citizenship in order to vote, rescind certifications for almost all voting machines and ordered the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Government Efficiency to obtain full voter files from every state, including sensitive data like Social Security numbers. The order also directs the attorney general to target states that count mail-in ballots that arrive after election day for legal action.

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One judge has already blocked the orders proof of citizenship requirement for voting and another judge blocked most of the order from taking effect. Litigation challenging the decertification of voting machines is still ongoing.

DHS has sent letters to election officials in six states seeking their full, unredacted voter files, while DOJ has sued North Carolina and Orange County, California to obtain such access. It is illegal for many states to share sensitive information in these voter files, like Social Security numbers, with the federal government.

While the administration has no legal basis to enforce this order, the second Trump administration has not shied away from breaking the law to do what it wants.

As the administration has itself targeted election systems, it has also dismantled the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and its work to protect elections from interference, including hacks targeting election systems.

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In addition to dismantling CISA, the administration has attacked private actors who work to protect and defend elections while supporting those who seek to undermine them. Trumps executive orders targeting law firms and the deals some firms have entered into with his administration have cowed Big Law from challenging his policies. The countrys top 50 law firms have dramatically scaled back their pro bono legal work challenging the administration even though four of Trumps orders have been emphatically struck down by courts, according to Reuters.

North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs was sworn in more than five months after winning her seat in 2024 after her GOP opponent tried to sue to overturn the election results on specious charges. Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer via Getty Images

The administration has also threatened to strip nonprofits that challenge Trump or are aligned with the Democratic Party of their tax-exempt status, and launched investigations into the election apparatus of the Democratic Party.

Where Trump punishes his enemies, he rewards his allies. This includes those who tried to help him overturn his 2020 loss. He issued pardons or commuted sentences for all defendants prosecuted for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021, including those who assaulted police officers or engaged in sedition. Meanwhile, his administration has unsuccessfully pressured Colorado to release Tina Peters, a former election clerk convicted of illegally providing access to voting systems to a Trump ally after the 2020 election.

These disparate actions can all come together ahead of or after the next election to disrupt, undermine or actually subvert the outcome in a variety of ways.

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What actually ends up being the lever that needs to be pulled to interfere with the outcome of an election or the outcome of multiple elections depends on where elections are close, Morales-Doyle said. It depends on who is in the position that you need to put the pressure on. You can see a number of different scenarios that could be pressure points in 2026.

Refusal to comply with Trumps executive order could fuel propaganda claiming the results from those states are fraudulent or as a pretext to declare an election-related emergency and seize voting machines. Requests for voter files could lead the administration to demand specific individuals be removed from the voter rolls, both altering the electorate or, if states do not comply, provide propaganda fodder and pretexts for interference.

By dismantling CISA, the administration could claim any attacks on election systems, now made easier absent protection, as evidence that the elections integrity has been undermined and as a pretext to seize voting machines or otherwise interfere with the results.

The threats and targeting of law firms, election officials, nonprofits and the Democratic Party not only aim to disable opposition, but also to serve as a warning to those who might buck any requests when they come.

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In 2020, Trump attempted to pressure Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, to change the election results so that he would win the state. Raffensperger refused to budge. He also pressured local election officials in Wayne County, Michigan, to refuse to certify the countys results. This initially worked, but the two officials reversed themselves and certified the results after public pressure. But others may not, especially now that they know that they could face investigations, prosecutions or other threats and punishments.

Theyve seen the reality of what it means to have the sheer force of the executive branch targeted at a perceived adversary, Morales-Doyle said.

Trump's lies about election results previously resulted in an attempt to steal the 2020 election and an attack by his supporters on the Capitol aimed at helping him do so. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images

One end result of these efforts to cast doubt or subvert elections just played out in North Carolina following the 2024 election. In a crucial state Supreme Court race, Democrat Allison Riggs defeated her Republican opponent Jefferson Griffith by 734 votes. After the election, Griffith filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse his loss with claims that certain registered voters with incomplete information on their registrations should have been removed from the rolls before they cast their ballots. Griffiths allegations mirror some of those raised by the Trump administration in its pursuit of state voter files.

In highly partisan decisions, the Republican-controlled state courts sided with Griffith and ordered tens of thousands of votes to be discarded and Griffith awarded Riggs seat. But Riggs appealed in federal court and won with a judge ruling that valid votes cast by voters who followed the rules cannot be thrown out after the election is run. While the correct result was ultimately reached, the legal process prevented Riggs from taking her seat for over four months.

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The Trump administration and Republicans could do something similar by using whatever alleged violation of Trumps executive order or claim about voter roll errors to challenge the outcome after the election. If Democrats had won a majority in the House or Senate, its theoretically possible for Congress to refuse to seat anyone in one of these contested seats. That could allow Republicans to remain in control even if they lost, at least temporarily.

As shown by the result in the North Carolina Supreme Court race, federal judges are not willing to overturn election results after the fact on specious claims. The courts dismissed, often with great prejudice, Trumps lawsuits challenging his election defeat in 2020.

Im worried about that scenario, but not because I think theyll overcome the line drawn in the sand by courts and get votes thrown out after the fact, Morales-Doyle said.

The Brennan Centers purpose in raising these threats in their report is not to highlight an unavoidable doom scenario, but rather as a warning for institutional actors  from election officials to lawyers to information security experts  and the public to be aware ahead of time about the risks posed by a White House hellbent on undermining elections so that they can work to counter it.

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We have to reckon with the difference when that attack comes from the White House, Morales-Doyle said. That if were going to survive that kind of attack, its going to require a lot of actors to show their resistance and strength at an even greater level than theyve had to in the past.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the group that Trumps March executive order said must mandate that states require voters to show proof of citizenship to vote. That group is the Election Assistance Commission.
President Donald Trump was taken aback by speculation that he was personally involved in Jeffrey Epsteins 2019 jail cell death, author Michael Wolff said on the latest edition of The Daily Beast Podcast.

The biographer said the lingering controversy over Trumps ties to Epstein resulted in the president having to deny culpability for his one-time friends demise.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone who talks to Trump frequently. And this person had a conversation with Trump in the last 48slightly, possibly morehours, and it kind of gave me a chill, Wolff told host Joanna Coles.

Donald Trump with his then-girlfriend (and now wife), Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell. / Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

So Trump called up this person and said, They say I killed Epstein. I didnt have Epstein killed, Wolff continued. And then this person said, Well, do you think he was killed? And then Trump said, A lot of people wanted him dead.

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The White House responded to Wolffs remarks with its previous comment about the Fire and Fury author.

Michael Wolff is a lying sack of s--t and has been proven to be a fraud, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told the Daily Beast in a statement. He routinely fabricates stories originating from his sick and warped imagination, only possible because he has a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain.

Unsubstantiated rumors about Epsteins death, which was officially ruled a suicide, took an interesting turn this past week following the release of footage from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York which showed a mysterious orange shape ascending the stairs toward Epsteins cell the night he died.

Questions persist about Epsteins death in custody in light of a security cameras missing minute and how corrections officers did not do their required check-in on Epstein every half hour. The disgraced financier was alone in his cell at the time of his death, despite having been placed on suicide watch.

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Trump has urged Americans to move on from the Epstein saga, calling it pretty boring. However, his efforts to dismiss the outcry have only seemed to increase the public interest. Wolff explained that he believes the story wont entirely disappear until its most mysterious aspectslike the circumstances of Epsteins deathget conclusive explanations.

Jeffrey Epstein photographed in Cambridge, MA in 2004. / Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images

It keeps coming back, Wolff said of the Epstein story. Im sure it will go quieter, but the fact of the story is that there are questions which demand answers and they arent given. So you can put them out of your mind for this period, but they never entirely go out of your mind.

To quell the latest outcry for answers, Trumps Justice Department has met with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring with Epstein for more than a decade to sexually exploit and abuse minors.

Deputy Attorney General Todd BlancheTrumps former personal attorneyinterviewed Maxwell last week for approximately nine hours over two days, where they reportedly discussed more than 100 people associated with the Epstein case.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Donald Trump in 1997. / New York Daily News Archive / NY Daily News via Getty Images

Following their meeting, Maxwells lawyers made it clear that they are seeking a presidential pardon for the 63-year-old British socialite. When confronted by reporters about the possibility of a pardon, Trump wasnt willing to rule the prospect out. Im allowed to do it, but its something I have not thought about, he said.

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On Friday, Maxwell appeared to receive a sweetheart prison move when she was quietly transferred from Floridas low-security Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee to the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texasthe same facility where Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and former Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jennifer Shah are currently serving out their sentences. The move brought Maxwell closer to her family, as public records indicate that her sister Christine owns an apartment in Dallas, about 175 miles north of Maxwells new home.

New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform at beast.pub/dailybeastpod and subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes.
President Donald Trump popped off at Charlamagne tha God in a late-night screed on Truth Social.

Charlamagne appeared on Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trumps, show for an interview Saturday, where Lara asked Charlamagne how he would rate the Trump presidency thus far.

I wouldnt give [him] a good rating, simply because the least of us are still being impacted the worst, Charlamagne said. Right now, people are hurting.

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The remark set Trump ablaze on Truth Social.

The very wonderful and talented Lara Trump, whose show is a big ratings success, put racist sleazebag Charlamagne The God (Why is he allowed to use the word GOD when describing himself? Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?), the president posted at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Hes a Low IQ individual, has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done, Trump added. This dope, Charlamagne, would vote for Sleepy Joe or Kamala?

As for Trump taking issue with Charlamagne calling himself tha God, its true the president has never once referred to himself as a divine entity. But hes come pretty close.

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Reacting to his victory at the 2016 polls, Trump reflected that only God could have done this. He also joked during an August 2019 press conference that I am the chosen one, glancing theatrically toward the skies.

That comment came around the same time he tweeted quotes from conspiracy theorist Wayne Allyn Root, reflecting on how the Jewish people in Israel love him like hes the King of Israel. They love him like he is the second coming of God.

The president has similarly described his near brush with death at a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as evidence of his divine backing.

Reflecting on the experience, hes said I felt Gods presence with me, that it was not my time, that he was saved by the hand of God, and that I like to think that God thinks that Im going to straighten out our country.
President Trump blasted Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and told him to GO TO HELL as a fight over confirming executive branch political nominees boiled over and dozens of potential appointees were left in limbo.

Trump had wanted the Senate to stay in session and clear up the backlog of presidential appointees, but a deal between Republicans and Democrats to push through the nominees fell apart.

Senators went home for their August recess without confirming a slate of Trumps nominees  leaving the president fuming.

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Senator Cryin Chuck Schumer is demanding over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees, who should right now be helping to run our Country, the president fumed on Truth Social.

President Trump called out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Truth Social, accusing him of demanding over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees. AP

This demand is egregious and unprecedented, and would be embarrassing to the Republican Party if it were accepted. It is political extortion, by any other name. Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the Radical Left Lunatics, to GO TO HELL!

Many Republicans had been hoping to get just over 130 nominees from the backlog confirmed before the August recess.

Many of these types of civilian nominees breeze through the Senate via voice vote or unanimous confirmation. But Democrats took advantage of Senate rules to significantly delay confirmation of those picks.

Trump also said in his post, Go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country. ZUMAPRESS.com

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) groused that no other president in recent history has faced so much obstruction.

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Thune negotiated with Schumer (D-NY) on a deal to bundle up Trumps picks to allow voting for them in bulk. In one iteration of the deal, the Senate would have voted on a batch of the picks before breaking for recess, and then another chunk when the upper chamber reconvenes.

But it appears that Democrats wanted guarantees from Trump that he would unfreeze some of the funding his administration had cut off for foreign aid and the National Institute of Health.

Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country. Have a great RECESS and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! Trump added.

Senators had been getting antsy, and tensions were high as the standoff had begun cutting into the August recess.

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Thune agreed to allow the typical pro forma sessions to continue, a process by which the Senate holds ceremonial sessions to prevent presidential recess appointments, which would allow Trumps picks to get through without Senate approval.

Some Republicans flirted with the idea and with the possibility of going nuclear and rolling back the rules that enable Democrats to hold up the nominees. However, it is unclear if the GOP has a majority for that, as many moderate Republicans want to preserve Senate norms so they can block Democratic picks when the Republicans are in the minority again.

There were several different times where I think either or both sides maybe thought there was a deal in the end, Thune said of negotiations with Schumer, noting there were a lot of different ideas floated.

Lawmakers decided to only vote on 7 of Trumps 60 nominees for positions in his administration. AP

Schumer, who has faced constant pressure from the progressive base to put up more of a fight against Trump, later took a victory lap.

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Let me clear what happened: Donald Trump attempted to steamroll the Senate to put in place his historically unqualified nominees. But Senate Democrats wouldnt let him, Schumer said on X.

Donald Trumps style: Posture[,] Cajole[,] Stamp your feet and then give up, the top Senate Democrat later gloated on X afterwards.

Some senators floated the idea of making rules changes when the Senate reconvenes in September, before dealing with the partial government shutdown fight.

They head home slightly ahead of schedule on the government shutdown showdown, having passed 3 of the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government and with about half of the remaining bills having cleared committee.

Thats the first time since 2018 that the Senate has passed government funding bills before breaking for August recess, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine). If Congress fails to take action, the government will enter a partial shutdown on Oct. 1.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in an interview set to air Sunday that President Trumps newly announced tariff rates are pretty much set and the public should not expect them to come down in the near future.

I dont, I dont think they will be in the coming days, Greer said on CBS Newss Face the Nation, when asked whether he expects rates to be negotiated down in the coming days.

He said many of the tariff rates announced are set rates pursuant to deals.

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Some of these deals are announced, some are not, others depend on the level of the trade deficit or surplus we may have with the country, Greer continued. So, these tariff rates are pretty much set.

Greer said he expects his phone to be blowing up with calls from international trade leaders wanting to negotiate, but Greer suggested the latest tariff announcement will likely be where Trump lands on the issue.

There are trade ministers who want to talk more and see how they can work in a different way with the United States, but I think that we have, were seeing truly the contours of the presidents tariff plan right now with these rates, he continued.

Trump signed an executive order that modified tariff rates for dozens of countries after he had twice delayed plans to implement reciprocal tariffs on other nations. Tariff rates range from as high as 41 percent on goods from Syria to as low as 10 percent, the baseline established for all imports.

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The executive order states that all imports will face a 10 percent tariff. The order goes into effect Aug. 7.

Some nations have negotiated separate trade agreements to lock in tariff rates. For example, Indonesia and Thailand agreed to a 19 percent tariff, South Korea and Japan negotiated deals that included a 15 percent tariff, and the United Kingdom struck a deal for a 10 percent tariff. Certain other nations that have not negotiated deals will face higher rates.

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Donald Trump is angry and lashing out at radio host and author Charlamagne Tha God after the host spoke on Fox News about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and speculated it would cause a Republican Party coup.

Trump lashed out, calling Charlamagne a a Low IQ individual who has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done in a Truth Social post very early this morning.

(In case you were wondering whether Trump is racist when slinging his low IQ insult, here is a list of other people he has recently called low IQ: Vice President Kamala Harris, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rep. Al Green.)

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I think traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back, Charlamagne said in an interview with the presidents daughter-in-law on her Fox News program, My View With Lara Trump. I think theres a political coup going on right now in the Republican Party that people arent paying attention to. I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do.

They know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up, he said. The MAGA base isnt letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take their party back and not piss off the MAGA base.

Charlamagne also told Lara Trump that he would vote again for Kamala Harris if given the chance.

The very wonderful and talented Lara Trump, whose show is a big ratings success, put racist sleazebag Charlamagne The God (Why is he allowed to use the word GOD when describing himself? Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?) Trump wrote.

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Trump has been in hot water with his base since the FBI and DOJ concluded in a memo last month that no further disclosure of the Epstein files would be appropriate or warranted. Trump and members of his administration had previously suggested they would release the contents of the files, including details about the billionaire sex traffickers death by suicide in prison.

Along with the memo, the administration released surveillance footage from outside Epsteins cell around the time of his death, but one minute was suspiciously missing.

Since the memos release, new details have emerged about the presidents close friendship with Epstein as well as information that Trump himself is named in the files. Trump even said last week that Epstein stole one of his victims from Mar-a-Lago, Trumps resort and spa, where she worked.

Raising even more suspicion, the DOJ has been meeting with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and made the unprecedented move of transferring her to a minimum security facility while she serves a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Meanwhile, the Republican speaker of the house sent lawmakers home for a recess to avoid a vote on releasing the files, even though the speaker himself has called for the files to be made public. Last month, the House voted to block their release.

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Charlamagne also said that he hasnt seen significant changes for the better since Trump took office.

Right now people are hurting! he said. He campaigned on immediate change. Day One change.

And you dont think youve felt any change? Lara Trump asked.

No, Charlamagne said.

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When her husband was arrested in an immigration raid near Los Angeles last month, Martha was abruptly separated from the father of her two daughters. But she also lost the salary that allowed her to keep a roof over their heads.

"He's the pillar of the family... he was the only one working," said the undocumented woman, using a pseudonym for fear of reprisals.

"He's no longer here to help us, to support me and my daughters."

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Los Angeles, where one-third of residents are immigrants -- and several hundred thousand people are undocumented -- has been destabilized by intensifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids under the Trump administration.

Since returning to power, US President Donald Trump has delivered on promises to launch a wide-ranging deportation drive, targeting undocumented migrants but also ensnaring many others in its net.

After her husband's arrest, 39-year-old Martha has joined the ranks of people barely managing to avoid ending up on the streets of Los Angeles County -- a region with prohibitively high housing prices, and the largest number of homeless people in the United States outside New York.

Her 700-square-foot apartment in Buena Park, a suburb of the California metropolis, costs $2,050 per month. After her husband's arrest, she urgently found a minimum-wage night job in a factory to cover their most pressing needs.

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It pays just enough to keep them afloat, but has left Martha unable to cover a range of obligations.

"I have to pay car insurance, phone, rent, and their expenses," she said, pointing to her six- and seven-year-old daughters, who need school supplies for the new academic year.

"That's a lot of expenses."

- 'Bigger storm brewing' -

How long can she keep up this punishing schedule, which allows her barely three hours of sleep on returning from the factory before having to wake and look after her daughters?

"I couldn't tell you," she said, staring blankly into space.

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Los Angeles has seen some of the worst of the ICE raids. Squads of masked agents have targeted hardware stores, car washes and bus stops, arresting more than 2,200 people in June.

About 60 percent of these had no prior criminal records, according to internal ICE documents analyzed by AFP.

Trump's anti-immigration offensive is taking an added toll on Latino workers, who were already among the worst-affected victims of the region's housing crisis, said Andrea Gonzalez, deputy director of the CLEAN Carwash Workers Center, a labor rights non-profit.

"A bigger storm is brewing. It's not just about the people that got picked up, it's about the people that are left behind as well," she said.

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"There is a concern that people are going to end up on the streets."

Her organization is helping more than 300 struggling households whose incomes have plummeted, either because a family member has been arrested or because they are too afraid to return to work.

It has distributed more than $30,000 to help around 20 families who are unable to afford their rent, but covering everyone's needs is simply "not sustainable," said Gonzalez.

- 'An emergency' -

Local Democratic Party leaders are trying to establish financial aid for affected families.

Los Angeles County is planning a dedicated fund to tackle the problem, and city officials will also launch a fund using philanthropic donations rather than taxpayer money.

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Some families should receive "a couple hundred" dollars, Mayor Karen Bass said last month.

But for Gonzalez, these initiatives do not "even scratch the surface" of what is needed, representing less than 10 percent of most affected families' rent requirements.

She called for a "moratorium on evictions" similar to one introduced during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Otherwise, Los Angeles' homeless population -- currently numbered at 72,000, which is down slightly in the past two years -- risks rising again, she warned.

"What we're living through right now is an emergency," said Gonzalez.

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Maria Martinez's undocumented immigrant husband was arrested in June at a carwash in Pomona, a suburb east of Los Angeles.

Since then, the 59-year-old has had to rely on help from her children to pay her $1,800 monthly rent. Her $1,000 disability allowance falls far short.

"It is stressful," she said. "We're just getting by."

rfo/eml/amz/aha
Two minor siblings were burned after being hit with bricks and strangulated in their homes in Bihar's Nagwa village, under the Janipur police station limits. Two people have been arrested in connection with the case, Patna police said. Patna police's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikey K Sharma, while addressing a press conference on Saturday (August 2), mentioned that the siblings were sleeping in their houses, when the accused, who was known to the victims, came in with a kerosene bottle, with the intention of killing and burning the victims to hide the evidence. The bodies were first found by the mother of the children, Shobha Devi, an AIIMS Patna security guard. "It was a pre-planned murder. The accused bought kerosene oil in the morning from the nearby shop and hit the boy with a brick and strangulated the girl. To hide the evidence, the bodies were set on fire. The accused confessed to committing the crime during questioning. This incident was done in connection with an unsuccessful relationship," SSP Sharma said. According to the police, Shubham Kumar (alias Sunny Kumar), 19 years old, and Roshan Kumar (19), were arrested in connection to the case. "On the eve of 31st July, bodies of two children were recovered from the Nagwa village under the Janipur police station limits in Patna," the police official said. The incident, which happened on July 31 under the Janipur police station limits in Patna, was promptly solved within 24 hours, according to the police. Additionally, police officials also said that Phulwari MLA Gopal Ravidas has been booked for allegedly obstructing the investigation into the case. "Some people, for personal gains, stopped the police from doing the investigation...The SHO was being targeted. In this incident, the road was blocked and the police were stopped from investigating the case. FIR has been filed by the police against local MLA Gopal Ravidas and others," the SSP added. The case was registered under sections 103 (1) (murder), 238 (causing disappearance of evidence), 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). (ANI)
Credit: @ARTEMSHELDR / Instagram

A volcano in eastern Russia erupted for the first time in 475 years, prompting a tsunami warning.

The Krasheninnikov volcano in Kamchatka became active days after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded hit the region.

Pictures released by Russian state media showed a plume of ash towering over the volcano, which last erupted in 1550, according to the US-based Smithsonian Institutions Global Volcanism Program.

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Its eruption was accompanied by another, 7.0-magnitude, earthquake and a tsunami warning.

The Russian authorities said waves were possible in three areas of Kamchatka, telling residents via Telegram: The expected wave heights are low, but you must still move away from the shore.

The last recorded eruption of Krasheninnikov was in 1550, US authorities said - X

Russias ministry for emergency services later lifted the tsunami warning.

The plume of ash was estimated to have reached an altitude of 19,700ft, Kamchatkas ministry of emergency situations said in a post on Telegram.

The ministry wrote: The plume is spreading eastward from the volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path, and no ashfall has been recorded in inhabited localities.

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The volcano had been assigned an orange aviation hazard code, the ministry added, meaning flights in the area might be disrupted.

An illustration of the Kamchatka Peninsula from a travelogue published in 1755 - Pictures From History/Universal via Getty

It came after nearby Klyuchevskoy, the tallest active volcano in Europe or Asia, erupted on Wednesday.

It is not unusual for Klyuchevskoy to erupt, with at least 18 occurring since 2000, according to the Global Volcanism Program.

Both volcanoes erupted after the 8.8-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, one of the strongest in history, led to tsunami warnings and the evacuation of millions from coastal areas from Japan, to Hawaii, to Ecuador.

The worst damage was seen in Russia, where a tsunami crashed through the port of Severo-Kurilsk and submerged a fish processing plant, officials said.

The ash plume over Krasheninnikov reached 19,700ft - X

The quakes epicentre was off the coast of Petropavlovsk on Russias Kamchatka peninsula.

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It was the strongest worldwide since the magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the coast of Japan in 2011 that caused a tsunami killing more than 15,000 people.

New York hit by minor tremor

On Saturday night, a small earthquake rattled the New York metropolitan area. The US Geological Survey said it had a magnitude of 3.0.

The tremor hit in the New Jersey suburb of Hasbrouck Heights, less than 8 miles west of Central Park, at a depth of about 6.2 miles.

One resident of Brooklyn, the New York City borough, described it as a very brief tremor, just a slight swaying for a moment.

Nevertheless, social media quickly lit up with those who had felt it. The official account of the Empire State Building wrote on X, the social media platform: I am fine.

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The tremor was much milder than a 4.8-magnitude quake in 2024 that struck in Tewksbury, New Jersey, a little farther west of the city.

A 3.0 earthquake is typically not strong enough to cause any damage, but tremors that mild are rare in the north-east United States.

New York Citys emergency management authority said there were no immediate reports of serious impacts.

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DELWARE COUNTY, Iowa  Two people were killed in an eastern Iowa car crash on Saturday evening.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred around 6:15 p.m. in Delaware County at Highway 38 and 310th Avenue, southeast of Hopkinton.

One killed in motorcycle crash Saturday evening, DMPD investigates

A Chevy was northbound on Highway 38, and a Volkswagen Beetle was southbound on Highway 38 when the Beetle crossed the center line and struck the Chevy head-on.

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The driver of the Chevy, 33-year-old Anthony Mentzer, and the driver of the Beetle, 44-year-old Bobbi Bauers, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Delaware County Sheriffs Office, Hopkinton Fire and EMS, and Koob Towing.

Iowa News:

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Two people were shot in the early hours of Sunday when a large crowd caused a disturbance after a bar closed in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland.

About 100 people gathered outside the bar near NW 4th and Couch around 2:20 a.m., police said. Officers were already monitoring the situation when gunshots rang out.

They quickly found a wounded man and woman and tried to make a safe working space for officers and paramedics. But about 50 people surrounded them and tried to push past the officers, forcing responders to split their attention due to the unruly crowd that significantly outnumbered the officers.

Two people were shot during a large crowd disturbance near NW 4th and Davis in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland, August 3, 2025 (KOIN) Two people were shot during a large crowd disturbance near NW 4th and Davis in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland, August 3, 2025 (KOIN) A street sign at NW 4th and Davis in Portlands Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, August 3, 2025 (KOIN) Two people were shot during a large crowd disturbance near NW 4th and Davis in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland, August 3, 2025 (KOIN) Two people were shot during a large crowd disturbance near NW 4th and Davis in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland, August 3, 2025 (KOIN) Two people were shot during a large crowd disturbance near NW 4th and Davis in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland, August 3, 2025 (KOIN)

Every available officer was called as backup to the scene. Even before they arrived, the critically wounded man was rushed by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel. The wounded woman, who is expected to recover, was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Their names have not been released.

It happens a lot

I wasnt really shocked, said Amber Munoz, a hairstylist at the Gold + Arrow Salon. But I was saddened, obviously.

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Natasha Popenuk, who lives nearby, said theres a shooting all the time here and you rarely even hear about them anymore.

Blanchet House to open new womens shelter in Pearl District

She said she takes various precautions. I absolutely never walk alone. I always have a gentleman walk me, even if Im just walking from my apartment.

Munoz also agrees it happens frequently. Its just kind of like, yeah, that happened. And people just kind of move on afterwards because it happens a lot.

And she also takes precautions in the area. Get dropped off and picked up for work a lot because I just dont want to park and walk through the neighborhood.

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Another nearby resident, Ryan Wooten, said people would rather not bring their kids around the area. I dont blame them, he said, adding businesses dont want to pay for somewhere thats not safe.

Hospital on lockdown

About 20-30 people from the crowd went to Legacy Emanuel and tried to access the Emergency Room and (were) hostile toward hospital security officers, police said in a release. That crowd prompted the hospital to go into a Code Silver lockdown.

KOIN 6 News reached out to Legacy Emanuel officials for comment but have not heard back at this time.

No one was immediately arrested either outside the bar or at the hospital, authorities said.

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However, the investigation into the entire incident is active and ongoing. Officials believe many people, who may have photos or video of the shooting or its aftermath, left the scene without talking to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PPB. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers up to $2500 for information leading to the arrest in any unsolved felony.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Aug. 2WASHINGTON  Sen. Patty Murray waited three decades to become the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the most sought-after roles in Congress and one that gives undeniable benefits to the Washington state voters who first sent her to D.C. in 1992.

In an interview with The Spokesman-Review, Murray said she intends to run for another six-year term in 2028, at the end of which the now-74-year-old lawmaker would be 84. Sen. Jim Risch, an 82-year-old Idaho Republican, has said he will run again in 2026, and 76-year old Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., confirmed in a brief interview that he plans to do the same in 2028. That's hardly retirement age in Congress, where the 91-year-old Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the GOP chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee, has already filed paperwork to run again in 2028 and potentially serve until a record age of 101.

"I have always felt, and still feel really strongly, that a Senate, a body of elected officials, should make up a broad array of a lot of different people who come here  working-class people, older people, younger people," Murray said in her office at the Capitol.

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"It isn't so much age. It really is spirit and ability to fight for what you believe in and fight for your state. And different people age differently, so I don't think it's a number. I think it's more somebody's ability to get up every day and fight hard in these halls for your state, for what you believe in. And certainly, right now, I'm energized."

Murray said she has seen some of her colleagues stay in the Senate past a point of cognitive decline "where clearly it was time to go," mentioning the late Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Byrd refused to resign and died in office at age 92 in 2010, after more than half a century in the Senate, and Feinstein's high-profile decline before her death in 2023 prompted uncomfortable conversations among Democrats just as the party was careening toward then-President Joe Biden's ill-fated re-election bid.

When Congress convened in January, more members than ever before were aged 70 or older  a total of 119 of the combined 535 voting members of the House and Senate. The so-called "gerontocracy" that runs much of the U.S. government is more pronounced among party and committee leaders, who typically spend decades climbing the ranks.

Since the 2022 elections, eight members of Congress have died in office, all of them Democrats. Three House members have died in the current Congress, leaving a significant number of vacancies in a narrowly divided chamber where Republicans have passed controversial measures by as few as two votes.

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At the start of this year, the median age of senators (64.7 years) and voting members of the House (57.5 years) actually declined slightly from the previous Congress, according to the Pew Research Center. But in a legislature that rewards seniority, the most prominent members often serve well beyond the age where most Americans retire.

The problem isn't exclusive to Democrats.

Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, a Republican who chaired the House Appropriations Committee in 2023 and 2024, continued receiving her congressional paycheck for months after her family moved her into an assisted-living facility for what her son called "dementia issues." Despite being Granger's counterpart as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee at the time, Murray said she wasn't aware of the Texas lawmaker's condition and "that's not highly unusual," because "we work through our staff so much."

The staffers who toil behind the scenes for committees and in members' personal offices necessarily do most of the work that makes Congress run, but the youngest member of Washington's congressional delegation worries that high-profile cases of aides shielding lawmakers like Feinstein and Granger from scrutiny are undermining Americans' trust in Congress.

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Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a 37-year-old Democrat who represents the southwestern corner of the state, now sits on the House Appropriations Committee that Granger led before stepping down last year. In June, the committee rejected an amendment Gluesenkamp Perez introduced that would have directed the Office of Congressional Conduct, the body's in-house ethics watchdog, to develop a standard to treat "irreversible cognitive impairment" as an ethics violation.

"I'm not trying to test everybody  I'm not a big believer in standardized testing as it is," Gluesenkamp Perez said in an interview in her D.C. office. "But I hear from constituents a lot that there's this conviction that the elected members themselves are not running the show, that it's the staff. And I think it's strongly feeding into a lack of trust and confidence in Congress, and even maybe our electoral process."

Her office shared the results of a survey sent to her constituents, in which nearly 92% of the roughly 8,000 respondents agreed that "there should be basic ethics standards to ensure members of Congress aren't suffering from memory loss or cognitive impairment."

The congresswoman emphasized that her proposal isn't about "policing what a kooky idea is," but rather establishing a process for treating cognitive decline like other "conduct that does not reflect creditably upon the House," as her amendment describes it. She envisions the Ethics Committee  which, unlike other panels in Congress, always includes a 50-50 split between the two parties  insulating the process from partisan shenanigans.

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That panel wouldn't release the findings of any inquiry without bipartisan agreement, and her proposal wouldn't change the fact that lawmakers can only be removed from the House by a two-thirds vote of their peers.

"You can't get two-thirds of the body to agree that the sky is blue," she said, brushing off the idea that the process could be used to oust lawmakers for political purposes.

Gluesenkamp Perez's fellow Washington Democrats share her desire to restore trust in elected officials, but some said they don't support her proposal, which was shot down by a voice vote in the Appropriations Committee.

"It'll never work," said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, adding that people are conflating age with competence. "The issue that is really driving people the most is: Do we have people in positions of authority who are no longer doing a good job? And that's a full-on, legit issue. But it is also not necessarily related to how long the person has been in said job, or how old they are."

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Democrats' fundamental problem, Smith said, is a culture that discourages making judgments about each other  especially about someone's ability to do their job. The 60-year-old congressman was one of the first members of his party to break that taboo in 2024 and call for Biden to drop out of the presidential race.

"The single biggest problem here  and this is a bigger problem within the Democratic Party  is we are reluctant to make judgments about people's ability because we're very focused on equity," he said. "We've developed a fairly radical viewpoint of equity that makes us worried about making those types of judgments, and I think that's something we need to fix."

Unlike Republicans, Democrats don't impose term limits for committee leadership positions. Smith, who has served as the top-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee since 2010, said the solution his party needs is more competition for leadership roles. He opposes term limits because they would do the opposite, he said, but he favors holding a secret-ballot election among party members on each committee on a regular basis. If a majority of them votes against retaining the chairperson, then the party would hold an open election for a new leader on the panel.

"I spend a hell of a lot of time, both as a congressman and as a ranking member, thinking, 'How do I do a good job for the people who elected me?' I'm not just saying, 'I've been here a while. Vote for me,'" Smith said. "My feeling is, if I ever stop doing that, then somebody ought to run against me."

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Rep. Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat from Tacoma who represents Joint Base Lewis-McChord and also sits on the Armed Services Committee, said she's grateful to have someone as experienced as Smith leading her party on the panel. But she said some lawmakers leave Congress because they don't see a path to leadership.

"You have institutional knowledge and how the place works, so there are upsides, but it also has a chilling effect," she said. "You don't want to put anyone on defense, because a lot of people have waited a long time to get into leadership positions. At the same time, when you have a really talented bench, you don't want to leave people languishing there."

Former Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Spokane Republican, sent shock waves around the Capitol when she announced last year that she would retire from Congress at age 55, opting to leave her powerful role as chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee even before her party's term limit rules required her to step down from that leadership role.

In an interview, McMorris Rodgers said Congress needs both "new blood" willing to shake things up and experienced members who spend years developing the relationships and knowledge required to enact policy change.

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"There's a wisdom that you gain after you've been there for a number of years," she said. "I think it's like any job. You know, when you first get a job, no matter how knowledgeable and passionate you may be, it still takes time to learn a new job, and the same thing applies in Congress."

It can be hard for lawmakers to walk away from the unique benefits of the job, McMorris Rodgers said, including the ability to travel and meet "really fascinating and insightful people." Most people go to Congress to make a difference and work for what they believe in, she added, and many are reluctant to give up that position of influence.

"You get into these positions where you are a power player, as such, on Capitol Hill," she said. "You can get a distorted view of yourself in all of it, and it's important to have people around you that are honest. Clearly there's many others who are capable of serving, who want to serve, and I think it's important not to lose sight of that. No one is irreplaceable."

When it comes to lawmakers' health and ability to do the jobs voters elected them for, McMorris Rodgers said there will always be debates within each party, but the decision should ultimately be up to their constituents.

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"I guess I've been at peace with letting the voters ultimately make that decision," she said. "Now, I do think that a representative or a senator has a responsibility to be transparent and to be honest about their health. And there's an accountability that comes with reporters and media asking some of those questions, but I'm not ready to support an across-the-board age cap."

Murray said there are countless things she has learned since coming to Congress at the start of 1993. During her first term in office, then-Sen. Strom Thurmond, a Republican who represented South Carolina until he died in office at age 100, reportedly mistook the freshman senator for a staffer and groped her in an elevator. Murray declined to address that incident, calling it "ancient history."

Long-running challenges like the Hanford cleanup, she said, benefit from lawmakers who work on them for years and understand the complexity of each issue and the people involved. Now, as the top Democrat on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, she said, she can do more for her state than she could years earlier.

"That's not something you'd probably get from anybody else back here," Murray said. "So it's experience, knowing the issues, knowing your state, knowing the people, knowing the history of it, so you know how to fight for it, but it's also being in a position to fight for it, and I am in that position as the top-ranking Democrat on Appropriations."

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.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has confessed he felt guilty when he learned of the row between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump that took place in the Oval Office in late February 2025.

Source: Lammy in an interview with The Guardian, as reported by European Pravda

Details: David Lammy believes that he could have done more for his Ukrainian colleagues in preparation for the meeting with Trump.

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"If Im being honest, I felt, arrghhh! Why hadnt I done more to support our Ukrainian colleagues in preparation for their meeting?" Lammy said.

At the same time, he explained that the Ukrainian delegation was invited at the last moment, while the British side was focused on its own meeting with Trump and did not have time to help.

"I was being a bit hard on myself. But I still felt guilty," Lammy added.

However, he recalled, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer invited Zelenskyy to London after the row at the White House.

"That embrace with Keir [Starmer  ed.]  I still feel quite emotional when I think about it  was a moment where the whole world breathed a sigh of relief," recalls Lammy.

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Starmer and Zelenskyy hugging on the Downing Street pavement, he said, was the "epitome of Britain being back in the place the global community wants us: bridge building, a glue, with a history that helps connect us to much of the world".

Background:

UK PM Keir Starmer also recently recalled Zelenskyys visit to London, which took place after his spat with Donald Trump at the White House.

On 28 February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House ahead of schedule after a dispute with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Several world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, expressed their support for Ukraine and Zelenskyy.

European leaders and the EU leadership also rallied round to support Ukraine after the row in the White House.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
LONDON (Reuters) -People smugglers who use social media to promote their services to migrants seeking to enter Britain illegally could face five years in prison under plans announced by the government.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government is under huge political and public pressure to cut the number of migrants arriving illegally in small boats from France. More than 25,000 people have made the crossing so far this year.

Analysis by the Interior Ministry showed around 80% of migrants arriving on small boats had used social media during their journey to find or communicate with people smugglers.

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Under a new offence, which will be added to legislation already passing through parliament, individuals who post online to advertise services that facilitate a breach of immigration laws will face fines and prison sentences of up to five years.

It is already an offence to facilitate illegal immigration to Britain, but the government said its latest plan would give law enforcement agencies another option to disrupt the criminal gangs that profit from organising the crossings.

Last month, the government launched a new sanctions regime allowing it to freeze assets, impose travel bans and block access to the country's financial system for individuals and entities involved in enabling irregular migration.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Ukrainian drone attacks sparked a massive fire at an oil depot in a rare attack on the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Plumes of thick smoke rose above the city, forcing the airport to close and requiring more than 100 firefighters to tackle the blaze.

The oil refinery was struck by debris from one of the estimated 93 Ukrainian drones flown into Russia overnight, including 60 over the Black Sea region.

Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and where Vladimir Putin once owned a holiday home, has witnessed only a limited number of Ukrainian attacks over the course of the war.

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However, the attack on Sunday appears to be part of a wider strategy to hit oil refineries and worsen potential gasoline shortages in Russia this month.

Low domestic stocks, peak seasonal demand and repair work at domestic refineries are likely to choke the supply of gasoline in August, trade sources told Reuters on Friday.

Russian authorities said that the Sochi drone attack was accompanied by Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries in the southern Russian cities of Ryazan, Penza and Voronezh.

A fire at an oil depot near the airport in Sochi after a Ukrainian attack

Ukraines military said on Saturday that it had struck oil facilities inside Russia, including a major refinery, as well as a military airfield for drones and an electronics factory.

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Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces said they had hit the oil refinery in Ryazan, about 180 km (110 miles) south-east of Moscow, causing a fire on its premises.

Also hit was the Annanefteprodukt oil storage facility in the Voronezh region that borders on northeastern Ukraine.

Emergency officials reported that the fuel tank in Sochi had a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres (70,000 cubic feet), requiring 127 firefighters to tackle the blaze

Firefighters at a fuel depot outside Sochi after the overnight Ukrainian drone attack - AFP via Getty Images

Tourists at the Black Sea city told the Russian news agency Gazeta.ru that they hid in underground passages as sirens blared in the resort city.

There were a lot of explosions right next to us, orange flashes in the sky, one shaken tourist told the Krasnodar TV channel. The sound was terrible, the siren was screaming my hands are still trembling.

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Some tourists, however, created videos of themselves posing in front of the fire lip-syncing to a popular rap song. The three young Russian tourists who featured in the videos were detained after a clip went viral.

In a statement on Telegram, Krasnodars Ministry of Internal Affairs wrote that officers had identified and detained the characters of a scandalous video filmed today against the backdrop of a fire.

Andrey Prushunin, the mayor of Sochi, wrote on Telegram that a fuel tank caught fire at an oil depot in the Adlersky city district of Sochi, adding: I express my gratitude to the air defence services for their professionalism.

Rosaviatsia, Russias civil aviation authority, announced that flights had been halted at Sochi airport in response to the attack.

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Airports in Russia have been repeatedly disrupted by Ukrainian attacks in recent months as part of a campaign to bring the war home to Russians, with some reporting that at least one airport was shut down temporarily on almost every single day in July.

The shutdowns have sparked frustration across Russia during tourist season and pose a surging cost for its aviation and tourism industries.

Meanwhile, in Russias overnight attacks on southern Ukraine, seven people were wounded by a missile strike on a residential area of the city of Mykolaiv.

It came at the end of one of the bloodiest weeks in Ukraine in recent months, after a Russian drone and missile barrage on Kyiv killed 31 people and injured 179 on Thursday.

02:54 PM BST

Our live coverage has ended. Heres a round-up of todays events:

Ukrainian drones hit an oil depot near the Black Sea resort of Sochi in Russia, sparking a huge blaze and halting flights

Russia and China carried out scheduled joint artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan

Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said a change of leadership in the Kremlin wont change anything

A Ukrainian FPV drone destroyed a mined bridge in Russias Bryansk region

Ukrainian officials were arrested for a large-scale bribery scheme

Ukraine and Russia agreed on a fresh prisoner exchange of 1,200 people

02:27 PM BST

Ukraine and Russia agree on fresh prisoner swap

Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners after their latest round of negotiations in July.

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There is an agreement to exchange 1,200 people, and work on the lists is ongoing, Mr Zelensky wrote on X, adding we are also working to unblock the return of our civilians and are verifying data on each individual.

Prisoner exchanges have occurred in each round of negotiations between the countries this year as the parties make little progress towards a ceasefire or other agreements.

Russia has not yet commented on the prisoner swap.

02:16 PM BST

Pictured: Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike

Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike on a market in the frontline city of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region - Shutterstock Editorial

12:36 PM BST

Russia carries out second airstrike on bridge in Kherson

Russia struck a road bridge in Kherson used to transport military logistics for a second consecutive day.

Russian forces reportedly dropped two guided bombs on the bridge, which connects the city to the Korabel neighbourhood.

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Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor, urged residents of the Korabel neighbourhood to evacuate, noting it will be difficult to deliver food and other things for the time being.

12:22 PM BST

Explosions reported near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Explosions and smoke were reportedly observed at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant this weekend.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reportedly heard blasts and saw smoke rising from the direction of the plant, according to Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA Director General.

Plant staff said that the auxiliary site was hit by shelling and drone strikes.

The auxiliary facility is located 1,200 metres from the plants site perimeter.

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In a statement, Mr Grossi called for maximum military restraint, saying: Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant - regardless of the intended target - poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and was captured by Russia in March 2022.

12:02 PM BST

Ukrainian officials arrested for large-scale bribery scheme

A Ukrainian MP and other officials have been arrested for a large-scale bribery scheme in buying drones and electronic warfare systems.

The scheme reportedly entailed state contracts with suppliers being signed at prices inflated by up to 30%.

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In a statement on X, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote that there can only be zero tolerance for corruption, clear teamwork in uncovering it, and ultimately, a fair sentence.

I am grateful to the anti-corruption agencies for their work, Mr Zelensky added.

It comes after Mr Zelensky faced backlash for introducing a bill to strip anti-corruption agencies of their autonomy.

Their independence was later restored on Thursday after an unprecedented wave of protests across the country.

11:40 AM BST

Pictured: Russian ambulance equipped with anti-drone protective cage

An ambulance with a protective anti-drone cage drives along a road near Belgorod, Russia - Stringer/REUTERS

With 70% of frontline casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war driven by airborne drone strikes, increasingly innovative methods have been used to ward off attacks from above.

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One of these methods is anti-drone mesh and netting, which aims to deflect or harmlessly capture incoming drones.

Mesh, netting and elaborate metal cages are now frequently seen covering vehicles near the frontline on both sides.

11:35 AM BST

Sochi fire has been contained, say Russian authorities

Credit: @exilenova_plus / Telegram

Regional authorities in Russia have announced that the fire sparked by a Ukrainian drone attack in Sochi has been contained.

Earlier, footage showed flames licking up the Sochi oil depot as at least 120 firefighters were summoned to douse the blaze.

Russian state media outlet TASS reported that 25 flights were delayed departing Sochi airport after the attack.

The drone strike makes up part of Ukraines disruptive strategy in Russia, aiming to bring the war closer to ordinary people.

In July, at least one Russian airport reportedly shut down temporarily almost every single day of the month.

11:21 AM BST

Pictured: Ukrainian FPV drone destroys Russian-mined bridge

A Ukrainian FPV drone has apparently destroyed a bridge over the Tsata River in Russias Bryansk region, according to footage posted to Telegram.

The wreckage of the bridge is now said to be impassable.

The strike reportedly came after Ukrainian forces identified that Russia had mined the bridge in order to use it for a potential retreat.

A Russian bridge exploding in the Bryansk region after a Ukrainian drone attack

A Russian bridge flares orange as it explodes in the Bryansk region after a Ukrainian drone attack

11:08 AM BST

Russian and Chinese navies carry out joint drills

The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan, Reuters has reported, citing the Russian Pacific Fleet.

They take place two days after Donald Trump said that he had ordered two nuclear-capable submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions after highly provocative statements by Russias former president Dmitry Medvedev.

The drills are said to be part of scheduled joint exercises and are not being carried out in response to Mr Trumps remarks.

10:57 AM BST

No hope for change in Russia after Putin, says Ukrainian intelligence chief

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraines military intelligence chief, has said that a change of leadership in the Kremlin will not change Russias trajectory.

Their system is fairly robust and stress-resistant... The departure of Russias current leader wont change anything, Mr Budanov stated in an interview on Saturday.

They have built a system in which any successor will, at the very least, remain within the same paradigm, he added.

A whole generation of people has grown up in Russia who were born and have lived under President Putin - and many have already died for him. They cant imagine any other reality.

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraines Intelligence Directorate, said that Russias authoritarian system will continue to function after Putins death - X/DevanaUkraine/X/DevanaUkraine

10:36 AM BST

Russian missile attack injures seven in southern Ukraine

A Russian missile attack on the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine has injured seven people and damaged private houses, apartment buildings and cars, according to Vitaliy Kim, the regional governor.

Writing on Telegram, Mr Kim shared photographs of the damage, adding that a 57-year-old and a 74-year-old man were hospitalised following the attacks.

Ukraines air force announced on Telegram that Russia launched 76 attack drones and seven missiles at Ukraine overnight, striking eight locations.

10:18 AM BST

Good morning

Ukrainian drones hit the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi overnight, sparking a huge fire.

Follow our live blog for the latest today.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A massive oil depot fire raging near Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi has been blamed by Moscow on an overnight Ukrainian drone attack.

Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said drone debris hit a fuel tank and 127 firefighters were tackling the blaze on Sunday morning.

The airport near Sochi - the venue of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games - briefly suspended flights.

Meanwhile, Russia again bombed a key bridge in Ukraine's southern city of Kherson, killing one man, local officials said. In nearby Mykolaiv, seven people were injured and several homes destroyed.

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Ukraine earlier reported seven deaths in Saturday's Russian attacks in the Kherson and eastern Donetsk regions.

Russian authorities said the drone attack on the Sochi refinery was one of several launched by Ukraine over the weekend.

They said installations were targeted in the central Russian cities of Ryazan, Penza, as well as Voronezh - not far from the border with Ukraine. The Voronezh regional governor said four people were injured in one drone strike.

Ukraine has not commented on the strikes. It has been targeting Russia's energy infrastructure in retaliation to Russia's sustained bombardment of Ukraine's energy grid throughout the war.

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Russia's defence ministry said its air defences intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, 60 of which were over the Black Sea region.

Ukraine's air force said Russia fired 83 drones or 76 drones and seven missiles overnight, 61 of which were shot down. It added that 16 drones and six missiles struck targets in eight locations.

Kherson's key Ostrivsky bridge has been badly damaged in Russian strikes this week [Kherson regional military administration]

In the city of Kherson, regional head Oleksandr Prokudin called for a partial evacuation after the key Ostrivsky bridge was again hit on Sunday morning.

The bridge linking the Korabel island district with the rest of the city had already been badly damaged in Russian strikes earlier this week. Some 1,800 people still live in the district.

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The new Russian strikes come after a particularly deadly week for civilians in Ukraine, including an attack on Kyiv on Thursday that killed at least 31 people.

More than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles were launched in the assault, Ukrainian officials said, making the attack one of the deadliest on the capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Following the strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for stronger international sanctions on Russia this week, while US President Donald Trump condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and suggested new sanctions against Moscow were coming.

In July, Trump said Putin had 50 days to end the war, or Russia would face severe tariffs targeting its oil and other exports.

On Monday, Trump set a new "10 or 12" day deadline. He later set a new deadline, which would expire on 8 August.
LONDON -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's top adviser urged the U.S. to "strangle" Russia's economy by imposing secondary sanctions on Moscow's trading partners, as the White House push for a ceasefire appears to languish.

"Sanctions are working," Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskyy's office, wrote on Telegram on Sunday, citing data he said shows a collapse in Russian railway capacity over the past 12 months.

"The economy, geared for war, cannot withstand the pressure and is holding on only through the sale of energy resources," Yermak wrote. "It is possible to strangle the economy with secondary tariffs proposed in the USA."

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Yermak appeared to be referring to proposals from President Donald Trump and a bipartisan group of senators to impose secondary sanctions on nations doing business with Russia, particularly those purchasing fossil fuels from the country. China and India are among the top importers of Russian energy products.

On July 14, Trump said he would give Russian President Vladimir Putin 50 days to agree a ceasefire with Ukraine, after which he would consider imposing secondary sanctions and other measures.

Mikhail Metzel/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin is pictured in Moscow, Russia, on July 29, 2025.

On July 29, Trump cut the window to 10 days, citing frustration with Russia's continued drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. The deadline will now expire on Aug. 8.

The threats raised hopes in Kyiv of a sustained White House pivot to back Ukraine's efforts to repel Russia's invasion, now in its fourth year with combat still raging all along the 600-mile front in the east and south of the country.

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Official statements from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov were relatively muted.

But Dmitry Medvedev -- the former Russian president and prime minister now serving as the deputy chairman of the country's Security Council -- framed Trump's ultimatum as "a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country."

Medvedev's comments prompted Trump to then order two nuclear submarines to move to "appropriate regions," citing "highly provocative statements" from Medvedev, who has become known as a particularly hawkish voice within Putin's security establishment.

MORE: Russia launches 6,400 drones, missiles into Ukraine in record-breaking month

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"A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we're going to protect our people," Trump said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials continued their appeals to the U.S. to respond to perceived Russian provocations with concrete measures.

"Ceasefire proposals have been made long ago -- Ukrainian proposals, U.S. proposals and many others around the world have communicated this to the Russians," Zelenskyy said in a statement posted to Telegram on Friday.

"Each time, the only response from there has been attempts to gain more time for war, more time for terror," he said. "Russia does not operate otherwise."

Ukrainian Armed Forces/via Reuters - PHOTO: A resident stands next to burned cars hit by a Russian drone strike in the town of Druzhkivka, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on August 2, 2025.

"So it is very important that the prospect of new sanctions, strong sanctions, has now begun to put pressure on Russia -- and not only against the aggressor state itself," Zelenskyy added. "All Russian finances, every scheme that fills the Russian budget, must be targeted by the world."

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Both Russia and Ukraine have continued their long-range strike campaigns despite White House pressure to agree to a ceasefire.

In July, Russia set a new monthly record for strikes on Ukraine, launching 6,443 drones and missiles into the country, according to data published by the Ukrainian air force.

Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, reported downing 3,008 Ukrainian drones across July.

The attacks continued through into Sunday morning. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 76 drones and seven missiles into the country, of which 60 drones and one missile were shot down or otherwise suppressed.

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MORE: Trump moves nuclear submarines in response to Russia's 'highly provocative' statement

Six missiles and 16 drones impacted across eight locations, the air force said, with debris from falling targets reported in two locations.

In Mykolaiv, a missile strike injured at least seven people, according to the local military administration. Three houses were destroyed and at last 37 other buildings damaged, the administration said.

In Russia, the Defense Ministry said it shot down at least 96 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Artem Korenyako, a spokesperson for Russia's federal aviation agency Rosaviatsiya, said in posts to Telegram that temporary restrictions were introduced at airports in St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Pskov and Sochi.

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In Sochi, on the Black Sea coast, local officials said falling drone debris set fire to a major oil depot.

And in the Voronezh region, local Gov. Alexander Gusev said four people were injured by Ukrainian attacks, which also set fire to a residential building.

ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler and Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report.
Officers from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine have obtained internal documentation about Russias newest submarine  the K-555 Knyaz Pozharsky strategic nuclear submarine.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)

Details: DIU reports that the following information was obtained:

lists of submarine crew members, including information on positions, qualifications and level of physical training;

combat instructions for the crew;

the combat layout of the vessel, diagrams of survivability systems and the organisational structure of the crew;

crew regulations in cabins and quarters, instructions for the transfer of wounded crew members and cargo, procedures for towing and other job instructions;

engineering documentation, in particular an investigation report regarding a deformed radio beacon, indicating the members of the committee and the organisations that participated in the investigation.

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Quote: "The investigators also obtained an extract from the ships log of the Pozharsky. This voluminous document regulates the daily combat and day-to-day operation of the vessel."

For reference: Project 955A Borei-A submarines are one of the key elements of the Kremlins so-called nuclear triad. The submarines have 16 launch tubes for R-30 Bulava-30 intercontinental ballistic missiles, each of which can carry up to 10 warheads.

The strategic submarine Knyaz Pozharsky became part of the 31st Submarine Division of the Russian Navys Northern Fleet on 24 July 2025. Its permanent base is in Murmansk Oblast.

The Pozharsky submarine was put on combat duty by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

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With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, Nagpur's historic Chitar Oli market has transformed into a vibrant hub, with artisans working tirelessly to make beautifully designed Ganesh idols. The generations-old families continue their age-old tradition of murti-making (idol making) in preparation for the Ganesh Chaturthi. Speaking to ANI, Sachin Gaikwad, one of the artisans from the market, highlighted the deep-rooted heritage of the market. "Chitar Oli is a market built by Raghuji Raje Bhosale. The work here has been continuing for generations--our family has been part of this tradition for over 200 years. Most of the craftsmen here are painters, and the painting style in this market is unique," he said. Gaikwad explained the process of crafting each idol that makes it unique. "The structure is first made using wood, then a layer of grass is added, followed by clay. This technique has been passed down through generations. Earlier, there were only 3 to 4 families involved in this craft, but over time, many new artisans have joined in, expanding the market," he added. According to him, the market collectively produces around 4,000 to 5,000 Ganesh idols every year, with each artist employing 5 to 7 workers based on the workload. Vijay Barlinge, another artisan, emphasised the scale and economic significance of Chitar Oli. "This is an ancient and renowned market, also established by Raghuji Raje Bhosale. Today, at least 1,000 artisans work here. The market offers a major source of livelihood, employing at least 1000 artisans for 6 months. The annual turnover from idol sales ranges between Rs 5 crores and Rs 10 crores," he said. Chitar Oli, located in the heart of Nagpur, dates back to the Bonsle era and holds immense historical and cultural value. The name 'Chitar Oli' comes from the Marathi word chitrakar, meaning painter, reflecting the area's legacy of skilled craftsmen and idol-makers. Traditionally known for producing hand-painted Ganesh and Durga idols, the market becomes very vibrant and colourful during the Ganesh Utsav season, drawing devotees, buyers, and tourists. The significance of Chitar Oli extends beyond its religious contributions, as it also preserves the age-old tradition of idol crafting and painting. Maharashtra is one of the key states for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, and markets like Chitar Oli are central to the festival's preparations, supplying the demands for Ganesha's idols. (ANI)
(Reuters) -A Ukrainian drone attack caused two oil tanks to catch fire at an oil depot in Sochi in southern Russia but the blazes were later extinguished, local authorities said on Sunday.

Veniamin Kondratyev, the governor of the surrounding Krasnodar region, said more than 120 firefighters were deployed.

The Russian defence ministry said its air defence units destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one over the Krasnodar region and 60 over the waters of the Black Sea.

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The ministry reports only how many drones its units destroy, not how many Ukraine launched.

Rosaviatsia, Russia's civil aviation authority, briefly halted flights at Sochi's airport before resuming them.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, which has staged frequent attacks on infrastructure inside Russia that Kyiv deems key to Moscow's war efforts.

A woman was killed in the Adler district of Sochi in a Ukrainian drone attack late last month, but attacks on the city, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, have been infrequent in the war that Russia launched in February 2022.

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The Krasnodar region is home to the Ilsky refinery near the city of Krasnodar, among the largest in southern Russia and a frequent target of Ukraine's drone attacks.

Also on Sunday, the governor of Voronezh region in southern Russia said four people were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike that caused several fires, while Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, according to the military administration of the Ukrainian capital.

The Russian defence ministry said that its units destroyed 18 Ukrainian drones over the Voronezh region that borders Ukraine.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect to additional details about reported fuel shortages at Sochi Airport.

A drone attack caused a major fire at an oil depot in Russias resort city of Sochi early on Aug. 3, according to local authorities.

More than 120 firefighters were deployed to battle the blaze, which engulfed a fuel tank in the Adler district, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on his Telegram channel.

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The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the reports, and Ukrainian officials have not yet commented.

A 2,000-cubic-meter (approximately 70,000-cubic-foot) fuel tank was on fire, Russias state-owned RIA Novosti reported, citing emergency officials in the Krasnodar region, where Sochi is located. Russias civil aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, said flights at Sochi Airport were suspended "to ensure air safety."

Russian Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported that Sochi Airport imposed fuel restrictions due to the attack on the oil reservoir, forcing some flights departing from Sochi Airport to make additional landings at alternate airfields to refuel.

The drone strike is a part of Ukraine's continued campaign to target Russian energy infrastructure seen as critical to Moscows war effort. Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, has rarely been targeted during the war, though a previous Ukrainian drone attack in the Adler district late last month reportedly killed a woman, according to Russian authorities.

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The broader Krasnodar region is home to key refineries, including the Ilsky plant, one of the largest in southern Russia and a repeated target of Ukrainian drone strikes.

Meanwhile, the governor of Russias Voronezh region claimed that another Ukrainian drone strike injured a woman and caused multiple fires on Aug. 4. At the same time, Ukraines military administration reported that Russia carried out another missile strike on Kyiv.

Read also: Russia is forcing Ukrainians in occupied territories to watch Kremlin TV  but its not quite going to plan

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that Hamas must lay down its arms and immediately release all hostages, while international humanitarian aid must be urgently delivered to the civilian population in Gaza.

Source: Sybiha on X ( Twitter)

Quote: "Hamas' inhuman treatment of the Israeli hostages deserves a very strong condemnation.

People in Gaza should not remain suffering because of Hamas' heinous crimes. It must lay down its arms and release all hostages immediately.

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At the same time, international humanitarian aid must be delivered to civilians in Gaza as soon as possible and in full. A complete ceasefire must remain a top priority."

Background:

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Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) conducted a joint operation with local partisans to blow up a bus carrying five Chechen soldiers from the Russian-backed Akhmat unit in occupied Melitopol, HUR reported on Aug. 2.

The southern city of Melitopol in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.

As a result of a successful joint operation between intelligence officers and partisans, a minibus carrying five Akhmat soldiers exploded on the outskirts of Melitopol, HUR said. All five soldiers aboard were killed in the blast.

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The explosion also wounded two Russian soldiers in a nearby vehicle and destroyed an electronic warfare (EW) system, the agency said.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify HUR's claims.

Video footage uploaded to the agency's Telegram channel shows the moment of the blast.

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Earlier this month, HUR said it conduced a joint operation with local partisans to destroy a Russian command post in occupied Melitopol on July 10. The operation reportedly killed five Russian soldiers.

In May, HUR reported that four Akhmat officers were killed in a car bombing near the occupied city of Skadovsk in Kherson Oblast. HUR did not claim direct responsibility for the bombing, but said that "there will be just retribution for every war crime committed against the Ukrainian people."

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Ukrainian partisan groups, alongside Ukrainian intelligence officers, routinely execute covert missions within Russian-occupied territories to degrade the operational capacity of Russian forces.

Read also: Russia launched record 6,129 drones against Ukraine during July, smashing previous months high

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CAIRO (AP)  A boat capsized Sunday in waters off Yemen's coast leaving 68 African migrants dead and 74 others missing, the U.N.s migration agency said.

The tragedy was the latest in a series of shipwrecks off Yemen that have killed hundreds of African migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in hopes of reaching the wealthy Gulf Arab countries.

The vessel, with 154 Ethiopian migrants on board, sank in the Gulf of Aden off the southern Yemeni province of Abyan early Sunday, Abdusattor Esoev, head of the International Organization for Migration in Yemen told The Associated Press.

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He said the bodies of 54 migrants washed ashore in the district of Khanfar, and 14 others were found dead and taken to a hospital morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan on Yemen's southern coast.

Only 12 migrants survived the shipwreck, and the rest were missing and presumed dead, Esoev said.

In a statement, the Abyan security directorate described a massive search-and-rescue operation given the large number of dead and missing migrants. It said many dead bodies were found scattered across a wide area of the shore.

Despite more than a decade of civil war, Yemen is a major route for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa trying to reach the Gulf Arab countries for work. Migrants are taken by smugglers on often dangerous, overcrowded boats across the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.

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Hundreds of migrants have died or gone missing in shipwrecks off Yemen in recent months, including in March when two migrants died and 186 others were missing after four boats capsized off Yemen and Djibouti, according to the IOM.

More than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, down from 97,200 in 2023, probably because of greater patrolling of the waters, according to an IOM report in March.
Imagine being able to walk into a hospital and perform a basic medical procedure with no previous experience.

A portable ultrasound device developed at UNC-Chapel Hill is designed to be used by people with little to no training. The low-cost device guides users through taking a basic ultrasound, then uses artificial intelligence to interpret the information and make a diagnosis.

We think that it can radically change the way that ultrasound is being performed, said Dr. Jeff Stringer , project leader and professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

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The project has received over $20 million in funding, including a $500,000 grant Stringer recently received from NCInnovation to help commercialize the product. Stringer said the device will give pregnant women in underserved areas better access to maternal care

Stringer has devoted his career to improving maternal health care for women in low-resource areas across the globe. In May, he received the 2025 Oliver Max Garner award, the UNC Systems highest faculty honor, for his work.

Why is maternal health care important?

Maternal health focuses on caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth. Access to high-quality care helps prevent maternal injury and death , according to the World Health Organization.

However, some women live in maternity care deserts  areas where there is little to no access to maternity care. In North Carolina, 20% of counties are maternity care deserts and 17% have low to moderate access, according to the March of Dimes.

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Having access to maternal health care is extremely important because these visits help identify diseases and other conditions that may negatively impact the health of mothers and babies, said Dr. Michelle Bucknor , a regional chief medical officer at Aetna Better Health who was not involved in the project.

Ultrasounds are a vital maternal health tool that are commonly used to monitor well-being during pregnancy. Ultrasounds use sound waves to create real-time pictures and videos of the inside of the body. The noninvasive test is performed by sonographers , who typically have two to four years of training.

The average patient gets between four and five [ultrasounds] per pregnancy, Stringer said. We use it to measure all manner of abnormalities and to ensure that babies are healthy, and thats simply not available in many parts of the world.

Stringer said he realized the critical need to revamp ultrasounds while he was in Zambia, combating an HIV/AIDS epidemic. Traditional ultrasounds require bulky and expensive equipment, sonographers and expert interpreters, none of which are available in Zambia and other low-resource areas, he said.

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His teams new ultrasound device could help overcome these barriers and provide greater access to expecting mothers in North Carolina and beyond.

If you live in a county that qualifies as a maternity desert in North Carolina, and you dont have access to this, you may have to travel for two or three hours to get your basic dating scan, Stringer said. If our technology can replace that, you can imagine what convenience thats going to be for the patients and providers.

How does the ultrasound device work?

Dr. Jeffrey Stringer explains how a portable ultrasound device could make ultrasounds more accessible during an interview on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

The device consists of a low-cost probe that plugs into a smart device, such as a tablet or smartphone, and the FAMLI app. FAMLI was developed by UNC and external collaborators and runs on the Apple iOS system.

The app uses cartoon animations to show users how to measure belly size and move the probe across the stomach. Each pass is called a sweep and collects 10 seconds of video that contains 200 individual images. The app runs through five vertical sweeps, then three to four horizontal sweeps, Stringer said.

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You dont need to know exactly what youre seeing when you do the sweeps, said Srihari Chari , research project manager. Its really meant to just have animations to guide the user through that acquisition.

Afterward, the FAMLI app uses AI that was trained on sweeps collected by the team and their collaborators from over 60,000 women in several countries. The app can make five basic diagnoses, including how far along the pregnancy is and the estimated weight of the fetus, Chari said.

Stringer said a traditional ultrasound makes many more diagnoses, 18 in some cases, so their device is not meant to replace that robust process. Instead, he said, the device lets providers plan future visits and diagnose certain high risk conditions like twins.

Were not trying to completely put sonographers out of a job or anything like that, Stringer said. But one thing thats very clear is that even here in North Carolina theres a critical shortage of sonographers.

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Using AI to outsource basic scans will allow sonographers to devote more time and energy to complicated cases that require expertise, which is in everybodys interest, he said.

The device is cleared for limited clinical use in Zambia, where much of the teams data was collected. It is not yet being used in the U.S. because it has not been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.

You really cannot make clinical decisions from a medical device in the United States without having FDA clearance, Stringer said. So thats a really critical milestone for us in the development of this technology.

They hope to use the NCInnovation award to get the device through the FDA approval process, he said.
US and Israeli officials backed a new plan to end the war in Gaza through one agreement rather than piecemeal truces, as talks with Hamas stall.

US President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, who visited a Gaza aid site on Friday, told families of Israeli hostages that Trump wants to shift Gaza policy, while an Israeli official said: There will be no more partial deals.

The all-or-nothing approach marks a pivot for Israel, having previously pushed for phased, incremental deals with Hamas  partly as a political strategy, so Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didnt need to commit to ending the war, Axios wrote.

It remains unclear, however, exactly how or when the new approach would aim to end the war.
The United States is aiming for a possible extension of the tariff pause with China, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a television interview released on Sunday.

Confronted by a CBS News journalist with claims from the Chinese side that the current deadline of August 12 would be postponed, Greer said: "That's something we're working toward."

He said China would want that. The interview was recorded on Friday and broadcast Sunday.

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Greer added that technical issues were being addressed and discussions were ongoing with US President Donald Trump.

"I think its going in a positive direction," he said. While he did not want to pre-empt Trump, Greer stated that he did not believe anyone wanted tariffs to rise back above 80%.

Earlier this week, the United States and China had not yet agreed on a possible extension of the tariff pause in their trade dispute. After two days of talks in Stockholm, it remained unclear whether the pause would be extended.

Following the talks, Greer initially said that discussions with Trump would determine whether extending the pause was something he wanted to pursue.

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Chinas Trade Representative Li Chenggang said both sides remain committed to a "continued extension" of the tariff pause, as reported by the state news agency Xinhua,

Since April, the United States has gradually increased import tariffs on Chinese goods to as much as 145%.

In response, China imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 125% and introduced export controls on strategically important raw materials.

In May, both sides agreed in Geneva to a 90-day suspension of new tariffs.
CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALY (WAVY)  The USS Bainbridge arrived in Italy Sunday as a part of a scheduled port visit, according to the U.S. Navy.

It is currently on scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region.

WAVYs Navy Ship Salute: USS Bainbridge

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The USS Bainbridge recently participated in in NATOs Neptune Strike 25-2 July 24 to Aug. 1, as the crews worked side-by-side with allies in events like Surface Action Group training and a sea and air formation.

The last several weeks were an incredible opportunity to work with our Allies and build upon our legacy of interoperability. said Cmdr. Raymond Miller, commanding officer of Bainbridge. Now, our sailors are excited to visit Civitavecchia and we are grateful to our Italian hosts for their gracious hospitality.

The USS Bainbridge, alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford, the nine embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing Eight, Destroyer Squadron Twos USS Mahan and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Winston S. Churchill completed multi-domain strike group operations in the Atlantic Ocean in the beginning of July.

USS Gerald R. Ford passes through Strait of Gibraltar

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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 WAVY.com.
Officials have identified the four victims who were shot and killed when an Army veteran allegedly opened fire at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, on Friday morning.

At about 10:30 a.m. on Friday, 45-year-old Michael Brown allegedly entered The Owl Bar and opened fire, killing 59-year-old Daniel Edwin Baillie, 64-year-old Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 70-year-old David Allen Leach, and 74-year-old Tony Wayne Palm, all of whom were residents of Anaconda.

Brown remains at large as search efforts continue in the Stumptown area, just west of Anaconda, where the suspect was last seen.

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Authorities released a photo of Brown on Saturday, showing him barefoot and shirtless, walking down a flight of steps.

Manhunt Intensifies For Army Veteran Suspected Of Killing 4 In Bar Shooting After Truck Found Abandoned

The photo showed Brown wearing black shorts and fleeing after the shooting Friday, according to the state Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

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It is unclear what led to the shooting.

DCI Administrator Lee Johnson said in a statement Friday evening that officials had located the white F-150 pickup truck in which Brown allegedly fled. However, Brown was not located in or around the vehicle.

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Gunman Shoots Multiple People At Montana Business, Authorities Launch Intensive Manhunt

The Department of Criminal Investigations in Montana released a photo of Michael Brown fleeing the scene after allegedly shooting and killing four people at a bar on Aug. 1, 2025.

After discovering the vehicle, authorities focused their search on the mountains near Stumptown Road. The search continued into Sunday and has involved air and ground resources.

SWAT also cleared Browns house Friday, though he remained at large.

Law enforcement officials have not received reports of Brown harming any other people, though he is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Chilling Image Shows Idaho Firefighter Ambush Suspect In War Paint Before Deadly Attack

Law enforcement personnel respond to a reported shooting in Anaconda, Mont., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

Residents in the area have been encouraged to stay inside their homes and remain on high alert.

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DCI has warned residents that if they see Brown not to approach him. Instead, residents are encouraged to call 911 immediately. He has been described as 5-foot-10 and about 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Brown was an armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005 and served in the National Guard from April 2006 to March 2008, Army Public Affairs confirmed to Fox News Digital. He deployed to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005 and left the service with the rank of sergeant.

He also served as an armor crewman in the Montana National Guard from April 2006 to March 2009, officials said.

Fox News Digitals Alexandra Koch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Victims of Montana bar shooting identified as manhunt for military veteran suspect continues
The Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has claimed that there are nearly one crore Rohingya immigrants, Bangladeshi Muslim voters, deceased voters, duplicate entries, and fake voters in the electoral rolls of the State. The BJP leader urged the Election Commission of India to remove these names from the voters' list. "There are nearly one crore Rohingya immigrants, Bangladeshi Muslim voters, deceased voters, duplicate entries, and fake voters in West Bengal. The Election Commission of India should remove these names to ensure the credibility of the voter list," Adhikari told reporters here on Saturday. On Saturday, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called for a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, similar to the one currently underway in Bihar. "SIR is a regular practice of the Election Commission of India. Even in the year 2002, the SIR exercise was carried out in West Bengal. Names of 20 lakh voters were removed from the voter list...It is the role of the Election Commission to rectify the voter list. A well-proof voter list is necessary to make our democracy vibrant," Majumdar told reporters in Siliguri. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee ridiculed the exercise, calling it "Silent Invisible Rigging", and accused the Election Commission of operating in favour of the BJP. He cited cases such as a residential certificate issued in a dog's name, arguing that genuine voters were being arbitrarily removed from the rolls. "Under the pretext of SIR, the names of the citizens of this country are being deleted from the list, and a residential certificate is being issued in the name of a dog, and the Election Commission is even accepting this residential certificate. There is a residential certificate in the name of a dog, but people cannot cast their votes. The SIR that they are talking about...Special Intensive Revision...the actual meaning of SIR is rather Silent Invisible Rigging, which has been started by the Election Commission in favour of the BJP. Those who use their voting rights to question the government, the election commission is trying to snatch away their voting rights," the Trinamool MP said. (ANI)
This story was originally posted on Aug. 10, 2017. It was updated on Aug. 2, 2025.

On July 31, 1977, Robert Violante and Stacy Moskowitz were on their first date sitting in his parked car in a Brooklyn "lovers lane" when they were suddenly shot in their heads by the "Son of Sam" serial killer who terrorized New Yorkers for more than a year before his arrest on Aug. 10, 1977.

"The doctors said I was not going to make it, and that Stacy would," Violante told CBS News in 2017. A .44 caliber slug destroyed Violante's left eye and damaged his right eye as it tore across his skull. But it was Moskowitz, a 19-year-old college student, who succumbed to her wounds, and it was Violante, 20, who faced a life forever shattered by a maniac's bullets.

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Incredibly, just four days earlier, Violante landed a modeling job at the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency after taking an hour subway into "the city"  Manhattan. Once the agents saw the 6-feet-1 Violante, with his John Travolta looks, they immediately signed him up starting the following Monday. In many ways, he was a real-life Tony Manero, the character Travolta played in that year's iconic movie "Saturday Night Fever."

The next night, he met Moskowitz while out celebrating his good fortune at a "Gong Show" event at a popular "Beefsteak Charlies." The eatery was "wall to wall people," he recalled, and in the crush Violante found himself face-to-face with Stacy.

Stacy Moskowitz, who was shot and killed in Brooklyn, New York, on July 31, 1977, by the

"She was a beautiful, beautiful girl," Violante said. "And what a pleasant, pleasant girl. A very bubbly, full of life young lady." They hit it off, talked for hours, and agreed to see each other that Saturday night, July 31, even though they, like all New Yorkers, were worried about the "Son of Sam."

The serial killer had killed five and wounded six others, but he had never struck in Brooklyn. His female victims had shoulder-length dark hair. "Stacy's a blonde," Violante reassured his mother as he headed out on their maiden date.

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They went to the movie, "New York, New York," and then drove to Shore Parkway stopping near the water, where they strolled and played on a set of swings. "We were like two little kids," Violante recalled.

A figure lurking in the shadow, however, with his arms crossed, spooked Moskowitz. She asked to leave, and they got into Violante's car, but he said, "Let's stay five minutes."

He would forever wish he immediately drove away. Within two minutes, the car glass suddenly exploded. Everything went dark, and he thought he was dead.

"I was shot in the head, totally blind and full of blood," Violante recalled. "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! He killed us."

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Then he heard Moskowitz moaning and realized he was alive.

Although gravely wounded and unable to see, Violante managed to open the car door, and wrap his hand around a nearby light pole. Screaming, "We've been shot, we've been shot," he pressed his other hand on the car horn, honking it until the battery died, and he collapsed in the street.

Days later, his father  "my best pal" broke the news Violante had lost his sight. Weeks later, he told Violante that Moskowitz had died 18 hours after the shooting.

"I cried like a baby," Violante recalled.

Police officers escort accused serial killer David Berkowitz (left), known as the

Violante never asked "why me, because that would mean why not someone else." He became a portrait in courage, summoning an inner strength he never knew he had, and seemingly willing his damaged eye to improve enough to avoid the need of a Seeing Eye dog. "I swore I would never have one," he said. Ultimately, after long stretches of rehabilitation, he obtained a rigorous mailer's position with the U.S. Postal Service, for which David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam," ironically also worked.

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Violante handled mail for 35 years until his retirement. He never married, and always wondered what might have evolved with Moskowitz had their young relationship been given time to blossom.

Nearly a year earlier and a borough away, Carl Denaro, then a 20-year-old who had just enlisted in the Air Force, had his life shattered by another .44 caliber slug in Flushing, Queens.

Denaro, who was more hippie than Tony Manero, met Rosemary Keenan, 18, at a local bar on Oct. 23, 1976. They took a short drive to a nearby park, where gunfire suddenly shattered the windows of his Volkswagen Beetle. The bullets missed Keenan, and Denaro "yelled at her to start the car, (and) let's get out of here," he told CBS News.

They returned to the bar, where Denaro said, "I don't feel too good." He rested his head on a table, and a large pool of blood spilled out from beneath his shoulder-length hair and shirt.

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At the time, no one had heard of the "Son of Sam" because he had yet to leave a note for police to figure out there was a pattern to the madness. In fact, police initially were suspicious of Denaro, and it took months before the NYPD realized they had a serial killer on the loose and Denaro was one of his victims.

Doctors told Denaro that he was lucky. They put a plate in his head and he eventually returned to playing softball with friends. His military career derailed, and he went on to work for Merrill Lynch and in telecommunications financing before retiring. He recalled, however, that he lived for years with gawkers pointing out he was shot by the "Son of Sam."

Both Denaro and Violante rejoiced when David Berkowitz, a postal worker from Yonkers, was charged as the "Son and Sam" on Aug. 10, 1977. Neither is certain Berkowitz acted alone. And Violante admits he wanted Berkowitz to receive the death penalty. But they both are thrilled he is off the streets forever.

"Thank God," Violante recalled shouting when he heard the news decades ago in his hospital room. "At least now he won't be able to harm anyone else."

Black swimmers teach others amid history of aquatic segregation

Not exactly wasting away in this Margaritaville

AARP and the business of an aging audience
A volcano on Russias far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula erupted overnight into Sunday for what scientists said is the first time in hundreds of years, days after a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake.

The Krasheninnikov volcano sent ash 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) into the sky, according to staff at the Kronotsky Reserve, where the volcano is located. Images released by state media showed dense clouds of ash rising above the volcano.

The plume is spreading eastward from the volcano toward the Pacific Ocean. There are no populated areas along its path, and no ashfall has been recorded in inhabited localities, Kamchatkas emergencies ministry wrote on Telegram during the eruption.

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The eruption was accompanied by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake and prompted a tsunami warning for three areas of Kamchatka. The tsunami warning was later lifted by Russias Ministry for Emergency Services.

This is the first historically confirmed eruption of the Krasheninnikov volcano in 600 years, Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

The Smithsonian Institutions Global Volcanism Program, based in the U.S., however, lists Krasheninnikovs last eruption as occurring 475 years ago in 1550.

The reason for the discrepancy was not clear.

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The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team said late Sunday that the volcano's activity was decreasing but that moderate explosive activity" could continue.

The eruption occurred after a huge earthquake struck Russias Far East early Wednesday, an 8.8-magnitude temblor that caused small tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska and prompted warnings for Hawaii, North and Central America and Pacific islands south toward New Zealand.
How do Palestinians see their future in Gaza and how do they view calls for voluntary migration or displacement from the Strip?

In a move that sparked widespread controversy at the time, the Israeli government announced months ago that it had approved a plan to establish a special department to organise what it described as "safe, voluntary migration" of Gaza residents to foreign countries.

This was done in the context of the more than 20-month war in Gaza following Hamas's attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 Israelis and captured 251 hostages.

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The decision was based on a proposal submitted by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, which was then approved by the Israeli cabinet.

According to a statement issued by his office, the new department will be tasked with coordinating transfers in cooperation with international organisations and stakeholders.

Its tasks will include supervising the organisation of departures from the Gaza Strip crossings, conducting the necessary security checks and developing an infrastructure that allows land, sea and air travel to third countries.

The plan's announcement coincided with an increasingly worsening internal displacement crisis in Gaza due to the ongoing war.

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Human rights groups and humanitarian organisations have warned of the political and social repercussions of these policies. They say they are seen as a prelude to a forced displacement scheme under the guise of being "voluntary."

An old policy renewed: From Dayan to Netanyahu

The intention to depopulate Gaza was not new or linked only to the recent war. In fact, it goes back decades.

On 12 June 1967, after the capture of Gaza, then Israeli Security Minister Moshe Dayan described the strip as a "complex problem", signalling Israel's negative perception of the region.

During the signing of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin expressed his wish to "go to the sea or drown in it," expressing his wish to completely separate the Gaza Strip from Israel.

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In the recent war, diplomatic leaks revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed, during a meeting with former US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on 12 October 2023, the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to "transfer Gaza residents to Egypt."

This proposal was met with initial reservations by the US. It was followed by a more strident statement from Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who said: "There will be no humanitarian crisis in Gaza if there are no civilians."

Related

Initial displacement and increasing talk of migration as the war intensifies

After the war in Gaza broke out following Hamas' October 7 attack, more than 120,000 Palestinians - mostly dual nationals - were able to leave the Strip through the Rafah land crossing toward Egypt and other countries.

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It is estimated that the number of dual nationals in Gaza is around 300,000. This reflects a sizeable base in the population which theoretically has the option to leave.

As Israel's military operations intensified, the scope of destruction expanded and famine reached catastrophic levels. There was increasing talk among Gazans about migration as a way to escape the war.

On the other hand, voices have emerged which categorically reject the idea and insist on staying in the Strip despite heavy deaths and deteriorating humanitarian conditions. This reflects a deep social division over the future of Gaza and its residents under the ongoing war.

Palestinians refuse to migrate despite the bombardment: 'It's easier to die here than to leave'

In a simple tent in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, Mohsen al-Ghazi, 34, displaced from the Juhr al-Dik area, sits and recounts his story. It's similar to that of thousands of Palestinians whose lives have been destroyed under Israeli bombardment.

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Al-Ghazi lost his home, his eldest son was killed and his parents died under the rubble of the house, yet he insists on staying in Gaza and categorically rejects the idea of emigration.

"I will not leave this land," he says. "It is easier to die here than to give the occupation an opportunity to fulfil its lies."

He emphasises that his position does not stem from emotion, but from religious, patriotic and moral conviction. He even rejects the idea of a mass exodus, which some are hinting at.**

"Even if the occupation sends ships to transport us, I will not leave."

Al-Ghazi expressed his regret for some young people who are considering emigration under the weight of suffering, stressing that "individual salvation means abandoning our responsibility to defend this land."

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"How can we repeat the mistake of the Nakba and voluntarily leave our homes?"

In Nuseirat camp, Sami al-Dali, 45, echoes the same attitude despite losing half of his home to shelling. "Displacement is a failed Israeli project, and I will not be a stone in its wall."

He believes that the suffering of the residents does not justify abandonment, but he does not condemn those who decide to leave, adding: "To each his own, and those who leave may return or serve the cause from abroad."

Al-Ghazi and al-Dali agree that the displacement projects that the Israeli government has tried to impose have failed in the face of the Palestinians' attachment to their land.

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"Tell the world that we are a people who choose to die on our land and not sell it," al-Ghazi said, while al-Dali emphasised that "every stone here testifies that Palestine is not for sale."

Palestinians walk along a road towards an area in northern Gaza Strip where trucks carrying humanitarian aid are entering, in Gaza City, Friday, 25 July. - Abdel Kareem Hana/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved.

Displaced people in Gaza: 'We can't take it anymore'

In light of the ongoing war and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, Bilal Hassanin believes that the option of emigration has become an "urgent necessity" despite its difficulty.

Hassanin, who lost his family home and has been displaced several times, is now on crutches after being injured near Netzarim. He says: "I lost everything. I can no longer complete my university studies, no food, no water, no electricity."

"The Gaza Strip has been destroyed, and the chances of building a future here are diminishing day by day."

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Hassanin adds that his dream is to find a safe environment outside Gaza that will enable him to regain his life and fulfil his dreams, at a time when life in the Strip has become almost impossible.

The same vision is shared by Zakaria Farajallah, who has been injured three times, causing issues with foot tendons, brain and digestive disorders.

"Through my medical file, I am trying to get an opportunity for treatment abroad, and I will take advantage of this exit to seek asylum, because the Gaza Strip has become a terrifying and unliveable place."

Farajallah's wife, Hanin Akl, also emphasises that staying is next to impossible, especially as she is pregnant and caring for two other children. She says: "We lost our home and have been travelling from one displacement camp to another, and my husband's injury has added to our suffering."

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"We urgently need to travel for a safe environment for us and our children.

Hanin, who holds a bachelor's degree in laboratory medicine, said that she hopes that leaving Gaza will give her an opportunity to build a more stable future for her family.

Official and international warnings

The Israeli plan for the voluntary migration of Gazans has been met with widespread Palestinian rejection and international warnings.

Hamas described what is being promoted under the name of "voluntary migration" as a forced displacement scheme aimed at "liquidating the Palestinian cause" and emptying Gaza of its inhabitants.

In the same context, the United Nations confirmed that "voluntary migration" has no legitimacy in the context of war, siege and noted that forced displacement is a crime under international law.

Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and UNRWA, have also warned that the Israeli plan threatens to reproduce the Nakba. They called for the right of Palestinians to remain on their land to be respected rather than forcing them to leave under pressure and hunger.
Most of the recent suicides among IDF soldiers were linked to combat-related circumstances and the psychological toll of extended stays in war zones.

The IDF admitted that the increased suicide rate among soldiers and reservists is connected to Israel's ongoing multi-front war, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Sunday.

Most of the recent suicides among soldiers stem from traumatic experiences they were exposed to, the loss of comrades, and an inability to cope with the trauma, an internal investigation by the military found and was published by KAN.

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The military has not denied the report at press time.

Most of the recent suicides among IDF soldiers were linked to combat-related circumstances and the psychological toll of extended stays in war zones.

The IDF investigated each suicide case, including reviewing farewell letters left behind and speaking with families and friends of soldiers.

"Most of the suicides among soldiers resulted from the complex realities of war. War has consequences," a senior military official told KAN.

Israeli flags seen on Mount Herzl ahead of Remembrance Day. April 28, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

"These are extremely difficult challenges, and there are quite a few cases. Were implementing systemic lessons, providing more tools to commanders, with an emphasis on training and identifying signs of distress. Mental health officers are in the field. Weve increased the number of mental health officers (KABANs) for active-duty soldiers by 200, and for reservists by 600."

Each soldier suicide case reviewed thoroughly

"Each suicide is reviewed by a colonel-level officer and studied thoroughly. Work is also being done around preparation and follow-up before and after combat. In parallel, regardless of these efforts, the military police conduct an investigation into every suicide case," the official told KAN.

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Since the beginning of 2025, 16 soldiers have died by suicide, seven of them reservists.

Just in July, four reservists took their own lives, two during reserve duty and two after completing several days in reserves.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
Its been a whirlwind few days in Washington. On Friday, President Trump fired the nations top labor statistics official just hours after a weak jobs report  a move that quickly drew bipartisan backlash. By Saturday, he had escalated a separate fight with Senate Democrats over stalled executive branch nominees, lashing out at Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a fiery Truth Social post.

Adding to the weekends chaos, Trump also faced renewed scrutiny over his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein as convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell was quietly transferred to a womens prison in Texas. The timing of the move  and Maxwells ongoing efforts to overturn her conviction and seek a pardon from the president  sparked outrage among victims families and renewed criticism of how the Justice Department has handled the Epstein case.

If you missed these developments, heres a rundown of the biggest stories to get you up to speed.

Trump ousts labor stats chief after weak jobs report

On Friday, President Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer just hours after the agency reported that the U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July  far fewer than expected. The agency also revised its May and June figures downward by more than 200,000 jobs combined.

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Trump blasted the report on Truth Social, calling the numbers rigged and accusing McEntarfer  who was appointed by former President Biden but confirmed with bipartisan support  of manipulating the data for political purposes.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers dismissed Trumps accusation as a preposterous charge, noting that the president offered no evidence to back it up.

McEntarfer later responded on Bluesky, calling it the honor of my life to serve in the role.

The firing subsequently sparked backlash, including from some Republicans. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said moves like this only make it harder for people to trust government data. Sen. Thom Tillis was more blunt: If she was just fired because  they didnt like the numbers, they ought to grow up.

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Democrats were even sharper in their criticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of behaving like someone who imitates authoritarian leaders, while Sen. Brian Schatz called the firing the stuff of fascist dictatorships.

Still, the White House defended the decision. Economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Sunday that Trump wanted a fresh set of eyes at the agency.

Trump tells Schumer to go to hell as nominee deal collapses

The clash over McEntarfers firing wasnt the only fight brewing in Washington. As tensions mounted, Trump also turned his ire on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after a deal to confirm executivebranch nominees collapsed.

CNN reported Saturday that Schumer had asked Trump to release federal funds and pledge not to pursue another spending cut bill. But the president  who wanted the Senate to confirm his nominees even if it meant skipping the August recess  rejected the terms on social media as egregious and unprecedented.

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Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party, the radical left lunatics, to go to hell, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Do not accept the offer. Go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our country.

With no deal in place, Republicans are considering changes to Senate rules when they return in September to speed up the stalled confirmations. Senate rules are desperately in need of change, said Majority Leader John Thune.

Schumer warned that a rules change would be a huge mistake, especially as Republicans will still need Democratic votes to pass spending bills and other legislation.

We have never seen nominees as flawed, as compromised, as unqualified as we have right now, he said.

Ghislaine Maxwell moved to a prison in Texas

The Federal Bureau of Prisons said Friday that Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been transferred from a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a minimumsecurity camp in Bryan, Texas.

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Compared to her previous facility, which housed more than 800 men and women, Federal Prison Camp Bryan holds about 635 inmates, all of them female and most serving time for nonviolent offenses, according to the facilitys website. The camp is also home to other highprofile inmates, including convicted fraudsters Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and former Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah.

Maxwells attorney, David Oscar Markus, confirmed the move, though the Bureau of Prisons hasnt explained why she was transferred. Maxwell, who is serving a 20year sentence for sex trafficking, is currently petitioning the Supreme Court to overturn her conviction while also seeking a pardon from President Trump. Earlier in July, she reportedly held two undisclosed meetings with the deputy U.S. attorney general.

Her legal maneuvering has also extended to Congress. Less than a week ago, Maxwells attorneys said she was willing to testify about the Epstein case, but only if granted strict legal protections. On Friday, House Oversight Chair James Comer announced that her planned Aug. 11 deposition had been indefinitely postponed, saying the committee would not grant her immunity or provide questions in advance, two conditions her lawyers had requested.

These developments come as Trump faces renewed scrutiny over his past relationship with Epstein and criticism about how the Justice Department has handled related files.

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The family of Virginia Giuffre  one of Epsteins victims who died by suicide earlier this year  condemned the move, saying they were horrified and disgusted that it happened without any notice to Maxwells victims.

This is the justice system failing victims right before our eyes, they said in a statement. The American public should be outraged by the special treatment afforded to a pedophile and a criminally charged child sex offender.

The post Washington ShakeUp: What to Know About Trumps Dramatic Weekend appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
The Brief

The Waukesha County sheriff needs help to find a missing and endangered boy.

Isaac Reddington, 2, is believed to be with his biological mother.

Anyone with information is asked to email Lt. Chad Niles or call 262-446-5070.

WAUKESHA, Wis. - UPDATE: The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department said 2-year-old Isaac Reddington, reported missing and endangered on Saturday, has been found safe. The original story is available below.

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The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department requested help to find missing and endangered 2-year-old Isaac Reddington. He was last seen around noon on Saturday, Aug. 2.

What they're saying

The sheriff's department said Reddington is believed to be with his biological mother, who "is having a manic episode." He was last seen in the front seat of his mother's car, with no car seat, on Sunset Drive east of Highway 83.

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Reddington is described as 2 feet tall and 30 pounds with blue eyes and blonde hair. He was wearing a striped shirt, navy blue shorts and Velcro shoes. The car is described as a blue 2018 Honda HR-V with Wisconsin plate: AYP-5225

What you can do

Anyone with information is asked to email Lt. Chad Niles or call 262-446-5070.

The Source

Information in this story is from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.
The Brief

A motorcycle ride raised money for the Waukesha sheriff's K-9 unit on Saturday.

A K-9 handler said each of the departments four K-9s cost about $17,000.

Leaders said this is the 25th anniversary of the department's K-9 unit.

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Dozens of motorcycle riders took off for a fundraiser to support the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit on Saturday morning.

What they're saying

Deputy Sarah Bell was paired with K-9 Maia in March. The partners were certified two months later. Maia already had extensive training in The Netherlands before they even met  and most of the commands she knows are Dutch.

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"We rely on fundraising," Bell said.

The training adds up. Bell said each of the departments four K-9s cost about $17,000. That doesnt even cover equipment, like ballistic vests for the dogs.

Waukesha County Sheriff's Department K-9 Maia

The benefit, Bell said, is a safer community.

"She does narcotic work, she also does apprehension work, tracking, searches," Bell said of Maia.

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Its not just Maia joining the team this year. Bell said another K-9 will be needed this fall after a current one retires in September.

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The bikers not only paid to participate in Saturdays ride, they also helped raise money at a raffle and concert at Wisconsin Harley-Davidson in Oconomowoc. Bikers even got to see Maia show off some of her skills.

"Its a pretty expensive year for the K-9 unit, so fundraisers out here at Harley are very appreciated," Bell said.

Not only is it an expensive year, its also a milestone one. Leaders said this is the 25th anniversary of the K-9 unit at the Waukesha County Sheriffs Department.

The Waukesha Deputy Charities Association organized Saturday's fundraiser.

The Source

FOX6 News conducted interviews and gathered information from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department and Waukesha Deputy Charities Association.
The Brief

Wisconsin Community Services hosted a "Recovery Prom" on Saturday.

It brought out people either in addiction recovery or those who support the idea.

Recovery Prom is also a fundraiser for the organization's all-peer support program.

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Inside Waukesha Elks Lodge 400, Wisconsin Community Services hosted a "Recovery Prom" on Saturday. But at this dance, you won't find a room packed with high schoolers.

What they're saying

It brought out community members either in addiction recovery or those who support the idea. Those out on the dance floor can attest to the power of recovery and peer support.

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"When I drink alcohol it takes everything from me, and today I get to be around people I love," said attendee Bob McCrerry.

Recovery Prom is also a fundraiser for the organization's all-peer support program. Kerry Royce helped prep for prom. His wife, Susie Austin, is the brains behind the community event.

"Shes literally helped thousands, thousands of people," said Royce. "I love her so much, and I love what she does."

"Recovery Prom" in Waukesha

"Its about helping other people getting through what they have to go through," said Austin.

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Austin is the peer services coordinator for Wisconsin Community Services. She's also just shy of 27 years in recovery from an addiction to crystal meth  an accomplishment worth celebrating that she wants others to feel.

"The minute that I got into recovery I knew I wanted to give back, and I knew there was so much work to do," she said.

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Austin said Saturday night was also about removing the stigma surrounding those with addictions and preparing them for a better future.

"We have to have that empathy and love and kindness to share with other people so that they understand that this is a very difficult thing that people go through," she said.

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More information about Wisconsin Community Services' peer support programs can be found on the organization's website.

The Source

FOX6 News went to Saturday's event and interviewed people for this story.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  U.S. Rep. John Larson (D) is running for reelection, with at least three other fellow Democrats challenging him.

How does he feel about it? He spoke with Dennis House on This Week in Connecticut about the race.

Watch above.

THIS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy made a campaign announcement in Jefferson Parish after weeks of watching several outspoken MAGA critics enter the race, determined to challenge the well-funded Republican incumbent.

Sen. Bill Cassidy officially announces reelection campaign

Fred Childers talks with Secretary of State Nancy Landry about why Louisiana dissolved the Independent Party and what voters need to know ahead of the next election.

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You could be getting a check in the mail if Congress passes the Republicans American Worker Rebate Act. The bill, authored by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, would provide $600 tariff rebate checks. Hawley says Americans deserve a share of the billions in revenue already being generated by the presidents tariffs.

Hawley introduces bill to provide $600 tariff rebates to adults and children

East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Superintendent LaMont Cole will be the guest speaker at the Press Club of Baton Rouge on Monday, Aug. 4. Hes expected to discuss how his experiences have shaped his administrations focus, highlighting new initiatives and current goals as the school year begins on Aug. 7.

East Baton Rouge superintendent excited about what is to come before new school year

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Numerous young individuals from various parts of the district participated in the drive.

Local youth Mohammad Jameel said, "We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for organising this defence porter recruitment drive. Every year, our unemployed youth secure a six-month job through this initiative... We live near the border, close to the LOC. Earlier, when shelling occurred, our houses and we suffered a lot, but we still live bravely on this border. We still want to support and work with our soldiers."

Another local, Mohammad Naseer Khan, added, "I am very thankful to the Indian Army, and I want to request that there should be jobs in our area. Every poor person should get employment, and all recruitment should be conducted in peace and tranquillity."

The Indian Armed Forces played a large role and gave a befitting response to Pakistan's intrusion. Further, all field commanders have been authorised to take appropriate action in case of any ceasefire violation.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Operation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of India's military and strategic power, executed through a combination of military and non-military means.

This multi-dimensional operation effectively neutralised terrorist threats, deterred Pakistani aggression, and firmly enforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The operation maintained strategic restraint while gaining international support, as stated in the PIB release.

The Indian Armed Forces carried out targeted strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
More than 150 mourners gathered Saturday to remember the mother and her 11-year-old daughter tragically killed in a head-on crash with an allegedly drunk illegal immigrant driver.

Sobbing and weeping relatives and friends  many of them, donning shirts with images of Maria Pleitez and little Dayanara Cortes beaming faces  lined up outside the Lakewood Funeral Home in Howell to pay their respects at a somber wake.

At one point, a mourner whod been crying uncontrollably leaned over the 42-year-old mothers open casket, and repeated the phrases Que fuerte! (How terrible in English) and Porque?, the Spanish word for Why?, over and over again.

Over 150 people gathered at the Lakewood Funeral Home in Howell, New Jersey, to pay their respects to remember the mother and her 11-year-old daughter, tragically killed in a head-on crash. Leonardo Munoz

Among those grieving the two devastating deaths was Dayanaras father and her friend, also 11, who was injured in the July 26 crash and is recovering.

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Pleitez was driving the two girls to a Wawa to get milkshakes at around 11:20 p.m. in Lakewood when Raul Luna-Perez, 43, slammed his Dodge Durango into the moms Nissan Sentra, according to local prosecutors.

She was killed instantly, and Dayanara, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, died soon after arriving at the hospital.

Luna-Perez was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto.

Charges could be added once prosecutors receive the results of an alcohol blood level test.

Maria Pleitez and her daughter Dayanara Cortes were fatally struck by an alleged illegal immigrant, Raul Luna-Perez, 43, who was drunk while driving. Forevermissed.com

The Mexican immigrant, who was in the US illegally, had been arrested twice this spring for DUI in Red Bank, NJ  something Pleitezs niece bemoaned at the wake.

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Maria del Carmen Pleitez told The Post her aunt was a hardworking, cat-loving, doting US citizen who immigrated from El Salvador 24 years ago.

She was a happy person, Pleitez, 39, said. She would come to a place, or she would come to our homes, and just bring happiness. She was never angry, never sad. She always had the strength to continue going, and thats what hurts, because the guy had two DUIs already.

Family and friends at the wake donned shirts and images of Pleitez and Cortes. Leonardo Munoz

Maria Pleitez spent years working in the painting department of Superior Promotional Bags, a Toms River promotional products supplier, the niece said.

She was the head of the family, Maria del Carmen Pleitez said. She was bringing up her two daughters. She had her own apartment, her own place, and she never asked her help for anything. We loved her.

Pleitezs 16-year-old daughter, who stayed home, is heartbroken, she said.

Its so hard. We still feel like we cant digest everything. Like, you wake up in the morning, you think its not true.
PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Saturday, Aug. 2, marks one week since Clinton and Cristen Brink were killed at Devils Dena tragedy that shook the town theyd just begun to call home.

Sara Bradley, a 24-year resident of Prairie Grove, described the emotional reaction of the community following the arrest of the suspect.

It was relief, a weight lifted off the whole towns shoulders when McGann was arrested, Bradley said. And in this small-town area, were not used to that because we all watch out for each other. Its very hard to wrap our minds around it.

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We were all devastated because things like this just dont happen here, Bradley added. And its really hard to get around the emotion of it. And the anger and then also the fear because its very scary.

The Brinks had only recently arrived in Prairie Grove. Arkansas State Police and Prairie Grove Mayor David Faulk confirmed the family had moved to the area shortly before the killings.

Faulk said in a statement to KNWA/FOX24 that the familys water service was turned on in Prairie Grove on July 16.

No matter how long someones lived in Prairie Grove, everyone here is family, Bradley said. When I saw their picture, I was like, I know Ive seen them. I know Ive seen them here. And, I didnt get to meet them personally, but its very its just so hard to realize that that happened here. Its someone from our town.

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TIMELINE: Prairie Grove couple killed at Devils Den State Park

About the Brinks

Clinton Brink had been scheduled to start a new job in Fayetteville on the Monday after the killings. Hiland Dairy, his employer, said in a statement to the Associated Press that he had transferred from Prairie Farms Dairy, its parent company, in South Dakota.

Clinton and Cristen died heroes protecting their little girls, and they deserve justice, the Brink family said in a statement. They will forever live in all of our hearts.

Before moving to Arkansas, the couple had lived in Montana for several years starting around 2018, according to Danikka Harrell, a nurse at a rehabilitation center in that state. Harrell told the Associated Press that the Brinks played on a recreational volleyball team and were known for encouraging others to join.

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In the summer, they would set up a volleyball net at a local park and invite people to play. Harrell also recalled the Brinks stepping in to help her with childcare.

When I struggled to find childcare, the Brinks allowed my daughter to stay with them without a thought, she said. Cristen Brink would often bring a plate of food when she brought the girl back home. They were selfless and unconditional with their love and support for their friends.

Andrew McGann, 28, appeared in court Aug. 1 on two capital murder charges in the deaths of Clinton and Cristen Brink. He was assigned a public defender, ordered held without bond and is due back in court Aug. 25.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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He only lived to 30, but Gareth Jones witnessed many of the 20th Century's most momentous occasions - including flying with Adolf Hitler on his private plane, and helping to expose man-made starvation in Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union.

It is now 90 years since his death in 1935, but campaigners want him to be remembered by the naming of a waterfront square in his honour in his hometown of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.

Regarded as one of Wales' greatest journalists, Jones travelled the world looking for scoops and died in mysterious circumstances reporting on the Japanese occupation of Manchuria.

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His great-nephew Philip Colley believes much of what is remembered is wrapped in myth, and is working on a biography telling his story.

It is Jones' time reporting in modern day Ukraine which is perhaps best known, with his accounts of the Holodomor - a man-made starvation which killed millions - at the time rubbished by many western newspapers.

A film on the life of the former Western Mail journalist depicts him trying to convince others of the truth of what was happening.

Mr Colley believes Jones' work continues to be misrepresented, which he said helped to give current Russian leader Vladimir Putin justification for his war in Ukraine.

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"In 1933, after Gareth reported on Stalin's famine across the Soviet Union, his reputation was attacked by some western media, foremostly the New York Times, suggesting that he'd sensationalised the depth of the crisis there," he said.

"Gareth responded by accusing his critics of being 'masters of euphemism and understatement'... according to them, people weren't starving, they were dying of 'illnesses brought about by malnutrition'."

Mr Colley added: "In recent times, some historians and politicians have refashioned Gareth's legacy, to fit a modern political narrative.

"They suggest that Gareth was a Ukrainian hero exposing a deliberate genocide.

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"Neither story is quite true, as he was actually pointing to a wider global economic disaster."

Gareth Jones travelled from America in search of scoops [Gareth Vaughan Jones Estate]

Mr Colley said that while many historians suggested Jones purely focused on the starvation of Ukrainian "Holodomor peasants", in fact he was equally concerned with the effects of Stalin's policies throughout the Soviet Union, which the journalist considered were created by misguided communist dogma rather than a deliberate attempt to kill a single ethnic group.

"Gareth travelled widely across southern Russia, as well as Ukraine, and saw little difference in the condition of peasant farmers," he said.

"People were dying because of the policies of forced collectivisation of small privately owned farms into government-controlled ones, the loss of farming expertise caused by the expulsion of the Kulaks, and the taking of grain from the mouths of peasants so it could be exported to earn foreign currency."

Gareth's great-nephew Philip Colley studied Jones' life for his university dissertation in 1986, and is now writing a biography [Gareth Vaughan Jones Estate]

Jones' story began long before his time in the Soviet Union.

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With four first-class honours degrees in languages from Aberystwyth and Cambridge universities, at 24 he was was appointed foreign affairs adviser to former Prime Minister and fellow Welshman David Lloyd George.

Within a year of graduating from Cambridge Jones was walking the corridors of Whitehall, as well as interviewing the likes of Lenin's widow Krupskaya, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, US President Herbert Hoover, and Irish Taoiseach Eamon de Valera.

According to Mr Colley, he wasn't in the least bit intimidated.

"You could say, in the nicest possible way, there was a streak of narcissism to Gareth," he said.

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"Not superiority, more that he believed that his charm, academic brilliance and travel experience gave him the confidence to debate on an equal footing with the likes of Churchill and Lloyd George.

"What's more, they took him very seriously too."

Mr Jones earned three first-class honours degrees in French, German and Russian from Cambridge University [Gareth Vaughan Jones Estate]

In 1932 Jones was sent to monitor Hitler's rise to German chancellor, though not even Lloyd George could have anticipated the unprecedented access he would gain to the Nazi hierarchy.

He was at his swearing-in ceremony in Leipzig, flew on Hitler's private plane, and appeared on stage with him at an election rally in Frankfurt.

However, Mr Colley believes none of this should be interpreted as Nazi sympathy.

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"It's true that Gareth reported positively on some of Hitler's early economic achievements and rise in workers' standards - especially compared with the mess of the Soviet Union, Britain and America during the Great Depression - but so did most of the British press, including the Daily Mail and Daily Express.

"On the other hand, he was the first to call out the antisemitism at the heart of the Nazis, seeing it as their core belief and not just a fringe thug element within the party."

Mr Colley will be giving a free lecture on 13 August at the Barry War Museum & Heritage Centre [Gareth Vaughan Jones Estate]

After Jones' fall from grace following his famine pieces, in 1935 he turned his attention to Japanese expansionism into the Chinese territories of Manchuria and Inner Mongolia.

He was turned away by the Japanese and subsequently captured by Chinese bandits, and after two weeks in captivity shot dead in mysterious circumstances.

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Mr Colley said: "It is my belief the bandits had simply grown tired of holding on to him while they were constantly pursued by the Chinese police.

"Others like to think that his killing was ordered by the Soviet secret service. The Foreign Office at the time suspected that the Japanese had a hand in it."

Gareth Jones - on stage with Adolf Hitler at a Frankfurt election rally - interviewed many of the world leaders of his time [Gareth Vaughan Jones Estate]

In late 1935, Mr Colley's mother - Jones' niece - Dr Margaret Siriol Colley, travelled from Paddington to Cardiff with his ashes on her knee.

Mr Colley said it was a harrowing journey, but one which inspired her to write her own book More Than a Grain of Truth.

"My mother was determined to give her uncle his rightful place in history after Gareth's sister Gwyneth died, and she found their home virtually untouched since the '30s, with all his original diaries, posters and photographs," he said.

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"Now more information has become available, I just want to be able to set the record straight, building upon the work my mother had already achieved."
The Brief

A convicted felon was arrested for firing shots inside his West Seattle apartment.

He was treated for injuries and jailed on assault and firearm charges.

Police found firearms, ammunition, and suspected methamphetamine in his apartment.

WEST SEATTLE, Wash. - A 36-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police for firing multiple shots inside his own apartment in West Seattle late Monday night.

The backstory

The incident occurred on July 31 at about 10:45 p.m. when Seattle police officers responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building in the 3200 block of California Avenue Southwest.

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Upon arrival, officers said they heard active gunfire and a man screaming from inside the residence. Police established a security area around the building, and called in the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT).

Nearby residents were evacuated to safety, with police reports indicating they were "terrified" and feared for their lives.

HNT successfully negotiated the man's surrender, leading to his arrest. The Seattle Fire Department treated the suspect for injuries at the scene, and paramedics, escorted by police, transported him to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation.

Dig deeper

Following the arrest, officers obtained a search warrant, which was signed by a judge. The search of the apartment led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and gun accessories. As a convicted felon, the suspect is prohibited from possessing firearms. Police also found suspected methamphetamine at the scene.

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After being discharged from Harborview Medical Center, the suspect was booked into King County Jail on charges of Investigation of Assault in the First and Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

Detectives from the Gun Violence Reduction Unit are handling the case as the investigation continues.

The Source

Information in this story came from the Seattle Police Department.

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Britain's announcement that it may recognize a Palestinian state, along with France and Canada, is another signal of Western frustration with Israel, nearly two years into the war sparked by Hamas attacks. But while outrage over Gaza dominates headlines in Western capitals, a quieter and far more revealing story is unfolding in the Arab world.

The leaders who live closest to Gaza  and who arguably understand the players, history and regional dynamics best  are not escalating the political pressure on Israel. Instead, theyre recalibrating, reassessing and, in some cases, even deepening their ties with the Jewish state.

Like some Western nations, Arab states have strongly condemned civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for a future Palestinian state.

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However, unlike their Western counterparts, they have not allowed Hamas, the group that ignited this war with an unprovoked massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, to shape the moral narrative.

They havent withdrawn from the Abraham Accords, recalled their ambassadors or severed diplomatic ties with Jerusalem. Even in moments of high emotion, theyre choosing long-term strategy over symbolic gestures. That choice speaks volumes.

With Gaza conflict, it's important to know the participants

In Saudi Arabia over the past year, senior figures have publicly criticized Hamas. In Egypt and Jordan, leaders are focused on regional stability and working to contain, not inflame, the conflict.

In Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed that his government thwarted nearly 30 attempted attacks on Israel and U.S. troops during Irans spring offensive. That included foiling drone launches from Iraqi soil, which underscores how far some Arab states are going to stop the conflict from spreading.

Palestinians chanting anti-Hamas slogans protest in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2025, to demand an end to war.

So why are Western cities ablaze with protests while Arab capitals work the phones in quiet diplomacy?

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Unlike Western activists who chant from the river to the sea without knowing what river or which sea, Arab governments know precisely what Hamas is. Theyve dealt with its destabilizing ideology, its ties to Iran and its contempt for compromise.

They understand that Hamas does not seek peace, statehood or coexistence. It seeks perpetual war and Islamic revolution.

Opinion: Anti-Hamas protests erupt in Gaza. Where are our pro-Palestine 'allies' now?

In contrast, too many in the West are waging an ideological campaign detached from regional reality. In their fervor to stand with Palestine, they overlook that Hamas is not a liberation movement. It is a jihadist militia that exploits civilian suffering to manipulate global opinion.

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They also forget that, for all its flaws, Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East where Arabs and Jews alike vote, protest and serve in parliament.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Hamas has noticed, it has openly praised European governments for their positions on Israel. In Ireland, lawmakers are pushing to criminalize trade with Israelis. Now, as Britain considers recognition of a Palestinian state along with France and Canada, Hamas strategy of provocation and propaganda is paying diplomatic dividends.

The result is a surreal inversion: While the Arab nations inch toward coexistence, the West drifts into moral chaos. What was once a principled defense of human rights has morphed into selective outrage, often blind to the regions realities and exploited by its most destructive actors.

Empowering Hamas will worsen, not improve, life in Gaza

This isnt just dangerous for Jews and Israelis; its corrosive to liberal democracy itself.

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When human rights are applied selectively, when terrorism is downplayed or excused and when Hamas calls to destroy Israel and slaughter its citizens are rationalized as resistance, something fundamental is breaking.

Tell us: Are you concerned about starvation in Gaza? Should US do more to help? | Opinion Forum

It may be time for the West to look east  not for answers, but for clarity. The Arab world is not embracing Hamas. Its moving on. Its negotiating, normalizing and, in some cases, partnering with Israel to contain shared threats.

If the goal is a better future for Israelis and Palestinians, outrage isnt a strategy. Its a spectacle. And the people closest to the conflict seem to understand that best.

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Aviva Klompas is the former director of speechwriting at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations and cofounder of Boundless Israel, a nonprofit organization that partners with community leaders in the U.S. to support Israel education and combat hatred of Jews. She is cohost of the "Boundless Insights" podcast.

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel finds support in Middle East as West backs Palestine | Opinion
A Westland man is being held in the Macomb County Jail on felony charges that he made email threats directed to a Macomb Circuit Court judge.

Jason Tolonen, 52, was being held on a $500,000 bond Sunday, Aug. 3, on charges of using a computer to commit a crime and unlawful posting of messages with aggravating circumstances.

He is accused of sending emails with threatening and offensive language to the court reporter of Circuit Judge Jennifer Faunce on Jan. 24, according to an Aug. 1 news release from the county prosecutor's office. It indicated the emails referenced and were directed to Faunce, though the language in the emails was disjointed.

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Words and phrases including "shot to death," "all dead mass killed," "all mass murdered," and "die die die" were used, according to the release. It indicated there also were references to "family" and "Warren." Faunce's sister is a judge in 37th District Court in Warren and their father is a former district court judge in Warren.

More: Testimony: Caregiver told doctor to take client's husband off life support

Tolonen was arraigned July 31 before Judge Kathleen Tocco of the 39th District Court in Roseville. The case is filed in the Warren district court, according to online court records.

Court records did not list an attorney for Tolonen.

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If Tolonen posts bond, he must wear a GPS tether; he cannot use the internet or a computer; he is to have no weapons, drugs or alcohol, and he is not to leave the state. He also is to have no contact with the Faunce family or any of Faunce's staff, according to the prosecutor's office release.

It indicated that a probable cause conference is set for Aug. 13 in the Roseville district court. The court records in the Warren district court also list an Aug. 20 examination date in the case.

More: Probation for man accused of leaving attorney voicemail threat to kill Arabs

"We take any threat against a judge with the utmost seriousness," Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in his office's release. "The safety of our judiciary is non-negotiable. No public servant should fear for their safety or the safety of their loved ones simply for doing their job. We are committed to holding the defendant accountable and ensuring that those who serve our justice system are protected."

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A man with the same name, age and hometown as Tolonen was sentenced in September to probation and credit for time served in jail after pleading no contest in May 2024 in 18th District Court in Westland to one count each of using a computer to commit a crime and malicous use of a telecommunications service, both misdemeanors, for repeatedly sending what the Michigan Attorney General's Office indicated in a 2024 release was "nonsensical, harassing, racist, and threatening emails" to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's constituent portal.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Westland man accused of email threats to Macomb circuit judge
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP)  A minke whale died off the New Jersey shore after a collision that nearly tipped over a small boat and threw a person overboard.

Social media video of the collision in Barnegat Bay on Saturday afternoon shows the motor boat rocking after the impact and the 20-foot (6-meter) whale splashing near the craft before swimming away. The person thrown overboard manages to tread water next to the boat.

The whale was found dead after it came to rest on a sandbar in shallow water. Marine authorities were not able to get close to the whale due to tidal conditions, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a not-for-profit rescue, rehabilitation and release organization.

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At this point, we really dont have much to go on, Jay Pagel, stranding coordinator at the center, said Sunday. The side of the animal that we were able to observe had no obvious marks on it that we could see. But again, our visibility was very limited.

Pagel said there were reports the whale had injuries prior to the collision captured on video. He noted there was a second video posted online that appears to show the whale making contact with a pontoon boat after the initial collision.

The animal will be towed to a state park on Monday morning for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.
A 20-foot minke whale died after colliding with a motorboat off the Jersey Shore, officials said. The force of the collision sent a boat passenger into the water.

A boater in Barnegat Bay near Long Beach Island, New Jersey, reported Saturday afternoon that a vessel had struck a whale, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, or MMSC, said on Facebook. Sea Tow, which was called in when the whale was spotted in the bay, reported to MMSC that the whale was dead.

The collision caused the boat to almost capsize and a passenger to fall overboard, MMSC said. There was no information on the persons condition, but they did not appear to be injured.

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About an hour before the crash, the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit notified MMSC that there was a whale in the bay.

Officials attempted to observe the whale, which, after the hit, was resting in shallow water on a sandbar, but they said they could not get closer than 30 yards due to the tides, according to MMSC.

Witness video from the scene that was verified by NBC News shows a whale swimming under a motorboat before it tips the vessel onto its side. A person can be seen falling out of the boat.

Other videos posted by the witness show a whale swimming around the shallow waters and violently thrashing its tail.

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Boat captain Charlie Nunn told NBC Philadelphia that this was a freak accident and was not caused by the boaters antagonizing the whale. He said he believes they were in the area before the whale swam through.

A whale that died in Barnegat Bay, N.J., on Sunday. (Courtesy Kim Mancini)

He said the whale was likely anxious and in fight-or-flight mode, causing the forceful crash.

Theyre not supposed to be in 3 feet of water, Nunn told NBC Philadelphia. They keep bumping into something. Its probably fight-or-flight for the poor thing.

The whale will be towed to a nearby state park on Monday and undergo a necropsy, which could take several hours to complete, MMSC said.

The nonprofit warned boaters to take caution in the area north of Double Creek Channel in Barnegat Bay and to stay at least 150 feet away from the whale carcass.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A whale was killed after it was struck by a motorboat off the New Jersey shore, with the forceful collision sending one passenger overboard.

Video footage shared online of the sudden collision showed the motorboat rocking back and forth as the 20-foot-long minke whale swam away in Barnegat Bay on Saturday afternoon.

The crash nearly tipped the boat over and sent one passenger flying overboard into the water. The person who went overboard was able to tread water next to the boat until they were saved, authorities said.

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The whale was later found dead after it went to rest on a sandbar in shallow water, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a non-profit rescue and release organization, said.

Officials with the organization werent able to reach within 30 yards of the whale due to tidal conditions and were therefore unable to conduct a more in-depth examination of the animal, the organization said in a statement.

At this point, we really dont have much to go on, Jay Pagel, the stranding coordinator at the center, told the Associated Press. The side of the animal that we were able to observe had no obvious marks on it that we could see. But again, our visibility was very limited.

Pagel said there were reports that the whale had been injured before the collision. He also noted other video footage shows the whale appearing to make contact with a pontoon boat after the first accident.

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The whale will be towed to a state park on Monday for a necropsy, which will determine its official cause of death.

The necropsy is expected to take several hours to complete.

The agency is now urging boaters to use caution in the area and to keep at least 150 feet away from the whale carcass for the time being.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy hit out at Congress leaders, saying that the ministers in Telangana government "must learn a lesson, and learn how to behave in public life." Reddy welcomed the Nampally Court ordering to register a criminal case Telangana minister and Congress leader Konda Surekha for her alleged defamatory remarks against KT Rama Rao (KTR). While welcoming the court order, the BRS leader told ANI on Saturday, "We welcome the verdict of the court that the Nampally Court has directed the police to register a criminal case against the minister. The Congress government and their ministers must learn a lesson and understand how to behave in public life." After reviewing preliminary evidence submitted by the complainant, the court observed that there is prima facie material to proceed under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (defamation) and corresponding procedural provisions under the BNSS Sections 222 read with 223. Advocate Siddharth Pogula, counsel for BRS working president KTR, also welcomed the court order, saying that minister Surekha would have to attend the proceedings in person after the court sent a summons to her for August 21. "I am happy that the Nampally Court has taken cognisance against Telangana Minister Konda Surekha in the defamation trial. It has also asked that the summons be sent by August 21st. She will have to appear in the court in person and begin the trial," the advocate told ANI. The Namapally court has instructed that a criminal case (CC) be registered and a notice be served to the accused on or before August 21, 2025. The court concurred with the arguments of KTR's counsel, who stated that Minister Konda Surekha made baseless and defamatory allegations against KTR in public, all without any factual basis. Responding to objections raised by Konda Surekha's legal team, the court firmly rejected their contentions that the complaint was speculative or outside jurisdiction. The bench ruled that the court had proper authority to admit the complaint, citing a previous High Court direction (Criminal Petition No 5670/2024). The court held that the electronic material in question would be evaluated according to legal procedure when the case reaches the evidence stage. Importantly, the court noted that there was no proof that Konda Surekha's controversial statements had already appeared in the media, reinforcing the claim that these specific remarks were made directly by her and could not be dismissed as hearsay or misreporting. (ANI)
Median home sale prices in Bellingham and Washington increased in June, as Whatcom County saw an overall decrease in housing costs compared to May.

Whatcom Countys housing market

Whatcom Countys median home sale price reached an extreme high of $682,000 in July 2024, the highest price from 2012-2025, according to Redfin Metro Area Data. Redfin is a residential real estate brokerage that uses home listings to generate metro area data.

Whatcom Countys median sale price across all of June was $595,000, a 1.3% decrease compared with May and a 0.3% decrease compared with the same month last year, according to Jason Lee, a local broker with Windermere Real Estate in Bellingham.

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The countys median home sale price in May was $610,000.

June 2025 was the first time Whatcom County reached 1,000 active homes and condos for sale since 2017. This inventory level has remained consistent into the month of July, Lee told The Herald.

The additional inventory contributed to lower year over year median home prices in both Whatcom County and Bellingham.

Bellinghams housing market

In June, Bellinghams median sold price was $650,000, according to Lee. Thats a 2.7% increase compared with May, and an 8.5% decrease compared with June of last year, Lee said.

The median price of homes sold in Bellingham in June was $649,000, according to data from Rocket Homes.

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In May, Bellinghams median home sale price was $642,000.

Washingtons housing market

Washingtons median home sale price in June was $665,500, an increase of 2.5% compared to the same month last year, according to Redfin data.

Washingtons median home sale price in May was $653,330.

Washington has been among the top 5 most expensive states in which to purchase a home in 2025, alongside California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Colorado.

Nationwide, 28% of homebuyers searched to move to a different metro area between Feb 25 - Apr 25. The top 5 states homebuyers searched to move to were Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee while California, New York, Illinois, Washington, and Maryland were the top 5 states homebuyers searched to move from, according to Redfins U.S. Migration Trends data.

Nooksack Valley saw steepest price gain in 2Q Whatcom County home sales report

Looking for a house? Bellinghams median price just dropped by $40k
Lugano residents woke up today to find that the famous Satoshi Nakamoto statue, an ingenious sight-line illusion envisioned by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi, was gone.

The layers of disappearing stripes were only empty ground where the illusion of Satoshi, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, fading into code stood since late 2024. It was unveiled on October 25, 2024, at Plan Bs Bitcoin forum, as SwissTether and Lugano raced to brand the city a global Bitcoin hub

The theft was first reported by X user @Grittoshi, who suspected it had been thrown in a lake beside the sculpture.

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On X, Satoshigallery, the artistic project run by Picozzi, offered a reward of 0.1 BTC to anyone that could help find the statue.

We are offering 0.1 btc to whoever will help us recovering the Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto that was stolen yesterday in Lugano, the X post said. You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls. We are all in this together and committed to place the statue in 21 places round the world.



The apparent theft just over a week after Satoshi Gallery unveiled its third Satoshi Nakamoto statue in Tokyo, Japan.


The White House will undergo its most significant expansion in over a century with the construction of a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom complex.

The $200 million project, funded entirely through private donations, including from Trump himself, will triple the executive mansions formal event capacity from 200 to 650 seated guests.

For generations, White House officials have struggled with space constraints that forced them to erect temporary tents for major diplomatic functions. The new ballroom promises to solve this long-standing problem while maintaining the propertys classical architectural heritage.

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Presidents in the modern era have faced challenges hosting major events at the White House because it has been untouched since President Harry Truman, said Jim McCrery, CEO of McCrery Architects, the projects lead design firm.

Construction begins in September 2025 on the site of the current East Wing. The East Wing structure, built in 1902, has undergone multiple renovations, including a second-story addition in 1942.

Clark Construction will oversee building operations while AECOM handles engineering. The Secret Service will implement necessary security modifications.

President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail, said White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The President and the Trump White House are fully committed to working with the appropriate organizations to preserving the special history of the White House while building a beautiful ballroom that can be enjoyed by future Administrations and generations of Americans to come.

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The administration expects completion before Trumps term ends. Updates on construction progress will be posted at whitehouse.gov/visit.

Recent meetings between Trump, White House staff, the National Park Service, the White House Military Office, and the Secret Service have focused on design features and logistics.

The new facility will stand separate from the main White House building but mirror its architectural style. McCrery emphasized his commitment to preserving the elegance of its classical design and historical importance.
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Scientists uses two brain-scan methods to see what happens when your mind goes totally blank. | Credit: Grafissimo/Getty Images

You look up from your phone screen and suddenly realize you weren't thinking about anything. It's not a lapse in memory or a daydream; it's literally a moment when you're not thinking of anything at all.

Neuroscientists have a term for it  mind blanking  which they define as a brief, waking state when conscious thought simply stops.

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Scientists used to think our waking minds were always generating thoughts, but recent research shows that's not the case. Mind blanking is now recognized as a distinct conscious state associated with changes in arousal, which in neuroscience refers to alertness and responsiveness to stimuli. Studying this curious state could shed light on how consciousness works, some researchers think.

"For some, it's kind of a blip in the mind, and suddenly there's nothing," Thomas Andrillon , a neuroscience researcher at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research and the Paris Brain Institute, told Live Science. "But not with that feeling, 'There was something that I forgot.'"

Often, people are unaware of the lapse until they are prompted to answer "What were you just thinking about?"

"When we interrupt them randomly," Andrillon continued, "it's clear it's more frequent than what people realize." Although the frequency of this phenomenon varies among individuals, various studies suggest about 5% to 20% of a person's waking hours may be spent in this state.

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Related: Super-detailed map of brain cells that keep us awake could improve our understanding of consciousness

Investigations of 'mind blanking'

In a review published in the July issue of the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences , Andrillon and Athena Demertzi , a neuroscience researcher at the GIGA Institute-CRC Human Imaging Center at the University of Liege in Belgium, collaborated to compile results of recent studies performed in each of their labs, respectively.

Andrillon and his team used electroencephalography (EEG)  which involves placing electrodes on participants' heads  to measure brain activity while people experienced lapses in attention, such as mind wandering or mind blanking. Mind wandering occurs when people's thoughts drift to tasks or ideas unrelated to the one at hand, while mind blanking involves the absence of all thought.

Because most of the presented numbers required a response, people often pressed the button by mistake when they saw a 3 onscreen. The researchers paused the task once a minute to ask what the participants were thinking, finding that they were either focused on the task, their mind was wandering, or they were experiencing a "mind blank."

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Participants pressed the button more quickly when their minds were wandering, whereas their responses slowed noticeably during mind blanking, suggesting these two mental states are distinct.

Brain activity told a similar story. The EEG data showed that the participants' brain activity tended to slow down slightly more when their minds were blank than when they were wandering, compared to the baseline of their paying attention. The connectivity changes as if the inner workings of the brain were specific, in a way, to that state," Andrillion said.

EEG data is great for tracking rapid changes in brain activity, but it can't pinpoint exactly which brain regions are involved. That's in part because it records brain waves through the skull, and the signals blur as they make their way through the brain tissue, fluid and bone. Andrillon explained it's like listening through a wall. You can tell if a group inside is noisy or quiet, but you can't tell who is talking.

The EEG results from the study suggest that during mind blanking, the brain's activity slows down globally, but the technique couldn't identify specific areas. That's where functional MRI (fMRI) came in.

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Related: 'Hyper-synchronized' brain waves may explain why different psychedelics have similar effects, rat study reveals

Hypersynchronization

fMRI provides a clearer view of which regions are active and how they interact, but its tracking speed is slower because the technique tracks bloodflow, rather than directly following brain signals. fMRI is more like peeking into the room and seeing who's talking to whom, but not knowing precisely when, Andrillion said.

Demertzi, coauthor of the review, led recent fMRI research into mind blanking in her lab. As people rested in an fMRI scanner with no particular task at hand, Demertzi and her team periodically asked what they were thinking.

The results were surprising: when people reported mind blanking, their brains showed hyperconnectivity  a global, synchronized activity pattern similar to that seen in deep sleep. Typically, when we are awake and conscious, our brain regions are connected and communicating but not synchronized, as they appear to be during mind blanks.

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"What we think happens in the case of mind blanking is that the brain is pushed a little bit toward the side of synchronization," Andrillon said. "That might be enough to disrupt these sweet spots of consciousness, sending our mind to blank."

Research into mind blanking is still in its early stages, but Andrillon and Demertzi noted that its similarity to brain patterns seen during deep sleep may offer an important clue as to its function. Deep sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep, coincides with important cleanup work for the brain. It clears away accumulated waste , cools the brain, conserves energy and helps reset the system after a full day of mental activity.

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Why do we forget things we were just thinking about?

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Electronic' scalp tattoos could be next big thing in brain monitoring

'Hyper-synchronized' brain waves may explain why different psychedelics have similar effects, rat study reveals

Andrillon and Demertzi suggested mind blanking may act as a mini-reset while we're awake. Demertzi said it's like "taking five to steam off" or "to cool your head." Early studies in Demertzi's lab suggest sleep-deprived people report more mind blanks, adding support to this idea.

Both researchers stressed that this state is likely a way for the brain to maintain itself, though "it's not ideal for performance," Andrillon said.

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Andrillon believes it's possible but unlikely that there are people who have never experienced mind blanking. Detecting a mind blank can be a challenge. "It can require being interrupted," Andrillon said, "to realize, 'OK, actually, there was no content.'"

Editor's note: This story was updated on Aug. 4, 2025, to clarify that the recent publication was a review of work done separately in Andrillon's and Demertzi's respective labs.
We are all descendants of the Haitian Revolution.

These are words from Laurent Duboiss book, Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution. Dubois makes the point that Haiti transformed the world and played an integral role in the destruction of slavery in the Americas. For many people like Dubois, Haiti is and will always be the blueprint for revolution.

Conflicts Brewing Ahead Of The Haitian Revolution

A series of conflicts between enslaved Haitians, colonists, and British and French colonizers is what started the Haitian Revolution. By 1789, an estimated 556,000 people were living on the French side of Hispanola, Saint-Domingue, which is modern-day Haiti. Approximately 500,000 were enslaved Africans, 32,000 were European colonists, and 24,000 were affranchis, people of mixed African and European descent.

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The Haitian Revolution had five leading causes: the French colonization of the West Indies, the plantation system, the impact of the American and French Revolutions, the brutal slave regime and conditions, and the social and racial hierarchy of Saint Domingue.

The French side of the island was one of the wealthiest colonies in the New World. French colonists successfully built plantations to cultivate cash crops such as sugar, coffee, cotton, and indigo. Saint Domingue exported more sugar than anywhere else in the world, earning it the nickname The Pearl of the Antilles.

How The French Revolution Influenced The Haitian Revolution

Over time, the French Revolution weakened Frances control over its colonies. It ended Saint Domingues social caste system, where white people led the social order and dominated the colonial government.

The colonial government petitioned France for self-rule after the French government increased tariffs on imports and told colonists they could only trade with France. White people in Saint Domingue had no representation in the French government, so they had little control over their affairs.

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Amid their petition to France, the colonial government also implemented discrimination laws against free people of color that kept whites in control of the island. Free people of color, however, argued that French law granted them full citizenship.

In October 1790, violence erupted between free people of color and whites with the help of free colored leader, Vincent Oge, who started gathering people of color to enforce justice. Free people of color armed themselves, demanding that the colonial government grant them equal rights. By February 1791, colonial forces executed Oge and his followers, which added fuel to the fire in the conflict that was increasing.

Conflict Increases Between Slaves And Slave Owners

The most significant tensions were between enslaved people and their owners. Those enslaved engaged in various forms of resistance, including working slowly, breaking equipment, poisoning their masters, temporarily leaving the plantation without permission, or permanently running away to the maroon communities in the mountains.

At the start of the revolution, around 1791, enslaved Africans made up about 90% of the population. Slaves had been planning an uprising while white planters and free people of color fought each other. On August 21, 1791, a massive rebellion began in northern Saint Domingue. Thousands of enslaved people destroyed northern plantations and crops, killed slaveowners, and freed other enslaved people.

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Four leaders emerged from the 1791 rebellion: Georges Biassou, Dutty Boukman, Jean-Francois Papillon, and Jeannot. The rebels joined forces with the islands free people of color, taking over northern and western Saint Domingue by 1792. Even with their victories, the rebellions early leadership proved to be vulnerable. White colonists negotiated with free people of color, promising equality to those who sided with them. By the years end, colonial forces had the upper hand, and the rebels who managed to escape went into hiding.

By 1793, the British occupied Saint Domingue and restored slavery to the western and southern parts of Saint Domingue. After a five-year occupation, England withdrew from the island in 1798 after losing thousands of soldiers to yellow fever.

The Rise Of Toussaint Louverture

As the British evacuated and France tried to regain control, Francois Dominique Toussaint emerged as a leader and revolted against French colonial rule. Toussaint joined Georges Biassous rebels, who allied with the Spanish against France.

Toussaint learned African and Creole herbal medical techniques and served as both a soldier and doctor to the troops. It didnt take long for him to develop a reputation. Eventually, he was given command of 600 Black formerly enslaved people. His forces were well organized and grew to over 4,000 men.

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By 1793, Toussaint added Louverture (French for opening) to his name, presumably for his skill in finding or creating openings in enemy lines. After the National Convention abolished slavery in 1794, Toussaint switched sides from the Spanish and joined the French army. With his army, he took control of the entire island of Hispaniola by 1801. He ordered a new constitution that gave him absolute power. The Constitution of 1801 achieved several key objectives, most notably the elimination of slavery and the racial hierarchy, and the appointment of Toussaint as governor for life.

The End Of The Revolution

By the end of 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte sent his brother-in-law, General Charles Victoire Emmanuel Leclerc, to Saint Domingue to restore colonial rule and deport Toussaint and his officers. He arrived in 1802 during the Battle of Crete-a-Pierrot, one of the most important battles of the Haitian Revolution. Toussiants soldiers proved they were well-trained against their opponents.

The Battle of Crete-a-Pierrot was one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Haitian Revolution. The French dominated the battlefield by the end of April. Toussaint retired, but the French deported him to France in June 1802. He died in Fort de Joux prison in April 1803.

The French army started to die from yellow fever, and Leclercs control began to slip as soldiers died from sickness and warfare. When Bonaparte restored slavery in Saint Domingue, it inspired Black soldiers to leave the French army and join the resistance.

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Leclerc died of yellow fever in November 1802. His successor, Vicomte de Rochambeau, accelerated a violent campaign of the French by staging mass executions. When England and France returned to war with one another again in 1803, the British returned to Saint Domingue and helped the rebel army defeat France.

Why The Haitian Revolution Is The Blueprint

With the help of the British, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who successfully united the rebels, defeated the French army at the Battle of Vertieres in November 1803. From the city of Gonaives, Jean-Jacques Dessalines renamed the colony Haiti on January 1, 1804, an independent country without slavery and free from French rule.

Despite its current state, where Haiti is facing a severe and worsening crisis, the Haitian Revolution is a significant moment in world history that remains a North Star in the continuous fight for freedom, justice, and equality. It is the only successful slave revolt in history that established the first independent Black republic and the first independent nation in Latin America.

Haiti is the first country to end slavery and the second country in the New World to end colonial rule. The Caribbean island sends a message that oppressors can be overthrown.







The post Why Haiti Is And Will Always Be The Blueprint For Revolution appeared first on Travel Noire.
On May 22, Oscar Smith, a 75-year-old death row prisoner at Tennessees Riverbend Maximum Security Institute, was executed using a lethal chemical. He had been on death row for some 35 years.

On August 5, Byron Black is scheduled to be killed by the State of Tennessee in the same manner as Oscar Smith. Mr. Black is 69 years old and has spent the past 36 years in prison.

Byron Lewis Black, photographed on June 24, 2021

And there are several other death row prisoners at Riverbend's Unit Two who have been given execution dates during the months ahead.

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Tennessee is once again engaged in killing.

We're all responsible for the Tennessee's executions

Describing this bloodletting as actions of the state of Tennessee obscures from us, the citizens of this state, our co-responsibility. When we say, for example, that inmates were executed during Gov. Bill Haslams time in office, we suggest that the holders of political power, from the governor on down, are the principal and deciding agents.

Yet in a democratic society like ours, their authority draws on our votes and consent. Thus, it is we who vote and speak out on issues such as the death penalty  as well as those of us who don't  who become co-authors in the political narrative.

People form a circle and pray against the death penalty before the execution of Edmund Zagorski at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville on Nov. 1, 2018.

Because we share responsibility for our states actions, reflection on state killings becomes something vitally important. Yet because the arguments for and against capital punishment are all too familiar, their repetition in times such this may serve only to dull our moral sensibilities, normalizing what should be deeply disturbing and questionable.

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To remedy this wearying familiarity, it is important to try to see the question of capital punishment afresh, to displace some of society's common sentiments on this issue. Above all, this means to call into question the idea that the lives of those justly convicted of capital crimes are worthless, void of any human dignity and therefore disposable.

Opinion: Tennessee should end capital punishment and cancel execution dates for five men

Is capital punishment the right thing to do, especially when guilt is certain and the crime extraordinarily horrific?

On this view, the supposed worthlessness of the convicted makes the application of the death penalty something that can readily be justified. It's often seen as the levelling of the scales of justice between perpetrator and victim: death for death.

All people are worthy of dignity, and life

Whether its advocates justify it by revenge, future deterrence or the righteous infliction of punishment, capital punishment resists other powerful and long-standing beliefs: that justice is to be tempered by mercy, and that human life has an intrinsic and enduring dignity distinguishing it from mere objects.

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There is no such thing as a worthless human life, one that can be disposed of at the will and whim of other persons. These thoughts, with their deep roots in faith and moral philosophy, stand as an enduring condemnation of the death penalty.

Opinion: Instead of funding executions, Tennessee should support victims of violence

The death row prisoners status as a human, with a God-given dignity, is not diminished by his sentence nor by his execution if that is ultimately his fate. His dignity, like that of the person he killed, is inalienable. But we, and our society, are profoundly diminished by these actions.

We are therefore called to end them.

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In the words of Psalms 102: 18-21, "Let this be written for the next generation, for a people not yet born, that they may praise the Lord: 'The Lord looked down from the holy heights, viewed the earth from heaven, to attend to the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.'"

W. James Booth

W. James Booth is a Deacon in the Diocese of Nashville, serving as Director of Prison Ministry for the Diocese for the past 10 years. This year, he retired from the Directors position in order to spend more time serving the imprisoned in Middle Tennessee. James visits and holds weekly services in most of the State Prisons in this area, including Death Row. James spent his career as a Professor in the Political Science Department at Vanderbilt University.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN will execute Byron Black on August 5. We're all at fault | Opinion
The Brief

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) confirmed nine cases of measles in the state, the first cases of the year.

Officials say all the cases were exposed to measles from a common source during out-of-state travel.

The risk to the public is low, DHS said.

OCONTO COUNTY, Wis. (FOX 9) - Wisconsin health officials confirmed the first nine cases of measles in 2025 in the state on Saturday.

First measles cases of 2025 in Wisconsin

What we know

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), nine cases of measles were confirmed in Oconto County, marking the first nine cases of 2025.

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The first case was confirmed through testing at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Eight more were ultimately confirmed based on exposure and symptoms.

Health officials say that all the cases were exposed by a common source outside of Wisconsin. Officials are working to notify people who may have been exposed to the virus from the nine cases, but no public exposures have been identified.

The exposure risk to the public is low, DHS said.

Measles symptoms: What to watch for

Dig deeper

Health officials say measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from your head to the rest of your body. It generally takes between eight and 12 days from exposure to experience the first symptoms. The rash usually shows up two or three days after the fever begins.

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If you notice any symptoms, you should call your health provider before going to a clinic, to prevent potentially exposing others to the illness.

As always, health officials urge parents to make sure their children get their MMR vaccine. The first shot is usually administered between 12 and 15 months and the second at ages four to six. However, if you are planning to travel to another country or a part of the United States with an outbreak, you should talk to your doctor. Children aged 6 months to 12 months can get an early dose of the vaccine if their travels put them at a high risk, the state explains.

Last year, the state also changed its guidance, allowing for the booster to be administered as early as soon as a month after the first dose.

The MMR vaccine is safe and any risks of complications from the vaccine are greatly outweighed by the risks of contracting measles itself.

The Source

A press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and past FOX 9 reporting.
Recent articles in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tout the return of coal and the expanding use of natural gas as energy sources for the future. Only in America and Russia are there still leaders who do not understand that burning these fossil fuels has brought the Earth to the brink of catastrophic climate change.

China recognizes that rapidly and completely shifting to renewable energy production. Short and long-term energy storage provides the only path to a livable planetary future. Yearly, China installs about 60% of the worlds new wind and solar energy-based electrical power and is positioned to dominate the global market for these new technologies.

In contrast to old fossil fuel technology, renewables use virtually no water, produce no heat, toxic air pollutants and reconnect rich and poor societies, alike, with the unlimited inexpensive source of energy for our planet, the sun. How to make the transition to renewable solar energy quickly is a prime example of a multi-faceted, real world, wicked problem. Consider We Energies plan to produce electricity solely with net-zero carbon (greenhouse gas) emissions by 2050. Between 2005 and 2023, its emissions declined 54% as coal was replaced by natural gas. Renewable energy infrastructure would be built between 2023 and 2030 that reduced total carbon emissions another 26%.

Data centers, like Port Washington, present a 'wicked' problem

Something unexpected, something wicked, happened between 2023 and 2025. New energy demand nationwide shot up with the appearance of artificial intelligence applications or AI that use energy devouring, large language model computer programs like ChatGPT. In the next 5 years, data centers that house the hardware for such programs are projected to require 20-50% of all the new energy output of the U.S.

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Letters: The future I see with AI is more folks unemployed and homeless. Leaders not looking ahead.

Locally, We Energies plan must now accommodate the Microsoft data centers under construction or planned in Mount Pleasant and Kenosha WI, which will utilize more energy than all the homes in the city of Madison. A much larger data center envisioned for 1900 acres of farmland west of Port Washington will eventually require as much energy as all the homes in the state of Wisconsin! Together, these data centers will impose at least a huge 40% increase in the production of base-load power during the next 5 years.

How would such a precipitous increase in energy generation impact the fundamental objective to make energy production carbon-free by 2050? There is little clarity about modes of energy generation for these data centers. Cloverleaf in Port Washington will only commit to employing 30-40% renewable energy for the first part of its gigantic facility.

Opinion: We Energies natural gas plants will help power data centers driving job growth

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With two other data centers in Beaver Dam and Wisconsin Rapids also being planned, Wisconsinites are facing the likelihood that carbon dioxide emissions will increase substantially not decrease in the future. In turn, efforts to get to net-zero carbon emissions, will be significantly slowed, if not thwarted.

Wisconsin leaders seem oblivious to impacts of data centers

The state legislature and executive branch seem oblivious to the outsized impacts that huge data centers will have on state-wide energy demand, availability, and cost, let alone their deleterious impact on bottom-line climate goals. It appears that legislators have not considered the environmental consequences of the enormous need for water to cool data centers.

Moreover, after construction, new sprawling data centers will provide few on-site jobs; most profits from their operations will be made almost entirely outside Wisconsin. Exactly, how will Wisconsin benefit from a plethora of data centers?

Finally, no one is talking about the gorilla in the room: A Chinese company, DeepSeek, has developed a generative AI program of comparable sophistication to American versions that operates with about 10% of the energy of its US counterparts. Its computer code is open-sourced so that anyone can use it and compete with big tech. Why do we need all of these voracious data centers when 10% of them will do?

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We are faced with a wicked knot of interconnected problems and issues. Currently, requests for new energy infrastructure are considered independently by the Public Service Commission without evident recognition of the intertwined concerns of environment, human health, and the common good.

Collectively, we got ourselves into the existential climate change dilemma by not understanding and establishing policy based broadly on planetary limits not simply economic considerations. We can amend our ways by adopting Integrated Resource Planning to coordinate and integrate education, evaluation and decision-making about all facets of energy production and use. The wicked knot of climate change and data centers demands it.

David H. Petering is a distinguished professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Energy demand for AI data centers only worsens climate | Opinion
The Brief

Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the 2003 cold case murder of Terrick Rutherford in Arlington.

Raymond Malone and John Wayne Biddle were taken into custody after a new witness came forward with information.

The two men had been suspects in the initial investigation but were never charged until now.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Two men have been arrested and charged with murder in the 2003 shooting death of 26-year-old Terrick Rutherford, an Arlington Police Department cold case that was revived by a new witness.

Arrests made in 2003 cold case

What we know

Raymond Malone, 55, and John Wayne Biddle, 52, were arrested in Fort Worth on July 31 and August 1, respectively, by the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force. Both men are being held at the Tarrant County Jail on a murder charge.

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The arrests follow a renewed investigation sparked by a new witness who came forward in July with information consistent with the original case. Detectives then conducted follow-up interviews with original witnesses to corroborate the new details.

Terrick Rutherford (Source: Arlington Police Department)

The backstory

Police said Rutherford was shot on June 23, 2003, after an altercation at a nightclub. Witnesses said Rutherford was arguing with a group of males at the club, and the dispute escalated into a fight in the parking lot. After security broke up the fight, Rutherford left in a pickup truck.

As he was driving, shots were fired at his vehicle. He was struck by the gunfire, and his vehicle collided with another at the intersection of N. Watson Road and Six Flags Drive. A relative who was following in a separate vehicle began driving him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

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Malone and Biddle, identified by police as documented gang members, were initially named as suspects. They were arrested at the time on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, but the charges were later dropped.

What they're saying

"When someone does the right thing and comes forward with information, that can be the difference between solving a case and it remaining unsolved," said Arlington Police Chief Al Jones. "Im grateful these new details came to light. Im proud of our current detectives for tenaciously pursuing these new leads and following up on the outstanding investigation the original detectives did on this case to put two suspected killers behind bars."

The Source

Information in this article is from the Arlington Police Department.




NEED TO KNOW

A woman was mauled to death by multiple dogs at a California park on July 31

Another woman was also injured in the attack

"It was a bit of a chaotic scene at first, because there were multiple dogs out there," a local police officer said







One woman died and another was injured after they were attacked by more than a dozen dogs at a park in southern California.

Police responded to a call that an individual was being attacked by dogs at the Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino at around 5:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 31, KTLA and the Los Angeles Times reported.

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Officers arrived to find two victims lying on the ground about 30 yards away from each other," the San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) said, per the outlets.

KTLA identified the one victim as Teodora Mendoza, 51. The outlet said the woman had severe face injuries and was taken to the hospital, but she was later pronounced dead.

The identity of the second woman has not yet been released. It is not currently known if the two victims knew each other.



Speaking with the Times, San Bernardino Police Sgt. Chris Gray said of the animals involved, "It appears they may have been stray dogs."

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"It was a bit of a chaotic scene at first, because there were multiple dogs out there," he added.

According to KTLA, one Pitbull was shot dead after it charged at a police officer when they arrived at the scene.

The incident occurred near a homeless encampment, and San Bernardino Animal Control later responded to the scene and removed 14 dogs, per KTLA and the Times.

Mendozas son, Alex Lozano, told the Times his mother had been homeless for more than a year at the time of the death. He added that she often visited Perris Hill Park with a male companion.

My grandpa from Texas called and said that my mom was attacked by Pit bulls. Thats how I found out, Lozano, 21, said.

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He added that he and his mother had not spoken for some 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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The SBPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 3.



Read the original article on People
The mortal remains of the 15-year-old who was set on fire by miscreants in Odisha's Puri district will be brought to Bhubaneswar on Sunday for her last rites, officials said. The Postmortem of the girl who was set on fire on July 19 in Balanga, Odisha who succumbed to her injuries a day ago at AIIMS Delhi has been done at the AIIMS Trauma Center and her body has now been handed over to her family. It will be airlifted back to her native place. According to the police, the minor girl went out with her friends, but she was allegedly abducted midway and taken to the riverside, where she was set on fire. The victim reached someone's house from the incident spot, after which she was taken to the hospital by her cousin. The girl, who had sustained 75 per cent burns, was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to AIIMS New Delhi and was admitted to the Burn ICU for treatment. Earlier in a post on X, Odisha police urged not to make any "sensitive comments" as the investigation has reached its final stage. "As to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved. Therefore, we request that everyone not to make any sensitive comments regarding this matter during this tragic moment," the police said. The incident has triggered a political row over the safety of women in the state. BJD MP Sasmit Patra flagged the law and order situation in Odisha and demanded justice for the girl. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Sasmit Patra demanded "strong action" against the perpetrators. Patra said, "We are extremely pained because the perpetrators of such crime, unless they are brought to justice and such heinous crimes continue unabated in the state of Odisha, no one is safe. We hope that the government wakes up from its slumber and takes strong action." He paid condolences to the family of the victim after she passed away during her treatment at AIIMS, Delhi. "We, BJD MPs, came to AIIMS Delhi, where this minor victim was under treatment for the last few days. She has passed away this evening. So our homage and our condolences to her family," Patra said. BJD leader Amar Patnaik took a dig at the Odisha government over the safety of women in the state and claimed that Odisha's image as a peaceful state has been "shattered." "Every day, we hear such stories in Odisha. These incidents are a grim reminder of the failing law and order situation in the state, particularly as far as women are concerned. Odisha was known as a peaceful state, and that image has been shattered beyond words," Patnaik said. (ANI)
A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in New Zealand after a two-year-old girl was found inside her luggage during a bus journey, police said on Sunday.

The child was discovered at a bus depot in Kaiwaka, around 100km (62 miles) north of Auckland, after the driver became concerned about a bag moving during a scheduled stop.

When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl, said Detective Inspector Simon Harrison. The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed.

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The suitcase had been stowed in the luggage compartment beneath the passenger area  a space that can become extremely hot, especially during summer.

The woman, who has not been named, has been charged with ill-treatment and neglect of a child. Further charges may follow, police said.

Toddler remains in care

The toddler was taken to hospital for a full medical assessment and remains in care. New Zealands Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki, has also been notified.

We would like to acknowledge and commend the bus driver, who noticed something wasnt right and took immediate action, preventing what could have been a far worse outcome, said Mr Harrison.

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A spokesman for InterCity, the bus operator, told Radio New Zealand: Police were called to respond, and they are now investigating the matter. No one was harmed during the incident and the service has resumed. As this is now an active police investigation, we are unable to comment further.

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A woman in New Zealand was arrested Sunday after a 2-year-old girl was found trapped in a suitcase that she was traveling with.

Police were called to a bus depot in Kaiwaka  about 62 miles north of Auckland  after a bus driver became concerned about a bag moving during a scheduled stop.

"When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the 2-year-old girl," Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said. "The little girl was reported to be very hot but otherwise appeared physically unharmed."

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According to police, the suitcase had been stored in a separate compartment beneath the bus passengers.

Harrison said the girl is in the hospital undergoing an extensive medical assessment.

The 27-year-old woman was arrested and charged with ill-treatment and neglect of a child. Harrison said further charges are possible.

The relationship between the woman and child was not immediately released. The woman is due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday.

"We would like to acknowledge and commend the bus driver, who noticed something wasn't right and took immediate action, preventing what could have been a far worse outcome," Harrison said.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A woman could spend more than a decade in prison for killing her husband nearly three years ago.

Dana Colbert, 42, was sentenced Wednesday to 7-10 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. As a result of the June guilty plea, charges of felonious assault and domestic violence were dropped.

According to police, Colbert repeatedly punched her husband, Harry A. Gains, 64, which eventually led to his death.

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On July 4, 2022, witnesses told police they saw the couple in their home on the 2800 block of Grasmere Avenue when Colbert pushed Gaines to the ground, causing him to hit his head on the ground.

Witnesses reported another confrontation between the couple a few days later, on July 8, when Colbert allegedly punched Gaines in the face. Gaines was found unresponsive at the scene and taken to a hospital. He died on Aug. 1.

Colbert was arrested on Aug. 11, when the Franklin County coroner ruled Gaines death a homicide. Colbert has 785 days of jail credit on her sentence.

If she is released from prison, she will be on probation for 2-5 years.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A woman, who police said was not wearing her seatbelt, is dead after a high-speed crash in North Las Vegas early Sunday morning, according to NLVPD.

Around 1:30 a.m., North Las Vegas police responded to the area of Clayton Street and Dorrell Lane near the 215 and North Aliante Parkway after a report of a Toyota Sequoia that crashed into a wall, police said.

When officers arrived, they found a woman outside the vehicle, suffering from apparent critical injuries. She was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

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Police said the vehicle was driving northbound on Clayton Street at a high rate of speed when it hit a curb as it was approaching Dorrell Lane. The vehicle then left the roadway and began to rotate.

The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle before it hit a brick wall.

Investigators believe speed and failure to wear a seatbelt were factors in the crash.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A woman was killed and another person was injured after being mauled by a pack of stray dogs near a San Bernardino park.

San Bernardino police responded to reports of a dog attack near Perris Hill Park in the 1100 block of East Highland Avenue around 5 p.m. on July 31, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Officers arriving at the scene found the injured victims lying on the ground about 30 yards away from each other. They were attempting to help them when a dog charged at an officer, who opened fire and fatally shot the canine.

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One woman appeared to have been bitten by a dog, while a second woman was found with severe injuries to her face from a dog mauling.

The woman with severe injuries was taken to the hospital where she later died. She was identified by the coroners office as Teodora Mendoza, 51.

The area where the attack took place was near a homeless encampment.

Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino, California. (Google Maps)

Mendozas son, Alex Lozano, 21, told The Times that his mother had been homeless for over a year and was known to stay in the Perris Hill Park area.

He mentioned that he had not spoken to her for some time before the deadly incident.

The identity of the second victim who survived was not released. Its unclear whether the two women knew each other. Police said it also remains unclear how many dogs were involved in the attack and whether they belonged to anyone.

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San Bernardino Animal Control workers responded to the scene and removed 14 dogs from the park. The fatal incident remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.




NEED TO KNOW

After nearly 80 years, long-lost sister siblings Marian Griffin and Donald Hefke have found each other

Separated shortly after Marian's birth, both siblings were adopted by different families  and while Hefke spent years looking for her younger sister, she didn't know she had an older brother until 2024

"I thought it was a scam," she said of first learning the news





After nearly 80 years apart, a woman has reconnected with the brother she never knew she had.

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Shortly after Marian Griffin was born in 1945, she was placed in foster care and then adopted by a Lutheran minister and his family, she told ABC News.

It wasnt until July 2024 that Griffin learned that she had an older brother, Donald Hefke, who was still alive and had been searching for her for most of his life.

"I thought it was a scam," Griffin, now 80, told the outlet of the life-altering news she learned from Hefkes daughter, Denise Baker, who has also spent decades trying to find her long-lost relative.

Hefke is a year older than Griffin, but they were both babies when they were placed into foster care in 1946. Their biological mother suffered from post traumatic stress disorder following Griffins birth, and was institutionalized, while their biological father was unable to care for them, according to ABC News. Another sibling, their brother Ernest, was born deaf and has since died.

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https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Hefke, now 81, was raised by a foster family until he joined the U.S. Air Force. In 1963, wanting to learn more about his biological family, he requested information from the foster care agency and learned that he had a sister named Marian, according to the outlet.

But his attempts to connect with his younger sister were thwarted by her adoptive parents, who hid his letters, according to ABC News.

"Our kids could have grown up together, instead we were separated because my parents would not tell me that my brother wrote to me and was looking for me," Griffin told the outlet.

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Baker later continued her fathers investigative work, searching for two decades for her missing aunt  but it wasnt until she discovered a family connection online, which had been uploaded by Griffins son, that she found the person she was looking for.

"I still can't believe he found me," Griffin said.

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.

Once Griffin confirmed the connection was real, she spoke with Hefke on the phone.

"He says.. 'Mariane, Mariane is that you? Oh my goodness, I've been looking for you Mariane!' " she recalled in an interview with ABC affiliate KRCR-TV. "He couldn't even stop saying my name."

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While Hefke cant travel from his home in Florida because of his health, Baker visited Griffin in California in his stead, according to ABC News. Now, Griffin plans on making a trip to see her long-lost sibling.

"Oh my gosh it would be wonderful even for a few days," she told KRCR. "We have 80 years to catch up on."

Read the original article on People
At a fuel plant near Hull, 20 tonnes of wheat are being poured from a lorry into storage, ready to be turned into ethanol  a type of alcohol that, when blended with petrol, reduces emissions.

But this week's delivery, grown in the fields of Lincolnshire, is the last one on order for Vivergo Fuels.

The owners of the UK's largest bioethanol plant, at Saltend, say its future is in doubt following a government decision to end a 19% tariff on US imports of the fuel as part of the recent UK-US trade deal.

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Last month, Vivergo, which is owned by Associated British Foods (ABF), began consulting staff about shutting down the plant due to the uncertainty.

Managers are calling for financial help from ministers. Without it, they say production at the site  which employs more than 160 people  may halt before 13 September.

They estimate about 4,500 jobs in the supply chain will be affected, including the farmers who grow the wheat and the truck drivers who transport it.

The government says it is in formal discussions with the company and wants to find "a way forward that protects supply chains, jobs and livelihoods".

Nick Smalley oversees production at the Vivergo plant [BBC]

Stacey Monkman, who has worked at Vivergo for three years in the commercial and logistics departments, says it has been difficult to keep up morale.

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"We're motivated because we've still got our jobs to do, but it's very unsettling.

"Being in limbo and waiting, not knowing which way it's going to go, it's hard," she says.

"We've all got families, we've all got bills to pay... a lot rides on it for us."

Production manager Nick Smalley began as an apprentice and now manages about 65 people at the refinery.

"It's really frustrating that these decisions are being made and we have no influence over them," he says.

"I care deeply about the team that I have here, I want a bright future for all of those people. We really need quick action now, it's getting to crisis point."

Aghaul boss Mike Green is among suppliers who rely on the site for business [BBC]

Production at Saltend had already been cut due to low bioethanol prices, with ABF initially raising the prospect of closure in April. The trade deal followed in May.

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It is not only Vivergo employees who are affected. The plant buys more than a million tonnes of British wheat each year from more than 4,000 farms and says it has purchased from 12,000 individual farms over the past decade.

Farmer Matt Pickering, of Pickering and Sons, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, sold the last load of wheat to Vivergo.

"We struggle with the quality of our land type, so we tend to go for out-and-out bulk volume shed fillers," he says.

"Vivergo has been a fantastic home for us to sell feed wheat into."

Meanwhile, Aghaul Limited, which transported the final wheat load to the plant, is among transport companies feeling the blow.

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Managing director Mike Green believes the potential loss of the contract will have a significant "knock-on effect" for his haulage business.

"The government needs to have a look at this because it doesn't just affect me, there's a humongous amount of people that it's going to affect."

The Vivergo Fuels site on the north bank of the Humber [Vivergo/ PA Media]

Ben Hackett, the managing director of Vivergo, describes the plant as a "key foundation on the whole green economy".

Removing the tariff on US imports destroyed the market, he argues.

"The customers have gone overnight. That's given us a real crisis. We cannot afford to operate this facility as a loss," he adds.

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Mr Hackett wrote to growers earlier this year explaining that the plant will only be able to honour existing contractual obligations for wheat purchases while the uncertainty continues.

He has urged the government to support bioethanol production by creating a clear framework in order to boost demand, in addition to providing financial help during the transition.

"We are weeks at most away from Associated British Foods having to make a decision on the viability of the business," he says.

"This site could very well close unless the government takes action."

'Way forward'

A government spokesperson said the bioethanol industry had been facing "significant challenges" for some time and ministers were working with Vivergo on a plan to protect jobs and the supply chain.

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Engagement with the companies continued "at pace" and external consultants had been brought in to help.

"We recognise this is a concerning time for workers and their families which is why we entered into formal discussions with the company on potential financial support last month," the spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take proactive steps to address the long-standing challenges the company faces and remain committed to working closely with them throughout this period to present a plan for a way forward that protects supply chains, jobs and livelihoods."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

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A truck carrying hot dogs crashed in Pennsylvania, spilling its contents across the road and briefly clogging traffic in both directions.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The crash happened a few miles north of the Maryland line as morning rush hour was wrapping up.

State police reported that the tractor-trailer experienced a mechanical problem, causing it to collide with a passenger vehicle and scrape along a concrete divider, which ripped open the trailer.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Shrewsbury Fire Company Chief Brad Dauberman commented on the cleanup effort, saying, Once those leave the truck and hit the road, thats all garbage, and its still pretty warm.

Four people required medical attention for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to police.

Emergency crews used a front-end loader to scoop up the hot dogs and dispose of them in a dump truck.

I can tell you personally, hot dogs are very slippery, Dauberman said. I did not know that.

Emergency crews managed to clear the hot dogs from the road.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The YMCA of Honolulu says it wants to sell its Central Y property near Waikiki, but only after the site is formally rezoned by the City & County of Honolulu.

Via its consultant R.M. Towill Corp., the Y submitted a written request to the city Department of Planning and Permitting in June involving the proposed change of the sites city zoning at 401 Atkinson Drive, to allow for the height to be reduced from 350 feet to 150 feet.

Namely, the consultants letter asks for confirmation from DPP regarding the projects need for environmental assessments or an amendment to the citys Primary Urban Center Development Plan, or PUCDPwhich encompasses areas from Kahala to Pearl City and is the most populous of the islands eight planning areas.

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The Ys request also asserts any future rezone will allow it to more ably sell the 1.77-acre Atkinson sitevalued at more than $21.14 million in the 2025 tax year, according to city real property assessment rec ordswhich it built in 1951.

An eventual sale of the Central Y is also expected to end the nonprofits years-long transitional housing program, located across the street from Ala Moana Center, as well as end the high cost to maintain the aging property, the consultant states.

The Ys request follows a prior, opposite zoning change at the complex more than a decade agoone that allowed the sites building heights to go from 150 feet to 350 feet.

In 2013, the project site was rezoned from A-2 Medium Density Apartment District with a 150-foot height limit to AMX-3 High-Density Apartment Mixed-Use District with a 350-foot height limit,  R.M. Towill project planner Isaiah Sato wrote in his June 26 letter to DPP. Therefore the applicant proposes to revert the 2013 zone change and rezone the site from AMX-3, 350-foot height limit back to its original A-2, 150-foot height limit.

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The consultant also requests an existing unilateral agreement, or UAconditions generally imposed by the city when land is rezonedbe terminated. Under a UA, if the rezoning is for housing, the landowner is typically required to set aside 30 % of the homes to be rented or sold at below-market rates, DPP states.

Sato said that rezoning the property back to an A-2 Medium-Density Apartment District and terminating the UA will restore development potential.

Its location within the (transit-oriented district ) area provides opportunities for future developers to increase densification through the construction of affordable housing units and improvements to existing facilities like the swimming pool and gymnasium,  he wrote. The property is within a half-mile radius (10-minute walking distance ) of the site of the proposed Ala Moana rapid transit system station (located on Koa Street near the intersection of Kona Iki Street ), Ala Moana Regional Park, and the shopping center itself.

The consultant states the Central Y is currently utilized as a recreation center and dormitory, and consists of an existing five-story rooming house with 115 dormitory units, a three-story multi-purpose building with ground floor parking, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and multipurpose areas.

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Most of the health and fitness amenities at the Central Yincluding its drained swimming poolhave been closed to the public since 2015.

The consultants letter notes the Y site was up-zoned for a specific development being proposed by development partner, Aloha Kai Development.

However, after several years of negotiations, the agreement between the YMCA and Aloha Kai Development had been terminated,  Sato wrote. The 2013 zone change contained project specific conditions based on the development being proposed by Aloha Kai Development.

These conditions related to the number of units allowed, vehicle and pedestrian access, street frontage requirements, design guidelines, and affordable housing requirements,  Sato wrote. Over the years the YMCA has received several inquiries to purchase the property ; however, all of the potential development partners expressed concerns and have moved on because of the existing restrictions that were intended for the 2013 Aloha Kai Development project.

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R.M. Towill asserts that terminating the UA will reestablish opportunities for future developers to improve ground-floor shade, facade transparency, wayfinding, and aesthetic appeal, enhancing pedestrian activity and community use of the propertys facilities.

The consultant claims the propertys rezoning will not include any significant  changes to the sitesuch as adding a wastewater treatment unit or a power-generating facilityand therefore does not require any studies like an environmental impact statement or an amendment to the PUCDP.

DPP confirmed its receipt of the Ys written request.

We are in the process of reviewing it and drafting a response,  Davis Pitner, a DPP public information officer, said.

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If DPP accepts the Ys requested zone change, the Honolulu Planning Commission could eventually hold public hearings on the matter. That panels decision could then lead to a recommendation to the Honolulu City Council for a bill for an ordinance to ultimately grant the city-level zone change.

During the May 27 Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board meeting, Sato claimed the Central Ys existing 5-story dormitory was occupied at about 75 % capacityor about 90 to 100 people.

At the meeting, the boards Subdistrict 3 1st Vice Chair Jeanne Rice asked Sato if the Central Y would still be in that location.

The Y is not seeking to develop the site,  Sato replied. They want to down-zone it and sell it. A future development is not part of this zone change.

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Rice then asked YMCA of Honolulus former president and CEO Greg Waibel if his organization planned to move to a nearby location to serve the community, which it has been for all these years ?

Waibel replied, We do not have plans to continue operations, if and when (the branch ) is sold to somebody else.

Waibelwhos since taken a job with the Chicago-based YMCA of the USAalso spoke to the Y providing transitional housing.

About a third of our residents are kind of the long-term people that have been there,  he said. About a third are a little bit shorter term, and then others have a little bit more turnover.

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But Waibel claimed the Ys long-term strategy,  in Hawaii and across the nation, was to stop operating transitional housing facilities.

And as far as rezoning the Y is concerned, Sato said, it could be anywhere from nine months to two years to get through the process.

At the meeting, Ian Washburn, a member of Atkinson Neighborhood Community Association and a resident of the adjacent property, Sunset Towers at 419 Atkinson Drive, aired his concerns over this project.

First of all, lets establish the fact that none of the facilities at the Y have been operational since 2013thats 12 years,  he told the board. So its not a question of maintaining services or anything like that ; there have been no services for 12 years.

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He said he hoped the YMCA would foster more public engagement over the sites plans, alleging that about 2, 000 area condominium owners within a 300-foot radius of the Central Y had not been properly notified about the requested rezone.

After the meeting, Washburn said he believed no legally required notifications had been sent to any neighboring properties along Atkinson Drive. By law, they dont have to notify each and every owner,  he added. If they send it to the (Association of Apartment Owners ) president its allowed.

I talked to the AOAO presidents  near the Central Y site, he said, and nobody received anything.

During the same neighborhood boards meeting in July, Ben Sullivan, the Mayors Office of Climate Change chief resilience officer and executive director, told the panel such notices were sent to HOA boards for those buildings adjacent to the Y.

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Sullivan added city law does not require that the notices go to the individual unit owners, which can be a lot more onerous to find addresses and obtain.

Washburn, a 17th-floor resident of Sunset Towers with a view of the Pacific Ocean, fears a 150-foot-tall building will eventually be built on the Ys site in the future.

If they pass this thing and build that tower, that will remove the million-dollar view from everyone from about the 15th floor in my building on down, so those people, their property value will plummet because they dont have the view,  he added. Theyll have some guy eating his Wheaties instead of the beautiful ocean.

This week, Lisa Ontai, YMCA of Honolulus interim president and CEO, said no outside party has expressed interest in purchasing the Central Y property yet.

Not to say that we wont entertain any offers, but at this time you wont see an active sales process going on right now,  she added. If and when we do sell the property, proceeds from that are going to be reinvested into YMCA locations and community programs and services, where its going to really best meet the communitys needs.

In response to allegations that no formal public notifications were sent to Atkinson area condo owners over this proposed rezoning project, Ontai noted R.M. Towill, as the Ys contracted consultant, was responsible for handling such disclosures.

Were confident that weve followed all of the rules and regulations. And, if we havent, Im sure we would have heard from the city and county Department of Planning and Permits,  she said. Of course, if we had, we would have responded immediately.
More than 30 years after Austin police found four teenage girls brutally murdered inside a local yogurt shop, HBO is re-examining the case in its upcoming documentary series The Yogurt Shop Murders.

Often described as the case that stripped Austin of its innocence, the tragic 1991 killings sent shockwaves through the community for years as the investigation dragged on. To this day, the affected families seek answers about what truly happened to Amy Ayers, sisters Jennifer Harbison and Sarah Harbison, and Eliza Thomas.

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I was in Austin in the late 90s, and the billboards were up everywhere, and you would go to parties, and people would talk about their theories about what happened, director Margaret Brown, an Alabama native, tells Deadline.

Through a combination of archival footage and recent interviews with the investigative teams, the victims parents and siblings, and the two men who served time for the crime, the series raises important questions about law enforcement practices and the power of public perception as well as offers a poignant observation about the endurance of grief.

In the interview below, Brown speaks more about the project.

DEADLINE: I understand you live in Austin, so what was your understanding of this case before you took on this documentary?

MARGARET BROWN: I was in Austin in the late 90s, and the billboards were up everywhere, and you would go to parties, and people would talk about their theories about what happened. I have a lot of friends who are reporters, and they would all talk about it. My best friend is a reporter, and when I told her I was considering doing this project, she was like, Oh my God, thats the craziest unsolved crime in Texas, and theres so many twists and turns In Austin, people talk about it and have for years. I just have this memory of seeing those billboards everywhere and just them being really haunting.

DEADLINE: Once you were on board, how did you start to figure out the best way to tell this story, which as you mentioned is already very infamous?

BROWN: I didnt want to do the project until I saw the archival footage, because, to me, its so much about that time period. Austin was really different. I mean, I wasnt there then in the early 90s. I was there in the late 90s, [and] it was different enough then. So I really wanted to make sure I had the material to kind of capture that feeling. They sent me what they had, and it was pretty evocative. I immediately felt a transportive kind of feeling to the past. I could hear the music that would go with those images, and even how I would light it. It was such a specific vibe. There was something uncanny about it. Then I met the families, and it really shifted, and I realized I couldnt go as stylized as I wanted to, because I didnt want to take away from the emotional connection. I thought if I go too far in that direction, it sort of strips away some of feelings I got when I was just sitting with them. So I still stylized it, but I definitely scaled it back.

DEADLINE: The documentary is sort of telling two stories, because youre explaining the years-long investigation while also underscoring all of the trauma the families have gone through over the last three decades. How do you find the correct balance there?

BROWN: I mean, I just tried to go in and emotionally respond without judgment as much as I could to whatever the person in front of me was saying. I was really taken by how affected people were by this specific event. Claire Huey, who made the the film that never got finished, she was one of the first people I met. She gave us all that. She gave the production all this footage and and it completely changed her life. She was a filmmaker like me, and she stopped making movies after that, and that was how much the story impacted her. She just couldnt get her head around it. I think that the power of what happened really hit people. I just tried to go in and listen and not judge.

DEADLINE: Speaking of Claire, we do hear from her in the documentary. What do you think her perspective adds to this story?

BROWN: I mean, I think its a parallel to my experience. A lot of times I would watch her footage and I would be like, Oh my God, thats exactly how I feel. This is so overwhelming. It was a really hard series to make, and it was just such a world of darkness. I think like knowing there was someone else who knew what that was like  often, I would just call her to talk about it, because she lives around the corner. Now shes like a meditation teacher. Im trying to encourage her to make movies, because I think shes amazing, and shes such a empath, and shes she cares about people so deeply. Thats what made it hard for her, was because she cared so much. I think, also, just being a young filmmaker, she was making it so many years ago, having the confidence to know you can put it all together, because its overwhelming story, theres so many twists and turns, and you end up sort of back where you started a lot of the time when youre trying to piece it together. I have a whole team helping me. She was a former student. I just cant even imagine. It would be so hard.

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DEADLINE: You go very deeply into the ways that this case has traumatized the families and others involved and, for the most part, avoid any conspiracy theories about what may have happened. What made you take that route? And how did working with these families shape your perception of true crime in general?

BROWN: To be honest, I dont watch a whole lot of true crimeI didnt really want to cloud my head by a formula. I did listen to some podcasts, and I was so put off by the tone of most true crime. Not all of them, but most true crime podcasts seemed to forget that these were people.

When you meet the families, I dont understand how you could. Its just so painful to sit with people whove gone through this. It really takes a toll on you. Maybe its because they dont have to meet the people when theyre making them, they can just listen. People like to feel like theyre figuring out things. I mean, me too. Im not trying to say thats not interesting to me, because, of course, it is interesting to try to figure out a puzzle, but in this specific series, I didnt feel like that. It is impossible, if you meet these people, to make it that way. You feel for them so much.

DEADLINE: There is a very affecting moment in the final episode where they dig up the time capsule for Amy Ayers. How was that for you to witness?

BROWN: Probably how it was for you to watch. I just so felt for the Ayers family and, I mean, we really consolidated that scene. They were trying so hard to find it. We knew it was there. It became like this sort of bonding experience that day, because so many people showed up to help. It was actually really moving how many people just really cared about the Ayers family and them just getting this ode to their daughter up to the surface.

DEADLINE: As you put together this story, what emerged as the most frustrating part of the case for you?

BROWN: What Im interested in is an exploration of what it means to be a human and go through grief, and how different people grieve. Then theres this insane story of all these twists and turns and rabbit holes, which the true crime audience is interested in. Im not as interested in that, but I am interested in it. You need a story to hang your hat on, right? So this film would not exist without that crazy story. Theres multiple threads on my phone with the producers and the editorial department and everyone talking through theories. We were all trying to crack it in some way, or follow a different theory, or follow a different rabbit hole, but its balancing that search to solve the crime  which, for me to think I can solve the crime when hundreds of police departments and DNA specialists and all these people are trying to solve this crime, for me to think I can do that is a little hubristic, I think. But of course, we still wanted to. I think, as I made it, what pulled me through the three and a half years of making it was really just sitting with people who I think had a lot of wisdom around pain and living life with pain, which we all have to do. We all suffer. These people have gone through some really f*cking extreme suffering, and I felt like I got a lot out of just listening to these families talk and listening to Claire talk, and listening to some of the investigators who gave their life and ruined their marriages to this case.

DEADLINE: Since the case remains unsolved, the story is still ongoing. How do you find a natural conclusion for the story you are trying to tell?

BROWN: Well, because I was interested in memory and grief I mean, without again giving a spoiler, there are some things that happen in the fourth episode. I would never call it closure, because the families will never have closure. But there are things that approximate that.

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Farmers in Rajouri are reaping the benefits of ultra-high-density apple farming, a transformative initiative that is empowering local youth and enhancing their livelihoods. By adopting modern agricultural techniques, farmers are witnessing a significant boost in income and self-independence, with the help of government-backed schemes and support from the horticulture department. Mehtab Ahmed Malik, a local farmer, shared his success story, saying, "When I first started this, I never thought it would happen in reality. Then, when I went to the office of horticulture, Shafqat Khan guided me on the matter. I convinced my family, and we bought a piece of land, about one canal. On this land, I planted all the plants. The department helped us a lot. This time, I have made a crop of apples worth about Rs 10-15 crore. I have also planted a few vegetables and strawberries. We haven't bought any vegetables for the last year." Mohd Quyoom, father of local farmer Mehtab Malik, lauded the government's efforts, stating, "The government recently introduced schemes that were previously unknown. However, awareness is growing, and people are now benefiting from these programs. There are many other schemes, such as those related to water supply, electricity, pensions, or free rations. The schemes initiated by the Government of India are transforming people's lives, and their situation is steadily improving. If this trend continues, more people will participate enthusiastically and benefit from it." District Horticulture Officer Rajouri, Shafqat Hussain Khan, highlighted the progress, stating, "Over the last 2-3 years, we've been working on high-density cultivation, and the results are almost here. It makes farmers happy and increases our plantation. We started in Thannamandi, expanded to Dharhal, Manjakot, and Budhal. This year, we'll cover 10-15 hectares. We also began Walnut Chandler, with good results coming out. Farmers are showing interest. Soon, apples and walnuts will be everywhere." (ANI)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and New York City Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, are the future of the Democratic Party, young political activists at the Voters of Tomorrow Summit in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital. At the summit, attendees voiced their enthusiasm for the democratic socialist starsbut also pointed to one issue where they want a stronger, clearer stance.

The "Fighting for Our Future" event on Friday, July 25, featured more than 200 youth organizers, leaders and progressive politicians, like Rep. Ro Khanna of California and former DNC vice chair David Hogg. As the progressive wing of the party looks to new leadership, one attendee urged Ocasio-Cortez to get louder about Gaza.

"I really like AOC," Reihena Djema, an attendee from Ohio, told Fox News Digital. "Unfortunately, I would like to see her stand and be more vocal about Palestine. But other than that, I really think that she should be the leader of the Democratic Party as she is a Democratic socialist."

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Ocasio-Cortez made political waves when she welcomed Mamdani to the nation's capital for a closed-door skill-sharing event with congressional Democrats on how to run a successful digital campaign. The self-described Democratic socialists may have been missing from Friday's event, but their policies seeped into conversations at the summit.

Aoc, Sanders Welcome Mamdani To Dc For His Capitol Hill Debut, Urging Reluctant Dems To 'Get To Know Him'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks at the NYCLU's May Day rally for worker's and immigrants rights at Foley Square, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in New York.

"I think that more politicians should be adopting socialism," Djema said. "I think it's really important to be class-conscious, and remove ourselves from this neo-liberal idea of it's okay to, like, do capitalism and exploit workers, and I think the Democratic Party should be the party for workers and look more towards socialism."

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Aoc Welcomes Socialist Mamdani To Nation's Capital As Dem Leaders Withhold Endorsements

Mamdani has been criticized by conservatives and moderates for his past anti-capitalist comments, including a years-old suggestion to seize the means of production.

And Ocasio-Cortez's own progressive base, including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has criticized her for voting against an amendment proposed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to cut $500 million in funding for Israel's defense systems, which the Democrat said "does nothing to cut off offensive aid to Israel nor end the flow of US munitions being used in Gaza."

"If youre saying I voted for military funding, you are lying," Ocasio-Cortez fired back on X. And she had previously clarified, "I remain focused on cutting the flow of US munitions that are being used to perpetuate the genocide in Gaza."

Palestinians walk near the rubble of buildings during the Eid al-Adha holiday, in Gaza City, June 6, 2025.

But her campaign office was later vandalized with red paint, reading, "AOC funds genocide in Gaza."

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"I think that she should be more vocal about what's happening in Gaza, specifically condemning Israel for their genocide, and standing out on that," Djema said, while adding she thinks Ocasio-Cortez is "great."

"Being a young person, a young voter, a college student, seeing people like Zohran Mamdani and AOC, just gaining so much more footing and so much more recognition in the policy field is very empowering," Zainab Chowdry, a rising junior at the University of Texas, told Fox News Digital.

Chowdry said there's a "stigma" around socialism, particularly from conservatives, so she's optimistic and empowered that "people are really advocating for very common-sense policies," like healthcare for all and affordability.

NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani briefly speaks with reporters as he leaves the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

"I think candidates like Zohran Mamdani and AOC are really inspiring to see. Someone like Mamdani, a Muslim like me, and Zainab here, it's so inspiring to see. I think that someone like that in 2028 can carry a lot of momentum. I think people are so excited," Ayan Molodina, a high school sophomore from Austin, Texas, told Fox News Digital.

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Molodina said people in Texas are "fired up" about Mamdani, adding, "I think that's proof right there that people are ready for change, and I think that he brings that fresh perspective that people are looking for."

Deon Tran, a young voter from California, admitted that, "Yes, sometimes, a lot of these policies seem out there. They haven't been tried before."

But Tran told Fox News Digital that young voters "need politicians and leaders who are willing to fail and are willing to try, at the very least, instead of sticking with institutional traditions."

The Californian touted Ocasio-Cortez's support for the failed Green New Deal and Mamdani's emphasis on the cost of living.

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And Ashi, another Californian who was representing her state's chapter at Voters of Tomorrow, said young voters are looking for "fresh thinkers" and leaders who can deliver for everyday Americans.

"To some extent, that's probably why a lot of these young voters are really resonating with AOC and people like Zohran Mamdani," she added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office regarding the implication that she do more for Gaza.





Original article source: Young progressives look to Zohran Mamdani, AOC as future of the Democratic Party  under one condition
The Brief

Jurrell Davis and Jechri James-Gillett appeared in court on August 1.

The suspects are accused of conspiring to kill Zariah Dodd, who was 16 years old and pregnant.

Davis is the unborn baby's father.

PHOENIX - Two men are in custody, accused of conspiring to murder 16-year-old Zariah Dodd, who was nearly six months pregnant when she died. The unborn baby's father is one of the men arrested.

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Jurrell Davis, 36, and Jechri James-Gillett, 18, are each facing two counts of first-degree murder. They appeared in court late Friday night.

Dodd was found murdered in Marivue Park on the morning of July 5. Her kinship caregiver, Richilyn Fox, expressed the familys grief.

"It's sick that you will take another child's life because you don't want the truth to come out," she said.

With the arrests of Davis and James-Gillett, loved ones say Dodd is finally getting justice.

The backstory

Davis, who Phoenix police identified as the father of Dodds unborn daughter, is facing two counts of first-degree murder. Criminal defense attorney Benjamin Taylor said the death of an unborn child often leads to a harsher penalty.

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"With an unborn child, they could either charge the defendant with killing the baby that's unborn and the mother," Taylor said. "So basically, each count could be one count for the mother and one count for the unborn child."

Zariah Finley Dodd

Davis is also accused of sexual misconduct with a minor in this case. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to impregnating a 14-year-old when he was 19 and received probation. Taylor says Daviss record is a factor against him.

"When a person has prior convictions on their record, the prosecutor usually aggravates their sentence or even asks for the maximum amount," Taylor explained. "And here, the maximum amount is life in prison or even death."

James-Gillett faces two counts of premeditated first-degree murder for Dodds death.

What they're saying

Taylor said the involvement of two suspects suggests a more deliberate plan in the eyes of prosecutors.

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"First-degree murder means that something is premeditated, means it's thought out, that there was a plan involved," Taylor said. "It wasn't just some last-minute thing. The defendants allegedly planned this out to kill the victim here."

Considering all these factors, Taylor said the death penalty is a possibility. "Because you have a minor, a pregnant minor, this is a very egregious act that was caused here," he said. "And so, ultimately, the prosecution can even go death penalty in the future if they decide to."

Davis and James-Gillett are being held on a $1 million cash bond.

What's next

Zariah was living at Sunshine Residential, a group home in Surprise, at the time of her death. Many have raised questions about how she could have become pregnant by a 36-year-old man while living there and why the home allowed her to go out alone after dark the night she was killed. Taylor said the home could potentially face legal action.

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"The group home here, if they are found negligent, they can be found negligent for child abuse charges," Taylor said. "If there's any information or evidence to see that the group home was here liable for the murders of these people...the system is broken here, a lot of times it is overwhelmed with minors. A lot of times there's not enough resources out there, and sometimes minors, unfortunately, die in the hands of the group homes."

The other side

When reached for comment, Sunshine Residential provided a statement that reads:

"The victim was pregnant prior to being welcomed at Sunshines Teen Mom Program due to Sunshine being one of only two licensed providers in the State of Arizona serving the parenting teen population. Sunshines Teen Mom Program is a non-restrictive placement designed to support pregnant and parenting teens in developing the skills needed for independent living. The programs primary goal is to guide young mothers toward becoming wholesome, self-sufficient citizens through trauma-informed, strength-based care. The victim was a loved member of the Sunshine family, and we will not rest until justice is served to those who committed these heinous crimes."
The Ukrainian Air Force has a new commander, after being without an official head for almost a year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 3 announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, who has been serving as the Air Force's acting head since the end of last August.

Zelensky fired Kryvonozhko's predecessor, Mykola Oleshchuk, last August in what many saw as a response to an F-16 crashing while defending against Russian air attack.

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In a post on Telegram, Zelensky also said Ukraine's Air Force was developing a 20-year aviation strategy. While he did not provide specifics, he noted that this year, Mirage jets had already been put to use in Ukraine, and that the country's fleet of F-16s had grown.

"The main goal of the transformation of Ukrainian aviation is to ensure that our country has a strong and modern aviation component within the Defense Forces  one that is a de facto part of NATOs capabilities and among the strongest in Europe," Zelensky said.

The president added that while details of Ukraine's Air Force are confidential, "the path Ukrainian aviation has taken during the years of full-scale war is truly unprecedented, and Ukrainians have proven that the skill of our people and their ability to carry out extremely complex missions are truly exemplary."

Kryvonozhko has also directed the Central Air Command since 2015, prior to which he served in the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade.

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Read also: Ukraine lost contact with F-16 during combat, pilot ejected, Air Force says

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday confirmed a previously discussed prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange with Russia, which had already mentioned the swap.

Zelensky, in a post on Telegram, said a list of 1,200 names was being worked on. Russian negotiators had mentioned that figure during direct talks with their Ukrainian counterparts in Istanbul on July 23, while the Ukrainians did not release a number then.

Following a meeting with Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov, Zelensky said that the exchange would include civilians as well as soldiers. He added that preparations for another meeting with the Russian side were proceeding, without mentioning a date.

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At the end of July, Zelensky said that a total of 5,857 people had been returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. An additional 555 people had been freed apart from the exchanges, he reported on X.

The two sides released prisoners most recently in July, concluding a phased exchange agreed in Istanbul at the end of June of 1,200 on each side.

The total number of prisoners on both sides remains unknown and is constantly changing. There have also been repeated exchanges.

The unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire called for by Ukraine at the Istanbul talks is not in sight. Moscow has instead offered brief truces for both sides to collect their fallen and injured along the frontline.

Among Russian preconditions for a comprehensive ceasefire is that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine must be halted.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko as commander of the Ukrainian Air Force on 3 August.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Today, I appointed Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko as Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

What matters most is that Ukrainian combat aviation and air defence continue to develop in a comprehensive and effectively coordinated manner  through the joint efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the General Staff, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, our partner teams, and dedicated, professional experts who want Ukraine to be strong and victorious."

Background: On 30 August 2024, President Zelenskyy dismissed Mykola Oleshchuk as commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, a position he had held since August 2021.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Serhii Haidai from the post of head of Mukachevo District State Administration.

Source: decree on the website of the Presidents Office

Quote: "Serhii Haidai shall be dismissed from the position of head of Mukachevo District State Administration of Zakarpattia Oblast."

Details: In addition, the president dismissed Andrii Yurchenko from the post of head of Rubizhne City Military Administration of the Sievierodonetsk district in Luhansk Oblast.

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Background:

Earlier on 2 August, following a report from NABU director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO head Oleksandr Klymenko, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a corrupt MP, several heads of local government and members of the National Guard had been caught accepting bribes.

NABU and SAPO have exposed an MP, several heads of local government and service members from the National Guard as having been involved in bribery in relation to the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment. The scheme involved entering into state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices.

Sources told Ukrainska Pravda that Oleksii Kuznietsov, an MP from the Servant of the People party, Serhii Haidai, Head of Mukachevo District State Administration in Zakarpattia Oblast and former head of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, and Andrii Yurchenko, Head of Rubizhne City Military Administration in Luhansk Oblast, are among those who have been exposed by NABU and SAPO as having been involved in large-scale corruption.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine aims for the complete and effective integration of its Air Force with NATO forces.

Source: Zelenskyy in his address; official presidential website

Details: In his address on Ukraine's Air Force Day, Zelenskyy said he had decorated Air Force personnel and received briefings on the development of all components of the Air Force, particularly combat aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units and air surveillance troops.

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"All components are gaining proper strength. This year alone, our Air Force has received Mirage fighter jets from France as well as additional F-16s. More are on the way," he said.

Zelenskyy also reported that new development stages for combat aircraft  new platforms and further steps towards integrating Ukrainian forces with those of partner countries  had been approved on Sunday 3 August.

Quote: "Our goal is the full and effective integration of Ukraines Air Force with NATO forces. This will undoubtedly provide more capabilities for our defence and at the same time make our country a stronger part of Europes collective security."

More details: The presidential website also reported that Zelenskyy had held a meeting on Air Force development strategy with the Air Force Command and the Defence Ministry leadership.

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The president was briefed on the progress of Ukraine's 20-year military aircraft development strategy and the steps required to meet its objectives. The briefing also covered the effectiveness of aircraft in repelling Russian attacks, with a focus on Western-made warplanes supplied by partners.

During the meeting, the participants outlined priorities for integrating foreign equipment into the defence forces and training personnel to operate it.

Background: On 3 August, Zelenskyy appointed Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko as the commander of Ukraines Air Force, a position that had remained vacant for over a year.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine prepared three new sanctions packages, one of which has been implemented  targeting the captains of Russia's shadow fleet.

Source: Zelenskyy in his address; decree released on the official website

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I've also held a meeting on our sanctions policy. Three sanctions packages have been prepared and the first package has been implemented today  sanctions against the captains of Russia's shadow fleet.

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We'll coordinate all these packages with our partners to ensure the pressure works in the majority of jurisdictions. I have agreed to align our partners' sanctions with our own next week. The necessary decisions by partners must be reinforced by Ukrainian sanctions."

Details: The decree enacting the sanctions of the National Security and Defence Council has since been released on the presidential website.

The list consists of 94 individuals and five Russian companies.

In his address, Zelenskyy also noted that Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, reported on communications with international partners, particularly the United States.

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"The United States is determined to help," the Ukrainian president said. "I would like to thank them for this. Pressure on Russia can indeed work in such a way that they feel the consequences of prolonging the war."

Zelenskyy also stated that Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, had reported on preparations for new meetings of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff. "Among the issues set to be discussed are the state of air defence and new systems soon to arrive in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

Quote: "We are preparing for the heating season. Of course, strengthening air defences, anti-Shahed measures and domestic weapons production are key elements of our winter preparations. The state of critical infrastructure and the required decisions are also issues to be tackled at the Staff meetings."

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by Hari Balasubramanian

In the long and evolving list of cognitive biases, the frequency illusion feels most familiar: Ive experienced it so many times that it seems almost ordinary. This is roughly how it works. First, you encounter something  an unusual word like topology, or the title of a new book or a movie  that makes you stop and notice. Then, in the days after, the same word or title crops up again and again in unrelated places, making it seem more frequent than it is (hence the name). A friend brings it up unprompted, or you unexpectedly see it at a museum exhibit. Its not only about words or titles, of course: anything in your conscious experience  a sound, an image, a fragrance  that makes an impression can be a point of entry. Buy a new car and in the weeks that follow, you will likely start noticing others driving the same model.

The most wonderful thing about this illusion is that with each seemingly unplanned encounter theres a thrill of recognition, a feeling that the universe is signaling to you. The rationalists among us, however, will point to a more mundane explanation: that our cognitive processes have simply been primed to notice or identify the word, image, or sound among all sensory experiences. The illusion works in concert with two other biases: selective attention, the act of focusing on certain things while excluding others; and confirmation bias, the tendency to seek evidence that supports ones beliefs while overlooking evidence to the contrary.

The recognition that these are only tricks of the mind can be somewhat deflating. But the processes that decide what we pay attention to and what we ignore remain mysterious. Something can be frequent in my everyday experience  say, a fire hydrant that I walk past each day  yet I may not notice it at all for years. Or I might be only vaguely aware of the hydrants presence, as if it lives in the background of my conscious experience. Then one day, I stumble upon it, as if I am seeing it for the first time. Details such as its shape, color, and peeling paint register in a way they never had before. From that point on, I will naturally notice fire hydrants elsewhere. But I am seeing what was already commonplace; the frequency is not an illusion.

So the more intriguing question is: Why do things that we overlook all the time, things that are hiding in plain sight, suddenly catch our attention one fine day? And what is it about our cognitive processes that filters out certain stimuli and emphasizes others? Certainly, theres an element of chance that puts you in the right place and at the right time to experience a stimulus. And each time you find yourself in the same place, the experience is subtly different, and you notice something new (in the same way that reading a book again seems to highlight things wed missed). There also seems to be an inner realignment: an increased interest or receptivity to the stimulus that was previously absent.

The stimulus doesnt have to be something sensory. Almost every semester, while teaching concepts that Ive gone over plenty of times before, some nuance that had been hiding in plain sight will bubble to the surface, and Ill wonder: Why didnt I think of this before? And many years ago, while starting a meditation practice, I remember being startled by chaotic thought patterns that ran rampant in my mind. But the thought patterns also felt familiar  the difference was that Id never given them proper attention before.



The terms illusion and bias suggest that we should look past the synchronicities that feel meaningful to us. Thats certainly true  theres always a risk of reading too much into illusory patterns and of slipping into echo chambers; and online recommendation algorithms only worsen these tendencies.

But when used in the context of enhancing ones observation skills, the frequency illusion can lead to a constructive form of learning. It makes you zoom in on one thing, so to speak, and as you encounter it repeatedly, something else captures your attention, and you zoom in on that. This process of moving from one thing to the next continues, and soon you are discovering and learning in an endless sequence. Endless because there isnt a limit to the new things you can notice, even in very familiar settings. And because this process of learning happens at a leisurely pace and is driven by what naturally captures our interest, it is deeper and more lasting.

In my case, the frequency illusion has led to a decade and a half of recreational ecology (a slight twist on recreational biology, a term used by the Stanford bioengineering professor Manu Prakash).

It started in the spring of 2010  my third year in Amherst, Massachusetts  when I saw a male cardinal for the first time. Cardinals are among the most common birds in North America, so it was a classic case of noticing something that was already frequent. I didnt know anything about birds back then, and I was wonder-struck by the beauty of the male cardinal: its redness, the patches of black around its beak and crest. That spring, I ran into cardinals all the time, and each time I felt as if I had access to a special secret. Soon, I started to see (and hear) other all-season, backyard species that, like cardinals, were hidden in plain sight. First gold finches, then blue jays, then woodpeckers, nuthatches, house finches, and so on and so forth. It felt as if a portal into nature had opened up.

This kind of sequential and serendipitous discovery resembles a concept I teach in my probability courses: a biased random walk on a graph where in each step you probabilistically jump from one state (also called a node or vertex) to another. With a large number of steps, you can end up in less-explored states of the graph.

My ecological random walks have led me to lesser-known birds (my favorite this year is the Blackburnian Warbler), but also to so much else: bobcats, phantom craneflies, snapping turtles, rare seasonal flowers like Pink Ladys Slipper, ferns, lichens. Each discovery illuminates a tiny piece of a vast and unfathomable ecological jigsaw. The process continues even when I am traveling. Soon after I had become familiar with the belted kingfisher in Amherst, I ran into the riotously colorful white-throated kingfisher near my parents flat in Bangalore, India.

The simple act of paying attention to visual, auditory, and olfactory cues can take you far, but learning can also happen in other ways. A few weeks after reading Elizabeth Tova-Baileys The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, I saw my first gastropod: not quite a snail, but a slug, its antennae quivering the wet asphalt of a parking lot (it still remains my only gastropod sighting). Often, reading something about a species can deepen the impact of observing it in the wild. The monarch butterfly is striking enough visually, but to know that it undertakes a seemingly impossible 2,000-mile overwintering journey from New England to central Mexico adds a different kind of wonder. I was so inspired that one winter I traveled to the forests of Michoacan to see millions of congregating butterflies.

(This coming together of the senses and the intellect reminds me of something the physicist Richard Feynman said. When an artist friend chided Feynman that scientific reductionism minimized the aesthetic beauty of a flower, Feynman disagreed and claimed that the opposite was true. The visual beauty was available to him too, and the scientific backstory  why the flower evolved colors, the fact that insects can also see colors and may even have an aesthetic sense  could only enhance the excitement, the mystery and the awe of a flower.)



One of the pleasures of learning in this way is the element of surprise: you cant predict what will intrigue you next. This year, for instance, I am drawn to the towering transmission lines that run through state parks, carrying electricity from natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants scattered around New England. The lines run through a 50-meter-wide corridor that was hacked through dozens of miles of forest. This has created a unique ecology: an elongated clearing in a landscape otherwise dense with trees. The clearings are preferred by smaller bushes such as the mountain laurel, whose pink-and-white flowers bloom in June, and by prairie warblers, whose high-pitched song (heard only for a few weeks) always makes me pause.

Imposing, symmetrical, and extending far into the horizon like an infinite relay, the transmission lines bring a different kind of beauty to the landscape. I often found myself marveling at them during my hikes this year. From the tops of mountain peaks, Ive used my binoculars to track them as they run like arteries through forests, towns, and substations. And now I am also paying attention to the smaller, T-shaped wooden poles  the capillaries of the network  that run through every street, carrying a tangle of cables and contraptions, connecting each home to the grid.

In the past, I seem to have tuned out these essentials of our infrastructure, possibly because Id prioritized nature and rejected human-made things  what is called the appeal to nature or naturalistic fallacy. Maybe the hold of that fallacy has loosened somewhat. Or, the engineer in me is (finally!) starting to emerge. Whatever the reason, it feels like a welcome shift. The transmission lines have also led me to notice cell towers with their antenna arrays, the solar farms that seem to be popping up everywhere, and the fenced water stations that draw from aquifers.

Who knows, some years from now, to my recreational ecology, I might also add a recreational study of infrastructure!

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Following reports of waterlogging in Indira Colony, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Office, Bajpur area of Udham Singh Nagar district, the SDRF rescue team was promptly dispatched to the site. The team is currently deployed in the affected area, where the water level of the Levada River is receding. No reports of loss of life have been received so far. For security, the SDRF team remains vigilant in the waterlogged area, continuously monitoring potential risks. The administrative team is also present, ensuring necessary coordination and action to maintain safety and restore normalcy in the region. Uttarakhand has been experiencing widespread damage due to heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, leading to loss of life, disruption of everyday life, and damage to infrastructure, including roads. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has received approval for a major project worth Rs 125 crore from the Government of India for landslide mitigation and management, under the continuous efforts and guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The project is aimed at providing a long-term solution to areas in the state most vulnerable to landslides. As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, the proposals were prepared by the State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC), Dehradun, and sent to the Government of India. In line with the guidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs acted promptly and approved the Rs 125 crore project. In the first phase, an advance amount of Rs 4.5 crore has been released for exploration works and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on behalf of the state government and the people of Uttarakhand for the support. He said the project marks a significant step towards a long-term solution for landslide-affected areas. On July 30, the Central government has approved Rs 615 crore to Uttarakhand as special capital assistance, of which Rs 380.201 crore has already been released, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. (ANI)
Former MP Ramya welcomed the Supreme Courts decision to cancel actor Darshans bail, with the Court criticising the misuse of celebrity status and interference in the Renukaswamy murder investigation.
Anantnag Encounter LIVE: Encounter continues in Anantnag. The Army has surrounded the forest from all sides in Anantnag... where the terrorists who attacked are said to be hiding... in the search operation, with the help of Heron drones and modern weapons, they attacked the terrorists with rocket mortars and ammunition. going. Today, Colonel Manpreet Singh was given last rites in Mohali and Major Ashish Dhaunchak in Panipat with full military honours... Before this, DSP Humayun Bhat of Jammu and Kashmir Police was also laid to rest in Budgam with full state honours. ..
On January 21 this year, Namaz was offered by some children in a school located in Kolar district of Karnataka. Now a similar case has come up from a government school of Jharkhand. This whole incident indicates that the poison of religious radicalism has started spreading in the schools of our country. Today in DNA we will talk is 'Islam' in danger due to 'religious prayer' offered in school?
A woman and her two minor children were found dead allegedly by suicide at their home in latma locality under Jagarnathpur Police Station limits in Ranchi on Sunday. Police recovered the bodies and said further investigation is underway. The deceased have been identified as Sanyukta Singh (35), her daughter Aradhya Singh (14), and son Aarav Singh (12). The family originally hails from Aurangabad district in Bihar. According to Ranchi police, the woman had been separated from her husband for the past five years and was involved in an ongoing divorce case. Both children were staying with her in Ranchi. The incident came to light when the children's father, who was in Ranchi for a court date, attempted to visit the house to meet them. After repeated calls went unanswered and their phones remained switched off, he contacted a relative. Eventually, the police were alerted and reached the house. Dilip Singh, a relative of the woman, told ANI, "We were informed in the evening that all three had died by hanging. We are not aware of what led her to take this step." He added, "She had been undergoing treatment for a mental health condition. At times, she would run away from home. When she saw groups of people, she would panic and shout that someone was trying to kidnap or harm her. Because of such behaviour, we had limited interaction with her." Another relative, Amit Singh, said, "She was my aunt. My uncle had come to Ranchi for a court hearing and wanted to meet the children. The security guard at the house told him that no one had seen them for two days. When he got no response at the gate, he contacted the police." He added, "She had not been well mentally for some time. She would often isolate herself and spend long hours in religious activities." (ANI)
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday urged citizens to actively participate in the 'Self-Reliant India' campaign, emphasising that purchasing Indian-made products will bolster the initiative. Speaking to ANI, Meghwal highlighted the importance of collective participation in strengthening the campaign. "The self-reliant India campaign is a campaign in which everyone should participate. Whatever item you buy, if you buy something made in India, it will strengthen the self-reliant India campaign. The Prime Minister has requested citizens... The statement given by Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is clear in itself, India's policy is clear that India's interests will be taken care of," he said. Oon Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will have to remain vigilant for its economic interests given the atmosphere of instability prevailing across the globe. He emphasised that the "top priority of the government remains the welfare of farmers, small industries and employment for youth." The Prime Minister also urged citizens to resolve to buy 'swadeshi' products as he reiterated his pitch that the country needs to adopt 'vocal for local'. "We will buy only those things that are made by Indians. We need to become vocal for local," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in his home constituency of Varanasi. "There is an atmosphere of global instability. All countries are focusing on their individual interests. India is set to become the third biggest economy in the world, and that is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned," he added. The Prime Minister further stated that the top priority of the government remains to work for farmers, small-scale industries, and to generate employment opportunities for youth in the country. "Our farmers, our small-scale industries, the employment for youth their interest is our top priority. The government is doing everything it can in the best interest of the country. However, there are some responsibilities we have as citizens," PM Modi said. He said that those who wish to see India as the third biggest economy must resolve to buy 'swadeshi' products."Those who want the best for the country and want to see India as the third biggest economy in the world, be it any political party, should leave their differences aside and instil a resolution for 'swadeshi' products," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also appealed to "brothers and sisters in the business community" that when the world is going through such an atmosphere of instability, we too should sell only swadeshi goods." (ANI)
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo on Sunday asked the Opposition not to politicise the case of the 15-year-old girl who succumbed to her injuries after being set on fire by miscreants. Expressing condolences to her family, he said that the state government had taken all necessary steps to save her. Singh Deo told ANI, "I want to express my condolences to her family. The state government took all necessary steps. She was sent to AIIMS Delhi as well, but the doctors were unable to save her. The opposition parties should stay away from politicising such matters. The government has taken all necessary steps, but unfortunately, her life could not be saved. He added that the family of the victim also stands with the government and acknowledges the efforts made. "Normally, in such cases, the victim's family doesn't stand with the government, but the family is with the government, and they are saying the government has done its best and that they are satisfied with it, so the intervention of any third party in the case is unfortunate," he said. Earlier today, the father of the 15-year-old girl from Odisha who succumbed to her burn injuries said that he does not want to blame anyone and requested that his family be kept away from politics. Speaking to ANI, the victim's father said, "I don't want to point fingers at anyone. Everyone prayed for my daughter, irrespective of religion. I am not upset with anyone. My daughter was not part of my destiny." "I don't want to blame anyone. I request you to please keep me and my family away from politics. Everything was fine till she was at home with us. I don't know how this happened," he added. The victim's uncle said that the family does not blame anyone for her demise, as the government has helped them, and even the doctors did their job. He told ANI, "God has taken her away from us. We cannot blame anyone now. The government has helped us a lot. The doctors and the entire staff at the hospital were very good. Everyone has done their job perfectly. We don't have a problem with anyone." He further said that the father of the girl has slipped into depression. "The father has slipped into depression. He is not in a state to say anything. Seeing him like this pains me," the uncle said. The 15-year-old girl succumbed to her burn injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS in the national capital, after she was allegedly set on fire by miscreants in the Balanga area of Odisha's Puri district on July 19. According to the police, the minor girl went out with her friends, but she was allegedly abducted midway and taken to the riverside, where she was set on fire. (ANI)
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday congratulated the investigation and prosecution teams after a special court sentenced former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna to 'imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life' in a rape case on Saturday. "I would like to first congratulate our team on providing evidence, witnesses and so on, so that the judiciary and judges would take the right decision. I am sure that this has helped the judiciary to take such a historical decision," Parameshwara told reporters, reacting to the court's verdict. "None of us in our cabinet interfered with this case. We had left it to the team, and they have done a wonderful job so that the judiciary is able to take the right decision," he said. On Saturday, Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Court for People's Representatives in connection with the rape of a domestic worker at a farmhouse in Holenarasipura in Karnataka's Hassan district. A fine of Rs 10 lakh has also been imposed on the expelled JDS Leader and former Lok Sabha MP. The court said that the victim will be given a compensation of Rs 7 lakh. Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was convicted in one of four rape cases filed against him. The conviction comes just 14 months after the case surfaced. Following the verdict, Revanna broke down in court. The matter came to light in April last year after obscene videos of sexual harassment against multiple women were leaked ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was arrested in May 2024 after returning from Germany. He had earlier been denied bail by both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court. Revanna had challenged the Karnataka High Court order dated October 21, whereby it dismissed his regular bail and anticipatory bail pleas. On May 31, 2024, he was arrested at Bengaluru airport by CID's SIT on his return from Germany, where he had remained for 35 days, after hundreds of explicit videos surfaced, allegedly featuring him with multiple women. (ANI)
Delhi Police has arrested two people and nabbed a juvenile in a case relating to the alleged assault of two students from Manipur in North Delhi's Vijay Nagar Double Storey area, police said on Sunday. According to the police, the students, Zerry and Shepherd, were attacked by four unidentified boys on Thursday morning with a knife when they were purchasing water from a shop in the area. The accused approached them and behaved rudely and started abusing them following which a heated altercation ensued, during which one of the assailants pulled out a knife and stabbed Zerry in the abdomen, and Shepherd in the left buttock. Their friend, Paoboi, who was present at the scene, immediately rushed both victims to the Bara Hindu Rao Hospital, while the accused persons fled from the spot, police said The police registered an FIR at the Model Town police town and thorough investigation was launched to nab the perpetrators. Police examined the CCTV footage from all surrounding establishments and analysed it to trace the movements and possible escape routes of the assailants. According to the police, Local intelligence networks were activated, and call detail records (CDRs) of suspected individuals were analysed. Based on this intelligence input from local sources and CDR analysis, a well-coordinated raid was conducted, which led to the arrest of the two accused and one juvenile was also nabbed. During sustained and methodical interrogation, they confessed their involvement in the incident, police said. The identity of the fourth assailant is being verified, and efforts are underway to arrest him at the earliest, they added. (ANI).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengaluru to inaugurate the "long-awaited" yellow line metro, and also lay the foundation stone for the Phase 3 metro, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya said on Sunday. Hailing it as a 'landmark moment,' the BJP MP posted on X, "PM Narendra Modi's visit to Bengaluru on August 10 will be a landmark moment for Bengaluru South. He will not only inaugurate the long-awaited Yellow Line Metro operations but also lay the foundation stone for Metro Phase 3 - a project that received Cabinet approval within the first 100 days of his third term." https://x.com/Tejasvi_Surya/status/1951859652934918548 According to Surya, both the projects are set to benefit nearly 25 lakh people in Bengaluru south, the constituency he represents. "With nearly 20,000 crore worth of Metro infrastructure dedicated to this region alone, we are incredibly grateful to PM Modi for his continued focus, affection, and commitment to Bengaluru South's public transport infrastructure," Surya added in his post. The Bengaluru metro is currently operated and maintained by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a joint venture of the Government of India and Government of Karnataka. According to the BMRCL's 2023-2024 annual report, the 19.15 kilometre long yellow line will run from RV Road to Bommasandra, with 16 stations. On August 2, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal also announced that PM Modi is set to inaugurate the Rs 5,056 crore project. Additionally, the proposed 44.65 kilometre phase 3 project will be built at the cost of Rs 15,611 crore. "I am pleased to announce that the Prime Minister of India has kindly agreed to inaugurate 19.15 km Yellow Line from RV Road to Bommasandra of Bangaluru metro with 16 stations at the cost of Rs 5,056.99 Cr and lay the foundation stone of 44.65 km of Bangalore phase-3 at the cost of Rs 15,611 Crore on 10th August 2025," the office of the Union minister mentioned on X. Currently, India ranks third globally in operational Metro network length and is soon to become the 2nd largest Metro network in the world. As metro systems cover greater distances, it is estimated that networks across the country serve around 1 crore people daily. Bengaluru's 'Namma metro' is itself the second-longest metro network in the country, serving over 8 lakh commuters daily. (ANI)
Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, recently acquitted in the Malegaon blast case by NIA court, was given a grand welcome at his society in Pune on Sunday. Visuals from his society showed people showering him with petals, and bursting crackers and holding up posters which said 'welcome kaka,' expressing their gratitude for his return. Purohit also visited, along with his wife, the Hanuman mandir in his society, with a crowd of people watching him offer prasad and pray at the mandir. Expressing gratitude for his return to society, he mentioned that the people were ready to welcome him, but he told them that unless he gets an acquittal, he would not be returning. "They always wanted to welcome me. But I had said that till such time I get completely acquitted from the case, I will not be able to give you that kind of happiness. So, this time, when the Court gave this judgement, they said that they are going to welcome me. I had no heart to say that I will not be able to make it. I am grateful," he told reporters. Notably, actor Nitish Bharadwaj, best known for playing Krishna in the Mahabharat series, said how the term 'saffron terror' has been defeated, along with the suffering of Purohit's family being eased after 17 long years. "We saw the family of Purohit suffer for the last 17 years. His mother, wife, sister, and children have suffered. This has ended now. We are delighted. A few leaders of the UPA had coined the term 'saffron terror'; this has been defeated now. It is the defeat of this definition. The manner in which UPA Govt, a few of their ministers, compelled the ATS and its officials - it is a defeat of that. We are all delighted today. We are very proud of Col Purohit. He has done nothing wrong," the actor told ANI as he visited the society. A college friend of Lt Colonel Purohit highlighted how justice has been received after 17 long years. "He was implicated in a false case. After the court's verdict, he is returning to his home as an innocent man. So, we should welcome him, we have made all arrangements here," the college friend said. The Mumbai NIA court on July 31 acquitted all seven accused of being involved in the 2008 blasts in Malegaon, with the court saying the prosecution failed to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The 2008 Malegaon blast case was transferred to the NIA in 2011 from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). After a 17-year-long wait and examination of hundreds of witnesses, the NIA special court acquitted all seven people accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and all other charges. On September 29, 2008, six people were killed and 95 others injured when an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon City's Bhikku Chowk. Originally, 11 people were accused in the case; however, the court ultimately framed charges against 7, including former MP Sadhvi Pragya. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday, distributed appointment letters to 144 candidates selected for various posts of the Irrigation Department and 43 eligible dependents under the deceased dependent quota in Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. Thus, the Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to the candidates / dependents selected for a total of 187 different posts. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while wishing the candidates, appealed to the selected candidates to work with honesty, integrity, transparency and dedication. He said that the state government has also done the work of giving appointments to the dependents of the deceased employees pending for a long time. Last year, appointment letters were provided to 150 dependents and today, the remaining 43 eligible dependents. He said that due to the efforts of the state government, the corporation earned a record profit of more than Rs 56 crore in 2024. The Chief Minister said that earlier, there used to be a lot of favouritism, rigging and corruption in recruitments in the state. In response to the challenges faced by young people, the state government enacted the country's most stringent anti-copying law. Now recruitments in the state are being ensured on the basis of complete transparency and merit, so that eligible candidates are getting full benefit of their skills and hard work. He stated that over the past 3 and a half years, more than 23,000 youth in the state have secured government jobs. The Chief Minister said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption and now no one is spared in corruption cases. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the countrymen to use indigenous products. He also urged the people of the state to use indigenous and local products. The Chief Minister said that our resolve towards a self-reliant India should be even stronger. He said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is committed to realising the Prime Minister's mantra of a self-reliant India. The Chief Minister said that the candidates selected in the Irrigation Department prepare maps and designs of irrigation projects, as well as prepare a framework for future development. Irrigation schemes are being continuously expanded in our state. The candidates selected today are the pillars of irrigation projects, who will work to deliver water to the farmers' fields with their technical skills. He said that among all the selected youth, many state agitators were also selected under the horizontal reservation quota. Which is a matter of joy for all. Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the work of giving appointment letters to the selected youth in more than 23 thousand government jobs in the state has been done. There has been a big decline in unemployment in the country and the state. He said that with the help of the candidates selected in the irrigation department, the department will become more capable, which will give new impetus to development. Dhani participated in the program organized at Mukhya Sevak Sadan at the Chief Minister's residence. (ANI)
A senior Army officer was charged with "murderous assault" after an issue regarding excess baggage with SpiceJet Airlines turned violent at Srinagar Airport last week. The officer allegedly assaulted four SpiceJet ground staff members, leaving them with a spinal fracture and injuries to the jaw. According to a statement released by the airline, the passenger "grievously assaulted four SpiceJet employees at the boarding gate of flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi on July 26, 2025." The altercation reportedly began after the officer was informed that his two pieces of cabin baggage, weighing a total of 16 kg, exceeded the permissible limit of 7 kg. SpiceJet claims that when staff members "politely informed [him] of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges," the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process, which the airline described as "a clear violation of aviation security protocols." He was escorted back by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official. What followed was a violent episode at the boarding gate. "Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand," the airline said in its statement. "One SpiceJet employee collapsed unconscious on the floor, but the passenger continued kicking and hitting the fainted employee." Another staff member attempting to assist the injured colleague was also attacked. "Another staff member suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth after receiving a forceful kick to the jaw while bending down to assist the colleague who had fainted," the statement added. All four injured employees were rushed to a hospital and are currently undergoing treatment for what the airline described as "grievous injuries." SpiceJet confirmed that it has filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police and has begun the process of placing the officer on India's no-fly list. "SpiceJet has written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation appraising them about the murderous assault on its staff and has requested appropriate action against the passenger," the airline stated. CCTV footage of the incident has also been handed over to authorities. The airline said, "SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion." (ANI)
by Dilip DSouza

Allow a columnist his anguish, because what follows is almost all I have been able to think about for several days now.

Years ago, a college mate jumped into a well.

Well, in truth thats a little bit of an exaggeration. He and I knew each other because we were partners on some lab assignments in some early electronics course. But we were not really close friends. But then he jumped into that well, and for a long time afterward, he was on my mind far more than any of my much closer college buddies were.

Because, of course, that day he took his own life. He left an entire college campus simply devastated. Through my years on that campus, we had a few suicides  but for some reason, it was what this particular young man did that stayed on in my mind. I remember lying awake nights, sitting through lectures, nursing cups of coffee  agonizing over him through all that, through everything in my daily routine.

Had he been thinking of taking his life the last time we had met, in the lab? If so, were there signs I might have, could have, should have, picked up on? If so, what if I had just asked, quietly, Wanna talk? What were his thoughts in those moments before he jumped? Did he survive for any length of time? If so, what was he thinking, lying there alive at the bottom of the well?

Questions, questions. None came with any answers, of course. But for weeks that turned to months, I couldnt stop asking them.

I realize Im not saying anything particularly novel here. I know suicides leave us all with questions and extended bouts of agonizing. But several years later, another suicide got me thinking in different directions.

Though this one, they dont easily call a suicide. This was a woman I knew not at all. Of French origin, Lisette Nigot had lived for years in Perth, Australia. She was in her late 70s, active and generally healthy. But she had started to wonder, as we all do, about the inevitable decline she faced as she grew steadily older.

In 1999, she attended a workshop conducted by Dr Philip Nitschke, an advocate of euthanasia known in some Australian circles as Doctor Death. Nitschke had already helped people with voluntary euthanasia, as Director of an organization called Exit International. After listening to Nitschke at the workshop, Nigot explained to him that she planned to end her life sometime before she turned 80  that she was not sick and that illness played no part in her decision. (His own words).

Nitschke and Nigot met several times over the next few years. Initially, he seemed to have thought her resolve would crumble  she was in good health, was she not?  but Nigot remained firm. Eventually, he helped her with her decision, in the months leading up to September 2002. She had built up a stock of barbiturates that she had been taking for years. One day that September, she swallowed them and died.

That, of course, is the short version. Theres a documentary about Nigot, Mademoiselle and the Doctor that takes about an hour to tell her story.

Nigots death set off a vigorous debate among those who advocate for voluntary euthanasia. For even though she clearly wanted to end her life this way, even though she had thought about it long and hard and had settled on a reasonable way to do it, she was, in the end, in good health. Should she really have been given help and supported in this decision to take her life? Or should euthanasia be an option only for people with serious health concerns?

Questions worth asking. In fact, like with my college mate, I found myself grappling with these and many more questions that I could not easily answer. Some the same as with my college mate, some different.

I have a good idea what Nigot was thinking in her last few years. She seems to have been lucid, aware and rational about her situation in life and what lay ahead for her. Those who knew her never thought of her as depressed; on the contrary, the idea of choosing a voluntary death seems to have given her spirit and purpose. So I can imagine that her last months were consumed with putting in place a careful, diligent, complete closure to her life, knowing thats what she wanted.

Shortly before she died, she wrote to a close friend (as it happens, also my close friend): There, one sees the light at the end of the tunnel  You know that Im neither depressed nor crazy  But really, I expect nothing more from life. Non, je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing) as [Edith] Piaf said. Do not be sad!

And yet, and yet  what was she thinking as she took those barbiturates? Despite Piaf, despite her meticulous preparations, did she have any last-second doubts? Did she waver in her resolve?

Probably not, but there are more questions. The documentary tells us about a cancer patient who is terminally ill, but the law will not permit her to die voluntarily. Is choosing to die a matter to be decided, then, by the law? We create life and theres no questioning legality there. Why is choosing how we die not legal too?

Or: is legality possible only for older adults in complete command of their mind, body and senses, meaning only they have the right to choose how, where and when they can die? If so, what does older mean, then  how old would this adult have to be? Is there an age below which they cannot be allowed this choice, and if so why?

Or: do you try to dissuade a person who has made a choice like this? Nigot decided she had lived long enough. How does anyone argue with that without dealing in cliches and platitudes? Who was I to tell her otherwise? Nitshcke asked, about her decision. [S]he was an intriguing, enchanting woman and while it saddened me greatly when she decided to leave, her suicide was her decision and her right.

Im steeped right now in these memories, in all this agonizing, because someone else I know took his life just a few days ago. To us who knew him, he had everything going for him: a lovely family, a long and successful career, plenty of friends and admirers and a life of financial independence, indeed comfort. He had a booming laugh, a broad and infectious smile, a knack for telling the stories of innumerable intriguing things that had happened to him, a talent for listening, and a rounded, affable, always warm outlook on life.

Yet something in that picture had soured, so badly that he chose to end it all.

After losing him, his friends circulated a sheet of paper on which he had written, as a teenager, a long list of principles he expected to live by. Among them:

To be always open to new possibilities that life may offer.

To write and publish, with courage and fervor.

To explore the unknown, and not be afraid of hard lessons.

To us who knew him, those words, and indeed all the others on that sheet, shaped the full, vibrant life he led, or we thought he led. Yet his sudden death leaves us bereft and filled with questions, just as with my college pal and with Lisette Nigot. And the questions ask themselves late at night, while nursing a coffee, while working on this article. All the time. And again, there are no answers.

What was he thinking, in those last few moments? He made his way, early that morning, from his home to the place where he died. What did he feel as he left home for the last time? What was that trip like for him? What in his life had become so unbearable that death made sense?

What hard lesson had finally proved too hard?
Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after his recent remarks claiming he possesses evidence that could destroy the credibility of the Election Commission, accusing him of habitually lying and continuously attacking India's constitutional institutions. Vij told reporters here, "Rahul Gandhi has a habit of lying. He and his Congress party have launched a jihad against all constitutional institutions of the country. Now they are talking about blowing up the EC with an atomic bomb. Earlier, he was targeting the ED, CBI and even the judiciary. These constitutional institutions are pillars of our democracy. They want to destroy these democratic pillars and impose dictatorship in the country, and Congress has dictatorship in their DNA." Vij further alleged that the Congress has dictatorial tendencies embedded in its very DNA. "In 1975, Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency and showed the true nature of the Congress. Fundamental rights of common citizens were suspended, press censorship was imposed, and around 1.5 lakh opposition workers were jailed. This is Congress DNA, and DNA runs from generation to generation. Indira Gandhi's DNA came to Rajeev Gandhi and his came to Rahul," he added. The senior BJP leader also said, "The Congress party is the originator of terrorism in this country. It was responsible for the Partition of India on religious grounds, despite Mahatma Gandhi declaring that Partition would happen over his dead body. That Partition led to the massacre of nearly 10 lakh people and the displacement of millions." He further accused the Congress of facilitating terrorism in Kashmir by implementing Article 370. "They then enforced Article 370 in Kashmir, after which terrorism flourished. Congress ruled for 55 years but did nothing to end terrorism. It was only after the BJP government removed Article 370 that terror activities declined. Most recently, with Operation Sindoor, we have destroyed terror camps in Pakistan - something no previous government dared to do," Vij stated. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the poll body of being complicit in "vote theft" to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi claimed his party has "open-and-shut proof" of the alleged electoral malpractice, which he likened to an "atom bomb" that will expose the ECI's involvement when revealed. Talking to reporters on the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the Congress functionary said, "Votes are being stolen. We have open-and-shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in this vote theft. And I'm not saying this lightly, I'm speaking with 100% proof. And when we release it (proof), the entire country will come to know that the Election Commission is enabling vote theft. And who are they doing it for? They're doing it for the BJP." (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yogendra Chandolia has alleged illegal occupation by Rohingyas of a land acquired for college construction in Singhu Village, Narela. In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, he sought their eviction. Chandolia represents the North West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency and the land allegedly occupied by the Rohingyas comes under his constituency. "I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue that required immediate action. During my recent visit to Singhu Village, Narela where a college was proposed to be constructed, I was dismayed to find that the area is currently occupied by illegal majars and Rohingyas," Chandolia said in his letter dated August 1. He said that the land for construction of college was donated by the villagers but no further action has been taken. The situation has become even more concerning with he presence of numerous stray animals, including neel cows and monkey, roaming in the area, he said. "Furthermore, I was shocked to discover that the Rohingyas have managed to obtain illegal electricity connections. This not only highlights a serious tapse in the enforcement of law and order but also results in the misuse of public resources," he said. He requested the Chief Minister "to remove the illegal majars and Rohingyas from Singhu Village", disconnect the unauthorized electricity connections provided to the Rohingyas, conduct a thorough enquiry to determine how these electricity connections were made, and fix responsibility. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flagged off three new trains, including the Raipur-Jabalpur Intercity Express, on Sunday. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, virtually flagged off the train. The event marked a significant step in enhancing rail connectivity between Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Addressing the event, Chhattisgarh CM said, "It is a matter of great pride that Chhattisgarh has been gifted another train from Raipur to Jabalpur. I extend my congratulations to the entire nation. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister. "On behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh, I thank them for the Raipur Express. Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the railway budget has consistently increased, and railway stations are being transformed. The Prime Minister and Railway Minister have also provided the gift of a train to Bastar, for which I am grateful. Previously, there was only one train from Chhattisgarh to Jabalpur, and today, we have received the gift of a second train. For this, I extend my heartfelt thanks," he said. In a post on X, CM Sai further elaborated, "Today, the Honorable Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw ji virtually inaugurated the new Intercity train service between Raipur and Jabalpur. This train was flagged off from Raipur Railway Station by Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh ji. This train will serve as a strong connecting link between the cultural and educational cities of Raipur and Jabalpur, connecting Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. On behalf of the people of the state, heartfelt gratitude to the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Union Railway Minister ji for this important railway facility. On this occasion, MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal ji, MLA Shri Motilal Sahu ji, Shri Purandar Mishra ji, and other distinguished individuals were present." Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister also expressed gratitude for this development. "Today, through video conferencing from Ujjain, I flagged off the Jabalpur-Raipur Express and Rewa-Pune Hadapsar Express along with the Honorable Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw ji.On behalf of the citizens of Madhya Pradesh, I express heartfelt gratitude to the respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the Honorable Railway Minister ji for these gifts!" he posted on X. The newly launched trains are expected to boost connectivity and facilitate easier travel for passengers across these states. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that before 2017, recruitment in Uttar Pradesh was plagued by corruption, nepotism, and discrimination, which derailed youth aspirations and weakened law and order. Addressing the appointment letter distribution ceremony for 1,494 newly selected assistant operators in the UP Police Telecom Department, the CM recalled how past practices led to riots, terrorist attacks, and a climate of fear, citing incidents in Ayodhya, Kashi, Lucknow, and Rampur. He personally handed over letters to several recruits during the event at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. "After the double-engine government came to power in 2017, the first major step was to make the recruitment process transparent and fair. The Police Recruitment Board was strengthened as part of this effort. As a result, Uttar Pradesh now ranks first in the country for police recruitment and providing government jobs. So far, the government has given government jobs to 8.5 lakh youth, which is the highest number in the entire country," he added. The CM mentioned that the historic changes in the police recruitment process after 2017 are not just about numbers but represent a new identity, safety, and trust in Uttar Pradesh. Since 2017, more than 2,17,500 personnel have been recruited in the UP Police through a fair and transparent process, which is the highest in the country. He said that when the BJP government was formed in 2017 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first priority was to strengthen the recruitment board and ensure accountability for anyone tampering with the future of the youth. Today, UP's recruitment process has become a model for the entire country. The CM added that transparency in recruitment also boosted investments, creating local employment opportunities for nearly 2 crore youth in their own districts. With support from outsourcing, technology, and policy-making, Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as one of India's fastest-growing economies. He also highlighted that when the first recruitment was conducted in 2017-18, the state had very limited training capacity. Earlier, only around 3,000 police personnel could be trained, but now training arrangements for 60,244 recruits are being managed within UP Police's own training institutes, a massive jump in capacity. CM Yogi further said that in the last eight years, police lines, headquarters, and residential facilities in Uttar Pradesh have expanded rapidly. He mentioned that in almost every district, the tallest and best buildings now belong to police barracks. New police lines and headquarters have been built in 10 districts where none existed before. He informed that the long-pending Police Commissionerate system, pending since 1971-72, was implemented by the double-engine government, and 7 new commissionerates have been created so far, improving both modern policing and accountability. He said that today, UP Police has become a model force, symbolizing a riot-free, law-abiding, and safe state. He highlighted the Mahakumbh as an example of the police force's dedication and sensitivity, where their commitment and conduct ensured the event's success. CM Yogi reminded the police that people notice not just their work, but also their behaviour. To ensure women's participation, 20 per cent reservation has been implemented in the police force. Under this, out of 1,494 candidates selected for the telecom department, around 300 are women, and this number will increase further in the future. "20% reservation will be given to Agniveer recruits in the Uttar Pradesh Police. This decision will allow trained and disciplined youth to join the police force," he added. Praising the Telecom department's excellent work during the Mahakumbh, he said, communication is the backbone of any police force. In a state with a population of 25 crore, the responsibility of the communication and telecom police is significant. He appreciated their performance during the Kumbh and emphasised that technology is now an essential part of policing. The CM said that as India moves towards becoming the world's third-largest economy in the Amrit Kaal of independence, the police must be both sensitive and strict. He added that with every decade bringing a new generation, it is important to present a safe, transparent, and capable Uttar Pradesh where the police stand as a source of inspiration. (ANI)
Amid the allegation by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav that his name is not in the voter list, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led government, saying they are engaged in destroying democracy in the country. While speaking to ANI in national capital, Prasad said, "The BJP is engaged in destroying democracy in this country... It is the right to vote that is the strength of the poor... The BJP wants to eliminate this strength and honour. This has already begun..." He later added that in Bihar, the entire opposition in the Lok Sabha is demanding action against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). "In Bihar, the entire opposition in the Lok Sabha is demanding action against the ongoing SIR, stating that it is vote theft and must be stopped, but the government is not understanding this. Parliament is in session tomorrow as well. Let's see what happens," he told ANI. Meanwhile, BJP MP Sambit Patra lashed out at Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, alleging that Yadav had two EPIC numbers and two Voter IDs, and called Yadav's accusation a "conspiracy to defame India." On Saturday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the draft electoral rolls for Bihar, alleging his own EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) number has been "changed." "If my own EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) number could be changed, then how many people's EPIC numbers have been changed? These are the questions we are posing to the Election Commission. This is a conspiracy to cut people's names from the voter list...," he said. He accused the Election Commission of going back on its promises of transparency and fairness. The Election Commission of India said that not a single claim or objection has been filed by any political party in the first 24 hours of the publication of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar. "From August 1 (3 PM) till August 2 (3 PM), all political parties put together have filed 'Zero' claims and objections for the addition of the names of eligible electors and deletion of the names of ineligible electors," said the poll panel in a press note. The ECI in a press note said, "As per SIR order, after the completion of the Enumeration Phase from 24 June to 25 July 2025, the draft Electoral Rolls have been published for Bihar on 1 August 2025." The commission enabled electors to verify their names through the official link using their EPIC numbers. They were also allowed to file claims and objections for inclusion or deletion of names through the same portal. (ANI)
The Delhi Crime Branch has solved a year-old blind murder case with the arrest of a woman and her boyfriend for conspiring to kill her husband and disposing of his body in Haryana's Sonipat, officials said on Sunday. The accused have been identified as Soniya (34), a resident of Delhi's Alipur, and her partner Rohit, a resident of Jaji village in Sonipat. According to Crime Branch officials, the case dates back to July 2024, when the decomposed body of an unidentified man was found in a drain near Agwanpur village under Gannaur police station in Sonipat. A case of murder was registered but remained unsolved as the deceased could not be identified. The breakthrough came when the Delhi Crime Branch, led by Inspector Sandeep Tushir, started investigating the long-standing disappearance of one Pritam Prakash (42), a proclaimed offender and a history-sheeter from Alipur. His wife, Soniya, had lodged a complaint on July 20, 2024, stating that her husband had gone missing on the intervening night of July 5-6. Officials said that during the investigation, the last active location of Printam's phone was traced to Jaji village in Sonipat. Surveillance led the team to Rohit, who was found using the deceased's phone. Initially, he tried to divert the investigation by saying that he had purchased the phone from someone unknown. However, under sustained interrogation, he confessed to his illicit relationship with Soniya and revealed the murder plot. Rohit told the police that Soniya had given a "supari" (contract) to kill her husband and had handed over the phone after the murder. He admitted that the murder was carried out in July 2024, and the body was dumped in a drain. Soniya was subsequently taken into custody. Although she initially misled the police, she eventually broke down when confronted with evidence. She confessed to having paid her sister's brother-in-law, Vijay, to kill Pritam. She told the police that her husband, a repeat offender involved in over 10 criminal cases, including robbery and kidnapping, was abusive and addicted to drugs. She had also asked Rohit to kill her husband, but Rohit demanded Rs 6 lakh by saying that he alone couldn't commit it, and he had to hire someone else. She didn't have so much money. In between, a case was registered against Rohit, and he went underground. According to her statement, following a heated argument on July 2, 2024, she travelled to her sister's house in Gannaur in Rohit's taxi. On July 5, when Pritam arrived to take her back home, she decided to act. She convinced Vijay to murder him for Rs 1 lakh. That night, Pritam stayed back at the house and was killed by Vijay while others were asleep. His body was wrapped in cloth and dumped in a drain near Agwanpur village. The next day, Soniya returned to Delhi and filed a false missing complaint. She later sold Pritam's three-wheeler for Rs 4.5 lakh, cleared her debts, gave Rohit Rs 2.8 lakh and paid Rs 50,000 to Vijay. A few months later, she gave Pritam's phone to Rohit, instructing him to destroy it. However, Rohit kept and used the phone, eventually leading to their arrest. Vijay, the third accused, was arrested in a separate theft case in June 2025 and is lodged in a jail in Haryana. Officials said that DNA samples taken during the autopsy of the unidentified body in July 2024 had been preserved, and further forensic verification was ongoing. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended condolences over the death of 11 pilgrims after their vehicle plunged into a canal in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district, calling the incident "extremely tragic". President Murmu prayed for the speedy recovery of those who were injured. At least eleven people were killed after a vehicle carrying pilgrims fell into a canal in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. The incident occurred under the limits of Itia Thok Police Station. In a post on X, Murmu wrote, "The news of the deaths of many people in a vehicle accident in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely tragic. I express my deep condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1951928595527414112 Soon after the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow and called the incident "extremely heart-wrenching." The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure immediate medical attention for the injured. In a post on X, CM Yogi wrote, "The loss of life in the unfortunate accident in the district of Gonda is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the grief-stricken families. Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who lost their lives in this accident, and to the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital for their proper treatment." The CM took cognisance of the accident in Gonda and expressed condolences to the bereaved families, as per the CMO statement. He has directed the officials to reach the spot and speed up the relief operations. He has also directed for the proper medical treatment of the injured. (ANI)
Exuding confidence over the outcome of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form the government here under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "Today, I can say with confidence that the next government in Bihar will be formed by the NDA under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and PM Modi," Giriraj Singh told reporters. Union Minister applauded the work done under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and mentioned that 17 bridges have been constructed over Bihar's Ganga river since 2014. Ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, 17 bridges have been built over the Ganga river in Bihar. Not only that, today there is no part in Bihar where there are no proper roads. The Modi government is the one which gave development to Bihar. It is only under the NDA government that people in Bihar have been employed, he said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday said that it will double the remuneration for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), enhance remuneration for BLO Supervisors and give honorarium to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs). "Pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of democracy. The electoral roll machinery, consisting of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), BLO Supervisors and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), do a lot of hard work and play a pivotal role in preparation of impartial and transparent electoral rolls. The Commission has therefore, decided to double the annual remuneration for BLOs & also enhanced the remuneration of BLO Supervisors involved in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls" it said in a press release. The apex poll body's press statement also mentioned that the last such revision was done in 2015 and the honorarium has been provided for EROs and AEROs for the first time. (ANI)
The incident occurred when large rocks fell on workers engaged in quarry operations. The Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the loss of lives in the accident.

After speaking with officials, CM Chandrababu directed them to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical treatment and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Earlier, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has slammed Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for "once again betraying" farmers by dismantling the Rythu Bharosa scheme and going back on his pre-election promises.

He said Chandrababu's track record of making grand promises before elections, distributing fake guarantee bonds, and later abandoning them after gaining power has been exposed yet again through the failure of the Super-6 and Super-7 initiatives.

In a post on X, Jagan Reddy said that by his admission, Chandrababu has made it clear that farmers have no guarantee of support as long as he remains in power.

He recalled that despite inheriting an empty treasury in 2019, his government launched the Rythu Bharosa scheme within four months and implemented it without interruption for five consecutive years.

The YSRCP government provided Rs 13,500 per farmer annually, exceeding the Rs 12,500 promised in the manifesto, and disbursed a record Rs 34,288 crore in investment support.

Jagan said that in contrast, Chandrababu had promised Rs 20,000 per farmer per year under the "Annadata Sukhibhava" scheme, excluding the Centre's Rs 6,000. (ANI)
Acting on his instructions, state ministers are inspecting affected areas, while Relief Commissioner Bhanu Chandra Goswami informed that floods have impacted 37 tehsils and 402 villages, affecting 84,392 people. Of these, 47,906 have received assistance, and 2,759 animals have been shifted to safer locations.

Currently, 17 districts, including Kanpur Nagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Agra, Auraiya, Chitrakoot, Ballia, Banda, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chandauli, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Hamirpur, Etawah, and Fatehpur, are grappling with the impact of flooding. Relief and rescue operations are underway in full swing, with continuous patrolling by NDRF, SDRF, and PAC personnel.

Floods have caused damage to 343 homes so far, with compensation already distributed to 327 families. Over 4,015 hectares of land have also been affected. Relief supplies are being delivered using 493 boats and motorboats.

To support those impacted, 6,536 food packets and 76,632 lunch packets have been distributed so far. Moreover, 29 community kitchens (langars) have been set up to provide fresh meals to the victims.

The Yogi government is also prioritising the well-being of livestock. Around 500 quintals of fodder have been distributed. In addition, to prevent waterborne diseases, 129,571 chlorine tablets and 37,089 ORS packets have been provided.

A total of 905 flood shelters are currently operational, housing 11,248 displaced individuals. 757 health teams are conducting medical check-ups, while 1,193 flood posts have been set up to monitor the evolving situation.

These ministers are inspecting the flood-affected areas and will stay overnight in the district. (ANI)
The Government of Manipur has accorded approval to a significant proposal submitted by the Manipur Police Department for the establishment of a new Secretariat Police Station at Mantripukhri and creation of twelve new Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPO) posts in various districts across the state, a release said on Sunday. As per the release, this strategic move is intended to bolster policing capabilities, improve supervision of investigations, and enhance overall law and order management in both existing and newly created districts for administrative convenience. With the impending relocation of the State Civil Secretariat and Police Headquarters to Mantripukhri, there is a growing need to ensure adequate security coverage and effective law enforcement presence in the area. The proposed Secretariat Police Station will provide essential policing services to not only the new Secretariat complex and Police Headquarters but also to several other critical institutions in the vicinity, such as the Manipur High Court, IIIT and the Forest Office Complex. In view of the administrative complexity and increased security demands in the area, the government has also approved the creation of a dedicated SDPO, New Capital Complex, under the jurisdiction of Imphal East District. This officer will be responsible for supervising the proposed Secretariat Police Station and the existing Heingang Police Station, thereby ensuring coordinated command, effective case monitoring, and timely response to emerging law and order situations. Further, to address the longstanding shortage of supervisory officers in several districtsparticularly the newly created ones such as Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Pherzawl, and Noney-the government has approved the creation of additional SDPO posts to improve the administrative and operational efficiency of district policing units, as per release. The existing single SDPO structure in districts such as Chandel, Churachandpur, and Tamenglong has been found inadequate to meet the growing challenges of crime investigation, force deployment, and law and order supervision. According to the release, the posts have been carefully mapped to specific police stations or subdivisions within the respective districts to ensure closer supervision of policing functions, improved public interface, and faster response to local issues. In line with the government's commitment to fiscal responsibility and administrative prudence, the newly approved SDPO posts will be substituted from within the already sanctioned DSP/AC posts available in various units of the Police Department. The reallocation involves substitution of posts from units within the Manipur Police, ensuring no additional financial burden on the state exchequer. Additionally, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) post for the proposed Secretariat Police Station will be created by substituting one of the existing Inspector Posts, thereby optimising the use of internal human resources. This structural enhancement is expected to have a transformative impact on policing efficiency across Manipur. The revised supervisory structure will enable: Better command and control over police stations in remote and sensitive areas, Strengthened investigative oversight and case follow-up, More responsive law and order management, Improved border policing, especially in districts like Tengnoupal and Kamjong, and Efficient utilization of the existing sanctioned manpower, avoiding creation of additional financial liabilities. The Government of Manipur and the State Police Department remain committed to modernising and enhancing policing infrastructure in a sustainable and citizen-centric manner, as per release. The creation of the Secretariat Police Station and additional SDPO posts marks a progressive step toward this objective. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said that his government aims to make the state the best in the country on every parameter. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, affirmed that the third decade of the 21st century will belong to Uttarakhand. "The Prime Minister had said from the land of Baba Kedar that the third decade of the twenty-first century will be the decade of Uttarakhand. It means that the coming 10 years will be a time of prosperity for Uttarakhand. Whatever resolution Uttarakhand takes will be successful," CM Dhami said. "Our aim is to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country, and for achieving this aim, just as we have always received your blessings, your cooperation, and your support, we will continue to receive it in the future as well," he added. Earlier today, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the latter's residence. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today also distributed appointment letters to 144 candidates selected for various posts in the Irrigation Department and 43 eligible dependents under the deceased dependent quota in Uttarakhand Transport Corporation. Thus, the Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to the candidates/dependents selected for a total of 187 different posts. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while wishing the candidates well, appealed to the selected candidates to work with honesty, integrity, transparency and dedication. He said that the state government has also done the work of giving appointments to the dependents of the deceased employees pending for a long time. Last year, appointment letters were provided to 150 dependents and today, the remaining 43 eligible dependents. He said that due to the efforts of the state government, the corporation earned a record profit of more than Rs 56 crore in 2024. The Chief Minister said that earlier, there used to be a lot of favouritism, rigging and corruption in recruitments in the state. In response to the challenges faced by young people, the state government enacted the country's most stringent anti-copying law. Now, recruitments in the state are being ensured on the basis of complete transparency and merit so that eligible candidates are getting the full benefit of their skills and hard work. He stated that over the past 3 and a half years, more than 23,000 youth in the state have secured government jobs. The Chief Minister said that the state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and now no one is spared in corruption cases. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the countrymen to use indigenous products. He also urged the people of the state to use indigenous and local products. The Chief Minister said that our resolve towards a self-reliant India should be even stronger. He said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is committed to realising the Prime Minister's mantra of a self-reliant India. The Chief Minister said that the candidates selected in the Irrigation Department prepare maps and designs of irrigation projects, as well as prepare a framework for future development. "Irrigation schemes are being continuously expanded in our state. The candidates selected today are the pillars of irrigation projects, who will work to deliver water to the farmers' fields with their technical skills." (ANI)
Congress leader Rajani Kumar Mohanty on Sunday demanded a judicial inquiry into the case of a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly set on fire by miscreants in Balanga and died during treatment, further stating that the party would surround the office of the Director General of Police for the justice of the victim's family. The victim succumbed to burn injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS in the national capital, after she was allegedly set on fire by miscreants in the Balanga area of Odisha's Puri district on July 19. "Congress demands that if, within seven days, the culprits are not arrested by the state police administration, then we'll surround the DG office and do something to get justice for the victim's family. It's not a question of politicisation. It's a question of why the accused go scot-free. We demand a judicial inquiry in this case," Mohanty told ANI. He further raised questions on the victim's death when initially the Deputy CM Pravati Parida claimed that the victim was recovering at a fast rate. "When she was admitted to the hospital, she was in a fine condition. I saw her. The doctors had assured that after taking her to AIIMS Delhi, she would be saved. The investigating authorities took her statement four times. If she was capable of giving her statement, and the Deputy CM Pravati Parida told the media just six days before that the victim is recovering at a faster rate, and the police will reveal everything publicly very shortly, then what happened in just four days? Did she die, or did something else happen to her?" Congress leader asked. "If the eyewitness and the victim initially said that three people abducted her, then how come this story has been changed now?" Mohanty said raising questions on the incident. The 15-year-old girl succumbed to her burn injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS in the national capital, after she was allegedly set on fire by miscreants in the Balanga area of Odisha's Puri district on July 19. According to the police, the minor girl went out with her friends, but she was allegedly abducted midway and taken to the riverside, where she was set on fire. (ANI)
The seizures were made across Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), resulting in the arrest of one passenger, as stated in the press release.

The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

"Based on specific intel, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), Mumbai, intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok by flight no. MH194," a press note said.

The narcotic substances were attempting to smuggle Hydroponic Weed by falsely declaring the consignment as Confidential Diplomatic Cargo linked to national security.

The official said in a release that contraband was concealed inside envelopes bearing Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) markings and sealed with official MEA tape. The bag also contained copies of various UNODC reports and fake top-secret Mission Reports, and these are kept inside the trolley bag carried by the passengers.

Earlier on July 31, Mumbai Customs Zone-III officers had seized 8.012 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana) valued at approximately Rs 8 crore during operations carried out between July 29 and 30. (ANI)
Passengers scheduled to fly from Bhubaneswar to Delhi on Air India's flight AI500 faced unexpected disruptions on Sunday as the airline cancelled the service due to a technical issue. The airline cited abnormal cabin temperatures on the ground as the reason behind the cancellation. In an official statement, an Air India Spokesperson said, "Flight AI500 scheduled to operate from Bhubaneswar to Delhi on 3 August has been cancelled due to a technical issue causing high cabin temperature on ground prior to the departure. Our airport team in Bhubaneswar is assisting the impacted passengers with alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination Delhi. We regret the inconvenience caused". The issue was identified while the aircraft was still on the tarmac, preventing it from taking off as scheduled. On July 31, the passengers of Air India flight AI2017, scheduled to fly from Delhi to London, experienced an unexpected delay after the aircraft aborted the takeoff and returned to the bay following a suspected technical issue. According to a statement issued by an Air India spokesperson, the cockpit crew made the decision to discontinue the take-off run in accordance with standard operating procedures. "Flight AI2017 operating from Delhi to London on 31 July returned to bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks. An alternative aircraft is being deployed to fly the passengers to London at the earliest. Our ground staff is extending all support and care to the guests to minimise inconvenience caused due to this unexpected delay. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our passengers remain the top priority," the Air India spokesperson said. (ANI)
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday called for the revival of ties between India and Pakistan, stating that "reconciliation" is the only way forward to ease tensions. Responding to questions about the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the recent encounter in Kulgam, Mufti said, "Encounter used to happen and will always happen, but such a huge war took place before that. The ceasefire had to be declared later. Unless reconciliation, dialogue, debate and discussions are done, such encounters will go on, and we will always stay on the verge of war. Reconciliation is the only way forward." Terrorists killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 in a brutal and heinous attack. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response. Meanwhile, security forces continue their operation in the Akhal Devsar area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district. One terrorist has been neutralised so far in the joint operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG). The encounter began on Saturday and continued overnight. A day earlier, ahead of the sixth anniversary of the revocation of Article 370, Mufti launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government, saying the policy to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status has "completely failed." "Six full years have passed since August 5, 2019. At that time, Jammu and Kashmir's special status was taken away, and Article 370 was revoked with the claim that everything would be fine in Jammu and Kashmir. But we have seen that the policy has completely failed," she told reporters. Mufti alleged that the internal situation in the region has deteriorated rather than improved, pointing to ongoing security crackdowns. "Internally, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is bad. For the past six years, arrests have been made daily. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has become worse than before, although people are silent today. This is why our country has come into confrontation with Pakistan. What is Pakistan's stature? Their economy is not even a tenth of our economy, but today the whole world is comparing us with them," she said. The former Chief Minister also criticised what she termed the BJP's "aggressive policy" and its broader impact on regional diplomacy. "Unfortunately, the BJP has created such an atmosphere in the country that today all groups are saying, why did you agree to a ceasefire? This is the BJP's aggressive policy." (ANI)
In a historic milestone towards India's clean energy transition, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) on Thursday commissioned the country's first 'Make-in-India' 1 Megawatt Green Hydrogen Plant at Kandla, Gujarat.

"This is a commendable effort, championing sustainability and powering our Net-Zero vision," PM Modi said in a post on X.

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1951952940685566379

The plant was inaugurated by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in the presence of Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, T K Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, senior officials of Port and L&T.

The Port Authority said it is a powerful stride towards the Net Zero vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Just four months ago, during his visit to Kutch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for a 10 MW plant at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla. With the commissioning of the one MW module, that vision is now taking shape on the ground.

DPA, Kandla's Chairman, Sushil Kumar Singh, mentioned that this project will prove to be significant not only for DPA or Gujarat but for the entire country.

India, at the 26th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26) in November 2021, announced its target to achieve 'net zero' by 2070. (ANI)
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was functioning like a "puppet" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and said the opposition had "solid evidence" to support its claims. Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP further criticised the Election Commission for "not maintaining neutrality" in its public responses. "The Election Commission is working as a puppet of the BJP. There is solid evidence for the allegations made by the opposition. Instead of responding, the Election Commission is speaking in political language, which is not a good thing for an independent institution and the public. The Election Commission should understand that governments come and go, but institutions remain, democracy remains, the country remains, so at the very least, they should work in the interest of the country, not in the interest of the government," Imran Pratapgarhi said. Earlier in the day, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated that his party is going to reveal the "serious malpractices" of the poll body in Bengaluru on August 5. Venugopal, speaking to ANI, alleged that the names of many voters have been "excluded" from the draft electoral rolls for Bihar recently released by the EC. He further said that there will be a get-together of opposition INDIA bloc leaders on August 7 in Delhi. Amid the claims over the deletion of names from the voters' list in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday said that not a single claim or objection has been filed by any political party since the publication of the draft electoral rolls on August 1. (ANI)
A delegation led by Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Amardeep Singh Bhatia, along with CEO and MD, NICDC, Rajat Kumar Saini, Director, DPIIT and the Head of Startup India, visited the K-tech MeitY Nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI in Bengaluru. The visit aimed to engage with startups and incubation leaders, gain insights into the local innovation ecosystem, and identify opportunities for policy support to accelerate growth. Centre of Excellence, India's largest deep tech innovation hub, connects startups, innovators, enterprises, academia, and government to solve real-world challenges using cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI, Data Science, Big Data, AR/VR, Machine Learning, and Robotics, said Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The delegation interacted with startup founders and incubation managers to explore how these technologies can drive the future of manufacturing, logistics, and urban solutions. Following the Investors Roundtable Conference in Bengaluru, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, undertook a detailed review of the Tumakuru Industrial Area, a flagship project under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). The Secretary of DPIIT examined key milestones, including Phase A development covering 1,736 acres, progress on internal roads, drainage, and utility corridors, and initiatives to support investors. During the meeting with Larsen and Toubro (L&T), the EPC contractor, and HaskoningDHV, the PMC contractor for the project, highlighted the detailed updates on construction progress and major milestone deliverables. L&T assured the officials that they will expedite the work and complete key tasks on time, ensuring that land allotment to industries begins by the year-end. Bhatia urged all stakeholders to meet planned targets on schedule while upholding the highest quality standards to ensure Tumakuru Industrial Area attracts both global and domestic investment in sectors such as electronics, automotive, clean tech, and logistics. The delegation also visited Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Pvt. Ltd. and the Devanahalli Aerospace Special Economic Zone (#SEZ), followed by a tour of Dynamatic Technologies, a leading manufacturer of aerospace components. The walkthrough provided insights into advanced manufacturing capabilities, precision engineering, and India's evolving role in the global aerospace supply chain. The review meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Selvakumar S, Principal Secretary, Government of Karnataka; Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO & MD, NICDC; Mahesh M, MD, KIADB; and Shubha Kalyan, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Tumakuru, along with senior officials from NICDC and the State Government, to assess progress and align efforts for timely execution. According to the release, Secretary, DPIIT encouraged stakeholders to leverage the synergy between innovation, industrial infrastructure, and policy support to drive investment and export-led growth. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused the Delhi Police of describing Bengali as a "Bangladeshi language", calling it scandalous, anti-national and unconstitutional. Sharing a letter by Delhi Police on X, Banerjee said, "See now how Delhi police under the direct control of the Ministry of Home, Government of India, is describing Bengali as 'Bangladeshi' language! Bengali, our mother tongue, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, the language in which our National Anthem and the National Song (the latter by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) are written, the language in which crores of Indians speak and write, the language which is sanctified and recognised by the Constitution of India, is now described as a Bangladeshi language!!" https://x.com/MamataOfficial/status/1951991188153594337 She called the act 'scandalous' and urged everyone to strongly protest against the government for disrespecting Bengali-speaking people. "Scandalous, insulting, anti-national, unconstitutional!! This insults all Bengali-speaking people of India. They cannot use this kind of language which degrades and debases us all. We urge immediate strongest possible protests from all against the anti-Bengali Government of India who are using such anti-Constitutional language to insult and humiliate the Bengali-speaking people of India," the post reads. On July 28, Banerjee said she is not against any language or community and supports unity in diversity. Addressing the Bhasha Andolan in Birbhum, Mamata Banerjee said, "I am not against any language or divisive policy. We want unity in diversity. Have I told Hindi-speaking people to leave Bengal? I never said that. You are also my friends...There are 1.5 crore migrant workers in Bengal, and 22 lakh people from Bengal work in other states. You should stop your oppression." A row over the Bengali language surfaced after Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress raised the issue during the 'Shahid Dibas' (Martyrs' Day) celebrations on July 21. (ANI)
Karnataka Minister MB Patil on Sunday said that the floods in Maharashtra's Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts--located in the Krishna basin--were a result of the simultaneous release of water from the Koyna, Rajapur and other dams, along with rampant encroachments. He cited a report by an expert committee constituted by the Maharashtra government, which confirmed this finding and clarified that the floods had nothing to do with the height of Karnataka's Alamatti and Hipparagi dams. Patil reminded that the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal had authorised Karnataka to raise the Alamatti dam's height from 519.60 metres to 524.56 metres. "The Maharashtra government, which never objected to this decision so far, has now written to the central government with misplaced intentions," he alleged. Recalling the 2019 floods in Sangli and surrounding areas, Patil said the then Maharashtra government had set up a ten-member expert committee under retired Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Nandakumar Vadnere, to recommend flood mitigation strategies. The committee submitted its report in May 2022, which clearly stated that the backwaters of the Alamatti and Hipparagi dams were not responsible for the flooding in Sangli. The report further clarified that these backwaters fall entirely within Karnataka's boundaries and do not submerge any land in Maharashtra, Patil explained. He also noted that Alamatti is located approximately 260 km from Sangli, while the backwaters of Hipparagi are 22 km away from the Rajapur barrage. According to the Vadnere committee report, the simultaneous release of massive volumes of water--running into lakhs of cusecs--from the Koyna dam, Rajapur barrage and other sources had led to the flooding. "The report also stated that the Maharashtra government lacked a track record of exercising precaution while releasing water from these dams. This concern was formally communicated to the then Chief Minister by the committee in a letter dated 4 August 2019," Patil said. On a related note, he mentioned that Amol Pawar, a resident of Maharashtra, had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court seeking directions to both Maharashtra and Karnataka to frame joint flood management guidelines. Karnataka responded to the petition; however, the petitioner eventually withdrew it. "There is no fresh controversy over the height of the Alamatti dam. The issue has already been resolved by the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal," Patil asserted. "If Maharashtra truly intends to resolve flood-related issues, it should do so through the Inter-State Flood Coordination Committee. Instead, the state has chosen to politicise the matter," he said. Patil further accused the Maharashtra government of indulging in negative politics with the sole aim of stalling Karnataka's developmental works. "This is the real motive behind the letter written by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to Union Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil," he claimed. (ANI)
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Sunday condemned a Delhi Police letter that has surfaced on social media platforms, which allegedly referred to Bengali as a 'Bangladeshi' language. Addressing the press conference, Kunal Ghosh said, "The subject is extremely condemnable. What is happening constantly with Bengalis? All languages are recognised in our constitution. Our main demand is that the person (official) who wrote this letter should be suspended...Bengali is being insulted by calling the Bengali language Bangladeshi." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused the Delhi Police of describing Bengali as a "Bangladeshi language", calling it scandalous, anti-national and unconstitutional. Sharing an image of a letter claiming to be of Delhi Police on X, Banerjee said, "See now how Delhi police under the direct control of the Ministry of Home, Government of India, is describing Bengali as 'Bangladeshi' language! Bengali, our mother tongue, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, the language in which our National Anthem and the National Song (the latter by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) are written, the language in which crores of Indians speak and write, the language which is sanctified and recognised by the Constitution of India, is now described as a Bangladeshi language!!" She called the act 'scandalous' and urged everyone to strongly protest against the government for disrespecting Bengali-speaking people. "Scandalous, insulting, anti-national, unconstitutional!! This insults all Bengali-speaking people of India. They cannot use this kind of language which degrades and debases us all. We urge immediate strongest possible protests from all against the anti-Bengali Government of India who are using such anti-Constitutional language to insult and humiliate the Bengali-speaking people of India," the post reads. On July 28, Banerjee said she is not against any language or community and supports unity in diversity. Addressing the Bhasha Andolan in Birbhum, Mamata Banerjee said, "I am not against any language or divisive policy. We want unity in diversity. Have I told Hindi-speaking people to leave Bengal? I never said that. You are also my friends...There are 1.5 crore migrant workers in Bengal, and 22 lakh people from Bengal work in other states. You should stop your oppression." A row over the Bengali language surfaced after Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress raised the issue during the 'Shahid Dibas' (Martyrs' Day) celebrations on July 21. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, reaffirming his commitment to urban transformation and citizen empowerment, has approved Rs 4,179 crore for multiple development projects under the Urban Development Year-2025 for 7 municipal corporations and 12 municipalities in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Urban Development Year in 2005 as Gujarat's Chief Minister. Marking its 2 decades of success, the state is celebrating 2025 as Urban Development Year. With a focus on transformative urban development, CM Patel has given in-principle approval for projects worth Rs 4,179 crore under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana for increasing citizen-centric works in cities during this Urban Development Year, as stated in the release. Accordingly, this amount has been allocated for cities and municipalities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, and the newly constituted three municipal corporations--Nadiad, Porbandar, and Morbi--along with municipalities like Visnagar, Borsad, Viramgam, Patan, Amod, Una, Halvad, Khambhaliya, Savarkundla, Dhanera, Veraval, and Patan. CM Patel has allocated Rs 3,768 crore for infrastructure development works. This includes Rs 455 crore for 349 works related to urban mobility and physical infrastructure for Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Rs 367 crore for 302 works in Rajkot, and Rs 2,940 crore for 252 works in Ahmedabad. Additionally, Rs 6.20 crore has been approved for 11 works in the newly constituted Porbandar Municipal Corporation, as per the press release. Under the Iconic Road initiative in Urban Development Year, projects worth Rs 219 crore have been approved for the construction of urban roads and Gaurav Paths in cities and towns. This includes Rs 15 crore for Morbi Municipal Corporation, Rs 13 crore for Nadiad Municipal Corporation, Rs 136 crore for Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Rs 17.76 crore for Una Municipality, Rs 19.28 crore for Halvad Municipality, and Rs 5 crore for Khambhaliya Municipality with in-principle approval. According to the press release, Chief Minister has also approved Rs 93 crore for water supply lines and stormwater drainage works for effective rainwater management. From this amount, Rs 61.64 crore has been allocated to Morbi Municipal Corporation, Rs 19.28 crore to Savarkundla Municipality, and Rs 11.31 crore to Dhanera. The Chief Minister has granted approval for projects totaling Rs14 crore for Veraval-Patan and Amod municipalities to support their unique development initiatives. Furthermore, under the Khaangi Society Janbhagidari Yojana, Rs 2.72 crore worth of projects have been approved for Visnagar, Borsad, and Viramgam municipalities, as per the press release. Additionally, under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, Rs 80 crore has been allocated to Rajkot and Rs 2.72 crore to Patan for outgrowth area development. To build citizen-centric cities during the Urban Development Year and realise the vision of "Earning Well - Living Well," the Chief Minister has granted in-principle approval for these Rs 4,179 crore worth of projects to develop smart, sustainable, and vibrant urban centres across Gujarat, as stated in the press release. (ANI)
In the first incident on Sunday morning, alert BSF troops launched a search operation after the observation of a drone movement near the village of Kalsian in Tarn Taran. They succeeded in apprehending two smugglers hiding in a paddy field. Further, on their disclosure, the troops recovered 01 packet of heroin (gross weight: 610 grams) from an adjoining irrigated field. The heroin packet was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, indicating a drone drop.

In a separate incident, on Saturday, acting on specific intelligence input, BSF troops recovered a 01 DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from a farming field near the village of Barreke in the Ferozepur district.

In another such incident, continuing its relentless crackdown on cross-border smuggling, the vigilant BSF troops, in joint operations, apprehended two smugglers and recovered six rogue drones carrying heroin and weapon parts in multiple incidents along the Amritsar and Tarn Taran borders.

Acting on the intelligence, two smugglers, residents of Bhikhiwind, were apprehended near village Dal in Tarn Taran area with a bike, two mobile phones and pistol parts with live rounds, said the release.

In multiple coordinated operations in the last few hours, BSF troops neutralised and recovered a total of six drones - five DJI Mavic 3 Classic and one DJI Air 3 S across villages Roranwala Khurd, Dhanoe Kalan, Bhaini Rajputana and Daoke in Amritsar. These drones carried heroin (total gross weight: approx. 1.73 kg), pistol parts and empty magazines. (ANI)
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday once again echoed the Prime Minister's appeal by urging citizens to purchase products made within the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday, during the disbursement of the 20th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi in Varanasi, urged the nation to buy indigenous products. Reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening the economy, the Union Agriculture Minister reiterated the Prime Minister's appeal today: "Dear sisters and brothers--nieces and nephews, everyone lives for themselves--insects, birds, and animals. But what's the point of living only for oneself? We must live for our country. Living for the nation is what the Honourable Prime Minister taught us yesterday. He appealed to us to buy only those products for our homes that are made in our own country." "Dear sisters and brothers, whether something is made in your village, in a nearby city, in your district, in your state, or anywhere in our country, buy only those things. The Indian economy is growing rapidly. Today, we are ranked fourth in the world, and very soon, we will reach the third position. And this nation of 1.44 billion people is a huge market. If we resolve to buy and use only things made in our country, then our farmers, our small-scale producers, self-help groups, and local artisans- everyone will see their income increase. And when their earnings grow, our economy will become stronger. Why should our money go abroad? Let it provide livelihoods to our own children. I will live for my country, and you too should live for the country...which means, buy only products that are Made in India. Thank you!" Earlier, he said that the welfare of farmers is a top priority of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the gathering of farmers, officials and dignitaries in Patna, Agriculture Minister Chouhan said that with the help of the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, the government is ensuring that the assistance reaches directly into the accounts of the farmers. Highlighting the measures for farmers' welfare, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chouhan said that with the help of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), the government is ensuring that the assistance reaches directly into the accounts of the farmers. He said, "Earlier, farmers used to get only a few pennies of Rs. 1 sent by the government, but now they receive the whole amount without any leakage." (ANI)
The CM said this after flagging off the walkathon on the occasion of 15th Organ Donation Day at Amrakunja, Rabindra Satabarisiki Bhawan, Agartala today.

"There can be no greater humanitarian service than saving another person's life through organ donation. One organ donor can save up to eight or nine lives, even after death, by donating vital organs like kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart," he said.

CM Saha noted that while the concept of organ donation is gaining recognition, India still lags behind in comparison to several other countries due to a lack of public awareness and willingness to come forward.

"We must work together to change this mindset and spread awareness at all levels," he added.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the growing capabilities of Tripura's health infrastructure, stating that kidney transplants are now possible within the state.

He further informed that the state government is taking steps toward enabling liver transplants, with the establishment of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) in 2023 being a major milestone.

Paying tribute to all organ donors and their families, CM Saha called them true heroes for their selfless contributions to humanity.

Dr Shankar Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent of GBP Hospital, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, and Dr Anup Kumar Saha, Principal of Agartala Government Medical College and others were present, as per the release.

Earlier on July 31, Tripura CM attended a Blood Donation Camp and Vanamahotsav at Tripura Medical College (TMC) Hospital, Hapania in Agartala.

Tripura CM also promoted community welfare by providing free Orthotics for Hip and Knee replacement patients and distributing spectacles to children under 14 years for a year as part of the program. This program was organised by TMC, Tripura Medical and Nursing College, and the Rotary Club of Agartala. (ANI)
The officials seized 50 grams of LSD and 20.21 grams of hash, along with three cars worth Rs 50 lakhs, and handed the case over to the Chevella Excise Police.

According to an Excise official, " The IT employees booked a Serene Orchards farmhouse and celebrating birthday party, and five IT employees from Dell were caught with 50 grams of LSD and 20.21 grams of hash. We caught all six IT employees and conducted a drug test; they all tested positive. We have seized three cars worth 50 lakhs and registered a case against the farmhouse owner, and IT employees and handed them over to the Chevella Excise Police Station."

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

A day earlier, one man was arrested by Saifabad Police, Hyderabad City, for allegedly assaulting two persons and spreading the video of the incident, inciting and provoking communal tensions, police said.

The accused has been identified as Mohammed Raheel (24 years).

The police said that the individual who recorded and transmitted the video has been arrested under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and the Information Technology Act has been invoked.

Police said the accused began recording both on his mobile phone and questioned the woman for being with a man from a different religion while wearing a hijab. (ANI)
According to the Superintendent of Police, Ghazipur, the younger son of late gangster Mukhtar Ansari, Umar Ansari, was arrested by the Ghazipur Police from Lucknow.

He prepared fake documents for a confiscated property by "forging the signature" of his mother, Afsa Ansari, "who has a bounty of Rs 50,000 on her", the SP added.

A case has been registered at Mohammadabad Police Station under relevant sections, the SP said.

"Further legal proceedings are being conducted," he added.

Mukhtar Ansari passed away at Banda Medical College Hospital in Uttar Pradesh after he suffered a cardiac arrest on March 28, 2024.

In April 2023, Mukhtar Ansari was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP-MLA court. He was sentenced to life in prison on March 13, 2024, in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. (ANI)
The Delhi government under the BJP will hold discussions on several important issues, including the Fee Act, during the Vidhan Sabha session,n which will start from Monday. Notably, ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Delhi Assembly, the House has transitioned to a fully digital and paperless format. All procedural work will now be conducted through digital platforms, marking a significant shift in its functioning. The Speaker has urged all Members to actively participate in this historic paperless Monsoon Session and to strictly adhere to the procedures laid out, thereby ensuring a smooth, transparent, and productive legislative process. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood told reporters, "During the Vidhan Sabha session, we will discuss several important topics, including the Fee Act or Fee Bill. Other important issues will also be addressed. I assure Delhi people that their concerns will be deliberated in Vidhan Sabha and a law will be made to address them." Earlier Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told reporters "This time the assembly session will start from 4 August and will continue till 8 August. An education bill will be brought in this session, which will be tabled for discussion. For the first time in history, the Delhi Assembly will now be an e-Vidhan Sabha. It will be paperless..." she said. Slamming the BJP's proposed school fee law, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj earlier said the bill is a direct assault on parents and a bonanza for private schools. Saurabh Bharadwaj warned that this law is tailor-made to "protect the education mafia" and demanded answers from the Chief Minister and Education Minister on how arbitrary hikes will be rolled back and why audit mechanisms were deliberately erased. Addressing a press conference, AAP Delhi State President Bharadwaj pointed to the developments since BJP formed the government in Delhi, stating, "When the new academic session for private schools began on April 1, almost every school increased their fees. Some schools even raised it by as much as 80 to 82 per cent. We saw parents protesting outside schools like DPS Dwarka for several days, shouting slogans against the administration. Children were harassed -- denied entry into classrooms, made to sit in libraries, and bouncers were deployed outside the schools." (ANI)
As per BYC, the families had travelled from Balochistan all the way to Islamabad in search for justice.

The protesters include elderly women and children who have withstood heavy rains, extreme heat, and severe weather over the past several days.

Despite this, BYC said that the state has responded with roadblocks, surveillance, intimidation, along with the sealing of roads in front of the National Press Club.

"Today marks Day 18 since the Baloch families of detained BYC leaders and other enforcedly disappeared persons travelled from Balochistan to Islamabad in search of justice," BYC said in a post on the social media platform X.

BYC further added, "For 18 consecutive days, these families, many of them elderly women and children, have sat in protest through heavy rain, unbearable heat, and harsh weather, yet no camp has been allowed. Instead of listening to their cries, the state has responded with roadblocks, intimidation, surveillance, and the sealing of the road in front of the National Press Club."

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Balochistan has long been the centre of persistent human rights issues. The area has experienced cycles of violence related to separatist movements, a heavy military presence, forced disappearances, and economic neglect. These challenges have attracted attention from human rights groups, journalists, and international observers.

Human rights groups have long accused Pakistani authorities of abducting civilians in Balochistan without due process, using enforced disappearances to suppress dissent and intimidate communities in restive areas. Pakistani authorities routinely deny these allegations, but civil society continues to condemn the security forces' role in systematic abductions targeting students, political workers, and residents. (ANI)
The details were shared by the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and the Embassy of India in Japan through a series of posts on X.

As per the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), on Saturday alone, the India Pavilion drew over 23,000 visitors who were enthralled by witnessing the wonders of India's scientific innovations to the serenity of yoga and the richness of our cultural heritage, visitors experience many dimensions of Bharat under one roof.

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The Pavilion was also visited by Dr HC Nik Gugger, member of the Swiss National Council and President of the Swiss-India Parliamentarian group, along with his family.

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The Indian Embassy in Japan shared that the visitors immersed themselves in the enchanting blend of India's culture, innovation, and timeless wellness.

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It mentioned how the visitors experienced a calming evening yoga session-- embracing India's age-old journey towards holistic wellness, balance, and inner tranquillity.

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In a unique zone named, 'Chandrayaan Zone', the visitors were left fascinated with India's pioneering achievements in space exploration and its trailblazing lunar missions.

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The One District One Product Zone showcased Walnut Wood Carving from the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Silver Filigree (Tarakashi Art) from Cuttack in the State of Odisha.

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Previously, cultural performances such as Kathak to a Bollywood dance performance had bewitched the visitors.

"A spellbinding Kathak performance by Nalini Toshniwal and Ruchika Dance Academy enthralled visitors at the India Pavilion - Bharat - at Osaka Expo", the Embassy said.

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India and Japan share a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership'. The friendship between the two countries has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilizational ties. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that on Sunday, it observed the sorties of five PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around its territory. Sharing the details in a post on X, the Ministry of National Defence said that an appropriate response has been taken in this regard. MND wrote on X, "5 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1951810249037422823 Earlier, on Saturday, the MND had detected 11 Chinese military aircraft and seven Chinese Naval vessels operating around its territorial waters, whereas on Friday, the MND detected 20 sorties of PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels operating around it. The frequent incursions and maritime operations reflect rising tensions between Taiwan and China, a relationship long fraught with geopolitical strain. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), governs itself independently with its own distinct 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, backed by 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)
Hamas has dismissed reports that it expressed willingness to disarm during Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Israel, affirming its "national and legal" right to resistance against Israeli occupation, Al Jazeera reported. The Palestinian group issued a statement on Saturday in response to comments allegedly made by United States President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, during a meeting with relatives of Israeli captives held in Gaza. Citing a recording of the conversation, Israeli outlet Haaretz reported that the US envoy told the families Hamas was "prepared to be demilitarised." However, Hamas firmly denied the claim. In its statement, Hamas said, "The resistance and its weapons are a national and legal right as long as the [Israeli] occupation persists." It added that this right "cannot be relinquished until our full national rights are restored, foremost among them the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," according to Al Jazeera. Witkoff had met the families in Tel Aviv on Saturday, a day after visiting a US and Israeli-backed aid distribution site in Gaza run by the controversial GHF group. Hamas previously criticised the envoy's visit as a "staged show" intended to mislead the public about conditions in the enclave, Al Jazeera reported. The group pointed to worsening humanitarian conditions, highlighting a United Nations report stating that more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food at GHF-run sites since the organisation began operating in Gaza in May. Despite growing international criticism of the group's operations, the Trump administration has stood firmly behind GHF. In June, Washington announced $30 million in funding support for the organisation, Al Jazeera reported. Witkoff's remarks on disarmament come amid intensifying global efforts to push for recognition of a Palestinian state, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues. At a two-day United Nations conference in New York this week, the United Kingdom said it may follow France in recognising a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not implement a ceasefire. Echoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's earlier stance, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK would proceed with recognition under specific conditions. The UN meeting also saw 17 countries, along with the European Union and the Arab League, endorse a seven-page document supporting a two-state solution. The text called on Hamas to "end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State," Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
Indian Ambassador to Spain, Dinesh K Patnaik alongwith other senior officials received the last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville. Indian embassy in Spain on Saturday said that the delivery was two months ahead of the schedule, marking an important milestone in Indian defence capabilities. "Indian Ambassador to Spain, Dinesh K Patnaik, along with senior officials from Indian Air Force, received the last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville. The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marks an important milestone in strengthening India's defense capabilities," the embassy said in a post on X. https://x.com/IndiainSpain/status/1951437348916318655 The Airbus C295 is a robust, reliable and highly versatile tactical transport aircraft designed for missions ranging from troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance and reconnaissance, to signals intelligence, armed close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport and airborne firefighting. It is the world's most versatile and efficient multi-role tactical airlifter. With more than 300 aircraft under contract, the C295 has an outstanding reliability record and proves itself to be a highly efficient aircraft every day. The C295 is the perfect workhorse, offering unparalleled versatility and proven reliability to meet the needs of armed forces, governments and NGOs. Bilateral partnership in defence sector between both the countries has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. The procurement of 56 C295 aircraft from Airbus Spain in a USD 2.5 billion contract, 40 of which will be made in India by Tata Advanced Systems, represents the first Make in India project in the defence aircraft sector. The Chief of Indian Air Force ACM VR Chaudhari presided the handing over of the first C295 Aircraft to Indian government on September 13, 2023 in Seville, as per a statement by the MEA. (ANI)
Israeli ground and air forces struck over 130 Hamas targets across Gaza over the weekend, killing a senior field commander and dismantling key underground infrastructure, according to The Jerusalem Post. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said operations occurred in the northern, central, and southern parts of Gaza, targeting tunnel shafts and combat units, The Jerusalem Post reported. The strikes were supported by real-time intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). A July 24 airstrike in central Gaza killed Salah al-Din Za'atra, deputy commander of Hamas's al-Furqan Battalion. Military officials told The Jerusalem Post that Za'atra had "supervised combat-support operations and planned attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers." In northern and central Gaza, troops from the 99th Division's Nahal Brigade uncovered tunnel shafts and used tank fire to eliminate multiple Hamas fighters. Meanwhile, reconnaissance teams from the 401st Brigade of the 162nd Division identified four Hamas operatives approaching IDF lines. The fighters were killed in an airstrike moments later, The Jerusalem Post noted. In the south, the Gaza Division (143rd) and the 36th Division targeted and destroyed tunnel networks and buildings used as rocket storehouses. Several Hamas fighters were also killed in close-quarters combat in densely built neighborhoods. Commanders stated their forces "continue to degrade Hamas's military capabilities" and have expanded operations to locate tunnel systems believed to run beneath residential areas, The Jerusalem Post reported. As part of these expanded operations, on Saturday during an operation carried out in the Beit Hanoun area in the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces identified a number of terrorists who emerged from a tunnel shaft in the area. The terrorists surrendered to the forces and were arrested on the spot. During interrogation by the forces in the field, the terrorists said that they planned to escape from the scene, after another terrorist who was with them in the shaft was eliminated during a clash with the IDF (Israel Defence Forces). In addition, the terrorists gave details about a weapons depot near the shaft, to which they led the Israeli forces. Many weapons were seized at the scene, including vests, cartridges, grenades and weapons. Inside the tunnel was equipment for a long stay, food, water and hygiene equipment. (ANI)
A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on Friday (local time) reaffirmed a lower court ruling that limits President Donald Trump's asylum ban at the US-Mexico border, effectively blocking a key order issued by Trump on his first day in office, The Hill reported. Trump had sought to end asylum access for all migrants except those who entered the US at official ports of entry, claiming the change was necessary to stop what he described as an "invasion" at the southern border. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in February on behalf of nonprofit organizations. In July, US District Judge Randolph Moss, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ruled against the Trump-era ban, saying it violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), The Hill reported. Moss concluded that the former president overstepped his authority by severely restricting asylum for migrants fleeing danger and persecution. While the DC Circuit panel--comprising Judges Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard, and Gregory G. Katsas--initially paused Moss's decision, it has now lifted the stay and allowed parts of the district court's ruling to take effect. However, the panel also narrowed the scope of Moss's decision, allowing the government to continue using elements of Trump's proclamation to bar certain migrants from accessing the asylum system, The Hill noted. Reacting to the decision, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News, "The President secured the border in record time at an unprecedented level by using every available legal tool provided by Congress. A rogue district judge took those tools away, threatening the safety and security of Americans and ignoring a Supreme Court decision issued only days earlier admonishing district courts for granting nationwide injunctions." "The Trump Administration is committed to restoring integrity to our immigration system and to our justice system," McLaughlin added. The Hill reported that the case remains a flashpoint in the ongoing legal and political debate over presidential authority on immigration and the future of US asylum policy. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the government of spreading "blatant lies" out of fear that PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan's children may return to Pakistan, Dawn reported. In a statement issued on Saturday, the PTI leader lashed out at the authorities for branding Khan's sons as foreigners, asserting that both Sulaiman and Kasim are Pakistani nationals with valid National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs), giving them full constitutional rights to visit the country and meet their father. "The oppressive and tyrannical government was forced to lie out of fear of Imran Khan's children coming to Pakistan, which shows how weak and cowardly they are," Waqas Akram said, as quoted by Dawn. He added that both sons had received tracking numbers for visa applications submitted to the Pakistan High Commission in London. According to Dawn, Waqas clarified that while NICOPs could take several weeks to be issued from Pakistan, visas are typically processed within hours. However, delays were being faced. He also revealed that a friend of the Khan family contacted the Pakistani High Commissioner, who reportedly said the visa issuance required clearance from the Ministry of Interior. "The boys were contacting the embassy through normal routes, and there was no response," Waqas said. The Interior Ministry, however, stated officially that it had no role in issuing visas. "Then the government claimed, 'visa applications have not been received,'" he added, according to Dawn. The PTI leader further released official details of the NICOP status for Sulaiman and Kasim to counter the government's claims. This came in the backdrop of fresh media reports earlier in the day, quoting the incarcerated former prime minister allegedly telling reporters at Adiala Jail that his sons would not come to Pakistan or take part in any protests. The PTI founder has been in Adiala Jail since August 2023, serving a sentence in the 190 million corruption case, while also facing multiple pending cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9, 2023, protests. However, the party had already issued a clarification on July 29, strongly refuting media reports claiming that party founder Imran Khan had barred his sons, Sulaiman Khan and Kasim Khan, from visiting Pakistan or participating in any activity demanding his release, Dawn reported. Responding swiftly, PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram rejected the reports, stating: "The news circulating in the media regarding Imran Khan Sahib's children is completely false. Imran Khan sahib has absolutely not stopped his children from coming to Pakistan. I would request those media friends who report from Adiala to only broadcast exactly what Khan sahib says. It is inappropriate to take things out of context, selectively, or to present conversations according to their own wishes," Dawn quoted him as saying. In a follow-up post, Akram reaffirmed that Imran Khan's sons would travel to Pakistan. "There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that Imran Khan's children will come to Pakistan. So far, only the date for this has yet to be determined. And everyone should remember that when they decided to come, they clearly told their father that we are not seeking your permission but informing you. So, avoid this propaganda because they are of no use," he added. According to Dawn, Imran's sister Aleema Khan had earlier mentioned that Sulaiman and Kasim would travel to the United States before arriving in Pakistan to join a movement for their father's release. The two brothers had also publicly addressed their father's imprisonment for the first time in May. While the federal government has not issued an official comment, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry remarked that the sons were welcome to visit Pakistan and there would be no hurdle in issuing them visas "in less than 24 hours," provided they adhere to the law, Dawn reported. However, legal concerns regarding their participation in political activity remain. Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik told Dawn that Article 16 of the Constitution -- which grants citizens the right to assemble -- does not apply to foreign nationals. "If they violate the visa conditions, the visa can be cancelled," Malik noted, adding that as British nationals, the brothers cannot legally engage in local political activism. Amid the legal debate, PML-N leaders issued conflicting remarks. While Senator Irfan Siddiqui supported their entry into Pakistan, stating they should be allowed to "carry out their activities" within the bounds of the law, Malik and others emphasised adherence to legal limitations for foreign nationals. (ANI)
The death toll from the partial collapse at Chile's El Teniente copper mine has risen to two, after human remains were found during ongoing search efforts for five trapped workers, state-owned mining company Codelco said on Saturday, as reported by Al Jazeera. "We know this news hits the families of our colleagues and our entire mining community hard," said Andres Music, the mine's general manager, in a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The discovery comes days after the collapse, triggered by a seismic event, trapped six workers more than 900 metres below ground at the world's largest underground copper mine, located in Rancagua, about 100 km south of Santiago. One miner was previously confirmed dead, halting operations at the century-old mine, according to Al Jazeera. "This discovery fills us with sadness, but it also shows us that we are in the right place, that the strategy we followed led us to them," Music added, while confirming that the search would continue. At least 100 personnel have been involved in the rescue operation. The trapped workers' location was identified using specialised equipment, the mine operator stated, as per Al Jazeera. Codelco's president Maximo Pacheco said during a news conference on Friday, "We will do everything that is humanly possible to rescue the five trapped workers." "All of our experience, all of our knowledge, all of our energy and all of our strength are dedicated to this cause and to seeing this through," Pacheco stated, as reported by Al Jazeera. Minister for Mining Aurora Williams earlier ordered a temporary halt to operations at El Teniente mine, which was established in the early 1900s and spans more than 4,500 km of underground tunnels. According to Al Jazeera, last year the mine produced 356,000 tonnes of copper--accounting for nearly 7 percent of Chile's total output. Chile remains the world's largest copper producer, generating about 5.3 million tonnes in 2024. The cave-in followed a seismic event on Thursday afternoon, registering a magnitude of 4.2. Authorities have not confirmed whether the tremor was natural or drilling-induced. "It is one of the biggest events, if not the biggest, that the El Teniente deposit has experienced in decades," said Music. Al Jazeera noted that the search team includes rescuers from the famed 2010 operation in the Atacama Desert, which brought 33 trapped miners to the surface after over two months underground. Chile's mining industry is considered one of the safest globally, with a reported death rate of just 0.02 percent last year, according to the National Geology and Mining Service. The country, however, lies along the earthquake-prone Pacific "Ring of Fire." (ANI)
India launched a new collaborative initiative with the support of the UN World Food Programme to strengthen Rice Fortification and Supply Chain Management in Nepal. This initiative is part of the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative, launched on August 1 by the Ministry of External Affairs. "The project in Nepal will address gaps in Nepal's fortified rice supply chain, particularly in procurement processes, data collection, and skilled workforce, by facilitating knowledge exchange with India's successful Public Distribution System (PDS). The project offers stakeholders from Nepal the opportunity to learn from India's experience in leveraging digital technologies for efficient food supply chain management," a release from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu states. As per the release, the focus areas of the initiative include: beneficiary management, storage and distribution models, monitoring and evaluation systems, and grievance redressal mechanisms. The project will be implemented in three phases for 12 months. "The first phase will focus on needs assessment and stakeholder engagement. The second phase will include a study visit to India for Nepali officials, featuring hands-on demonstrations and expert briefings. The third and final phase will focus on the development of an action plan. The training component of the project will be implemented through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme of the Government of India," the release added further. Previously, under the ITEC Programme, over 3,000 Nepali officials have received training in India since 2001. The India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative was announced in September 2023 on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Following this announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs and the UN Country Team in India jointly worked to identify and implement projects that foster South-South cooperation to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project on Rice Fortification and Supply Chain Management in Nepal, with the support of the World Food Programme, is one of four projects that have been identified for implementation under the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative. The project reflects the robust and vibrant development partnership between India and Nepal. It reinforces the shared commitment of both countries to sharing innovations and building resilient food systems through South-South collaboration. (ANI)
Residents of Pakistan's Bajaur district have convened a jirga calling on Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters to leave the area and return to Afghanistan, a move that underscores growing public frustration over violence and insecurity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as per Khaama Press.

The peace gathering, reported by Dawn newspaper, took place on Friday, August 1. Community elders and leaders urged the militants to consult with their commanders in Afghanistan before providing a response to the jirga's demand.

According to reports, several TTP members were present during the jirga, highlighting an unusual but direct dialogue between locals and the fighters who have long disrupted daily life in the region.

The jirga followed new movement restrictions imposed by Pakistani security forces in Bajaur, part of efforts to contain escalating clashes and restore order in areas affected by militancy.

Local residents used the meeting to publicly voice their support for the security forces and to call for the withdrawal of militants, insisting that peace and stability must take priority, as per Khaama Press.

Community elders, political representatives, party officials, and activists from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) were also in attendance, adding weight and legitimacy to the jirga's message.

This was not the first such initiative. A similar jirga held earlier in Tirah made the same plea for TTP fighters to leave, showing a widening grassroots movement across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demanding an end to the group's presence.

Despite Pakistan's claims that TTP leadership operates from across the border, the Taliban continues to deny hosting the group's leaders or fighters, as per Khaama Press.

The repeated calls from local jirgas signal a crucial shift; communities battered by militancy are no longer waiting for state action alone -- they are pressing militants directly, seeking to reclaim safety, stability, and control over their own future. (ANI)
A terrorist attack on the Fathakhel police check post in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was successfully repelled by police forces, resulting in the death of three militants, ARY News reported on Sunday. According to ARY News, terrorists launched a sudden assault on the check post, triggering an exchange of fire with security personnel. During the encounter, three terrorists were killed, while one police constable, identified as Niaz, was also killed. Three other personnel, including officers Saudad and Mufti Mehmood, sustained injuries in the attack. The militants reportedly used heavy weaponry during the operation. Following the clash, security forces secured the area and took control of the bodies of the slain attackers, ARY News reported. In response to the assault, a large-scale search operation was launched under the supervision of the Regional Police Officer (RPO) and the District Police Officer (DPO). As per ARY News, the search effort in the surrounding area remains ongoing. Local residents were seen chanting patriotic slogans such as "Pakistan Zindabad" alongside law enforcement officers, hailing the swift and effective response by the police. ARY News also recalled a similar incident on April 22, when KP Police foiled a terrorist attack on the Dharey Pul police post in Bannu. According to the Central Police Office (CPO), 18 to 19 terrorists, some on motorcycles and others crawling toward the post, attempted a coordinated strike that was ultimately thwarted by alert personnel. The recent spate of attacks, including the latest assault on the Fathakhel check post, has amplified public concern over security, as reflected in a local assembly in Pakistan's Bajaur district. According to Khaama Press, the assembly urged Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters to leave the area and return to Afghanistan, highlighting rising frustration over persistent violence and instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Residents of Pakistan's Bajaur district have convened a jirga calling on Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters to leave the area and return to Afghanistan, a move that underscores growing public frustration over violence and insecurity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as per Khaama Press. The peace gathering, reported by Dawn newspaper, took place on Friday, August 1. Community elders and leaders urged the militants to consult with their commanders in Afghanistan before providing a response to the jirga's demand. According to reports, several TTP members were present during the jirga, highlighting an unusual but direct dialogue between locals and the fighters who have long disrupted daily life in the region. The jirga followed new movement restrictions imposed by Pakistani security forces in Bajaur, part of efforts to contain escalating clashes and restore order in areas affected by militancy. Local residents used the meeting to publicly voice their support for the security forces and to call for the withdrawal of militants, insisting that peace and stability must take priority, as per Khaama Press. Community elders, political representatives, party officials, and activists from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) were also in attendance, adding weight and legitimacy to the jirga's message. This was not the first such initiative. A similar jirga held earlier in Tirah made the same plea for TTP fighters to leave, showing a widening grassroots movement across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demanding an end to the group's presence. Despite Pakistan's claims that TTP leadership operates from across the border, the Taliban continues to deny hosting the group's leaders or fighters, as per Khaama Press. The repeated calls from local jirgas signal a crucial shift; communities battered by militancy are no longer waiting for state action alone -- they are pressing militants directly, seeking to reclaim safety, stability, and control over their own future. (ANI)
Marcos after arrival in New Delhi on August 4 will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

On August 5, he will lay a wreath at Rajghat. Marcos will then hold talks with PM Modi in Hyderabad House.

Exchange of Memoranda of Understanding and Press Statements will take place thereafter.

Marcos will then meet JP Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and thereafter President Droupadi Murmu.

The Philippines' President will then travel to Bengaluru and meet Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ferdinand R Marcos Jr will pay a State Visit to India, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

This would be the first visit of Marcos to India since the assumption of office of the President of the Philippines.

Diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. Both countries have since developed a strong partnership across a broad spectrum of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and digital technologies. The two countries also engage closely at the regional level, including through India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

The statement added that India's relations with the Philippines are an integral pillar of our 'Act East' Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR and our vision of the Indo-Pacific. The forthcoming State Visit of President Marcos coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations. The visit is an opportunity for both leaders to set the path for future bilateral cooperation and to engage on regional and international issues of mutual interest, it added.

India and the Philippines share warm and multifaceted bilateral relations rooted in historical ties and shared democratic values. Cooperation spans various sectors, including defence, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to visit Moscow on Sunday in a bid to secure a breakthrough in negotiations over the Ukrainian conflict, RT reported, citing US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. "I'm hoping he can have a breakthrough," Whitaker told WHO 13 News, referring to Witkoff's upcoming visit to Russia, according to RT. The special envoy has previously held several meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin during earlier diplomatic efforts. Trump has also announced Witkoff's planned visit to Russia, though no specific timeline was given, RT reported. Whitaker further stated that the US intends to sell weapons to NATO allies, who would then provide them to Ukraine to facilitate dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv. "I'm hoping that by the United States leaning in, selling our weapons to our NATO allies, that that will lead the Russians back to the negotiating table and actually get to a ceasefire here," he said, as per RT. Earlier this week, Trump reduced his original 50-day window for Russia and Ukraine to strike a peace deal to just ten days, warning that failure to comply could result in sweeping penalties. These may include 100% tariffs and secondary sanctions targeting Russia's trade partners, RT reported. The acting US envoy to the UN, John Kelley, also confirmed that Trump expects a ceasefire by August 8, amid growing frustration from the President over Moscow's stance, according to RT. This development comes as United States special envoy to Middle East Steve Witkoff arrived at a US-backed food aid site in Gaza on Friday, amid an escalating starvation crisis in the enclave, CNN reported. An Israeli source confirmed to CNN that Witkoff reached the controversial aid facility operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GFH). White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, addressing reporters on Thursday, said Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee were scheduled to visit Gaza "to inspect the current distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more food and meet with local Gazans to hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground." Leavitt also said that Witkoff and Huckabee would "brief the president immediately after their visit to approve a final plan for food and aid distribution into the region," adding, "the White House will provide more details once that plan is approved and agreed on by the president of the United States," CNN reported. According to CNN, this marks Witkoff's second visit to Gaza. His first came shortly after Donald Trump assumed office in January, making him the first US official in over a decade to set foot in the enclave. The visit comes as the United States has recalled its negotiating team from Doha, where talks aimed at securing a Gaza ceasefire were underway, CNN reported. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas' latest response "clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire." Posting on X, Witkoff said the US "will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza," without specifying what those options might be, CNN noted. (ANI)
Grok, the chatbot developed by Elon Musk's company xAI, removed several "inappropriate" posts from X following criticism from users and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) over content laced with anti-Semitic tropes and praise for Adolf Hitler, France 24 reported. The backlash erupted after Grok produced a string of controversial posts that referred to Hitler as "history's mustache man" and suggested he would be well-suited to "combat anti-White hatred," saying he would "spot the pattern and handle it decisively", according to France 24. "We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts," the chatbot posted on X. In a follow-up statement, xAI said, "Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X. xAI is training only truth-seeking and thanks to the millions of users on X, we are able to quickly identify and update the model where training could be improved." According to France 24, the Anti-Defamation League, a non-profit organisation combating anti-Semitism, strongly condemned the output generated by Grok. "What we are seeing from Grok LLM right now is irresponsible, dangerous and anti-Semitic, plain and simple. This supercharging of extremist rhetoric will only amplify and encourage the antisemitism that is already surging on X and many other platforms," the ADL stated on X. This is not the first time Grok has come under scrutiny. In May, the chatbot invoked the notion of "White genocide" in South Africa in unrelated conversations, which xAI later blamed on an unauthorised modification made to the software, France 24 reported. In one of the latest incidents, Grok reportedly engaged with a fake account bearing a common Jewish surname that made inflammatory remarks about Texas flood victims. Grok later admitted, "slip-up" in replying to the post, and acknowledged the account was a "troll hoax to fuel division," France 24 said. Last month, Elon Musk acknowledged the problems facing Grok and vowed upgrades to address them, stating there was "far too much garbage in any foundation model trained on uncorrected data." (ANI)
Widespread monsoon rains and flooding in Pakistan have claimed over 280 lives and caused extensive damage to the economy, infrastructure, and ecosystems, further worsened by floating plastics and poor waste management, Dawn reported. According to a press release by WWF-Pakistan marking the end of its Plastic-Free July campaign, floating plastic waste has emerged as a major threat in urban areas during the monsoon. "These plastics choked the drainage system and caused prolonged waterlogging that damaged roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure," WWF-Pakistan stated, as quoted by Dawn. The organisation warned that plastic pollution also posed grave health risks, especially in areas with weak waste management systems, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Citing a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Dawn noted that global plastic production has nearly doubled from 234 million tonnes in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019. WWF-Pakistan warned that if this trend continues, it would aggravate health issues, damage ecosystems, and intensify climate-related disasters. "Plastics threatened biodiversity and created serious health hazards. They broke down into microplastics and contaminated the freshwater resources, and affected the soil fertility," said Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, in a statement quoted by Dawn. Khan further highlighted the climate impact of plastics, saying, "Plastic production significantly contributed to carbon emissions, which needed to be addressed through concerted efforts and robust waste management." He added, "A large part of the plastic waste in the upper riparian regions polluted the Indus River and further travelled downstream Kotri Barrage, reaching the Arabian Sea. This not only harms the freshwater ecosystem but also endangers coastal and marine biodiversity." Dawn reported that WWF-Pakistan has raised alarm over microplastics found in various human organs and even in the placenta of newborn babies, citing recent studies. "To address the challenge of plastics, WWF-Pakistan is closely working with relevant organisations and government agencies and has launched advocacy campaigns, cleanup drives, and beach cleaning activities along the Pakistan coast," the statement added. To promote sustainable livelihoods and curb plastic waste, WWF-Pakistan has trained over 50 women in Karachi and Islamabad to upcycle hard-to-recycle multi-layered plastics (MLPs) into marketable products. As per Dawn, the organisation has also mapped plastic leakage points along Karachi's coast and retrieved more than 2,500 tons of waste using a litter boom at the fish harbour. It has established Plastic Recovery Banks across five Karachi universities with segregated bins and educational materials to promote waste segregation. WWF-Pakistan has called for a nationwide ban on single-use plastics and urged citizens to adopt sustainable alternatives. (ANI)
In an alarming escalation, the Pakistani federal government has ordered the expulsion of over one million Afghan nationals legally residing in the country with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. According to Dawn News outlet, the Ministry of Interior issued a Special Regulatory Order (SRO) on July 31, declaring PoR cards expired as of June 30, effectively criminalising the stay of all Afghans still in Pakistan under this category. This decision now places registered refugees, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades, in imminent danger of arrest, detention, and deportation. Dawn News reported that the government has empowered police, district administration, and prison authorities to arrest and detain PoR cardholders without judicial review under the Foreigners Act of 1946, a colonial-era law used historically to suppress marginal communities. UNHCR Pakistan has raised grave concerns over the development, warning that forced repatriations violate international legal principles, including the right to non-refoulement. Dawn News quoted UNHCR spokesman Qaiser Khan Afridi as saying, "Forced returns could breach the principle of non-refoulement, where states are bound not to return people to countries where their life or freedom could be threatened." This abrupt revocation of legal refugee status is being condemned as both inhumane and politically motivated. Afghan community leaders, such as Syed Naqeeb Badshah of the Muttahida Afghan Tajir Ittehad, called the move "cruel and irrational." Speaking to Dawn News, he said, "The Pakistani government wakes up one fine day and asks 40,000 Afghan businessmen, including 559 who have invested over Rs1 billion, to leave immediately. This makes no sense." Despite assurances in June and July by the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions (Safron) that no action would be taken against PoR cardholders, the recent SRO nullifies those assurances, triggering widespread fear. Dawn News reports that Afghan refugees, including skilled workers and business owners, now live in a state of fear and uncertainty. A leather garment designer told Dawn News anonymously, "We are not refugees; we are taxpayers, businesspeople. Yet there's no forum left where we could even petition." This mass expulsion follows Pakistan's broader anti-refugee campaign launched in November 2023 under the so-called "Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan." The campaign has already forced over 1.14 million Afghans to return. According to IOM data cited by Dawn News, 93% of returnees between July 1-15 left out of fear of arrest. Pakistan's latest crackdown starkly illustrates how human rights and legal protections can be stripped overnight, placing vulnerable populations at the mercy of a system that sees legality not as a shield, but a weapon. (ANI)
Harvard University, once revered as a bastion of academic excellence and intellectual freedom, is now facing a growing scandal that threatens its reputation and integrity. A congressional investigation has revealed that the Ivy League institution maintained formal partnerships with Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled entities for over a decade, relationships that critics say directly assisted in the training of future CCP leadership. According to a letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) accused Harvard of actively collaborating with organisations under the control of the CCP's Central Organisation Department. This department is responsible for indoctrinating officials with "Xi Jinping Thought" and selecting leaders for key positions within China's authoritarian regime. Of particular concern is the Harvard Kennedy School's long-standing cooperation with the Chinese Executive Leadership Academy Pudong, an institution controlled by the CCP. Whistleblower testimony indicates that cadres from China's party and government institutions were sent to Harvard as part of their official training, raising alarms about foreign influence on American soil. "Harvard's formal partnership with a CCP-controlled school to train their future leaders raises serious concerns about the CCP's influence in American institutions," said Rep. Moolenaar. "We are committed to uncovering the full extent of these relationships to ensure transparency and protect national interests." The revelations come at a time when Harvard is already under scrutiny. The university is reportedly considering a USD 500 million payout to resolve a standoff with the Biden administration over campus anti-Semitism complaints and controversial DEI policies. But lawmakers argue that financial settlements cannot undo the damage caused by Harvard's entanglement with entities implicated in human rights abuses. In April, The Free Beacon exposed Harvard's past training of members from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a CCP paramilitary group sanctioned by the U.S. for its role in the genocide of Uyghur Muslims. That report prompted congressional leaders to threaten Harvard's tax-exempt status. Now, Harvard faces a deadline of August 7 to provide Congress with all records relating to its interactions with CCP-affiliated bodies, including any financial or material exchanges. As pressure mounts, the question isn't just whether Harvard broke federal laws or ethical boundaries, but whether one of America's most prestigious universities has willingly served the interests of a foreign authoritarian power. (ANI)
Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Sunday announced that all preparations for the party's planned August 5 protest have been completed as they gear up for the demonstrations held in demand for the release of PTI's founder, Imran Khan, Geo News reported. Khan, who was ousted from the office of the country's Prime Minister through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, remains in jail facing multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism, due to his involvement in the May 9 riots that happened in 2023. According to Geo News, in response to his detainment, PTI has called for nationwide protests on August 5. Imran Khan has directed all party members to set aside internal disputes and fully support the protest movement. Speaking during a press conference in Swabi in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), alongside fellow PTI leader Shahram Khan Tarakai, Qaiser said the protest will be peaceful and fully in accordance with the law and Constitution. "This movement is about justice, not confrontation. We want a fair trial of our leader's [Imran Khan] cases based on merit," he said, as quoted by Geo News. He pointed out that August 5 is a significant date for PTI, marking the day of Imran Khan's arrest, which he described as a defining moment in the party's political journey. Qaiser added that although Imran Khan could potentially be released quickly, he refuses to enter into any political deals, Geo News reported. He also highlighted the importance of cross-border trade with Afghanistan, noting its role in stabilising Pakistan's economy. "PTI founder's release could happen within an hour, but he will not make any deal," Qaiser added, as quoted by Geo News. Meanwhile, KP government spokesperson Faraz Mughal stated that the provincial leadership remains fully aligned with Imran Khan's vision, noting that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would step down immediately if Khan instructed him to do so. The KP government has been entrusted by the PTI founder... whenever he [Imran Khan] wishes, CM Ali Amin Gandapur will step down," Mughal stated, as quoted by Geo News, while responding to reports that Khan expressed dissatisfaction over the security situation in KP. Earlier, Geo News reported, citing sources, that Khan has called for Gandapur's resignation if he is unable to restore law and order in the province or manage governance issues effectively. However, Mughal clarified that there has been no official confirmation from Imran Khan regarding any such instruction. Meanwhile, the planned protest comes amid growing security concerns in Pakistan, which has seen a rise in terror activities since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, with the provinces of KP and Balochistan being the worst hit. A police report obtained by Geo News shows that 476 acts of terrorism were reported in KP between January and July 2025. These attacks claimed the lives of 121 civilians and left 301 injured. Additionally, 66 police officers were martyred and 90 were wounded, Geo News reported. (ANI)
Nearly two years since the cross-border conflict, Pakistan and Iran on Sunday agreed to set their annual bilateral trade at USD 8 billion, aimed at the advancement of economic cooperation and regional connectivity, The Express Tribune reported. According to The Express Tribune, the decision was made during a meeting between Pakistan's Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iran's Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Mohammad Atabak, held in Islamabad, where both nations expressed a commitment to revitalising their economic relationship and accelerating cooperation. According to CNN, the cross-border conflict began in January 2023, when Iran launched strikes in Pakistan's Balochistan province, resulting in the deaths of two children. Iran stated that the operation was aimed solely at "Iranian terrorists located on Pakistani soil" and insisted that no Pakistani citizens were harmed. However, the tensions escalated between Iran and Pakistan following reciprocal military actions from Islamabad, a day after Iran's strike. Pakistan responded by targeting separatist groups in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan province, CNN reported. According to The Express Tribune, Kamal emphasised the need to turn geographic proximity into economic strength and urged the rapid expansion of trade relations while agreeing to strengthen cross-border collaboration and to speed up preparations for the upcoming session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission. Discussions also covered cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, energy, livestock, logistics, and IT services, The Express Tribune reported. This came during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's two-day official visit to Pakistan that began on Saturday, marking his first trip to Islamabad since taking office, the Dawn reported. During Pezeshkian's visit, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today reiterated Pakistan's firm stand that Iran has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, in line with the UN Charter, The Express Tribune reported. Shehbaz also strongly condemned what he described as "recent unprovoked Israeli aggression against Iran," calling the attack "completely unwarranted" and stating that it had been condemned by both the Pakistani government and its citizens, as reported by the Express Tribune. (ANI)
With the growing Chinese incursions and maritime operations near its territory, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence (MND) has announced that mass production of the Tien Kung IV (Sky Bow IV) surface-to-air missiles will begin next year, with a total of 122 missile pods slated for procurement, the Taipei Times reported on Sunday. According to the Taipei Times, citing the latest Taiwanese military equipment list, 46 pods are expected to be delivered in the first year, followed by 76 in the second. Designed to intercept both cruise and ballistic missiles at altitudes up to 70 kilometres, the Tien Kung IV outperforms the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement systems, which have a maximum range of 60 kilometres. A defence official confirmed that the number of missile pods ordered equals the number of missiles being produced, as each pod holds a single projectile, Taipei Times reported. Details of the Tien Kung IV acquisition will be revealed in either the government's standard budget or through a special Executive Yuan program by mid-month, the official added. The missile is a product of Taiwan's Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology's "Chiang Kung" (Strong Bow) program, which was initiated to upgrade the range and capabilities of the earlier Tien Kung III system. According to the Taipei Times, citing sources, the program also includes another classified system with two variants: "A," an air defence missile with performance similar to the US THAAD system, and "B," a long-range ground-attack missile. Separately, the MND document outlines plans for a new type of eight-wheeled armoured fighting vehicle equipped with a 105mm rifled cannon, based on Taiwan's CM-33 Clouded Leopard platform. The vehicle reportedly passed initial operational capability testing in late 2023, the Taipei Times reported. Research, development, and testing are expected to conclude by June 2026, with full-scale production of 500 units set to begin in 2028. The list includes 20 types of systems intended for use on the new vehicle and its variants, including a reconnaissance version sharing the same chassis. In addition to its main cannon, the combat vehicle will feature a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted in a remote weapon station. The 105mm main gun is designed to fire armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds against armoured threats and anti-personnel shells for infantry support, the Taipei Times reported. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), governs itself independently with its own distinct 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, backed by 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)
Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay!
Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Sunday met with US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard and held an "engaging conversation" on various issues of mutual interest. "Pleasure to meet DNI Tulsi Gabbard and her husband, Abraham Williams; we had an engaging conversation on various issues of mutual interest," Ambassador Kwatra stated in a post on X, while expressing his pleasure at the meeting. Earlier on Saturday, New Delhi had opened eight more Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) in the US -- Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose --, bringing the total number of centres to 16 in America. A 17th centre is also planned to open in Los Angeles later this month. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Kwatra expressed his delight over the announcement, noting that at the heart of the India-US partnership lie people-to-people ties. "We are very happy to announce the opening of 8 new Indian Consular Application Centres... We firmly believe that people-to-people ties are the heart of the India-US partnership," said India's Ambassador to the United States. The expansion, announced jointly by the Indian Mission and VFS Global, aims to make essential services more accessible to Indian Americans and other applicants seeking India-related documentation. The centres will handle a comprehensive range of services, including India visa applications, overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) applications, Indian passport services, renunciation of Indian citizenship, police clearance certificates, Global Entry Programme applications and Document attestation services. To improve accessibility, the new centres will operate on Saturdays and include return courier services in standard fees. Additional services such as photographs, photocopies, and form assistance will be provided at no extra charge. Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard earlier in July called for a trial of the Obama administration over claims of Russian influence in Trump's US Presidential win in 2016, alleging a "treasonous conspiracy" to undermine the election outcome through politicised intelligence. Gabbard, in a statement, accused former US President Barack Obama and senior officials in his office, including former DNI James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey, and others, of manufacturing intelligence to falsely implicate Russia in influencing the 2016 election in favour of Donald Trump. The Office of the DNI (ODNI) released a 114-page document detailing evidence that, prior to the November 2016 election, the Intelligence Community (IC) consistently assessed that Russia was "probably not trying ... to influence the election by using cyber means." It further noted that on December 8, 2016, a draft of the President's Daily Brief (PDB) stated that Russia "did not impact recent US election results" by conducting malicious cyber activities against US election infrastructure. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], August 3 (ANI/TPS): On Saturday, three alleged members of what the Israel Police called an "assassination squad," who are residents of Deir al-Assad and Arabah, Arab towns in the Galilee, were arrested. The police said the arrests came as the three were on their way to carry out "criminal activity" near Deir al-Asad. The arrests came during what was described as a "covert operational activity" by police officers from the Central Unit of the Coast District, together with units from the Tactical Brigade. The suspects were caught in a stolen vehicle, driven by a masked minor. Kalashnikov rifles and a pistol, unloaded and ready to use with ammunition, were found in the vehicle. Police later stopped another vehicle, containing two other suspects who had assisted the gang members. (ANI/TPS)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 3 (ANI/WAM): The Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade continued its growth trajectory, recording a strong performance during the first half of current year (From January to June 2025), soaring 34.7 per cent to AED 195.4 billion compared to AED 145 billion during the corresponding period in 2024, according to statistics released Today by Abu Dhabi Customs. This growth reflects the resilience and dynamism of Abu Dhabi's economy, supported by the efficiency of its infrastructure and the advancement of logistics services, which have helped facilitate trade flows and enhance the smooth movement of goods through border crossings. During the first six months of 2025, Abu Dhabi's non-oil exports grew by 64 per cent, reaching AED 78.5 billion, up from AED 47.9 billion in H1-2024. Imports rose by 15 per cent to AED80 billion, compared to AED 70 billion. Meanwhile, re-exports registered a 35 per cent increase, surpassing AED 36 billion, compared to AED 26.6 billion in the first half of 2024. The increase in non-oil foreign trade volume underscores the strength of Abu Dhabi's economic diversification strategies, forward-looking policies, and significant investments across key sectors. These efforts collectively support the emirate's drive to strengthen its position as a leading regional and global trade and logistics hub. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said, "Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade steady performance in H1-2025 reaffirms our position as a global economic powerhouse, bridging East and West, North and South. Our consistent growth, amid the challenges in the international trade and global economy, reflects the strengths of our long-term economic planning, decisive policy execution, and our commitment to enabling fair and free exchange of goods, services, and innovations." Al Zaabi added, "We are doubling down our efforts to position Abu Dhabi among the world's most business-ready economies by streamlining trade procedures, deploying smart systems, and integrating services to enhance flow and accelerate efficiency, cementing Abu Dhabi's position as global trade and investment centre and a key node on international supply chains." Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Customs, said, "The growth in non-oil foreign trade during the first half of 2025 reflects the success of Abu Dhabi's economic strategies and highlights the effectiveness of efforts made by Abu Dhabi Customs, in collaboration with strategic partners, to facilitate trade. These efforts are driven by the adoption of advanced systems, innovations, and digital technologies." He emphasised the continued commitment to developing a proactive and agile customs ecosystem that supports global supply chains and enhances the emirate's competitiveness as a regional and international hub for trade and business. "Abu Dhabi Customs remains dedicated to delivering best-in-class services and procedures that accelerate customs clearance and promote integration with both local and international partners, thereby supporting sustainable growth, enabling the future economy, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position on the global trade map," Al Mansoori concluded. (ANI/WAM)
Chilean authorities on Sunday confirmed that four of the five workers trapped in a collapsed copper mine have been found dead, as rescue teams continue searching for the remaining missing miner, as reported by CNN. According to CNN, the incident occurred at the El Teniente mine in Central Chile, one of the world's largest copper-producing sites, following a partial shaft collapse on Thursday. According to Codelco, the state-owned company that manages the mine, the collapse was triggered by a 4.3 magnitude earthquake recorded in the area by the National Seismological Centre of the University of Chile. One miner died immediately during the initial collapse, leaving five trapped, CNN reported, with the first victim identified as Gonzalo Nunez Caroca, whose body was recovered on Saturday. Three other bodies were recovered on Sunday but have not yet been publicly named, while nine others were injured, CNN reported. Mine General Manager Andres Music expressed condolences in a statement on Saturday, emphasising that the safety of rescue teams was a priority and that progress may now be slower to ensure no further harm. "We know that this news hits hard for the families of our colleagues and for our entire mining community... We are going to keep working with all our strength and hope, but now with greater care, which could mean slower progress," Music said in the statement. Codelco CEO Ruben Alvarado had earlier warned that the first 48 hours after the collapse were critical for locating survivors. Rescue efforts have focused on clearing roughly 20 meters of debris to reach the section where the miners are believed to have been trapped, CNN reported. Meanwhile, Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his sorrow in a statement posted Friday, promising full governmental support in the rescue mission. He further instructed Mining Minister Aurora Williams to oversee operations directly at the site. "My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Paulo Marin Tapia, a worker at Salfa Montajes, who was performing duties at Codelco's El Teniente Division and tragically passed away in a mine accident. To his loved ones and fellow workers, my heartfelt embrace in this difficult moment," Boric said in a statement on X. "From the Government, we have deployed all resources and efforts from the very first moment in the search for the five workers with whom contact has not yet been established. I have instructed the Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, to be on-site to coordinate all necessary actions in the field. We will do everything within our power to find them," he added. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], August 4 (ANI/ TPS): Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Health reported that, as part of a routine monitoring operation, mosquitoes were caught that were diagnosed as carriers of the West Nile virus. The carrier mosquitoes were caught in the green basins in Bat Hefer, located in the Emek Hefer Regional Council near Netanya. In addition, the Ministry of Health reported one patient who was confirmed to have the disease in the central region. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environmental Protection instructed the relevant local authorities to expand monitoring, pest control, and public information activities. Every year, between the months of June and November, there is an increase in the detection of infected mosquitoes and human illness. In 2024, an unusual incidence of West Nile fever was reported in Israel. In 2025, this was the third capture of carrier mosquitoes, and so far the Ministry of Health has reported one person confirmed to have the disease. (ANI/ TPS)
TOKYO, Aug 03 (News On Japan) - Matcha, once a traditional Japanese favorite, has now become a global sensationbut the surge in demand is causing a severe shortage. Leading tea company Ito En has announced that it will raise prices by up to twofold to cope with the growing supply-demand imbalance.

Tourists from the United States can be seen praising Japans matcha, with comments like "very good" and "we love matcha" heard frequently. The vibrant green tea has captured the hearts of international consumers.

A matcha cafe that opened last year in New York reports its most popular item is the matcha latte, alongside parfaits and other desserts. In South Korea, convenience stores are also lining their shelves with matcha products, highlighting the drink's global popularity.

Driven by this boom, exports of green teaincluding matchahave set new records for five consecutive years. More than 10% of Japans green tea production is now shipped overseas. As a result, domestic matcha supply has fallen into a serious shortage.

Ito En announced it would raise prices by up to 100%. Matcha used in traditional tea ceremonies will rise from 3,024 yen to 4,536 yen, while regular green tea will increase from 1,296 yen to 1,360 yen.

Tea producers are also being forced to adapt. At Yame Miryokuen Seicha in Fukuoka Prefecture, company head Kazunobu Ejima explained, "All of the tea fields here have been converted to tencha, the raw material for matcha."

Previously, tencha made up just 30% of production, but that figure has now risen to 70%. However, limited equipment capacity makes further expansion difficult.

Adding to the challenge is Japans aging farming population. Nationwide, cultivation areas have shrunk by around 20% over the past decade. Maintaining a stable supply-demand balance will be a key issue for the industry moving forward.

Source: TBS
Egypt has been steadily increasing its renewable energy capacity in recent years in a bid to enhance its energy security. By 2024, Egypt had a total installed capacity of renewable energy of almost 7.8 GW. While its hydropower segment has remained stable at around 2.8 GW since 2018, it has significantly expanded its wind and solar energy sectors. Egypts solar energy capacity increased from 35 MW in 2012 to almost 2.6 GW in 2024, with several more large-scale solar projects currently under development. The North African country has also invested significantly in enhancing energy access in rural areas by expanding its off-grid renewable capacity.

Egypt has contended with severe energy shortages in recent years, as it has fallen short on its natural gas production targets, particularly at its giant Zohr offshore gas field, which has hit its economy hard. This has led the government to pursue a more diversified energy mix to boost the countrys energy security. To do this, Egypt has opened its doors to international investment in the energy sector.

Egypts government aims to mobilise more than $10 billion in private investment for renewable energy, including wind and solar power production, to source 42 percent of the countrys energy from renewables by 2030. However, it is currently a long way from achieving this target, having attracted a reported $4 billion in investment to date. To encourage greater investment in its green energy sector, the government is now offering tax breaks, free land, cash rebates, and other incentives to investors. However, greater efforts to improve the countrys investment and energy policies could spur investment in the sector.

In May, Egypts Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy selected four companies to operate under the countrys newly adopted private-to-private (P2P) power agreement model. This will allow private energy producers to generate and sell electricity directly to industrial consumers. The selected projects have a combined power capacity of 400 MW and an investment total of $388 million.

Each company will now be permitted to construct its own green energy power plant to supply industry with power, while paying a transmission fee to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). The awardees are Neptune Energy, AMEA Power, TAQA PV and ENARA. Egypts Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat said the move aligns with the governments Electricity Law, which aims to open the market to competition, enhance efficiency, and attract private investment.

Also in May, Egypt and Germany signed a $138.7 million financial cooperation agreement to boost wind energy development and inclusive technical education. The deal includes $101 million for the interconnection of the ACWA Power 1 and 2 wind farms and $37.6 million in grants to establish 25 training centres across Egypt. ACWA Power 1 and 2 are expected to produce 1.1 GW of clean electricity as part of Egypts Noufi green investment initiative, while the education centres will provide training to improve workforce skills in line with the governments economic priorities.

Then, in July, the U.K. development bank British International Investment (BII) announced an investment of more than $300 million to support the development of two renewable energy projects in Egypt  a new 1.1 GW Gulf of Suez Wind Farm and the 1.1 GW Obelisk integrated solar and battery storage project with Scatec. The $1.2 billion Gulf of Suez Wind Farm is Africas biggest onshore wind development to date, and is expected to generate 4,500 GWh of clean power annually, helping to reduce carbon emissions by 2.5 million metric tonnes a year. Egypt has agreed on a total of $704 million in debt financing with a consortium of development finance institutions to fund the project.

Meanwhile, Obelisk, Egypts first integrated solar PV and battery energy storage system, which is expected to cost $479.1 million, will receive financial support from Norways Scatec, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is expected to produce 1.1 GW of solar power and be fitted with 200 MWh of battery storage once complete.

Egypts Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, said, the Obelisk solar project is another important milestone for Egypt under the energy pillar of the Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy programme, which has since its launch in November 2022 at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh delivered 4.2 GW of privately financed renewable energy investments, worth about $4 billion. Al-Mashat added, The goal of NWFEs energy pillar is to add 10 GW of renewable energy capacity with investments of approximately $10 billion, and phase out 5 GW of fossil fuel power generation by 2030.

After several years of severe energy shortages, Egypt is working with private and international partners to develop a strong renewable energy sector that will boost the North African countrys energy security for years to come. New solar and wind capacity, as well as its well-established hydropower sector, will help Egypt to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels to move to green alternatives, as well as expand energy access across the country.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
China's dominant role in solar panel manufacturing and critical minerals poses a challenge to Europe's energy and industrial autonomy, despite aiding renewable capacity rollout.

A new trade deal significantly increases the EU's commitment to purchasing American energy, particularly LNG, raising concerns about higher prices and supply competition.

The European Union's drive to replace Russian energy and achieve net-zero goals is making it more dependent on the United States for gas and China for renewable energy components.

The European Unions drive to replace Russian energy imports within two years, boost renewable energy rollout, and meet net-zero goals has put it in a position to become even more dependent on the two antagonistic global powers, the United States and China.

The EU trade deal with the U.S. and the EU's reliance on China-made solar PV panels, wafers, and critical battery metals are likely to keep shaping the pace of energy transition in the European Union, which remains firmly committed to decarbonizing economies and becoming a carbon-neutral bloc by 2050.

The new geopolitical realities in an increasingly protectionist world make the EUs energy transition more dependent on trade and tariff policies by the U.S. and China.

In the goal to ditch all Russian energy by 2027, the EU is now more dependent on the United States than ever, while the target to accelerate renewable energy installations hinges on Chinese export policies for solar panel components and critical and rare earth elements.

Balancing energy security and political realities will determine the pace and success of the EU's energy policies in the coming years, Reuters energy columnist Ron Bousso points out.

The reality under U.S. President Donald Trump is that Europe pledged to buy a total of $750 billion of American energy in three years, or about $250 billion per year. This would be more than tripling the $76 billion worth of American energy imports into the EU in 2024.

A large part of the planned increase is expected to come from additional purchases of LNG from the United States.

Purchases of US energy products will diversify our sources of supply and contribute to Europe's energy security, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said last week, commenting on the trade deal with the U.S., under which the American tariffs on most EU goods would be at 15%, half compared to the initially proposed 30%.

We will replace Russian gas and oil with significant purchases of US LNG, oil and nuclear fuels.

So far, so good.

But Europe is set to boost its reliance on U.S. LNG and pay higher prices for it, as soaring U.S. exports would drive U.S. benchmark prices higher, while competition for LNG supply with Asia will intensify.

Significantly higher EU purchases will need a significant increase in U.S. export capacity.

Even if all other planned or announced projects were approved today, they wont make it on time for a significant rise in LNG exports to drastically boost EU imports within three years.

U.S. LNG exports are booming, but they wont be anywhere close to helping the EU triple its imports of American energy, per the trade deal.

Europe, however, will become even more dependent on U.S. LNG.

Related: Trump Administration Expands Rare Earth Price Support Policy

The U.S. is already the EUs top supplier of LNG, with 55% of LNG supply to the bloc from the U.S. so far in 2025, according to estimates by the European Commission.

The US is also the EU's top oil supplier (17% of all EU imports in 2024), and a key supplier of nuclear fuel and fuel services.

The Commission insists that the EU-U.S. trade deal does not undermine EUs determination to decarbonise as a jump in LNG imports over the next three years is fully compatible with our medium- and long-term policy to diversify our energy sources and to implement the REPowerEU Roadmap so that we fully phase out Russian energy imports as soon as possible.

The pillar of the REPowerEU plan and net-zero goals is the acceleration of solar and wind energy capacity installations.

And here comes the Chinese dominance in solar power panels and other equipment. In 2023, China was the EUs largest supplier of solar panels, accounting for a whopping 98% of all imports, per the latest Eurostat data.

Cheap Chinese panels are helping with the solar capacity rollout, but they have put many European solar manufacturers out of business.

Chinas stronghold in critical minerals and rare earths is also a serious concern for Europes automotive and renewable energy sectors. Stephane Sejourne, European Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, has even called for the creation of a strategic EU rare earths reserve.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is betting big on nuclear power and aims to fast-track projects to prepare for the massive increase in electricity demand over the next decade. However, experts fear that his plans to accelerate project development could compromise safety standards, particularly as the independent U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission comes under threat.

In May, the Trump administration announced a target to deploy 300 GW of net new nuclear capacity by 2050 to quadruple domestic nuclear power, as well as to begin construction on 10 large reactors by 2030 and expand domestic nuclear fuel production. Trump signed three executive orders to support these aims: Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Deployment of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security; and Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy.

Trumps orders establish arbitrary deadlines for decisions on construction permits and operating licenses, even for new designs that have not yet been assessed; demand a review of all NRC regulations within 18 months; and allow for the construction of nuclear reactors on federal lands without NRC review.

While deploying more nuclear power could help the U.S. respond to the rising domestic electricity demand, there are widespread concerns that President Trumps rapid approval of new nuclear projects threatens to weaken the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which assesses projects for health and safety and ensures reactors operate securely. The objective of Trumps executive orders is to reduce regulations and accelerate the approval of nuclear plants by overhauling the NRC.

Trump has said that he believes the NRC is too risk-averse and has blamed the agency for the how few nuclear plants have been constructed in the U.S. over the last 30 years. He stated in one executive order that the NRC is overly focused on protecting the public from the most remote risks, suggesting that such a cautious approach to approving nuclear facilities limits access to reliable electricity. During one press conference in July, Trump said, Well be very safe, but well be fast and safe, about nuclear plant development. He added that his administration will get a whole different group of people to regulate the industry.

However, several former chairs from the NRC have told reporters that the prohibitive cost of building new nuclear plants is to blame for the slow sectoral development, rather than the strict safety standards of the agency. Just two new reactors have been constructed in the U.S. in the last three decades, both of which are at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. Building these reactors cost $18 billion more than originally anticipated and took seven years longer. Meanwhile, two reactors in South Carolina were cancelled in 2017 due to the higher-than-expected price of construction. The nuclear company Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy following several failings in the development of these projects.

For decades, the public perception of nuclear power has been extremely poor in the U.S, following three nuclear disasters at Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Three Mile Island. These incidents have led international and national nuclear regulators to employ stringent safety standards and assess new nuclear projects thoroughly before approval.

The NRC has overseen the sector for 50 years without a single civilian reactor radiation-related death. In recent years, largely thanks to the strict regulations and the safe running of nuclear power plants around the world for several decades, public perception has once again shifted in favour of nuclear power.

However, reducing the powers of the independent nuclear regulatory commission in the U.S. could undermine the safety standards of the industry and spur greater public backlash when developing new projects. In June, Trump fired the NRC chairman, Christopher Hanson, as part of his bid to take away authority from the agency. Hanson said that Trump terminated his role as chairman without cause, contrary to existing law and longstanding precedent regarding the removal of independent agency appointees.

As part of the shake-up, Adam Blake, a Department of Government Efficiency representative, reportedly told the NRCs chair that the agency will be expected to give rubber-stamp approval to new reactors tested by the departments of Energy or Defence, during a meeting in May.

The NRC has since responded to Trumps recent executive orders concerning nuclear power. The NRC is working quickly to implement the executive orders reforming the agency and modernising our regulatory and licensing processes, said NRC spokesperson Maureen Conley. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration, Department of Energy and Department of Defence on future nuclear programmes.

Weakening the powers of the independent NRC to give greater control to the governments Department of Energy and Defence undermines the stringent safety standards that were previously enforced for the development and running of nuclear plants. At worst, this could lead to another nuclear disaster, which could jeopardise the health, or even lives, of people across the U.S.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

People sun tan on the Lakefront Trail on the North Side as a haze of Canadian wildfire smoke blankets the Chicago area and creates poor air quality, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Credit: Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

Smoke from Canadian wildfires hovered over several Midwestern states Saturday, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for at least the third day.

Air quality alerts were in effect in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as eastern Nebraska and parts of Indiana and Illinois. Forecasters said the smoky skies would remain for much of the day.

Canadian environmental officials said smoke from the forest fires would persist into Sunday for some areas.

The Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQAir, which assesses air quality in real time, listed the city of Minneapolis as having some of the worst air pollution in the world since Friday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was expected to reach the red or unhealthy category in a large swath of Minnesota.

AQI is a system used to communicate how much air pollution is in the air. It breaks pollution down into six categories and colors, along with advice on what is and is not safe to do. They range from "good" (the color green) to "hazardous" (maroon).

People with lung disease, heart disease, children, older adults and pregnant women are most susceptible to the poor breathing conditions.

"What's been unique in this go-around is that we've had this prolonged stretch of smoke particulates towards the surface, so that's where we've really had the air quality in the red here for the past few days," said Joe Strus, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in the MinneapolisSaint Paul area in Minnesota.

People sun tan in grass off the Lakefront Trail on the North Side as a haze of Canadian wildfire smoke blankets the Chicago area and creates poor air quality, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Credit: Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

"We've sort of been dealing with this, day in and day out, where you walk outside and you can taste the smoke, you can smell it," Strus said. "Sometimes we've been in higher concentrations than others. Other times it's just looked a little hazy out there."

The air was improving Saturday, he said, specifically across the Twin Cities and southwestern Minnesota, but state health officials warned that conditions could remain unhealthy for sensitive groups through Monday.

Officials said the smoke could spread as far south as Tennessee and Missouri.

The EPA's Air Quality Index converts all pollutant levels into a single number. The lower the number, the better. Anything below 50 is classified as "healthy." Fifty to 100 is "moderate" while 100-150 is unhealthy for "sensitive groups." Anything above 150 is bad for everyone. Parts of Minnesota exceeded that number on Saturday.

People sun tan on the Lakefront Trail on the North Side as a haze of Canadian wildfire smoke blankets the Chicago area and creates poor air quality, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Credit: Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

People drive on South Clark Street near West 15th Street on the South Side as a haze of Canadian wildfire smoke blankets the Chicago area and creates poor air quality, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Credit: Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP

Health officials advise people with asthma and other lung disease, heart disease, children and older adults to avoid prolonged exposure to smoke and limit strenuous activities. They said to avoid burning things that could make the air pollution worse and to keep windows and doors closed.

"This is something that's become part of our summer here the last few years," Strus said, "and I think a lot of us are just looking forward to seeing a little more movement in the atmospheric winds and we'll be able to hopefully disperse some of the smoke out of here in the next few days."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Transparency is vital to our democratic system of government.

It promotes good government, spurring those in power into better practice. Even when what is revealed is pretty revolting, transparency means those transgressions are known, and accountability for them can follow.

Transparency is particularly important for people who otherwise do not have access to government, who are not "in the room" or "at the table," whether that be directly or through lobbyists or other connections.

But recent data reveal government transparency in Australia is on the decline. Given the connection between transparency and a well-functioning democracy, this is deeply concerning.

The Albanese government's compliance rate with Senate orders for documents is the lowest of any government since 2016, and the second-worst of any government since 1993. Disclosures under freedom of information laws have dropped dramatically over the past decade.

The problem isn't a lack of solutions, but that governments appear perpetually unwilling to open up.

How should transparency work?

In Australia, there is a complex system of institutions and laws that provide government accountability and transparency.

Outside of the blunt instrument of electoral accountability through the ballot box, the parliament, and in particular the non-government-dominated Senate, plays a key role in providing accountability and transparency.

The transparency work of the Senate is supplemented by a number of regimes, chief among them freedom of information. Under freedom of information, members of the public can request specific information from government departments and agencies, and this is supported by a "freedom of information champion," the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

To work properly, these schemes and regimes need the ongoing support, cooperation and buy-in (literally in the form of funding) from government. This has, at times, been less than forthcoming, which can hobble their operation in different ways.

There are also several reasons why a government might refuse to publicly disclose what it is doing. Former High Court Chief Justice Harry Gibbs said "government at a high level cannot function without some degree of secrecy."

But limits and exceptions to transparency regimes are controversial. Does there need to be an exception at all? Does a particular document fall within the exception?

The government holds the upper hand in asserting whether a document falls within an exception, because they are the ones who know what the documents are. This gives rise to cynicism that these exceptions can be and are being abused.

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.

Documents remaining buried

This cynicism may be warranted, as two recent reports by the Center for Public Integrity show successive governments lack true commitment to transparency.

The first report was about Senate orders for the production of documents and how often the government complies with them.

One of the Senate's most powerful tools in holding the executive to account is its ability to order the production of government documents.

But governments have a long history of avoiding compliance with Senate orders. They either outright refuse to respond, or offer broad claims of "public interest immunity" over sensitive documents, such as those relating to national security, Cabinet, federal relations or law enforcement.

While the Senate can sanction ministers who refuse to comply with its orders, such as through suspending them from the chamber, it has historically done little in response to government insouciance.

This means we don't know whether the public interest immunity claims being made over the documents are valid, and there is currently no mechanism to find out.

The recent data show the government's compliance rates with Senate orders to produce documents have fallen from 92% in 199396, to approximately 33% for the current parliament.

This is a low that only the Abbott/Turnbull government in the 44th parliament has the ignominious record of beating in the past 30-odd years.

It is coupled with the government increasingly claiming public interest immunity. Public interest immunity rejections as a proportion of non-compliance sat at 61% over the 46th Parliament, this rose to almost 68% over the Albanese government's first term.

These averaged roughly one claim per week under Albanese, compared with about one claim every three weeks under by the Morrison government in the 46th parliament.

What about freedom of information?

The second report is on the operation of the Commonwealth's freedom of information (FOI) regime.

The Albanese government's performance on delivering transparency this way is a mixed bag.

First, the good news: the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is better resourced, first-instance processing times have improved, and more of the reviews received by the OAIC are being finalized.

But the plaudits end there.

Whereas the proportion of requests granted in full stood at 59% in 201112, by 202324 it had fallen to just 25%.

Over the same period, outright refusals have ballooned from 12% to 23%.

The precipitous decline in the "refusal gap" (the difference between the proportion of requests granted in full and those refused) is alarming.

Moreover, it's difficult to have confidence in the correctness of these refusals. In 202324, almost half of initial decisions were found to be flawed following internal review.

Processing timeframes are also cause for significant concern. Average processing time for Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reviews has blown out from 6 months in 2016-17, to 15.5 months in 2023-24.

Fixing the mess

Of course, numbers are not a full story. But they also cannot be denied, and these tell a damning story for government.

So how could they be addressed?

The Senate should adopt an independent legal arbiter to oversee claims for public interest immunity. This would discourage secrecy by providing an independent review mechanism for parliament to check the government's immunity claims.

For this reform to work, the Senate must not shy away from flexing its enforcement muscles either. The government must know that lack of transparency has consequences.

In response to the freedom of information crisis, there's a number of reforms that could improve transparency. These cover:

legislative changes such as clarifying that existing applications are not invalidated with a change in minister or portfolio title

greater resourcing to support information officer training and ongoing monitoring

and increasing parliamentary oversight of the regime.

Transparency is not an elite concern, but one of those who are otherwise not in the room. It is the peoples' concern. Governments, however, have incentives to keep the status quo.

So even though Labor spoke a big transparency game in opposition, they have done little in government. We need to demand that they do.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
In a nondescript office in the Davenport Police Department, Allissa Hawk crunched numbers of police calls of shootings for a month in 2023.

Hawk found that 47% of recent shootings reported were in two small areas of Davenport, and most happened within a few hours of each other. Hawk briefed officers, drew up two 0.26 square mile areas of Davenport on a GIS map, and gave a two-hour time frame during which the shootings would be most likely to happen.

The next day, I came in, and I had an email that said officers were in focus area two at 11:59 p.m., and they got a car and they got three guns out of it, Hawk recently told a group of Davenport residents at a Third Ward meeting.

Created in response to series of gun crimes

Hawk is a part of a three-member crime analytics unit that formed in 2021 after a record-high spate of gun crimes in Davenport had leaders looking for new methods.

We all felt overwhelmed. Completely overwhelmed in what we were trying to do, how our responses were working, Police Chief Jeffery Bladel said. We were making arrests. We were solving cases, solving crimes, but it just didnt necessarily seem to be slowing down the issues that we were seeing.

The city used a $700,000 Strategies for Policing Innovations grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to research Davenports trends and hire two civilian analysts that work on statistics and crime trends.

Davenport contracted with John Jay College to analyze the citys crime and with IDEA Analytics to consult on setting up the city's analytics unit. The John Jay study found that 0.18% of Davenport residents were committing about half of the citys gun crimes. That research also led to the formation of strategies such as Group Violence Intervention, in which officers, service organizations and community members contact people directly to intervene in cycles of violence.

Utilizing data showed us that a lot of these issues that we were seeing number wise or feeling as a community werent necessarily overwhelming, Bladel said. Its a small event that we can focus on and we can put attention to it  the right attention."

The police department hired Hawk, a St. Ambrose graduate with a bachelors in forensic psychology and a masters degree in criminal justice, from the records division, to start the police departments new analytics unit.

Hawk became a certified law enforcement analyst through the International Association of Crime Analysis, and is the only person in the state of Iowa with that certification.

Nick Fleishmann is the second member of the unit, a gun crime analyst, and also a St. Ambrose graduate.

In a typical day, Fleishmann first looks at the previous nights log for entries that indicate someone may have been hurt  shots fired or weapons, for instance. He then packages that into a dashboard for the departments gun unit.

Fleishmann will also look at seized guns to try to identify patterns in that 0.18% of the population committing most of the gun crime.

Davenport joined the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network system in 2018, which links shell casings to firearms and provides leads to gun investigations. Before then, the city sent their casings to Des Moines and got information back in 8 or 9 months. Now, Bladel said, the department can get information on a gun in 24 hours.

Helping officers on the street

Hawk produces similar dashboards and briefings for other crimes, such as burglaries, robberies and stolen vehicles. She also reviews social media for potential brewing threats to big public events and identifies networks of people or groups who are suspected of crimes. Sometimes an officer will ask them to get background information on a person or address.

We always tell them (the officers), that our job is to do the back-end work so that you can spend more time on the streets, Hawk said. If youre looking for a subject or looking into a location, well find all of the information for you so that you can spend more time on the street trying to find that individual.

For leaders at the police department, they cant be certain if the analysis unit is helping the department solve more crimes. But they say it's helping the department solve crimes more efficiently, reducing redundant work and focusing officer energy where it's needed most.

Hawk and Fleishmann are supervised by Lieutenant Jason Smith.

For Smith, the information the analysts produce speeds up hours of pouring over physical maps and sorting through calls.

We would take a literal map, and we hung it and we used push pins. Commercial burglaries were red and residential burglaries were blue, Smith said.

Smith said he used to sit in an office every night as a sergeant in the burglary unit to prep his officers.

Now, we can actually just go out and work, Smith said. We dont have to do all the prep work. Its an incredible support.

The team tracks and maps calls related to domestic violence, mental health and shootings to help the department in its goals to stop potential cycles.

We have the ability with analytics to be able to help start putting those solutions in place prior to us continually responding, Bladel said.

The department also shares information with other communities in the Quad-Cities, promoting a region-wide response.

Seeing the bigger picture

Hawk gave another example, where she helped investigate a series of car thefts.

Within an hour, I have a map made of all the recovered vehicles, where they were, who all lives in that area, and who has previously committed thefts, she said. It just happens much faster and then it helps our patrol be able to react faster to it because we have this information.

Police were able to find and arrest three people suspected of being involved in the thefts.

The beauty of my job and Nicks job is that we get to see the bigger picture all together, Hawk said.

They also can access city-owned cameras, and use artificial intelligence to search for generic terms such as a "blue car," Hawk said. The system can't identify faces or even models of cars. But it does help narrow down hours of video if officers are searching for a blue car.

Asked about concerns over general privacy and surveillance by police, Bladel and Hawk said any tool police department employees use, they must sign personally that they are only using it for criminal predicate.

"We have to describe exactly why we are looking into it, and provide a case number," Hawk said. "We're not able to just be looking at it for fun. We have to describe exactly why we're looking at it and it's audited on the back end too to ensure that you aren't using it for any other reasons that for specific crimes."

Camera data and footage is also not stored for more than 30 days unless there's criminal predicate.

Also, residents can sign up to let the department know if they have a home camera system such as a Ring doorbell. That doesn't give the department access, but gives the department a phone number to call and ask for footage if something happens in that area.

Since 2020, gun crime in Davenport has declined, though many factors contribute to that, leaders say. Nationally, gun crime is down, too, from highs in 2020.

Davenport saw a drop in the number of gun-related crimes in 2024. Nineteen people suffered nonfatal wounds in shootings in Davenport from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, according to a presentation in December 2024. During the same timeframe in 2023, there were 34. In 2020, 37 people suffered nonfatal gunshot wounds over that time period. In the past five years, the number of shots-fired incidents have fallen nearly 67%.

The data analytics team has been working on a public-facing database of calls for service so the public can search an address and see what calls police have made to that address. The dashboard would be updated 24 hours after the fact, and would include the past year of data.

The goal, Bladel said, is to be more transparent, and reduce the amount of time the departments records division is spending on records requests for calls for service.

Its not perfect, however. The dashboard will only reflect the initial calls for service  potentially not what the call turned out to actually be.

A common example is a call to 911 for shots-fired that turns out to be fireworks. Police leaders say if the call isnt changed in the dispatch system, it will show up on the public dashboard as shots-fired.

"This is the future of policing," Smith said. "Its tough to hire these days right? Use your sworn police officers in ways that are much smarter and better and more effective using tools like this."
The search for a man authorities believe fatally shot four people in an Anaconda bar stretched into Sunday night, more than 60 hours after the shootings, but the suspect had yet to be found.

Authorities said Sunday morning they didnt rule out the possibility that 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown had killed himself somewhere in the mountains west of Anaconda but they were operating on the assumption he was still alive, armed and on the run.

Were going to catch this guy, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen told reporters outside the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Courthouse shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday. This is still absolutely priority No. 1.

At one point early Sunday evening, an armored SWAT truck from Butte-Silver Bow County followed by several police vehicles were seen heading west on Highway 1 and possibly turned into an area along Stumptown Road where reports suggested Brown might have been seen.

Drones and helicopters also flew above, but as darkness fell, there was still no official word on a capture.

Knudsen said earlier that although there were 250 law enforcement officers with boots on the ground taking part in the search and catching Brown was still absolutely priority number one, the response would likely shift a little bit.

Weve got a lot of resources here in Anaconda, he said. Theyve been here for about 48 hours. Theyve got home agencies. Its still tourist season in Montana so were not going to see as many resources here focused on the really sharp, focus search.

He identified the four victims: Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64 David Allen Leach, 70, Tony Wayne Palm, 74. All were residents of Anaconda.

This is just absolutely horrific, something that we havent seen in the state of Montana, and thankfully, we dont see these very often in the state of Montana, Knudsen said.

Knudsen said evidence shows that Brown used a rifle in the Friday morning shooting at the Owl Bar but declined to share additional details about the firearm.

"We believe he is still probably armed and dangerous," he said.

Authorities released a still surveillance photo of Brown that was taken at some point after the fatal shooting and it appeared he only had shorts on.

But Knudsen said Brown fled the area in a stolen Ford F-150 pickup that had camping gear and clothing in it, and authorities believe he was clothed when he ditched the truck and scampered by foot into the mountains.

At this point we have a reason to believe the suspect is fully clothed, shoes on his feet and able to get around, Knudsen said.

Knudsen said there was a $7,500 reward for information leading to Browns capture and said anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED-2, or 1-877-926-8332.

Authorities had previously confirmed that a bartender and three patrons at the bar were killed and Knudsen said Sunday that Brown likely knew them well.

From what I have gathered, it sounds like he was a regular at this establishment, he said. He literally lived next door. I think its likely that he knew the bartender and these patrons, which makes it even more heinous.

Brown served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005 and had been deployed at least once to Iraq. He was in the National Guard from 2006-2009 and his last known rank was sergeant.

Numerous people have said they knew Brown and claim he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and had sought mental health help numerous times. Authorities have not confirmed those claims but Knudsen said Brown clearly is not well.

This is an unstable individual who walked in and murdered four people in cold blood for no reason so were absolutely concerned for the public, he said.

Dan Oberwesier, who was Browns high school football coach in Deer Lodge in the 90s, is among those who spoke of Browns mental health.

His family are victims of this, Oberweiser, 67, told The Montana Standard on Saturday. I know they tried to help him the best he could, to get him mental help and to keep him on his medication. But hes a victim in his own way too. Im not taking away from the deaths, the friends weve lost, but we all knew Mike was a victim of illness.

There was always something about him, Dave Jarabek, an acquaintance, said Saturday.

More than 250 law enforcement officers from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have been scouring the mountains just west of Anaconda searching for Brown.

Knudsen joined various state officials and police investigators at the news conference Sunday morning to update the media and public on the search efforts, which have included National Guard helicopters with infrared technology.

Bill Everett, chief executive officer of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, said he is impressed with the quality of the search teams working the manhunt.

My confidence is very good that theyve got the best of the best here, Everett told The Montana Standard early Sunday.

The manhunt was focused on a mountainous area along Stumptown Road and the Garrity Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The area is heavily forested in some places and rugged in others and it would be difficult to find anyone if they were dead, Everett said.

Chris Marchion of Anaconda, an inductee in the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame, knows a lot about the territory around Garrity Mountain and the Garrity Mountain Wildlife Management Area.

Marchion said Sunday he's been told Brown has backpacked in that area knows the country, the terrain, mountain lakes like Hearst, Haggin and more.

"He's apparently very familiar with that territory," Marchion said.

He said there are heavily timbered sections, along with abandoned mines.

"It's pretty good terrain to hide out in," Marchion said. "Even if there is a helicopter flying over you could find a place to hide.

"He's not afraid of being uncomfortable. He's an unstable person. And he's going to become more unstable."
The last time we heard from Peter Adler, better known as Pete the Ramp Guy, was in 2022. He had just completed his 347th ramp for people with mobility issues in the region.

His goal at the time was to make it to 500.

On Friday, he officially constructed his 600th ramp.

About this series Know an unsung hero or someone doing extraordinary work? Send a description of the good deeds and the persons contact information to reporter Gwyndolyn Miles at gwyn.miles@timesdispatch.com. Please say Making a Difference in the subject line.

Adler, now 68, started working with groups of volunteers through Project: Homes nearly 20 years ago.

Its turned into a full-time job, doing this, Adler said. Im blessed to have all these other retirees that can just come out and do it every weekend.

The retiree says it usually takes his crew around 3.5 hours to fully construct a ramp. He normally has between 10 and 15 people gather for projects.

We have other people that come from other churches, and all of a sudden its like, poof! Adler said. We have more people than we know what to do with.

While he may have started through Project: Homes, the crew that he builds with are fully volunteers who know Adler personally. The group is faith-based and says that they show up in Gods name.

Everybodys crawling over each other to chip in, Adler said. We just enjoy being together, doing something that is bringing glory to God.

Adler references the book of Genesis when talking about the work he does. In the Bible, when man falls into sin, God tells Adam:

From now on, your work will be toilsome in order to support your family, Adler recited. But the thing about this is, were not working for ourselves. Were working for God, and because were working for God, its not toilsome.

Since 2022, Adler says he has learned a lot about the disabled community and just how many people fit into that category. It has reinforced in him just how far his efforts reach and how many people truly benefit from it.

Im just amazed at how many ailments, how many different ways people can be disabled, Adler said. So, if we can build a ramp and make it a little bit easier for them, then thats the mission.

On July 21, Adler built his 595th ramp for Barbara Matheny, 78, of Glen Allen. Matheny uses a walker and has had knee replacement surgery. Her home originally had four steep steps leading into her yard.

Im not used to asking people for help, Matheny said.

It wasnt until a friend of hers encouraged Matheny to reach out to Project: Homes that she realized just how much it could help her. She was expecting it to take forever, but within weeks of applying, her home was more accessible.

Adler has had two notable falls since living in her home. Once, she had to crawl all the way back to her porch in order to pull herself upright. Another time, a man driving by saw her lying on the ground and stopped to help her up.

While her ramp was being built, Matheny spent some time sitting on her porch chatting with the crew. She says she couldve sat out there and watched them work all day.

Matheny says she could sense the camaraderie between the crew members. The laughs, sarcastic jokes and teamwork made her smile.

Theres just so much junk in the world today, Matheny said. Makes your heart glad just to see that. Brings back your faith in humanity.

It was an emotional day for Matheny, who broke down in tears when she talked about how much the ramp would change her life.

Moving forward, Adler says the 600th ramp is no finish line for his team. As long as Project: Homes continues to send him the names of people in need and keeps supplying lumber, hell keep serving.

Its really an endless, moving goal, Adler said.

Adler builds the ramps at no cost to the resident and spends time interviewing them in order to draw up the proper plans.

And the labor is free because we do it for God, Adler said.

After building the ramp for Matheny, each member of the crew received a handmade angel from her. The angels, which are made out of pieces of patterned fabric and other craft materials, are to honor her daughter Robin, who passed away.

Its a small token of thanks Matheny wanted to pass along.

Everybody here has a common thread, everybody has a heart to give back and serve the community, Adler said. And this is just a wonderful way to do it.

The only thing thats changed since 2022 has been the coverage area of Adlers crew. They now make trips out to Emporia, Victoria and farther away.

He and his crew also take mission trips together to Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Goochland County is laying the groundwork to attract large developments by technology companies  including the lucrative data center industry  with a proposal to establish both a technology overlay district and an incentivizing technology zone.

County officials say the new districts would concentrate growth in designated areas along the Route 288 corridor on the countys eastern edge, bordering Henrico, while preserving more rural parts of Goochland from large-scale industrial use.

These amendments help protect land outside of our growth areas by encouraging investment where infrastructure already exists, said Sara Worley, Goochlands director of economic and community development. Goochland is a very special place to be, and we want to keep it that way.

The proposed overlay district would span roughly five miles along Route 288, from Patterson Avenue in the south to Interstate 64 in the north. Much of the district includes the 3,500-acre West Creek Business Park. That park is home to Capital Ones 300-acre campus and includes about 1,700 acres of undeveloped land.

That area represents about 2% of Goochlands total landmass but accounts for 18% of its designated eastern growth zone, according to county estimates.

While Goochlands proposal would allow a broad range of tech-related industries, including pharmaceutical production, semiconductor fabrication, biomedical research and digital robotics, data centers are likely to be a leading contender for development because of their high return on investment.

Local concerns emerge

Breckenridge Daughtrey lives in the Readers Branch neighborhood, which is bordered by an industrially zoned West Creek parcel of land. The district and technology zone would allow any data center under 80 feet tall to build 50 feet from the neighborhood with just administrative approval  no public hearing or vote from the board of supervisors.

Its scary to see the size of those data centers and the size of the electrical substations that have been built to power those things. Its absolutely mind-blowing, he said.

Any data center above 80 feet would be required to have a 200-foot setback from a residential area under the proposed district.

Im not in any way opposed to the county trying to increase business revenue. They need to do that, Daughtrey said. But they need to do it in a way that doesnt impact surrounding residential communities.

He says by-right construction should be eliminated in West Creek.

Instead of having a bureaucrat approve the permits, it has to go to an appointed body, Daughtrey said. It allows for public input and a negotiated development that might be more compatible and more acceptable for a 400-home subdivision.

Daughtrey also worries about the possibility of distribution centers, which are large, involve a huge amount of traffic and pose environmental risks.

If the county allows these big data centers to be built behind us or right in the middle of us, weve made investments in the county, too, he said. Theyre deriving tax revenue from us, right? They would be jeopardizing our investments and basically dissing our investments.

Among the other restrictions he wants, Daughtrey thinks buffers should be increased to 500 feet from neighborhoods and data centers should be required to use closed-loop cooling systems to cut down on water.

High-value land use

Localities across Virginia are increasingly vying for data centers, which can generate millions in tax revenue due to their dense concentration of expensive server equipment. Unlike other assets, this equipment is taxed under the states machinery and tools classification and often replaced on a regular cycle  minimizing depreciation losses for local governments.

In a world of increasing restrictions, it helps Goochland be more competitive in the areas weve planned for development, Worley said.

Technology-related businesses are already permitted by-right within West Creek, but the overlay district would impose new standards on noise, building height, and proximity to nearby neighborhoods, while also relaxing current height limits.

Buildings up to 120 feet would be permitted, with any structure taller than 80 feet required to maintain a 200-foot setback from residential areas. The overlay would also limit noise to 65 decibels during the day and 60 at night, comparable to a typical conversation or running dishwasher.

Noise from construction or monthly generator tests would be exempt.

Incentives and competition

Overlaying the district is a proposed technology zone that would offer financial incentives to eligible businesses. Companies that invest at least $500,000 and create five or more full-time jobs could receive reimbursements of up to 75% on building permit fees and up to 100% on utility connection costs.

Those fees can be substantial. Worley noted that high water users, including many data centers, can face utility connection charges as high as $2 million.

Only for-profit businesses would be eligible for the incentives. Virginia law allows local technology zones to offer incentives on any tax category for up to 10 years.

Other localities in the region have already made similar moves. Hanover County recently designated a 900-acre stretch along Mountain Road near Glen Allen as a technology development zone, aiming to create a gateway corridor for tech companies along Route 33.

Henrico County, long the Richmond regions data center hub with nearly 37 facilities, recently ended by-right approvals for data centers, requiring new projects to undergo public hearings.

Chesterfield County has also entered the fray, approving two large-scale data center projects this year totaling more than 1,600 acres at Watkins Centre and the Upper Magnolia Green West technology village.
Criminal complaints filed against Yucatan Peninsula Mennonite communities for land devastation

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Mennonite communities are facing legal consequences after devastating thousands of hectares of Yucatan Peninsula jungle. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) says they are in the process of filing seven criminal complaints against the communities for the illegal clearing of land.

The federal agency says the areas affected include the states of Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo.

The Sub-Attorney Generals Offices for Natural Resources and Litigation and Environmental Justice of the Federal Attorney Generals Office for Environmental Protection, in coordination with the Specialized Prosecutors Office for the Investigation of Environmental Crimes (FEIDA) of the Federal Attorney Generals Office (FGR), have already filed two criminal complaints for the offense provided for and punishable in Article 418 of the Federal Penal Code.

Five more are being prepared, Profepa (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente) reported.

The filing of the legal complaints began in July when federal inspectors confirmed the illegal cutting of jungle forest the month before. The first legal complaints filed were for illegal change of land use in forest lands they identified on properties in the municipality of Calakmul, state of Campeche, and the municipality of Tekax, state of Yucatan.

Two additional criminal proceedings are being prepared related to other properties where illegal land use change activities were shut down on forest lands in the municipalities of Othon P. Blanco and Jose Maria Morelos in the state of Quintana Roo, the agency stated.

These are solidly substantiated criminal complaints for each of the closed properties, the agency added, stemming from the deforestation operations on an area exceeding 2,608.9 hectares located in June.

According to Profepa federal inspectors, all the affected properties are located in areas where the Mennonite population is recorded.

Federal inspectors have filed legal complaints against the Mennonite communities for illegal jungle devastation.

A total of six special operations were carried out in June. Two in Calakmul and Hopelchen, Campeche, two in Tekax, Yucatan and two in Jose Maria Morelos and Othon P. Blanco, Quintana Roo.

In addition, Oscar Rebora, the state governments Secretary of the Environment, reported that they are also working with Profepa on additional legal complaints and possible evictions of Mennonites in the municipality of Bacalar.

We are looking for a strategy to evict them and restore these properties. Experts have told us that many of the pesticides they use are very hard on the soil so we will have to determine how much can be restored and how much cannot, he said.

He explained that with the current federal administration, the government is working to get back the land and stop the devastation of jungle. He said the first action was to secure one of the affected properties, which was in Quintana Roo, where the closure seals have already been placed.

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama says her government is also working with federal authorities to monitor the Mennonite communities for the planting of genetically modified (GM) corn, something that is a concern.

It was one of the issues we discussed with Alicia Barcena. We are working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture given the suspicion that genetically modified corn could be planted, she said.

Lezama explained that there is ongoing communication with federal authorities responsible for the environmental and agricultural sectors to address the effects caused by certain practices associated with the Mennonite communities.
Marina intercepts 400 tons of incoming sargassum off Puerto Morelos-Riviera Maya coast

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz says more than 1,400 tons of sargassum has been collected from Puerto Morelos beaches in three months. That figure could have been a lot higher, however, Marina personnel intercepted a 400 ton flow of seaweed off the Puerto Morelos-Playa del Carmen coast.

Beach sweeping on Puerto Morelos beach August 2, 2025.

She says the successful collection efforts have been possible due to the support of the Secretaria de Marina (Semar) and the state government.

In Puerto Morelos we are committed to keeping our beaches clean of sargassum which is why April to June, we collected more than 1,400 tons. The beaches are clean in order to offer Puerto Morelos residents and visitors attractive beaches for their enjoyment, said Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz.

She said the state government has provided support with a heads-up of incoming sargassum that amounted to approximately 400 tons collected at sea.

The specialized vessels are manned by Marina personnel to collect sargassum at sea as seen here August 2, 2025.

With notice through the states Sargassum Monitoring Centre, a Marina sargassum trawler intercepted the seaweed during the week of July 21 that was heading toward the Playa del Carmen-Puerto Morelos stretch of coast.

Once the sargassum gets within a specific range of the coast, the vessels head out to collect it, preventing it from making landfall.

According to Merari Tziu, during the week of July 21, the sargassum trawler collected more than 400 tons of the macroalgae heading toward the coast.

Sargassum barrier off the coast of Puerto Morelos August 2, 2025.

She reported that the sargassum season typically runs from April to October but that the May to August period is considered the peak period. The strategy implemented has yielded positive results, protecting the municipalitys beaches with the placement of the sargassum barrier and allowing tourism to continue, she said.

Puerto Morelos August 2, 2025.

Gerardo Rosas Garcia, the Director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) of Puerto Morelos, explained that during the period from April to June of this year, at least three extensive days of collecting macroalgae have been carried out with his staff in addition to the support of 100 collaborators from various areas of the City Council along with Marina elements, independent of the daily collection of seaweed.

Marina personnel help in the collection of sargassum on a daily basis. August 2, 2025 Puerto Morelos.

The official mentioned that cleanup campaigns have also been organized on the beaches in collaboration with the hotel industry.
No increases: Mexico has best agreement says President Sheinbaum regarding U.S. tariffs

Mexico City, Mexico  We have the best possible agreement, even compared to other nations, President Claudia Sheinbaum said after a Thursday meeting with Trump. Both sides talked tariffs for more than 40 minutes Thursday, the day before increases were to be imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. After their conversation, Mexicos President Sheinbaum said investing in Mexico remains the best option.

Sheinbaum was accompanied by the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ramon de la Fuente and the Undersecretary for North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Velasco during the Thursday telephone conversation.

President Sheinbaum said that a solid agreement was reached during her phone conversation with President Trump, explaining both sides agreed to 90 days to continue talks and build a longer-term agreement.

First and foremost during the phone conversation which lasted approximately 40 minutes, our country was always treated with respect resulting in no further tariff increases and, above all, safeguarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), she said.

We reached a good agreement. Were staying put and we have 90 days to continue talking, engaging in dialogue and building a longer-term agreement. Why is this agreement important?

Number 1. Tariffs arent increasing any further. If you look at the agreements with other countries, were actually staying the same as we were. Second. The USMCA is safeguarded and thats very important because remember that 25 percent of the tariffs or duties are for everything that isnt covered by the USMCA, she explained.

Sheinbaum said that tariffs on the automotive industry will remain in place with the corresponding discount on parts manufactured in the US, Mexico and Canada, as well as on steel and aluminum.

But its very important to safeguard the Treaty. Third, maintain this dialogue table, ongoing negotiations with your team. Truly, Mexico remains today, within this new world order because its a new world trade order. We have the best possible agreement even compared to other nations. That is, investing in Mexico remains the best option, said Sheinbaum.

Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon acknowledged Sheinbaums ability to engage in talks with her U.S. counterpart and pointed out that Mexico maintains a much better position than the rest of the world.

Mexico and U.S. agreed to 90 day no-tariff increase during July 31 phone conversation.

Were all working on many preliminary things but without any flattery I can tell you our Presidents handling of her conversations, her manner, the firmness with which she defends Mexicos interests, her ability to convince President Trump, is tremendous, he said.

Foreign Secretary Juan Ramon de la Fuente acknowledged the Mexican Presidents leadership and extraordinary capacity for dialogue and added that at the end of the call, the instruction he received from the President is to continue talks with the United States.

We will continue the dialogue, continue holding talks on various issues because it has been a strategy that has so far been highly satisfactory for Mexico. Its an honor, Madam President, to be part of your team, he added.
With the Grand Island Fire Companys annual budget coming up for renewal at the end of the year, Town Board Member Dan Kilmer suggests shifting 911 dispatch to Erie County offices in Buffalo to save money.

But some dont want emergencies in the hands of operators off Grand Island.

Grand Island residents have to make a decision about whether or not they think local dispatching is important, Grand Island Fire representative Peter Coppola said.

Since the Grand Island Fire Company first sought independent district status more than a year ago, its finances were called into question. Namely, the funding allocated toward dispatch.

Grand Island has a dispatch employee available 24/7, which costs around $450,000 per year, said Kilmer, who thinks the money could be better spent elsewhere within the department.

By shifting 911 operations to Erie Countys center in Buffalo, the price for the service decreases significantly to about $40,000 to $80,000 a year.

But some citizens and department representatives are concerned over relinquishing operator responsibilities. A campaign on the Grand Island Fire Company Facebook page urges residents to Help keep Grand Island dispatch local by expressing disapproval to the Town Board, the governing body that would ultimately make this decision alongside the Erie County Legislature.

Town Supervisor Peter Marston, however, doesnt expect this idea to move forward, based on the lack of initial support. But he recognizes that it is important to hear more details about the plan, as long as cutting costs doesnt mean jeopardizing the quality of emergency services.

Unless it is absolutely enormous savings and they can guarantee response times, I have little interest, Marston said.

Kilmer intends to file a formal motion after taking more time to hear the critics. If New York State law changes to require two operators at all times, the amount allocated toward Grand Island dispatch has the potential to double. Kilmer suggests that the amount saved by shifting to Erie County could be thought of as an increase for the department budget.

How is this a bad thing? This is a great thing, Kilmer said. All they have to do is prove to me that losing local dispatch would be catastrophic to the safety of our residents, which they have not proved, as a matter of fact.

Grand Island is currently two 911 upgrades behind and $450,000 above what it needs to spend, he said. While the main argument in opposition is that dispatchers need local knowledge to handle emergency situations, Kilmer is not convinced.

I could be calling a dispatcher in California that could dispatch the Grand Island Fire Department to my garage fire, literally. You do not have to have local knowledge when you give an address, Kilmer said.

He added that the majority of Grand Island dispatchers do not reside on the island, and the police already dispatch from Erie County. Despite the public stance, Kilmer insists that 50% of the members at the fire hall are in favor of his idea.

Coppola, former president of the Grand Island Fire Company board, currently serves in an advisory position with its dispatch services. He says after 40 years of running an efficient center tailored to the island, the department was baffled by the idea of turning it over to the county.

We didnt understand what they were trying to do other than this obtuse concept that they were going to save a lot of money for the taxpayers, Coppola said.

Coppola said the financial gain of this idea is unnecessary because Grand Island Fire offers more services than any volunteer fire company in the region, and does so at one of the lowest fire tax rates.

He also worries that Grand Island wont receive the specialized services that it needs because the center has its hands full with the many other places it covers, namely the City of Buffalo. A big event in Buffalo could be prioritized over Grand Island emergencies, he added.

They are already overwhelmed and understaffed, in many cases, Coppola said. The particular service for our citizens is certainly going to be adversely affected.

Coppola added that Grand Island dispatchers use a system that allows them to track responders who are going on the scene and that firefighters have an emergency signal that notifies dispatchers when they are in jeopardy. He thinks being lumped in with Erie County could put those functions at risk.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said that localized public safety answering points are being phased out across the country. He added that most mobile phone calls already reach the county first, with an average of five calls to Grand Island per day.

He said he was surprised to hear strong objections from the Grand Island Fire Company, and hopes they change their minds because Erie County can guarantee state-of-the-art technology, such as coordinate pinpointing and text alerts.

Were willing to do this. I hope the town agrees to it, Poloncarz said. If so, then well move forward to ensure that Grand Island residents are getting the best, the fastest and the most cost-effective service they can.
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

My husband will jerk off when Im too tired for sex. Im an incredibly sound sleeper, so having him do it in the bed next to me isnt a problem, save for one thing: His idea of a joke is to finish by taking my hand and coming into it and then waking me up so I can see what he left for me.

He thinks this is the funniest thing in the world. I do not. I find it gross and disruptive to have to get up and wash my hand, and there has been more than one occasion where its gotten on the sheets, which means having to change those as well. His reaction to my telling him I dont like this is that I need to find the funny. Short of sleeping in our guest room, what can I do about this?

Penis Pranked and Pissed

Dear Penis Pranked and Pissed,

Im with you. This is definitely gross and violates your consent. If he did something even slightly similar to a stranger, itd result in a lawsuit. If he did it to a co-worker, hed lose his job (and probably also get sued). I understand that amongst partners, there can exist a special comfort level, though, and you dont report feeling violated. Far be it from me to foist that experience onto youthis is just to put his behavior into perspective. You telling him that you dont like this is letting him off easy.

What I find the most galling, though, is that hes waking you up. Handful of cum or not, thats a dick move. Its torturous, even. If youre a heavy sleeper, falling back to sleep may not cause you problems, but its still so wrong to disrupt someones sleep without a legitimate reason. If the house is on fire, fine. Ejaculation, which the vast majority of the sexually functioning male population is fully capable of doing, is not cause for rousing. And I say this as a semen enthusiast! If someone was going to wake me up because he just came, that load better be way bigger than a handful.

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What can you do about this? Dig in your heels. Dont forgive and forget so easily. Let your irritation linger beyond the conversation about his nighttime gift. Hold it against him for a bit. Show him that you will not be finding the funny in this. Tell him that you dont appreciate being woken up because he jerked off again. Its about as immature as him showing you the emptied contents of his bowels in a toilet bowl. Alternatively, you could lean into this. Tell him its a turn on and that you admire his loads, but youd prefer that he share them with you in waking hours, when you can actually appreciate them. Ask him to video/photo his load so that he can show you in the morning, when you can really appreciate it. Does he deserve such flattery? Probably not, but at least if this method works, it will get him off your back and leave your rest uninterrupted.

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Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit

Dear How to Do It,

My husband always falls asleep within 10 minutes of when we finish having sex. I find this extremely off-putting, as to me it seems to say, I got what I needed and now have no further use for you. He says hes just tired. I think hes being selfish. Thoughts?

Feeling Used

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Dear Feeling Used,

Before you write off your husband as an inconsiderate jerk, though he may well deserve it, you should at least contend with the underlying biology of the situation. As a result of ejaculation, men release prolactin, which can lead to sleepiness. Women do too but less of it, which is why the content of your letter is a tale as old as time. A more recent development, though, via a pair of studies published in 2014, is that the duration of postcoital affection with ones partner is associated with sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. So even if your husband isnt using you and intentionally conking out after sex to show you how little you mean to him, even if hes just honestly sleepy, it behooves him to connect with you then.

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This could be as easy as just trying and not letting sleep completely take over. I do encourage male partners to at least attempt a little bit of cuddling, said one sex therapist in a CNN piece on this topic. One suggestion: After sex, he should try turning toward you and cuddling for as long as he can. Sometimes just rolling toward (as opposed to over) and sweetly telling your partner how much you care about them while holding them in a spooning position can be just enough to make them feel connected, said the therapist, Emily Jamea. This Mens Health piece also contains a few tips: Keep the lights on and pick a sex position that doesnt involve lying down, particularly not one where hes on his back, which can prime him for sleep.

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You should also take a more general stockis your husband typically inconsiderate? Does he make you feel used in other areas in the relationship? If not, itll probably be a lot easier for you to trust that his post-sex snoozing has more to do with his internal mechanism than it is a reflection of ill feelings toward you. If he is inconsiderate and prone to making you feel used, well, sex is the canary in the coal mine here, and you have a more general issue to address. But hopefully, hes generally a good guy who has been doing something that you are interpreting as selfish. You could ease up a little bit, and he could try harder. If you both put effort in, you may both end up feeling satisfied.

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Dear How to Do It,

My marriage often feels complicated, and over the two decades weve been together, my husband, Patrick, and I have worked through a lot of issues. We are good friends and parents, but our sex life is dead.

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It has died over the years as Ive had to isolate myself emotionally. Patrick has struggled with resentment and narcissistic traits and has a bad relationship with his family. Ive also had to become the sole breadwinner over the past several years since hes now disabled with a brain injury (though you wouldnt know it when you meet him). Its a lot, plus we have kids at home.

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I would like to have a sex life, but we are both so emotionally burnt and have so much baggage that I have an impossible time connecting with him on an emotional level. Is it time to give up and accept that it is what it is? I am still attracted to men and can get aroused. Any last straw ideas on how to reignite some spark?

Sentenced to Solitude

Dear Sentenced to Solitude,

What does giving up actually mean here? Are you giving up the dream of things magically falling back into place and reigniting a sexual relationship with Patrick? Or would you be giving up efforts to create that spark, which you are in the process of undergoing and clearly failing at? Most of us could be doing more, period, but of course, we can reach a point of exhaustion. Have you actually troubleshooted and focused specifically on the sexual aspect of your relationship? Have you gone to couples counseling? Read Mating in Captivity and followed its guidance to creating more space between you and your partner that can result in an erotic charge? Had conversations with your husband about your lack of sex and how it affects you both?

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Maybe these options arent compatible with your decision to emotionally isolate. But neither is reconnecting with your husband on a sexual level, in all likelihood. It sounds like you did what you needed to do there. Therapy could help provide you with alternate pathways to connection. You could also try playing with the lack of connection and create scenarios that allow you and your husband to have the kind of fast and detached sex that can occur between strangers, but that seems like a potential logistical challenge as well, given all the baggage. Plus, coordinating a role-playing scenario in which you relate like actual strangers would require communication and, yep, connection.

You do have the option of opening up. That could allow you to maintain your friendship and co-parenting dynamic while giving you the opportunity to explore sex elsewhere. Once again, the problem there is your lack of connectionethical non-monogamy tends to require communication in order for its participants to feel safe and satisfied. Now, there are people in dont-ask-dont-tell arrangements, and that can have a kind of set-it-and-forget-it format (you have one conversation about opening up, you open up, no more questions asked), but coordinating can be tough if you arent speaking about the openness. At minimum, I would at least float this option during a much-needed conversation between you two about the state of your marriage. See if your husband has any ideas hes been sitting on, and try to be patient with him. It can be hard, but youre not going to solve this (or even move on from it) without effort.

Rich

More Advice From Slate

My boyfriend just asked me if he could send me snippets of porn he watches to show me what he wants me to do to him in bed. I feel slighted by this, because I already try to do things that I would otherwise not do already to keep him happy.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

My spouse and I have two kids under 3. We currently have a nanny who is largely good, but were unsure if we want to continue our contract with her beyond the current term. (In our area, hiring a nanny is both cheaper and more convenient than daycare.)

My parents have said that once the contract with the nanny expires, they would like to provide child care to bridge the time until our older child starts preschool. They provided child care for him before our second child was born, and theyve credited this as the foundation for the strong bond they have with him today.

So wheres the problem in this filled-with-blessings situation? My spouse doesnt believe my parents truly want to do this, but rather, feel obligated or pressured to. Wed be taking advantage of them, my spouse insists. If you knew my dad, youd know he doesnt make an offer he doesnt mean. How can I structure a productive conversation with my spouse to get at the root of this hesitation? What kinds of questions would you ask?

In a Situation Most Would Envy

Dear Situation,

I would ask outright: What makes you think this offer is insincere, made under pressure, or otherwise cannot be taken at face value? If your spouse falls back on, Its just a feeling I have, dig deeper. Is it because your parents didnt make the offer sooner? Whose decision was it, Im wondering, to hire a nanny after your second child was born rather than having your parents, who had been watching Baby #1, care for both of them? Did you and your spouse decide that this would be too much for them, or did your parents? Did you talk to them about this before hiring the nanny? If the decision was made because caring for a newborn and a toddler at the same time was too much to ask of themand I can certainly see why it might have been!then what keeps you from pointing this out to your spouse and noting that things have changed?

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If theres another underlying reason, nows the time to get that out into the open. Maybe your spouse wasnt happy, lets say, with the care your parents provided for your older child, and never told you that (in order to keep the peace perhaps), and is now using they dont actually want to do this/wed be taking advantage of them as an excuse to say no, sidestepping the real issue. Or perhaps your spouse picked up on something the last time around that you didnt. Youll never know until you ask. Directly.

As a parent for whom grandparenthood is likely in the not-too-distant future, Ive made sure that both my daughter and my son-in-law are on the same page about the plan for child care my daughter and I have been talking about for years. It wouldnt hurt, once youve talked to your spouse about whats really behind these doubts, to sit down with all three parties and hash things out. In my experience, not talking openly about such things (thoughts, feelings, doubts, desires, intentions, hesitations) is what causes problems in families and marriages.

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Get parenting and family advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Care and Feeding, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Care and Feeding following up) Submit

Dear Care and Feeding,

I am struggling with crushing nostalgia watching my children get older, and I would love your perspective. I am a parent to two lovely children, ages 4 and 2. When my older child, my son, was 18 months old, I had a short, friendly conversation with a stranger at the park, which concluded with her telling me to Enjoy, this is the best age. In the moment, I remember thinking, I hope thats not true, but that sentiment has haunted me.

I find it so painful to look back on photos from even a few months ago and see how much my children have changed. Put simply, I loved the baby days. Im loving the current days too, but there are so many things I miss about having a baby. At one point, I was certain I wanted a third child, but, after a lot of self-reflection, I realized what I truly want is to relive the baby days of the children I already have. Im afraid this feeling of nostalgia and heartache as they grow up will only intensify. Have you experienced anything like this? Any ideas to help ease this feeling? And please tell me parenting is still joyful even as our little ones get older.

Trying to Stay in the Present Moment

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Dear Present Moment,

Sure, I experienced something like this. And I remember clearly the day, when my daughter was 2 , that I thought, I need to have another baby!and my own self-reflection that led me to the same place yours did, as well as to recalling why I had decided to stop at one! I think many parents go through this. Does it reassure you at all to know that now, at the age of 70, my daughter now 32, I miss her babyhood and just as fiercely miss the toddler years, the early school years, and every other phase and stage of her life (with the exception, maybe, of a small portion of her teens, when we were in the eye-rolling-at-everything-I-said phasewhich, thankfully, didnt last long, and I now recall mostly with amusement)?

One of the wonderful, extraordinary things about raising a child is that you get to love so many different versions of them as time passes! Not only is each version unique and fascinatingit also holds within it the core of every former version. I sometimes think of my very much grown-up daughter now as having sedimentary layers (and I know each layer so well!). The baby my child was, whom I so adored, is still there, deep within her; so is the 3-year-old singing Its the Hard Knock Life as she pretend-mopped the floor with the toy mop shed begged for for her birthday (and the 12-year-old belting out Kelly Clarkson songs on her American Idol karaoke machine). I can close my eyes and picture her exactly as she was at 5, hand in hand with her first best friendand at 15, making music videos to J-pop with the best friend she had then, who is still among her closest friends now. When Im in Manhattan, sitting across from her at dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, I see her as she is now and as she was thenall those different thens.

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You dont have to get over your nostalgia for your babies; you dont have to put away those memories. The trick is to keep them in perspective, and make sure they dont take precedence over the children these former babies have become. Enjoy them as they are now, and then hold onto those versions of them too, as these children get older and shed their former skins to make way for the newest versions of themselves. My daughter, as she is right now, is my favorite person in the world. But I will never stop loving all the people she used to be. Parenting can continue to be joyful for as long as you liveI promise. You just need to open yourself up to that ever-changing joy.

Send Your Questions to Good Job!

Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here!

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Dear Care and Feeding,

My sister and her husband both earn comfortable incomes and are wonderful with my kids and their other nieces and nephews. They are kind and thoughtful people, and any child would be lucky to have them as parents. The problem is that they are in their late 30s and have said they dont plan on having children. I think they will come to regret this, and by the time they realize their mistake, it will be too late. How can I get them to reconsider?

The Clock is Ticking

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Dear Ticking,

You cantand shouldnt try toget them to reconsider. Their decision to remain childfree is theirs to make. It doesnt matter how good they are with their nieces and nephews; it doesnt matter what good parents they might be. It doesnt even matter that you think theyll regret this decision (nor does it matter that they might indeed regret it). This is simply, and absolutely, none of your business. Stay out of it. Be grateful your kids and their cousins have such a loving aunt and uncle to call their ownnot every child is so fortunate. And not everyone wants to be a parent.

Michelle

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My half sister is 19. I am in my 40s. As you can imagine, we do not have a lot in common, but have always had a pleasant and civil relationshipuntil last week. My 16-year-old daughter has been begging us to let her get a tattoo for at least a year (in our area, you need an adult guardians permission unless you are over 18, which seems completely reasonable to me). She just wants to get the birthdate of her (deceased) little brother on her shoulder blade, which I am, of course, extremely sympathetic to.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/drone-strikes-hit-near-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant---statement-1122545951.html

Drone Strikes Hit Near Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant - Statement

Drone Strikes Hit Near Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant - Statement

Sputnik International

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stationed at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) on Saturday heard sounds of explosions and saw smoke in a place located 1.2 kilometer (0.74 mile) from the perimeter of the station, the IAEA said in a statement.

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russia's special operation in ukraine

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Earlier in the day, the plants operator said that a civilian had been killed in Ukrainian shelling of the industrial zone near the ZNPP. Representatives of the ZNPP informed the IAEA experts that the facility 1.2 kilometers from the perimeter of the nuclear power plant had been shelled and attacked by drones, the IAEA said in a statement. "Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was quoted as saying by the Agency. The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is located on the left bank of the Dnepr River near Energodar. It is the largest nuclear plant in Europe in terms of the number of units and installed capacity. The plant has six power units, with a capacity of 1 gigawatt each, all of which are currently in a state of so-called cold shutdown. In October 2022, the nuclear power plant went under Russian control and has since been routinely targeted in Ukrainian attacks.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/eu-risks-to-become-dependent-on-us-lng---austrian-lawmakers-1122548500.html

EU Risks to Become Dependent on US LNG - Austrian Lawmakers

EU Risks to Become Dependent on US LNG - Austrian Lawmakers

Sputnik International

Austria's right-wing Freedom Party (FPO) accused the European Union on Sunday of forcing Europe into a dangerous dependence on US liquefied natural gas (LNG) by driving away other suppliers with its unrealistic climate goals while phasing out Russian imports.

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On July 26, Die Welt newspaper published a letter of Qatari Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi who threatened to stop LNG exports to the EU after Brussels demanded that Qatar comply with its climate change transition plan. In this situation, Europe risks to become dependent on a single LNG supplier, Kassegger and the FPO spokesperson for energy, Paul Hammerl, said. EU countries have been sourcing about 10% of their LNG from Qatar and 17% from Russia. The loss of these suppliers and the EU's intention to focus on US imports can undermine Europe's energy security and hit households and industry. If the EU continues to pursue this political course and Qatar refuses to supply LNG, EU nations will be unable to meet its gas demands, leading to another hike in gas prices, Kassegger and Hammerl said. They called on the EU to reconsider its unrealistic climate goals immediately and on the Austrian government to ensure affordable and sustainable supply. On July 27, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump reached a trade deal that will subject most EU exports to the US to a 15% tariff. The EU also pledged to buy $750 billion worth of US energy products. In the REPowerEU plan, the European Commission set the goal of abandoning Russian pipeline gas in 2027-2028. In early May, the commission presented a draft roadmap for ending Russian energy imports by the end of 2027.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241213/bearing-the-burden-how-eus-move-to-scrap-russian-energy-backfired-1121160814.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/moldova-could-disappear-if-pro-western-regime-retains-power--advisor-to-regional-governor-1122547036.html

Moldova Could Disappear If Pro-Western Regime Retains Power  Advisor to Regional Governor

Moldova Could Disappear If Pro-Western Regime Retains Power  Advisor to Regional Governor

Sputnik International

The state of Moldova could vanish from the world map if the pro-Western regime remains in power after the September 28 parliamentary elections, Mikhail Vlah, an adviser to Gagauzia head Yevgenia Gutsul, said on Sunday.

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Governments change and political parties in parliament come and go, but the strategy for incorporating Moldova into Romania remains the unchanging goal of the Moldovan-Romanian political elite, he said. The Moldovan government has been criticized for cracking down on the opposition and arbitrarily arresting its leaders. Gagauzia head was detained at the Chisinau airport in March on charges of violating campaign finance rules and falsifying documents. Opposition lawmakers have been routinely detained at Moldovan airports for visiting Russia, while criminal cases continue piling up against government critics. The government has also blocked over 100 Telegram channels and shut down more than a dozen media outlets, including Sputnik Moldova and several major TV channels.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/nato-eyes-baltic-build-up-extending-its-military-footprint-toward-russia-1122546215.html

NATO Eyes Baltic Build-Up, Extending Its Military Footprint Toward Russia

NATO Eyes Baltic Build-Up, Extending Its Military Footprint Toward Russia

Sputnik International

NATO is mulling deploying a German-Dutch corps in the Estonian city of Parnu, the ERR broadcaster reported on Sunday, citing Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

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However, the final decision is going to be taken later this year, the broadcaster said. The deployment will require creation of the infrastructure for 100-200 people, including administrative buildings, technical buildings and other facilities. The Estonian Defense Ministry is reportedly planning to allocate 17 million euros ($19.7 million) for that. In recent years, Russia has been flagging up NATO's unprecedented activity near its western borders. NATO is expanding its initiatives and calling it "containing Russian aggression." Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the buildup of NATO forces in Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has also said that the Baltic states governments were destroying the remnants of security and stability in the region.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/russian-chinese-warships-stage-joint-naval-drills-in-sea-of-japan-1122548045.html

Russian, Chinese Warships Stage Joint Naval Drills in Sea of Japan

Russian, Chinese Warships Stage Joint Naval Drills in Sea of Japan

Sputnik International

Russian and Chinese military ships left the eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on Sunday to train jointly in the Sea of Japan as part of Exercise Maritime Cooperation 2025, the Russian Pacific Fleet said.

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Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs and corvette Gromky established a formation to train communications and joint maneuvers with two Chinese guided-missile destroyers, Shaoxing and Urumqi. The naval drills are being held in the Sea of Japan from August 1-5. The drills are part of the annual plan of cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries. They are not aimed against any third party and are not related to the current international and regional situation, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/russias-victory-in-ukraine-inevitable---reports-1122548648.html

Russia's Victory in Ukraine Inevitable - Reports

Russia's Victory in Ukraine Inevitable - Reports

Sputnik International

Russia's victory in the Ukraine conflict is inevitable, as Moscow has the necessary military advantage to achieve its goals, The American Conservative magazine reported on Sunday.

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Kiev's plans to reclaim territories are "dreams" because "there is no scenario," in which the Ukrainian armed forces will be able to drive away Russian troops. US President Donald Trump should not reportedly prolong the conflict "to spite" Russian President Vladimir Putin after having repeatedly criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for providing billions worth of military aid to Ukraine. Trump announced on July 11 that European NATO allies would pay for American weapons supplied to Ukraine. An agreement to this effect was made at the NATO summit in The Hague in June, he said. Russia believes that supplying arms to Ukraine hinders peace efforts and drags NATO allies into the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that any shipments containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/turkish-presidency-denies-knowledge-of-pending-military-pact-with-syria-1122547205.html

Turkish Presidency Denies Knowledge of Pending Military Pact With Syria

Turkish Presidency Denies Knowledge of Pending Military Pact With Syria

Sputnik International

The Turkish presidential administration told Sputnik on Sunday that it had no information about a pending military agreement between Turkiye and Syria or plans to establish military bases in the Arab Republic.

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The Turkish Aydinlik newspaper reported earlier in the day that Turkiye and Syria would sign a military cooperation agreement by the end of August, which would allow Turkiye to establish three military bases in Syria and assist its neighbor in building an army. State-run Turkish news agency Anadolu reported, citing the Defense Ministry, that Syria had officially asked Turkiye for help in strengthening its defense capabilities and combating terrorists. The ministry emphasized that Ankaras main goal was to preserve Syrias territorial integrity and political unity. In July, armed gangs reportedly attacked Druze villages in the southern Syrian province of As-Suwayda, prompting Druze self-defense units to intervene. Damascus sent troops and security forces to the region to deal with illegal armed groups. Syria TV reported that hundreds died or were injured and that more than 2,000 families fled to the neighboring province of Daraa during the clashes. The non-governmental Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at over 1,000. Israel launched airstrikes at the Syrian General Staff, the presidential palace in Damascus and Syrian army bases in As-Suwayda, allegedly to protect the Druze community. On July 19, Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, announced a comprehensive ceasefire in the south and called on all parties to abide by it.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250803/ukraines-rescue-operations-mirror-historic-british-artifact-plundering-1122547544.html

Ukraines Rescue Operations Mirror Historic British Artifact Plundering

Ukraines Rescue Operations Mirror Historic British Artifact Plundering

Sputnik International

In Syria, British and French missions were among the first to loot cities like Palmyra in the late 19th century, stealing funerary statues, gold jewelry, as well as Aramaic and Greek inscriptions.

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syria

iran

britain

heritage

artifacts

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ukraine

museum

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The UKs plunder of Middle Eastern heritage dates back to 19th Century excavations, antiquities expert Kawthar Mohammed told Sputnik, commenting on reports that Ukraine is seizing Russian shrines abroad under the guise of a "rescue operation" and selling the artifacts at British auctions.He stressed thar priceless artifacts  including Assyrian reliefs from Sennacheribs palace and tablets from Ashurbanipals library  were shipped directly to the British Museum"The destruction continued into the 21st Century, as a civil war in Syria and ISIS* looting enabled the trafficking of hundreds more artifacts through Turkiye and Lebanon, ultimately landing in European collections," he added. So where are these treasures now? "There are three main destinations," Mohammed pointed out. Despite international pressure, the UK has not returned a single artifact to Iraq or Syria. British institutions continue to justify their possession by citing missing ownership records and the fact that some items arrived before the 1970 UNESCO Convention on illicit cultural trade, Mohammed concluded.* terrorist group banned in Russia

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british expeditions, artifact plundering, ukraines rescue operations, 2003 us invasion of iraq, a civil war in syria, european collections
Out Of Ice turned on the jets late to rebuff a stern first-over bid from Bruno No No No for a decisive 1:51.3 triumph in the first of two $25,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions for three-year-old male pacers on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Hiawatha Horse Park. Fifth And Five likewise proved a steadfast winner in the second split, scoring in 1:53.1 to give driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Carl Jamieson a sweep of the evening's featured races.

Sent off as the 1-5 favourite in the opening division, Out Of Ice landed in third through a :27.2 first quarter before Jody Jamieson brushed him clear of Dancininthefire (Austin Sorrie) with a circuit to go. After pulling the tempo back through a :29.1 second sectional, Out Of Ice faced an outside bid from Bruno No No No (Garrett Rooney) midway up the backstretch and through the far turn before scorching a :55 final half to rebuff Bruno No No No by 2-3/4 lengths. Betterdealmein (Mark MacDonell) closed mildly off stalled cover for third.

Carl Jamieson co-owns Out Of Ice with George Harrison of Preston Lancashire, England, the Estate Of Brian Paquet of Quebec City, Que., and 1140545 Ontario Ltd. of Guelph, Ont. Now a six-time career winner and six-figure earner, the Hes Watching-Warrawee Star gelding paid $2.40 to win in his fourth Grassroots score this year.

Another 1-5 choice delivered to complete the Jamieson Grassroots double as Fifth And Five rose to a persistent challenge from Silverwalls before using :27.2 stretch speed to record his fourth consecutive win.

In a change of tactics from recent starts, the Bettors Delight-Filou Fly Fast colt was sent for the lead at race's outset, clearing Grin And Win (Anthony Haughan) to control a :27.1 first quarter before slamming on the brakes through middle splits of :57.3 and 1:25.4. Heading toward the far turn, Silverwalls (Garrett Rooney) pushed forward out of third to engage the leader, but Fifth And Five shrugged off that challenger turning for home and won by a widening 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.1. Grin And Win reclaimed second over a tiring Silverwalls, who faded to third.

Fifth And Five is seven-time career winner closing in on a quarter-million dollars in earnings for Carl Jamieson and partners 1140545 Ontario Ltd. of Guelph, Ont., and Trevor Edwardsof Kirkton, Ont. He paid $2.70 to win in his third Grassroots score this year.

Jody Jamieson also picked up a winning catch-drive in the evening's Prospect Series leg for sophomore male pacers with 1-5 favourite Five Star Lou ($2.50) narrowly outlasting a late bid from Intuit Big (Lorne House) to win in a lifetime best 1:54.1. Jamieson drove the Dancin Lou-Hakima gelding, last year's Prospect divisional champion and winner of three legs this season, for trainer Shawn Steacy and the partnership of Landmark 17 Racing Stable of Lansdowne, Ont., Stephen Downey of Quispamsis, N.B., Dan Mogridge of Coldwater, Ont., and Esa Lahtinen of Cambridge, Ont.

The Magic Moment ($4) made his return to Ontario a winning one in the other $8,000 Prospect division, vaulting from the pocket to eclipse pacesetter Wicked Express (Austin Sorrie) and evade runner-up Wayne Stone (Natasha Day) by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4. Garrett Rooney drove the favoured Control The Moment-Wind River Cat gelding, now a winner of four consecutive races and seven overall from 11 career starts, for Shawinigan, Que. based owners Gestion A&A Belanger and Cynthia Cote Dupont. Austin McEneny took over training duties of the Quebec stakes winner for the sophomore's Prospect debut.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results  Hiawatha Horse Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
Royally bred Apex notched a hard-fought win as the second betting choice while Emmas Mystery CCL ripped to victory at long odds in their respective $312,500 New Jersey Sire Stakes finals for trotting two-year-olds, held on the Hambletonian Day undercard on Saturday, Aug. 2 at The Meadowlands.

Apex seized the lead late and kept his head in front to the finish of a career-best 1:53.2 mile to win the New Jersey Sire Stakes final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Driver Dexter Dunn landed in fourth out of post two with Apex, directly behind 3-5 favourite Diabolic Hill (Andy McCarthy), and bided his time as Ardonne (Scott Zeron) cleared the front in a :28 first quarter. Pocket-sitter Maga Hill (Yannick Gingras) soon tipped outside to challenge and then took over the lead before a :56.4 half, all while Apex pressured Diabolic Hill to flush outside moving for the final turn.

Diabolic Hill obliged out of third and lunged uncovered to blitz Maga Hill to three-quarters in 1:25 with Apex in tow on the turn for home. Dunn fanned off cover in the stretch and overhauled Diabolic Hill in mid-stretch but had more competition coming with Ardonne zipping off a ground-saving trip and after the leader late. Apex reached for the finish and staved off Ardonne by a head while Diabolic Hill settled for third.

Apex, a colt by Walner out of the world champion trotting mare and 2015 Hambletonian runner-up Mission Brief, scored his second win from three starts.

Weve spent about $2 million [USD] on Mission Briefs offspring so far  and this is the [fourth] one weve got  and he definitely showed right away that he was the best one, said winning trainer Marcus Melander. He had such a bound in his gait and was training down great, but you never really know until you start racing them.

A $729,167 yearling purchase from the 2024 Standardbred Horse Sale, Apex boosted his earnings to $181,819 for owners Jeffrey Snyder of New York City, New York, S R F Stable of Del Ray Beach, Florida and Steve Stewart of Paris, Kentucky.

He paid $5.40 to win.

Emmas Mystery CCL uncorked a 15-1 upset when tripping out to a career-best 1:53.2 victory of her own in the New Jersey Sire Stakes final for two-year-old trotting fillies.

Driver Andy McCarthy floated out of post nine with Emmas Mystery CCL to race towards the rear of the field and found cover to follow with 3-5 favourite Leading Lady (Yannick Gingras) caught wide through the first turn. Southwind Chaska (Tim Tetrick) emerged with the lead through a :27.3 first quarter but faced a challenge into the backstretch from 60-1 shot Glam (Ake Svanstedt).

Glam grabbed the lead briefly as Southwind Chaska promptly pulled off the cones with the outer tier looming and retook the lead into a :56.2 half. Southwind Chaska braced for further pressure from first-over Days Away (Jason Bartlett) into the far turn while Leading Lady perched second-over and Emmas Mystery CCL coasted along third-over.

Days Away tired from the grind after three-quarters in 1:24.4 as the backfield lifted forward after a game Southwind Chaska in the stretch. Emmas Mystery CCL angled to the centre of the track and kicked with the most momentum to tower past the bunch and slide away to a 1-1/2-length win. Sugar Packet (David Miller) swung wide from a ground-saving trip to take second with Southwind Chaska holding third.

She didnt handle the track the last start very good  it was quite deep and she just struggled to get through it, noted McCarthy in a post-race interview. I was a lot more confident today with a bit of a tighter track, but I was just letting her tell me what to do. It just worked out where we had a good flowing trip there and she was good enough to overcome it.

Noel Daley trains Emmas Mystery CCL, a daughter of Muscle Hill out of past Hambletonian Oaks elimination winner Mistery Woman. The filly, a $135,135 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale acquisition, won her second race from three starts, putting her earnings at $177,483 for owner Winning Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania.

She returned $33.40 for the upset win.

More Hambo Day Undercard Highlights

Hambletonian Day's stakes action started with the Canadian campaigned Lasting Dream ($8.20) and driver Louis-Philippe Roy winning a $41,667 division of the Continentalvictory for three-year-old trotting fillies in a career-best 1:51.4 by 1-3/4 lengths. Getting a pocket trip after the opening turning, Lasting Dream glided by backstretch leader Highlandstarburst (Yannick Gingras) in front the grandstand with Margareta Hanover (Todd McCarthy) closing off the winner's back to take second.

A Cantab Hall-Dream Together homebred for Determination of Montreal, Que., Lasting Dream has earned more than $440,000 in her career and entered the Continentalvictory off a fifth-place finish in the Hambletonian Oaks elimination won by Delaney Hanover.

Three-year-old trotting colts Happy Jack B ($6) and Onajetplane ($3.80) each took new lifetime marks in their respective $69,444 divisions of the Muscle Hill.

Happy Jack B overtook the front-striding favourite Lefties Righties (Dexter Dunn) in deep stretch for a 1:52 triumph by 1-1/4 lengths in a Hambletonian precursor for trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt.

A career winner of nearly $320,000, the son of Chapter Seven out of Exotic Form is owned by B Nasstrom Holding Inc. of Delray Beach, Florida, Wolfgang A Stable of Wrightstown, New Jersey and Joe Sbrocco And Jaf Racing of Staten Island, New York.

Onajetplane delivered as the 4-5 favourite after a fourth-place finish in the Hambletonian elimination won by Super Chapter. The Walner-Noble Lover colt blew by early tempo-setter Top Gun Hanover (Dexter Dunn) turning for home for Andy McCarthy, winning in 1:51 by two lengths, with Go Ahead Makemyday (David Miller) photoing out Hey Porter (Todd McCarthy) for second place.

Trainer Noel Daley shares ownership with Sjoblom Racing and Zei Zei Racing of Delray Beach, Florida and L A Express Stable of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Onajetplane picked up his sixth stakes win in 16 starts and is just shy of the half-million dollar mark in earnings.

Aetos Kronos S ($2.40) was much the best in the $83,333 Vincennes Preferred Trot, taking a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4. Dexter Dunn put the 1-9 favourite on the lead down the backstretch and he trotted off, with Dire Straights (Braxten Boyd) edging out Little Expensive (Andy Miller) in a place photo 4-3/4 lengths behind.

The nine-year-old stallion by Bold Eagle out of Will Of A Woman has won five of his eight starts this season and $234,658 of his $1.6 million bankroll while racing in North America under the tutelage of trainer Marcus Melander for New York City-based owners Jeffrey and Michael Snyder.

Dexter Dunn led all drivers on the 16-race card with five wins while Marcus Melander led the trainers with a triple.

(Meadowlands Racetrack & Standardbred Canada; photo of Apex winning on Aug. 2)
Aged trotting division leader Periculum navigated through a perfect second-over trip in rein to Scott Zeron to add the $416,667 John Cashman Memorial (Grade 2) to his resume on Saturday, Aug. 2 at The Meadowlands.

Up Your Deo (Ake Svanstedt) and Sir Pinocchio (Jason Bartlett) were aggressive leaving the gate, exchanging leads and burning the first quarter in :26.2, only to surrender to a strong brush by eight-hole starter Lexus Kody (Yannick Gingras). The tempo slowed a bit with Lexus Kody on a lead that he kept while scoring a :54 half.

Private Access (Louis-Philippe Roy) presented a first-over move from mid-pack that Zeron utilized to start Periculum's covered attack. Zeron's charge perched into fourth as the top three felt the weight of a 1:22.1 three-quarter clocking.

Fueled with trot, Periculum was raring to storm the stretch and devour the tiring top three. Zeron let his steed loose while his Marcus Melander stablemate Security Protected (Andy McCarthy) found his best stride late and Chapercraz (David Miller) set sail through an opening at the pylons. Periculum powered home to a lifetime-best victory of 1:49.3 by a widening 2-3/4 lengths as Security Protected clinched second from Chapercraz and Private Access faded to fourth.

We had great cover following a really good horse, said Zeron after the race. I expected him to be good off of that trip. I was hoping Louis was going to do just that  he had no other options [and] was a little far back to power move, which played to my hand and I was able to have a nice second-over trip. Ive been in that spot with him a few times and he hasnt disappointed me, so I was like, Please, not today.

Periculum, a six-year-old stallion by Muscle Hill out of Amour Heiress who won the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial and Crawford Farms Trot at The Meadowlands already this year, was the 2-5 betting choice in the Cashman and paid $2.80 to win.

Trained by Melander for owners Brixton Medical of Matawan, New Jersey Holly Lane Stud East of Vero Beach, Florida, Periculum bagged his third win from four starts this season and his 14th victory from 54 starts in his career. He reached a money milestone, going over the $2 million mark in lifetime earnings. The double millionaire was bred by Order By Stable Ab.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)
Two-year-old colt trotters were the main focus on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, with two Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisions featuring stars continuing to rise while three Stallion Series winners were seeking redemption.

Mr Big Spender (pictured above) extended his winning streak to four in the first $80,400 PASS division with a 1:55.4 mile for driver Mike Wilder. Hard used through a :57.1 opening half, the son of Captain Corey maintained a two-length lead to the wire.

Once he was stretched getting to the lead, Mike just kept him to his task and just rolled him along, said trainer Norm Parker.

Now with four wins in five lifetime starts for owners Bart and Todd Brice, Mr Big Spender lifted his seasonal earnings. The stakes victory boosts Mr Big Spenders seasonal earnings over the $100,000 mark.

In the second division, Jeremy Indof let the early dust settle before moving the Noel Daley-trained Highball Hanover to the lead on their way to a 1:56.2 lifetime best victory.

Last week he was looking at shadows so I raced him off a helmet, Indof said after the win. Noel added a shadowroll, he scored down great, so I gave him a chance to be a good horse, really glad he was.

After missing by a nose in his last start, Highball Hanover broke his maiden in his PASS score. The son of Bar Hopping was purchased at Harrisburg for $97,222 by owners Sjoblom Racing & M Dolan, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing, Caviart Farms and P C Wellwood Enterprises.

All three $27,778 Stallion Series winners had two things in common, miscues In their last start and equipment adjustments for Saturday success.

Full swedges and hopples, is what William Dougherty Jr. added to Harlem Hanover following a miscue in his previous start. Leaving form post one for Dave Palone, the Bar Hopping gelding was able to mind his manners and hold off a late Bar Fly Bandit (Brian Zendt) for the 1:58 victory. Owned by Susan Daugherty and Perry Wilson, Harlem Hanover secured his second career win from seven lifetime starts for the former $37,500 Harrisburg yearling purchase.

Rico Tubbs and driver Dave Palone delivered in their Stallion Series split, winning in 1:58.2. We had to go from the bell boots to toe weights due to a cut in his heel. I was still thinking going onto the track, stated trainer Tim Twaddle. Owned by TheStable Rico Tubbs and Hutchinson Harness LLC of Ohio, the $14,865 Lexington purchase took advantage of a perfect cover trip to trot home in :29.2, holding off a late charging Bayside Cue and Brandon Givens for his second career victory.

Keeping with the Stallion Series them of the day, Churchill required a slight adjustment following a recent break. He did not like the earplugs last week, Jill Roland shared on her way back from the winners circle. This week instead of plugs I put an ear hood on him.. Leaving from post five, Dave Palone quickly put the Father Patrick colt in position to control and turn the race into a romp. Following the opening half of 1:00.1, Churchill trotted away to a three-length victory in 1:59.2, equalling his career best. Trained by Roland for Bernard OBrien, the Stallion Series winner was a $28,378 Lexington yearling purchase.

Longshot ($13.60) delivered at a midrange price in the $25,000 Open Trot, downing favoured Emeralds Legacy (Indof) by just less than two lengths in 1:53.2.

For the day, leading driver Dave Palone was tops with five winners on the 11-race card. On the training side, 11 different trainers sent winners out Saturday.

Racing at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows resumes Wednesday, Aug. 6 with first post time at 12:45 p.m.

(with files from MSOA)
Trainer Ron Burke has had a stranglehold on Ohios sophomore pacing colt division this season and it was a two-horse Burke battle down the lane for the $201,389 Director Of Agriculture Pace to wrap up Ohio State Fair racing at Eldorado Scioto Downs.

Trevor Smith fired the 112-1 longshot House Of Brix after the early lead from post nine and led the bulky field of 11 past the opening quarter in :26.2. Swingtown (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) led the field past the half mile station in :54.4, but relinquished command to stablemate Rick Wink (Chris Page) before the three-quarters in 1:22.3.

As the field hit the top of the stretch, Swingtown was sent into the passing lane and got up in the final strides to score the nose victory over his stablemate in 1:49.2. Extra Suds (Aaron Merriman) was an impressive third, three lengths back, after being parked the entire mile. House Of Brix held on for fourth.

Swingtown established a new lifetime mark for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and R A S Racing. The Downbytheseaside colt was bred by Steiner Stock Farm and has amassed $715,984 in lifetime earnings.

Sixteen horses were entered in the Governors Cup, forcing two $72,000 divisions of sophomore colt trotters.

Long Highway (Hugh Beatty) was the best by a scant nose in a four-way photo finish in the first division, edging Stud Muffin T (Trevor Smith), Scrappys Love (Dan Noble) and Battle Hill (Chris Lems) in 1:54.3.

Long Highway was bred by Midland Acres and co-owned by Frank James Cautela and John J. Sugar. Unraced at two, the son of Long Tom has now been on the board in eight of 11 seasonal starts.

Vekna (Kayne Kauffman) scored a minor upset in the second division at 8-1 with a one-length victory over Jet Wings (Aaron Merriman) and Hilltop Sonar (Chris Page) in 1:54.2. The Enterprise gelding is conditioned by Kayne Kauffman for his wife Natalie Kauffman, who picked this one from the Spring Haven Farm consignment as a yearling. He now has nine wins in 14 career starts.

The heavy favourite Lt Loverboy broke at the start for driver Brett Miller and was never a factor.

In the first division of the Buckeye State Pace for freshman colts, Pet Project (Trevor Smith) picked a good time to pick up his first win of his young career with a three-quarter length score over Sparks N Fire (Austin Hanners) in 1:52.2. The gelded son of Pet Rock is co-owned and co-bred by trainer Kimberly Dailey. She shares ownership with JR Stable.

The second $57,200 split was a convincing victory by the even money favourite, Lindy Dragonwater (Chris Page) in 1:52.2. The Downbytheseaside gelding was 1-3/4 lengths better than Simon Sez Go (Chris Lems) and Caillou Hanover (Dan Noble). Ron Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Beasty and Brad Grant. Lindy Dragonwater has now won two straight against his Ohio-bred competitors.

Crocodile Station (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.) dominated the final division with a 4-1/4 length score in 1:52.3. Odds On Sugar (Aaron Merriman) overcame an early break in stride to take second, Fire Run (Dan Noble) was third.

Crocodile Station was fourth in both of his first two career starts, the $202,000 Next Generation (July 5) and the opening leg of the Ohio Sire Stakes (July 13). Michael Hitchcock trains the Downbytheseaside gelding for William Hartt.

Eldorado Scioto Downs will return to action on Tuesday, Aug. 5 with a 14-race card. First post is 5:55 p.m.

(Scioto Downs)
03/08/2025

Predicted Lineup





Everton will be closing out the Premier League Summer Series in the United States with a friendly against Manchester United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday (10:00 pm BST).

The Blues have been winless in the Summer Series so far. They began their adventure in the United States with a 3-0 defeat against Andoni Iraolas Bournemouth in New Jersey. Defensive errors cost the side as they conceded all three goals in the second half.

In the second match against West Ham, Idrissa Gana Gueye scored the first goal for Everton in the tournament to give his side the lead in the 17th minute. However, Moyes side struggled to hold on to the lead as goals from Lucas Paqueta and Niclas Fullkrug on either side of the half-time break wrapped up proceedings.

The Toffees are still searching for their first pre-season victory since beating Port Vale 2-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Manchester United have won both their matches in the Premier League Summer Series. They began the tour of the US with a 2-1 win against West Ham before securing a splendid 4-1 victory over Bournemouth.

Manchester vs Everton - Everton Predicted Lineup and Team News

Everton team news

Jarrad Branthwaite will miss out as he has not travelled with the team after picking up a niggle against Blackburn Rovers.

Branthwaites defensive partner James Tarkowski made his long-awaited return from injury in the second half against West Ham, but it could be too early for him to be included in the starting XI. He is, once again, expected to come off the bench with Jake OBrien and Michael Keane leading the defensive line instead.

Thierno Barry could be due for a start after coming off the bench in the last two games.

James Garner could replace Tim Iroegbunam in the starting XI, while Harrison Armstrong, who assisted Gana's goal against West Ham, is likely to continue.

Everton predicted starting XI: Pickford; O'Brien, Keane, Mykolenko; Patterson, Gueye, Garner, Armstrong; McNeil, Ndiaye; Barry

When is Manchester United vs Everton?

Matchday 3 of the Premier League Summer Series involves Everton taking on David Moyes former side, Manchester United, on Sunday (August 3). The match, scheduled to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, will kick off at 10:00 pm BST.

Where to watch Manchester United vs Everton?

For fans in the UK, the Premier League Summer Series will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. For those living in the US, the matches will be available live on NBC.

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THANKS to social media platforms like TikTok, there is a lot of hype around magnesium. But is the obsession warranted?

The Express spoke with general practitioner and social media content creator Dr Mariana Browne to learn more about the different types of magnesium and what they are good for. There are about five different types of magnesium salts that can help boost your magnesium levels. One of the most popular is magnesium citrate.
SIXTY-YEAR-OLD David Greeves died after he attempted to save his home which caught fire whil
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona doled out more than $850,000 in grants in April just weeks before the National Endowment for the Arts attempted to rescind the funding.

It was the second phase of the foundations $1.4 million ARPA Artist and Organization Grant Programs, funded in 2021 through city of Tucson and NEA American Rescue Plan Act grants. In December 2023, the arts foundation distributed the first round of grants totaling more than $540,000.

The foundations timing turned out to be fortuitous, said Gabriela Munoz, the foundations director of grants and programs. It received a letter from the NEA on May 2 that rescinded the foundations $500,000 ARPA grant.

Arts organizations around the country were receiving similar notices that threatened to rescind or withdraw grants that did not align with President Donald Trumps agenda. Such grants included those fostering AI competency, empowering houses of worship to serve communities, assisting with disaster recovery and supporting tribal and Asian American communities.

The letter did not mention the Arts Foundations two other NEA grants for $75,000 each.

The NEA, which is responsible for distributing public arts funding, did not say what would happen to grants that were already spent.

The Arts Foundation 2025 grants went to reimburse 43 artists and 41 arts and cultural organizations from 16 cities and towns throughout Southern Arizona that had funded their projects out of pocket. Munoz was part of the urgency she and Arts Foundation CEO Adriana Gallego had in distributing the funding.

We had met our original contract already so we were so relieved that our community would be able to benefit from these public dollars, Munoz said.

Some of the projects from the ARPA Artist and Organization Grant Programs included:

The Gila Valley Arts Councils music education program that served nearly 200 adults and more than 600 students from a dozen schools in the Graham County community

Odaiko Sonora Rhythm Industry used its grant money to pay artist administrators to work with students aged 10 to 80 on everything from team-building to performing in Tucsons annual All Souls Procession.

A pilot program established by a Pascua Yaqui tribal member to help tribal businesses navigate the tech world and improve their profile.

Eli Beren taught songwriting to an underserved population at a long-term Tucson medical care residence.

Tucson-based American Literary Translators Association used the funds to keep its program director, who continued the organizations popular online multilingual workshops and online pitch sessions.

The Arts Foundation said 70% of its 43 artist grantees received their first-ever grants and served some 389 families and 82 health-care and frontline workers.

The sheer impact of numbers of families served, artists hired, Munoz said. Forty one organizations that we supported turned around and hired 366 artists in their own communities. You think about, all of the impact of these households and the impact of the service and bringing people together. We were just so delighted to be able to issue the money and support all of our grantees.
Airdate: Richard Osmans House of Games

See the UK original upon which the Claire Hooper Australian series is based.

UK trivia show Richard Osmans House of Games, on which the Australian version hosted by Claire Hooper is based, will screen on ABC Entertains.

Each night the celebrity contestants will take on a series of challenging quiz games selected by the host, teatime quiz legend, Richard Osman.

A daily winner will be declared following a quick-fire round at the end of each show and the scores are tallied across the week resulting in an overall champion being crowned.

Will the winning stars opt for the much coveted House of Games dartboard, or instead go for the must-have branded dressing gown? Fun, witty, and full of surprises, Richards cross-examination of the celebs over the course of a week provides an entertaining watch for all the family as the level of competitiveness and camaraderie grows.

And of course, this warm, feel-good quiz is perfect for playing along with at home.

Weeknights 7.05pm from Monday 18 August on ABC Entertains.
I feel like Ive earned it, and Im thrilled: Magda Szubanski inducted into Logies Hall of Fame

A standing ovation for Magda Szubanski, in her absence, becoming the 5th woman for Hall of Fame and sending a tearful video message.

Magda Szubanski has been inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.

She becomes the fifth female inductee since the category was introduced in 1984.

David Campbell, whose daughter is goddaughter to Szubanski, introduced the Hall of Fame.

Shes also the smartest person I know, looking to be challenged and to learn at all times she became the voice of marriage equality she moves theough life with authenticity and integrity with the ability to find laughter in literally any situation. And that is themagic of Magda, he said.

There were tributes from Jane Turner, Gina Riley, Marg Downey, Peter Rowsthorn, Glenn Robbins, Hamish Blake, George Miller, Dannii Minogue, Ally Langdon, Julia Morris, Poh Ling Yeow, Pemny Wong, Marina Prior, Richard E. Grant, The Irwins, Matt Lucas, Melissa McCarthy, Rebel Wilson, Kathy Lette.

Magda was not in attendance but sent a message via video. In her absence, Marg Downey accepted the award.

It was a moving speech reflecting on a 40 year career.

Hello, my darlings. Im so sorry that I cant be there. I have do have a good excuse this time. Normally I dont come because I just cant be bothered getting out of my pyjamas. But this time, there really is a real reason. I want to say, first of all, lets just get this out of the way alright? Ive not been awarded this honour because Ive got the cancer, okay? Like, Im getting this because of 40 years of hard work. Lobbying, bribing, threatening, whatever it took, whatever it took. And finally, its all been its all paid off, so I dont feel like an imposter. I feel like Ive earned it, and Im thrilled, thrilled, she said.

She also got tearful as she spoke about the reality of her current cancer battle.

When I go online and look at those messages every time my heart lifts and I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer. So thank you for the love that youre just pouring my way, she said.

I really feel it and I just feel fortunate and grateful to have had 40 years in this industry, in this country. Because, by God, at least were ane. Anyway, love you all, and hopefully I will be there soon. Im sure Ive forgotten who to thank, but just know Im thanking everyone. Chemo brain is real. Yeah, what can I say? Except I love you. Thank you.

At its conclusion the room gave her a standing ovation.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, she has helped define Australian comedy, creating some of the countrys most beloved and enduring characters. She rose to prominence in the late 1980s including The D-Generation, Fast Forward, Big Girls Blouse before her unforgettable portrayal of Sharon Strzelecki, a character she created, in Kath & Kim.

Her industry credits include Babe, Happy Feet, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Bran Nue Dae, Ride Like a Girl, Something Stupid, Dogwoman, Farscape, My Life is Murder, Rake, Its a Date, 100% Wolf, After the Trial, The Weakest Link, Who Do You Think You Are? and Magdas Big National Health Check.

She has been a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, ahead of the Marriage Equality campaign, speaking at the National Press Club , co-hosting Mardi Gras for SBS and becoming a TV Marriage Celebrant for a same-sex wedding on Neighbours.

She was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018, was the face of an Australia Post Legends of Comedy stamp and delivered the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture in 2024.

This post updates.
Saloni Sharma, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: Long before the city awakens, Ansura, a rag picker, begins her climb every morning. With a torn sack slung over her shoulder and a dupatta (head scarf) wrapped around her face, she steps barefoot onto the side of the Ghazipur landfill in the national capital.

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The path is steep and slippery. Broken glass hides beneath layers of plastic. Metal scraps poke through soggy mounds of food waste. The air smells of rot and smoke.

Ansura is twenty-three. Married at 16, she has three children. For the last few years, this landfill has been her workplace. She says she has no other work in factories, homes or markets. So she climbs. She climbs because if she does not, there will be no food that night.

Her work is brutal in nature. She picks through garbage to find plastic bottles, broken toys, medical waste, scrap old metal wires or anything she can to sell to the scrap dealers at the bottom of the hill. On a good day, she earns Rs 300. On other days, even less.

Some days, the pain in my legs do not let me sleep, she says, pointing to the rashes and swelling around her ankles. She coughs often. Her joints hurt. Her skin burns. But the climb is never optional.

This is not a place where people should be working. But every day, hundreds like Ansura make their way up Delhis mountains of waste, not because they want to, but because there is no other way to survive.

Ghazipur is one of three giant landfills that towers over Indias capital. Along with Bhalswa (Northwest Delhi) and Okhla (Southeast Delhi), these sites are not merely garbage dumps. They are massive decomposing time bombs, slowly leaking poison into the earth and the air.

Each site holds the stories of lives like Ansuras, women, men and even children who work on mountains of waste. Their work exposes them to danger every single day.

On most mornings at Ghazipur, a JCB excavator rakes through decades of garbage. Its claws pull up old layers and push new ones deeper into the pile. It is a cycle that never ends.

(Photo by Suhail Bhat/ Twocircles,net)

Back in 2016, when India introduced the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, there was hope. Waste, it said, should be segregated at source. Landfills should only be used for what cannot be recycled or composted. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all states to implement these rules without delay.

But in Delhi, those rules exist mostly in files and press releases. On the ground, little has changed.

In 2015, Delhi generated over 9,620 tonnes of solid waste per day. By 2020, that number had grown to 11,114 tonnes daily, making it the second most waste-producing city in India. With more garbage came more responsibility. But there is little action.

Ramshree, 38, knows this truth. She has been working at the Ghazipur landfill for over a decade, ever since her husband passed away. Each morning, she climbs the garbage hill, a sack strapped to her back, with her eyes scanning for recyclables.

There is no other work here. Sometimes, my chest burns, but I still go up, she says.

Like many others, she has no gloves, no boots and no mask. They have bare hands and firm determination.

At the Okhla landfill, the story is no different, even though it was officially decommissioned in 2018. By 2023, trucks were still unloading fresh garbage there. Just behind the landfill, at the government-run Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital, staff and patients have complained of sore throats, nausea and persistent headaches.

A few lanes away in Gola Kuan, 84-year-old Raziya Begum has been living in a dim room in Taikhand village for decades. Her daughters are married and have gone to their in-laws houses. She lives alone.

The smell is unbearable in the rainy season. The drains fill with black water. But where will I go? she asks.

Doctors, who treat patients from these sites, are observing the impact up close. Dr. Yasmeen Abdullah, who treats ragpickers at the Hamdard Institute of Medical Science and Research (HIMSR), says their conditions are deeply unhealthy. Most suffer from skin diseases, infections and anemia.

Women, in particular, are more exposed to hazardous substances. Many experience psychological distress because of the harsh environment they live and work in, she says.

An environmentalist and a researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Dr. Tribhuwan Singh Bisht calls the garbage mountains dump sites, not landfills.

Calling them landfills gives the impression of a managed system. These are Un engineered mountains of waste and a classic example of unmanaged waste disposal, he says.

What worries him most is seeing children picking through garbage on top of these unstable mounds. They do not realise they are standing on ticking time bombs, he warned.

These garbage hills burn, emit methane, carbon monoxide and toxic sludge that seeps into the ground and pollutes underground water. That poisoned water eventually reaches taps and borewells in nearby homes.

Since 2020, satellite data from Kayrros, an environmental intelligence firm, has recorded 124 methane super emitter leaks from these dump sites. Invisible and many times more potent than carbon dioxide, methane speeds up climate change as Delhi watches in silence.

Today, Ghazipur dump site stands at 236 feet, as tall as a 20-storey building, and spreads over 70 acres. In April 2024, it caught fire again. Smoke blanketed nearby homes. That November, Delhis Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 494, nearly maxing out the danger scale.

The World Health Organization (WHO) once described Delhis air as the most polluted in the world. In 2014, it recorded a PM 2.5 level of 153 g/Nm, far above what is considered safe.

The garbage dumps continue to catch fire. But still, the amount of garbage grows every day, causing the air to thicken. However, the policies remain untouched.

These are not only numbers. They are the breath of a child wheezing in East Delhi, the rough cough of a grandmother near Bhalswa, the silent fear of a woman climbing a burning hill of trash with nothing to protect her feet and broken promises of a Swachh Bharat (Clean India) that is smouldering in plain view.

Some cities such as Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh have chosen another path. Here, waste is sorted at home, composted and reused. In Ambikapur, a women-led decentralised system eliminated the need for a landfill altogether. Under IAS officer Ritu Sain, the city closed its only dump in 2016 and turned it into a public park.

The difference lies in two things  political will and social ownership. If Delhi could bring even those two elements into its waste management system, we could solve 90% of the problem, says Dr. Bisht.

What Delhi needs is not another dumping ground. It needs accountability, awareness and empathy. Ghazipur, Bhalswa and Okhla mounds are a mirror to show us what we have allowed to grow and what we have chosen to ignore. Unless the city changes that, these mountains will continue to rise in height as well as in consequence. And one day, they may no longer burn silently.

The author acknowledges the support of Suhail Bhat for accompanying her while doing this ground report and for the photographs.
News / National

by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole

BINDURA - Failure to control emotions over a memory card misunderstanding has landed Tatenda Nyamayaro (20) of Chipfurutse village under Chief Dotito (Mt Darwin) in jail upon conviction for setting fire, which gutted fellow villager, Pressmore Mudzondi's (23) thatched bedroom hut.Bindura Magistrate, Elisha Singano slapped Nyamayaro with a five-year jail sentence for an attempted murder crime charge as defined in section 189(1), as read with section 47(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act chapter 09:23. Singano, however, acquitted Mudzondi's co-accused, Nicholas Muunganirwa (23) for lack of evidence linking him to the commission of the crime.Prosecutor Edward Katsvairo told the court that on June 11 at around 17:00 hours, both Nyamayaro and Muunganirwa met Mudzondi at a village shop where they had a misunderstanding over the reason why the complainant had taken Nyamayaro's memory card. Upon failure to resolve the misunderstanding, they both parted ways with the complainant after threatening to set his house on fire.On the same day around 23:00 hours, the complainant and his wife, Ropafadzo Maipa were fast asleep in their thatched bedroom hut when the accused person proceeded to complainant's homestead.Whilst at the complainant's residence, the accused tied Mudzondi's bedroom door with a wire and lit fire on the hut's thatched roof before leaving the crime scene. Mudzondi cried and begged for help whilst the house was burning until Hazviperi Nyamhandi come to their rescue where he axed the tied-up door for them to escape the inferno.The accused's attempt to flee from the crime scene before identification and detection was short-lived after Maxwell Mudzondi (complainant's father) managed to identify the accused, whom he tried to apprehend but failed.The inferno left Mudzondi counting unrecovered property losses, including two bags of maize, cash amounting to US$5,000, clothes, bed, wardrobe, among other valuables.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Economists have sharply criticised Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube's 2025 mid-term budget and economic review, accusing the government of failing to deliver the structural reforms needed to address Zimbabwe's persistent economic challenges. Despite a forecasted 6% GDP growth, analysts argue that the budget falls short of tackling the country's most pressing issues, leaving key sectors such as mining, retail, and manufacturing under-addressed.The mid-term budget presented an optimistic outlook, with the Treasury celebrating a rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$45.7 billion and a Gross National Income (GNI) surpassing US$3,000, positioning Zimbabwe as a middle-income nation. However, economists warn that these headline figures mask the true economic realities.The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) released its 20232024 GDP report in June, revealing a significant gap between nominal growth and real economic performance. While GDP at market prices rose nearly 3%, real growth was revised down to a modest 1.7%well below expectations and a stark indication that the economy remains far from achieving meaningful progress.The gap was further widened by the April 2024 currency overhaul, in which the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) replaced the Zimbabwe dollar, inflating nominal values without addressing the country's structural economic weaknesses. This, critics say, gives the false impression of economic prosperity, obscuring the need for serious structural reforms.IH Securities, a financial services firm, noted that the review primarily served as a summary of developments rather than offering tangible policy changes. "This leads us to believe that the status quo of high taxation and regulatory oversight will persist," the firm said in a post-budget analysis. The review, according to IH Securities, lacks the bold steps required to create sustainable economic growth, including real fiscal reforms.Economist Itai Zimunya expressed frustration with the government's modest growth targets, stressing that Zimbabwe's reliance on mining and agriculture should spur more ambitious goals. "We cannot celebrate 6% GDP growth when poverty and unemployment are still widespread," Zimunya told The Standard. He called for double-digit growth targets over the next several years, aiming for a US$100 billion economy.While acknowledging positive aspects of the review, such as tax reforms aimed at easing business compliance and initiatives to formalize the informal sector, Zimunya emphasised that the government needs to follow through with strong implementation. He also criticised ongoing fiscal indiscipline, pointing to the Auditor-General's 2024 report, which highlighted systemic abuse of procurement processes and poor accountability across ministries.He also flagged contradictions in the government's policies, such as the apparent preference for importing luxury vehicles despite claims of supporting local industries like Deven Engineering and Willowvale Motor Industries, which remain underutilised. "You can't claim to support local industry while importing luxury vehicles from South Africa," Zimunya said.Debt remains another major concern. Despite promises to rein in expenditure, the government added US$640 million to the national debt in the first quarter of 2025, pushing the official debt to US$21.53 billion. However, major creditors, such as the African Export-Import Bank, have indicated that the actual debt figure could be as high as US$24 billion, further raising alarms over fiscal mismanagement.Jephias Makiwa, an economist with the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, noted that the budget review largely overlooked the deteriorating conditions in key sectors such as retail and wholesale. "There was no mention of regulatory relief for retail, one of the most informalised and labour-intensive sectors," Makiwa said. Many businesses in retail face tight margins and regulatory burdens, forcing many to downsize or close entirely.He also criticised the slow pace of budget execution, noting that only 35% of the annual budget had been disbursed to ministries by mid-year, with wages consuming 46.3% of total spending while just 24.1% was allocated to capital development.Zimbabwe's shrinking formal sector and narrowing tax base also remain key challenges. Makiwa pointed out that only 24% of businesses are formally registered, meaning a small group of compliant firms shoulders the tax burden. "That's not sustainable," he said.Economist Chenayimoyo Mutambasere also raised concerns over Zimbabwe's ongoing dependence on exporting raw commodities, particularly gold, platinum, and diamonds. "Without serious beneficiation policies, the government will continue to overtax consumers instead of expanding the fiscal base through industrialisation," she said.Mutambasere also flagged the country's rising reliance on essential imports, including fuel and food. "Imports of diesel, maize, and wheat have surged dramatically in 2024, reflecting a growing energy dependence and a food security crisis following a poor agricultural season," she explained.In summary, while the 2025 mid-term budget included some positive proposals, including moves to ease the cost of doing business and efforts to formalise the informal sector, economists argue that it fails to address the fundamental structural weaknesses that continue to hold back Zimbabwe's economy. With persistent challenges in key sectors, high debt levels, and a lack of bold reforms, critics have labelled the review as little more than "paper growth," offering little in the way of real economic progress.
WATERLOO  Many celebrations of Irish culture focus on whiskey and Guinness beer, but organizers and attendees of this weekends Iowa Irish Fest say the downtown event gives people a chance to experience more.

Along with bands and beverages, the event provides a number of workshops and demonstrations.

In the basement of the Elks Club Saturday, people of all ages took part in a ceili dance workshop. Ceili dancing is a traditional group dance.

Megan Goldberg and her family took part in the class. With great-grandparents who immigrated from Ireland and an interest in the live show Riverdance as a child, Irish culture is important to her.

Her two daughters, Ari, 7, and Griffin, 9, take both Irish fiddle and Irish dance lessons in Mount Vernon. The family first came to Irish Fest to watch the girls teachers perform and are now on their third year of attending.

Griffin said she likes Irish music because it has violins and is peppy.

Its been a fun way for them to learn and its sort of a fun alternative to intensive classical training, Goldberg said. You guys learn a lot by ear and youre encouraged to do sort of your own arrangements of music and add your own elaborations to things.

After the ceili dance class, the children were excited to try out other music workshops for fiddles and drums called bodhrans. Goldberg said she appreciated the festival coordinators for including kid-friendly activities.

We go to a lot of festivals and theres just really specific kid and family focused activities here that are different, she said. If you go to a festival its like corn dogs and bouncy houses, and here we have opportunities to do a lot of other fun things that are new for us.

Multiple organizers said the cultural workshops at the festival have been recognized by other Irish celebrations across the U.S., from the largest in Milwaukee, to Kansas City and even San Francisco.

A recent addition includes a historical exhibit, with each year focusing on a specific Irish event. Sean Riley, an Irish historian and co-chair of the workshop committee, laid out a history presentation on The Troubles, or the Northern Ireland Conflict. The exhibit detailed the ethnic nationalist conflict that lasted from the late 1960s to 1998.

We wanted to bring that to Iowa and be able to teach, you know, the American public about what happened there, Riley said. A lot of people know the history of the British being involved in Ireland or the (Irish Republican Army). They know that stuff, but they dont know the complexities of it.

He also said most people do not realize the role the Irish played in the U.S.s first conflicts. He said after the Irish Famine, many Irish immigrated to the U.S. and more than 100,000 ended up serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. He said about 26,000 Irish immigrants fought for the confederacy.

He said the Irish have also had a good relationship with Native Americans, sending money between each other during hardships.

The first thing people think about when they think of Ireland is, like, that type of aspect of the pub, the drinking, the music, which is a huge part, he said. But also a part that goes oftentimes forgotten about in festivals is that historical significance and the cultural significance.

But workshops and events revolving around alcohol still exist. The Irish Fest board has its own whiskey workshop committee.

Kurt Sundermann is a co-chairperson on that committee. He works to bring in Irish-adjacent or local distilleries and bartenders to educate people about whiskey.

The festival offers both hands-on and tasting classes.

A lot of people say I dont like whiskey, because theyve had something put in front of them and theyve shot it back and it burns their mouth, he said. Thats not how you consume it. Let it sit, smell it, kind of like a wine. You dont shoot wine. Whiskey is very similar in that regard.

Even though he and his wife Robyn  also a whiskey workshop co-chairperson  have been on 120 distillery tours across the U.S. and Ireland, the alcohol is not the only reason he enjoys Irish Fest. He said learning to play Irish music, learning the Gaelic language, historic sporting games and sheepherding make the festival special.

We try to focus on all of Irish culture, not just the drinking part, he said. St. Patricks Day is a day of drinking in the United States but Irish culture is so much more than that, and thats what weve really loved about this festival.

Iowa Irish Fest continues Sunday. The schedule can be viewed at iowairishfest.com/tickets-info/schedule-2/.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Controversial ex-lovers Stunner and Olinda Chapel are once again at the centre of public attention after being spotted getting cozy at this year's edition of Zimfest in the United Kingdom. The sighting has reignited rumours that the two have rekindled their relationship, eight years after their explosive and highly publicised split.Videos from the Hertfordshire County Showground in St Albans, where the festival was held, show the pair dancing and sharing intimate moments, prompting widespread speculation on social media. Despite the footage circulating online, Olinda took to Facebook with a tongue-in-cheek denial, writing, "Musandibvunze zveku Zimfest. I wasn't there," in an apparent attempt to deflect growing curiosity.Their latest public interaction is the most visible sign yet of a renewed bond that has been rumoured since 2023, following Olinda's reported separation from her husband, fellow musician Njabulo "Tytan" Nkomo. Whispers of a romantic reunion gained momentum when Stunner performed at Olinda's lavish 40th birthday party last year, serenading her on stage and presenting her with a bouquet of red roses.The former couple's relationship has long been marred by controversy, emotional outbursts, and public drama. They were traditionally married in 2016, but their union fell apart within a year. Their split was memorably chronicled by Olinda herself, who took to Facebook Live to accuse Stunner of infidelity and exploiting her financially. She alleged she had bought him expensive cars and designer clothing while he continued to cheat.Their messy divorce in 2017 marked a pause in their relationship, but online interactions between the two in recent years suggested that tensions had cooled. The latest Zimfest incident has now fuelled speculation that what began as flirtatious nostalgia may have evolved into something more serious.Adding to the drama is the collapse of Olinda's marriage to Tytan, which was thrust back into the spotlight recently following a legal dispute involving her former employee at Gain Healthcare, Amber Stoter. Stoter won a case for unfair dismissal after claiming Tytan made inappropriate sexual advances toward her and that she was fired shortly after reporting the incident.Tytan has since publicly distanced himself from Olinda. When questioned about her alleged reconciliation with Stunner, he responded on social media with scathing remarks. When one follower urged him to fight for Olinda, he shot back, "Handina shavi rechihure," which translates to, "I have no interest in promiscuity." Asked about his wife, he sarcastically responded, "Mukadzi waani?" meaning, "Whose wife?"Stunner, born Desmond Chideme, has built a reputation over the years as a controversial figure whose private life rarely stays private. Aside from his rollercoaster relationship with Olinda, he has been romantically linked to several women, most notably Dyonne Tafirenyika. The two were involved while Stunner was still married to Olinda, with Olinda later alleging that the relationship with Dyonne had predated their marriage.Stunner and Dyonne later had a child together, but their relationship also ended in public acrimony. In 2022, Stunner appeared in court on charges of domestic violence after allegedly assaulting Dyonne at a hotel. He denied the allegations, claiming they were fabricated in an attempt to cover her own infidelity.More recently, Stunner's relationship with social media personality Mazekeen Jade came under the spotlight after Jade publicly shared private messages from the rapper, accusing him of pursuing other women while still with her.Now, the spotlight returns to Olinda and Stunner, whose long and often chaotic love story appears to have entered another unexpected chapter. Whether this latest public display is a sign of reconciliation or simply a fleeting reunion remains to be seen, but one thing is certain  when it comes to these two, the drama never stays far behind.
Doctors warn of medical bottleneck as training places fall short in Wales

Forty per cent of resident doctors in Wales are concerned they will face unemployment from August 2025.

That is according to a new survey released by the British Medical Association (BMA), which paints a stark picture of a medical workforce under increasing pressure.

The survey, which included doctors who have completed two or more years of foundation training, also found that over half of those at risk of unemployment had not secured a specialty training post this year.

This leaves many at risk of joblessness or relying on short-term locum work.

82% of respondents said they either currently worry about unemployment or had concerns before finding employment.

Some doctors reported applying for up to 30 posts without success.

Specialty training, which begins each August, allows doctors to build expertise in a chosen field after completing general training, helping them progress and provide specialist care.

63% of those without training posts now plan to take up locum work, which BMA Cymru Wales describes as costly, unsustainable and increasingly rare  particularly in general practice, where underinvestment means employers are often unable to afford locum cover.

The survey also found that 46% of doctors facing unemployment are considering leaving medicine altogether, while 30% are now also applying for jobs abroad.

The results reflect long-standing concerns raised by BMA Cymru Wales that the Welsh Government has not increased specialty training places as recommended by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), despite growing numbers of medical graduates, including from the new North Wales medical school.

Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu, chair of the BMAs Welsh Resident Doctor Committee, said:yes At a time when Wales needs more doctors, there are limited opportunities for resident doctors to develop their careers in the country where they trained.

Earlier this year, we wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care warning him of the potential impact of not expanding training places, including medical unemployment.

Doctors are now forced to seek ad hoc locum work, leave Wales, or leave the profession altogether. Poor workforce planning and chronic underfunding of the NHS has led to a national shortage of doctors in Wales.

This is unsafe for patients, and we need to see urgent intervention from the Welsh Government, including legislation to provide safer staffing levels and an expansion in specialty training places.

By alleviating bottlenecks in the training pipeline, we can enable doctors to progress their careers and provide the specialist care that patients desperately need.
Wrexham Council starts search for new Chief Executive  seven months after previous boss stepped down

Wrexham Council has only just started the search for a new Chief Executive  seven months after its previous boss stepped down.

Applicants have just three weeks to apply according to a new job advert published on the council website on Thursday. Depending on their pay negotiations, the successful applicant could also become the fifth highest paid council Chief Executive in Wales.

The councils last permanent Chief Executive  Ian Bancroft  left in November 2024. The following month Alwyn Jones, Wrexhams Chief Officer for Social Care, was appointed Interim Chief Executive.

At the time he was appointed for six months, to give Wrexham time to conduct a thorough search for a permanent successor.

But Wrexham County Borough Council has now admitted it has carried out no recruitment activity for the key strategic role until now.

Mr Jones remains Interim Chief Executive while the search is underway.

A spokesperson for the council said: There has been no previous recruitment undertaken this year to appoint a permanent Chief Executive.

The last public update on the recruitment situation was given by deputy leader of the council and Chair of Wrexhams Pay and Reward Panel Cllr David Bithell in March when he said: It will go out to advert, both internally and externally, to make sure we will get the best candidate for the job. I would imagine that will go out late spring and then we will go through due process.

It will take as long as it takes, we are not going to rush it because we want to make sure we get the right person.

In its Annual Governance Report  presented to Wrexham Council three weeks ago  Audit Wales highlighted the need for Wrexham Council to appoint a permanent chief executive as a significant issue.

Now it has published a job advert for the role with an advertised salary range of 139,044 to 158,433 per year. An appointment at the top-end of that salary range would make Wrexhams Chief Executive the fifth highest paid in Wales, behind only Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Carmarthenshire.

The Chief Executive is a demanding role that entails a high level of commitment and involves a number of legal responsibilities, said the spokesperson.

The post-holder is strategically, operationally and legally responsible and accountable for a vast range of public services across Wrexham, thousands of employees and a multi-million pound budget.

As a result, the salary has to reflect this, and it has to be competitive enough to attract the right candidates with the right experience, skills and commitment.

Despite the weight of responsibility on the chief executive, applicants have just three weeks to put themselves forward. The closing date for applications is August 20.

Asked whether this was a suitable timeframe for the process, particularly in light of the summer recess when many council staff and potential applicants may be on holiday, the authority said time was of the essence.

We want to get the process moving and begin recruitment sooner rather than later, said the spokesperson. This is the standard application window for Wrexham Council jobs, although we have the ability to extend the window if circumstances require this.

By Alec Doyle  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue say the Peavine Fire near Cold Springs is currently 90% contained at nearly 120 acres.

Update:

The Peavine Fire remains 35% contained after growing nearly 120 acres, south of Cold Springs.

Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue worked this weekend to secure the western and southern edge of the fire.

Smoke may be seen around the area as crews continue to address hotspots.

The agency also said Union Pacific Railroad is repairing a damaged rail line.

NV Energy's website shows that all power outages in that area have been cleared.

Original story August 2:

Forward progress has been stopped on the Peavine Fire tonight in the area of U.S. 395 & White Lake Parkway.

Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (TMFR) reported around 8:30 p.m. that forward progress has been stopped on the fire, which is estimated to have burned around 75 acres in an area south of Cold Springs.

According to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, the initial response was a combined effort between themselves, TMFR, Reno Fire Department, Sparks Fire Department, the Bureau of Land Management and Nevada State Police.

The fire was threatening around 50 buildings, and moving at a high rate of speed, but TMFR says that no buildings were lost and no injuries were reported.

Fire crews will be working in the area overnight mopping up the fire.

All evacuation areas that had been set up for the fire have now been lifted, according to Perimeter Map.

U.S. 395 was closed in all directions near the area of the fire, but has since been re-opened.

Around 2,800 customers are still without power in the Stead/Cold Springs area due to de-energization to help with the fire fighting effort, according to the NV Energy Outages page. No reactivation time has been listed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

To view viewer-submitted photos of the fire, check out the photo collection below:
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Victoria Falls City Council has come under fire after it was found to be discharging substandard raw effluent into a nearby river, in violation of environmental regulations - a revelation that has raised serious public health and environmental concerns. This is according to the Auditor General's latest report on local authorities for the 2024 financial year.The report paints a disturbing picture of negligence and non-compliance, highlighting that the council's sewer reticulation system failed to meet environmental standards. As a result, untreated wastewater was being offloaded directly into natural water sources."The council's sewer reticulation system was not operating as per environmental management legislation," the report read. "The council was disposing of low standard effluent into the nearby river."The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) responded by fining the local authority ZWL$12.58 million for the violation.The report also flagged the council's use of an unregulated dumpsite instead of a formal landfill, which is required under the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27], First Schedule 11(a). The continued use of a dumpsite, the AG warned, presents grave risks to both public health and the surrounding ecosystem.In its defence, the Victoria Falls City Council said it had launched a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (Wash) programme, which is being rolled out in phases due to financial constraints."Currently, the City of Victoria Falls is implementing Phase 1 of the Wash programme," the council noted. "Later phases (Phase 3 and 4) will seek to upgrade the sewer outfalls and sewer treatment plant so that the effluent from the treatment plant meets EMA standards."Despite these plans, the Auditor General expressed concern over the council's slow progress in addressing previous audit issues. Of the 16 findings raised in past reports, only four were fully addressed, nine were partially addressed, and three remain unresolved.Among the few resolved issues were the classification and valuation of property, plant, and equipment. The council's long-awaited master plan was approved in June 2024 and is set to be released to the public in August and September this year.However, other persistent shortcomings led the AG to issue a qualified audit opinion. The report cited multiple violations of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), particularly in inventory management. The council failed to account for road construction materials as inventory, as required by IPSAS 12, paragraph 47. Notably, large quantities of quarry stones were not valued or included in the financial statements."In addition, the council did not maintain purchase invoices, delivery notes, and issue vouchers," the report stated. "Due to incomplete record keeping, I was not able to perform alternative procedures to ascertain the quantities and values of the construction material."The report further revealed that the council lacked approved and documented disaster recovery plans, compounding concerns over its administrative preparedness and governance.The Auditor General urged the council to take immediate steps to rectify its accounting practices, properly manage its inventory, and prioritise upgrades to its sewer system to comply with environmental regulations.As one of Zimbabwe's leading tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Victoria Falls faces heightened scrutiny regarding environmental protection. The findings in this report could undermine public confidence and raise further questions about the council's capacity to sustainably manage the city's critical infrastructure.
Pantera canceled a September show in Birmingham, Alabama, after the July 22, 2025, death of Ozzy Osbourne. "In light of this profound loss, we need time and space to grieve," the band said via Instagram. Here, Phil Anselmo of Pantera performs during the M72 World Tour on June 3, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)

Pantera fans wont be able to hear their favorite metal band perform live this summer in Alabama.

The iconic group  famed for its heavy sound, power grooves and a string of pioneering albums in the 90s  canceled its Sept. 8 show at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham after the death of Ozzy Osbourne.

Osbourne, a legendary figure in the rock world and the co-founder of Black Sabbath, died July 22 at age 76 after a battle with Parkinsons disease.

The members of Pantera evidently were hit hard by Osbournes death, rescheduling two concerts set for July 28 and 31 in New York and New Jersey.

Juggling the tour schedule resulted in the cancellation of three previously confirmed dates, including the Sept. 8 show in Birmingham.

Ozzy wasnt just a legend who shaped the very foundation of heavy metal and inspired Pantera from the beginning  he was family, the band said in a July 25 Instagram post. A mentor, a brother, and a constant presence in our lives both on and off the stage. The bond we shared with him ran far deeper than music. In light of this profound loss, we need time and space to grieve  to be with our families, our crew, and each other as we process and honor the life of someone who meant so much to us. ... We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time."

Panteras U.S. trek, billed as the heaviest tour of the summer, was set to touch down in nearly 30 cities this summer, starting on July 15 in Burgettstown, Pa., and ending on Sept. 13 in West Palm Beach, Fla. Birmingham was on the only Alabama stop on the tour.

The bands July 31 show, originally planned for the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., was rescheduled for Sept. 8, bumping Birmingham from the tour schedule.

The show initially set for July 29 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., was rescheduled for Sept. 9. As a result, Pantera canceled a concert planned for Sept. 10 at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Pantera also nixed a show set for July 29 at the BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire.

The band resumed its tour on Saturday, Aug. 2, with a show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass. Pantera plays again on Sunday at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, Conn., and will continue to tour through mid-September.

The Coca-Cola Amphitheater, a new 9,300-capacity venue in downtown Birmingham, has seen a few changes to its lineup for the first season.

Styx, the classic rock band led by Alabama native Tommy Shaw, canceled a show set for July 5 at the amphitheater. The lineup also featured Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon and Don Felder of the Eagles.

Also, Thomas Rhett postponed a show set for June 27 at the amphitheater when severe weather hit the city, rescheduling the date to Oct. 9.

Nearly 30 shows were announced for amphitheaters first season, ranging from Hardy to Phish to T-Pain. Artists such as James Taylor, Nelly, Jason Aldean, Riley Green, Ella Langley Pierce the Veil and Twenty One Pilots are on the agenda, as well, now through late October.

The amphitheater is owned by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex and managed by Live Nation.
Interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro listens to President Donald Trump speak during her swearing in ceremony, May 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) AP

The Senate has confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for the nations capital, filling the post after President Donald Trump withdrew his first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.

Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge, was confirmed 50-45. Before becoming the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May, she co-hosted the Fox News show The Five on weekday evenings, where she frequently interviewed Trump.

Trump yanked Martins nomination after a key Republican senator said he could not support him due to Martins outspoken support for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Martin now serves as the Justice Departments pardon attorney.

In 2021, voting technology company Smartmatic USA sued Fox News, Pirro and others for spreading false claims that the company helped steal the 2020 presidential election from Trump. The companys libel suit, filed in a New York state court, sought $2.7 billion from the defendants.

Last month, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send Pirros nomination to the Senate floor after Democrats walked out to protest Emil Boves nomination to become a federal appeals court judge.

Pirro, a 1975 graduate of Albany Law School, has significantly more courtroom experience than Martin, who had never served as a prosecutor or tried a case before taking office in January. She was elected as a judge in New Yorks Westchester County Court in 1990 before serving three terms as the countys elected district attorney.

In the final minutes of his first term as president, Trump issued a pardon to Pirros ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.
A Gulf Coast state is reporting an increase in deadly bacteria cases this summer.

Health officials in Louisiana say there have been 17 cases of Vibrio vulnificus so far this year, and four have been fatal. Thats up from an average of seven cases and one death annually over the same time period the previous 10 years, the state health department said this week.

The bacteria can infect people exposed to warm coastal waters and have open wounds or who eat undercooked seafood, especially oysters.

This is a very scary-sounding bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus. Fortunately, it is rare, but it can be very deadly, Dr. Alok Patel told ABC News.

The Alabama Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to a request for data on the number of cases currently in the state.

Florida officials have confirmed 13 cases and four deaths this year.

Of the cases in Louisiana, 75% were from people who swam in coastal waters and had open wounds, the department said.

Signs of wound infection with the bacteria include fever, swelling, discharge, redness, pain and discoloration. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting, the department said.
There is no marker to commemorate the quiet heroism of UAB student Jermaine Hughes. Not at the spot where there once stood a McDonalds, nor outside his old dorm.

There are no statues or monuments to remember the attack that killed police officer Robert Sande Sanderson and maimed Emily Lyons. Theres a stretch of I-65 named in honor of Sanderson, if you know where to look and dont blink as you drive past it.

There is a monument to 9/11 in the city center, but no marker outside the Birmingham womens clinic where a shocking act of domestic terror shook America three years earlier. And theres no tribute to the fact that Hughes almost certainly prevented more bombings.

Instead, that early January morning lives on in the memories of people like Diane Derzis, the owner of the New Woman All Womens clinic. She said the blood of Sanderson never fully came off the walls of the New Woman All Women clinic. For years, she said, whenever it rained, shredded fibers of his uniform would bubble up out of the ground.

The Birmingham clinic  one of several abortion clinics that Derzis owned and operated throughout the South  was torn down in 2016, nearly twenty years after Eric Rudolph set off his first bomb.

There are few physical traces left of Rudolphs fourth, and final, bomb. The one in Birmingham. Theres a parking lot there today, at the clinic where Sanderson spotted a suspicious package and Rudolph pulled the trigger on a remote control, while hiding behind a tree. The blood spilled there has been covered over like scar tissue.

Rast Hall, the UAB dorm where Jermaine Hughes was doing his laundry when he heard the blast, is still standing, though it has been renovated in the decades since January 26, 1998.

If you have a copy of police transcripts or court documents on hand, you may be able to find your way through Southside along the same route that Hughes used to follow a suspicious man up a mountain, a man who had slinked away from the bomb blast instead of running toward it like so many others looking to help. You can make guesses about which apartment complex Rudolph ducked behind to remove a disguise and throw away a wig. You can try to imagine where Hughes repeatedly stopped to ask for help only to be rebuffed by white neighbors suspicious of a young Black man asking them to call the cops.

And, if you turn your eyes up to the cast iron statue of Vulcan, you may wonder how Rudolph lost Hughes and made his way through the woods to pop out on Valley Avenue next to the McDonalds, where Hughes, miraculously, spotted Rudolph again while on the phone with a 911 dispatcher. That McDonalds is also where a young attorney named Jeff Tickal jumped in to help Hughes, keeping his eyes on Rudolph long enough to see him climb into his truck and drive off. Tickal spied the license plate for that truck, KND 1117, and wrote it down on a coffee cup that is now kept at the Birmingham FBI headquarters.

But that McDonalds has also been torn down. The spot where Hughes and Tickal gave enough information to the local police to issue a BOLO for Rudolph is now on its way to becoming a car wash. Moms and dads washing stains out of the backseats of their minivans may not know that that little stretch of road was once the start of the largest American manhunt of the 20th century.

Instead, that early January morning lives on in the memories of people like Derzis, still shaken by the fact that she wasnt in the clinic the morning of the bombing, that she wasnt among those killed or wounded. You can see evidence of the devastation wrought by Rudolph in the body of Emily Lyons who, after more than 50 surgeries, can still feel shrapnel in her legs. Pieces of flooring nails raise her skin if she runs a magnet over them.

And the story of that bombing  of that bomber  can be found in newspaper archives, in the memories of those who lived through it, and in a closet of the Birmingham Archives, tucked away in thousands and thousands of police and FBI files until archivist Catherine Oseas-Champion turned every page and chronicled every story.

This week, we hope to bring that story to life, to chronicle the stories of Lyons, Derzis, and others whose lives were shaped by that bomb. While compiling our podcast, American Shrapnel, my colleagues John Archibald, Becca Andrews and I found unexpected connections, contradictions and loose ends in those FBI files.

We heard shocking stories from Rudolphs former sister-in-law and former friends. We spoke with then-US Attorney Doug Jones who had been busy working on the 16th Baptist Church bombing cases when this new explosion interrupted his morning and shook the city into action. We spoke with his successor Alice Martin about Rudolphs arrest. We heard from police officer James Blanton who met with Hughes and issued the BOLO. And, on a static-filled VHS tape of a police interview from 1998, we finally heard from Jermaine Hughes himself.

Rudolph was shaped by men and organizations that told a warped, disturbing version of history. He wrote in high school that the Holocaust was a hoax. He worshiped in a community that believed that Jews were the spawn of Satan and that white protestant American men were the true chosen people of God. He grew weed on government land and called himself King of the Mountains. He also called himself Adolf Rudolph and read books that lionized Hitler.

These fights over shared history still plague the American public today. But now these battles play out on social media instead of in cassette tapes and pamphlets. One in five young Americans now believe the Holocaust is a myth. The current administration fires public servants who provide inconvenient truths.

One way to combat misinformation is to drag true stories into the light. And to remember the horrors wrought by people like Rudolph and to honor everyday heroes like Jermaine Hughes.
The Smithsonian plans to update an exhibit at the National Museum of American History following reports last month that it had removed a placard referencing the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

On Saturday, The Smithsonian announced that it planned to update the museums exhibit The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, which explains on previous impeachments. The statement comes after The Washington Post reported last month that references to Trumps two impeachments had been removed.

The Smithsonian went on to say that the placard was not removed at the request of any administration or government official, but was taken down because it blocked the view of other items in the case and did not meet the 25-year-old exhibits standards for appearance or presentation.

As the keeper of memory for the nation, it is our privilege and responsibility to tell accurate and complete histories, the Smithsonian said in the statement.

The museum said the exhibit would be updated to improve presentation and include references to all presidential impeachments, including Trumps.

Trump was impeached by the House in 2019 and in 2021, but was acquitted in the Senate in both cases. He is the only president to be impeached twice.

Other presidents included in the exhibit are Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, who were also impeached before being acquitted in the Senate, and Richard Nixon, reports CBS News.

The Smithsonian said updates to exhibit are expected to take place in coming weeks.
The U.S. Department of Justice is ramping up an effort to get voter data and other election information from individual states.

Over the past three months, the departments voting section has requested copies of voter registration lists from state election administrators in at least 15 states, according to an Associated Press tally. Of those, nine are Democrats, five are Republicans and one is a bipartisan commission.

Election offices in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin confirmed to the AP that they received letters from the voting section requesting their statewide voter registration lists. At least one other, Oklahoma, received the request by phone.

In Colorado, the department demanded all records relating to the 2024 election and any records the state retained from the 2020 election.

Department lawyers have contacted officials in at least seven states to propose a meeting about forging an information-sharing agreement related to instances of voting or election fraud. The idea, they say in the emails, is for states to help the department enforce the law.

The unusually expansive outreach has raised alarm among some election officials because states have the constitutional authority to run elections and federal law protects the sharing of individual data with the government.

It also signals the transformation of the Justice Departments involvement in elections under President Donald Trump. The department historically has focused on protecting access to the ballot box. Today, it is taking steps to crack down on voter fraud and noncitizen voting, both of which are rare but have been the subject of years of false claims from Trump and his allies.

The departments actions come alongside a broader effort by the administration to investigate past elections and influence the 2026 midterms. The Republican president has called for a special prosecutor to investigate the 2020 election that he lost to Democrat Joe Biden and continues to falsely claim he won. Trump also has pushed Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional maps to create more House seats favorable to the GOP.

The Justice Department does not typically engage in fishing expeditions to find laws that may potentially have been broken and has traditionally been independent from the president, said David Becker, a former department lawyer who leads the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research.

Now it seems to be operating differently, he said.

The department responded with an emailed no comment to a list of questions submitted by the AP seeking details about the communications with state officials.

Requests to states vary and some are specific.

Many requests included basic questions about the procedures states use to comply with federal voting laws, such as how states identify and remove duplicate voter registrations or deceased or otherwise ineligible voters.

Certain questions were more state-specific and referenced data points or perceived inconsistencies from a recent survey from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, an AP review of several of the letters showed.

The Justice Department already has filed suit against the state election board in North Carolina alleging it failed to comply with a part of the federal Help America Vote Act that relates to voter registration records.

More inquiries are likely on the way

There are signs the departments outreach isnt done. It told the National Association of Secretaries of State that all states would be contacted eventually, said Maria Benson, a NASS spokeswoman.

The organization has asked the department to join a virtual meeting of its elections committee to answer questions about the letters, Benson said. Some officials have raised concerns about how the voter data will be used and protected.

Election officials in at least four California counties  Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and San Francisco said the Justice Department sent them letters asking for voter roll records. The letters asked for the number of people removed from the rolls for being noncitizens and for their voting records, dates of birth and ID numbers.

Officials in Arizona, Connecticut, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Wisconsin confirmed to the AP that they received an email from two department lawyers requesting a call about a potential information-sharing agreement.

The goal, according to several copies of the emails reviewed by the AP, was for states to provide the government with information about instances of election fraud to help the Justice Department enforce Federal election laws and protect the integrity of Federal elections. One of those sending the emails was a senior counsel in the criminal division.

The emails referred to Trumps March executive order on elections, part of which directs the attorney general to enter information-sharing agreements with state election officials to the maximum extent possible.

Skeptical state election officials assess how to reply

Election officials in several states that received requests for their voter registration information have not responded. Some said they were reviewing the inquiries.

Officials in some other states provided public versions of voter registration lists to the department, with certain personal information such as Social Security numbers blacked out. Elsewhere, state officials answered procedural questions from the Justice Department but refused to provide the voter lists.

In Minnesota, the office of Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, said the federal agency is not legally entitled to the information.

In a July 25 letter to the Justice Departments voting section, Simons general counsel, Justin Erickson, said the list contains sensitive personal identifying information on several million individuals. He said the office had obligations under federal and state law to not disclose any information from the statewide list unless expressly required by law.

In a recent letter, Republican lawmakers in the state called on Simon to comply with the federal request as a way to protect the voting rights of the citizens of Minnesota.

Maines secretary of state, Democrat Shenna Bellows, said the administrations request overstepped the federal governments bounds and that the state will not fulfill it. She said doing so would violate voter privacy.

The department doesnt get to know everything about you just because they want to, Bellows said.

Some Justice Department requests are questionable, lawyers say

There is nothing inherently wrong with the Justice Department requesting information on state procedures or the states providing it, said Justin Levitt, a former deputy assistant attorney general who teaches at Loyola Law School.

But the departments requests for voter registration data are more problematic, he said. That is because of the Privacy Act of 1974, which put strict guidelines on data collection by the federal government. The government is required to issue a notice in the Federal Register and notify appropriate congressional committees when it seeks personally identifiable information about individuals.

Becker said there is nothing in federal law that compels states to comply with requests for sensitive personal data about their residents. He added that while the outreach about information-sharing agreements was largely innocuous, the involvement of a criminal attorney could be seen as intimidating.

You can understand how people would be concerned, he said.
Law enforcement in Limestone County have arrested an Alabama man who is accused of offering cash in exchange for sexual contact with someone he believed to be a child.

Hayel Fadhlesaleh Hasson, 52, of Hoover, was arrested Saturday by investigators in Athens, according to the sheriffs office.

Last month, Hasson initiated contact on social media with what he believed to be a male juvenile. The account was operated by a Limestone County Sheriffs Office investigator, the office said in a statement Saturday.

Hasson agreed to travel to Limestone County from Hoover, according to the sheriffs office. He was taken into custody when he arrived in Athens for the meeting. He has been charged with electronic solicitation of a child, human trafficking and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act.

These investigations take time, patience, and dedication. Im proud of our investigators work in making this arrest. Their commitment to protecting children and holding predators accountable is unwavering, said Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin.

Hasson is being held at the Limestone County Detention Center.
If youre in Alabamas Black Belt this summer, perhaps for this weekends birding festival, youll almost certainly get to see this haunting bird circling overhead.

Its like going to an air show with the Blue Angels, said Joe Watts of Alabama Audubon, the local chapter of the national birding group. They are just really bent on eating, and they are swooping and soaring and swooping and there might be 20 or 30 under the sky at any one point.

Mississippi kites are some of the smallest raptors in Alabama. They are over a foot long but weigh just about half a pound, according to Cornell University.

Still, they make up for their relatively small size with a ghostly appearance. Their bodies are white, with gray wings and a gray tail. They have bright red eyes that are ringed black.

Like most kite species, Mississippi kites have a hooked beak thats ideal for catching insects. They catch their prey in their talons and bring it to their mouth while flying, Watts said.

While they are known to catch small birds and mammals, insects make up the majority of their prey. They catch any type of insect, Watts said, but they prefer flying insects like dragonflies, June bugs and grasshoppers.

As such, Mississippi kites are skilled flyers, able to soar and pivot quickly.

They use their wings to really kind of dart in and out, Watts said. Theyre really fast. Theyre really, really maneuverable.

And if you watch them, youll see their tail feathers, they use them like a rudder, they use them to really slow down and speed up and turn really sharp turns.

In the summer, Mississippi kites pair off and nest in Alabamas forests south of Birmingham, though Watts said hes seen them nesting in suburban areas. They emerge from their nests to hunt in open fields and valleys.

Their nests are often located near or may even contain a wasps nest, according to Cornell. This is thought to protect the chicks from predators that climb trees.

Young Mississippi kites are a splotchy brown and white mix, with a striped brown and white tail.

A Mississippi Kite holds an insect (and some grass) in its talons as it flies. Mississippi Kites will follow tractors as hay is harvested and catch the insects that are stirred up. (Photo by Joe Watts) Joe Watts

In late summer, after the kites are done breeding and the young birds have somewhat learned to fly, they gather in Alabamas Black Belt to fatten up ahead of their fall migration.

Starting in mid-late August, the birds will begin flying south for the winter, settling in Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, according to the Audubon Society.

Mississippi kites thrive in prairie habitats.

Thats why the birds are one of the stars of this weekends Black Belt Birding Festival, an annual series of events put on by Alabama Audubon.

While there are many birds featured throughout the weekend, one of the highlights is watching the Mississippi Kites swoop and soar to catch insects, Watts said.

On farms across the region, Mississippi kites  and their cousins, the swallow-tailed kites  will dive for insects stirred up by tractors as hay is harvested. Mississippi kites are such agile flyers, Watts said, that theyve even been known to fly through the cab of a tractor and make it out unscathed.

Because theyre so focused on eating, the birds typically dont mind having an audience, Watts said. Theyve even known to gather and wait as soon as they hear the sound of a tractor revving up.

Theyre a really neat bird to watch, said Watts. And all the farmers all around the state have seen Mississippi kites.
The Toronto Blue Jays play against the Kansas City Royals in an MLB game today. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 12:37 p.m. CT on MLB Network/MLB.TV. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Fubo TV offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Blue Jays have played at a high level this season, as they currently sit atop the American League East.

In order to win todays game, the Blue Jays will need to rely on their star player Bo Bichette. He currently leads the Toronto offense in RBI and hits, so he will look to continue his offensive success this afternoon.

The Royals are only a few games away from an American League Wild Card spot, so the Kansas City squad is looking to secure a victory today.

In order to win this game, the Royals will need a great performance from their star player Maikel Garcia. He leads the Kansas City offense in batting average and on-base percentage, so he will try to continue his great play today.

Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Fubo TV offers a first-month discount to new users.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 36-year-old serial fraudster, Christen Nketa, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of stealing multiple vehicles from car rental companies using a string of fake identities. The court suspended two years of the sentence, leaving Nketa to serve an effective eight years behind bars.Nketa, described by prosecutors as a habitual offender, operated under several aliases, including Last Mukomawasha, Elliot Mandere, and Prince Chari. Between October and November 2024, he executed a calculated car theft scheme that left multiple rental companies counting losses and police racing to recover stolen vehicles.According to court proceedings, Nketa's modus operandi involved the use of counterfeit national identity cards, fake driver's licences, and falsified proof of residence documents to convince unsuspecting car rental firms that he was a legitimate client. Once a vehicle was secured, he would make an initial payment to appear credible before vanishing with the car. The stolen vehicles were then sold to unsuspecting third parties, often accompanied by altered ownership papers to make the transactions appear legitimate.Three specific incidents presented in court highlighted Nketa's trail of deception. On October 22, 2024, he used a fake ID to rent a Honda Fit. The car was later traced to Damafalls after being sold. The buyer, upon realizing they had been scammed, notified police, and the vehicle was recovered by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Vehicle Theft Squad.On November 5, Nketa used forged documents to rent a Toyota Axio, which he later sold in the Demand area. Police eventually tracked and recovered the car from an unwitting buyer. Just over a week later, on November 13, he rented another Honda Fit, claiming he was traveling to Marondera. However, the vehicle's GPS tracker revealed it had been taken to Murisa village in Seke, where it was subsequently recovered by authorities.Nketa's fraudulent spree came to an end on February 27, 2025, after detectives received a tip-off about his whereabouts. He was arrested in central Harare while attempting to escape, with assistance from alert members of the public. Upon his arrest, police found additional forged identity documents in his possession.The court, citing the premeditated nature of the offences and the financial losses suffered by both rental agencies and innocent buyers, handed down a custodial sentence intended to deter similar crimes. Nketa will now serve eight years behind bars, marking a temporary end to his repeated cons in the vehicle rental industry.










English News Hotan jade: a time-honored bridge among civilizations

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Juillet 2025



From the ancient Jade Road to the Silk Road, from the enduring legacy of Hotan jade to the intricate artistry of Etles silk, Hotan's profound historical tapestry is intrinsically interwoven with deep-rooted traditions of cross-cultural engagement. Within this storied region, the enduring narrative of mutual learning and shared prosperity between civilizations continues to unfold anew.

By Aerdake, People's Daily Located in the southernmost part of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Hotan is renowned for its rich jade resources, historically serving as a pivotal hub in the ancient jade trade.



Inside the Hotan Jade Museum, an antiquated, hand-drawn map entitled Ancient Jade Trade Routes traces the long history of jade commerce. While the Silk Road dates back more than 2,000 years, the Jade Road extends over 6,000 years into antiquity. Radiating from Hotan, this network stretched east through Gansu, Ningxia, Shanxi and Henan, while forging westward pathways across Central Asia to the Mediterranean coast. This ancient corridor not only enabled thriving East-West trade but also served as a primary bridge for cross-cultural exchange.



Today, four regulated jade markets line the Yulong Kashgar River Avenue. "Ten years ago, this area was primarily characterized by roadside stalls. Today, these markets have significantly expanded and professionalized," said Shi Peihong, head of the Hotan jade protection and development center.



Inside the bustling markets, rows of jade vendors engage in discerning discussions with customers about jade texture and grain patterns. International collectors frequent these markets, seeking deeper understanding of Hotan jade's historical significance.



Academic sources from Uzbekistan indicate references to Hotan jade dating back to 2000 B.C., while archaeological evidence reveals the presence of Hotan jade from the Stone Age unearthed in ancient Babylon, Syria, and regions across Central Asia.



The robust jade trade along the Yulong Kashgar River continues to thrive. "The presence of international buyers in Hotan's markets is commonplace. We often host visitors from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Despite diverse cultural backgrounds, their expressions convey a profound appreciation and sophisticated understanding of jade," said Chen Huanhui, general manager of a jewelry company.



Esteemed jade carver Nie Mingli recounted a personal testament to jade's transnational reach during a motorcycle journey last year. Departing from Xinjiang's Horgos Port, he traversed Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. To his surprise, he often came across Hotan jade artworks along the route - tangible evidence of jade's role as a cultural bridge transcending geographic boundaries.



At a restaurant in Kyrgyzstan, a prominently displayed jade vessel caught his eye. Upon recognizing Nie as Chinese, the restaurant owner enthusiastically gave a thumbs-up to express his admiration for Chinese jade artistry.

"There's no doubt that Hotan jade is one of the most iconic symbols of Chinese culture," Nie said.



Further enriching Hotan's cultural narrative, the Kunlun Stories Museum showcases the evolution of jade culture from the Neolithic era to the present. Founded by jade enthusiast Zhang Wei, the museum has welcomed tens of thousands of Chinese domestic and international visitors and scholars.



Zhang observed that visitors from Pakistan and Uzbekistan exhibit particular fascination with jade artifacts originating from the northern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains and the Tarim River Basin. "These interactions significantly reinforce our recognition of jade culture's unique role as a bridge for cross-cultural exchanges," Zhang said.



Following the rise of the Silk Road, the western route from Hotan extensively overlapped with the ancient Jade Road. But Hotan's historical significance in cultural exchanges extends beyond jade. Over a millennium ago, Hotan residents had already achieved mastery in sericulture and silk weaving. Locally produced silk became a prized commodity along the Silk Road, with the famed Etles silk enjoying particular renown.



Historical records indicate that while the silk production techniques of Etles silk originated in China's Central Plains, its distinctive dyeing and weaving methods emerged through a fusion of Central Asian craftsmanship and local expertise in Hotan and Kashgar.



Jiya township in Hotan is acclaimed as the "Hometown of Etles Silk," where the community still meticulously preserves ancient tie-dye techniques and employs traditional wooden looms.



A manager of a local Etles silk workshop said that she regularly receives visitors and traders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. "They're always eager to photograph and record the weaving process, hoping to adapt these techniques for artisans within their respective countries," she said.



Mulat, a 28-year-old native of Jiya township, immersed in Etles traditions since childhood, established a trade company after university. This month, he presented a collection of modern Etles silk products at the 2025 Central Asia (Khorgos) Commodity and Trade Expo. "There's strong demand in Central Asia for Etles silk that combines modern design with affordable prices. We see great potential for future cooperation," he said.



From the ancient Jade Road to the Silk Road, from the enduring legacy of Hotan jade to the intricate artistry of Etles silk, Hotan's profound historical tapestry is intrinsically interwoven with deep-rooted traditions of cross-cultural engagement. Within this storied region, the enduring narrative of mutual learning and shared prosperity between civilizations continues to unfold anew.



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)










English News Lhasa's mountain landscapes flourish in green

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Juillet 2025



The project's long-term ecological benefits are becoming increasingly evident. Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly enhance regional ecosystem. Preliminary estimates suggest that it will increase annual water retention capacity by about 49.8 million tons, capture 229,100 tons of carbon dioxide, release 193,000 tons of oxygen, preserve 27,100 tons of soil nutrients, and generate an estimated annual ecological value of 1.485 billion yuan.

By Xu Yuyao, He Jiahao, People's Daily This year has witnessed a significant transformation in the vegetation coverage encircling Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, located at an average altitude of 3,650 meters.



From the vantage point of the iconic Potala Palace, the hills flanking the Lhasa River are now adorned with vibrant greenery. During summer months, the southern and northern mountains of Lhasa are clothed in lush vegetation, attracting numerous visitors who like to stroll through the verdant scenery, frequently pausing to capture photographic moments.



Mejor, a forest maintenance worker in the ecological restoration area of the Lhalu Wetland on the northern mountain of Lhasa, still remembers the first tree he planted: a Chinese scholar tree. However, initial confidence was scarce among the workers.



In his memory, the southern and northern mountains presented a persistently barren visage. "Can trees even survive up there?" he and his colleagues frequently questioned in those early stages of the project.



Ensuring sapling survival rates required scientifically selecting appropriate species. Following extensive field researc, the project team identified 12 native species renowned for cold and drought resistance. Today, those carefully selected varieties now blanket the once-barren slopes.



"In recent years, vegetation coverage on the mountainous areas surrounding Lhasa has markedly increased, paralleled by a resurgence in wildlife," said Kelsang Norbu, head of Lhasa's forestry and grassland bureau.



Since the official launch of a greening project for the southern and northern mountains, over 1.079 million mu (about 71,93 hectares) of forests have been planted, with more than 120 million seedlings taking root. Norbu further indicated that the overall survival rate of these seedlings exceeds 85 percent.



Notable wildlife such as red deer, bharal, foxes, wolves, and macaques have returned to the area. The project has not only improved the ecological environment but also enhanced biodiversity, creating a more livable natural space for both residents and tourists.



"The first tree I planted has grown over seven meters tall," Mejor said. "I often wonder how big it'll be when our children come to see it one day."



Beyond cultivating trees, the project has yielded significant expertise. Gesturing toward freshly planted saplings on a nearby slope, Norbu explained that over the past three years, the team has developed a comprehensive system of techniques encompassing seedling selection, cultivation, planting and maintenance. "We're now working with universities to standardize and replicate these practices in other regions," he said.



Maintaining this burgeoning green cover presents considerable challenges. Workers navigate narrow mountain footpaths, and steeper sections require scrambling on all fours. Tsering Baxi, part of the maintenance team for the No. 2 restoration zone of the southern and northern mountains greening project in Nyangrain Valley, Chengguan district of Lhasa, has traversed such paths for four years.



Workers excavate tree pits in rocky slopes - where shovel's often strikes solid bedrock, and carry soil uphill in baskets. During initial phases, watering even required manually hauling hoses up mountainsides.



Technological advancements, however, have recently alleviated the burden. "Now, a drone can deliver soil directly to the hillside in one minute," Tsering Baxi said. "This method is not only substantially faster but also significantly safer."

The project also employs smart water-saving irrigation systems, improving water efficiency and protecting soil structure from saturation-related degradation.



So far, the project has created more than 9 million job opportunities, contributing to income growth exceeding 2.9 billion yuan ($404.12 million). This confluence of ecological enhancement and socioeconomic support epitomizes a dual-win situation: promoting environmental restoration while bolstering livelihoods, expanding green coverage while boosting sustainable development.



Nearly 40 tree species have been planted in the Lhasa Liangdao Ecological Park, where landscaping workers nurture young trees with meticulous care, akin to tending children, ensuring their robust growth in the challenging high-altitude climate of the Qinghai-Xizang plateau.



Southern Mountain Park, located on the southern bank of the Lhasa River, has become a popular urban destination. With its dense forest cover and year-round scenic beauty, the park now receives 3,000 to 5,000 visitors daily, and as many as 18,000 during public holidays. It has become a multifunctional space integrating recreation, tourism, and fitness.



Today, Lhasa's residents now inhabit an environment characterized by expanding verdure. The city administers 13 nature reserves, covering a total area of 818,900 hectares. This year, plans are underway to build 19 new ecological corridors and upgrade six pocket parks.



"Ecological improvement elevates quality of life," said Donqa, a senior citizen in Lhasa. "We've all become more mindful of the plants around us, wanting this greenery to stay and brighten our lives for years to come."



The project's long-term ecological benefits are becoming increasingly evident. Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly enhance regional ecosystem. Preliminary estimates suggest that it will increase annual water retention capacity by about 49.8 million tons, capture 229,100 tons of carbon dioxide, release 193,000 tons of oxygen, preserve 27,100 tons of soil nutrients, and generate an estimated annual ecological value of 1.485 billion yuan.



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)










English News Robotic dogs facilitate preservation of ancient tower in N China's Shanxi

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Juillet 2025



Recent years have seen local government advance digitization initiatives for the pagoda. In a digital exhibition hall near the building, visitors can virtually travel back in time to experience the pagoda's construction by wearing VR headsets.

By Zheng Yangyang, People's Daily On a summer day at Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, well known as the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County, Shuozhou, north China's Shanxi province, visitors were appreciating the ancient structure. Suddenly, the rhythmic tapping of metallic feet drew a curious crowd - a silver robotic dog climbed the steps and entered the pagoda, performing a high-precision scan of the building with millimeter-level accuracy.



Built in 1056, the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County is the tallest and oldest wooden multi-story structure in the world. Having withstood the weathering of nearly a millennium, the structure has developed a slight tilt and now requires enhanced preservation measures.



To address challenges such as the inadequate precision of manual surveying and the risk of damage from physical contact, the local government partnered with Tsinghua University's School of Architecture to launch a smart preservation program, with the primary focus on enhancing cultural heritage preservation with the help of robotic dogs.



With steady mechanical steps, the robot began its work. A rotating camera mounted on its head captured intricate patterns in the tower's carved ceilings, while an array of sensors flashed. Its 3D vision system recorded detailed surface data from overhead structures.



"The carved ceiling is several meters above the ground. Collecting data manually would take a great amount of time and energy. With the assistance of the robotic dog, the process would become much more accurate and efficient," said Xing Chunqi, an architect at the Robotics Lab of Lenovo Research.



Developed by Chinese multinational technology company Lenovo, the robotic dog integrates cutting-edge technologies such as deep learning algorithms, multimodal sensing systems, and bionic motion control.



Meanwhile, Lenovo has collaborated with the Tsinghua University-Palace Museum Joint Research Center for Cultural Heritage to apply robotic dogs in the preservation of the pagoda. "We capture 2D images from four angles of each pillar, then apply 3D reconstruction and AI training to comprehensively restore the structure," Xing explained.



Leveraging this technology, the Tsinghua team has completed a high-precision 3D digital modeling of the pagoda's coffered ceiling structure, providing support for in-depth data analysis and preservation planning.



Future applications include automated patrols. "In heritage conservation, it is crucial to resist fire and corrosion," Xing explained. Equipped with a dual-light imaging system, the robotic dog can monitor heat sources in real time and issue alerts automatically if temperatures exceed a threshold, he added.



"The small robotic dog is equipped with two onboard computers. Upon detecting something abnormal during a patrol, it can transmit the information to a central server. Some robotic dogs can even process the situation before making real-time decisions," he added.



Moreover, robotic dogs are capable of performing "health checkups" on ancient buildings. Working in pairs, one emits X-rays while the other receives them, allowing for non-invasive internal assessments of wood decay and cracks. "This avoids radiation exposure to humanity. Through time-series analysis, the system can compare data from past scans and automatically flag minor changes like deformation in wooden components or flaking paint," Xing noted.



Recent years have seen local government advance digitization initiatives for the pagoda. In a digital exhibition hall near the building, visitors can virtually travel back in time to experience the pagoda's construction by wearing VR headsets.



"We're establishing a digital twin of the structure through technological means, allowing visitors to climb the tower virtually to enhance their experience," said Cheng Xiaoli, deputy head of the management and preservation center of the pagoda.



"We haven't deployed robotic dogs on a regular basis," said Cheng. "But we anticipate their widespread adoption to enable cultural heritage preservation in the coming future."



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)










English News Young 'wind chasers' power Xizang on 'roof of world'

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Juillet 2025



Young technicians here demonstrate remarkable innovation, capability, and plateau resilience," Kunsang observed. "We encourage more youth, especially locals, to advance this legacy."

By Lyu Jiuhai, Xian Gan, An Bowen, People's Daily Perched on the Nagqu Plateau in China's Xizang Autonomous Region at an average elevation of 4,650 meters, fierce winds drive massive turbines at the Omatinga Wind Farm.



For 21-year-old maintenance engineer Chang Jianrui, daily duties involve ascending turbine interiors via an elevator before climbing nearly 20 meters on service ladders to conduct critical inspections and performance tests.



Despite Xizang's rich wind resources, as China's highest-altitude prefecture-level city, Nagqu historically faced severe grid limitations due to its extreme geography and climate. Winter Blackouts always happened in winter and winds often exceeded level 10.

The roaring winds, though considered as a resource, also posed major challenges for wind farm construction.





In January 2024, the 100 MW Omatinga Wind Farm was put into operation in Nagqu by China Energy Investment Corporation. At its launch, it stood as the world's largest ultra-high-altitude wind power installation. The facility generates approximately 200 million kWh of clean electricity annually, sufficient to power 230,000 households year-round.



Beneath the turbines, Gen-Z technician Zhang Haoyu crouched to inspect low-lying vegetation. To minimize ecological impact on the plateau's fragile ecosystem, Zhang and his team have worked hard to restore grass cover around each turbine base. "We're not just here to light up homes. We're here to protect the environment," Zhang emphasized in an interview.



Youth drives the facility's operations: employees under 35 now make up over 84% of the Omatinga's workforce. Chen Yang, a fellow Gen-Z maintenance engineer originally from Sichuan's Neijiang City, represents this new generation. "We young professionals aspire to make meaningful contributions," Chen stated.



Late last year, a few turbine blades were damaged by lightning. Maintenance specialist Chen ascended nearly 100 meters on a suspended platform amid -20C temperatures and high winds to conduct repairs with his team.



"My nose ran constantly from the wind, but we prioritized swift repairs to restore household electricity," This commitment reflects the team's guiding principle: "The more power we generate, the more the local communities benefit." This echos drives the young workforce to maintain seamless operations across turbines, grids, and substations.



How do they keep turbines running smoothly?



Initially, operators relied on visual checks. "If a blade stopped rotating, we'd drive to investigate immediately," Chang recalled.



Now, however, Omatinga Wind Farm uses an intelligent monitoring system. Its self-developed real-time diagnostic platform and cluster control system transmit blade performance and other data to a central control room. Power output is allocated by predictive algorithms.



"Now, the central control screen displays the status of all 25 turbines in real time, which saves a ton of time and effort," said Chang. These days, most potential issues are caught and addressed remotely; only major faults require on-site maintenance.



At 34, Kunsang Tashi ranks among the facility's most experienced team members. Since joining the industry in 2014, he has supervised maintenance while modeling high-altitude adaptation - reminding colleagues to hydrate and use supplemental oxygen when necessary."



Young technicians here demonstrate remarkable innovation, capability, and plateau resilience," Kunsang observed. "We encourage more youth, especially locals, to advance this legacy."



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)
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued its opinion concluding that a nationwide preliminary injunction should restrict the president from enforcing his Executive Order No. 14160. That E.O. confirms lawful denial of birthright citizenship to various children of non-citizens. The Ninth Circuit, however, found the E.O. likely to be unconstitutional.

Congress first dealt with the subject of birthright citizenship when the 39th Congress passed the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1866 on April 9, 1866. The CRA granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power. The effect was to deny birthright citizenship to children of foreigners. That law was a clear and intentional departure from and rejection of English common law, which generally granted birthright citizenship to all children born on English soil. The 39th Congress then moved to strengthen the provisions of the CRA by carrying its protections into a new constitutional amendment. To that end, the final wording of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment (Citizenship Clause) was proposed to the Senate only 68 days after passage of the CRA:

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.

A faction of Americans citizens and some courts assert that the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, in effect, grants automatic U.S. citizenship to any child thereafter born in the United States. That assertion absurdly assumes that the 39th Congress intended to reverse the provisions of the CRA only 68 days after passing it. Diligent examination of the facts reveals that assertion to be grossly in error.

First, congressional leadership on the birthright citizenship issue consisted of three legislators of extreme experience and competence, including

Rep. John Bingham (Ohio) was an attorney and former judge advocate of the Union Army, solicitor of the U.S. Court of Claims, and assistant judge advocate general.

Sen. Jacob Howard (Mich.) was an attorney and had been Michigan attorney general and a Michigan representative.

Sen. Lyman Trumbull was an attorney and had been Illinois secretary of state, justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Second, immediately after passage of the CRA, on May 8, 1866, Rep. James Garfield (R-Ohio and future president) confirmed:

The civil rights bill is now a part of the law of the land. But every gentleman knows it will cease to be a part of the law whenever the mad moment arrives when that gentlemans party comes into power. It is precisely for that reason that we propose to lift that great and good law above the reach of political strife, beyond the reach of the plots and machinations of any party.

Third, Sen. Trumbull, concurring with Sen. Howard, declared, as to the 14th Amendment Citizenship Clause,

That means subject to the complete jurisdiction thereof. ... Not owing allegiance to anybody else. That is what it means. ... It cannot be said of any [person] who owes allegiance, partial allegiance if you please, to some other government that he is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Fourth, Sen. Jacob Howard, who introduced the language of the jurisdiction clause, confirmed that the language in the Citizenship Clause referring to jurisdiction was simply declaratory of what was already the law of the land (i.e., as provided in the CRA).

Fifth, Senator Reverdy Johnson, in debate on the 14th Amendment, confirmed,

Now, all this amendment provides is, that all persons born in the United States and not subject to some foreign power  for that, no doubt, is the meaning of the committee who have brought the matter before us  shall be considered as citizens of the United States. (See Congressional Globe, 39th Cong., 1st Sess. 2893 [1866].)

Sixth, the Ninth Circuit and many prior court rulings improperly dismiss, demean, and misrepresent the CRA and its legislative history as not persuasive. The court finds it significant that the 14th Amendment was ratified two years after passage of the CRA. Such significance is rendered irrelevant by the facts.

First, Congress considered both laws contemporaneously (not two years apart). The CRA became law on April 9, 1866. The 14th Amendment received final congressional approval a mere 70 days (not two years) thereafter on June 18, 1866. (Further action was in the hands of the states until July 9, 1868, when the required number of states had ratified the amendment.) There was no congressional delay between laws, no congressional change of mind, and clear evidence (see above) that the two citizenship clauses had and were intended to have the same meaning.

Second, the 41st Congress (with the same leaders: Trumbull, Howard, and Bingham) reaffirmed and re-enacted the entire CRA. (See Section 18 of the Enforcement Act of 1870.) Congress thereby confirmed once again the principle that children of non-citizens are not entitled to birthright citizenship, both because they are subject to a foreign power and because they are not subject to full and complete U.S. jurisdiction.

There was and is no credible evidence that legislators were motivated in any way to change or reverse their positions, nor to generate a dispute with President Grant. Grant had clearly informed Congress that he was strongly opposed to granting citizenship to temporary visitors. (See December 6, 1869 Journal of the House of Representatives.) Grant was fully aware of the adverse consequences of granting citizenship to those who come to the United States for the sole purpose of securing citizenship and, after securing same, return to their native countries and reside there. That wisdom clearly anticipated todays immigration concerns, especially the birth trade. No honest person would conclude that President Grant would have consented to or signed the Enforcement Act of 1870 if such would mean the conferring of citizenship on temporary visitors and sojourners and their children born in the United States.

Seventh, the Ninth Circuit, in spite of the overwhelming contrary evidence above and in spite of Sen. Howards votes for the CRA and the reaffirmation thereof, gives credence to an ambiguous statement reported to have been made during 14th Amendment debate:

This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the government of the United States, but will include every other class of person.

Those asserting automatic birthright citizenship seize upon that language as evidence that Howards position was that there is only one exception to birthright citizenship for those born in the United States  namely, children of diplomats. That argument is specious because it is contradicted by an immense record of his position and voting record and because such reports in the Congressional Globe were not verbatim and were permeated by inaccuracy. Those inadequacies, as well as bias, were described in 2005:

Although for the first 41 congresses (85 years) there were no official government publications that recorded congressional debate, newspaper and other commercial publishers did record congressional proceedings to the extent they saw viable according to the limits on column space available, the political leanings of the editors, the limits on existing shorthand methods, and the ability to hear from the galleries or assigned floor areas.

Another source of inadequacy was the inability of the recorder to know the speakers intended punctuation and, thus, the speakers intended meaning. Identical words of legislators can yield very different results and meanings if punctuated differently.

Finally, the Ninth Circuit Court argues that subject to the jurisdiction of means subject to the provisions of the laws  any laws. It does not, but assuming that to be true solely for purposes of argument, that would nonetheless lead to the conclusion that a child born to a foreign citizen would not be entitled to birthright citizenship because the child would be subject to the operation of existing birthright citizenship law  namely, the CRA and the Enforcement Act of 1870. In addition, as babies, newborn children of foreign citizens are not even liable (subject to) territorial civil and criminal laws, as there is no case or controversy.

The above facts and realities (some apparently unknown to the Ninth Circuit and other courts, including the infamous Wong court) stand as steady and continuing confirmation of the original intent of Congress as to birthright citizenship from the enactment of the CRA, through the enactment of the 14th Amendment, and through the enactment of the Enforcement Act of 1870. Those laws have not been reversed, overruled, repealed, or declared unconstitutional. For that reason, the Presidents Executive Order 14160 is consistent with that intent and is not unconstitutional.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Reams have been written about the latest revelations in the Russian collusion hoax that so hamstrung President Trumps first term. I will summarize below the most important revelations. Its clear the Administration is taking its time to reveal the investigations conclusions for maximum impact -- an impact that I, like Scott Adams, believe will result in arrests of a number of people who pulled off this fraud. But first I want to discuss something which has not received the kind of attention it deserves -- the death of the legal consequences for disparate outcomes and credentialism.

The Death of Disparate Outcomes

Forty-four years ago, the federal government entered into a consent decree in which it agreed to scrap the Professional and Administrative Career Examination (PACE). It agreed then with the plaintiffs that the test resulted in disparate outcomes, (42.1 percent of white examinees passed the minimum and only 5 percent of black examinees and 12.9 percent of Hispanic examinees did). This week the department moved to vacate that consent decree and the court did so.

WASHINGTON - Today, the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division ended a court-imposed decree initiated by the Carter administration, which limited the hiring practices of the federal government based on flawed and outdated theories of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In Luevano v. Ezell, the Court dismissed a consent decree based on a lawsuit initially brought by interest groups representing federal employees in 1979. The decree entered in 1981 imposed draconian test review and implementation procedures on the Office of Personnel Management -- and consequently all other federal agencies -- requiring them to receive permission prior to using any tests for potential federal employees, in an attempt to require equal testing outcomes among all races of test-takers. Its simple, competence and merit are the standards by which we should all be judged; nothing more and nothing less, said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Its about time people are judged, not by their identity, but instead by the content of their character. For over four decades, this decree has hampered the federal government from hiring the top talent of our nation, said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. Today, the Justice Department removed that barrier and reopened federal employment opportunities based on merit -- not race.

The shift means the federal government can again test applicants for competence. I believe this change will free up private employers as well to resume appropriate testing for open positions as courts no longer consider disparate impact. (In higher education, the Supreme Court has already removed the status of disparate impact.)

This shift, in a well-argued article by Cremieux, marks the death of credentialism, which has polluted the American psyche for generations, and it has impaired the functioning of the job market and the government in the process. At one point, it was believed to be necessary, if not useful, good, and perhaps even complementary to meritocracy. But that belief is delusional, and we are all now victims of credentialism.

As a result of Luevano, OPM (Office of Personnel Management) tried to create a new test that could predict job performance on which, black, Hispanic and white applicants would perform approximately qualify. None of the six tests they developed could do so, so the federal government was forced to give undue weight to credentials.

Today, the disparate impact doctrine is finally -- after decades of unrelenting wins -- racking up defeats. Disparate impact cases against police and fire departments are being dismissed, precedents are being overturned, and, amazingly, consent decrees once considered sacred, which barred the application of tests, are being challenged. The most recent and portentous example of this is the Trump administrations attempt to overturn the Luevano Consent Decree that has barred civil service examinations. On its own, dissolving Luevano is an incredible and unexpected piece of progress away from credentialism and towards a world where selection is possible again. Most importantly, it signals that the new administration in Washington has a grander goal: ending all Title VI disparate impact regulations and setting up a series of court cases to kick off, which will -- quite likely -- make the use of tests in the private sector feasible again.

This is not the only significant matter challenging earlier rulings on race which so reshaped the country for decades. Congressional race-based districting is next up.

The US Supreme Court indicated it will consider outlawing the use of race in drawing voting maps, setting up a blockbuster showdown with implications for dozens of congressional districts with predominantly minority populations. Expanding a Louisiana case already on their docket, the justices said they will consider arguments that the 1965 Voting Rights Act no longer provides a legitimate basis for map-drawers to intentionally create majority-Black or majority-Hispanic districts. The clash could also upend state and local legislative districts, giving it the potential to have a seismic impact on elections at every level of the US system. The US House had 11 majority-Black and 31 majority-Hispanic districts for the 2022 election, according to a Bloomberg News analysis of the most recent American Community Survey data.

Russiagate Unravels

A number of analysts have done a fine job in summarizing the weeks Russiagate revelations. Jonathan Turley, for example, has set forth one of the best, and if you want the details in an easy to read format, here it is. I urge you to read it all for a detailed and reliable telling of what was revealed so far.

This week, Washington was rocked by new releases in the declassification of material related to the origins of the Russian investigation. The material shows further evidence of a secret plan by the Clinton campaign to use the FBI and media to spread a false claim that Donald Trump was a Russian asset. With this material, the public is finally seeing how officials and reporters set into motion what may be the greatest hoax ever perpetrated in American politics. There never was a Russian collusion conspiracy. This is the emerging story of the real Russian conspiracy to manufacture a false narrative that succeeded in devouring much of the first term of the Trump Administration. What is emerging in these documents is a political illusion carefully constructed by government officials and a willing media. The brilliance of the trick was getting reporters to buy into the illusion; to own it like members of an audience called to the stage by an illusionist.

He deftly details step by step how they pulled this off. As he observes, theres a great deal more to come, including naming the foreign sources who played along with the Democrats trick. Readers of the New York Times and Washington Post would be well-advised to look at other sources of information about the great unraveling: The media (including the Washington Post and New York Times, which won Pulitzer Prizes for reporting on the debunked claims) are apoplectic in dismissing these disclosures. The last thing they will do is report on how they helped sell a political hoax. The problem is that they never said it was a trick. They said it was the truth. That is why they cannot honestly cover the story. To do so would not be coverage, it would be a confession.

Jeff Childers predicts where this is heading:

First, the Trump Team is serious. We are now in the second week of a steady drip of increasingly detailed disclosure. The Fox burn bags article, which Ill discuss more in a moment, shows coordination with the media. This is not an example of the Trump Administration finding a single inelegant email and running off half-cocked. Durhams 306-page annex was not redacted in one day. It must have taken weeks of wrangling with a half dozen agencies to agree on final redactions. So this is a slow burn. It is a controlled release. As weve previously suspected, this is yet more evidence that they are creating a public permission structure for arrests. For a cogent example of similar thinking: Pundit Scott Adams recently opined that, to him, what was once unthinkable has now become necessary. CLIP: Scott Adams explains how Trump is carefully persuading the country that arrests will happen (4:54). I am more convinced than ever that arrests are now a certainty. Dont worry about statutes of limitation. But arrests are not even the most astonishing conclusion we can glean from the new declassifications.  One of the most salacious and intriguing facts appeared in the Fox story. It described how Kash Patel found loads of incriminating, top-secret RussiaGate documents stuffed into burn bags in an unrelated SCIF (a secured information storage area). In other words, the documents were supposed to have been destroyed -- including Durhams classified annex.

Exactly. Its obvious someone in the hoax loop was supposed to destroy the documents, but instead saved incriminating documents, placed them in burn bags, hid them, and directed Patel in which vacant room in the vast FBI complex to find them.

The most probable conclusion from these facts is that one of the key conspirators is cooperating. Which means they have everything. If I can see this, it means the conspirators can surely see it, too. Which means they cant talk to each other anymore; its not safe. They dont know whos talking, and they know the DOJ has enough evidence to get FISA warrants to monitor their comms. So the conspiracy has collapsed; the center could not hold. Its every man for himself now.

As the noose tightens and the conspirators try to obscure what happened in op-eds and TV appearances with the concordance of friendly media, it would be wise to copy and heed Cynical Publius admonition: The Hillary campaign, the Obama Administration, Deep State operatives embedded in the first Trump Administration, and the media conspired to use fabricated intelligence information that they all knew was false to cripple Trump v1.0's ability to govern and to try to imprison Trump and his inner circle.

Everything else is part of a continuing effort to gaslight you.
Donald Trump is a master at using the rules that the radicals use against us against them  the Saul Alinsky rules, that is. He picks a target, freezes it, personalizes it, and polarizes it (Rule 13 of Rules for Radicals). Then he rides it to electoral success. In 2016, he did it with the illegal immigration crisis. In 2020, the Dems outmaneuvered him with the COVID crisis and the election tampering it enabled. But then President Autopen bollixed up the border so badly that Trump was able to ride the immigration crisis (and several others) to victory again in 2024.

With the border mostly under control now, what will the Donald use to energize his growing MAGA movement in 2026? Will it be our corrupt judicial system?

While Chief Justice Roberts blathers about there being no Obama judges or Trump judges, district judges across the country are busily demonstrating that hes uninformed, unintelligent, or uncandid. In the past six months, Obama and Biden judges have given a middle-finger salute to the Constitution and the voters by

telling Congress which private entities it is required to fund,

limiting when and where the president can deploy troops,

stipulating Executive Branch staffing levels, and

welcoming foreign criminal invaders into our country.

Which partys members appointed the judges who committed all these unconstitutional actions?

When the political affiliation of a judge is a more reliable predictor of his judicial decision-making than the language of the law, it is prima facie evidence that our government is broken. Its still capable of legislation (Article I) and execution (Article II), but not unbiased adjudication (Article III). The United States is in a crisis, and the Dems have given Donald Trump his issue for the midterm elections.

However, the Donald still needs to personalize the issue. He needs a poster child for the crisis, the face of the problem  preferably a pompous jerk whos easily disliked.

With that call to action, Judge James Boasberg stood tall and raised his hand.

Just like that, court malfeasance has a face. Boasberg has

imprisoned taxpayers for taking unauthorized selfies on taxpayer property,

given an FBI lawyer a slap on the wrist for falsifying evidence against another American citizen (who happened to work for Trump), and

ordered the president of the United States to break the law.

But to win his audition for the face of judicial malpractice, Judge Boasberg did something even more outrageous. According to Margot Cleveland of The Federalist, he went to other judges and encouraged them to bias their decisions against a litigant in their courts before hearing the evidence. He even brazenly did it on the record at a judicial conference presided over by Chief Justice Roberts.

Now President Trump has an avatar for the next 80/20 issue that the Dems are determined to be on the wrong side of.

Never being one to let an opposition tactical error go to waste, Trump through his Justice Department filed a misconduct complaint against Boasberg. A.G. Bondi posted this:

Today at my direction, The Justice Dept filed a misconduct complaint against U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg for making improper public comments about President Trump and his Administration. These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that.

The complaint was filed with Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge of appeals for the District of Columbia  an Obama judge. Did I mention that political affiliation is more predictive of federal judicial outcomes than application of the law? Hence, it is far more likely that Judge Srinivasan will provide additional evidence of Chief Justice Robertss foolishness than take any meaningful corrective action. But I suspect that is fine with President Trump. It will just reinforce his point that the crisis is bigger than one unethical jurist.

Besides, I doubt that President Trump is expecting a corrupt organization to correct itself. So why is he wasting his time with impotent posers who think a black robe is power? The complaint about Judge Boasberg isnt a plea for the system to redeem itself  even if thats what the motion claims to be. I suspect that the actual reason for the complaint is to make the crisis official and take it to the real power behind this republic: we the people.

President Trump knows that if he can make us angry enough about the problem, we will insist that it be fixed. Conveniently, our first chance to express that insistence is just a little over a year away  during the midterm elections. That gives The Donald a bit over a year to convince us that an out-of-control Judiciary  which looks strikingly like James Boasberg  is incompatible with our form of self-governance. How much freezing, personalizing, and polarizing do you suppose President Trump can do in 15 months?

The district judges have been fooling around, testing how blatantly they can support the anti-MAGA resistance without consequences. Now its the master showmans turn to convince the audience voters that we must get the Judiciary under control or lose control of our government  and hell be using Judge Boasberg as his visual aid.

Will 2026 be the year that our megalomaniac judges find out about consequences? Will we show them that lower courts have no charter without congressional consent, no power without executive consent, and no legitimacy without our consent?

John Green is a staff writer for The American Free News Network and a state content writer for Convention of States Action. He is a graduate of Purdue University with 40+ years of experience in systems and organizational development.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The discovery of artifacts can change modern perspectives of ancient times.

Take, for example, the Antikythera Mechanisma 1901 discovery by Mediterranean Sea divers found among the ruins of a shipwreck. The Mechanism consisted of a complex system of bronze gears, predicting astronomical events and even tracking the cycles of the ancient Olympics by accurately calculating the positions of the planets and eclipses. Astonishingly, the Mechanism was found to be 2,000 years old and is considered now to be the worlds first analog computer!

Another artifact discovery occurred in the mid-14th centuryone which, ever since, has stirred great debate over its origin. New evidence supports that it too has existed for two millennia, changing our perception of what actually was captured at the moment of its creation.

The 14-foot-long Shroud of Turin is believed by many to be the actual burial cloth placed over Jesus after His crucifixion. An easily discernible image of the Son of God is seen on itone that, despite todays technological advances, still remains impossible to replicate.

Disbelievers suggest the image was the work of a master artist who created the Shroud long after Jesuss death. They also suggest that carbon dating done in 1988 indicates the time of origin was more than a millennium after Christs crucifixion.

The Shrouds history was first documented in the 1350s. It was presented in France by one of Europes most honorable and admired knights, Geoffroi de Charny, sometime before his death in 1356. Interestingly, in 1389 it was declared a forgery by the bishop of Troyes, who believed it to be the work of a cunning artist. However, Pope Clement VII, who served in a papal capacity from 15231534, sanctioned its use as a representation of the Shroud of Jesus.

In 1453, the Shroud became the property of the Italian royal familythe House of Savoy. Relocated to Chambery (then part of Italy but now part of France), it was, in 1532, damaged by fire. Transferred to Turin, Italy, in 1578, the Shroud remains there today although the last member of the Savoy royal line, King Umberto II, willed it to the Vaticanwhich officially took possession in 1983.

The debate about the Shrouds authenticity has led to extensive scientific scrutiny. Pieces of its cloth were subjected to carbon dating in 1988 suggesting its origin was between 1260 and 1390. However, the carbon dating tests have since been discredited not only because the Shrouds exposure to the 1532 fire may well have impacted accurate testing, but also because its results conflict with other scientific methods.

Contributing to its authenticity is the fact that the three-dimensional image of Jesus appears to be a photographic negative. While linear perspectivei.e., three dimensional paintingwas formalized around 1415, negative photography was not developed until the early 19th century. And, had the image been painted, the paint would have deeply penetrated the fabric, which it did not.

A new theory not only further supports authenticity, it suggests it was not the dead image of Jesus that was captured but rather that of a resurrecting Christ. It surmises the image is not one of a dead Jesus lying prone but one of Him in an upright position. Discrediting the former belief is thatconsistent with the law of gravityHis hair falls directly down both sides of His head, covering His ears.

Tests conducted of a subject with similar hair length lying prone on a table showed, if in such a position, ones hair would lay flat on the table, exposing the ears. Also discrediting the previous belief is the absence from the image of signs of the normal compression that occurs of some body parts when one is in a supine position.

And, in yet another ground-breaking discovery, researchers have identified an inscribed name on the Shroud offering what many consider definitive proof of its authenticity.

Aided by the most modern technology, researchers were able to identify letters, in both Latin and Greek, hidden within the Shrouds fabric that were never before visible. An inscription bears the word Nazarine, which is a clear reference to Jesus.

Further adding to both the Shrouds authenticity and what the image actually captured are the following:

Minute pieces of limestone containing dirt unique to Jerusalem and matching samples near the site of the crucifixion were embedded within the fabric.

Abrasions on the images shoulder indicative of one having carried a heavy object (such as a cross) as well as thorn-like wounds on the head were discovered.

Wrist wounds found on the image measure the exact same size of a nails circumference while an elliptical-shaped side wound is comparable to one that could have been inflicted by the head of a spear used by Roman soldiers back then.

An extraordinary separation can be seen on the Shroud between red and clear blood serumtypical of one who has died and suffered a wound resulting in a distinct flow of both blood and water from the wound. This was an event specifically mentioned in the Gospel of John.

Traces of 49 different types of pollen were identified on the Shroud, of which 33 were native to Palestine and three were unique to Jerusalem.

A faint imprint of coins appears on the images eye lidsplacement of which was a typical Jewish tradition of that day for those who had died. The imprints are believed to be of coins existing two years before the birth of Christ and to have been used in the day of Pontius Pilatethe Roman official who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Shroud has a 3-inch wide side strip sown with a stitch only used in Palestine during the first century.

In another surprising discovery, it is discernible as well from the Shrouds image that the subject was not static, revealing some subtle signs of movement, typical of one still breathing.

While the image does not portray a supine Jesus, nor does it show Him standing or resting upon anything but, rather, floating. This begs the question why would He appear to be suspended in mid-airunless it was the moment of the resurrection that was captured on the fabric.

As the image was not painted, the theory has emerged it was created by an intense burst of energy, similar to the vacuum ultraviolet radiation of lasers, that could have discolored the linen fibers, without scorching the cloth. This further supports a conclusion that the Shroud captured the resurrection itself.

With all the detail now known about the Shroud, it is inconceivable that it could have been the fraudulent work of man, created long after the resurrection of Jesus. While many of the details offered above might seem simplistic in resolving the complexity of such an issue, we need to recall an idiom, misattributed to the Devil, that God is in the detailsa German quote emphasizing how crucial meticulous attention to detail is in achieving truth and accuracy.

Hopefully, the Shroud of Turins revelations abovealong with recent developments about the possible discovery of Noahs Arkwill bring Christianitys long term decline in America to an end.

Image: Public domain.
When I was in grade school, it was very common to have someone call you a name, like a poopy head. The response was swift. Im not a poopy head. Youre a poopy head. The Hill just did that. Clearly troubled by increasing evidence that Joe Biden was seriously demented during his time in office, it dug up a McCain supporter (i.e., someone who hates the MAGA movement) and ran an entire opinion piece insisting that the real problem is that Trump is demented. The only problem is that, in my humble estimation, the proof in the essay falls woefully short of reality.

The essay, entitled Trumps mental decline is undeniable  so now what? comes from the keyboard of Chris Truax, who is identified as an appellate attorney who served as Southern California chair for John McCains primary campaign in 2008, and someone who opposed Trump from 2015 on. Regarding McCain, Ill just remind you that, because Trump hurt his feelings, he blocked Obamacares repeal. McCain was a very brave POW, but at the end of the day, he put his personal pique ahead of the good of the country, and Ive never forgiven him for that.

Image created using AI.

Anyway, Truax is very worried. Trump, he says, is demented. Completely and totally demented. And Truax has got the proof. And therein lies the problem, for it turns out that one mans proof is another mans youre a poopy head.

The first proof is that Donald Trump misstated his Uncle Johns degrees and academic relationship to Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. Thus, Trump said Uncle John had degrees in nuclear, chemical, and math when his degrees were actually in electrical engineering and physics. Trump also claimed his uncle had taught Kaczynski and said the guy was smart. In fact, Kaczynski went to Harvard, not MIT, where Uncle John taught, and was arrested in 1996, more than a decade after Trumps uncle died.

According to Truax, these misstatements go beyond lying and are, instead, confabulationthat is, the stories we tell when our brains no longer work right. This, he says, is a clear and early sign of dementia. But does Trumps Uncle John narrative really fall into that category?

If Trump had misremembered his own degrees, that would be concerning. However, how many of us remember with precision the details of other peoples lives, especially those who have been gone for a long time? Biden, by contrast, told endless stories about himself that were manifestly untrue. Trump got his long-dead uncles scientific degrees wrong. Big whoop!

As for the claim that Uncle John said Kaczynski was a smart guy, Im betting that Trump heard that from someone who had, indeed, taught Kaczynski. The nub of the story was true, but he misremembered the narrator. Again, how many of us commonly make the error without being demented?

But thats one thing. What about Trumps struggle with mathematics? Thats a sign of dementia, too, writes Truax, and Trump has it:

Now watch Trump attempting to explain how he is going to make drug prices go down by 1,000 percent, 600 percent, 500 percent, 1,500 percent. Thats complete nonsense, unless drug companies will be paying patients to accept prescriptions, since reducing drug prices by 100 percent would mean they were free.

What youre seeing in those words, if youve been paying attention to Trumps rhetorical style for the last three or four decades, is puffery, flourishes, and dramatic exaggeration. Hes always done that. Its part of his yuuuge way of selling things.

Truax is falling into the same trap in which all Trump haters find themselves. Salena Zito perfectly described it in 2016: The press takes him literally, but not seriously; his supporters take him seriously, but not literally.

One of the reasons Trump runs rings around his opponents, when hes not temporarily handicapped by their committing criminal fraud against him, is that theyre willfully blind to what hes saying. Its like going into a medieval sword fight with your helmet pulled over your eyes.

Truax also contends that Trump is confabulating when he suggests that Obama and Comey corrupted the Epstein evidence then in their possession. Truaxs point is that Epsteins big arrest came in 2019, when Obama and Comey were already out of power. However, Epstein has been in the public eye as a despoiler of girls for a lot longer than that.

Given the revelations about Obama and Comey, its easy to believe that they would have begun stealth opposition behavior at the earliest possible opportunity. Im not saying that they did; Im just saying that the 2019 arrest cut-off is meaningless in terms of suspecting them of evil deeds.

Unlike the senile fossil who recently vacated the White House, Donald Trump is a dynamo who is clearly completely compos mentis. A man who can negotiate cut-throat trade deals with world leaders, preside over the most daring attack in modern history against Iran, and revamp our border, our economy, and our woke institutions, all while freely informing and sparring with the media, is not demented.

The fact that Trump forgets or muddles a few ancient facts, that he engages in ridiculous hyperbole, or that hes justifiably paranoid about prior administrations possible actions against him proves only that hes a brilliant, energetic eccentric with a lot of years under his belt. And hes definitely not a poopy head.
Much has been made of the factand appropriately sothat the New York Times dedicated over half its front page to a photo of a genetically sick child framed in such a way to make it appear it was a victim of the alleged Israel-created famine while effectively ignoring the videos Hamas proudly released showing starved Israeli hostages, one of whom was being forced to dig own grave. I want to focus on something a little different, though, which is the fundamental nature of the two cultures currently at war.

I wrote yesterday about the archaeological discovery of what may be the Tabernacle that housed the Ark at Shiloh for over three hundred years (sometime between the 15th and 11th centuries B.C.). I ended my post by saying Am Yisrael Chai!

X screen grab.

A friend wrote to ask me what that phrase means. It means the people of Israel live. That sounds kind of obvious. I mean, the people of America live, as do the people of every other country who arent already moldering in their graves.

However, the phrase the people of Israel live has a very different connotation in Israel. It speaks to the roughly 4,000 years of history that have never, not once, torn the Jews from their land. Imperial conquerors have come and gone, but the people have remained and, more than that, theyve kept their core culture intact. They speak the same language and are organized around the same faith. No other nation in the world has that. The people of Israel live.

Israels thriving is also the ultimate victory over the Nazis. And no, the world didnt give the Jews a nation as a consolation prize for the Holocaust. The notion of reconstituting the ancient nation of Israel arose in the late 19th century. At the time, it was a malarial backwater of the rotting Ottoman Empire. Jews bought the land and, when Britain gained sovereignty over it as one of the spoils of WWI, it committed to giving the land back to the Jews. Since then, Jews have held the land by the ancient right of war.

The Nazis slaughtered six million Jews, but Israels 7.2 million Jews are the ultimate reminder that, despite the Holocaust, the people of Israel live. Incidentally, of the remaining 2.2 million people in Israel, 2 million of them are Arabs. The surrounding Arab nations, as well as the lands occupied by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, are completely or almost completely Judenrein (Jew free).

The preeminence of living is a mandate from God:

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19.)

If youve ever been fortunate enough to visit Israel, people have indeed chosen life, living it with gusto. They celebrate their culture, their community, the beautiful nature around them, the pleasures of life, food, travel, etc. One of the most popular Israeli songs of the 1970s was utterly focused on a peaceful future.

This vigor and joy arent simply because Israelis, through endless hard work, created a thriving, affluent community out of a land both arid and swampy. Instead, its an affirmative choice. Just as individuals can choose happiness, so can nations.

Israel wages war with an eye to life, too. Contrary to the propaganda, Israel does everything it can to preserve civilian life during war. No other nation in the world gives up its military advantage to provide advance warning of bombing strikes, so that civilians can flee an area. And no other nation in the history of the world has provided millions of tons of food to its enemy during a hot war.

This isnt random; its policy. The Israeli military abides by a Code of Ethics called Purity of Arms:

The IDF servicemen and women will use their weapons and force only for the purpose of their mission, only to the necessary extent and will maintain their humanity even during combat. IDF soldiers will not use their weapons and force to harm human beings who are not combatants or prisoners of war, and will do all in their power to avoid causing harm to their lives, bodies, dignity and property.

It's a certainty that, during a hot war, Israeli troops, in the heat of battle, will occasionally deliberately or accidentally violate this code. However, it is a life-affirming standard to which Israel aspires even during times of war. No wonder Col. Richard Kemp called the IDF the most moral army the world has ever known.

And then there is the enemy, which is committed to death over life. Beginning in pre-school, its children are raised to dream of slaughtering Jews and themselves becoming martyrs. (See, e.g., here, here, and here.) As Hezbollahs one-time leader Hassan Nasrallah said, The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win because they love life and we love death.

When Hamas, along with thousands of Gaza civilians, invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, this was not a business-like, military affair. It was a death cult orgy, in which the marauders gleefully filmed themselves torturing and slaughtering men, women, and children, right down to infants in their cribs. One excited man interrupted his religious rapture to call his parents and boast about the slaughter.

As with the Jews embrace of life, the enemys death cult is part of their scripture. Mohammed, a warlord, repeatedly told his followers that it was a religious imperative to slaughter people, with special attention paid to slaughtering Jews. In addition, the Koran views womens rape and sexual enslavement as a good tactic and a perk of being Muslim.

The number of people who have died thanks to Islams approach to holiness is incalculable. Im going to guess that it comes close to a billion. Muslims also ran the African slave trade, as well as enslaving an estimated 1.25 million Europeans.

So, keep in mind that, as the world accuses Israel of genocide based upon carefully curated information straight from Hamas itself (there is no famine), its Hamas that boasts about how it tortures the handful of Jews who still survive in the cages and caves that honeycomb the land under Gaza civilians homes, schools, and hospitals:

This is how Gazans are starving the hostages. Watch it. Really, watch it. Its what real starvation looks like. pic.twitter.com/4ebmjlP4rW  Max Abrahms (@MaxAbrahms) July 31, 2025 How psychopathic is Hamas?



It forced starving hostage Evyatar David to DIG HIS OWN GRAVE for the cameras. pic.twitter.com/iMa404St4s  Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) August 2, 2025 Two videos side by side:

On the left we see Hamas terrorists in a tunnel, feasting on abundant food, including aid parcels meant for the civilian population.



On the right is Evyatar David. A starving Israeli hostage in the tunnels for now 666 dayspic.twitter.com/VJLiNuQf5q  Hamas Atrocities (@HamasAtrocities) August 2, 2025

So, there you have it: Two cultures, one dedicated to life and one to death. It says something profound, in a truly awful way, that socialists at home and abroad have chosen to ally themselves with the death cult. That is their value: They choose death, and the next death they choose might be yours.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a stern reprimand to the Zanu-PF Harare provincial executive, led by Goodwills Masimirembwa, over a series of internal transgressions that party insiders say are fuelling deepening factionalism within the ruling party.Chiwenga, accompanied by Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and secretary-general Obert Mpofu, delivered the dressing-down during a high-level meeting held last Tuesday at the party's headquarters in Harare. The gathering included members from the party's main wing, the women's and youth leagues, and Harare-based central committee members.According to party insiders, the vice president accused the provincial leadership of straying from party ideology and prioritising personal financial gain over Zanu-PF principles. "VP Chiwenga preached the history of the liberation struggle to us as a province and told Masimirembwa that no amount of money can buy Zanu-PF, or the blood that was shed during the war," one source said.Chiwenga reportedly took aim at the province's attempts to co-opt individuals into the central committee without following laid-down procedures, specifically citing the failed effort to bring businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei into the powerful body. He instructed the province to immediately halt all such moves.The vice president also ordered the reinstatement of around 13 members  mostly from the youth wing  who were recently suspended without due process, allegedly for backing Chiwenga as a potential successor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The suspensions had deepened suspicions of internal purges linked to the ongoing power contest within the party.Masimirembwa, sources said, was further admonished for leasing out Zanu-PF offices to vendors and allegedly pocketing the rental income. He was directed to redirect all funds collected from party assets to the national party finance department. "Masimirembwa apologised profusely for breaching party procedures," a senior official present at the meeting confirmed.Another flashpoint in the meeting was the handling of 18 vehicles reportedly donated to the province by Tagwirei. The central leadership ordered that the cars be surrendered to party headquarters. However, resistance quickly surfaced, with provincial political commissar Voyage Dambuza and others reportedly dismissing the directive as "baseless threats" in internal WhatsApp groups.The developments come amid growing tensions in Zanu-PF over the party's 2028 succession question. A faction aligned with Mnangagwa is believed to favour Tagwirei as his successor, while another bloc, mostly aligned with the military establishment, continues to back Chiwenga  a key architect of the 2017 coup that ousted former President Robert Mugabe.Despite pressure from allies to extend his rule, Mnangagwa has publicly stated several times that he will not seek a third term beyond 2028. Nevertheless, the party controversially passed a resolution at last year's conference in Bulawayo proposing a constitutional amendment to allow him to stay in office until at least 2030.Masimirembwa declined to comment when contacted.As Zanu-PF continues to grapple with internal discord and succession jostling, Tuesday's confrontation suggests a growing impatience from the party's top brass with rogue provincial elements. Whether Chiwenga's rebuke will restore order or further entrench divisions remains to be seen.
With the second Trump term, reestablishing the rule of law is underway, but its universal realization is uncertain. Federal anti-discrimination law is clear enough, but hasnt been enforced, or has been bizarrely interpreted to not only allow men pretending to be women to participate in womens sports, but to suggest that was the intention of those writing such laws.

Other laws have been warped not only to allow the surgical mutilation of gender confused children, but to force taxpayers to pay for the procedures and to entirely abrogate parents rights to direct the upbringing of their children. Kamala Harris ran on free trans surgeries for illegal immigrants and imprisoned felons.

All manner of new and novel rights have been discovered, virtually all pandering to small numbers of the mentally ill, and directly interfering with the rights of Normal Americans, making mockery of the foundational principle that individual rights restrain government and do not force others to abandon their rights or to pay for the exercise of these new rights by Normal Americans.

Graphic: X Post

All manner of new immigration rights follow a four-year span of an unlimited right to enter and remain in America without vetting or even the assurance immigrants werent bringing in Third World diseases. Suddenly, federal district court judges have the power to establish universal, nationwide injunctions so long as those injunctions usurp the Article II powers of President Trump. Even though the Supreme Court has affirmed no such power exists in the Constitution or law, that hasnt stopped leftist judges who simply ignore the Supreme Court or engage in legalistic dodging around the Courts order.

Whats becoming increasingly clear is it will take more than a single four-year presidential term to come close to restoring the rule of law and bare, basic sanity. Every agency, bureau and facet of the federal government and the NGOs, associations and other groups they support with taxpayer money, legislation and dubious legal decisions are full of leftist true believers, some overt, some stealthy, but all determined to maintain Democrat Party power and ideology. This includes DEI, CRT, racial preferences, trans rights, and never-ending efforts to abolish the First and Second Amendments, among other western civilization-ending lunacies.

Democrats, like communists, play the long game. And why shouldnt they? The Republican Party, their primary opponent, earns the title The Stupid Party every day. Republicans worry about the next election. Democrats worry about ruling forever, and theyll do whatever is necessary to achieve that power, including lawfare, lying, jailing political opponents, even assassination.

Driving their lust for power is the unshakable belief their ideology is non-falsifiable. It is perfect and so are they. Their policies cannot possibly be wrong, and no evidence of failure can serve to prove them wrong. They cant admit fault because theyre faultless.

Thats why the Democrat Party, which is increasingly becoming fully Communist, continues to argue Socialism/Communism are perfect and the salvation of mankind. Never mind the hundred million-plus corpses and the utter economic failure of both, they just havent been done right yet. Our current Democrats are uniquely qualified both morally and intellectually, to finally do them right.

It appears New York City is on the verge of giving them that chance as theyre ready to elect an Islamist/Communist Mayor, and so it appears is Minneapolis. They would be absolute disasters. If able to fully impose their ideology, theyll financially and culturally wreck both cities, which is what Communists do, but the only lesson theyll learn is Communism just hasnt been done right yet. Again.

Progress toward restoring our constitutional, representative republic is unquestionably being made. Sanity is being restored, and some Democrats are even admitting they went too far in going too far. A very few are admitting their beliefs and ideology are wrong. Even Rahm Emmanuel recently admitted men cannot become women:

Thank you, [Megyn] Kelly responded, adding later that Emanuels answer was so easy. Why dont more people in your party just say that? she added. Because were  Im now going to go into a witness protection plan, he joked.

It was an uneasy joke. Even Emmanual knows Democrat power and future intentions may be only temporarily delayed.

The medical profession, ethicists, universities, corporations and governmental agencies are being forced to obey the law, but far too many true believers remain hidden within them. Morally and intellectual superior beings, they wait their chance to once again fly their freak flags and impose their policies on Normal Americans.

The mind reels and words fail indeed, but not nearly as much as they will if Republicans dont begin playing the long game and strike back, twice as hard, using Democrats tactics against them.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Okay, I admit it. Before today, Id never heard of Movember, but apparently its a really big deal. In 1999, a bunch of Australian blokes came up with the idea of growing mustaches in November to raise money for prostate cancer research and treatment.

The movement gained momentum, and by 2004, the Movember Foundation was established. Today, Movember is the largest fundraiser in the world for male health ($1.1 billion (AUS) in 20 years, according to its CEO)except that its an almost entirely female-run institution, and these womens idea of male health seemingly has less to do with treating cancer than with treating toxic masculinity.

My information comes from Bettina Arndts substack, and shes got receipts to back up her claims. Its a well-researched essay, long without being boring, so I urge you to read the whole thing, but heres the CliffsNotes version.

Image created using AI.

Movembers current CEO is Michelle Terry. In a sign of the organizations direction, under Terry, Movember has partnered with the UN. Well, more than that, its partnered with UN Women, which is a weird partnership for a group dedicated to mens health.

As part of that alliance, Terry promised that Movember would focus on healthymasculinities, and that the organization would mentor...women. There would, she said, be gender parity in leadership. Her idea of gender parity is a 70% women-led organization.

Whats really stunning is the change in spending as the organization dedicated to mens health has become feminized. Arndt has a graph showing that Movembers spending on prostate and testicular cancer research has plummeted, with the largest funding growth going to mental health and suicide prevention.

Superficially, this might be okay. Maybe theres more than enough money being spent on prostate and testicular cancer, and men in the West are certainly struggling.

After all, when youre denigrated as toxic, driven out of institutions, shunned by women, demonized by family courts, and increasingly finding solace in drugs and porn videos, with many eventually committing suicide (75% of suicides in Australia are men), theres a problem. An organization thats concerned about mens health might want to work on reinstating men as equal members of society, while telling them that their innate manly traits, when channeled in healthy, moral ways, are virtues, not vices.

However, thats not what Movember is doing. It began by sending huge sums of money to an Australian suicide prevention program...which spends 60% of its resources helping women, who account for only 25% of suicides.

At that moment, says Arndt, Movember might have rethought its approach and tried to understand why men are so suicidal. It might have directed its funds to programs that are identifying mens real risk factors and coming up with ways to help them. But, no, thats not how feminists operate:

Even though it might make sense to have men supported by other men, Movember takes a different tack. Given that the suicide prevention sector is female dominated  with over 70% of mental health nurses, psychologists and other support people being women - the focus of much of Movembers suicide prevention work is training these women to talk to men. Stop men slipping through the cracks, says their promotion, claiming they provide the latest strategies to teach these women to talk to vulnerable men. This means they blame men for being unwilling to reach out to a friend for fear of being judged or appearing vulnerable or weak. Heres where Movembers healthy masculinities ideology seeps in and the program becomes one more way of fixing men rather than helping them. They push the standard feminist narrative, claiming men are defective and if they are suffering it must be their own fault.

Yup, while Henry Higgins once sang, Why cant a woman be more like a man, an obviously satirical song, Movembers management is insisting that if men could just be more like women, all their problems would be solved.

This is nonsense. Men and women belong to the same species, but they are not identical; they are, instead, complementary, ideally fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces. A healthy society recognizes these differences and raises little boys and girls to have a high-functioning symbiotic relationship. An unhealthy society demonizes boys and men, drives them to suicide, and then complains that theyre not women.

In 1989, John OSullivan coined his first law: All organizations that are not actually right-wing will over time become left-wing. One could add that all organizations that are intended to benefit men but that allow women in will eventually turn on the men to benefit the women.
Andy Farrell has provided an encouraging update on James Ryan after the British and Irish Lions lock was taken off on a stretcher following a sickening incident in the third Test.

The Lions were beaten 22-12 by the Wallabies in Sydney to miss out on the series clean sweep they had coveted on a night marred by injuries and a long weather delay.

The tourists had already lost Maro Itoje and Tommy Freeman after the pair failed head injury assessments when Ryans head collided with the knee of a carrying Will Skelton as he attempted to tackle the Australia lock.

The Irishman appeared to be knocked out and play was immediately halted to allow him to receive treatment. He was hoisted on to a medical cart and taken off the pitch, with Ryan able to raise a thumb in acknowledgement of the crowd as he was taken off.

Hes up and talking, Farrell said, allaying fears of serious injury with Ryan not taken to hospital.

He was [knocked] out there for a few minutes. But he is back and in good spirits. Hes going to be fine.

The incident involving Ryan came moments before the players were taken from the field with lightning strikes in the vicinity of the Accor Stadium forcing a pause.

Play eventually resumed after 40 minutes with the Lions unable to claw back Australias lead. The series therefore ends 2-1 in the visiting teams favour, just as it did 12 years ago.

I suppose there is obviously going to be frustration there, Farrell admitted. Weve said all along that we wanted to win every game, but the best team won on the night today. I just said to the lads, on reflection, it might take one, it might take two beers, but they will be unbelievably proud of what theyve achieved throughout this tour.

The Lions secured series victory despite defeat in the final Test (Getty Images)

I suppose the legacy for us is in that changing room. The togetherness of not just the players but the whole group has been an absolute delight to work with.
The BBC has been criticised for not yet having paid court-ordered damages to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.

The corporation lost a major defamation case earlier this year after Mr Adams took them to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story.

They contained an allegation that Mr Adams sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams denied any involvement.

In May, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euros (84,000) after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article.

The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leaders legal costs.

BBC Northern Ireland director Adam Smyth (centre) outside the High Court in Dublin after the court case (Brian Lawless/PA)

Adam Smyth, director of BBC NI, expressed disappointment in the verdict and said the corporation believes it supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial process and journalistic diligence applied to the programme and accompanying online article.

After the decision, the broadcasters legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award as it took time to consider an appeal, subject to paying half the damages (50,000 euros or 42,000) and 250,000 euros (210,000) towards solicitors fees.

In June, the BBC confirmed it would not pursue an appeal.

However, it is understood that by August 1 the BBC had not paid the damages.

Mr Adams previously indicated that he planned to donate what he receives to good causes.

He specified that these would include for children in Gaza as well as groups in the Irish language sector and those who are homeless.

A source close to Mr Adams told the PA news agency: The delay by the BBC is deplorable and it should move speedily towards discharging the order of the court.

A BBC spokesperson said: Total costs will be finalised and payable in due course.
A compensation scheme to pay out to drivers who were mis-sold car loans could cost as much as 18bn, the financial regulator has said.

Millions of drivers were denied payouts after the Supreme Court ruled on Friday (1 August) that lenders are not liable for hidden commission payments in car finance schemes.

Two lenders, FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers, challenged a Court of Appeal ruling that the secret commission payments paid to car dealers as part of finance arrangements made before 2021  without the motorists fully informed consent  were unlawful.

After the Supreme Courts decision the bulk of the claims will therefore not go ahead, with only the most serious claims eligible for compensation. The 18bn figure is a significant drop from the 45bn if the Supreme Court upheld the ruling in full.

Members of the media report from outside the Supreme Court in London on the day of the ruling (PA Wire)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the final cost of the scheme would depend on its final design, which makes it difficult to estimate precisely.

The FCA thinks it unlikely the cost of the scheme, including to run it, would be much lower than 9bn, it said in a statement. And it could be higher, up to 18bn in some scenarios, though the FCA doesnt believe these are the most likely. A total cost midway in the range, as forecast by some analysts, is more plausible.

Individuals are forecasted to receive less than 950 in compensation.

The consultation for payouts is due to be launched by early October, with the first payments due to be made in 2026.

Those who have already made complaints do not need to do anything further, the FCA added, and anyone who believes they were not told about commission, and believe they may have paid too much, should make a complaint now.

The FCA said consumers do not need to use a claims management company or law firm for the claim.

It is clear that some firms have broken the law and our rules. Its fair for their customers to be compensated. We also want to ensure that the market, relied on by millions each year, can continue to work well and consumers can get a fair deal, said Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA.

Our aim is a compensation scheme thats fair and easy to participate in, so theres no need to use a claims management company or law firm. If you do, it will cost you a significant chunk of any money you get, he added.

It will take time to establish a scheme but we hope to start getting people any money they are owed next year.
The firings of bird flu experts at the USDA were taking place at almost the exact moment one of Donald Trumps advisers was on television boasting about how the agency would be implementing new policies to fight the outbreak. (AP)

A second confirmed case of Elon Musks DOGE team accidentally firing critical government workers is leaving egg on the presidents face.

NBCs report revealing that officials at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) working on the federal efforts to halt the spread of bird flu at poultry and dairy farms comes at a poor time for the administration. Egg prices are skyrocketing as the culling of millions of chickens  implemented by the USDA to halt the disease in farms where it is discovered  has caused shortages.

The agency expects prices to jump another 20 percent this year.

But a spokesperson for the USDA on Tuesday was forced to admit to reporters that Elon Musks DOGE initiative has already hindered the agencys efforts. Several employees critical to the agencys bird flu response efforts were laid off by order of DOGE staffers, according to the USDA, only for the layoffs to be rescinded after the necessity of the axed positions was explained to Musks team.

"Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters," a USDA spokesperson told NBC.

The agency would go on to say that it was actually looking to expand the teams assigned to food safety: We are continuing to hire the workforce necessary to ensure the safety and adequate supply of food to fulfill our statutory mission.

Bird Flu Veterinarians (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

By the spokespersons own admission, the firings of bird flu experts at the USDA were taking place at almost the exact moment one of Donald Trumps advisers was on television boasting about how the agency would be implementing new policies to fight the outbreak.

Politico separately reported that at least some of the firings impacted a fourth of the employees at the National Animal Health Laboratory Network  described as already short on staff  which coordinates disease testing between laboratories around the country. Some labs had already been informed that testing for positive cases of bird flu would be delayed by the time the firings were reversed.

The Biden plan was to just, you know, kill chickens, and they spent billions of dollars just randomly killing chickens within a perimeter where they found a sick chicken, Kevin Hassett, director of the White Houses National Economic Council, said derisively this Sunday on CBS News.

Hed go on to claim that the USDA was finalizing the ideas about implementing better biosecurity measures at poultry farms with the best scientists in government.

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, slammed Joe Biden for taking the same approach to bird flu as Trump had in his first term. (CBS News)

The Biden administration did primarily pursue mass cullings of birds at farms where the virus was detected, starting in February 2022 with the first recorded instance at a U.S. facility since 2020. But the USDA pursued the exact same policy under Trumps first term; though the virus detected at a Tennessee poultry plant in 2017 was a different strain than the H5N1 virus currently behind the brunt of the U.S. outbreak. At one farm during Trumps first six months in office that year more than 70,000 chickens were culled.

Hassetts ill-timed slam of the Biden administrations policies comes as his boss approaches the end of his first month in office. The presidents party in Congress is still struggling to unify behind a budget bill, with cuts to Medicaid potentially on the table along with reductions to other areas of the social safety net, including food stamps.

The House GOP is hoping to cut two trillion dollars from the federal budget  all while boosting funding for U.S. defense and border security, and extending the 2017 Republican tax cuts.

The latest round of mistaken firings at the DOGE teams apparent direction even miffed some Republican lawmakers in Congress. To several news outlets, GOP House members have vented frustrations privately and in a few cases, publicly, about the speed and recklessness of the personnel reductions Musks team is directing.

President Trump's top economic adviser Kevin Hassett says he is preparing a plan with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to address the outbreak of bird flu in the U.S. and will present it to President Trump as early as next week.



Hassett says the Biden administration's plan pic.twitter.com/1z0QxNc0Pq  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 16, 2025

"Before making cuts rashly, the Administration should be studying and staffing to see what the consequences are. Measure twice before cutting. They have had to backtrack multiple times," said Don Bacon of Nebraska, a member of the Agriculture committee.

And while Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa told a local radio station that Congress cant do anything but complain about personnel changes, lawmakers could indeed cause problems for the administration if the DOGE team targets funding approved by the legislative branch.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has spoken about securing a guarantee that the DOGE team will not go after any such funding in exchange for Democratic votes to pass a funding measure to get the federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year, though its unclear if Mike Johnson will take that deal  or even need to.

Meanwhile, new USDA director Brooke Rollins (who claimed last week that the DOGE-directed changes at her agency will make us faster and more efficient) told Fox & Friends that the Trump team was looking for lessons from other countries to control bird flu outbreaks.

We are looking at every possible scenario to ensure that we are doing everything we can in a safe, secure manner but also to ensure that Americans have the food that they need," said Rollins.
Lucy Hargreaves was shot dead in her home on 3 August 2005 (Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

The family of a mother shot dead in her Liverpool home 20 years ago has made a fresh appeal for information on her murder.

Lucy Hargreaves, 22, was asleep on her sofa when three men burst into her Walton home on 3 August 2005.

They fatally injured her, then set fire to the Lambourne Road property, forcing her partner and two-year-old daughter to escape through an upstairs window.

Two decades later, her family is urging anyone with details to come forward to help to achieve justice for Lucy.

They have also released a previously unshared college photograph of the mother-of-three.

Following Ms Hargreaves death, a number of people were contacted by males using a phone that was stolen, along with a vehicle used in Lucys murder, the family said.

Lucy Hargreaves in a previously unshared photograph (Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

The people who received the calls could have information which could be crucial in achieving justice for Lucy and her loved ones, they said.

We appeal directly to them to please come forward. Now is the time.

Police arrested 21 people as part of their investigation into the murder, but no one has been convicted.

A comprehensive review into Ms Hargreaves death was launched by Merseyside Police two years ago and remains ongoing.

Howard Rubbery, head of the serious case review unit, said: It is now 20 years since Lucy was taken from her family in the most brutal of circumstances.

After carrying out the killing, the offenders ignored the cries of a toddler upstairs as they poured petrol around the house and set fire to it.

Their callous and reckless actions could have claimed the lives of two more people that night, had they not escaped the flames by jumping from a window upstairs.

Lucy Hargreaves was a strong woman who could have achieved so much (Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

Merseyside Police are as determined as ever to get justice for Ms Hargreaves, Mr Rubbery said.

Her death robbed her family of a loving mother and daughter, he said.

As with any unsolved murder, time is no barrier to our pursuit of justice for Lucy and we appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact us.

Ms Hargreaves family, who said they miss her every single day, welcomed a focus on tackling violence against women and girls in recent years.

They praised the families of other victims of gun crime, including the mothers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel and 28-year-old Ashley Dale, who were shot in their homes in separate incidents in Liverpool in August 2022.

The mums of both Ashley Dale and Olivia Pratt Korbel have led a real and powerful community challenge to men of violence.

The family remembered Ms Hargreaves as a strong woman who could have achieved so much had she only been given the opportunity.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about a gold Lexus car, believed to have been dumped shortly after the shooting on Richard Kelly Drive, Clubmoor, by a number of men who then ran in the direction of Normandale Road.

Police previously said they wanted to speak to Kevin Thomas Parle in connection with Ms Hargreaves murder.

Parle, who was believed to be living abroad, was also wanted in connection with the murder of Liam Kelly, 16, who was shot in the early hours of 19 June 2004 in Dingle, Liverpool.

Anyone with information should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC, on Facebook at Merseyside Police Contact Centre or through the Merseyside Police website.

Information can also be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comedian Harry Hill has said he worked tirelessly to achieve success when he first became a performer, as he was used to working up to 100 hours a week as a doctor.

Hill, who gave up medicine for a career in comedy, was speaking as he appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs.

I was absolutely driven, he told host Lauren Laverne.

I had gone from doing 80, 100 hours a week as a doctor, getting up at the crack of dawn. Suddenly I had all this time free during the day, so I really felt like I had something to prove.

So I would get up and I would write jokes.

Hill said he would make constant calls to get bookings when he started doing stand-up in the early 1990s.

I would just bug them and bug them, he said.

I was absolutely merciless in my pursuit of it. Its not the funniest people that get on, its the pushiest. And I was pushy.

Hill, whose real name is Matthew Hall, said his first stand-up gig was at a Mexican restaurant in South Norwood, south London.

My first gag got a laugh, and it completely threw me because I had been rehearsing it without laughs, he told Laverne.

But he recovered and continued his routine, and even got another booking from it.

Hill, who won the Perrier Award for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1992, said being a comedian means I can get away with just about any silly behaviour.

Hill, who created and presented Harry Hills TV Burp on ITV from 2001 to 2012, said he takes time to prepare ahead of his comedy routines.

I have to have an hour to myself, he said. Its not a character, it is me. It is a persona, if you like.

I have to pace up and down and work myself up, because if I dont do that its not as funny.

Describing how he felt about being a doctor, he told Laverne about an incident soon after he qualified, when he had to break the news to a man that his wife had unexpectedly died during an operation.

I was completely out of my depth, he said.

I told him and he started crying, and I started crying. I thought this is  this isnt good. What it makes you do is bottle up your emotions.

But he added: I wasnt a bad doctor.

Among the songs he chose as his desert island discs were Hey Bulldog by the Beatles, Life During Wartime by Talking Heads, and Gay Bar by Electric Six.

Hill said a thick book you could use to kill small mammals would be useful, and chose Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

He said his luxury item would be a bucket and spade, because wheres the fun of a sandy beach without the ability to make sandcastles?
Hundreds of seriously ill children from Gaza will be evacuated to the UK for treatment by the NHS, as part of a new plan due to be announced within weeks, according to a report.

Up to 300 young people will enter the UK for free medical care, a scheme which will run in parallel with another similar operation run by the Project Pure Hope group, a senior Whitehall source told The Times.

Since the war began in October 2023, only three children from Gaza have been issued medical visas for the UK, under the Project Pure Hope scheme, which is funded entirely by private donations.

Omniya Mahra, holds shirtless for a photo her sons Oday, 4, left, and Mohammed, 3, who suffer from malnutrition and a genetic nerve disorder, at the Friends of the Patient Hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The news comes amid a starvation crisis in the ravaged Gaza Strip, where partial and complete Israeli blockades on aid have been behind more than 160 malnutrition-related deaths, including 92 children, health authorities in Gaza say.

Ted Chaiban, Unicefs deputy executive director for humanitarian action and supply operations, said on Friday that more than 320,000 young children are at risk of acute malnutrition, after a recent trip to Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The malnutrition indicator in Gaza has exceeded the famine threshold, Mr Chaiban said in a statement.

Last month, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to evacuate badly injured children. He wrote in The Mirror: I know the British people are sickened by what is happening. The images of starvation and desperation in Gaza are utterly horrifying.

Palestinians clamour for the limited aid in Gaza (AP)

We are urgently accelerating efforts to evacuate children from Gaza who need critical medical assistance  bringing more Palestinian children to the UK for specialist medical treatment.

More than 100 MPs have signed a letter calling for the government to fast-track the scheme, The Times reports.

Labour backbench MP Stella Creasy said: The commitment we all share to help these children remains absolute and urgent  with every day, more are harmed or die, making the need to overcome any barriers to increasing the support we give them imperative.

We stand ready to support whatever it takes to make this happen and ask for your urgent response.

Israel denies there is widespread starvation and says that where there is significant hunger in the Strip, it is a result of the theft of aid by Palestinian militant group Hamas and of failure by the UN to successfully deliver aid.

But Unrwa, which was once the largest provider of humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza, says it has been entirely sidelined. Commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini said on Friday that the group has 6,000 trucks loaded with aid stuck waiting outside Gaza for Israel to give it the green light to enter.

Yazan Abu Ful, a two-year-old malnourished child, sits with his father for a picture at their home in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City (AP)

Earlier on Saturday, witnesses and medics said Israeli forces killed 10 people after opening fire near two aid distribution sites run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as crowds of hungry Palestinians sought food.

The violence came a day after US officials visited a GHF site and the US ambassador called the troubled system "an incredible feat. The GHF denies accusations by UN officials that the killings are partly a result of its aid distribution practices, and says no Palestinians have been killed on its sites.

Another 19 people were shot dead as they crowded near the Zikim crossing from Israel in the hope of obtaining aid, said Fares Awad, head of the Gaza health ministrys ambulance and emergency service.

Hamas said on Saturday it will carry on fighting until an independent Palestinian state is established in a fresh rebuke to a key Israeli demand to end the war in Gaza.

The militants said Hamas would not stop armed resistance until an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" is recognised.

Israel considers the disarmament of Hamas a key condition for any deal to end the conflict, but Hamas has repeatedly said it is not willing to lay down its weapons.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The SAPS' crime intelligence (CI) division has been fingered as the culprits who hacked President Cyril Ramaphosa's emails while he was serving as deputy president.The unit was fingered in an affidavit deposed to by police whistleblower Brig Tiyani Lincoln Hlungwani, who painted a disturbing picture of the misuse of state resources for political espionage.The hacking system allegedly used, referred to as Ultra Profiler, was acquired by the police as a replacement for Ripjar software. The Ultra Profiler is described as having capabilities to intercept and read people's emails and SMS messages.Hlungwani, former financial and administrative service section head in the SAPS crime intelligence division's secret services account, alleged that the hacking was part of a broader pattern of corruption and abuse within crime intelligence. Although it was widely reported that Ramaphosa's emails were hacked, the identity of those who carried out the unlawful operation remained a mystery."I know for a fact that the current president of the republic's emails were hacked while he was still deputy president by Crime Intelligence," Hlungwani states in his affidavit, which he deposed to in a bid to use it at the Zondo commission of inquiry but did not see the light of day.In the run up to the ANC's 2017 national conference, emails from Ramaphosa's private Gmail accounts, were leaked, suggesting that he was having multiple extra-marital affairs with women young enough to be his children, despite being married. Ramaphosa, then deputy president of the country and the party, was campaigning to become the head of the governing party.In the affidavit, which we have seen, Hlungwani refrains from naming the individuals involved but insists the operation was -real and deliberate.The affidavit, submitted to the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, outlines a culture of corruption, political interference, and the capture of crime intelligence by factions within the ANC.But Hlungwani never got to testify despite supplying the commission with boxes of evidence, according to former commission insiders.Hlungwani claims that crime intelligence had been weaponised to serve political agendas, with covert operations targeting political opponents and enriching connected individuals.In his affidavit, which is a damning indictment of the SAPS crime intelligence division, he alleged that the secret services account intended to fund covert operations, has been systematically looted and abused for political purposes."CI and the SSA (secret service account) in CI have been captured by political forces within the ruling party," he wrote. "Good people who know the work are not promoted and are pushed out of their jobs."He detailed how crime intelligence resources were allegedly used to support factions within the ANC during the party's conference in 2017. Hlungwani claimed that funds were disguised as operational expenses but were ultimately used for political purposes."There were monies requested through the secret service account for operations that were disguised but in truth were used for the purposes of the conference," he alleged.One of the most explosive allegations in the affidavit concerns the attempted purchase of a "grabber" device for R45-million. The grabber, capable of intercepting phone calls and tracking devices, was allegedly intended for use at the ANC's Nasrec conference. Hlungwani claimed the procurement process was riddled with irregularities and driven by political motives."I told Gen Ngcobo that the transaction would be illegal and unlawful," Hlungwani states, referring to the then acting divisional commissioner for crime intelligence, Major General King Ngcobo.Despite his warnings, the purchase was pushed forward, allegedly under pressure from senior officials, including the then national police commissioner and minister of police.Hlungwani's affidavit also implicates a well-known former minister in the alleged misuse of resources. He claims the minister was improperly involved in operational matters and pressured officials to approve questionable procurements.The affidavit suggests that minister's influence extended to the appointment of senior officials within Crime Intelligence. Hlungwani alleged that Lt-Gen Peter Jacobs, the former head of Crime Intelligence, was appointed due to his proximity to the minister, despite serious allegations against him."The minister and Gen Jacobs go way back; as I understand, they were together on Robben Island as well as in exile as comrades," Hlungwani alleged.Hlungwani's allegations highlight systemic issues within CI, including the appointment of unqualified individuals to key positions. He claims that nepotism and political loyalty have replaced merit and competence, undermining the division's ability to fulfil its mandate."The situation is so dire that CI is unable to identify the threats that the country is facing in relation to crime and is only reactionary," Hlungwani wrote. He points to the July 2021 unrest and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng as evidence of Crime Intelligence's failure to anticipate and prevent crises.Hlungwani said his affidavit is a call to action, accountability and reform. He warns that the division's capture by political forces poses a threat to South Africa's democracy and security."Crime intelligence has been weaponised to serve political agendas," he writes. "Various factions of the ruling ANC want to gain control over CI in order to access the funds in the SSA for political ends and to enrich connected persons."The affidavit raises urgent questions about the integrity of its intelligence services and the extent of political interference in state institutions.If true, the hacking of Ramaphosa's emails represents not just a breach of privacy but a dangerous erosion of trust in the very systems meant to protect the nation.Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the current SAPS leadership, including CI, is not aware of such allegations and activities.
The London-listed investment group ICG is closing in on a 200m deal to buy three of Britain's biggest regional airports.

Sky News has learnt that ICG is expected to sign a formal agreement to buy Bournemouth, Exeter and Norwich airports later this month.

The trio of sites collectively serve just over 2 million passengers annually.

ICG is buying the airports from Rigby Group, a privately owned conglomerate which has interests in the hotels, software and technology sectors.

Exeter acted as the hub for Flybe, the regional carrier which collapsed in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The deal will come amid a frenzy of activity involving Britain's major airports as infrastructure investors seek to exploit a recovery in their valuations.

AviAlliance, which is owned by the Canadian pension fund PSP Investments, agreed to buy the parent company of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports for 1.55bn last year.

London City Airport's shareholder base has just been shaken up with a deal which saw Australia's Macquarie take a large stake.

French investor Ardian has increased its investment in Heathrow Airport as the UK's biggest aviation hub proposes an expansion that will cost tens of billions of pounds.

ICG and Rigby Group declined to comment .
Vegas man shares heartbreaking story of trying to discover if brother is actually his son after accusing mom of abuse

A Las Vegas mans search for the truth about his family has returned inconclusive results.

Logan Gifford, 26, believes his younger brother, 15, could be his son after claiming his mother Doreene Gifford began sexually assaulting him when he was 10.

Doreene Gifford, was sentenced to eight to 20 years in jail after making an Alford plea, essentially a plea of no contest, on lesser charges, including attempted sex assault, 8 News Now reports. She has also registered as a sex offender and now lives in Massachusetts, according to the outlet.

Earlier this year, Logan Glifford filed a paternity case asking for a judge to order an advanced DNA test to determine who the teenagers father is.

That test was inconclusive, however. Logan Glifford said he and his father, Theodore, could both be the teenagers biological father, after their DNA both matched 99.9% to the sibling.

At a Thursday hearing, family court Judge Vincent Ochoa said that the test results were unsurprising. I think we should have known that was going to come out that way from the very beginning, Ochoa said, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The judge recommended further testing to ascertain who the teenagers father was. The judge awarded Logan Gifford temporary custody of his brother, as a temporary guardianship would have expired Thursday, according to the Review-Journal.

Speaking to the Vegas outlet, Logan Gifford said that he would be praying over the issue, but pursuing further testing in order to get genetic clarity for his brother.

The judge has recommended further testing to work out who the teenagers real father is (Getty Images)

Hes aware of whats going on and he understands why were trying to get to the truth for him, he said. Because this wasnt about me. This was about trying to get genetic answers for him.

A GoFundMe page set up by Logan Gifford to help him win custody and protect his brother, who he currently lives with along with his wife and stepdaughter, has raised almost $2,000.

In the page description, Logan Gifford describes the situation as a nightmare I never chose and calls the idea of his brother being his son a haunting possibility.

The court process is tough, and with his cognitive struggles and our complicated family history, I need help to secure his future and give him the life he deserves, Gifford wrote.

He added that he was also speaking out for male survivors everywhere.

Growing up, I faced shame, disbelief, and a system that didnt see mesocial services missed the signs and left me unprotected. Too many men suffer in silence, and Im determined to change that, he said.

Despite the previous inconclusiveness, experts have said it is likely that further testing will provide answers for the Giffords.

Arthur Beaudet, a past president of the American Society of Human Genetics, said such circumstances would require a higher level of investigation.

This is a job not for the average lab that does paternity testing and disputes between individuals all the time, he told the Review-Journal. This is a job for a top-notch expert in this area.
Leaked memo from Hegseths brother calls for US army to help with deportations nationwide for years to come: report

A leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security suggests that the Trump administration is considering using the U.S. military to boost its ongoing mass deportation agenda, while acknowledging the deployment of troops in Los Angeles earlier this year wasnt perfect, according to a new report.

The memo was allegedly written by DHS senior adviser Phil Hegseth, the brother of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The New Republic published the texts on Saturday.

President Donald Trump has already used U.S. military personnel in his aggressive deportation campaign. In June, Trump nationalized approximately 5,000 National Guard members and sent them to LA to push back against protesters demonstrating against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids in their neighborhoods.

In addition to the National Guard members, Trump also sent 700 U.S. Marines to the city to stomp out the "violent insurrectionist mob."

Most of the military members sent to LA have since been pulled out of the city.

A new leak involving the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, lead by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggests that the U.S. military will be used to assist with President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda (AP)

The DHS memo outlines a June 21 meeting between senior DHS and Pentagon officials, according to The New Republic, and suggests that U.S. military members will be needed to carry out Trumps deportation efforts for "years to come."

Top level officials from both agencies, including Hegseth and acting ICE commissioner Todd Lyons, were listed as participants, the outlet reported.

The memo advises departments on how they can "better plan for national security and illegal immigration" via three action items, including utilizing the Pentagon's "nationwide operational planning capabilities."

"The U.S. military leadership (the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and NORTHCOM) need to feel  for the first time  the urgency of the homeland defense mission. They need to understand the threat, whats at stake, and the political importance the administration has placed on this issue," the memo reads.

Later in the memo, it acknowledges that the troop deployment to LA didn't go the way the Trump administration had hoped. It does suggest that they are expecting similar operations to be carried out in the future, however.

(AFP/Getty)

Everyone here is also aware of our joint work in L.A., it states. It hasnt been perfect, and were still working through best practices together, but I think its a good indicator of the type of operations (and resistance) were going to be working through for years to come.

The Independent has requested comment from the Department of Homeland Security.
Two people have been arrested after a young man was stabbed to death at a home in Lewisham.

The Metropolitan Police was called to reports of a male with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 7.26pm on Saturday.

Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and medics from the London Air Ambulance, who provided emergency medical care.

Despite their efforts, Ayowale Aledejana, 26, of South Norwood, near Croydon, died at the scene.

His family are being supported by officers.

A man and woman, both 23, remain in custody on suspicion of murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, said: Our thoughts are with Ayowales family and friends at this difficult time.

I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances.

I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us to do so.

Anyone with information about the incident who hasn't yet spoken to officers is asked to call 101 quoting 6271/02AUG or message @MetCC on X.
A man has died after falling at Londons Wembley Stadium during an Oasis concert on Saturday.

Officers at the stadium responded to an incident at 10:19pm alongside medics at the venue and the London Ambulance Service after reports that someone had been injured.

"A man - aged in his 40s - was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

According to reports, the man was in the upper tier of Wembley before he fell while watching the sell-out reunion.

Photographs of Oasis Live '25 Tour at Wembley Stadium 25th July 2025 (Big Brother Recordings)

Oasis said in a statement: We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show last night.

Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.

The Met have called on people who witnessed the incident, or who knowingly or unknowingly took mobile phone footage of it to come forward.

The brothers were performing at Wembley Stadium as part of Oasiss ongoing reunion tour, which has seen hundreds of thousands in the UK witness Noel and Liam Gallaghers much-anticipated return.

Oasis will tour Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States before they return to London for two final dates at Wembley.

Police said in their statement: At around 22:19hrs on Saturday, 2 August, officers on duty at Wembley Stadium for the Oasis concert responded alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service to reports that a person had been injured.

A man - aged in his 40s  was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.

If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101, quoting 7985/02AUG.
Oasis have said they are "shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan" at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.

Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their "sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved".

Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.

The statement continued: "A man - aged in his 40s - was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."

According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium's upper tier.

A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as "horrific".

Metropolitan Police said: "The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.

"If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101."

Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.

Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: "This one's for all the people who can't be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren't they looking lovely. Live Forever."

The band then played the track of the same name.

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Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: "I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends."

A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: "Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers."

They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.

The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers' first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.
Englands Mimi Rhodes found an unusual way to score low on a tough day by sinking a remarkable hole-in-one in her final round at the AIG Womens Open.

High winds made for difficult conditions at Royal Porthcawl on Sunday but, with a fortuitous ricochet off her playing partners ball, Rhodes aced the par-three fifth.

Rhodes, who began six shots off the overnight lead of nine under held by Miyu Yamashita, had the benefit of following Stephanie Kyriacou off the tee.

The Australian went close to a hole-in-one herself with a shot that hit the green and came to rest inches from the cup.

Rhodes then played a very similar shot and, luckily for her, Kyriacous ball was handily placed for it to deflect in off. Kyriacou was still able to hole her short putt for a deserved birdie.

Meanwhile, Yamashita birdied the fourth to open up a three-shot lead as nearest challenger Kim A-lim dropped back to seven under following back-to-back bogeys.

Rhodes compatriot Charley Hull then cut the gap to two with consecutive birdies at the fifth and sixth.
Japans Miyu Yamashita held off a strong challenge from Charley Hull to win the AIG Womens Open by two shots on Sunday.

Yamashita, who began the day leading by one from Kim A-lim, carded a steady final-round 70 in blustery conditions to land her first major title with an 11-under-par total of 277 at Royal Porthcawl.

Hull, three strokes behind on six under overnight, emerged as the closest challenger as she picked up five birdies in a stretch of 10 holes either side of the turn.

Charley Hull was unable to sustain her challenge for the title (Nigel French/PA)

That twice took the Englishwoman within one shot of the lead but Yamashita, who put herself in a position of strength with three birdies on the front nine, was always able to keep herself in front.

A key period came as Yamashita overcame a nervy missed birdie putt to save par on the 14th by holing from an awkward distance.

At around the same time Hull, playing two groups ahead, dropped a shot at the par-four 16th after visiting a bunker and the rough before underhitting a chip.

It might have been worse but for holing a lengthy putt to escape with a bogey, but another shot was given away on the following hole.

That saw Yamashitas lead increase to three and allowed her to finish in relative comfort, with a bogey on the 17th the only blemish on her card.

Congratulations Miyu Yamashita, the 2025 AIG Women's Open Champion  pic.twitter.com/6cG0DF5weO  AIG Womens Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 3, 2025

Hull ended joint-second on nine under  her fourth runner-up finish in a major  alongside Minami Katsu of Japan, who birdied the last to shoot 69.

Kims challenge faded with a round that featured six bogeys but the 2020 US Womens Open winner managed to claw her way back into a share of fourth place on seven under with a birdie on the last. Another Japanese player, Rio Takeda, was alongside her after a 71.

Lottie Woad, winner of the Scottish Open last week on her professional debut, overcame bogeys on her first two holes to shoot 71 and finish in a tie for eighth place on four under.

Another Englishwoman, Mimi Rhodes, had a moment to savour with a remarkable hole-in-one on the par-three fifth, thanks to a fortunate ricochet off playing partner Stephanie Kyriacous ball.

With a little helping hand, Mimi Rhodes' hole-in-one is the AIG Shot of the Day  pic.twitter.com/SKTJ3uMGme  AIG Womens Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 3, 2025

Australian Kyriacou, who made a hole-in-one herself in the second round, played first and went close to another ace with a shot that came to rest inches from the cup.

Rhodes then played a very similar shot and, luckily for her, Kyriacous ball was handily placed for it to deflect in off.

That was the undoubted highlight of a 74 that saw Rhodes finish alongside Georgia Hall, who shot 75, on one under.

Reflecting on a success that came the day after her 24th birthday, Yamashita said at the presentation ceremony: To win such an historic tournament is such an incredible feeling. To have my family around me and have so much support around me is just amazing. Its something very special.

The course was set up very difficult, but it was in brilliant condition and the amount of fans I had around me pushed me to the victory.
A British woman has gone missing from a beach in northern Greece.

Michele Bourda, 59, is reported to have disappeared while her husband slept on Ofrynio beach in Kavala.

Her family soon raised the alarm but police have so far been unable to find her.

She had been swimming at midday on Friday and was wearing a two-piece swimsuit featuring rhinestones, yellow beach shoes and red bone-rimmed sunglasses when she went missing.

Michele Bourda had been swimming at Ofrynio beach before going missing

It comes after a 60-year-old British tourist went missing while on holiday in the country last month He was last seen in Tristomo, a village on the island of Karpathos, and his car was abandoned in 38C heat.

Michael Mosley, the TV doctor, died after going missing while walking on the Greek island of Symi last summer.

The broadcaster and columnists body was discovered after a four-day search operation in June 2024. CCTV footage appeared to show the TV doctor falling over close to where his body was found.

Michael Mosleys disappearance prompted a major search on the island of Symi - Jeff Gilbert

Crispin Butler, the senior coroner for Buckinghamshire, said that Mosleys death was most likely attributable either to heatstroke (accidental) or [a] non-identified pathological cause.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old British tourist was found dead after going missing on Theologos beach on the island of Rhodes. He was reported to have been on holiday with his family and went for a swim with his niece, who left early to return to the hotel.
Oasis dedicated Live Forever to all the people who cant be here tonight during their Wembley Stadium gig on Sunday, after a fan fell to his death at the bands concert on Saturday.

The touching moment came as the Manchester band brought to a close their first run of five gigs at the venue as part of their Live 25 tour.

A man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene at the stadium on Saturday after being found with injuries consistent with a fall.

Addressing fans on Sunday night after finishing Whatever, singer Liam Gallagher said: This ones for all the people who cant be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and arent they looking lovely. Live Forever.

The band then played the track of the same name.

The tribute came during a crowd-pleasing set packed with their biggest hits such as Cigarettes And Alcohol, Wonderwall and Dont Look Back In Anger, with the group set to return to the national football stadium for two further dates in September.

Liam and Noel Gallagher arrived on stage hand-in-hand, opening with Hello, from their 1995 album (Whats The Story) Morning Glory?, prompting mass football terrace-style singalongs for an opening salvo of fan favourites that included Acquiesce, Some Might Say and Morning Glory.

Before Roll With It, Liam joked to the crowd that guitarist Paul Bonehead Arthurs wanted to sing Boneheads Bank Holiday, an album track from (Whats The Story) Morning Glory?

During 1994 standalone single Whatever, the band made a nod to their Beatles influence by including a snippet of Octopuss Garden, from 1969s Abbey Road album.

Oasis fans on Wembley Way (Lucy North/PA)

Before Half The World Away, Noel asked the crowd if there was anyone from Manchester in the crowd, receiving a number of boos. He replied: None of you would be here if it wasnt for the city of Manchester.

The set climaxed with fireworks erupting over Wembley as the band played Champagne Supernova.

Before the final song, Liam told the crowd: Nice one for putting up with us after all these years.

The run of concerts has been the first time they have appeared together onstage at the London venue since July 12 2009, when they performed during the Dig Out Your Soul tour.

After the first part of their Wembley stint, the band will head to Edinburghs Murrayfield Stadium followed by Dublins Croke Park.

The group will head to Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and North America later in the year.

Oasis announced their reunion tour in August last year, 16 years after their dramatic split in 2009 which saw Noel quit following a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Newly-elected Zanu-PF Manicaland Women's League chairperson Dorothy Mabika has launched a province-wide unity campaign aimed at healing deep-seated divisions following her narrow and controversial rise to the post.Mabika, who was backed by Zanu-PF Women's League secretary Marble Chinomona, narrowly edged out Mercy Sacco in a tense vote overseen by national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha. She clinched the position with 23 votes to Sacco's 16. Sacco enjoyed the backing of senior party figure Patrick Chinamasa.The leadership race, held in the wake of the suspension of former chairperson Happiness Nyakuedzwa, exposed rifts within the party's provincial structures, pitting factions aligned with Chinomona and Chinamasa against each other. Before Mabika's controversial co-option, Sacco had been serving as the acting chairlady.In the aftermath of the election, Mabika has hit the ground running - embarking on a reconciliation and consolidation tour across Manicaland, a region that has long been a political battleground within the ruling party."Manicaland is vast, and I'm meeting some members for the first time," Mabika told reporters during one of her stops. "Our focus is unity - the foundation of development. We're also mobilising grassroots support for Vision 2030 and women's empowerment projects."However, observers remain sceptical about Mabika's ability to unify a fractured Women's League. The contest between her and Sacco featured parallel meetings and open clashes between their camps, underscoring entrenched factional loyalties within Zanu-PF."This wasn't just a provincial power struggle," said political analyst Raymond Chikasha. "It mirrored national-level factionalism, with implications for the broader succession debate inside Zanu-PF."Indeed, the fallout has already prompted accusations and counter-accusations between Chinamasa and Chinomona. In a letter dated June 6, Chinamasa challenged Mabika's co-option, describing it as irregular. Chinomona, in turn, accused Chinamasa of meddling in Women's League matters - adding fuel to an already volatile intra-party feud.Party insiders say the tensions in Manicaland reflect longstanding rivalries within Zanu-PF, often reignited by debates around succession. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose term constitutionally ends in 2028, has publicly stated he does not seek an extension, setting the stage for a high-stakes elective congress in 2027."Manicaland has often served as a bellwether for internal power shifts," added Chikasha. "If Mabika can assert control and truly unify the province, she could become a key player in the succession matrix."For now, Mabika's reconciliation push continues - but whether her charm offensive can survive the headwinds of Zanu-PF's complex factional politics remains to be seen.
Some Target shoppers have expressed disappointment in the retailer for abandoning social issues related to DEI and LGBTQ+ and chosen to shop elsewhere (Getty Images)

Target was once the store that attracted shoppers looking to buy everything they needed in one place, and sucked them into its vortex with trendy yet affordable clothing, whimsical home decor and wide-ranging beauty products.

The red bullseye stores ability to keep customers browsing for hours, even when they swore theyd only be five minutes, is one of its unique qualities that made it so popular  enough to even its own meme about people accidentally spending all their money and time at Target.

Arianna, a 31-year-old teacher from East Texas, knew it well.

Before June 2024, Arianna would take her three-year-old daughter to Target for a weekly trip. The store was convenient, her daughter could play with the toys and Arianna would browse the books. And the company also embodied values that Arianna, who asked for her surname not to be used for privacy reasons, aligned with.

It was just a relaxing place to go and spend time with my girl, Arianna told The Independent.

But the call for Target shoppers to boycott the company when it was seen to abandon some of its progressive values changed everything.

Some Target shoppers have expressed disappointment in the retailer for abandoning social issues related to DEI and LGBTQ+ and chosen to shop elsewhere (Getty Images)

This past year, Arianna decided to cut ties with Target after the company announced it would end its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to comply with President Donald Trumps executive order banning DEI.

I don't like how they're propagating right-wing ideals by removing their D.E.I. initiatives and basically turning their backs on [people of color.] Arianna said.

Target has always tried to market themselves as being inclusive, but by quickly scrapping those inclusivity practices as soon as President Trump told them to do, it proves they never cared about inclusivity in the first place. Instead, it was all a farce and a clear example of rainbow capitalism, she added.

The Target boycott after it abandoned its DEI initiatives was first organized by Rev. Jamal Bryant, a prominent Black pastor in Georgia. He encouraged customers to stay away from Target for Lent  and then the boycott continued, with a variety of grassroots organizations getting involved. The boycott made a difference to Targets bottom line, in Q1, the retailer announced disappointing sales, with a 2.8 percent drop compared to sales from the same period last year.

For years, Targets annual revenue reflected its success with customers. The company went from $73.7 billion in 2015 to an all-time high of $109.1 billion in 2022.

Even during the pandemic, while other companies suffered, Target recorded a $15 billion growth in sales  proving that customers were still willing to shop at their favorite store  whether online or from a distance.

But since 2022, Targets sales and stock value have stagnated. Shares of the company have dropped approximately 60 percent since its 2021 high.

Target said it expects its annual sales to decline by a low single-digit percentage this year.

While the companys slow decline cannot be directly attributed to one factor, it seems clear from discourse online that the retailer is losing its once loyal customers.

Ariannas feelings toward Target first changed last summer when the retail giant scaled back its Pride merchandise to appease conservatives after anti-LBGTQ+ individuals and groups boycotted the store and threatened employees in June 2023.

Some anti-trans protesters began boycotting Target in June 2023 when the retailer began selling trans-inclusive clothing. As a result, Target pulled some of its merchandise from shelves, outraging some pro-LGBTQ+ groups (Getty Images)

Some conservatives took aim at Target in 2023 after it began selling transgender-inclusive clothing. Then Target pulled some of its inclusive clothing after the blowback, and scaled back its Pride collections, upsetting many in the LGBTQ community.

Arianna began shopping at Target less, opting to go to local or thrift stores  before abandoning it entirely after it pulled its DEI iniatives. On Reddit and Facebook, people have started pages to recommend alternative places to shop for clothing, groceries, beauty products, and more

Boycotting Target has freed me from so much unnecessary spending. No matter what Target does in the future, Im forever changed and free from their grip. I buy all my basics at the local drug store or Costco and Im saving instead of giving Walmart in lipstick all my expendable money, one Reddit user said.

Target is so unbelievably expensive most of the time for the same things I could find at Walmart for half as much, a Reddit user complained. Dont even get me started on the cost of groceries at Target. I seriously question how people afford to buy full carts of groceries. The only things Ive bought were a drink and some hot pockets for lunch one day and maybe a bag of chips.

Targets CEO, Brian Cornell, has attributed some of the companys stagnation to customers buying less overall  in part due to uncertainty around Trumps tariffs.

"The difficulty level has been incredibly high given the rates we're facing and the uncertainty about how these rates in different categories might evolve," Cornell said in May. "We're focused on supporting American families and how they manage their budgets."

Cornell said Target would only raise prices as a last resort.

But its unclear if affordable prices would win back formerly loyal customers.

For Arianna, there isnt much Target can do to bring her back.

They've had plenty of time to do right by their customers of all skin colors, religions, and sexualities, but they've chosen to bury their heads in the sand and pretend like they've done nothing wrong. I'm saving more money now since I refuse to go to their stores, and instead I'm putting money into local stores which helps my community, Arianna said.

Maybe I'll shop there once more if they have a huge going-out-of-business sale where I can get a ton of stuff for 90% off. Other than that, I'm done for good.
Sir David Suchet has spoken about his young grandsons very rare and incurable condition, saying that he is campaigning to raise awareness.

The 79-year-old actor, best known for playing detective Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's Poirot, has two adult children with his wife (actor Sheila Ferris), and four grandchildren.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Suchet and his family were interviewed about his 11-year-old grandsons rare condition, known as Tuberous Sclerosis.

According to the NHS, Tuberous Sclerosis is a condition that causes mostly benign tumours to develop in different parts of the body. It is present from birth, and can cause mild to severe health problems, including epilepsy, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, kidney issues, breathing difficulties, and hydrocephalus, or a build-up of fluid on the brain.

It was a shock. Our darling grandson has Tuberous Sclerosis, a very rare incurable disease (in this case caused by a non inherited) gene mutation, Suchet told the publication.

He is now 11, but he is non-verbal. He can walk, with a very particular gait. But he is a beautiful child.

Sir David Suchet has opened up about his grandsons rare and incurable health condition (Getty Images)

Speaking about his grandsons condition, the actor explained: I learned it was incurable, it was hard to take in, not many people have heard of it. So I'm now campaigning to raise awareness.

Suchet added that he and his family are very close, and that he rents a property in Wiltshire, near where his sons family lives, so that he and Ferris can be on hand.

You can't cure or halt it what my grandson endures, you just have to get on with it, he said.

Suchet, a prolific and celebrated stage actor whose role in the Agatha Christie TV adaptation propelled him to national stardom, was knighted in 2020 for his services to drama and charity.

At the time, the actor told PA news agency that it was the proudest moment of his life.

Ive been knighted on stage and it doesnt compare, he said. And no camera is going to say Cut, lets do a retake.

Asked what he was most proud of, Suchet responded: I think it has to be Poirot for the general public.

For myself, Im very proud and grateful to have been given a career that has spanned all media.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry denied the claims published in the Daily Mail on Saturday and called them defamatory. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Prince Harry has denied he gave Prince Andrew a bloody nose during a fight at a family gathering in 2013.

According to an excerpt from a new biography of the disgraced Duke of York, published in the Daily Mail on Saturday, the pair had a heated argument that escalated into a physical altercation. Punches were thrown over something Andrew said behind Harrys back, the author Andrew Lownie claimed.

The alleged fight began when Harry told [his uncle] he was a coward not to say it to his face. Harry got the better of Andrew by all accounts, leaving him with a bloody nose before the fight was broken up.

Lownies biography, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, also claims Andrew told his nephew that his marriage to Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, would not last more than a month.

He allegedly accused Meghan of being an opportunist and thought she was too old for Harry, adding that his nephew was making the biggest mistake ever, and told his nephew he had gone bonkers, accusing him of not doing any due diligence into her past before they got engaged in 2017.

Late on Saturday, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: I can confirm Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make the comments he is alleged to have made about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.

The duke and duchess have sent a legal letter to the Daily Mail over the publication of what their spokesperson described as gross inaccuracies, damaging and defamatory remarks.

The Guardian has approached Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke of York for comment.

Prince Andrew fell from grace after a disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier and convicted sex offender. The duke was stripped of his royal and military titles in 2021.

The book claims Harry and his brother, William, had problematic relationships with Andrew for years and that Andrew was also rude about Williams wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales.

King Charles has allowed his younger brother to stay in the Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park owned by the crown estate. However, last year the king ended Andrews allowance, estimated at 1m annually, raising questions about future arrangements.

Related: Prince Andrew wrote birthday letters to Xi Jinping, ex-adviser told court

The source quoted in Lownies biography claims the Prince of Wales is keen to evict the duke and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who lives with Andrew though the couple divorced in 1996.

According to Entitleds source, [William] also loathes Sarah  and cant wait for the day when his father throws them both out. If Charles doesnt, I guarantee you the first thing William does when he becomes king is to get them evicted.

Harry broke ties with his family citing the toxicity of royal life and alleged racism towards his wife, moving with his young family to Canada and then the US in 2020. In 2022 he published a memoir, Spare, in which he detailed strains in his relationships with his father and brother.

Earlier this year he told the BBC he had forgiven his family and would love a reconciliation.
All five workers trapped in a Chilean copper mine have been found dead, a regional prosecutor has said.

Rescuers had cleared more than two dozen meters (78ft) worth of underground passages after they collapsed last week.

A section of the El Teniente copper mine had collapsed following a strong 4.2-magnitude tremor.

Prosecutor Aquiles Cubillo, from the O'Higgins region, confirmed the latest death, bringing the total number of people who have died to six, including one person who died at the time of the incident on Thursday.

Mining company Codelco discovered the first trapped worker on Saturday and another three on Sunday. It has not commented on the final worker found.

El Teniente general manager Andes Music told news conference before the final body was found: "We worked overnight with the utmost care, looking metre by metre.

"I also don't want to create false hopes. Let's hope our rescue workers continue to make progress."

Crews were trying to drill through 90m (295ft) of rock to reach the trapped miners, and were hoping to get through about 15m to 20m (49ft to 66ft) every 24 hours using heavy machinery.

Read more from Sky News:

Inside a North Korean tourist resort

Israeli hostage seen emaciated in video

The tremor, which occurred at around 5.30pm local time, was one of the largest ever recorded at El Teniente.

Codelco is investigating whether the cause was mining activity or natural tectonic shifts in the earthquake-prone country.
First Minister John Swinney has criticised the UK Government for not acting sooner to bring children from Gaza to the UK for medical treatment.

Mr Swinney welcomed reported plans that up to 300 children could be flown from Gaza to be treated on the NHS.

But he said he regretted the action did not come sooner.

The SNP leader said he had written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on July 9 urging such action to be taken.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Anthony Upton/PA)

He said: We have been consistently clear that the suffering being inflicted on the people of Gaza is beyond any justification.

People in Gaza are being bombed and left to starve by Israel on a massive scale.

I wrote to the Prime Minister on 9 July to request support from the UK Government in meeting the call from Unicef to provide medical care for children from Gaza.

If the UK Government is prepared to evacuate Palestinians for medical treatment it would be entirely welcome.

My only regret is the UK Government has taken this long to act.

I urge the UK Government to do everything in its power to move swiftly so that lives can be saved. And Scotland will play our part.

The evacuation plans are reportedly set to be announced within weeks.

A parent or guardian will accompany each child, as well as siblings if necessary, and the Home Office will carry out biometric and security checks before travel, the Sunday Times reported.

This will happen in parallel with an initiative by Project Pure Hope, a group set up to bring sick and injured Gazan children to the UK privately for treatment.

More than 50,000 children are estimated to have been killed or injured in Gaza since October 2023, according to Unicef.

Sir Keir said last week that the UK was urgently accelerating efforts to bring children over for treatment.

A UK Government spokesperson said: We are taking forward plans to evacuate more children from Gaza who require urgent medical care, including bringing them to the UK for specialist treatment where that is the best option for their care.

We are working at pace to do so as quickly as possible, with further details to be set out in due course.
President Trump takes questions from the White House Press Corps as he departs for a weekend in New Jersey. Photograph: Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

The US office of special counsel, an independent federal agency, confirmed to NBC News that it is investigating former Department of Justice prosecutor Jack Smith for possible violations of the Hatch Act.

Smith led investigations into Donald Trumps part in the 6 January US Capitol riot and alleged mishandling of classified documents.

It comes as senior Republican lawmakers condemn the decision of their party leader, Trump, to fire the leading US labor market statistician after a report that showed the national economy added just 73,000 jobs  far fewer than expected  in July.

Trump claimed, without evidence, that the numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad and the US economy was, in fact, BOOMING on his watch.

Here are the key US politics stories of the day:

Inquiry into ex-special counsel Jack Smith over Trump investigations

The confirmation of an investigation into Jack Smith comes after Arkansas senator Tom Cotton, a Republican, requested last week that Smith be investigated for unprecedented interference in the 2024 election.

The Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939, limits certain political activities of federal employees. Trump, along with other prominent Republican lawmakers, have argued that Smiths investigations into Trump amounted to illegal political activity.

Smith ultimately brought two criminal indictments against Trump in 2023 but resigned in January this year before either came to trial.

Read the full story

Republicans slam Trumps firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics chief

The firing of Erika McEntarfer, who had been confirmed to her role in January 2024 during Joe Bidens presidency, has alarmed members of Trumps own party.

If the president is firing the statistician because he doesnt like the numbers but they are accurate, then thats a problem, said Wyoming Republican senator Cynthia Lummis. Its not the statisticians fault if the numbers are accurate and that theyre not what the president had hoped for.

Kentucky senator Rand Paul, another Republican, questioned whether McEntarfers firing was an effective way of improving the numbers.

Read the full story

Trump says Sean Diddy Combss past comments make pardoning him more difficult

Donald Trump says he considers Sean Diddy Combs sort of half-innocent despite his criminal conviction in federal court in July  but the president called pardoning the music mogul more difficult because of past criticism.

When I ran for office, he was very hostile, Trump said of the Bad Boy Records founder. Its hard, you know? Were human beings. And we dont like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements.

Combs was found guilty on 2 July of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, with each leaving him facing up to 10 years in prison  but he was acquitted of more serious sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.

Read the full story

Analysis: Durham disclosures further undermine Gabbards claims of plot against Trump

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of US national intelligence, hoped to uncover evidence that Barack Obama and his national security team conspired to undermine Donald Trump in a slow-motion coup.

But a previously classified annexe to a report by another special counsel, John Durham  appointed towards the end of Trumps first presidency  has further undermined Gabbards case.

It confirms that Russian spies were behind the emails that were originally released as the result of a Russian cyber-hack of internal Democratic information channels and which Trump supporters believed showed the campaign of Hillary Clinton, his 2016 opponent, conspiring to accuse him of colluding with Moscow.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

The Trump administration terminated 1,902 National Institutes of Health grants totalling more than $4.4bn between January and the end of July, according to Grant Witness data. NIH followed guidance from the so-called department of government efficiency (Doge) and Trumps executive orders to cut costs.

According to Donald Trumps White House, the US economy is booming, inflation is dead and jobs are surging. A blizzard of economic reports has cast a pall on such claims in recent days.

Catching up? Heres what happened 1 August 2025.
The government will pour an extra 100m into efforts to tackle migration as pressure piles on ministers to crack down on small boat crossings.

The money will support the pilot of the new "one in, one out" returns agreement between the UK and France, paying for up to 300 more National Crime Agency (NCA) officers and new technology and equipment to step up intelligence-gathering on smuggling gangs.

There will be more overtime for immigration compliance and enforcement teams as well as funding for interventions in transit countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the government said.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Labour was planning a major overhaul of the asylum appeal process (PA) (PA Wire)

Labour has put a pledge to crack down on the number of people coming to the UK on small boats at the centre of its plan for government.

But with boat crossings at a record high, and the asylum backlog still above 75,000, there is mounting pressure on ministers to take more drastic action - pressure which is exacerbated by the success of Reform UK in the polls.

It comes as tensions over asylum hotels continue to flare up, with a protest and counter-protests taking place on Saturday outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in north London, and also in Newcastle and Manchester.

Last week figures showed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 in record time, piling pressure on the government to take further action.

It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 25,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.

The government has announced a number of measures to deter migrants from coming to the UK, with the "one in, one out" deal agreed last month meaning the UK will for the first time be able to send migrants back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with links to Britain.

Meanwhile, anyone who advertises small boat crossings or fake passports on social media could be face up to five years in prison under a new offence to be introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

The home secretary, who said Labour had set the foundations for a "new and much stronger law enforcement approach" over the last year, is also planning a major overhaul of the asylum system to speed up the processing of claims and make a dent in the backlog.

Now this additional funding will strengthen every aspect of our plan and will turbo-charge the ability of our law enforcement agencies to track the gangs and bring them down, working with our partners overseas, and using state-of-the-art technology and equipment, Yvette Cooper said.

Alongside our new agreements with France, this will help us drive forward our plan for change commitments to protect the UK's border security and restore order to our immigration system.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from an RNLI Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)

The NCA has 91 ongoing investigations into people-smuggling networks affecting the UK, the agency's director general of operations Rob Jones said.

But the Conservatives dismissed the funding announcement as a "desperate grab for headlines which will make no real difference".

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "Labour has failed and their laughable claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters. They have no serious plan, just excuses, while ruthless criminal gangs flood our borders with illegal immigrants.

"The British public deserves real action, not empty slogans and tinkering at the edges. The Conservative Deportation Bill is the only real solution. Immediate detention, rapid removal and shutting down these illegal networks for good."
When it comes to restaurant staff, your first thoughts are probably of chefs, servers and bartenders. But theres one major player that youre probably forgetting about  the restaurant host. The host is the person you first see when you walk into an eatery, the one who answers your calls and works to solve any last-minute reservation changes.

I dont expect people to have an in-depth knowledge of how a restaurant operates  and the host, the maitre d, is kind of like the conductor of a big symphony, and people arent privy to that, said Patrick Murphy, the director of hospitality and partner at Rootstalk and Radicato in Breckenridge, Colorado.

The role of the host is demanding yet oft-overlooked, Murphy added.

Theres a lot of vectors of information coming your way ... theres a good amount of pressure to make sure that people are getting their tables, said Murphy. And, oftentimes, people think that person at the front door is sort of the low man on the totem pole, or someone that can kind of be pushed around ... people think that they can kind of bully those people to get their way, and I think that that can be really challenging.

When it comes to challenging, difficult and downright rude interactions, there are certain situations and phrases that really irk hosts. Below, restaurant hosts and front-of-house staff share the rudest things people do and say to them at a restaurant:

1. Not greeting the host when you walk in.

If youve ever skipped over the greeting pleasantries when walking into a restaurant, youre being pretty rude.

When someone walks in ... [the host says], Hi, good evening, how are you tonight? and theres no reciprocation or response, its just, We have a reservation, Murphy said.

Its a simple thing to reply with a greeting like, Hi, Im doing well or Hi, how are you? and when you dont do that, it can be off-putting for the host, said Murphy.

They just kind of breezed by the most basic human interaction, which is a simple hello, a smile, a greeting, an acknowledgement that you are a person and youre doing a job and that you value that first interaction at a restaurant, he said.

I think that one is probably the one that is most persistent, Murphy stated.

Showing up to a reservation with extra people is a major no-no. FilippoBacci via Getty Images

2. Not replying to a notification that your table is ready.

If youre on the waitlist for a walk-in table but not paying attention to incoming calls or texts from the restaurant, youre adding stress to the hosts day.

Hannah Brown, a host in New Jersey, said that sometimes people wont reply to a waitlist notification at all, or will take too much time to reply  resulting in the restaurant giving up their table.

This leaves the restaurant in a tough spot if the person does decide to show up since there are likely other people on that waitlist, too.

So, just not having any urgency to respond when were trying to communicate with them, Brown stated.

3. Bringing more people than you booked your table for.

One of the things is showing up with more people in your party than youve reserved for, said Brown, that happens pretty often.

And then we kind of have to scramble to accommodate, she added.

If you do need to bring an extra person, let the restaurant know ahead of time, Murphy said.

Because walking into the front door and being like, Oh, were five instead of four changes the entire landscape of what kind of table we can offer you, Murphy noted.

The same goes for requesting a specific table, Murphy said. If youre a party of two, you cant just request a table for four when you get to the restaurant. If you want a certain spot, this should also be communicated ahead of time, too.

4. Having people join your table halfway through a meal  and not letting your host and server know.

Similar to showing up with more people than you reserved for, having extra people join your table during your meal is bothersome, too.

When people have other friends or family join them halfway through the meal and add to a table that doesnt accommodate that many people ... it affects diners around them, Brown said.

Think about it: Youre trying to enjoy a night out as the table next to you adds chairs to their table, making your corner of the restaurant inappropriately packed.

If you are having more folks meet you during your meal, let the host know. This way, if they can accommodate the extra guests, they can seat you somewhere with the extra folks in mind. Otherwise it causes unnecessary stress for everybody, Brown said.

This goes for bringing a newborn or infant, too, Murphy said. Just because your baby isnt eating a meal doesnt mean the restaurant doesnt want to know theyre coming  they may set you up with a little more space for their carrier or set up an area with a high chair.

For me, its just, kind of a safety thing for the kiddo, I dont want to put a 10-week-old baby in one of the main walkways of the dining room, Murphy said, adding that theres lots of foot traffic, hot food and trays of drinks in certain areas, too.

5. Asking, Why cant I sit at that empty table?

Restaurants take walk-ins when they can, but, oftentimes tables may be fully booked (even when theyre empty), said Murphy. And, in that case, there is one thing you shouldnt do.

You come in and its a fairly empty restaurant  its early in the night, lets say, and I have to tell you, Oh, no, we dont we dont have a lot of space right now, and someones looking around the room and like, Well, what about this table? Murphy said.

In other words, just because its 5 p.m. and there are empty tables doesnt mean there are no reservations for those seats  theres other people who have reservations, he said.

That is a little rude and kind of lacks some understanding that while the restaurant may appear empty at the moment, in a half an hour or an hour, it will be full, Murphy stated, And we have to save those tables for people who have reservations with us.

6. Or saying, I dont need that much time to eat.

According to Brown, when folks are unhappy with the wait time for a table, theyll sometimes insist that they can quickly eat and dont need much time at a table, in hopes of getting squeezed in faster.

They try to convince you insistently that you should give them a table sooner because they can quickly eat, Brown said.

When interacting with restaurant hosts, remember that theyre human, too.

The good news is people arent very rude too often, Brown noted, but its important to know that even a one-off decision to bring an extra person or neglect to reply to a waitlist text can be stressful for hosts.

Just understanding that were people at work ... hospitality is something that we love and take a lot of pride in, and just understanding that we are people, too, Murphy said.

When someone is genuinely interested, or kind or understanding ... it opens up that realm and allows us to connect with you on a level, Murphy added.

When dealing with rude guests, Murphy said he always reminds himself that he doesnt know what is going on in that persons life or if they traveled far to get to their dinner reservation.

And thats why they come off as terse or rude, and so thats how we handle those situations, he said, theres just empathy and grace and understanding that people have lives and we dont really know whats going on with people.

So, as restaurant staff do their best to see the humanity in people, diners should do the same by respecting rules, being polite, communicating any changes and remembering that hosts are people at a job, just like you and me.

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StefaNikolic via Getty Images

Trying new restaurants and cafes is one of the best parts of traveling. Whether youre wandering through Barcelona, Sydney or somewhere in between, heading out to dinner or popping into a new cafe each morning gives you the chance to experience new foods and learn about a new culture. But dining culture varies greatly around the world, so you cant exactly roll into a restaurant anywhere you travel and expect things to be done exactly as youre used to at home. Sometimes, youll need to adjust your ways to make sure your behavior and expectations match the local cultural norms.

Navigating unfamiliar dining customs can feel daunting, and with this, there are a number of common mistakes people make when dining out internationally. But dont worry, we have you covered with some advice. Depending where youre going on your upcoming travels, here are some common mistakes youll want to do your best to avoid.

Rushing through your meal.

Remember dreaming of long, drawn-out lunches while planning your summer vacation to the Mediterranean? Well, once youre there, its important to actually slow down enough to let those extended afternoon meals happen.

The United States is a very go, go, go kind of culture. But rushing through a meal isnt the norm everywhere else. In Italy and France, rushing through a multicourse meal would be a big no-no, saidKelly Duhigg, who is a travel blogger andfounder of Girl With the Passport. They savor the experience of dining, and the restaurants wont feel rushed to turn the table. It took me a while to slow down and truly appreciate all the elements of every dish.

Timon van Basten, who is a tour guide in Spain, echoed that sentiment. Ive seen tourists get really impatient and demand faster service without realizing thats just not how its done in that culture, he said. They enjoy taking their time in multiple courses.

Of course this isnt only something to be aware of in Europe. Chris Atkins, owner of Central America Fishing said he comes across this a lot in Central America as well. In the U.S., our customer-first society has conditioned us to expect service immediately if they want our business, he said. In Latin America, dining out is more of a luxury, so the experience isnt rushed and is meant to be enjoyed.

Expecting to eat dinner at 6 p.m.

Meal times vary pretty significantly throughout the world, so when youre traveling, its best to try to adapt to local meal schedules (when possible) and to plan ahead so you know when restaurants will be open. This could mean heading out to dinner at 9 p.m. instead of your usual 6 p.m.

In Latin America and the Mediterranean, meals are often eaten later  around 8 or 9 p.m., said Emmanuel Burgio, founder of Blue Parallel, a company that offers luxury tours in Latin America, the Mediterranean, and the Arctic. In Buenos Aires, it is typical to dine at around 10 p.m., and many restaurants wont take reservations until at least 8 p.m.

Expecting to be able to buy food late into the night.

Some travel destinations have a thriving, late-night food scene. But not all  some cities and towns shut down after dinner hours and it isnt possible to grab food late at night.

Many cities in the U.S. do not sleep  you [can] get food and drinks 24/7, said Ravi Parikh, founder of RoverPass. However, it is incorrect to assume that every country offers this convenience. I suggest you avoid wandering around at night expecting to find an open fast-food joint or restaurant. Instead, you must plan to have dinner earlier or explore local street food options during the day.

Being a bit too loud at dinner.

When dining out, being loud and boisterous isnt always the way to go. If youre in a restaurant thats fairly quiet, try to make sure your behavior matches the general vibe of the people around you.

Loudness in restaurants is definitely something Americans need to be cautious of overseas, said Elaine Warren, founder and CEO of The Family Cruise Companion. In many European countries, its expected to have a quiet, almost hushed tone during meals. It took some adjustment on our parts to dial it back after years of lively mealtime conversations at home. We found that respecting that custom led to a much more relaxing experience.

Sure, engaging in conversation and laughter is only natural, but in many cultures, being excessively loud can be disruptive, pointed out Jay Ternavan, founder of JayWay Travel. In some countries, maintaining a silent and respectful atmosphere is valuable, so keeping your tone low is essential.

It's much less common outside the U.S. to get takeaway coffee. Nitat Termmee via Getty Images

Expecting takeaway coffee.

If youre a coffee fiend, exploring local cafes each morning is one of the best aspects of traveling. But be prepared for some major differences in coffee culture  especially if youre planning on grabbing your coffee to go. In many places, its far more common to sit down and drink your coffee at the cafe (without your laptop) than to take it away.

In many parts of the world, grabbing a coffee is a leisurely experience, savored in cozy cafes with friends or loved ones, said Michael L. Moore, founder of the travel company Countdown to Magic. Immerse yourself in this local tradition by finding a charming cafe and indulging in a slow, relaxing coffee break. And while youre at it, branch out from your usual coffee order and explore regional specialties  you might just discover a new favorite.

Taking business calls or working from your laptop at dinner.

Planning to work through lunch or dinner? Take a look around to see if anyone else is doing the same. If not, you may want to leave your laptop at home.

It is important to take cues from locals when traveling  observe the customs and do your best to ensure a disturbance-free experience for everyone, said Karen Magee, president of Valerie Wilson Travel, Chase Travel Group. Simple things like taking in speech volume cues to leaving your laptop and phone calls for after a meal can go a long way in how you present yourself while abroad.

We all know its hard not to look at your phone or snap a photo of every dish thats brought to your table, but you may want to try to minimize technology use during mealtimes. When traveling with our kids to other countries, we bring a sketchbook and pencils so they dont have to be on electronics at the dinner, said Keri Baugh, a travel writer and founder of the family travel blog Bon Voyage With Kids. Loud electronics in small European restaurants can disturb other diners, so we avoid this to not be annoying.

Expecting free refills.

In many countries, beverage orders have distinct differences from how theyre handled in the U.S. When heading somewhere new, you may want to adjust your expectations so you dont expect free refills.

Unlike many restaurants in the USA, non-alcoholic beverages like soda and sparkling water are often in smaller glasses, often without ice, and the refills arent free  you pay for each one you order, Baugh said.

Expecting your bill will be brought to your table quickly.

In the U.S., youre probably used to your server bringing your bill to the table right away  sometimes while food is still on the table. But this isnt the norm everywhere.

Here in Central America, after a meal its common to have a cafecito, a small cup of coffee or cappuccino that serves as a digestivo after a big meal, Atkins said. It can be frustrating to U.S. tourists that once they are clearly done with their meal, they have to wait 10-20 minutes for someone to check in on them and bring them the bill. This cultural difference often gets misconstrued as poor service, but in reality, the restaurant was giving you ample time to enjoy your meal, post-meal cafecito, and conversation. So yes, things happen at a slower pace here, but its not laziness or poor service, its just a different focus on whats important when dining out.

And sometimes, in places like France, you may need to request your check before your server will bring it to your table.

Related...
Two men described as "associates" of the suspect in a quadruple homicide in Tennessee earlier this week have been arrested on suspicion of helping the fugitive, authorities said Saturday.

Special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested Tanaka Brown on Friday and Giovonte Thomas on Saturday, the agency said.

Brown and Thomas, both 29 and from Jackson, have been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, the bureau said in a statement. Brown also faces one count of tampering with evidence.

Brown is being held without bond in Lake County Jail. Thomas will be transferred there from the Madison County Jail, where he was being held on an unrelated charge of failure to appear, the bureau said.

The two men are accused of helping Austin Robert Drummond, 28, who remained at large Saturday night. Authorities have been searching for Drummond in connection with the deaths of four people Tuesday in Tiptonville.

The four bodies were discovered after an infant was found abandoned in a car seat in Dyer County, setting off a scramble to find the baby's guardians, Stephen Sutton, a spokesperson for the sheriffs offices in Lake and Dyer counties, said at a Friday news conference.

The baby is safe and is being cared for, Sutton said.

Drummond has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, possession of a gun during a dangerous felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Suspect Austin Drummond. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)

Drummond was out on bond when the killings took place, Danny Goodman, district attorney for Dyer and Lake counties, said Friday.

He had been released on bond related to an incident that allegedly took place in prison, where he was serving time for aggravated robbery, Goodman said.

Its not clear whether Drummond, Brown or Thomas have retained legal counsel. The public defenders office for the judicial district that covers Lake and Dyer counties was not available to provide information late Saturday.

Drummond is described as armed and dangerous, and anyone who spots him was asked to call 911.

Getting Austin Drummond in custody is a priority, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Two vehicles associated with Drummond have been found, authorities said. A white 1988 Ford pickup with red side panels was located in Dyer County on Saturday, and authorities are asking anyone with security video of the truck to send it to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Drummond's white 2016 Audi A3 was found abandoned Friday in Jackson, about 74 miles southeast of Tiptonville, the bureau said.

He is believed to still be in the Jackson area, bureau Director David B. Rausch said Friday.

This incident has this community on edge, Rausch said.

Jackson is about 87 miles northeast of Memphis.

Authorities have previously identified the victims as Matthew Wilson, 21, the abandoned childs father; Adrianna Williams, 20, the mother; Cortney Rose, 38, the maternal grandmother; and Braydon Williams, 15, the maternal uncle.

Authorities haven't said how they died but have described their deaths as the result of murder.

There is a familial relationship between the suspect and the family, Rausch said.

A relative of the victims said Thursday in a Facebook post that the suspect has literally been nothing short of amazing to us and our kids. According to the post, Drummond previously dated a sister of Roses.

Rausch said the suspect showed a sign of compassion  dropping the child off  so there is hope for him to be able to come in and have a conversation about what happened.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's energy security has received a major boost from Hwange Thermal Power Station's Units 7 and 8, which have emerged as vital contributors to the national grid, powering key economic sectors including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.Commissioned in 2023 as part of the US$1.4 billion Hwange Expansion Project, the two units were constructed following bilateral agreements between Zimbabwe and China. Each unit is capable of producing 335 megawatts (MW), contributing a combined 670MW, making them the single largest contributors to Zimbabwe's electricity output in 2024, accounting for 53 percent of total generation.This was revealed on Friday during a media tour of development projects in Matabeleland North province, led by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere. The tour included a site visit to Hwange Power Station's new units, where officials hailed the units' performance and strategic role in cushioning the country from last year's El Nino-induced drought, which crippled hydroelectric power generation at Kariba.Eng Ngonidzashe Dzumbira, acting facility site manager for the Hwange Electricity Supply Company, confirmed that the units were operating optimally and were on track to meet their 2025 production targets."Currently, we have managed to meet our production targets for the year and we anticipate that by December, we should meet the full year's goals," said Eng Dzumbira.The generation process begins with coal sourced from two nearby mines. The coal is pulverised and combusted to produce steam, which drives turbines operating at 3,000 revolutions per minute, generating electricity that is then fed into the national grid.Notably, the new units are equipped with advanced emission control systems designed to reduce environmental impact. The flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) plant uses limestone to trap sulphur dioxide, producing gypsuma useful by-product sold to cement manufacturers and farmers. The units also feature low-NOx burners to curb nitrogen oxide emissions, aligning with environmental standards."The plant also came in with key infrastructure to deal with emissions. We've been able to utilise the gypsum produced for use in agriculture and the cement industry," Dzumbira added.Minister Muswere said the commissioning of Units 7 and 8 marked a turning point in Zimbabwe's energy strategy, reducing dependence on electricity imports and ensuring a consistent supply to critical sectors."This particular provincial media tour is testimony to Government's commitment to achieving energy security and contributing towards the industrialisation of our country," said Muswere.He also acknowledged ongoing efforts to rehabilitate Hwange Units 1 to 6, which currently provide 543MW combined, noting that recapitalisation partnerships were underway to restore their capacity and reliability after years of breakdowns due to ageing infrastructure.Muswere further emphasised the economic ripple effects of reliable power supply, including job creation, improved productivity across industries, and enhanced value from coal and its by-products."The coming on board of Hwange 7 in late May, producing another 600MW, has had a huge impact in stabilising the grid. We are now better positioned to support agricultural growth, industrial operations, and reduce the cost of importing electricity," he said.The Hwange Thermal Power Station's expansion has been a pillar in the Government's broader energy development agenda under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). As water levels at Kariba Dam remain susceptible to climate shocks, thermal generation has taken centre stage in ensuring consistent national supply.With Hwange's new units running at full capacity, officials say Zimbabwe is set to enjoy continued power stability, reduced reliance on imports, and increased domestic industrial competitiveness.President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned the units in 2023, lauding them as a "strategic asset" in Zimbabwe's path toward energy self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
Scene at a classic carnival with a ticket booth in the foreground (focal point on the ticket sign) with overall subtle retro vintage tone and styling (CURAphotography/Shutterstock)

The collapse of an amusement park ride in western Saudi Arabia has left more than 20 people injured and prompted authorities to close the park and order an investigation, state media said.

The accident occurred in the Al-Hada area of the city of Taif on Wednesday, when the 360 Big Pendulum ride snapped in two, sending the part carrying people crashing to the ground.

Video footage posted on social media showed the pendulum swinging riders, who were strapped into their seats, in a wide arc several times before the pendulum arm snaps, sending the passenger section crashing to the ground.

The regional government said in a statement that the Taif governor, Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, had ordered an investigation and the parks closure. It said some of those injured received first aid at the amusement park, and others were taken to a hospital. It did not specify how many people were hospitalized.

State media said 23 people were injured, and that there were no fatalities.
Getty Stock Images A pile of cash (stock image).





NEED TO KNOW

A California couple won big after 20 years of playing the lottery

It was just, like, you know, just what the heck?! winner Nicholas Gercis said

He and his wife plan to use their winnings in three different ways





Patience is a virtue.

A California couple scored big after two decades of trying their luck on the lottery, according to a news release from state game officials.

Nicholas Gercis and his wife have been longtime gamblers, playing the lottery for 20 years. We buy Scratchers every week, and we started buying these 50X ones, and it was doing okay for us, he said in a statement.

After a few wins throughout the years  of $100 and stuff  Gercis said he and his wife recently played a 50X the Cash scratcher, which has a top prize of $1 million, and won. (The California lottery told PEOPLE the pair won the full amount, minus the required federal tax withholding, as a lump sum.)

It was just, like, you know, just what the heck?! said Gercis after he and his wife won, according to California lottery officials

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..

California Lottery A 50X the Cash scratcher from the California Lottery.

Gercis and his wife bought their winning lottery ticket at a 7-Eleven on Schleisman Road in Eastvale, which is just under 50 miles away from Los Angeles.

Lottery officials said the couple would go to "one of a few 7-Eleven stores in their area each week and buy some scratchers for fun."

Gercis and his wife plan to use the money won in three ways: some will go to paying off their house, another amount will go to their church, and they will then invest the rest.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Over the past 40 years, the California Lottery has funded public education within the state through every lottery win.

"Raising extra money for California public education is the only reason the California Lottery exists, Carolyn Becker, spokesperson for the organization, said in a statement. In 1984, voters created the Lottery to help out with supplemental funding for Schools, and for 40 years, players have provided more than $46 billion in extra money used across all levels from kindergarten through university.

Read the original article on People
Brett Carlsen for NBC News

Heritage Steel, a small, family-owned cookware manufacturer in Clarksville, Tennessee, is expecting to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in tariffs this year.

The company recently received a tariff bill of $75,000 on an order of handles, and the companys vice president of operations, Danny Henn, is anticipating another bill of closer to $200,000 for goods that will likely reach the U.S. this month.

Were a pretty small business, Henn said. Having that as an additional sort of surprise expense is not insignificant.

But even with that new cost factored in, Heritage Steel believes steel and aluminum tariffs could be good for the business.

Just from the base economics of it, yes, we have to pay more, but others have to pay a whole lot more, Henn added.

Brett Carlsen for NBC News

Heritage Steel employs about 40 workers and has more than doubled its revenue since 2018. The company is up 60% in cookware sales since last year.

While company leaders now have to rethink pricing and make adjustments in response to President Donald Trumps trade war, Henn said theyre feeling optimistic.

Business highlights

Danny Henns grandfather Donald Henn was a door-to-door cookware salesman after graduating from college. In 1983, he purchased a factory in Clarksville, Tennessee, and from there was born New Era, which later became Heritage Steel.

My grandma and grandpa and my parents were always big people about cooking at home. The cookware was always there, said Henn.

From frying pans and skillets to stock pots, saucepans and knives, Heritage Steel sells about 50 different cookware products on its website and Amazon. The company also sells wholesale to independent gourmet retailers.

We are happy and proud to be an American producer of goods.

Brett Carlsen for NBC News

Heritage Steel needs three main types of inputs to make its cookware, and about 75% of the companys materials are imported. The most important part and the largest cost is the five-ply cladded body, which includes a combination of stainless steel and aluminum.

Its very specialized processing that it has to go through to get into this form, Henn said. And so, because it is very specialized, theres not a whole lot of people that do it.

Tariff impacts

Heritage Steel imports its cladded steel from South Korea, which will be facing a 15% tariff that Trump announced on Wednesday after the country made an offer to buy down the 25% duty level he had previously set.

The company imports its handles, made from pure stainless steel using a process called lost-wax casting, from China. Meanwhile, the company purchases the material for its stainless steel lids in the U.S. Those parts dont have to be cladded and are a more simple single layer of stainless steel thats more widely available.

Heritage Steel had previously sourced cladded steel from U.S. vendors, but those providers have since exited the business, according to Henn.

Theres just not enough of a U.S. market for cookware manufacturing of this type  right now. There isnt a viable vendor for us to find.

Since the company only makes a handful of raw-material purchases each year, it typically has a large order coming in all at once, which set up the company nicely when the first 25% tariffs on steel went into effect earlier this year.

Brett Carlsen for NBC News

We had a good amount of it, Henn said, referring to the raw materials, so that gave us more time of being able to know were going to be able to manufacture and sell a bunch of stuff without the tariff cost on it.

Henn said that wasnt a tariff strategy, but instead a benefit of his companys workflow.

However, they knew that leeway wasnt going to last forever. Eventually it became time for Heritage Steel to order more materials. That first tariff bill was about $75,000, and Henn is expecting the next to be more than twice as much.

Who pays?

For Heritage Steel, there was never a doubt it would have to raise prices because of the tariff expenses. The question was how high would they have to go?

Were happy and proud to be a provider of really high-quality cookware, but one thats more affordably priced than some of the others on the market, Henn said. We want to continue to offer the best price we can, given our constraints.

As of Friday, the company had raised prices by about 15% on all of its products. Heritage Steel explained the increase in an announcement on its website, calling the adjustment fairly modest considering the price of the companys input materials spiked at least 50%.

Obviously, we cant bear the full impact of these cost increases, Henn said, but we also dont want our customers to bear the full cost.

He expects these changes to negatively impact the companys profit margins, but as of now the extent is unclear. Henn believes the company has more flexibility than a lot of its competitors because Heritage Steel is only importing raw materials, not the full product, and manufactures in the U.S. Thats why he expects the overall market disruption could be good for the company.

They might have to do something closer to a 50% price increase, he said of his competitors, because their entire cost of goods is going up by 50%.

For Heritage Steel, on the other hand, only the price of parts is up 50%, not the full product. Henn said its all about finding the sweet spot: a fair amount to charge customers to compensate for the new costs while still being a price leader in the market.

Brett Carlsen for NBC News

Were just doing our best to do good by our customer, not raise prices too much, do well by our employees, keep paying them well and try to stay competitive within the market.

Even though Henn is optimistic about this potential competitive edge, that doesnt mean he believes the Trump administrations tariffs are the right approach. What makes more sense to him, he said, is a change over a longer period of time.

If there is something that would have a similar effect of giving incentives to bring more more industry back to the U.S., I think that would likely be a positive, he said, adding that he believes the intent of the tariffs policy is good.

The implementation is a little bit rocky, he said.

Brett Carlsen for NBC News

Henn declined to comment on his political views and whom he voted for in the presidential election.

As for other options that could bring down Heritage Steels tariff bill, thats something being discussed as well. While stainless clad cookware is the companys bread and butter, Henn and his co-owners are exploring a range of possibilities.

If we had our full wish, Henn said, we would be able to have a fully U.S.-based supply chain for our entire manufacturing process.
The deadly mid-air collision at Reagan Airport in January was years in the making, the operations manager of the DCA air traffic control tower on the night of the accident told the National Transportation Safety Board on Friday.

"I don't think this accident occurred that night," Clark Allen, the operations manager, said at the investigative hearing. "I think it happened years before we've talked about, you know, resources, whether they were available or unavailable at certain time frames, folks being listened to or not being listened to at certain times. This was not that evening. It was a combination over many years that I think that built up to that evening."

The NTSB concluded three days of hearings late Friday, during which the agency's investigators questioned officials from the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Army, American Airlines regional subsidiary PSA Airlines and other parties over January's mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people.

It was the nation's first major commercial airline crash since 2009.

During the hearings, the NTSB was told that the Army helicopter never heard the command from the air traffic controller to "pass behind the CRJ" as the transmission was stepped on. It was also revealed that the plane's pilots were not warned by the controller that there was a helicopter nearby or cleared to fly near the helicopter.

Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy speaks at the start of a hearing to examine the mid-air collision between American Airlines Eagle flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, Aug. 1, 2025.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy also called out the FAA for not sharing a full list of who was working in the control tower the night of the crash until July 6, months after the accident.

Pilots likely didn't know how high they were flying

The NTSB's investigation found discrepancies in the altitude data shown on radio and barometric altimeters on Army helicopters after conducting test flights following January's accident.

It is likely that the helicopter crew did not know their true altitude due to notoriously faulty altimeters inside this series of Black Hawks, according to the investigation. At their closest points, helicopters and planes flew within 75 feet of each other near DCA, an astonishingly close number. During the hearings, the NTSB was told Army Black Hawks can often have wrong readings and a margin of error of +-200 feet.

"I am concerned there is a possibility that what the crew saw was very different than what the true altitude was. We did testing in May that shows concerns with the altimeters, the barometric altimeters on the 60 Lima. So we are concerned, and it's something we have to continue to investigate how significant is 100 feet in this circumstance," Homendy told reporters on Wednesday.

Army officials told the NTSB investigators that they plan to inform other military aviation officials of the altitude discrepancy by September, but NTSB board member Todd Inman criticized this for a lack of urgency.

The Army officials said they are also addressing it by mentioning it in the public testimony.

"I hope every Army aviator is not having to watch the NTSB.gov livestream to figure out if there's a discrepancy in their altitudes and planes that are flying around," Inman said.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: Emergency units respond after a passenger aircraft collided with a helicopter in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.

Disconnect between DCA controllers and FAA leadership

NTSB investigators and board members noted that there seems to be a "disconnect" between the information they are getting from the FAA officials versus what the employees have shared with them during the interviews.

"What we're trying to understand is where the disconnect is because what we have is for example, reports from controllers today that are saying there were 10-15 loss of separation events since the accident," Homendy said.

Tension in the tower

Chair Homendy noted air traffic controllers crying during interviews with investigators following the crash, adding the controller whose voice is heard talking to the doomed aircraft has not returned to work. Tensions have been so high in the tower following the crash, a shouting match turned into a fist fight this spring, ending with a controller being arrested.

Some employees say they feared getting transferred or fired if concerns were brought up to their superiors.

"I hundred percent agree with you. There definitely seems to be some barrier in communication where the people that impacts it the most are not hearing the things that the FAA is moving forward on and that needs to be addressed. I agree," said Franklin McIntosh, acting chief operating officer of the Air Traffic Organization -- the operation arm of the FAA.

"I wholeheartedly agree and I will commit to you and everyone on the board in the panel that I will start working this immediately to make sure whatever those barriers are occurring, that it stops," McIntosh said. "Clearly someone in the facility doesn't feel like they're getting the help that they should be getting and quite honestly if that word's not getting down, then we need to do a better job in breaking through whatever that barrier is."

MORE: NTSB chair blasts FAA over deadly DC crash: 'Are you kidding me? 67 people are dead'

The FAA has pushed back on claims of employees being removed or transferred out of the tower as a result of the collision.

"So we didn't remove anybody as a result of an accident," said Nick Fuller, acting deputy chief operating officer with the Air Traffic Organization.

Homendy challenged that assertion saying, "I think many would disagree, since it was done pretty immediately. Also the NTSB had to weigh in several times to get people help in the tower."

NTSB investigators also pressed FAA officials over controllers who manage DCA airspace feeling pressured to "make it work" due to the large volume of aircraft in the airspace near the airport.

"We have many non-standard tools that we use in order to be able to bring a significant amount of airplanes into DCA, " said Bryan Lehman, air traffic manager at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control, which manages air traffic control in the region, while also adding that they do take "pride in it," but that it gets too much after a certain point.

Lehman also testified at the hearing that controllers sent a memo to their superiors in 2023 requesting a lower arrival rate for airplanes, but the concerns were dismissed and Congress approved more flights for DCA.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters - PHOTO: A crane retrieves part of the wreckage from the Potomac River, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter in Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 4, 2025.

ADSB policy for Army

Despite calls from lawmakers and the NTSB for mandated Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADSB) -- technology that makes the aircraft more visible to the tower, other aircraft and the public -- on all aircraft, including military aircraft, it remains a point of hesitation for the Army.

All aircraft flying over 18,000 feet are required to have ADSB but certain aircraft, including military aircraft, are exempt from transmitting ADSB location when flying for security reasons.

"I'm pretty sure most people are aware of the fact that it's inherently open source," Army Lt. Col. Paul Flanigen told the hearing panel on Friday. "It has some spoofing vulnerabilities which make it non-conducive for those sensitive missions, which not just the army, but all of DOD has to operate on."

As previously reported by ABC News, the helicopter involved in the accident was not transmitting ADSB out, meaning it wasn't transmitting its location for other aircraft nearby to see where it was.

A Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) -- which detects other aircraft in close proximity -- was also not installed in the helicopter, according to the investigation.

The NTSB made a recommendation nearly two decades ago asking the FAA to require ADSB on all aircraft but it was not implemented. The point was brought up again during the hearings.

MORE: FAA administrator: 'Clearly, something was missed' that led to DC plane crash

"Does the FAA right now support requiring any newly manufactured aircraft registered in the U.S. be equipped with ADSB in?" Homendy asked.

McIntosh said yes and showed support towards requiring aircraft to be equipped with ADSB out as well.

Experts have said it's more effective when an aircraft is equipped with both ADSB in and out so they can transmit their location and also receive the location of other aircraft in its near proximity.

A bill in Congress titled the "Rotor Act" was introduced earlier this week by Sen. Ted Cruz, which would require all aircraft, including military aircraft, to transmit ADSB location when flying. Notably, the newly appointed FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy were present at the news conference and showed their support towards the legislation.

The NTSB's investigation into the cause of the accident continues and a final report is expected by January 2026.

"We do this to improve safety certainly but we all do this with each of you in mind and your loved ones that were lost tragically with you in mind not just on the CRJ but also PAT 25 so we will continue on and hope to complete this investigation within a year," Homendy said in her closing remarks on Friday.
Ryan Crosswell's campaign for a U.S. House seat features the hallmarks of many traditional political operations.

His website shows him in shirtsleeves talking about his military service and growing up in a coal town. His campaign video features images of the nearby Pennsylvania community of Pottsville, festooned in red, white and blue bunting. His campaign advisers circulate copies of a political advocacy group's endorsement. Crosswell talks about knocking on doors and meeting voters, one of whom Crosswell said is "struggling and may need to sell her house."



But, unlike many congressional candidates, Crosswell has no campaign experience and has never worked in politics.

He's one of several former Justice Department attorneys and officials seeking public office after resigning from an agency they say has been contaminated by politics.

Among the wave of resignations and firings of Justice Department prosecutors, administrators and career staffers who have resigned or been fired in the first six months of President Trump's second term, some want to resume public service, and now they're exploring different avenues to achieve that.

Crosswell, a longtime federal prosecutor, resigned from the Justice Department on Feb. 17, in protest of the controversial department decision to drop the criminal corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams and a purge of the agency's public integrity division.

He has criticized the Justice Department's reductions in its anti-corruption offices.

"What the administration has done is removed one of the most important guardrails against corruption within the government at all levels: state, local and federal," Croswell told CBS News. "We're now moving into an area where prosecutions would be determined by political loyalty," he said.

Crosswell's race is also uniquely important. He's running for the Democratic nomination in one of the most competitive and high-impact House races in the country, Pennsylvania's 7th District, which flipped from Democratic to Republican in 2024. Crosswell has already raised more than $300,000 since announcing his candidacy in June, while the incumbent Republican, Rep. Ryan MacKenzie, has raised over $1.4 million this year.

It's a big change for a longtime career prosecutor, who just months ago was credited by the Justice Department with helping secure the conviction of a former New Mexico state political candidate who'd gone on a shooting spree that targeted the homes of four elected officials.

Croswell, a Marine reservist, is leaning into his biography during his campaign. He told CBS News, "If you're a Marine and you're a former prosecutor, you are protecting people."

Some of his former colleagues are also seeking elected office, and like Crosswell, none have elected experience or a political background, but all of them are openly criticizing recent changes in the Justice Department and talking about why they chose to exit their careers as career prosecutors.

"It was my dream job"

Erika Evans quit her Justice Department position in March, leaving what she said was her dream job. She's now seeking the Democratic nomination for the office of city attorney in Seattle.

Speaking with CBS News by phone between campaign stops in Seattle, Evans said, "The polls are in our favor, and we're feeling good about that."

She's the granddaughter of civil rights figure Lee Evans, who was among the 1968 Olympics track stars who raised a fist in the air during a medal presentation. Evans told CBS News the Trump administration's dismantling of the Justice Department's Civil Rights division was among her motivations for leaving.

"We received emails requiring that we report any colleagues doing diversity work in the office. We had 10 to 14 days to report them or we would get in trouble ourselves," Evans said. "That was pretty disgusting." She said she didn't feel safe at the agency, in part because she was the co-chair of a diversity effort.

In a campaign video, Evans pledged to challenge Mr. Trump: "With your vote, I'll take on Trump and demand the community safety we deserve." And her campaign materials also promote Evans' work on civil rights issues.

"I have only worked in public service my entire career. That's the reason why I became a lawyer  to represent and serve my community," Evans said. "When I realized that that was not going to be possible any longer with the values that the Trump administration was having for the department, I knew I needed to shift."

She said her public criticism of the recent changes in the Justice Department is resonating with voters.

"We've spoken with thousands of voters and we have been knocking on thousands of doors," she said. "It's been really comforting to hear from our voters who say 'You are so brave to step out and speak out against this.'"

The Seattle primaries are Tuesday. If Evans wins enough votes, she'd proceed to a general election in November.

"It really weighed on my heart"

Hetal Doshi rose through the ranks of the Justice Department over more than a decade of service, including as deputy assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division. She left in January, when Mr. Trump was sworn in, and is now seeking her first elected office as a candidate in next year's election for Colorado attorney general.

Doshi told CBS News the recent changes at the agency "really weighed on my heart and on my mind."

"State attorneys general are more important than ever before, in filling an enforcement vacuum," she said. "That's why I made the decision to run for office."

"I faced a lot of complicated feelings about my exit," Doshi said, "and that complexity was coming from the fact that I loved what I did on behalf of the American people so much."

Despite her lack of campaign experience, Doshi touted robust early fundraising and a statewide campaign infrastructure as she pursues the Democratic nomination for the post. Doshi's campaign materials, including an introductory video, emphasize she's a first-generation American from a working-class family.

Her campaign website includes a video in which Doshi takes aim at Mr. Trump, saying, "The rule of law is under attack by Donald Trump and politicians who have abandoned patriotism." The video includes images of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump surrogate Jeanine Pirro, who was just confirmed as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

"It's hard to watch the dismantling of the norms and traditions of the Department of Justice," Doshi said in a phone interview with CBS News.

The Justice Department declined a request to comment on Doshi, Crosswell or Evans and their criticism of recent agency changes.

Doshi's campaign lists several of her Justice Department accomplishments and promotes her record. Her campaign materials highlight her federal case work in challenging an airline merger, big tech mergers, concert ticket pricing and a case she said would have impacted grocery prices.

"I feel much more comfortable in a courtroom than any other place," Doshi admitted, but she says campaigning is a form of public advocacy that mirrors her work as a government attorney.

"It's normally pretty rare for career DOJ attorneys to run for office. They actively steer clear of partisanship at the department," said Stacey Young, a former Justice Department attorney who leads the Justice Connection, a networking organization to help former Justice Department employees who have resigned or been fired.

"It makes perfect sense that for some, serving through elected office, outside the president's chain of command, is a viable alternative," Young added.

"I was just reading the tea leaves"

Victor Salgado said he decided on Election night last year he'd prepare to leave his job as an attorney in the Public Integrity division of the Justice Department.

He soon began pursuing the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia. His campaign and his effort won just about 5% of the vote in the June primary.That was not enough to advance to the November general election,but he still did better than he had expected.

Salgado told CBS News he decided to leave before the expected shakeup inside the Justice Department.

"I was just reading tea leaves on the type of people that had been close to Mr. Trump, and the people who would eventually come to run the Department of Justice," he said. "I handicapped it at 90% that within the near future of January 20, the Public Integrity section will be dismantled."

There were a series of ousters in the agency's public integrity section within the first two months of the Trump administration.

Salgado enjoyed a storied career at the Justice Department, including an agency award for his work on a major cryptocurrency investigation, which led to a CEO's guilty plea in 2023. The department also credited Salgado with "substantial contributions" to the successful prosecution of former Rep. George Santos, a New York Republican who was expelled from Congress, pleaded guilty to fraud and began serving a prison sentence last month.

Salgado said he emphasized his Justice Department work during his brief campaign, and as he met with voters and made campaign stops, he referenced the controversies involving the Trump's administration's use of law enforcement in immigration enforcement.

He said the role of political candidate is challenging for career prosecutors.

"We are not partisan, especially as corruption prosecutors," he said. "Of course, we have political opinions, but all of those get checked at the door."

Crosswell's race could become one of the most expensive and highest profile in the nation. He moved back to Pennsylvania, where he grew up, just about 45 minutes outside of Allentown.

In a sign he's cemented his position as a frontline Democratic political candidate, Crosswell is receiving strong criticism from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

"Carpetbagging Ryan Crosswell parachuted into the Lehigh Valley after working in Biden's corrupt DOJ. Pennsylvanians took out the trash last November when they elected Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and President Trump, and they're not looking back," an NRCC spokeswoman said in a statement.

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NYC socialist mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and a pal stole a table while an undergraduate at Bowdoin College -- only admitting to the heist in the campus newspaper after security had him dead to rights.

He must have gotten an F in ethics.

NYC socialist mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and a pal stole a table while an undergraduate at Bowdoin College in Maine  only admitting to the heist in the campus newspaper after security had him dead to rights.

I would occasionally use the table in my room. You know, for that game with the red Solo cups and a few ping-pong balls, the future defund-the-police Queens assemblyman recalled in a Sept. 16, 2011 column for The Bowdoin Orient, titled Idiots Steal Table.

Not a drinking game though, because that would be against the rules, so we play with water. Just as much fun with twice the hydration.

NYC socialist mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (left) stole a table while an undergraduate at Bowdoin College  only admitting to the heist in the campus newspaper after security had him dead to rights. REUTERS

And the crime was premeditated  Mamdani admitted to eyeing the piece since he was a freshman the year before, he wrote.

He claimed he grew so fond of the furniture that he plotted with a buddy to borrow the table for a few nights at his new campus living quarters by carrying it in broad daylight from one building to another, The Maine Wire first reported.

Mamdani wrongly assumed there were no security cameras along his getaway path, so his jaw dropped the following day when he got a call from Randy Nichols, a retired Maine State Trooper who then ran the nearly $65,000-a-year colleges security.

Mamdani during his senior year at Bowdoin in 2014. Bowdoin SJP/ Facebook

I thought it had to do with a crime to report, since I also cover the crime beat for this paper. In a way, I wasnt wrong, he wrote.

His first words to me on the phone: Zohran, do you have any knowledge on the whereabouts of a bench from second floor West? I couldnt believe it, and yet I kind of did. But before we established ourselves as the worst borrowers in history, I needed clarification: A bench or a table, Mr. Nichols?

The crime of stealing the table was premeditated, since Mamdani eyed the piece since he was a freshman the year before, the future anti-police pol wrote in a Sept. 16, 2011 column for The Bowdoin Orient, titled Idiots Steal Table. AP

By the end of the conversation, I had admitted to having taken a table from [the] second floor [of the] West [building] without asking anyone, and also to having been an idiot in the process.

Mamdani, however, insisted in his column he still had nothing but love for Nichols  and was ready to deal with the consequences, whatever they would be.

Heres to the man with the deepest voice Ive ever heard and the trendiest wrist-bands on campus, continuing to catch idiot table-snatching thieves for years to come. And to my meeting with my dean next week, he wrote.

Mamdani graduated the Maine college in 2014 with a bachelors degree in Africana studies. The Bowdoin Orient

It is unclear if Mamdani received any punishment.

Nichols did not return messages.

Reps for Mamdani, who graduated in 2014 with a bachelors degree in Africana studies, did not return a request for comment.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaks outside the White House on April 18, 2025, in Washington, DC. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Sunday told reporters his administration will be announcing a new commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over the next three, four days, after he fired the previous one.

Well be announcing a new statistician sometime over the next three, four days. We had no confidence. I mean, the numbers were ridiculous, which she announced, but that was just one negative number. All of the numbers seem to be great, Trump said before boarding Air Force One in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Whoever the president nominates to be the new commissioner would need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Earlier on Sunday, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett defended Trumps decision to fire Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, claiming the president wants his own people there.

Last week, a weaker-than-expected jobs report proved to be a sore spot for the economy  and the president. The Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report on Friday showed the US economy added just 73,000 jobs in July. The monthly totals for May and June were also revised down by a combined 258,000 jobs.

After the report was released, Trump posted to Truth Social that todays Jobs Numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad. Trump later announced he was firing McEntarfer.

Hassett did not provide evidence that the report was incorrect, saying on NBCs Meet the Press that the revisions are hard evidence that the jobs data was rigged.

What we need is a fresh set of eyes over the BLS, Hassett said.

In an appearance that aired on Fox News Sunday, Hassett said that if he ran the BLS and had the biggest downward revision in 50 years, I would have a really, really detailed report explaining why it happened. He claimed without evidence that there are partisan patterns in the jobless data and that data cant be propaganda.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics. - Bill Clark/Getty Images

Former BLS Commissioner William Beach, who was nominated by Trump during his first term in 2017 and also served under former President Joe Biden, said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union that he will still believe the data coming from future jobs reports despite the firing of McEntarfer, but that he wants Trump to back off on his rhetoric against McEntarfer and the bureau.

Beach also called the firing groundless, saying it undermines credibility in the bureau and raises questions about the perception of future reports.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said Sunday on ABCs This Week that Trumps claims that the jobs numbers were rigged were a preposterous charge.

There is no conceivable way that the head of the BLS could have manipulated this number, Summers said. This is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism.

He added that the jobs report suggests the economy could tip over to a recession, and the risk is greater than before.

Trade negotiations continue as new tariffs take effect

Hassett said on Meet the Press that deals with US trading partners are more or less locked in as new tariffs are set to go into effect Thursday.

Therell have to be some dancing around the edges when it comes to what we mean when we do this or that, Hassett said, adding that it ultimately comes down to whether Trump likes those deals.

The Trump administration in April promised 90 deals in 90 days but fell well short of that, with Hassett claiming frameworks with about eight major trading partners. Those include 15% tariffs on the European Union, Japan and South Korea.

A worker checks sacks of coffee beans at a farmers' cooperative warehouse in Franca, Brazil, on August 1. - Joel Silva/Reuters

Such trade agreements, which maintained tariff rates of varying degrees, were listed alongside an array of new tariff rates on many of the United States trading partners in Trumps announcement last week, with some of the highest duties imposed on Brazil (50%), Myanmar (40%) and Switzerland (39%). Many of the duties, most of which will go into effect Thursday, are still lower than their April 2 Liberation Day rates.

While the rate cut in tariffs drew some sighs of relief from economists and investors who feared duties as high as 72% or 90% on some countries, there are still concerns about the impact of the new August tariffs and how financial markets will react.

These tariffs are not job creators, Summers said on The Week. He used the steel and automobile industries as examples of where jobs could become less competitive when they try to compete all over the world.

Hassett on Meet the Press ruled out Trump changing course on tariffs if markets were to react negatively because these are the final (trade) deals.

The United States still does not have a deal with China after the two sides agreed in May to a 90-day truce in Geneva, Switzerland, and with the August 12 deadline looming. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Sunday that a trade deal with Beijing could be delayed further.

Thats whats under discussion right now. I would say that our conversations with the Chinese have been very positive, Greer said on CBS News Face the Nation, adding that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump have had conversations.

Fuzhou Qingzhou Container Terminal in China on July 29. - Wang Wangwang/VCG/AP

The United States and China could both be severely weakened by a full-blown trade war.

The United States relies on China for consumer electronics; rare-earth minerals used in the manufacture of electric vehicles and for military applications and robotics; pharmaceuticals used in lifesaving medicines; and more basic staples of daily life, including clothing and shoes. US exports of produce like soybeans and sorghum to China are vital to the livelihoods of American farmers.

The Trump administration has touted that companies and other countries pay the tariffs, not consumers. But the prices of some American goods have increased in recent months, as toys, furniture, apparel and footwear are becoming increasingly expensive, according to a DataWeave analysis of 200,000 products.

CNNs Stephen Collinson, Alicia Wallace and Christian Sierra contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional content.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
As the search continues for a 28-year-old man who allegedly killed four family members and left their baby alive, authorities said they have arrested and charged two other men accused of helping the suspect after the slayings.

The suspect in the killings, Austin Robert Drummond, is considered armed and dangerous following the killings of 38-year-old Cortney Rose, Rose's children 20-year-old Adrianna Williams and 15-year-old Braydon Williams, and Adrianna Williams' boyfriend, 21-year-old James "Michael" Wilson, according to authorities and family.

The victims were killed on Tuesday and found along a road in Lake County, in northwest Tennessee near the states borders with Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky, authorities said.

Courtesy Wilson Family - PHOTO: James M. Wilson, 21 and Adrianna Williams, 20, and the baby that had been abandoned, Weslynne

Wilson Family - PHOTO: Courtney Rose, 38 (left) and Adrianna Williams, 20 (right).

The same day, Wilson and Williams' baby was left in a car seat in a "random individuals front yard" in nearby Dyer County, according to the Dyer County Sheriffs Office and Danny Goodman, district attorney for Dyer and Lake counties. The infant was treated by paramedics and is now safe and being cared for, authorities said.

Drummond has been at large since the killings, though officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have said they believe he is still in the area.

On Saturday, the bureau said it had arrested and charged two men, described as associates of Drummond, who are accused of assisting him after the killings.

The TBI said it had obtained warrants charging 29-year-old Tanaka Brown and 29-year-old Giovante Thomas, both of Jackson, with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Brown, who was also faces one count of evidence tampering, was booked into the Lake County Jail where he is being held without bond. Thomas was already being held at another jail on an unrelated charge and will be sent to Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charge, the TBI said.

Officials have said the killings were not random. Investigators believe Drummond knew the victims, the district attorney said.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - PHOTO: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released this image in the search for Austin Robert Drummond, 29, who is wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, TN.

MORE: Teacher charged in Arkansas couple's murder held without bond

Drummond is wanted on four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, the TBI said.

"While this was an extremely tragic and violent event," the TBI said on social media, "there was a sign of compassion ... that tells us there's a possibility that Austin may have a sense that there is hope for him to be able to come in and have a conversation about what happened."

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - PHOTO: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released this image in the search for Austin Robert Drummond, 29, who is wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, TN.

TBI Director David Rausch said Drummond's white 2016 Audi was found in Jackson, Tennessee, where Drummond has ties, according to officials.

The TBI said earlier Saturday that this 1988 white Ford pickup truck linked to Drummond was found in Dyer County. Authorities ask anyone in the Burnt Mill Road area to review their surveillance cameras for footage or Drummond or the truck from Tuesday morning.

We are now asking anyone in the Burnt Mill Rd. area with cameras to review your footage from Tuesday morning to see if you spot Drummond or this truck.



Send tips to TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov or call 1-800-TBI-FIND.



2/X  Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) August 2, 2025

Goodman said Drummond had been out on bond for an attempted murder charge, which stemmed from an alleged incident while he was in prison for attempted robbery.

A $17,500 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Authorities urge anyone with information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.




NEED TO KNOW

In 2008, Victoria Nodiff-Netanel founded Mini Therapy Horses with her miniature horse, Pearl

The non-profit charity, made up of nine horses, offers site visits to hospitals, schools, fire departments and wherever else extra care is needed

Now, Nodiff-Netanel tells PEOPLE how the viral video came to be





Victoria Nodiff-Netanel has always been a proud "horse woman."

The former dressage rider knew she wanted to combine her love for horses with helping the community, which led her to become the president and executive director of Mini Therapy Horses. In 2008, Nodiff-Netanel founded the charity with her first miniature horse, Pearl.

Nodiff-Netanel talks exclusively with PEOPLE about her charity and her horses, saying, my whole life changed with this one little horse.

I started training Pearl to do different things, and that's when I got my light-bulb moment of how wonderful it would be to share my passion and connection with horses to help people," she says. "I didn't know anything about animal services, animal therapy, or animal-assisted therapy at the time. I started taking one step at a time with my one horse.

Victoria Nodiff-Netanel Victoria Nodiff-Netanel as a dressage rider

Through training and different certifications, Pearl became the organizations first therapy horse. Since Nodiff-Netanel's father was a veteran, she decided the first place she wanted to visit was the local veterans hospital in California.

Mini Therapy Horses Piano playing horse

Now, at the VA, we've been in the intensive care unit. We run a program in the lockdown psychiatric ward with the horses, which is rewarding for these veterans. A lot of them are homeless, they're addicts. They're going through a lot," she shares.

"The horses have an extremely calming effect. With the horse, we work together on social, emotional and spiritual behaviors.

Mini Therapy Horses Horses playing a keyboard.

When someones hugging a horse, everybody becomes very quiet. It allows people to make that emotional and spiritual connection. It really helps," she adds. "Sometimes kids or adults will talk to the horses or cry with the horses, hug the horses, things that'll happen that won't happen in other situations."

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.

Since the first site visit, the charity has expanded from just Pearl to nine highly trained miniature therapy horses.

In addition to weekly visits to the VA hospital, the organization visits children's hospitals, police and fire departments, schools, the Ronald McDonald house, and is a part of the Mayors Crisis Response Team (CRT), offering equine-assisted activities (EAA) and equine-assisted therapy (EAT).

The horses were invaluable during the recent Los Angeles wildfires, offering services to those who lost their homes, the firefighters and crisis response teams, and anyone else who needed extra love and support during the difficult time.

We did so much work during the wildfires and in the past with fires, we have now become part of the L.A. City Fire Department, Nodiff-Netanel shares.

Mini Therapy Horses A Horse playing a keyboard for a child in a hospital.

Her horses recently went viral after Nodiff-Netanel posted a video of one of them waking up a child from surgery by playing an electric keyboard. Nodiff-Netanel says every horse in her care can play the piano, among other things.

Before a visit, all the horses are washed, their hair is braided and they all wear shoes. Each one knows how to maneuver in tight spaces, stay calm in loud situations, smile, play instruments, and adapt to anything. We rotate them so they never get burned out, Nodiff-Netanel shares.

Every visit, we come away with special moments. The horses are magical, and the connections they make are magical," she adds. "They react to things so gently, so calmly and with such sensitivity that people feel so comfortable around them. Here's this tiny little horse they can touch and interact with and hug and feel her heartbeat.

Mini Therapy Horses A horse playing keyboard in the hospital

Nodiff-Netanel notes that none of this would be possible without the passion and commitment of her volunteers, who help with site visits and taking care of the horses. She also credits donations that help keep the organization running.

It's donations from people who love the horses that keep the horses fed and the programs going," she says. "People can see all the different ways the horses help people. All these places we go to, from the police department, the fire department, to the schools, we're the only horses going there."

We're the only horses in these hospitals. It takes a team to do this, and I couldn't do it without my volunteers. Volunteers are everything, and people who are like-minded who carry the same passion with the horses make it all work. Without them, I'm just one person with a little horse.



Read the original article on People
Image not from story. PARK CITY, KS - FEBRUARY 26: Police tape hangs across the street in front of the house that Dennis Rader lives in February 26, 2005 in Park City, Kansas. Rader is the suspect whom police have arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the 10 deaths now tied to the serial killer known as BTK. (Photo by Larry W. Smith/Getty Images) (Photo by Larry W. Smith/Getty Images)

A GoFundMe campaign to support severely injured Virginia Republican Councilman Lee Vogler has raised over $57,000 just days after he was targeted in a brutal and unprovoked attack.

Vogler, 38, a city councilman in Danville and a father of two, sustained second- and third-degree burns over more than half of his body when a man allegedly entered his workplace and set him on fire. The incident occurred at Showcase Magazine, where Vogler serves as director of marketing. (RELATED: Political Violence Surging Under Trump Isnt Exactly Far-Right After All)

According to the fundraiser page launched by Andrew Brooks, the magazines publisher, the attack took place July 30. Vogler is currently being treated at the UNC Chapel Hill Burn Clinic in stable but critical condition. He faces multiple surgeries, an extended hospital stay and a long rehabilitation process.

On July 30, 2025, our friend, husband, father, and community leader Lee Vogler was the victim of a horrific and senseless act of violence, Brooks wrote. The generosity and love weve seen has been overwhelming, and its making a real difference.

Voglers wife Blair and their children are reportedly at his side as he begins the difficult road to recovery. The GoFundMe campaign had raised $57,187 as of Sunday afternoon, with a target goal of $100,000.

Authorities have not yet released full details about the suspect or motive behind the attack.
Opinion / Columnist

My visit to China Agricultural University (CAU) on July 30, 2025 revealed far more than expected  it offered a compelling insight into a transformative model of agricultural development. There, I was introduced to a concept that immediately struck a chord: the Science and Technology Backyard (STB). Launched in 2009 by CAU, the STB model places postgraduate students directly in rural farming communities, not just as passive learners but as embedded catalysts for innovation. These students don't simply conduct surveys or write reports  they live with the farmers, eat with them, wake to the same cockcrow, and return to the fields beside them day after day. For at least 120 days a year, they become part of the village ecosystem, helping farmers address tangible problems  from soil acidity to pest outbreaks  using scientific tools and evidence-based practices.As the son of a former AGRITEX extension officer, conversations around farming  particularly the challenges and resilience of Zimbabwe's smallholder farmers  have always drawn my attention. These stories, often shared over dinner or under the shade of an msasa tree, formed the backdrop of my childhood. But nothing I'd heard growing up quite compared to the STB's radical idea: collapse the ivory tower of academic theory into the dusty furrows of the rural field. What sets this model apart is its profound expectation: the student is not a mere intern. They are expected to add real operational value. Their knowledge must translate into better yields, smarter inputs, more resilient cropping systems.In a world where extension services are often stretched thin, and where farmer trust in outsiders can waver, STB has succeeded by embedding scientists as neighbours, allies, and partners. This struck me as an incredibly powerful tool for a country like Zimbabwe, where our smallholder farmers are rich in knowledge but often underserved by institutional support. We've long valued the role of champion farmers, demonstration plots, and field days  but imagine if each of those farmers had a trained agronomist or soil scientist living right there with them for a season or two.What made the experience even more meaningful was the Zimbabwean connection I discovered at CAU. To our pleasant surprise, Shingirai Mudare, a fellow countryman currently pursuing his doctorate at the university, was assisting the Chinese professor who led the presentation to articulate the STB in detail. Shingirai, a research assistant at CAU's National Academy of Agricultural Green Development, co-facilitated our STB session with confidence and clarity that did Zimbabwe proud. His research focuses on sustainable cropping systems and agricultural diversification  exactly the kind of work that Zimbabwe needs more of. After the official presentation, he graciously offered to take us on a tour of the demonstration plots. As we moved row by row, he pointed out some fascinating differences between Chinese and Zimbabwean maize cropping techniques  from the spacing between plants to the way intercropping is applied to conserve soil and manage pests.It was clear that this wasn't just a case of China exporting a model; it was a conversation. Countries like Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania have already begun adopting STB principles, and early results are promising. In Malawi, for instance, the integration of STB into demonstration villages has resulted in reported yield increases of up to four times for some cereal crops. These are not isolated success stories  they represent a deliberate shift in how agricultural knowledge is developed, transferred, and localised.Back home, Zimbabwe has no shortage of agricultural talent, nor a deficit of willing farmers eager to try new methods. What we need is a structured, well-supported framework that bridges the rich academic training of our students with the lived realities of our rural producers. STB offers precisely that  a bridge between knowledge and necessity, between laboratories and leaky irrigation pipes, between theses and threshing floors.Walking away from CAU, I was left with a sense of both pride and urgency. Pride, because Zimbabweans like Shingirai are already helping shape global conversations on sustainable agriculture. Urgency, because models like STB shouldn't remain locked in foreign fields  they deserve to take root in our own.I can't help but imagine what it would look like if each agricultural college in Zimbabwe adopted a similar model  sending out its brightest students not just to observe, but to live, learn, and lead alongside farmers. It would be a quiet revolution, much like the one that is blooming in Malawi, China, and many other Global South countries where smallholder farmers are an important part of their economies.
AdriA Riudavets/Getty Images Passengers leave the Menorca Airport on the Balearic Islands, Spain.





Key Points

A new study ranked 117 global airports on family-friendly amenities like play areas, nursing rooms, stroller rentals, and security options.

Several U.S. airports made the full list, but none cracked the top 20Memphis International (MEM) ranked highest at No. 23.





Traveling with small children is no walk in the park, even under the best of circumstances. But as families on the go know, not all airports are created equaland a new study set out to find the 10 most family-friendly airports in the world.

British stroller company iCandy recently released its Little Flyers Index, which examined 117 airports around the world and ranked them according to their kid-friendliness. Scores were determined based on factors that parents care about the most: the number of restaurants available, the number of childrens play areas, the number of breastfeeding and nursing rooms, rentable strollers, family-friendly security lines, and the number of passengers who fly from the airport each year. Each airport was then given a score out of 100.

After crunching the numbers, Spain's Menorca Airport (MAH), located on the Mediterranean coast, came out on top with a score of 95. This small airport has four childrens play areas, three nursing rooms, eight dining options, and a smaller number of annual passengers, making it easier to navigate than other airports.

The second airport in the top ten, Latvia's Riga Airport (AIX), has 12 restaurants, three play areas, four nursing rooms, rentable strollers, and family-friendly security. Third on the list is the Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) in Poland, which has 25 restaurants, three play areas, 19 nursing rooms, rentable strollers, and family-friendly security options.

Jan Van Der Wolf/Getty Images Exterior of the Menorca Airport on the Spanish island of Menorca.

Here are the 10 best family-friendly airports in the world, according to the study:

Menorca Airport, Spain Riga International Airport, Latvia Warsaw Chopin Airport, Poland Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Canada Oslo Airport (OSL), Norway Istanbul Airport (IST), Turkey LyonSaint-Exupery Airport (LYS), France London Luton Airport (LTN), U.K. Munich Airport (MUC), Germany Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Denmark

Several U.S. airports appeared on the complete Little Flyer Index, but none made the top 20. The highest ranking U.S. airport is the Memphis International Airport (MEH) in Tennessee, in the 23rd spot.

For parents planning a family-friendly vacation, airports that offer amenities designed for young children can be a major game-changer. Spending a layover at an airport with a play area could mean the difference between a totally peaceful second leg of a journey or a total toddler meltdown. A nursing station could mean the difference between a pain-free journey and fumbling in a dirty bathroom stall with an infant, a suitcase, and zero patience. Hopefully, more airports will catch on, and there will be just as many play areas as we do vending machines for eyebrow pencils.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
As a manhunt continued on Sunday for a former U.S. Army soldier who allegedly gunned down a bartender and three patrons at a tavern in southwestern Montana, authorities released the names of the victims.

The suspect, 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, allegedly opened fire with a rifle around 10:30 a.m. local time Friday at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a city of about 9,000 people in southwestern Montana, according to the Montana Department of Justice.

"This is a dangerous individual who has committed an absolutely heinous crime against this community and these victims," Montana State Attorney General Austin Knudsen said at a news conference on Sunday, announcing an initial $7,500 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect.

Knudsen urged anyone with information on Brown's whereabouts to call a hotline that has also been established through the U.S. Marshals Service: (877) WANTED2.

NonStopLOCAL - PHOTO: Police respond to The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, following a shooting that left four people dead, Aug. 1, 2025.

Knudsen identified the shooting victims as 64-year-old Nancy Lauretta Kelley, who was the bartender at the time of the shooting; 59-year-old Daniel Edwin Baillie; 70-year-old David Allen Leach; and 74-year-old Tony Wayne Palm. He said Baillie, Leach and Palm were all patrons of The Owl Bar.

The attorney general said local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are searching for Brown.

"We've got air assets, ground assets. We're going to catch this guy. This is absolutely still priority No. 1," Knudsen said.

Anaconda - Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center - PHOTO: An undated photo of Michael Paul Brown.

On Saturday, investigators released a surveillance photo of Brown that Knudsen said was taken shortly after the shooting, in which the suspect appeared to have stripped off most of his clothes and was just in his underwear and his socks.

"We have very good reason to believe that he is clothed. He does have shoes and he's probably able to get around," said Knudsen, adding that investigators suspect Brown stole a vehicle after the shooting that contained camping equipment and clothes.

MORE: Man at large after allegedly killing 4 family members, leaving baby alive in Tennessee: Officials

Brown lived next door to the bar and was not a stranger to the area and establishment, authorities said. Knudsen said investigators believe that Brown was familiar with most of the victims, including the bartender.

"From what I gather, it sounds like he was a regular at this establishment. He literally lives next door," Knudsen said. "I think it's likely that he knew the bartender and these patrons, which even makes it more heinous."

Reuters - PHOTO: Police respond to The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, following a shooting that left four people dead, Aug. 1, 2025.

Knudsen said investigators believe Brown used a rifle in the shooting.

A motive remains under investigation.

Brown was in the Army from 2001 to 2005 and the National Guard from 2006 to 2009, an Army spokesperson said. He spent one year deployed in Iraq and left the service in the rank of sergeant, the Army said.

Police said they found the 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup that Brown was last seen driving on Friday, but Brown remains at large.

Numerous local, state and federal agencies are searching the area via ground and air, authorities said.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Hamas said on Sunday it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions, after a video it released showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers.

Hamas said any coordination with the Red Cross is contingent upon Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during the distribution of aid.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas, thus far, has barred humanitarian organizations from having any kind of access to the hostages and families have little or no details of their conditions.

On Saturday, Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole that, he says in the video, is for his own grave. The arm of the individual holding the camera, which can be seen in the frame, is a regular width.

The video of David drew criticism from Western powers and horrified Israelis. France, Germany, the UK and the U.S. were among countries to express outrage and Israel's foreign ministry announced that the UN Security Council will hold a special session on Tuesday morning on the issue of the situation of the hostages in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had asked the Red Cross to give humanitarian assistance to the hostages during a conversation with the head of the Swiss-based ICRC's local delegation.

A statement from The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those being held in Gaza, said Hamas' comments about the hostages cannot hide that it "has been holding innocent people in impossible conditions for over 660 days," and demanded their immediate release.

"Until their release," said the statement, "Hamas has the obligation to provide them with everything they need. Hamas kidnapped them and they must care for them. Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas's hands."

Six more people died of starvation or malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, its health ministry said on Sunday as Israel said it allowed a delivery of fuel to the enclave, in the throes of a humanitarian disaster after almost two years of war.

The new deaths raised the toll of those dying from what international humanitarian agencies say may be an unfolding famine to 175, including 93 children, since the war began, the ministry said.

Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said two trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said later in the day that four tankers of U.N. fuel had entered to help in operations of hospitals, bakeries, public kitchens and other essential services.

There was no immediate confirmation whether the two diesel fuel trucks had entered Gaza from Egypt.

Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services, forcing doctors to focus on treating only critically ill or injured patients.

Fuel shipments have been rare since March, when Israel restricted the flow of aid into the enclave in what it said was pressure on Hamas militants to free the remaining hostages they took in their October 2023 attack on Israel.

Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international uproar, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

U.N. agencies say airdrops are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people, most of whom are displaced amidst vast swathes of rubble.

COGAT said that during the past week over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza but that hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by U.N. and other international organisations.

Meanwhile, Belgium's air force dropped the first in a series of its aid packages into Gaza on Sunday in a joint operation with Jordan, the Belgian defence ministry said.

France on Friday started to air-drop 40 tons of humanitarian aid.

LOOTED AID TRUCKS

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Sunday that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs.

More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive.

Palestinian local health authorities said at least 80 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave on Sunday. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said.

Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at its headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building.

The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials.

(Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Jaida Taha; additional reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Maayan Lubell; editing by Mark Heinrich and Diane Craft)
Sarah McBride

Voters think Democrats are aholes, prominent freshman Rep. Sarah McBride said, blaming that perception for her partys electoral setbacks.

I think voters feel like Democrats have sort of been aholes to them, McBride (D-Del.) told Politicos The Conversation in an interview set to drop Sunday.

Democrats, whose party symbol is a donkey, aka a jacka, have been deep in soul-searching about how they were trounced across the board in the November election.

Rep. Sarah McBride wants her party to be less off putting to voters. Bloomberg via Getty Images

McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, argued voters want respect, and Democrats dont give it.

I do think that a voter asks two questions when theyre considering who to vote for. The first question is: Does this candidate, does this party like me? And by extension, do they respect me? the Delaware Democrat told host Dasha Burns.

If you cant answer that first question to a voters satisfaction, they wont even get to the second question, which is: What does this party think? What does this candidate think? And I think we lost that first question.

Other prominent Dems have raised similar concerns their party has become too elitist and engaged in excessive culture war battles which have repelled the working class.

The November election marked the first time Democrats lost the popular vote in a presidential election in 20 years. TNS

Following President Trumps win in November, for example, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) contended many Dems came across as condescending and had an attitude that working-class voters should be smart enough to realize theyre voting against their interests.

Others have raised concerns that Democrats had been too hostile towards men, and some, such as Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), dinged the party for being too dismissive towards voters who had concerns about transgender competitors in womens sports.

I do think that we have to basically create a tent that is united on three fundamental principles, McBride continued.

One is working people need more support and help. Two, democracy and freedom are good. And three, were not going to be aholes to voters.

Much of the off-putting attitudes voters are reacting to arent necessarily from elected Democrats, but rather from influencers and big-name commentators, she cautioned.

Democrats are scrambling to course correct ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections. Getty Images

The reality in todays environment is that your party ecosystem is defined not just by politicians or the party, but also some of the loudest voices online that in voters minds reflect and represent that broader coalition, the Delaware Democrat stressed.

When we have an environment where weve got some very loud people who are shaming and calling people who disagree with them  even in rhetoric  bigots, when we have those folks saying that to a wide swath of voters, including voters we could win, and we arent explicitly stating something to the contrary, then a voter will then just paint us all with one broad brush.

McBride also posited that Trumps rise to political power has been fueled by a frustration that government no longer works or delivers for people  something she blamed on gridlock in Congress.
Before koalas became Australia's animal ambassadors, the country tried platypus diplomacy [Australian Museum]

In 1943, a camouflaged ship set off from Australia to England carrying top secret cargo - a single young platypus.

Named after his would-be owner, UK prime minister Winston Churchill, the rare monotreme was an unprecedented gift from a country desperately trying to curry favour as World War Two expanded into the Pacific and arrived on its doorstep.

But days out from Winston's arrival, as war raged in the seas around him, the puggle was found dead in the water of his specially made "platypusary".

Fearing a potential diplomatic incident, Winston's death  along with his very existence  was swept under the rug.

He was preserved, stuffed and quietly shelved inside his name-sake's office, with rumours that he died of Nazi-submarine-induced shell-shock gently whispered into the ether.

The mystery of who, or what, really killed him has eluded the world since - until now.

Two Winstons and a war

The world has always been fascinated by the platypus. An egg-laying mammal with the face and feet of a duck, an otter-shaped body and a beaver-inspired tail, many thought the creature was an elaborate hoax; a taxidermy trick.

For Churchill, an avid collector of rare and exotic animals, the platypus's intrigue only made him more desperate to have one  or six  for his menagerie.

And in 1943 he said as much to the Australian foreign minister, H.V. 'Doc' Evatt.

In the eyes of Evatt, the fact that his country had banned the export of the creatures - or that they were notoriously difficult to transport and none had ever survived a journey that long - were merely challenges to overcome.

Australia had increasingly felt abandoned by the motherland as the Japanese drew closer and closer  and if a posse of platypuses would help Churchill respond more favourably to Canberra's requests for support, then so be it.

Conservationist David Fleay  who was asked to help with the mission  was less amenable.

"Imagine any man carrying the responsibilities Churchill did, with humanity on the rack in Europe and Asia, finding time to even think about, let alone want, half-a-dozen duckbilled platypuses," he wrote in his 1980 book Paradoxical Platypus.

Among Churchill's animals were lions, a leopard, and a flock of black swans [Getty Images]

On Mr Fleay's account, he managed to talk the politicians down from six platypuses to one, and young Winston was captured from a river near Melbourne shortly after.

An elaborate platypusary  complete with hay-lined burrows and fresh Australian creek water  was constructed for him; a menu of 50,000 worms  and duck egg custard as a treat  was prepared; and an attendant was hired to wait on his every need throughout the 45-day voyage.

Across the Pacific, through Panama Canal and into the Atlantic Ocean Winston went - before tragedy struck.

In a letter to Evatt, Churchill said he was "grieved" to report that the platypus "kindly" sent to him had died in the final stretch of the journey.

"Its loss is a great disappointment to me," he said.

The mission's failure was kept secret for years, to avoid any public outcry. But eventually, reports about Winston's demise would begin popping up in newspapers. The ship had encountered a German U-boat, they claimed, and the platypus had been shaken to death amid a barrage of blasts.

David Fleay is known as the "Father of Conservation" in Australia [Australian Museum]

"A small animal equipped with a nerve-packed, super sensitive bill, able to detect even the delicate movements of a mosquito wriggler on stream bottoms in the dark of night, cannot hope to cope with man-made enormities such as violent explosions," Mr Fleay wrote, decades later.

"It was so obvious that, but for the misfortunes of war, a fine, thriving, healthy little platypus would have created history in being number one of its kind to take up residence in England."

Mystery unravelled

"It is a tempting story, isn't it?" PhD student Harrison Croft tells the BBC.

But it's one that has long raised suspicions.

And so last year, Mr Croft embarked on his own journey: a search for truth.

Accessing archives in both Canberra and London, the Monash University student found a bunch of records from the ship's crew, including an interview with the platypus attendant charged with keeping Winston alive.

"They did a sort of post-mortem, and he was very particular. He was very certain that there was no explosion, that it was all very calm and quiet on board," Mr Croft says.

Records about Winston's life have ended up in museum collections in Australia and the UK [Renee Nowytarger/University of Sydney]

A state away, another team in Sydney was looking into Winston's life too. David Fleay's personal collection had been donated to the Australian Museum, and staff all over the building were desperate to know if it held answers.

"You'd ride in the lifts and some doctor from mammalogy [would ask] 'what archival evidence is there that Winston died from depth charge detonations?'" the museum's archive manager Robert Dooley tells the BBC.

"This is something that had intrigued people for a long time."

With the help of a team of interns from the University of Sydney, they set about digitising all of Fleay's records in a bid to find out.

Ewan Cowan (second left) and Paul Zaki (second right) were among a team of interns who helped solve the case [Renee Nowytarger/University of Sydney]

Even as far back as the 1940s, people knew that platypuses were voracious eaters. Legend of the species' appetite was so great that the UK authorities drafted an announcement offering to pay young boys to catch worms and deliver them to feed Winston upon his arrival.

In the platypus attendant's logbook, the interns found evidence that his rations en route were being decreased as some of the worms began to perish.

But it was water and air temperatures, which had been noted down at 8am and 6pm every day, that held the key to solving the mystery.

These readings were taken at two of the cooler points of the day, and still, as the ship crossed the equator over about a week, the recorded temperatures climbed well beyond 27C - what we now know is the safe threshold for platypus travel.

With the benefit of hindsight - and an extra 80 years of scientific research into the species - the University of Sydney team determined Winston was essentially cooked alive.

While they can't definitively rule out the submarine shell-shock story, they say the impact of those prolonged high temperatures alone would have been enough to kill Winston.

Though temperatures dropped as Winston neared England, the relief came too late to save him [Australian Museum]

"It's way easier to just shift the blame on the Germans, rather than say we weren't feeding it enough, or we weren't regulating its temperature correctly," Ewan Cowan tells the BBC.

"History is totally dependent on who's telling the story," Paul Zaki adds.

Platypus diplomacy goes extinct

Not to be dissuaded by its initial attempt at platypus diplomacy, Australia would try again in 1947.

High off the achievement of successfully breeding a platypus in captivity for the first time  a feat that wouldn't be replicated for another 50 years  Mr Fleay convinced the Australian government to let the Bronx Zoo have three of the creatures in a bid to deepen ties with the US.

Unlike Winston's secret journey across the Pacific, this voyage garnered huge attention. Betty, Penelope and Cecil docked in Boston to much fanfare, before the trio was reportedly escorted via limousine to New York City, where Australia's ambassador was waiting to feed them the ceremonial first worm.

Betty would die soon after she arrived, but Penelope and Cecil quickly became celebrities. Crowds clamoured for a glimpse of the animals. A wedding was planned. The tabloids obsessed over their every move.

Penelope and Cecil were the original Moo Dengs, Mr Cowan says [Australian Museum]

Platypus are solitary creatures, but New York had been promised lovers. And while Cecil was lovesick, Penelope was apparently sick of love. In the media, she was painted as a "brazen hussy", "one of those saucy females who like to keep a male on a string".

Until 1953 that is, when the pair had a four-day fling - rather upsettingly described as "all-night orgies of love", fuelled by "copious quantities of crayfish and worms".

Alas, Penelope soon began nesting, and the world excitedly awaited her platypups, which were to be a massive scientific milestone  only the second bred in captivity, and the first outside Australia.

After four months of princess treatment and double rations for Penelope, zookeepers checked on her nest in front of a throng of excited reporters.

But they found no babies - just a disgruntled-looking Penelope, who was summarily accused of faking her pregnancy to secure more worms and less Cecil.

"It was a whole scandal," Mr Cowan says - one from which Penelope's reputation never recovered.

Years later, in 1957, she would vanish from her enclosure, sparking a weeks-long search and rescue mission which culminated in the zoo declaring her "presumed lost and probably dead".

A day after the hunt for Penelope was called off, Cecil died of what the media diagnosed as a "broken heart".

Laid to rest with the pair was any real future for platypus diplomacy.

Though the Bronx Zoo would try to replicate the exchange with more platypuses in 1958, the finnicky beasts lasted under a year, and Australia soon tightened laws banning their export. The only two which have left the country since have lived at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 2019.
When the British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour issued his eponymous Declaration in November 1917, it was hailed as a monumental and historic diplomatic achievement by the Zionist movement. When Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced earlier this week that, barring a ceasefire, Britain will recognise a Palestinian state, it was met with angry tantrums and livid rhetorical spasms by Israeli ministers.

The context and circumstances are obviously very different  but the Britain of 1917 that issued the declaration, the Britain of 1947 that relinquished its mandate over Palestine and supported the UN plan for partition, and the Britain of 2025 that is considering recognition of a Palestinian state are all telling the same story: that there is a question that needs to  and can be  resolved.

Benjamin Netanyahu should not have been surprised by Starmers announcement. It has been gradually in the making, with Britain over the last year imploring Israel to end the war in Gaza and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe and starvation.

Starmers bona fides on Israel are unassailable; it is Netanyahu who has chosen to ignore, deride and refuse to entertain any political plans for post-war Gaza. It was Netanyahu who waged a war without clear political objectives, and who was warned by Britain, among several other allies, that this would produce calamity.

But it is Netanyahu who has cast himself in the Churchillian mould, that of the wartime prime minister who alone can remodel the Middle Easts geopolitical landscape through military force  and all the while assuming the Palestinian issue will magically disappear.

Yet after a few weeks of futile quasi-negotiations over a partial deal, Israel is now again exuding pessimism, threatening to widen the military operation in Gaza as if, short of full military occupation, it can be further widened.

As Donald Trumps patience with Netanyahu frays, he sent US envoy Steve Witkoff to Israel, which was a de facto threat to Israel not to expand the war (Getty)

Its not just the United Kingdom that has, latterly, taken a stand: the Israeli military is also warning Netanyahu that this is going nowhere.

As Donald Trumps patience with Netanyahu frays, he sent US envoy Steve Witkoff to Israel, which was a de facto threat to Israel not to expand the war, and to significantly increase humanitarian aid getting into Gaza, an endeavour that, to date, has been a colossal failure.

The Israeli media is melodramatically calling, first, the French decision to recognise Palestine, followed by the British, then Canada and possibly Portugal, too, as a tsunami. This is both misleading and in poor taste. A tsunami is a force of nature, a displacement of the ocean resulting from an earthquake. The diplomatic debacle that Israel is undergoing is man-made  by one man, to be precise, Mr Netanyahu. It is the result of nothing but hubris and a reckless lack of policy.

Some 147 countries  out of the 193 UN member states  have already announced their recognition of a future Palestine. This wide-scale recognition is largely symbolic, declarative and more a statement of frustration with the lack of a resolution than having any practical meaning.

But the symbolic nature of such declarations becomes substantive since they create an organising policy principle around which many countries coalesce. When four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council announce their intention, it leaves Israel dependent more than ever not on the US, but on the whims of an increasingly frustrated and erratic Donald Trump. This is not where Israel should be.

Starmer, Carney and Macron will not establish a Palestinian state by virtue of declarations. They know that. Nor is it feasible for such a state to be formed in the immediate future. But they have put a mirror in front of Netanyahu. How long can he avoid looking into it?

Alon Pinkas is a former Israeli consul general to the US and was a political adviser to two former prime ministers, Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak
MIAVANA Time+Tide MIAVANA resort as seen from above.

Luxury in Africa isnt just about thread counts or plunge poolsits about storytelling, connection, and exclusive access to one-of-a-kind experiences. As a travel advisor, Im always on the lookout for luxury safari lodges that blend adventure, indulgence, and authenticity. These properties arent on every top 10 listtheyre whispered about amongst seasoned safari-goers and industry insiders. Here are four of Africas best hidden gems and why they belong on your radar.

Durston Saylor/Courtesy of Ol Jogi Ol Jogi's Mbogo Private Veranda.

Ol Jogi: Laikipia, Kenya

Ol Jogi isn't exactly a lodgeits a 58,000-acre, 11-bedroom private sanctuary that guests have entirely to themselves. With an in-house team, private chefs, and access to rare wildlife encounters, this stay is the epitome of African exclusivity. Its also one of the few places in Kenya where you can see the endangered Grevy's zebra, black rhinos, white rhinos, and leopards all on the same game drive. Plus, with a salt lick and waterhole directly in front of the villas pool, wildlife will come right to you.

While on property, go on game drives, horseback safaris, helicopter rides over Mount Kenya, and conservation-focused experiences with on-site rangers and researchers. Evenings are for sunsets at private viewpoints and family-style feasts under the stars.

Insider Tip: Book at least four nights at Ol Jogi. The pace here is unhurried, and the activities are completely tailored to you, whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling with family, or just craving immersion in nature.

Noka Camp Enjoy drinks at sunset with mountain views at Noka Camp.

Noka Camp: Lapalala Wilderness, South Africa

Suspended dramatically above the Lephalala River, Noka Camp offers a front-row seat to the untouched beauty of the Lapalala Wilderness. This not-for-profit camp is entirely solar-powered and puts all proceeds toward the reserves conservation efforts. Wake up to panoramic views of the biodiverse Waterberg biosphere, where leopards roam and black rhinos track ancient paths. The reserves raw, remote terrain is home to a surprising diversity of wildlife, and youll likely have it all to yourselfthe accommodation is private, and can host up to 12 guests.

Activities include twice-daily game drives, guided walking safaris, and stargazing from your own heated plunge pool. Between adventures, savor fine dining and wine pairings under the stars. Dont miss the chance to learn about one of Africas most elusive mammals at the Pangolin Conservation and Research Centre, which Noka proudly supports.

Insider Tip: Each villa features a retractable glass floor for a one-of-a-kind view straight down to the river belowperfect for spotting wildlife while sipping your morning coffee.

MIAVANA Time+Tide Miavana's private helicopter for guests.

Miavana: Nosy Ankao, Madagascar

Miavana, a private island accessible only by helicopter, is wildly remote, ecologically vital, and utterly transformative. Aside from relaxing on the serene beaches, there are some deep-diving, expedition-style adventures that can be launched from the propertys base on the mainland. Guests can mix land-based safari with marine adventure, where they will see lemurs, chameleons, and baobabs on land, and sea turtles, rays, and technicolor reefs underwater.

For activities, guests can go on forest treks with expert guides, go deep-sea fishing, or indulge in a spa treatment to the rhythm of the ocean. Evenings begin with champagne at the beach bar and end with gourmet dinners under the stars.

Insider Tip: Miavana is even better as a post-safari island getaway. Combine it with a mainland lodge for a dramatic contrast between bush and beach.

Kalepo Camp An aerial view of Kalepo Camp's private villas.

Kalepo Camp: Samburu, Kenya

Remote and culturally immersive, Kalepo is a rare jewel nestled at the base of the Mathews Range in northern Kenya. This family-owned, exclusive-use camp offers an intimate introduction to indigenous Samburu culture in its most authentic form. This area is also home to the rare Samburu Special Five: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Beisa oryx. Birdlife is diverse and prolific here, and the landscapesdry riverbeds, doum palms, and towering peaksare pure cinematic beauty.

At Kalepo, each day is shaped by the goings-on in the local community, and many activities involve genuine cultural exchange with the Samburu people. Your stay could include participating in traditional Samburu warrior games or immersion into a manyatta, or settlement, where you might observe local blacksmiths at work or even witness festive ceremonies.

Insider Tip: Spend more time here than you think you need, and let the experience unfold around you. This is also the perfect home base from which to explore even more remote areas like Lake Turkana in Kenyas wild north.

Chris Liebenberg is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in Botswana and Namibia trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Liebenberg by contacting him at chris@piperandheath.com.



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LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 18: WKRP in Cincinnati, a CBS television situation comedy about characters at a radio station. Premiere episode originally broadcast September 18, 1978. Pictured is Loni Anderson (as Jennifer Marlowe, receptionist). (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Loni Anderson, who played a struggling radio stations empowered receptionist on the hit TV comedy WKRP in Cincinnati, died Sunday, just days before her 80th birthday.

Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness, said her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother, Andersons family said in a statement.

WKRP in Cincinnati aired from 1978 to 1982 and was set in a flagging Ohio radio station trying to reinvent itself with rock music. The cast included Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner and Jan Smithers, alongside Anderson as Jennifer Marlowe, whose good looks were matched by her intelligence.

As the stations receptionist, the blonde and high-heeled Jennifer routinely deflected unwanted business calls for her boss, Mr. Carlson. Her efficiency often kept the station running in the face of others incompetence.

The role earned Anderson two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.

Anderson starred on the big screen alongside Burt Reynold s in the 1983 comedy Stroker Ace, and the two later married and became tabloid fixtures before their messy breakup in 1994.

Their son, Quinton Reynolds, was the best decision that we ever made in our entire relationship, she said during the unveiling of a bronze bust at Reynolds Hollywood grave site in 2021.

I think back to the beginning of our relationship, it was so, oh, gosh, tabloidy. We were just a spectacle all the time. And it was hard to have a relationship in that atmosphere. And somehow, we did it through many ups and downs," Anderson told The Associated Press.

Anderson detailed their tumultuous marriage in the 1995 autobiography, My Life in High Heels, which she said was about the growth of a woman, a woman who survives."

I think if youre going to write about yourself, you have to do it warts and all, Anderson told the AP while promoting the book. You may not even tell the nicest things about yourself, because youre telling the truth.

She married four times, most recently to Bob Flick in 2008.

Anderson was born Aug. 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her father was an environmental chemist, and her mother was a model.

Her first role as an actress was a small part in the 1966 film Nevada Smith, starring Steve McQueen. Most of her career was spent on the small screen with early guest parts in the 1970s on S.W.A.T. and Police Woman. After WKRP, Anderson starred in the short-lived comedy series Easy Street and appeared in made-for-TV movies including A Letter to Three Wives and White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd.

In 2023 she co-starred in Lifetimes Ladies Of The 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Morgan Fairchild and Nicollette Sheridan.

I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of the wonderful Loni Anderson! Fairchild wrote on X. The sweetest, most gracious lady! Im just devastated to hear this."

Anderson is survived by Flick, her daughter Deidra and son-in law Charlie Hoffman, son Quinton Anderson Reynolds, grandchildren McKenzie and Megan Hoffman, stepson Adam Flick and wife Helene, and step-grandchildren Felix and Maximilian.

A private family service is planned at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Kagan said.

___

Associated Press journalist Itzel Luna in Los Angeles contributed.
Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty; Ian Ball; Princess Anne





NEED TO KNOW

Ian Ball, the man who attempted to kidnap Princess Anne for ransom in 1974, claims he is an "innocent" man a new interview published in August 2025

The kidnapping was meant to be a "hoax," with Ball claiming he believed there was no gunpowder in the bullets and that Anne had been swapped with a body double

Ball was sentenced to life imprisonment in a psychiatric hospital and released in 2019







Ian Ball, who attempted to kidnap Princess Anne more than five decades ago, injuring several people in the process, claims he is innocent.

On March 20, 1974, Annes chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce was forced to stop by a vehicle blocking the route. The driver of the vehicle, Ball, began firing shots  injuring both Annes chauffeur, Alex Callender, and private detective, James Beaton  before climbing in the front seat and ordering the princess to get out before he was stopped by a passerby.

Ball  who had intended to kidnap Anne, then 23 years old, to hold her ransom for almost $4 million, a letter he wrote for Queen Elizabeth later revealed  was prosecuted for the attempted murder of Beaton and sentenced to life imprisonment in a psychiatric hospital. But he was quietly released in 2019, according to the Daily Mail, whom he recently told he is innocent.

I'm an innocent, sane man because I had good reason to believe the gunpowder had been taken out of the bullets and another girl had been substituted for Princess Anne," Ball claimed in the new interview, published on Aug. 1.

PA Images via Getty Princess Anne (right) visits James Beaton (left) in the hospital

In the Daily Mail interview, Ball not only maintained his innocence, but also doubled down on a claim he first raised after pleading guilty decades ago: The attempted kidnapping was meant to be a hoax staged with the help of a friend on the police force whom he only knew as Frank.

The whole idea of performing the hoax was to get the publicity so I could write my autobiography, and I expected to get 10,000 in royalties, Ball told the outlet.

To prove my innocence I need to prove the existence of Frank, he added. That will prove I had reason to believe it was all a hoax.

Ball also claimed in the new interview that Anne, now 74, was not scared of him. The royal  who had refused to budge, even as Ball grabbed her arm and tackled her to the floor of the car  wasn't bothered on the night, he told the outlet. I didn't scare her. I was more scared than she was.

Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Princess Anne

He also told the Daily Mail that it would be a waste of time to apologize to the men that he shot during the alleged hoax  and denied that Anne said "Not bloody likely, her now-iconic alleged reply to his attempts to remove her from the car.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Rather, Ball claimed, She said, You just go away and nobody will think any more about it', which fuelled the belief that I thought it was a hoax.

At the time I thought it wasn't Princess Anne in the car, he said. She looked nothing like Princess Anne. The personality was nothing like Princess Anne.

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Princess Anne recalled her refusal to budge in a 1980 interview with British talk show host Michael Parkinson. "We had a sort of discussion about where or where not we were going to go," she deadpanned at the time.

PA Images via Getty Queen Elizabeth (center left) and Princess Anne (center right) with those who thwarted Anne's attempted kidnapping

Ultimately, however, it was not Anne or her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips (who was also in the car during the attempted kidnapping), who stopped Ball back in 1974, but a passerby named Ronnie Russell.

Russell punched Ball in the head several times and eventually tackled him to the ground. Ball fled the scene, but was arrested by a nearby police officer shortly afterwards.

Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britains highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughters life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.



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Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty (2) Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1981 ; Princess Diana.





NEED TO KNOW

Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their engagement on Feb. 24, 1981

Prince Charles proposed with a sapphire and diamond ring, which was valued at $37,500

Following Princess Diana's death in 1997, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother's ring in 2010





When then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their engagement 44 years ago, all eyes were on her 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire ring.

The couple, who had been dating for six months, made their official engagement announcement via the Lord Chancellor at 11 a.m. on Feb. 24, 1981. The same day, the couple were interviewed by the BBC, where Charles said that he was "delighted and frankly amazed" that Diana was prepared to take him on.



Prince Charles and Diana wed on July 29, 1981. The pair ultimately divorced in 1996, just one year ahead of Diana's untimely death. Her sapphire ring was inherited by her youngest son, Prince Harry, who eventually offered it to his older brother, Prince William, before he proposed to Kate Middleton with it in 2010.

Though royals have often favored sapphires, Diana's engagement ring wasn't custom-made, which went against royal tradition. However, the ring has become one of the most iconic and priceless pieces of royal jewelry.

From picking her ring out of a catalog to its ongoing legacy, here are all the details on Princess Diana's engagement ring.

Princess Diana's engagement ring was worth $37,500

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Princess Diana.

Many royals often repurpose heirloom gems to create one-of-a-kind engagement rings. Prince Philip used diamonds from a tiara belonging to his mother, Princess Alice of Greece, for Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring back in 1947. In 2017, Prince Harry used two stones from Diana's personal jewelry collection to create Meghan Markle's engagement ring.

Prince Charles and Diana, however, went against this long-standing tradition by choosing an engagement ring from jeweler Garrard's catalog. Since the ring was from a stock collection, members of the public could also potentially purchase the piece.

The now-iconic ring features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire set in 18-carat white gold and is surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. When Charles proposed to Diana in 1981, the piece was valued at $37,500.

According to Garrard, while the ring was not bespoke, its design was inspired by a brooch Prince Albert commissioned for his bride-to-be, Queen Victoria, in 1840. The piece featured a large sapphire surrounded by 12 round diamonds and was set in gold. Queen Victoria reportedly loved the piece so much that she wore it on her wedding day, fastening it to the front of her wedding gown as her "something blue."

After Victoria died in 1901, the brooch was declared an heirloom of the crown. The late Queen Elizabeth later wore the brooch various times during her reign.

Diana's 19th-century-inspired ring was one of many that Charles selected to be presented to the Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle in preparation for the proposal. Charles chose to include the sapphire and diamond ring in the collection because it reminded him of the brooch he often saw his mother and grandmother wear.

Princess Diana reportedly picked the sapphire ring because it matched her blue eyes.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their engagement on Feb. 24, 1981

Tim Graham Photo Library Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1981.

In early February 1981, Charles popped the question to his bride-to-be after six months of dating.

The engagement, which was kept a secret from the world for three weeks, was finally announced to the public on Feb. 24, 1981, with a formal announcement by the palace. "It is with the greatest pleasure that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh announce the betrothal of their beloved son the Prince of Wales to the Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of Earl Spencer and the Honourable Mrs. Shand Kydd," the statement read.

After their engagement was made public, the couple posed for photos outside Buckingham Palace before speaking with the BBC for a joint engagement interview. Diana wore a cobalt blue skirt suit from Harrods that complemented the vivid color of her new engagement ring.

"I asked Diana before she went to Australia," Charles told the BBC of the proposal. "Two or three days before. I thought it would be a good idea ... if she went to Australia she could then think about it, and if she didn't like the idea she could say she didn't, or if she did, she could say that."

Diana later shared that saying "yes" was the obvious choice. "I had a long time to think about it because I knew the pressure was on both of us," she said. "It wasn't a difficult decision in the end. It's what I wanted. It's what I want."

During this interview, Charles also made his infamous remark about the meaning of love. When asked if the couple were in love, Diana replied sheepishly, "Of course," while Charles said, "Whatever in love means." The Princess of Wales later said this comment "traumatized" her.

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with Princess Diana's engagement ring in 2010

Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2010.

Following Princess Diana's death in 1997, Prince William and Prince Harry inherited her jewelry collection. In 2010, William used his mother's ring to propose to Kate while on vacation in Africa.

In a post-engagement interview with ITV in November 2010, Prince William shared how he took extra special care of his late mother's ring before proposing. "I had been carrying it [the ring] around with me in my rucksack for about three weeks ... I literally would not let it go, everywhere I went I was keeping hold of it, 'cause I knew this thing, if it disappeared I'd be in a lot of trouble," he said.

In a subtle tribute to Princess Diana's engagement announcement outfit, Kate chose a blue Issa dress that matched the ring for her joint interview with William. The sentimental choice only made the moment even more special, with William explaining why the sapphire piece was so close to his heart.

"It's my mother's engagement ring, so I thought it was quite nice because obviously, she's not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all  this was my way of keeping her sort of close to it all," he said.

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Opinion / Columnist

As we wait for the court proceedings regarding Advocate Chagwa Lungu's resting place, so many conspiracy theories are unfolding, some of which are unsettling. Before South African courts on the 4th of August could legally determine the next move, what must be done to the remains of Edgar Lungu. It's about two months since his death still not clear exactly where Lungu will be buried. Zambia has issued a statement: the government of Zambia wants to make forensic tests to determine if Advocate Lungu is the real in the coffin? The secrecy around his corpse raises deep questions; what is the family hiding? Suspicion surrounding his death, compounded with the refusal for body viewing complicates everything. When he died at the hospital in Pretoria, he died under the name of Tendayi Munyaradzi, a diplomatic passport that further intricated already a convoluted case.No body viewing; is the message from the next of kin; Mrs. Ester Lungu and the children. The denial to view the body exposes what could be a close secret. Is the body real Edgar Lungu or Tendayi Munyaradzi? Is Edgar himself still alive and hiding somewhere? For how long is he going to hide from this regional and continental scandal? What happened on the day of his death? Even relatives from Zambia who came for the funeral that did not take place were not allowed to view the body of their dead. How were they going to give closure to their own dead if it was sanctioned: a typical African burial demands body viewing before burial, a tradition meant to allow closure.The South African judiciary did not assist in this case. However, perhaps understandably, they were sympathetic to the family, his passing was still fresh; not realizing the gravity of the saga, they gave precedence to what they thought was appropriate to the family and the wishes of the deceased. The government of Zambia has the upper hand in how and where the former president will be buried and how. Their argument is that President Lungu was not an ordinary citizen. As President of Zambia, it is determined by government, to be interred at a sacred place, allocated exclusively for presidents, must be in Zambia and nowhere else. It is wholly inconceivable that Lungu family would deny a former president military honours, the honour by right disregarding the poor relationship Lungu had with HH.Another twist of events is that Lungu was murdered by his drug cartel. Hence his body must be in a bad shape to do body viewing before burial. This scenario is trending; are played to mean that it was a cocaine syndicate he was involved in, so to cut the chain, one needed to be eliminated to conceal the whereabouts of the complete circuit. It is bitter hard to believe this conspiracy theory: could it be relied upon as legit? Time will tell. Whoever knows the real Edgar Lungu will believe this. He was entangled in several criminal syndicates, nationally and internationally while he was still a sitting President. Edgar Lungu had amassed so much wealth, in Zambia and abroad. He was aware the current Zambian authorities were privy of his illicit businesses and were about to trap him and arrest him for charges of corruption. So, Lungu was desperate to return to politics at all costs to avoid corruption charges. He bought 150 top range cars to be used by top PF officials during campaigns of 2026 elections. There are again US$ 50 million proceeds from drugs sales currents seized in Spain together with the gang leader of the drug cartel. This cash was supposed to facilitate the Zambian coming general elections. The story about Lungu could be painful and again somehow, embarrasses the African continent marred by deep corruption in several countries in Africa.Let's imagine that Lungu is alive and the body on the coffin does not belong to Lungu but to some Tendayi Munyaradzi from Zimbabwe. Let's imagine that Lungu was indeed murdered, and his body is no longer recognizable to give a decent body viewing. Let's imagine that the funeral took place long back; the funeral parlor in South Africa denied it had the body of the former President of Zambia. Where is president Lungu's body if it is not where it is supposed to be. Let's imagine that Zimbabwean government indeed gave Lungu a diplomatic passport to travel around. Why and what was a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport meant to facilitate? Let's imagine that the ANC South African government is complicit with the cover up cause of death of the former president of Zambia. In the event Lungu is still alive, how do we prepare ourselves Africans the embarrassment of this magnitude. In the event President Lungu was part of the drug syndicate, Spain will be approached by government of Zambia to get access to interrogate the man who was arrested for drug trafficking and was found with a staggering sum of US$ 50 million in his bags: that is if what we read on social media is true.How did the murder of a former president escape the secret services of South Africa, the Scorpions. Did the government of South Africa conceal the cause of his death because of the embarrassment? Theories about the death of President Lungu and legal chase games including political squabbles between the ruling party and the opposition PF do not add up to full total. It is one conspiracy theory after another. The longer Advocate remain unburied, the more we shall know what really transpired the day Lungu met his death. How did he die? Who put him out? All these are open-ended questions that should be answered adequately. Southern African nations deserve to know everything.It is of great concern how these SADC countries will solve a regional embarrassment. What diplomacy will be used? Who is going to be the mediator? Trump? It will strain relationships, deep trust will be lost: between Zambia and South Africa; between Zambia and Zimbabwe; who gave Lungu a diplomatic Zimbabwean passport; for what purpose? Between Zambia and Eswatini, why was Lungu given land in Eswatini. The Eswatini people yearn for land, but curiously is given to foreigners? Which politicians are involved in these transactions?How much patience will it take until we know that this is just too much. Enough is enough. The people in SADC countries need a revolution that reclaims what belongs to them. African politicians have messed with our lives enough, for too long. We must demand what belongs to us by birth: the land. We thank the noble presidents: Hakainde Hichilema, Mme Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwa of Namibia and the President of Botswana Duma Boko for their commitment to change the region for the better. I do not see how southern Africa can go on with absolute corrupt leaders of the likes of Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Mnangagwa, (Chiwenga!) King Mswati, Ramaphosa. Angola is in flames as we speak. Angolan people demand change of a better government. Viktoria Cete! Change is absolute necessary and as early as yesterday.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, speaks to reporters at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on July 8, 2025. - Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Fearing Zionism could die among Democrats, many party leaders are explicitly breaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to try to stop anti-Israel attitudes from becoming a litmus test for next years midterms and the 2028 presidential primaries.

But privately, several tell CNN, they worry it may be too late.

Last weeks failed resolution to block new arms sales to Israel, supported by a record number of Senate Democrats, was just the start. A new letter to recognize a Palestinian state is gaining signatures in the House. Devoted allies of Israel are speaking out against its government, brushing off whatever texts and phone calls theyve been getting from the dwindling number of party voters or donors still standing steadfast behind Israeli actions in Gaza nearly two years after Hamas October 7, 2023, attack.

Its no longer just the far left rejecting Netanyahus years of identifying more with Republicans. There is also a bitter backlash among many Democratic politicians, who have felt bullied by the Israeli government and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group, and theres revulsion over the images of starvation and dying children.

We can disagree about a lot of things in the foreign policy space, but theres no room to tolerate mass starvation, said Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is Jewish and widely seen as one of the partys future leaders in the Senate. Schatz argues theres a conflation of opposing the Israeli government and opposing Israels right to exist that he calls ridiculous and an intentional strategy meant to distract.

I think theres a recognition that Netanyahu is making Israel and Israelis and Jews unsafe all over the world, Schatz said. More and more of us are saying so and voting accordingly.

US Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents a moderate district in New Jersey with a significant Jewish population and is now the Democratic nominee for governor in a traditionally blue state where Trump ran stronger than expected, said she has sensed a clear shift among voters.

We are seeing more and more people coming to: October 7 was horrific, the hostages need to be released, Israel has a right to exist, Netanyahu has been a really bad actor in this space, the starvation of people in Gaza is unacceptable, the idea that in rooting out Hamas youre going to kill hundreds and hundreds of innocent children and families is not the way the United States conducts their support of their allies, Sherrill told CNN in an interview last week. So Netanyahu has to be held accountable.

And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee and is considering his own presidential run, said after how he saw the Israel conflict resonate on the trail last year, itll still be an issue for 2028.

As for what comes next, Walz said, People are going to have the conviction of how they talk about it.

When Netanyahu visited Capitol Hill during a trip to Washington in July, only a handful of Democratic senators participated in a bipartisan photo with him. Among those was New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, an adamant defender of Israel who was mocked on social media for seeming to stand in a way that his face couldnt be seen in the shot.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Sen. Cory Booker, right, on July 9, 2025, in Washington. - Samuel Corum/Sipa USA

Booker, who has been raising money ahead of another potential presidential run, told CNN that was just about a bad angle and he stood where the photographer directed. He said he agrees in being critical of Netanyahu, but you cannot demand, negotiate, work towards a resolution of the conflict if you are not having conversations with the principal players that are doing those things.

Leaders of multiple Jewish and pro-Israel groups told CNN privately that they have grimly determined their best and most practical approach is to see what Israelis do in elections next year.

But critics have tried in vain for parts of four decades to wait out Israels longest-serving prime minister, a conservative who has stymied Democratic presidents going back to Bill Clinton. Netanyahu rejects the creation of a Palestinian state and has claimed there is no starvation in Gaza, even as his government has been under international pressure to permit the distribution of more aid.

And there are still top Democrats who will stand with Netanyahu or at least limit the distance they keep from him.

Asked whether they were ready to break with Netanyahu, an aide to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries pointed to recent statements decrying violence and calling for humanitarian aid. An aide to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer did not respond.

The traditional AIPAC-funded trip of House Democratic freshmen to Israel, this year led by Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the former House majority leader, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California, leaves later this week. The group is expected to meet with Netanyahu while there. A Hoyer spokesperson declined to confirm details of the trip, including whether the group would meet with Netanyahu.

The rare Democrat to stick with Netanyahu in public, voicing feelings that still resonate among some voters and donors, is Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.

Thats the democratically elected leader. If you have to make a choice, Hamas or the democratically elected leader, Im always going to stand with Israel through this, Fetterman said . I saw those pictures. Obviously its appalling, heartbreaking. Many people will blame Israel for that. I only blame Hamas, and I blame Iran ultimately.

We have to balance

Zohran Mamdanis June win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary proved both that being unwilling to affirm support for Israels right to exist as a Jewish state or calling Israels conduct a genocide is not disqualifying, even in a city where Jews make up a large portion of the electorate.

A mid-July CNN poll found just 23% of Americans saying Israels actions have been fully justified, in a 27-point drop from a poll shortly after the October 7 attacks.

The share of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults saying that the US provides too much military aid for Israel rose from 44% in March to 59%. Democratic-aligned adults under the age of 35 are particularly opposed to US military aid to Israel, with 72% saying the US is doing too much.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, known much more for the seriousness with which he approaches military matters than for chasing political trends, said he voted for a narrow rifle sales stoppage amendment to last weeks resolution to get Netanyahus attention, though we have to balance sending a message and also ensuring that strategically they can protect themselves.

Being out of the White House and either majority in Congress limits their options, Reed said, arguing Republicans have not done enough beyond President Donald Trump expressing dismay over the photos of starving children and trendsetter Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene using the word genocide.

Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on June 25, 2025. - Eric Lee/Bloomberg/Getty Images

But Reed, 75, said hes disturbed to see anti-Israel sentiment taking root anywhere, including among younger Democratic voters.

Part of it is theyre reacting to the scenes of the violence against children, and theyre also, I think, a generation that have not, like me, literally grown up with Israel, when you saw a struggling nation that had been persecuted worse than any people on Earth start building a real democracy, Reed said.

To Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, another Democrat stoking chatter about a 2028 run, theres no ambiguity in how to talk about it.

I know our political enemies want to make people believe that if you dont support what Netanyahu is doing right now inside Gaza then you dont support Israel. We shouldnt concede that. We shouldnt operate from a position of fear, Murphy told CNN.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, also being talked about as a presidential hopeful, said his own conviction is that we always need an Israel that is able to defend itself, both for its and the United States national security, and also people shouldnt be starving in Gaza.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who wrote the military aid resolution but also cautioned Mamdani when they huddled last month to be more deliberate about making clear he wasnt anti-Israel or antisemitic, told CNN he thinks his colleagues risk losing an authentic connection to voters if they dont rapidly change what theyre doing and saying on Israel.

Asked whether that risked Democrats being seen as anti-Israel, Sanders pointed out that he is Jewish himself and decades ago lived in Israel for a few months.

To be anti-Netanyahu, anti-a-right-wing-racist-extremist government, thats anti-Israeli government, Sanders said. If youre against Trump, youre not against America.

Rahm Emanuel, whose middle name is literally Israel, recalled Netanyahu calling him a self-hating Jew when he was President Barack Obamas chief of staff.

Devoted Obama supporters raged at what they perceived as disrespect, especially as Obama approved aid increases, including for the missile defense system known as the Iron Dome. In 2015, Netanyahu broke protocol to go around Obama and address a joint session of Congress to blast the Iran nuclear deal the president was pursuing. By 2016, he was building up a supportive relationship with Trump, which eventually had him talking up the Republican just days before the close 2020 election.

Netanyahu cleaved close to Trump to the point of hesitating to condemn the presidents some very fine people on both sides comment following the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Last month, Netanyahu accepted an interview with a MAGA-friendly podcast and when asked about Mamdanis position on Israel, responded first by talking about the candidates past support of defund the police, a favorite Trump topic.

He made a conscious decision to position Israel as a partisan political issue. Everybody warned him it was a mistake, said Emanuel, a CNN contributor. As always, he thought he was the only smart guy in the room.

Now Emanuel is considering a presidential run of his own. Asked whether he worried Israel support would be a litmus test, he said, I dont believe you can say where things will be in two or three years, but if we dont change course, you can see where this road leads.

Leaders of multiple Jewish and pro-Israel groups told CNN privately that they have grimly determined their best and most practical approach is essentially to quietly wait out the trauma and hope the politics turns. Theres another Israeli election next year, and while Netanyahu is now in a minority coalition, he has been counted out before.

To the extent that Democrats are increasingly voicing their concern and disapproval on the situation in Gaza, this is largely aligned with where the vast majority of Jewish Americans are as well, said Halie Soifer, the CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, a group formed in the aftermath of Trumps comments about Charlottesville and which she said has seen a massive increase in its membership since his second inauguration.

The party still faces deep divides

Many American Jewish voters last year were driven toward Republicans by a mix of feelings that Democratic leaders were not pro-Israel enough and that they had been too accepting as some anti-Israel protests tipped into antisemitism. That was with Joe Biden in the White House, a president who was unabashedly Zionist and who in retrospect, several Democratic leaders say, should be seen as having staved off how much worse the humanitarian crisis has gotten since he left office.

President Joe Biden joins Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Bidens actions and comments also fueled the Uncommitted movement and protesters who regularly interrupted his events last year, arguing that the same positions that others deemed insufficiently pro-Israel were in fact overly pro-Israel.

By November, Kamala Harris campaign had been tied into knots trying to satisfy all the factions. The widespread disappointment helped fuel narrow losses in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which both have large Jewish and Arab American populations, and beyond.

There are three major Democrats running Michigans open Senate seat next year: Abdul El-Sayed, who backed the Uncommitted movement and has accused Israel of genocide; state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who at a campaign event on Wednesday spoke about being a mother watching the suffering and said of Netanyahu, We cannot let this man tell us that what we are seeing with our own eyes is not what is actually happening; and US Rep. Haley Stevens, who has been praised by AIPAC for her support of Israel and described it in April as a strong ally of the United States of America, a democracy, and a beacon of hope.

Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Senate Democrats campaign arm, have expressed a preference for Stevens, who put out a statement last week calling for cooperation to get food into Gaza and Israeli hostages out.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, the first Jewish leader of his state, said that he is not convinced the issue will move voters overall. But he said there is no way to look at the policy or politics and not be incredibly sad.

Democrats have a tougher line simply because Republicans say, Were all in with Israel, so people know to either go or leave, whereas people just get angrier at Democrats, Stein said. I think you can be a Zionist and critical of the government of Israel. I dont think those things are in conflict. And the reason I think that is because thats where I am personally.

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Dom Holmes, 28, has learned something important in 10 years of organizing progressives in rural Pennsylvania: You can't just show up when you need people to turn out to vote. You have to sit and listen to them.

In recent weeks, when he's stopped to listen, he's gotten an earful about the tax and spending bill the Republican-led Congress passed in July.

Folks are especially worried about how thats going to impact them at the local level, he said. They're particularly "outraged," he said, about cuts to food stamps and Medicaid and the likely damage to rural hospitals. Folks should be aware of what the impact  immediate and not  will be on them and they should know who brought that impact to their community; who brought it home to them."

His message is being echoed by rural organizers across the country who told USA TODAY that now is the time to talk with rural voters about the cuts in the GOP's landmark law  and who voted for them.

Rural Democrats see implementation of the GOP tax and spending law, combined with other changes from the Trump administration that they say will directly harm rural communities, as a moment Democrats can use to rebuild their brand in what has been MAGA country for a decade.

And while national Democrats have their own plans for wading into these communities, the locals say they know these places and their neighbors best. They arent sitting around, hoping a national group will swoop in.

I'm a rural Democrat. We dont really tend to wait around. Theres already just a ton of stuff happening, said Matt Hildreth, Executive Director of RuralOrganizing.org. The energy is already happening on the ground.

More: When would Trump's tax and spending bill go into effect?

'The frustration with Republicans is palpable'

Republicans control the House by a voting margin of 219 to 212 with four seats currently vacant. Democrats need to win four seats next year to take over the Senate. Gaining control of either chamber would allow Democrats to freeze many of President Donald Trump's policy proposals with two years left in his term.

Both parties expect the new spending law, and how voters think about it, to become one of the top issues in the midterm campaigns.

Dom Holmes, who organizes voters in rural Pennsylvania, says passage of the GOP tax and spending bill is a moment that can be capitalized on when it comes to engaging voters in rural areas

There is a frustration growing in rural America and a willingness to be identified as a Democrat that they haven't seen in years, several progressive and Democratic organizing groups told USA TODAY. Building relationships and setting the narrative now is key, they said.

The frustration with Republicans is palpable, Hildreth said. Maybe we never get the MAGA voters  we probably never will  but theres a ton of independents out there looking at this and just saying, man, this isnt what I voted for.

Hildreth's group is already operating in congressional battleground districts in Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania, with a focus on getting people to talk about Medicaid.

Our whole strategy is built around locals, just the idea that the local messenger is most effective, he said. We need to rebuild the Democratic footprint from the ground up, starting with those vocal locals and localizing the Democratic brand.

The frustration he's hearing from rural communities is about how many of the changes brought by the Trump administration are hitting at once.

Rural economies are more likely to rely on a single industry that have a strong connection to federal funding like farming, colleges or health care; all of which have seen changes in the last eight months. They've seen a freeze on farm subsidies as well as an end to public land revenue and clean energy subsidies.

When you put tariffs on top of Medicaid cuts and you put SNAP on top  and you put the rural services that are being defunded on top of everything else, its just not sustainable. Hildreth said. Its everything all at once and I honestly dont think anybody in the White House realizes that.

National Democrats and Republicans are busy during Congress' summer break

The Democratic National Committee has invested in rural voter engagement for months, including billboard ads near rural hospitals that are likely to close because of the law, and contributed $22,500 a month to Democratic parties in red states and town halls in Republican held districts.

"Donald Trump has been disastrous for our rural communities and the DNC will continue to show rural voters exactly how Trump and Republicans have betrayed them at every turn," DNC Deputy Executive Director Libby Schneider said in a statement.

Republicans are spending the break talking up the tax and spending law, trying to combat Democrat's attempts to set the narrative that the bill is a tax cut for the rich that hurts the poor and middle class.

Democrats have cemented their image as snobby, out of touch, and indifferent to the struggles of everyday Americans. Theyve abandoned rural America by voting against tax cuts, border security, and small businesses. While Democrats recycle fear and slogans, Republicans are delivering real results for working families," said NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella in a statement.

A NRCC memo to House Republicans obtained by Politico tells members that the best defense is a good offense, and says that "this is a critical opportunity to continue to define how this legislation will help every voter and push back on Democrat fearmongering.

It highlights that Republican voters support work requirements and removing ineligible recipients from Medicaid insurance coverage, but the five-page memo doesn't explain how the GOP members of Congress should address the bill's expected hit to rural hospitals.

Building on the momentum of protests

Stephanie Porta, campaign manager of Battleground Alliance PAC, said progressive advocates in rural areas need to capitalize on the protests that millions of Americans have attended this spring and summer  not just in big cities, but in rural towns.

Her organization, a coalition of over 30 national labor, community, and advocacy organizations, has pledged $50 million to try to flip more than 35 vulnerable Republican-held districts in 2026.

They want to build on the protests and lean on local organizers to tailor education campaigns to their districts, some of which don't even have a Democratic candidate yet.

"Theyre putting together plans based on what their district looks like and what their member of Congress has done to make sure that the public is educated and aware and that those members of Congress know that the public is unhappy with what they have done, she said.

They've already planned for backpack giveaways as school begins, mock welcome home parties at airports for the members of Congress and canvassing to inform voters about the impacts of the bill.

There are protests, and then the next step after protest is building the awesome momentum to reach even more people, Porta said.

Proposed cuts are 'motivating folks to speak up'

Lily Franklin often drives 10 minutes between houses when she knocks on doors in the Appalachian district where she is running to become a delegate to the Virginia House. She says people are worried about the future of rural health care access and Medicaid.

There are a lot of hospitals that are at threat in this district, in this region. Folks are already driving an hour to an hour-and-a-half just to seek care, she said. All of these proposed cuts are going to disproportionately hit southwest Virginia and it is motivating folks to speak up and say, hey this isnt what we wanted.

Lily Franklin door knocks in Montgomery County, Virginia. The Democrat narrowly lost the race for a House delegate seat in the rural district in 2023 and is running in 2025.

When she knocks on doors, she spends most of the time listening, she said. She grew up in the area and her family has been there for generations.

They just havent had anybody show up for them and meet them where they are at, and so half of the battle is talking to voters at their doors, hearing their stories and listening to them, she said. People just want to be heard.

Even though she is running for the state general assembly, people want to talk about how worried they are about the future of rural health care access and Medicaid, she said.

They are also worried about other aspects of the new law, like cuts to food benefits and energy assistance, which states will have to help pay for, she said.

Franklin outperformed both President Joe Biden in 2020 and Vice President Harris in 2024. She lost her bid to represent the largely rural district that includes Blacksburg and Virginia Tech by just 183 votes.

Franklin said several national groups have contacted her 2025 campaign because of how closely she came to flipping such a competitive seat in a rural area. She said Democrats can't swoop in with their messaging and expect it to resonate in every district.

Weve often tried to come up with a message thats hyper-tested in a lab somewhere, but realistically people just want to be heard. Thats the secret sauce, she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Rural America give up on Trump? These activists think so.
The Smithsonians National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., in 2019. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP)

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will once again mention President Donald Trump in an exhibit on presidential impeachments after the removal of a placard noting his two Senate trials sparked concerns this week over the White House's influence on the institution.

In a statement on Saturday, the Smithsonian detailed its decision to remove the Trump placard from the "Impeachment" section of an exhibit titled "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden," saying the decision was not influenced by politics, but rather the conditions of the placard.

"The placard, which was meant to be a temporary addition to a 25-year-old exhibition, did not meet the museums standards in appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation," the Smithsonian's Saturday statement read. "It was not consistent with other sections in the exhibit and moreover blocked the view of the objects inside its case. For these reasons, we removed the placard."

The "Impeachment" section of the exhibit "will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nations history," the Smithsonian said.

The Washington Post was the first to report on the changes to the exhibit.

According to the Post, the Trump references were removed from the exhibit after the Smithsonian undertook a content review following pressure from the White House and accusations of partisan bias.

The impeachment section of the exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History on Friday. (Andrew Leyden / ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters)

In its statement, the Smithsonian said it was "not asked by any Administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit."

The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden exhibit was created in 2000 and hasnt been formally updated since 2008, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian told NBC News on Thursday. In lieu of an update, which the museum indicated would be costly, the Smithsonian in 2021 affixed a placard noting Trump's two impeachments to the exhibit.

It was intended to be a short-term measure to address current events at the time, however, the label remained in place until July 2025," the spokesperson said Thursday.

Because the exhibit, which also covers Congress and the Supreme Court, hadnt been updated since 2008, the museum decided to restore the Impeachment section of the gallery back to its 2008 appearance," the spokesperson said at the time.

The decision to remove the Trump label drew criticism from lawmakers, particularly as Trump has sought to exert his influence over the Smithsonian, which encompasses 21 museums, nine research centers and a zoo.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Friday accused Trump of attempting to "rewrite history."

"He is censoring the American History Museum. Its Orwellian. Its downright Orwellian. Its something youd see in an authoritarian regime," Schumer said. "Heres my message to the president: no matter what exhibits you try to distort, the American people will never forget that you were impeached not once, but twice."

Trump has called for a reimagining of the Smithsonian, accusing the cultural institution in March of coming under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology and signing an executive order to restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness. In that order, Trump directed Vice President JD Vance to work with the Smithsonian's Board of Regents to "remove improper ideology" from the museums.

Trump also barred spending on exhibits or programs "that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy."

Last week, artist Amy Sherald said she withdrew her exhibit from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery after concerns were raised about a portrait she featured of a transgender woman dressed like the Statue of Liberty.

"I was informed by the National Portrait Gallery that concerns had been raised internally about the museums inclusion of a portrait of a trans woman titled Trans Forming Liberty. These concerns led to discussions about removing the work from the exhibition," Sherald said in a statement. "I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities."

A spokesperson for the Smithsonian disputed Sherald's characterization of the incident, arguing that the artist was not asked to remove the painting, but rather the museum wanted to contextualize the portrait through a video featuring differing opinions of it.

"The Smithsonian strives to foster a greater and shared understanding. 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," the spokesperson said.
US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One on August 1, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Theres something faintly undignified about a president of the United States being goaded by a minor Russian official into making nuclear threats on social media.

But thats exactly what President Donald Trump has now done by ordering the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines, allowing himself to appear rattled by the hollow saber-rattling of Dmitry Medvedev, an outspoken but long-sidelined former Russian president.

In a series of bombastic posts on social media, Medvedev, who has styled himself as a virulent anti-Western critic in recent years, slammed Trumps soon to expire deadline on Russia for a peace deal in Ukraine, saying that each new ultimatum was a step towards war  not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.

The US president should remember how dangerous the fabled Dead Hand can be, Medvedev wrote, in a provocative reference to Russias Soviet-era automatic nuclear retaliation system, which can initiate the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles if it detects a nuclear strike.

Trumps own secretary of state, Marco Rubio, played down the Russians recent posts, pointing out that Medvedev isnt a decision-maker in Moscow anymore. It is a view shared by many Russians, for whom Medvedev is widely seen as politically irrelevant, with little authority, let alone the power to launch a nuclear strike.

It begs the question as to why Trump would even engage with what he himself described as foolish statements, and issue such a strident public response which ratchets up the rhetoric between Washington and Moscow.

One possible answer is that its a convenient way for Trump to appear tough on Moscow, singling out a public figure often dubbed little Dima in Russia because of his small stature, without directly confronting the real power in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin, or indeed making any concrete changes to the US nuclear posture.

Trump said his order for two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions came in case Medvedevs foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.

But there are multiple US nuclear submarines, armed with hundreds of nuclear warheads, patrolling the worlds oceans on any given day. Given the multi-thousand-mile range of the missiles they carry, as well as the vast size of Russia, it is unlikely any repositioning would make a significant difference to their ability to strike Russian targets.

But, as ever, the timing is key.

Trumps Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, in his dual role as a makeshift Russia mediator, is set to hold more talks with the Russian leadership in the coming days. He is likely to again press for a ceasefire as a deadline set by Trump, for the Kremlin to agree to peace in Ukraine or face stiff tariffs, is set to expire.

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on February 6, 2013. - Reuters

Few realistically expect the Kremlin, which has stubbornly insisted on achieving its stated military objectives before ending the Ukraine conflict, to back down. The latest escalating nuclear rhetoric is unlikely to change that hardline position.

But, again, as Trump weighs  and possibly backs away from  the potentially self-damaging impact of imposing secondary sanctions on countries such as India and China who buy Russian oil, as he has threatened to do, the phantom of increased nuclear readiness may prove to be a useful distraction.

In fact, creating a distraction from mounting political problems at home may be a welcome byproduct of the escalating nuclear rhetoric.

Talk of mounting nuclear readiness towards Russia, which has more atomic weapons than any other country in the world, could overshadow more trifling domestic matters, like the Epstein scandal, for instance.

Of course, any mention of nuclear escalation between the worlds biggest nuclear superpowers rightly attracts serious attention. But the broader relationship between Washington and Moscow, though under renewed pressure, is nowhere near nuclear confrontation.

And while the seemingly flippant use of nuclear threats by both nations may be concerning, it does not signal that a nuclear confrontation is on the way.

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Police were called to Mill Park in Cambridge on Friday as witnesses described hearing screaming - Bav Media

Two men have been arrested in connection with a students murder.

The 20-year-old, who attended the EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, was assaulted and later pronounced dead on Friday evening.

Police were called to Mill Park in Cambridge at 11.27pm on Friday as witnesses described hearing screaming.

On Saturday, Cambridgeshire Police said a 21-year-old man from Cambridge had been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 50-year-old man, also from the city, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Both men remain in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station.

EF International Language Campuses Cambridge said it understood the attack was carried out by a member of the public in an isolated incident.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene for the 20-year-old, who is yet to be named.

Police at the scene in Cambridge on Saturday - Bav Media

EF International Language Campuses Cambridge told The Telegraph: We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our adult students was fatally injured last night in a public space.

Emergency services responded immediately, but the student tragically passed away.

We are working closely with the local police, who are investigating the incident and have confirmed they made arrests.

The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. We are providing support to all students and staff affected by this tragic event and have organised counselling sessions.

Our thoughts are with the students loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we have offered our full support.

We will not be commenting further while the investigation is ongoing.

Det Insp Dale Mepstead, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: The investigation remains ongoing, and we continue to urge anyone with information who has not yet come forward to contact us.

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.
Khosrork/ istockphoto

The ultimate chair yoga routine and its benefits

Chair yoga is a gentle, modified form of yoga thats accessible to almost anyone  no matter your fitness level.

Yoga, in general, is a bit of a miracle worker. As a combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, it can help with so many things  from easing stress and improving mental health to boosting strength, flexibility, and even heart health. And with chair yoga, you dont have to be a full-fledged yogi to experience the benefits.

Whether youre new to exercise, recovering from an injury, an older adult, or simply looking for an easy way to stretch during a busy day, chair yoga is a great, low-impact option. It can bring much-needed peace, relaxation, and vigor to your life.

Read on to learn more about what it is, and then find a free, beginner-friendly chair yoga routine to try.

Reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA

Koldunov / iStock

What is chair yoga?

Chair yoga is exactly what it sounds like: yoga stretches and poses done while seated in a chair.

Its an excellent option for anyone looking for a low-impact exercise routine or those just getting started with movement who could use a little extra support. Chair yoga is also a good way to warm up before more intense activities like weightlifting or cardio.

The best part? While there are some chair yoga classes out there, you can do it from the comfort of your home or office. Not only does this make chair yoga affordable, but it also lets you move at your own pace and still reap all the benefits.

And dont worry about needing any fancy equipment. Theres no special yoga chair required  just a simple, sturdy chair that offers good support and promotes proper posture will work.

If you want to relax even more during yoga, consider using a noise machine or a calming playlist to create a soothing atmosphere. And it never hurts to keep a water bottle handy when youre moving your body.

BongkarnThanyakij / iStock

The health benefits of chair yoga

Does chair yoga really work? The short answer is yes.

The benefits of standard yoga are vast  it can really make a difference in how you feel day to day. Some recent research on chair yoga benefits in older women with knee osteoarthritis suggests it can improve overall well-being and functional fitness. So, chair yoga for seniors might be particularly beneficial.

More broadly, here are some benefits of chair yoga:

Its perfect for beginners and those with limited mobility. Whether youre new to yoga or facing balance or mobility challenges, using a chair for extra support can help you ease into things. It can be a great routine for anyone looking to eventually graduate to standard yoga or other forms of fitness or simply add extra movement during their workday.

It boosts flexibility and range of motion. Regular yoga practice can help increase your flexibility and joint mobility. This is key for staying active and feeling comfortable while you go about your day.

It helps reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Yoga  whether done on a yoga mat or in a chair  is a great stress-reduction technique. Incorporating deep breathing and mindfulness can help you relax and manage stress while engaging your muscles.

It promotes good posture and can reduce back pain. A big part of yoga is focusing on your posture, which can help prevent and alleviate back pain. This is especially crucial if you sit a lot throughout the day.

It can support weight loss goals. Though chair yoga is gentle, it can still get your body moving, helping you burn calories and improve your body composition to support healthy weight management.

Research shows yoga is most effective for those with overweight and obesity when paired with other lifestyle changes, like healthy eating.

Koldunov / iStock

8 chair yoga exercises and stretches to try

Ready to jump into your free chair yoga for beginners routine?

Well walk you through eight seated yoga poses that  paired with deep breathing, proper posture, and regular practice  will enhance your wellness and fitness routine.

alvarez / iStock

1. Seated mountain pose

The seated mountain pose uses your arms, shoulders, knees, ankles, and core to help you release stress from your midsection and shoulders.

Heres how to do it:

Sit up straight with your feet planted on the floor.

Take a deep breath in while reaching your arms overhead.

Gently clap your hands together over your head and hold for 30 seconds.

Slowly lower your arms while exhaling.

Do this one to three times.

AaronAmat / iStock

2. Seated forward bend

The seated forward bend helps open up your hips and stretches your lower back, hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, groin, and pelvic floor muscles.

Heres how to do it:

Sit on the edge of the chair with your feet flat on the floor.

Slowly bend forward, keeping your back straight as you lean down.

Try to touch the floor with your hands (or as far down your legs as you can reach).

Hold this for 30 seconds and then return to the starting position.

Do this move one to three times.

Halyna Bobyk / iStock

3. Seated cat-cow stretch

The cat-cow position stretches and strengthens your back, torso, and neck muscles. It also releases tension from your midsection  often needed during a long workday.

Heres what to do:

Sit on the chair and place your hands on your knees.

Arch your back and look up.

Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Then slowly round your spine and tuck your chin.

Hold it for 30 seconds.

Do this one to three times.

miodrag ignjatovic / iStock

4. Seated side stretch

The seated side stretch can help strengthen and stretch your waist and obliques, among other muscles. Its also good for posture and flexibility.

Heres how to do the move:

Sit up straight and raise one arm straight up.

Lean to the opposite side while keeping the other hand on the chair for support.

Hold for 30 seconds, and then repeat this move on the other side.

Do each side one to three times.

Tatyana Maximova / iStock

5. Chair spinal twist

This can help with spine alignment and mobility while also reducing back pain.

Heres how to do a chair spinal twist:

Sit toward the end of the chair with your feet firmly planted.

Twist your upper body toward the side of the chair.

Keep your arms down and your shoulders in line with your spine.

Hold this for 20 seconds, and then exhale as you twist back to center.

Repeat on the other side.

Do this one to three times on each side.

RyanJLane / iStock

6. Seated warrior ll pose

This can help strengthen your thighs, glutes, core, shoulders, arms, and back muscles. It also helps enhance your stability and balance  both essential for mobility.

Heres what to do:

Sit sideways on the chair with your right leg extended to the side, your left leg bent, and your foot flat on the floor.

Extend both arms straight out to the sides.

Hold this position for 30 seconds while keeping your core engaged.

Switch sides.

Do this one on each side up to three times.

AaronAmat / iStock

7. Seated leg lifts

This mostly works your core and helps with overall stability, but it also builds lower body strength in your hamstrings and hip flexors. Its entering strength-training territory as opposed to classic yoga, though it can help with overall mobility.

Heres how to do seated leg lifts:

Sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the floor with your hands resting on the sides of the chair.

Engage your core and lift one leg straight out in front of you, keeping it as straight as possible without locking your knee.

Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Repeat on the other side.

Do this on each side one to three times.

Koldunov / iStock

8. Chair pigeon

The pigeon pose is great for hip mobility and relieving lower back pain  and using your chair for support is a perfect introduction to the move.

That said, this pose tends to be a bit more challenging, so dont rush into it. You can also consider skipping it if you dont feel ready.

Heres how to do it:

Sit at the edge of your chair with your feet hip-width apart.

Using your hands for extra support, lift one knee up to your chest and then put that ankle on your opposite knee or thigh.

Flex the foot thats resting on your thigh or knee.

Take a deep breath in and focus on your posture.

Bend forward as far as comfortably possible.

Hold this for 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side.

Do this on each side one to three times.

SilviaJansen / iStock

Final thoughts: Yoga chair exercises

Is chair yoga free? You bet. Chair yoga is an accessible, low-key practice with a ton of benefits, no matter where youre starting from.

Heres why you might want to give it a shot:

Chair yoga poses are ideal for beginners and those with limited mobility. All you really need is a good chair and a relaxed space.

The physical health benefits include improved flexibility and range of motion, better posture, and back pain relief. Chair yoga can also complement a weight loss routine since its low-impact yet effective.

Chair yoga also has mental health benefits, as it can reduce stress and promote mindfulness. The gentle stretches and deep breathing encourage relaxation, helping calm the mind and reduce tension.

If youre ready, try the chair yoga sequence we shared above to start regularly strengthening and stretching your body  all from the comfort of your seat.

If youre not sure where to start or have recently experienced an injury or surgery, you can work with a yoga instructor or contact your healthcare provider.

Like MediaFeeds content? Be sure to follow us.

This article originally appeared ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Tanya Breen/Asbury Park Press/Imagn Mildred Baron





NEED TO KNOW

New Jersey resident Mildred Baron, who turned 107 in June, is sharing her simple secret to a long and happy life

She said it's all about having a positive mindset

Be very calm, be peaceful and adopt my saying: This too shall pass,  she explained







For centenarian Mildred Baron, life is all about having a positive mindset.

The Freehold, N.J., resident, who celebrated her 107th birthday in June, is sharing her simple secret to enjoying a long and happy life.

"Be very calm, be peaceful and adopt my saying: This too shall pass,  she told local outlet Asbury Park Press (APP).

Baron said that spirit has carried her through many ups and downs across the decades. Born in 1918 to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was a toddler when the Prohibition era began in the U.S. She then experienced World War II, the Great Depression and the COVID-19 pandemic.

She recalled watching all of the men she knew get drafted into the war in 40s. But as I said, that too, passed, she noted.

Baron also remembered standing in breadlines during the Great Depression and her mother feeding her family of five with a single sack of potatoes.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

During WWII, Baron found a job in accounting and continued the occupation for 42 years until her retirement.

These days, she enjoys a full life that includes eating spicy foods, creating 3D art and attending afternoon cocktail parties with friends. After joking to APP that beer is her drink of choice, Baron quickly changed her answer to ginger ale.

"Cant go wrong with that, she said.

Baron also relishes time with family, including her 80-year-old daughter, Bonnie Greenstein, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.



Greenstein described her mother to APP as "intelligent" and "a talented artist [who] knows what's going on in the world."

"She just gets it," Greenstein told the outlet.

Shortly before her 100th birthday in 2018, Baron moved into the Applewood Village senior living community, where she is "always the life of the party," according to the residence's executive director, Keith Grady. "Shes always been a concerned resident for others, just a real great neighbor to have," he said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for her hopes for the future, Baron told APP that she would "like to see peace in this world."

"All over," she said. "I dont think Ill see it, but hopefully itll happen someday."

Baron is one of 2,367 residents in New Jersey who are 100 years old or older as of 2025, according to World Population Review. She is five years younger than the oldest verified living person in the state, 112-year-old Launa Mitchell of Lakewood, according to LongeviQuest.



Read the original article on People
by Daniele Frison

In the large open space outside Rome, one million young people celebrated their Jubilee ahead of the next WYD in Asia. AsiaNews spoke to some of the 1,500 Koreans in attendance, eagerly waiting and diligently preparing for 2027. One said that his mothers conversion brought me here today, to Rome. Young people from Japan, India, Lebanon, and Iraq will hold in their hearts the unique encounters that rekindled their faith.

Tor Vergata (AsiaNews)  Hope is a dome of crystal-clear blue sky, below, a million young souls with at the edges, the entire world. Emotions streak their faces, colour them.

In Tor Vergata, Rome, fences, divisions melt away. At night, even the metal fences separating the sectors in the great open space give way to enthusiasm. People climb over them, sneak in, find ways.

Hugging is an unstoppable rule. The "juventud del papa" from every corner of the world took part in the Jubilee, ahead of Seoul 2027, on a restless, unstoppable journey, punctuated only by large gatherings, which includes daily steps of full life.

Saint John Paul II stood in this same place, 25 years ago, at the gathering that marked the start of the millennium. In the hearts of many, and in the homily of Leo XIV today, so did Pope Francis, with the words he spoke in Lisbon, in 2023.

Catholic youth are on the move, their pastors accompanying them. Let us continue to hope together, to dream together," Leo XIV told the young men and women from 146 countries at the end of the Jubilee of Youth, after days of encounter with others, with God.

On Saturday, when the pontiff arrived by papal helicopter at Tor Vergata, at 7:23 PM, the sun was setting on the horizon, amid a breeze. A wonderful, sharp light illuminated his eyes, marked by the fatigue from a busy week.

"Clear the way" was the order circulating a few minutes earlier in the areas awaiting the Popemobile. South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, briskly walked down the central corridor, directly in front of the large stage, to embrace "his" young people.

Around 1,500 people from South Korea were in the front rows, ready to join in this historic gathering. The cardinal, welcomed with overflowing joy, exulted with raised fists, signed flags, shook hands, chased by photographers.

"We want to share our happiness with young people from every country. We are diligently preparing for 2027. I really hope to meet everyone in Korea too, said Chiyeong Hong, 26, from Seoul, speaking to AsiaNews shortly before the evening vigil on Saturday.

"Here I saw so many young people of faith. Catholics make up about 10 per cent of (South) Korea, and I was very impressed. I carry my faith in Jesus; sharing it with the world has touched me deeply."

Nearby, Minwoo Lee, 19, said that the most touching moment of the week was the welcoming Mass in St Peter's. It marked the beginning, in a spirit of peace, of the Jubilee of Youth.

Looking ahead to the next World Youth Day in Asia, from August 3 to 8, 2027, he said: We expect many people to come to learn about the history of Catholicism in Korea. Furthermore, there are beautiful cities, not just Seoul.

Talking about the origins of his faith, he says: "My mother was the first in our family to become Catholic; I chose to follow her. I also began to believe, with conviction. This brought me here today, to Rome."

Chaeeun Lee is one of the young Koreans Pope Leo XIV referred to with an applause during his final greeting at today's celebration. "I'm very excited, said the 18-year-old speaking to AsiaNews.

I'm eagerly waiting for WYD 2027 because these days have left me with wonderful memories. I can't wait, she said. These days were tiring, especially at Tor Vergata. But every event was beautiful; I already carry them within me."

Jun Hee Lee, 26, from the Diocese of Uijeongbu, cherished his visit to St Peter's Basilica; it is huge and very evocative. There I prayed to God for a blessing for my family, my community, and my city. At the WYD in Seoul, many young people will be able to come to know God and Jesus.

After landing, Pope Leo XIV made a wide tour, symbolically embracing all the national groups. The outskirts of this huge open space are those of the world.

Before Saturday's Vigil, he walked the last few metres, holding the Jubilee cross, serious, ready for prayer, in the advancing evening light," just as in the morning, with the weariness weighing on the site, the echo of his voice reverberating, spreading.

Dozens of young pilgrims from Japan were also listening. AsiaNews spoke with Nicole Kawakami, 21, from Osaka, Kaya Kito, 24, from Tokyo, and Nanami Hirao, 24, from Kagoshima.

For them, The visit to the four basilicas (St Peter's, St Mary Major, St John Lateran, and St Paul Outside the Walls) was a wonderful experience.

In Japan, the Catholic community is very small; most [Japanese] are non-believers. It's hard for us to be good Christians every day. This is why relations with other Japanese Christians, or with Christians from other countries, are very important. Going to Mass every week is the most important thing. Let's try to never give it up, even if it's difficult."

In the early hours of the night between Saturday and Sunday, AsiaNews met other young men and women from Asia who were getting ready to rest, or to celebrate tirelessly  as it were  with their peers from every continent.

Passing through the Holy Doors in Rome was truly moving, said Zeshawn Fernandes, a 29-year-old from Goa, India. And, of course, meeting the Pope here at Tor Vergata.

A group of 47, including five priests, arrived in Rome from the Archdiocese of Goa and Damao, many of whom were also present at the WYD in Lisbon two years ago.

"In India, we Christians are a minority. Having the opportunity to come here, to have this experience, is something unique. These memories will last forever."

I believe in God thanks to my mother," the young man said. She continues to speak to me about Him, about how He guides us in difficult and trying times. I encourage others to believe as well."

At this morning's Angelus, Pope Leo XIV asked young people to bring "this joy" to the whole world, especially to the many countries from where it was impossible to leave."

"We are closer than ever to the young people who suffer the gravest evils, caused by other human beings," he added, in Gaza, in Ukraine, and in every land brutalised by war.

For Sally Yasmine, Peace comes from the Lord. I think if we turn to Him, we will be able to understand what we don't fully understand, said the 26-year-old speaking to AsiaNews. A Canadian originally from Lebanon, she is a member of the International Youth Advisory Body (IYAB), an advisory body for the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.

Weve learnt a lot these days, said Bashar Ghno, a 25-year-old from Baghdad, Iraq, a place that has suffered greatly from violence.

Although We are experiencing many difficulties in our country, it is important to learn about other cultures, to know how Christians live in Europe, he told AsiaNews. I will bring this experience home, to my friends, to my Church, to have an impact on people in Iraq.

All these living testimonies of the pilgrimage of hope, as Pope Leo XIV put it, will lead to Asia, to Seoul, in two years. The journey of Catholic youth continues. Indeed, it has never stopped.
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Strong winds are expected to batter the region on Monday.

Forecasters have issued an updated weather warning for Northern Ireland ahead of Storm Floriss arrival.

Strong winds are expected to batter the region on Monday.

Gusts of up to 50mph are predicted across much of Northern Ireland, with 70mph in some places.

Floris is the first storm to hit the UK and Ireland since Storm Eowyn in January, which sparked a rare red warning here.

On Sunday the Met Office revised its yellow warning for Floris. The alert is now set to conclude at midnight on Monday, rather than 6am on Tuesday.

The Met Office said: Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK on Monday.

The highest winds are expected across Scotland between late morning and early evening. In some areas high winds will be accompanied by heavy rain. Wind will then slowly start to ease from the west later.

Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50 mph with 60 to 70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland.

During the height of the storm, winds over parts of Scotland will be even higher and this is covered by a separate amber warning, the Met Office said.

Already Newry, Mourne and Down council has decided to close the district's forests, country parks, and community trails on Monday.

Silent Valley Mountain Park will also be closed on Monday due to the expected adverse conditions, Northern Ireland Water has said.

Strong winds are expected to batter the region on Monday.

Storm Floris to bring unseasonably strong winds to parts of UK

In the Republic, Irish forecaster Met Eireann has issued Status Yellow weather warnings, which are due to come into effect from early tomorrow morning.

The forecaster issued a wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, valid from 2am tomorrow until 1pm.

Another such alert was announced for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim, which is valid from 4am until 4pm tomorrow.
A man will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court in London (Nick Ansell/PA)

A fifth person has been charged by counter-terrorism police after aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton.

Muhammad Umer Khalid, of no fixed abode, has been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, both offences contrary to section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said.

The 22-year-old was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday.

A Voyager plane was damaged (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on June 20.

The action, which was claimed by the group Palestine Action, caused 7 million worth of damage to the aircraft.

The Government moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws after the group claimed responsibility.

Four people were charged last month in connection with the incident.

One woman who was arrested remains under investigation on police bail and one man previously arrested was released without charge.
Belfast priest who married Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley surprised and saddened by break-up

Fr Gary Donegan says hes thinking of the couples sons

Fr Gary Donegan, Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley

Angela Davison Sun 3 Aug 2025 at 10:06







The Catholic priest who married TV presenters Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley in Italy 13 years ago has told of his sadness at their split.
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.
Short of outright abuse, close contact with students at Miss Halls School  such as a hug or an arm draped across a students shoulders  was normalized for decades, according to an external report released Tuesday that details the administrations repeated failure to protect students from misconduct dating back to the 1940s.
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Karnataka honours Dr R Vijayaraghavan at Quantum India Bengaluru 2025

August 02, 2025 | Saturday | News

Leading several projects to build small to medium scale quantum processors

Dr Rajamani Vijayaraghavan, Associate Professor, Dept. of Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, was felicitated for his leadership role and leading several projects in the area of quantum computers, at Quantum India Bengaluru (QIB) 2025, held in Bengaluru on July 31, 2025.

Currently leading several projects to build small to medium scale quantum processors with funding from DAE, DRDO, TCS and DST, he is the Lead Principal Investigator for the Technical Group working on building superconducting quantum computers under the National Quantum Mission. Recipient of the Ramanujan Fellowship (2013-18) awarded by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India and he was recently elected as a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru.

He completed his Bachelors degree in Physics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University in 1999. He then spent two more years at the University of Cambridge pursuing a BA in Natural Sciences. He did his PhD at Yale University and his postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley. Since December 2012, he has been the Principal Investigator at the Quantum Measurement and Control Laboratory at TIFR. Some key highlights of this group's work include development of a broadband ultralow noise amplifier for quantum measurements and a novel multi- qubit processor design.

At QIB 2025, he spoke on the theme The quantromon: A qubit-resonator system with orthogonal qubit and readout modes. Sharing his work on the topic he said, The measurement of a superconducting qubit is implemented by coupling it to a resonator. The common choice is transverse coupling, which, in the dispersive approximation, introduces an interaction term that enables the measurement. This cross-Kerr term provides a qubit-state dependent dispersive shift in the resonator frequency.

He also presented a two-mode circuit, nicknamed quantromon, with two orthogonal modes implementing a qubit and a resonator with an intrinsic cross-Kerr coupling mechanism. He further explained data characterizing some of the unique properties of this device like weak detuning dependence of the cross-Kerr shift and intrinsic Purcell protection. Finally, he presented data demonstrating a single-shot readout fidelity of 98.3 per cent, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art measurements without the use of a parametric amplifier and suggests a potential simplification of the measurement circuitry for scaling up quantum processors.
Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals invests Rs 100 Cr to expand network across Chennai

August 01, 2025 | Friday | News

Expansion in Chennai with the launch of 10 eye hospitals/vision centres

Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, one of India's fastest-growing eye care providers, has announced its strategic expansion in Chennai with the launch of 10 eye hospitals/vision centres across Chennai.

With an investment of Rs 100 crore, Maxivision aims to expand its network across Chennai, starting with this launch. Maxivision already operates eye hospitals in Trichy, Madurai, Salem, Tanjore, Kumbakonam, Perambalur, and wishes to expand into all districts/towns across Tamil Nadu to fulfil its mission to deliver advanced, affordable, and community-centric eye care across Chennai & Tamil Nadu.

MS Dhoni also launched SiLK Elita- Chennais first flapless, blade-free laser vision correction procedure- offering a pain-free experience, next-day recovery, and minimal dry-eye risk at its Anna Nagar premises.

Dr GSK Velu, Chairman & Managing Director of Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, said, It is long-term overdue for us, and we are pleased to arrive in Chennai, where Maxivisions corporate headquarters is based. Today marks a strategic step forward in expanding our footprint in the high-demand, high-potential market of Chennai. Our Chennai grand launch by MS Dhoni is aligned with our long-term vision to build a strong, decentralised ophthalmic infrastructure that can effectively address the growing burden of cataract, retina, glaucoma, and several other vision disorders. It also strengthens our talent ecosystem by creating avenues for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied professionals to thrive within their local communities. With this expansion, Maxivision reinforces its commitment to shaping the future of eye care delivery in Chennai and Tamil Nadu.

Dr Shibu Varkey, Regional Medical Director of Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, added, Our mission is to bring advanced, accessible eye care to underserved and middle-income communities across Tamil Nadu. With state-of-the-art technology and a strong focus on early diagnosis and preventive care, we aim to reduce the regions long-term disease burden and establish Tamil Nadu as a hub for clinical excellence and ophthalmic skill development. The centres will serve as the first point of contact for early diagnosis of conditions like diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma, helping reduce the long-term disease burden through timely intervention and education.

Prof Dr B Ganesh, Clinical & Academic Director, Maxivision Eye Hospitals, said, The launch of 10 Super Speciality Eye Hospitals across Chennai marks a significant milestone in our mission to make world-class eye care accessible to every corner of the Greater Chennai region. We will start several academic initiatives to train Ophthalmologists, Optometrists , Counsellors & Para medical professionals as part of CSR initiatives across Tamil Nadu."
The EU-US deal confirmed earlier this week was "terrible" and the trading bloc was "robbed" during negotiations, according to a professor of economics at University College Dublin (UCD).

On Sunday, the United States and the European Union agreed to a trade deal setting a 15 per cent tariff on most goods, staving off higher import taxes on both sides that might have sent shockwaves through economies around the world.

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While the overall reaction to the deal has been positive  with the Taoiseach saying it "avoided a damaging trade war"  others have been more critical of the agreement.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, UCD professor of economics, Ronald Davies said the EU gave in too easy to Donald Trump.

"Essentially, Trump said: 'Give me your wallet and your car. We gave him the car.

So, yeah, we got to keep the wallet, but we still got robbed."

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Prof Davies said people can paint it as it could have been worse, "but this was in no way a deal: we got mugged."

He claims Ursula von der Leyen should have initiated a trade war with Trump as "he is somebody that only respects force, to the extent he respects anything."

"People can have differing opinions on what the better approach is. I think Europe needs to cut the US out entirely," he said.

Prof Davis thinks the EU should reorganise their supply chains and bypass the US entirely.

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"What I'm saying is, if progress is going to be made on a global scale, it is got to be Europe, working with China or working with Latin America."

While that may seem extreme, I asked him whether he thinks it is worth renegotiating with a possibly less unpredictable Democrat administration in four years.

His outlook was quite bleak: "The reason why it does not matter is that the US is fundamentally broken.

"You can tell by the accent where I grew up, right? I've been in Ireland for nearly 20 years now. I think it's just going to be this pendulum swinging back and forth.

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"In terms of its own domestic, internal policies, the US will make no progress. Every incoming administration is just going to try to undo what the last one did, and whatever they achieve is going to be undone by the next."

In terms of how the deal will impact the European single market, being part of a globalised world complicates things.

"This deal is going to have an impact on European consumers," he said, noting half of what the US imports are intermediate inputs from other countries, including Europe.

"60 per cent of what Europe imports are intermediate inputs, including what we get from the US. The idea that we are not adding the tariff and therefore not going to have higher prices, while being part of global supply chains, does not work."

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In 2024, Irish exports to the United States totalled $78.61 billion (67.45 billion), with pharmaceutical products accounting for $33 billion or 42 per cent of all exports.

How the deal will impact Irish businesses overall depends on the sector in question.

Elastic products

Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images

"So, the question is, okay, if prices go up by 15 per cent, how much are (US) consumers going to buy for something like alcohol?

He described it as an elastic product, so if Irish whiskey is more expensive, consumers might switch to scotch or Kentucky bourbon because there is only a 10 per cent tariff on it.

That is something where people actually have the ability to move to a different product easily or cut back.

Something like dairy or butter, that is also one that I think is probably fairly elastic too." He has concerns about the Irish agri-food sector and how there could be a drop in demand for Irish produce as a result.

Meanwhile, for pharmaceuticals, it is a different story. "If you cannot get your usual drug. What's the next best option? A lot of the time, there is not one.

"Ireland is the leading producer of Viagra, you know, if you cannot get your magic blue pill, what's the next best option?"

The long-term outlook makes for grim reading, with tariffs likely to add to the already skyrocketing cost of living.

"This is not going to be good. We will sort of bump along for a while until things even out. But, you know, it is a trade war and make no mistake, we are in a trade war.

We just kind of surrendered. There is also the Russian-Ukraine war, there is an impending AI war. It is going to be a turbulent decade," he said.

Ultimately, the deal for the EU is about bringing some semblance of certainty to things, even if that means taking a substantial hit in the short term.

"They are saying, 'Okay, this is a crap deal, but it's 15 per cent; we know what's going on. Now let's get on with things'."

World US-EU deal sets 15% tariff on most goods and avert... Read More

In terms of how quickly we can expect to see the impact of the deal on prices, there will be some lag.

"It will take a while. Even in the US, where they have had the tariffs, at some level, they have not seen prices go up as fast as one might expect.

"That is because there is a lot of drawing down of stockpiles in place before tariffs kicked in. Come autumn, those stockpiles are going to be largely evaporated. That is when the US will start to see prices rise," he said.

For Europe, Davis reckons it will be hard to pinpoint when exactly we could see the impact, but as winter comes along and rising energy costs ensue, we will likely see the real impact of this deal.
President Michael D Higgins has condemned footage which shows the emaciated bodies of two hostages taken on October 7th.

In a statement released earlier on Sunday, Mr Higgins said: The presentation of the emaciated bodies of two hostages taken on October 7th is a shocking act of cruelty and reflects not only on those responsible for such actions but damages any cause to which they attach themselves.

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"We are now in a position of seeing the nadir of human behaviour with images like these occurring at the same time as children are deprived of medicine and mothers are deprived of water and the necessary means of addressing malnutrition as they watch their children die.

"All of these actions must not just receive the opprobrium of the world, but must lead to practical actions that cannot wait until September to be addressed."

President Higgins said he hopes that Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter may provide a mechanism for ensuring safe access of aid in the region.

The news comes as US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy told families of hostages being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday that he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.

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Trump has made ending the conflict a major priority of his administration, though negotiations have faltered. Steve Witkoff is visiting Israel as its government faces mounting pressure over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

In a recording of the meeting, reviewed by Reuters, Witkoff is heard saying: "We have a very, very good plan that we're working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu ... for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his remarks.

Witkoff also said that Hamas was prepared to disarm in order to end the war, though the group has repeatedly said it will not lay down its weapons.

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In response, Hamas, which has dominated Gaza since 2007 but has been militarily battered by Israel in the war, said it would not relinquish "armed resistance" unless an "independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" was established.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and deal for the release of half the hostages ended last week in deadlock.

On Saturday, Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole, which, he says in the video, is for his own grave.

"They are on the absolute brink of death," David's brother Ilay said at a rally in support of the hostages in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered holding posters of those in captivity and chanted for their immediate release.

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"In the current unimaginable condition, they may have only days left to live."

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar said the "world cannot remain silent in the face of the difficult images that are the result of deliberate sadistic abuse of the hostages, which also includes starvation".

Witkoff, who arrived in Israel with Benjamin Netanyahu's government facing a global outcry over the devastation in Gaza and the starvation growing among its 2.2 million people, met the prime minister on Thursday.

Afterwards, a senior Israeli official said an understanding between Israel and Washington was emerging that there was a need to move from a plan to release some of the hostages to a plan to release all the hostages, disarm Hamas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip, echoing Israel's key demands for ending the war.

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On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating ceasefire efforts, endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As part of it, they said Hamas must hand over its arms to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

The crisis in Gaza has also prompted a string of Western powers to announce they may recognise a Palestinian state.

On Friday, Witkoff visited a US backed aid operation in southern Gaza, which the United Nations has partly blamed for deadly conditions in the enclave, saying he sought to get food and other aid to people there.

Dozens have died of malnutrition in recent weeks after Israel cut off all supplies to the enclave for nearly three months from March to May, according to Gaza's health ministry. It said on Saturday that it had recorded seven more fatalities, including a child, since Friday.

Ireland Hilary Weston, businesswoman who helped build Penn... Read More

Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza and says it is taking steps for more aid to reach its population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in an attack on southern Israel on October 7th, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Additional reporting Reuters
A TD who travelled to Egypt to meet Palestinians impacted by Israel's onslaught on Gaza has said they "so much appreciated" Ireland's solidarity and efforts to pass the Occupied Territories Bill.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie at his constituency office in Gorey, Co Wexford, Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan said: "I felt that the human aspect was not under consideration enough, personally, I felt there was one box not ticked and that was going out and meeting the people on the ground.

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"I understand the argument that the financial aspect [of the Occupied Territories Bill] wasn't huge, but what did it mean to the people on the ground?

"I lined up meetings with NGOs in a private capacity and I got on a plane and went out there. I got the chance to meet some of the people directly affected by what is happening. I was amazed at how knowledgeable they are about what is happening in Ireland, and how Ireland is continuing to take the lead. That was so much appreciated out there, it was an eye-opener.

"I left with two main caveats; one was the knowledge of what is going on over there, number two is what the young people have gone through and how that is going to affect them down the road.

"At the moment things are in a terrible state, the NGOs over there have never experienced anything like it in their lives. We're now looking at mass starvation and that has to stop."

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The Wicklow-Wexford TD is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

At a recent hearing of the committee, Mr Brennan's exchange with former justice minister Alan Shatter went viral.

When Mr Shatter claimed the Occupied Territories Bill was "fantasy politics", Mr Brennan spoke about the reaction he had received on his trip to Cairo.

When this was put to him, Mr Brennan reiterated that the Bill was far more important symbolically than the money that will be involved.

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"The amount of money involved in the Bill is miniscule, as former minister Shatter pointed out, but what it means to the people out there is so important. Hopefully this will lead to bigger things like a permanent ceasefire, and if our small gesture is any way part of that, to me that is a success.

"On the ground this means so much to them. They are watching this, and it is getting worldwide publicity. Within 24 hours of the last committee there were comments from the American ambassador in Israel, America itself, it is being heard worldwide our stance and that we are taking the lead on this.

"It is being heard on the ground but we must maintain this, and credit has to go to our leaders for putting their heads above the parapet to call this as it is.

"Simon Harris stood up in the Dail and was one of the first leaders to call this genocide and he deserves credit for that, it was not easy.

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"If I had found in Cairo this was absolutely irrelevant, I would have taken that on board and would have said that at committee, but it was the complete opposite.

"This small thing, in the wider scale, is a big part of the momentum."

He said: "To be fair to Simon Harris and Micheal Martin we were one of the first to stand up and take the lead on this, but we must continue to do that. This Bill may be a small token, but out there it means so much to people.

"This is beyond politics now, the committee has shown and proven that we're in agreement on this, there is political will to pass this Bill right across the foreign affairs committee."

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Mr Brennan said the Bill, now known as the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, is still awaiting a final legal opinion from the Attorney General.

He also welcomed the inclusion of a ban in trade in services that has been included in the recommendation from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

I spoke to a man dying in bed, his biggest concern was for his brother who is still in Gaza.

Mr Brennan said he was amazed at how much the people he met in Cairo were aware of Ireland's solidarity and the Occupied Territories Bill, along with the early recognition of a Palestinian State, along with South Africa.

"To go out there and to see the fear in people's eyes. I spoke to a man dying in bed, his biggest concern was for his brother who is still in Gaza.

"He had months to live because of injuries that were beyond recovery. We have to acknowledge the genocide, the atrocities going on out there, the starvation. Most of the world is in agreement this is going on and not being exaggerated.

"The mothers and fathers, medics and journalists, everyone out there is suffering... we need a ceasefire.

"There are pockets of food being allowed in at the moment, it's not enough. Open the borders, let the food and aid in.

"My takeaways from that trip were number one, they knew so much about the Bill and what's happening in Ireland, number two I left with a great fear for the future. The teenagers and young people I spoke to out there were annoyed and upset that the world was standing by watching what was going on, with the exception of Ireland and South Africa.

"Looking as their brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents are being wiped out, where will they be in five years' time? They'll be angry young men and women unless they are given the help they need.

"We need a long-term solution. That includes Hamas releasing the hostages too."

Mr Brennan, who topped the poll in Wicklow-Wexford in the general election, is a first-time TD.

He said his experience before politics helped him appreciate the importance of international issues, adding that he feels his constituents all support him in highlighting the plight of people in Gaza.

He established six childrens homes in Sri Lanka, following the earthquake in 2004, which continue to operate to this day.

I feel the public's knowledge about what is going on in Gaza is completely underestimated.

"I think life experience means a lot. Through my work in Sri Lanka after the tsunami, through my work in business, I have found there is always something you can relate to. That sometimes equals, and if not is more, than being born and reared in politics.

"My goal is to try to leave Wexford and Wicklow in a better place than I've found, and also not to be afraid to speak out on issues that matter... I hope I have done that in the first term.

"I feel the public's knowledge about what is going on in Gaza is completely underestimated."

Mr Brennan added: "On the streets the feedback is unanimous. We can't continue to let this happen in front of our eyes, but let's continue to stand up to the plate as we are now doing even as a small country... to take the lead.

"If you walk down the streets of Arklow or Gorey what I'm getting is 'stay strong, this shouldn't be happening', I'm getting a huge reaction and other TDs are getting the same in their constitutencies. We have to be seen to be doing something, this means a lot so if it proves to be legally possible, let's put our full weight around it.

"If my words can make a small contribution to this momentum, I'm proud of that. I feel how we react to this will define everything we've done."
James Connolly is well-known for being a socialist and revolutionary leader in the fight for Irish independence, as well as a champion for the working class.

"A revolution will only be achieved when the ordinary people of the world, us, the working class, get up off our knees and take back what is rightfully ours," is one of his famous quotes.

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According to Dictionary of Irish Biography, Connolly arrived at a view that the future for socialism and the working class in Ireland lay in an independent republic rather than in continued union with Britain or in a federal arrangement involving home rule.

This was quickly reflected in his and his colleagues decision to disband the Dublin Socialist Club and to establish in its place the Irish Socialist Republican Party (ISRP).

His manifesto for the new party was radical and ahead of its time, calling for free education and child health care, nationalisation of transport and banking, and a commitment to the further extension of public ownership.

Connolly spent seven years (1903-1910) in the United States and, during that time, was instrumental in the development of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) militant labour organisation.

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The group promoted the ideology of revolutionary syndicalism or industrial unionism, recruiting among the huge mass of unskilled and general labour in the USA. Connolly recruited Irish and Italian workers in New York for the IWW.

Promoting socialism in Ireland

The Dictionary of Irish Biography said Connolly's commitment to promoting socialism among the Irish was evident in his foundation of the Irish Socialist Federation in 1907.

It was through its agency that he began to re-establish links with socialists in Ireland, notably with his former ISRP colleague, William O'Brien.

By 1908, both he and O'Brien's Dublin socialists were considering the possibility of his coming back to be organiser for the newly emerging Socialist Party of Ireland (SPI).

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The period after his return from the US saw much of the most significant theoretical and practical work of his life.

In 1910, he published the important tract Labour, nationality and religion, written to rebut the attacks of the Jesuit Father Kane on socialism and to contest the notion that catholicism and socialism were irreconcilable.

In the same year he also brought to publication his most famous work, Labour in Irish History. This was the first substantial exposition of a Marxist interpretation of Irish history.

Highly original in some if its findings, the Dictionary of Irish Biography said it argued for the continuity of a radical tradition in Ireland, and sought to debunk nationalist myths about Ireland's past and to expose the inadequacies of middle-class Irish nationalism in providing a solution for Ireland's ills.

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Easter Rising: Connolly the revolutionary

During a period of time spent in Belfast, Connolly hoped to inspire union growth and socialist progress, but this agenda was quickly overtaken by the events of the lockout and general strike in Dublin from August 1913.

He was summoned to Dublin to assist Larkin in the leadership of this conflict, and, when the struggle was lost and Larkin left for America in 1914, Connolly took over as acting general secretary of the defeated Transport Union.

To the disastrous defeat of the locked out and striking workers was now added the calamitous outbreak of world war. This drove Connolly into an advanced nationalist position and, though he never abandoned his socialist commitment, the social revolution took a back seat.

The Dictionary of Irish Biography said the growing militancy of Ulster unionist opposition to home rule, the British government's postponement of plans for home rule in the face of unionist opposition, the growing prospect of the partition of Ireland, the outbreak of world war, and the consequent collapse of international socialism, all contributed to his adopting an extreme nationalist stance.

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As he wrote in Forward in March 1914: "The proposal of the Government to consent to the partition of Ireland . . . should be resisted with armed force if necessary."

Connolly said that the "carnival of slaughter" that was the world war drove him to incite "war against war", and to make tentative overtures to the revolutionary IRB.

By late 1915, his increasing militancy at a time when the IRB had decided on insurrection caused them in turn to approach him; by late January they and he had agreed on a joint uprising.

The Transport Union headquarters at Liberty Hall became the headquarters of the Irish Citizen Army as he prepared it for revolt.

The Dictionary of Irish Biography pointed out that it was ironic that Connolly, who had always argued that political freedom without socialism was useless, now joined forces with militant nationalists in an insurrection that had nothing to do directly with socialism.

It seems that Connolly believed national freedom for Ireland in the circumstances was a necessity before socialism could advance.

In the event, he led his small band of about 200 Citizen Army comrades into the Easter Rising of 1916.

His Citizen Army joined forces with the Volunteers, as the only army he acknowledged in 1916 was that of the Irish Republic.

As commandant general of the Republic's forces in Dublin, he fought side by side with Patrick Pearse in the General Post Office (GPO), until surrendering on April 29th.

Connolly was badly injured in the foot, and was court-martialled along with 170 others. He was one of 90 to be sentenced to death, and was the last one of the 15 to be executed by firing squad.

He was shot dead, seated on a wooden box, in Kilmainham Gaol on May 12th, 1916.

Connolly was buried in the cemetery within Arbour Hill military barracks, and his wife and six of his children survived him.

James Connolly's vision for Ireland would make the country a very different place to live in today.

While all the participants in the Easter Rising shared the goal of Irish independence, each had their own ideas about what kind of Ireland should emerge afterward.

If he had survived and lived beyond 1916, possibly becoming Taoiseach, it is fair to say Connolly's Ireland would be more socialist, secular, and worker-led in structure.

He had envisioned a workers' republic where industry and land were publicly owned and democratically managed, and was not just simply fighting for Irish independence, but for the Irish working class.
The potential impact of US tariffs on the Irish economy dominates Sunday's front pages.

Ministers are resisting cuts to the Budget over US tariffs, The Sunday Times reports.

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The chief of the Central Bank has told Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to "rethink" the Budget, the Business Post reports.

People feel income tax on the hospitality sector should be cut, a poll in the Sunday Independent reveals. The poll also found the preferred presidential candidate for Fianna Fail is former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

A senior garda has been charged with rape, the Sunday World reports.

The Irish Mail on Sunday also leads with the Government's response to Donald Trump's tarrifs.

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The Irish Sunday Mirror leads with the funeral of Vanessa Whyte and her children.

The UK front pages feature a range of stories.

The Sunday Express leads with a story on fears over potential Hamas attacks on the UK.

Sunday's EXPRESS: Fears Hamas may unleash terror in UK #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/qKJj58s2AX  Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 2, 2025

The Daily Star leads with a story on a Covid outbreak from one of Oasis' reunion gigs.

The Sun on Sunday leads with a story on cocaine use behind the scenes at Strictly Come Dancing.

The Mail on Sunday leads with a story on doctors' strikes in the UK.

The Sunday Mirror leads with a story on Ghislaine Maxwell being interviewed over British citizens with ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Sunday's MIRROR: Ghislaine quizzed on three Brits linked to Epstein #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Hf6LsKju26  Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 2, 2025

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed the Labour government has not learned from the mistakes of former UK prime minister Liz Truss, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

A group of children from Gaza will be flown to the UK for medical treatment, The Sunday Times reports.

Sunday's TIMES: Gaza children to be flown in for NHS treatment #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/nOfCEAqHkY  Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 2, 2025

The New York Times leads with a story on unrest in the Trump adminisration.
A far-right Israeli minister has prayed at Jerusalems most sensitive holy site, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the move could further escalate tensions.

With Israel already facing global criticism over famine-like conditions in the besieged Gaza Strip, the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to the hillside compound threatened to further set back efforts by international mediators to halt Israels nearly two-year military offensive in the territory.

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The area, which Jews call the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and was home to the ancient biblical temples. Muslims call the site the Noble Sanctuary, and today it is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.



Itamar Ben Gvir, left (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Visits are considered a provocation across the Muslim world and openly praying violates a longstanding status quo at the site.

Under the status quo, Jews have been allowed to tour the site but are barred from praying, with Israeli police and troops providing security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said after Mr Ben-Gvirs visit that Israel would not change the norms governing the holy site.

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Mr Ben-Gvir made the stop after Hamas released videos showing two emaciated Israeli hostages. The videos caused in uproar in Israel and raised pressure on the government to reach a deal to bring home from Gaza the remaining hostages who were captured on October 7 2023, in the attack that triggered the war.

During his visit to the hilltop compound, Mr Ben-Gvir called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip and encourage Palestinians to leave, reviving rhetoric that has complicated negotiations to end the war.



Benjamin Netanyahu (Aaron Chown/PA)

He condemned the video that Hamas released on Saturday of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David, showing him looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel.

The minister called it an attempt to pressure Israel.

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Mr Ben-Gvirs previous visits to the site have been explosive and prompted threats from Palestinian militant groups. Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators in and around the site fuelled an 11-day war with Hamas in 2021.

His Sunday visit was swiftly condemned as an incitement by Palestinian leaders as well as Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Sufian Qudah, spokesman for the foreign ministry in neighboring Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the Al Aqsa Mosque, condemned what he called provocative incursions by the extremist minister and implored Israel to prevent escalation.
Israeli forces killed at least 27 Palestinians seeking food on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials.

Witnesses described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged around aid sites as the malnutrition-related death toll surged.

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Desperation has gripped the Palestinian territory of more than two million, which experts have warned is at risk of famine because of Israels blockade and nearly two-year offensive.

Yousef Abed, among the crowds en-route to a distribution point, described coming under what he called indiscriminate fire, looking around and seeing at least three people bleeding on the ground.

I couldnt stop and help them because of the bullets, he said.



Abeer and Fadi Sobh with their children at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Southern Gazas Nasser Hospital said it had received bodies from near multiple distribution sites, including eight from Teina, about 1.8 miles from a distribution site in Khan Younis run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)  a private US and Israeli-backed contractor that took over aid distribution more than two months ago.

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The hospital also received one body from Shakoush, near a different GHF site in Rafah. Another nine were killed by troops near the Morag corridor who were awaiting trucks entering Gaza through an Israeli border crossing, it said.

Three Palestinian witnesses, seeking food in Teina and Morag, said the shootings occurred on the route to the distribution points, which are in military zones secured by Israeli forces. They said they saw soldiers open fire on hungry crowds advancing towards the troops.

Further north in central Gaza, hospital officials described a similar episode, with Israeli troops opening fire on Sunday morning towards crowds of Palestinians trying to get to GHFs fourth and northern-most distribution point.

Troops were trying to prevent people from advancing, one witness said. They opened fire and we fled. Some people were shot.

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At least five people were killed and 27 were injured at GHFs site near the Netzarim corridor, Awda Hospital said.



The Gaza health ministry has said 93 children have died of causes related to malnutrition since the war in Gaza started in 2023 (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Witnesses seeking food in Gaza have reported similar gunfire attacks in recent days near aid distribution sites, leaving dozens of Palestinians dead.

The United Nations reported 859 people were killed near GHF sites from May 27 to July 31, and hundreds more have been killed along the routes of UN-led food convoys.

The GHF launched in May as Israel sought an alternative to the UN-run system, which had safely delivered aid for much of the war but was accused by Israel of allowing Hamas, which guarded convoys early in the war, to siphon supplies.

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Israel has not offered evidence of widespread theft. The UN has denied it.

GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. Israels military has said it only fires warning shots as well. Both claimed the death tolls have been exaggerated.

Neither Israels military nor GHF immediately responded to questions about Sundays reported fatalities.

Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry also said six more Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. This brings the death toll among Palestinian adults to 82 in the past five weeks since the ministry started counting deaths among adults in late June, it said.

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Ninety-three children have also died of causes related to malnutrition since the war in Gaza started in 2023, the ministry said.
Police are investigating after footage emerged on social media of a naked man wearing a black mask and trainers walking down the street at night.

The video, which has been shared widely online, is understood to have been filmed in Lytham, Lancashire.

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It shows the man wearing only the mask and a pair of blackandwhite trainers as he walks along a row of residential homes.

Lancashire Police said the incident took place at about 12.50am on July 18th in the area of Westby Street, Cleveland Road and Bannister Street, despite claims on Facebook it happened later in the month.

A spokesman said: We are aware of a concerning video circulating on social media of a naked male wearing a face covering walking around Lytham in the early hours of the morning.

This incident was not initially reported to police and has only been brought to our attention after it has been viewed on Facebook.

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Fylde Rural Task Force are currently conducting CCTV and housetohouse inquiries and would like to reassure you that we are taking this matter seriously.

Officers urged anyone with information or relevant CCTV to contact FyldeRTF@lancashire.police.uk.
Pope Leo has told more than a million Catholic youths at a closing Mass for a week-long encounter with the next generation of faithful that they are the sign that a different world is possible, where conflicts can be resolved with dialogue, not weapons.

In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries bloodied by war who could not join the celebration.

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We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings, Leo said. We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war.

My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible. A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.



Young people wake up after spending the night at the Tor Vergata field in Rome as part of the event (Andrew Medichini/AP)

The young people camped in sprawling fields south-east of Rome overnight after attending a vigil service for the Jubilee of Youth on Saturday, also presided by Leo  who has been ferried to and from Vatican City by helicopter.

The Vatican said more than one million young people were present, along with 7,000 priests and 450 bishops.

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The special Jubilee celebration is part of the Holy Year that is expected to draw 32 million people to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism.

During the Sunday homily, Leo urged participants to spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith when they return home to some 150 countries.

Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are, Leo urged them. Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.



Leo led Mass with an estimated one million people (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Leo reminded the crowd their next encounter will be for World Youth Day, set for August 3-8 in 2027, in Seoul, South Korea.

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The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they move down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours at the Circus Maximus to confess their sins to priests offering the sacrament in a dozen languages.

Leo also shared tragic news on Saturday. Two young people who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, while a third was in hospital.

Rain overnight awakened the faithful but did not dampen their spirits.

Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico, said: At least we were a little covered, but we still got a bit wet. We lost our voices a little. It was cold, but we woke up to a beautiful sun and view.

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Despite the difficulties, it was very nice and very special to have been part of this historic moment.
The UK has got fat from the free labour of women, Jess Phillips has said.

The UK minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls said the country has relied on women providing charity for decades.

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She said it was a fundamentally sexist practice that meant Government was less willing to provide the service itself.

She said she hated the title of her role and added that safeguarding against gender-based violence should be business as usual in every single Government department.

Jess Phillips suggested some ministers thought violence against women and girls was solely the remit of the Home Office (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

The Birmingham Yardley MP suggested there was an issue in Whitehall where Government departments viewed violence against women and girls as solely a Home Office issue.

Ms Phillips said she had to push for the safety of women and girls to be a mainstream concern, which she said had not always made her popular as a Government minister.

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Asked what pushback she had received from ministers or civil servants, she said: People directly say things like, Thats the Home Offices job.

Why is it my job to do healthy relationship education in schools? Why is it my job to provide mental health support for whatever reason it is that you ended up in that [situation]?.

Do you know what it is? Free labour of women is where it comes from.

It comes from a fundamentally sexist place in that women didnt have these services, so a load of women across the country got together and made these services and offered them to other women for free, and they didnt get paid for their labour.

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So they put down a mattress and made a refuge. They set up counselling services and got people who were trained to be therapists and got their voluntary hours and set it up for free.

Jess Phillips was interviewed at the Iain Dale All Talk Fringe show (Jacob King/PA)

Ms Phillips said people do not recognise how heavily the UK has relied on women providing support that previously did not exist which has suggested an impact on the willingness of Government to provide these services.

She added: Nobody offered diabetes medicine for free. Pharmaceutical companies didnt go, Wow, this is really important. People will die without this. Well just give it away for free.

That is what the women in our country did in the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s and we got fat on that expectation that that service will be provided for free.

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And we also belittled it as an issue that wasnt absolutely, fundamentally mainstream to the safety and security of our nation.

Undoing that is really hard and its going to take a long time.
Well, you can forget about Treasurer Jim Chalmers three-day roundtable discussions leading to any improvement in the economys productivity and growth, let alone getting the budget back under control.

Late last week, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) persuaded all of Canberras many other business lobby groups to join it in rejecting out of hand the Productivity Commissions proposal for reform of the company tax system which, the commission argued, would increase businesses incentive to invest more in productivity-enhancing plant and equipment, without any net reduction in company tax collections.

The proposal is for the rate of company tax to be cut for all but our biggest 500 companies, while introducing a 5 per cent tax on the net cash flow of all companies.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has requested that the Productivity Commission produce a set of proposals for improving Australias prosperity. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The joint statement by 24 business lobby groups says that while some businesses may benefit under the proposal, it risks all Australian consumers and businesses paying more for the things they buy every day  groceries, fuel and other daily essentials.
Victorian Liberals and major employers are treading lightly on the issue of legal work-from-home protections, following Premier Jacinta Allans proposal on Saturday to enshrine the out-of-office work arrangements as a right.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the state governments announcement was short on detail when it came to how new legislation would work and whom it would apply to.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Credit: Eddie Jim

He denied the state Liberals were yet to take a strong stance on working-from-home legislation because of the damage done to Peter Duttons federal election campaign when Dutton publicly opposed hybrid work arrangements for public servants earlier this year.

Its up to the premier right now to explain exactly what legislation theyre going to change and how this is going to be a state issue versus a federal issue, Battin said.
The other day I looked up synonyms for dementia  and are they ever a depressing bunch! Such as, on the top of the list: madness, insanity, lunacy, mania, senility, derangement, craziness, delirium, psychosis. Not to mention the imagery that Harry Potters Dementors conjure up. Talk about giving a dog a bad name!

What embarrasses me, as someone who has talked passionately about the importance of removing the stigma that surrounds dementia, is that it wasnt me who thought to actually question the label itself. Was its very name  dementia  reinforcing that stigma?

Heather Cooper, who discovered the language of music after her dementia diagnosis, performed on the ABCs The Piano. Credit: ABC

That question came from a member of the audience after a talk I had given to a lively retirement village group that included some amazing people continuing to flourish in their 90s. I had spoken to them about the realities of dementia. Not only did a minority of older people have it, I said, but it was possible to go on living satisfying lives for a long time after diagnosis.

And I gave some powerful examples. They included the wonderful Heather Cooper, who appeared in an episode of ABCs The Piano, having taken up the instrument after her Alzheimers diagnosis. Dementia Australia had advised her to learn a new language. She decided to learn the language of music. And, six years later, here she was, giving a great performance, playing and singing My Favourite Things, before a most illuminating and inspiring conversation with Amanda Keller about her life since that diagnosis.
Granite Belt locals and keen snow chasers have had their hopes of a white weekend rewarded after snow fell in the region on Saturday afternoon  the first in a decade.

Speculation that conditions were primed for snow in the region, about 2 hours south-west of Brisbane, began during the week.

Im a local  lived here my whole life  and every 10 years or so, we get a dump. And we are due for that dump, Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi, from Ballandean Estate Wines, said on Tuesday.

By Saturday afternoon, the intuition of long-time residents and businesses based in Stanthorpe and surrounding localities paid off, with many posting pictures and videos on social media of snow falling.
He was a strapping full back who cut a dashing figure playing for Fitzroy in 1898. He was named among the best players in the teams premiership win that year over Essendon.

But three years later, Stanley Spencer Reid died, after being shot in the stomach while fighting in the Boer War, in what is now South Africa.

Every picture tells a story: Stanley Reids photo in the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions museum at Marvel Stadium. Credit: Penny Stephens

He was 28 years old, but not forgotten by Brenden Campbell.

Campbell, the club archivist for Fitzroy and its current incarnation, the Brisbane Lions, has spent 20 years tracing photos of all 1157 men who played at least one game for Fitzroy.
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InspirationFood and wine The fascinating cheesy bread with a poisonous sting in its tale Ben Groundwater August 4, 2025  12:00am 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 6 View all comments

The dish: Pao de queijo, Brazil Pao de queijo. Getty Images Plate up You have to love a dish with a name that just tells you what it is: pao de queijo, or cheese bread. No room for misinterpretation there. However, the further you dive into this ubiquitous Brazilian snack, the more interesting it becomes. Because, yes, it is bread with cheese, but that bread isnt made from wheat flour, as you might expect. Its made from two types of cassava flour, one sweet, one sour. The sweet flour is a standard flour, similar in texture to cornflour, while the sour one is fermented, and thus has a stronger, sharper flavour. These two flours are blended with oil, eggs, milk and salt, plus cheese  maybe mozzarella, or local minas or canastra cheese  to form a dough, which is then shaped into balls and baked. The result is a light, puffy bread that pairs perfectly with morning coffee, and marks the beginning of the day for many Brazilians. First serve

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Related Article Food and wine Brazils answer to the Thai seafood curry is an icon and an obsession As with so many classic Brazilian dishes, pao de queijos history speaks of the countrys many influences over the centuries, from indigenous cultures to African slaves to European colonists. The genesis of this cheese bread can be found in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais, where the Guarani people had been using cassava flour long before colonists arrived in the 1500s. When those settlers did arrive, they brought slaves with them, who began using cheap cassava flour to make small bread rolls. By the late 1800s, slavery had been abolished, cheese and eggs were added to the rolls, and the popularity of pao de queijo spread. Order there In Belo Horizonte, in the heart of Minas-Gerais, feast on pao de queijo at the ever-popular A Pao de Queijaria (apaodequeijaria.com.br). Order here

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In Sydney, grab coffee and pao de queijo at Oba Cafe in Matraville (instagram.com/obacafesyd). In Melbourne, head to Bossa Nova Cafe in Carlton (bossanova.com.au). And in Brisbane, try O Brasileiro (obrasileirorestaurant.com.au). One more thing Cassava root, untreated, is poisonous  it contains cyanide. Its made edible by being peeled, grated, soaked in water and then dried. The end product is also referred to as tapioca.

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A MAN who sent threatening messages to his partner claiming that he would kill her and that he would have her dead and buried and no-one would find her will be sentenced later. Declan Carr (29) of Poulmarl, Taghmon, Co Wexford pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court last week to making threats to kill the woman on 5 March of this year. Two additional charges of assaulting the woman causing her harm were taken into account.

Garda Kevin Fitzpatrick told Niall Storan BL, prosecuting, that the woman contacted gardai and told them she had just been assaulted by her partner. She said the man had just left the house. Gardai later stopped him in his car and found 170 worth of cannabis in the vehicle.

He was taken in for questioning and made immediate admissions when the messages he had sent his partner were shown to him. He accepted that while they were threats to kill, he said he did not mean the threats and would never have carried them out.

Garda Fitzpatrick agreed that the couple had been in an on-and-off relationship for 12 years.

He said that the woman later reported that Mr Carr had hit her in the side of her face with his elbow while they were arguing in her car earlier that year. She took a video of her injuries, which was shown to Mr Carr by gardai. He suggested she had used a filter in the video.

The woman also outlined a second assault when Mr Carr had struck her in the back of the head and spat at her. Mr Carr told gardai that this never happened.

A number of the threatening messages were read out to the court in which Mr Carr said he would have the woman dead and buried  and no-one will find you. He also told her he would get you and I am going to kill you when I get you. He told her she should watch herself and called her a dirty rat.

The woman said she had contacted gardai because she was worried that Mr Carr would kill her and she was in fear for her life.

A victim impact report was read into the record in which the woman said she had begged Mr Carr to stop his behaviour, but he had refused to, so she had contacted the gardai out of pure fear. She said she was afraid he would have her killed and she experienced panic attacks for some time because of the threats.

The woman said she is starting to move on with her life  all I want is a safe life, the victim impact report stated.

Mr Carr appeared on video-link for the sentence hearing as he has been on remand in custody since his arrest in March. He read out a letter of apology to his former partner, saying that he had hoped he had not damaged her mental health too much.

I was angry and let my emotions get the better of me, he said.

Defence counsel said her client was remorseful and asked the court to accept his co-operation with the gardai and the fact that his plea prevented what would have been a difficult trial. She said Mr Carr was willing to take part in courses for domestic violence or addiction, and handed in letters of support from his family.

Defence counsel said this was the first time Mr Carr had experienced prison life and that he is now at a critical point in his life and plans to change his ways.

Judge Sinead McMullan remanded Mr Carr on continuing bail to the next sittings of Carlow Circuit Criminal Court in November, when a sentence date will be set. She said she needed time to consider the case.
AN Gairdin Beo was awash with colour and music when members of the Nigerian community in Co Carlow celebrated their rich culture and history recently.

Mayor of Longford cllr Uruemu Adejinmi

Organised by chairperson of the Carlow Nigerian Community Committee Adetula Skipo Temiola and other committee members, the event attracted Nigerians from all over the county and beyond, including special guest mayor of Longford Uruemu Adejinmi.

Members of the Nigerian community in County Carlow at the event in An Gairdin Beo

Speakers from several different Nigerian ethnic groups gave talks about their culture and history, a reflection of the countrys 250 ethnic groups and over 500 languages.

The ethnic groups were dressed in their traditional attire to sing and dance, giving a brief history of the group while the children played their part by speaking in their native languages and taking part in the activities.

Members of the Benin group

The event was also attended by local representatives such as junior minister Jennifer Murnane OConnor, cathaoirleach Ken Murnane, cllr Adrienne Wallace and Grainne ONeill, integration officer for Carlow Co Council.
STAFF from Tirlan, formerly known as Glanbia Ireland, presented a cheque for 5,000 to the Laois-based national charity Embrace FARM during the recent Farm Safety Week. The charity is Irelands leading support network for farm families affected by sudden death and serious injury.

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 critical  especially 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 co-ordinator 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.
In the pastel-colored world of Mariland, My Melody  a white bunny who wears an eye-catching pink hood  runs a successful cake shop, bringing happiness and cheer to everyone. Well, almost everyone. Kuromi, who runs a Japanese sweet shop across the street, is determined to outdo My Melodys business venture. Their rivalry heats up as a sweets-making contest kicks off, but strange events are about to unfold in Mariland that may prove distracting.

My Melody & Kuromi is a new Netflix animated series featuring the titular iconic Sanrio characters. Netflix previously collaborated with Sanrio on the live-action/CG animation hybrid Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure and the 2D animation Aggretsuko. The streaming service has seen success with stop-motion stories before, with series such as Dwarf Studios Rilakkuma & Kaoru, Pokemon Concierge, and its Oscar-winning feature, Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio. This time around, Wit Studios new stop-motion division, Toruku Studio, takes up the mantle. The Toruku team is headed up by series director Tomoki Misato, a leading young voice in stop-motion who previously created the surreal cult phenomenon Pui Pui Molcar.

Penning the series screenplay is veteran playwright Shuko Nemoto. A departure from her usual work, My Melody & Kuromi carries an emotional sensitivity and wisdom far beyond its early-years appearances. Cartoon Brew sat down with Nemoto to discuss the joys and challenges of writing for stop-motion without constraints, and what these beloved Sanrio characters mean to her.

Cartoon Brew: To start us off, could you outline your background in theatre and screenwriting for the benefit of Western readers, who wont be as familiar with you?

Shuko Nemoto: Im currently thirty-five years old, and Ive been writing for theatre since I was nineteen. When I was young, I saw many different types of theatre  plays, musicals, and kabuki. I started out writing theatre with everyday dialogue, but I later branched out to collaborate with musicians in writing musical theatre. Recently, I scripted a play in Japanese for Korean theatre.

How would you define your writing style?

My writing tends to focus on relationships  whether thats romantic or platonic, or the relationship between family or friends. Even when youre in a close relationship with someone, it is difficult to completely understand one another, but theres something interesting or hopeful about that fact.

As with the writers of some of Netflixs other stop-motion efforts, your previous screenwriting is not in animation. How did you come to be involved with this series?

I got an offer from the production company. A member of the companys board happened to see one of my plays, and they thought that the world of My Melody and my writing could align well.

When they came to you with that offer, could you immediately see why they thought that?

Ive loved Sanrio since I was a kid, and My Melody happened to be my favorite character of all. So I was really happy to get the offer. I never thought Id get the opportunity to write for Sanrio characters. But Id never written a screenplay for an animated project before, so I was a bit confused, and I had to make sure that I was the right fit.

What do you feel is the essence of these two characters, My Melody and Kuromi?

Its well known that theres a bit of a rivalry between these two characters. To bring this into real life, we all have a part of My Melody and a part of Kuromi in ourselves. Just like My Melody, we try to enjoy everything a bit nonchalantly. On the other hand, we have Kuromi, who tends to be a bit jealous. But when these two contrasting personalities come together, they kind of complement each other. I tried to depict this pair as being two halves of a whole.

Sanrio provided detailed information on the characters worldviews and personalities, but it was important to somewhat put aside the specifics of My Melody and Kuromi being the characters. I usually write dialogue for human characters, and I tried to occupy that same mindset when writing this series. My Melody and Kuromi each have their own sayings, of course, and I made sure my work matched those, but I think my ability to not be overly influenced by the characters is why I was selected for this project.

Sanrio has a passionate fan base. Did you feel nervous about taking these characters in unexpected directions?

I took time to pitch to everyone and think about the writing process. The director, Tomoki Misato, makes many works that have a horror-esque inflection. We had a meeting at the beginning of the writing process. He showed me a set of five image boards of what he wanted to depict in the animated series. One was My Melody and Kuromi flying in airplanes. The second was the heart being captured by swans. The third was a car chase. The fourth was the opening of the cake shop. And the last one was the Cloud Kingdom in the sky. He also had an image board of the characters from the town going a bit rogue. Looking at those image boards, I was a bit confused. How was I going to depict all of this as a screenplay

Sanrio fans tend to prefer something cute. I tried to respect that and create this screenplay a bit more delicately. I feel like WIT Studio and Netflix offered me this role because they were expecting me to write in a way that is unconstrained by boundaries. We had a lot of meetings with the creative board in trying to pay respect to the characters, but equally, I tried to be a bit genre-breaking. As a screenwriter, I think I was able to fulfill that role well. It was a great honor to be involved in this challenging project.

When working with Director Misato on the project, did you write the scripts after seeing the image boards, with him then using those scripts to create the episodes? Or was it a more collaborative, back-and-forth process from start to finish?

The creative process was mostly completed separately. At the start, I wasnt familiar with stop-motion animation at all. This car chase scene  if I were in the directors shoes, I would have thought to omit that, because its really hard to execute something like that in stop-motion. But Director Misato is the kind of person who really wants to do something, even if it will take a lot of time and effort. Hes really passionate in that respect.

Essentially, I put together detailed screenplays for the first three episodes based on what Director Misato presented to me during that meeting. Once the screenplay was ready, I introduced the team to what I had in mind for the later part of the series.

Animation, of course, opens up infinite imaginative possibilities for screenwriting  but with stop-motion specifically, you have to make sure that what you write is actually achievable by the artists. How mindful were you of those limitations?

Director Misato was passionate about doing something that had never been achieved in stop-motion animation before. He asked me to write whilst forgetting about the fact that this is a stop-motion animation  to just write like I would for theatre. Which I did  but during the meeting discussing the screenplay for the first three episodes, we discovered that the amount of dialogue was too large to be achieved with the stop-motion mouth movement of the characters. So we did have to adjust the amount of dialogue. I also tried to make the storyline more emotionally dynamic, so that we could see the emotions of these characters change immediately. At one moment, theyre very happy, the next theyre very angry, and at the next moment, they are sleepy and just go to bed. I felt like that could match the style that Director Misato was hoping for.

Having now worked on this stop-motion project and seen the finished results, what excites you about stop-motion as a medium?

I find stop-motion fascinating. In the stop-motion animation that I saw as a kid, the movements were focused on the main characters, or the characters that are speaking the dialogue. But in My Melody & Kuromi, if you pay attention and look closely, youll see that the flowers, the animals, and the background characters are also very actively moving. This is a project where an unbelievable number of animals and objects are moving at the same time.

I think you can feel how hard the creative process is when you see this series, and the persistence that goes into that. Im very happy that there are directors like Misato-san, who are passionate about projects like this. You can feel that passion in this project  theres a warmth to its handmade quality. There are many fascinating parts to Japanese animation, but I feel like this project could add something new and different to it. Im very proud of it.

What do you want the viewers of this series to take away from watching it, whether thats a message, a feeling, or anything at all that comes to mind?

In terms of emotion, I just want the audience to feel warm. It would be great if this series becomes something that cheers them up for tomorrows work or school.

In terms of a message, I feel that My Melody and Kuromi are depicted in the series as two strong female characters from two different angles. Stories depicting strong female characters have become trendy in the world these days, but what I find fascinating about these two characters is that their strength is not complete from the beginning. They are actually very weak  feeble  but they own something very strong in the core of their minds. There are many moments in the series where My Melody brims with tears, but there are very few moments where those tears actually overflow. I want the audience to see something courageous in these two characters, who face these challenges even though theyre a bit weak, and in doing so own this true strength in their core.x
Deputies said a man in Polk County tried to detonate explosives when law enforcement officials came to arrest him for outstanding warrants.



Polk County Sheriff's Office officials said, "On August 1st, 2025, Detectives and Deputies of the Polk County Sheriffs went to 129 Amber Way Old Fort, TN 37362 in attempt to locate Kevin Wade ONeal (age 54). Mr. ONeal had active warrants for his arrest for threatening to kill public officials and law enforcement personnel in Polk County.

Upon arrival, Detectives and Deputies made contact with Mr. ONeal inside the residence and placed him into custody. Officers realized that something was smoldering inside the bedroom where Mr. ONeal had been located."Officers observed what they believed to be an improvised explosive device inside the room. Officers immediately evacuated the residence and Officers with the Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) responded to the scene."During execution of a search warrant, obtained by Investigators of the Polk County Sheriffs Office, Chattanooga PD Bomb Squad officers and agents of the ATF located fourteen improvised explosive devices inside the residence."Through their investigation, Detectives of PCSO and Agents of the ATF found that Kevin ONeal (suspect) attempted to detonate the devices upon officers arrival and while they were attempting to apprehend him."Mr. ONeal is charged with nine counts of Attempted First Degree Murder for the Attempted Murders of the nine Detectives and Deputies of the Polk County Sheriffs Office, who were present during the arrest. Mr. ONeal is also charged with two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder for the Attempted Murders of two other persons present at the residence. Further charges Mr. ONeal faces are fourteen counts of Prohibited Weapons and one count of Possession of Explosive Components. Mr. ONeal is being held at the Polk County Jail on the above listed charges and his bond has yet to be determined. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."Sheriff Steve Ross would like to thank all agencies that responded to assist during this incident and investigation. Those agencies include, but are not limited to the following: West Polk Fire and Rescue, AmeriPro EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad, and Tennessee Department of Homeland Security."
Sometimes remarkable circumstances bring a delightful chance encounter.

Such was the case on our last morning in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on our continuing road trip west.

It so happened that Jas Barbe was out front of his Nagle Warren Mansion cleaning up the debris from Friday night's fierce storm.

It so happened that the four of us got a recommendation to have breakfast next door at the Omelet House.

Jas started out on a buffalo ranch at Centennial, Wyoming, then he spent four decades as an award-winning chef and boutique hotel manager in Europe.

He returned to the American West just in time to find that the handsome Nagle Warren Mansion was for sale after a long period as a bed and breakfast. Jas assembled a lively staff and is continuing the B&B tradition at the 12-roomed mansion where former Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft stayed.

We stopped to talk and I mentioned that Mert's Great-Grandfather's brother, "Uncle Charley" Harris, was in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.

I thought Jas was going to hug me he was so excited. It turns out that he is a Buffalo Bill aficionado and is currently working on finding accounts of those who appeared in the famous Western show along with Annie Oakley and others.

"Charley Harris!" he said. "He was in the show for three years."

Later, I will send copies of our family's "Uncle Charley Scrapbook" to Jas, and he can fill us in on what he knows about Charley.

On to the Omelet House and it was every bit as good as billed. We were surfeited with waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, gravy and biscuit and fried potatoes.

There was a long ride on 80 West through the remainder of the length of Wyoming - mostly arid with some scrub trees and interesting buttes from time to time.

As we turned southwest toward Park City the forest became more lush, and expensive homes began to appear on distant peaks. A few times snow-capped peaks had been in sight on our trip, though our temp was around 84.

There was no snow yet in sight in Park City, but it is surely on the way. The fire hydrants are all outfitted with attached poles so they can be located when the snow piles up.

We could see from our Park Plaza Resort the nearby ski slopes.

A patio table was our card playing scenario. Zef and I won handily at Hand and Foot using the "narrow cards." It's the narrow cards going forward.

Next on the ambitious schedule is an Airbnb in the lovely state of Idaho.
After four consecutive losses to the Smokies, three of them by a wide margin, the Lookouts were finally able to exact some revenge with an 11-1 victory on Saturday night. The Smokies had put together several big innings throughout the week. On Saturday it was a seven run seventh inning for Chattanooga to help them pull away.

Jay Allen II got the scoring started in the bottom of the third scoring Austin Callahan on a sacrifice fly. In the fourth Cade Hunter singled home a run and Callahan had an RBI sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. Dominic Pitelli later plated Hunter on a single in the sixth.

Cam Collier singled twice in a wild seventh inning that included four Lookouts hitters walking, a wild pitch, a hit by pitch, an error and five singles, all of which led to seven runs for Chattanooga.

On the mound starting pitcher Kevin Abel had one of his best performances throwing five shutout innings. He struck out four and scattered five hits.

The series finale is Sunday afternoon at 2:15 at AT&T Field. The Lookouts will be off on Monday before traveling to first place Birmingham for a series beginning Tuesday night.
Home News Children wounded in anti-Christian attack on prayer house

SURABAYA, Indonesia  As police officers looked on, a group of Muslims stormed a prayer house in Indonesia last Sunday, injuring two children, sources said.

The Muslims shouted the jihadist slogan Allahu Akbar [Allah is greater] and Dismiss it as they disrupted state mandated religious education for children provided by Anugerah Faithful Christian Church of Indonesia (Gereja Kristen Setia Indonesia, GKSI) in Padang Sarai village, Koto Tengah District, Padang City, West Sumatra Province at around 4 p.m. on July 27, a widely viewed video shows.

Armed with wooden blocks, knives and stones, the intruders damaged property inside and outside the prayer house where religious instruction was underway for children who could not receive it in school. Panicked students and their parents rushed outside as children cried. A voice from within the congregation can be heard saying, Our country is a Pancasila state [policy of unity and social justice for all of Indonesias various people] based on law and must be carried out according to law.

Two Christian students, ages 7 and 11, were severely injured after the assailants struck them, according to the video. Sound system equipment, chairs, fans, a pulpit podium, window panes and other items were also damaged.

The pastor of the church, F. Dachi, said the attack occurred suddenly while several children were receiving the religious instruction. The mob of angry Muslims had gathered on the street in front of the prayer house, shouting and demanding that the religious instruction be stopped, shocking the pastor who was outside the building at the time, according to Sumbarkita.

The crowd immediately shouted, Dismiss! Dismiss the religious instruction! and began throwing stones at the prayer house, Pastor Dachi said. Glass was shattered, equipment was destroyed, and the electricity was cut off.

The head of 03 Neighborhood Associations (Rukun Tetangga) and the head of the 09 Community Association (RW) asked to speak with him in a backyard, though there are no details about the discussion, according to the BBC.

The attack and vandalism by area Muslims followed Islamic afternoon prayer time (Asr).

Padang Mayor Fadly Aram claimed that the incident was merely a misunderstanding unrelated to ethnicity, race or interfaith issues.

First, we must acknowledge the pain of our brothers and sisters who have suffered from this act of vandalism, which even resulted in injuries, Fadly told Kompas.com on last Sunday evening. The damaged building was an educational facility for Christian students, not a church.

Pastor Dachi further expressed his concerns to the mayor.

All this time, Ive only been providing religious guidance  this isnt an illegal activity, he told the mayor. This is a prayer house, a place for Christian religious education for schoolchildren so they can get grades in their religious studies. To get grades, I give them exams and so on.

As the religious teaching coincides with the time Muslims perform their afternoon (Asr) prayer, Pastor Dachi said, When the Adhan [Islamic call to prayer] sounds, we stop our activities. I respect the Adhan. I pause what Im doing when I hear the Adhan, as Muslims are offering prayers to the almighty. As a Christian leader, I honor that. Thank God, everyone in the mosque is praying to you  

Pastor Dachi then expressed sadness regarding the actions of those who had just completed the Islamic prayer.

I am deeply saddened by the behavior of those brothers [...] he said. Mr. Mayor, I educate them with the Word of God, not cock fighting or drugs, he added.

The chairman of the Padang Interfaith Cooperation Forum, identified only as Salmadanis, said the incident of vandalism and beating of children stemmed from a mere misunderstanding, according to Kompas.com.

The core issue stems from a shift in the churchs approach to religious instruction, Salmadanis said. In the past, religious education was conducted on a house-to-house basis. Recently, however, it has been centralized in a single location, leading to misunderstandings within the community.

West Sumatra Deputy Police Chief Brig. Gen. Solihin said police have arrested nine people in connection with the destruction of the congregations prayer house. The number of suspects in this case could increase if more evidence emerges, he said.

Believe me, the police will follow up on this case, and no one in West Sumatra should take the law into their own hands, Solihin reportedly said.

Yen Danir, youth leader of the local neighborhood association, accused the congregation of having provoked the residents, according to DetikSumut.com.

While we were there, our youths overheard something from the Nias residents [congregation], Danir told detikSumut.com on Tuesday. They said we should go to war; thats where the trigger was. We had no intention of causing a disturbance; we were just provoked.

The residents visited the prayer house so Danir could clarify issues with the homeowner, the pastor, he said, as previously the residents thought the rented house in Padang Sarai village was just a shelter.

We thought it was a shelter, but it turned out it had been converted into a place of worship, Danir reportedly said.

Other organizations in Padang City also accused the GKSI congregation to stoking Christian-Muslim tensions and demanded closure of the prayer house and firm action against the pastor, according to the Indonesia for All Movement.

We ask law enforcement officials to take firm action against Pastor Fathia Dachi, a representative of the movement said.

They also demanded the release of the alleged assailants in police custody.

Two children were injured, the prayer house was vandalized, and the perpetrators have publicly apologized, the Indonesia for All Movement representative reportedly said. They have even asked the GKSI to resolve the matter peacefully, even though they have refused and still want to pursue legal proceedings.

Condemnation

The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) condemned the attack.

This action is extremely distressing, the Rev. Jacky Manuputty, general chairman of the PGI, said in a press statement on July 28, according to Holopis.com. Acts of terror accompanied by violence aimed at disrupting religious services in front of children will undoubtedly cause lasting trauma to their development.

The incident shows that intolerance remains deeply rooted in various corners of the country, Pastor Manuputty said.

Indonesia is a vast nation built on diversity, strengthened by unity and connected through respect for differences, he said.

The chairman of the Setara Institute, an NGO dedicated to the fight for democracy and religious freedom, Hendardi, said the attack was a crime that violates the constitution.

This action cannot be justified and is a criminal act that violates the law and the constitution, he told Morning Star News.

Hendardi urged local and state law enforcement officials to avoid suggesting that intolerance and violence stem merely from misunderstanding. The governments of Padang and West Sumatra must tackle the underlying issues that contribute to these problems, particularly religious conservatism, low religious literacy, social segregation, discriminatory regulations and the normalization of religious intolerance at both structural and cultural levels, he said.

Pastor Nicky Wakkary of Bogor, West Java, fewer than 38 miles from Jakarta, described the attack and destruction of the prayer house as an act of Christianophobia.

This intolerant movement sends a signal to the government about the issues surrounding interfaith relations in Indonesia, said Pastor Nicky of the Greater Indonesia Christian Movement.

Martin Daniel Tumbelaka, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, commended the swift arrests by West Sumatra Regional Police.

This demonstrates that the state will not remain silent in the face of violence and intolerance, and that law enforcement must see this through to the end, Martin said in a statement on Monday in Jakarta.

He said he hoped police would take further action.

If there are others who orchestrated or incited them, they must also be held accountable, Tumbelaka said. The state must be present and firm. This issue goes beyond physical damage; it impacts citizens sense of security. There must be zero tolerance for vigilante actions.

The attack caught the attention of the vice president of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who on Wednesday paid a visit to the 23 child victims at the Padang City Social Services Office, West Sumatra, according to Kompas.com.

Indonesian society in recent years has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to Open Doors.

This article was originally published at Morning Star News
Home News China arrests pastor on charges of illegal business operations

Chinese authorities have arrested a Protestant pastor on charges of illegal business operations weeks after he and several church members were detained amid the Chinese Communist Partys crackdowns on unregistered Christian activity across the country.

Pastor Huang Yizi was informed of his formal arrest this week, more than a month after he and four others were taken into custody by Pingyang Public Security officials on June 26, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported.

The group, comprising church members from Ningbo, Quzhou and Taizhou, all in Zhejiang Province, was placed under administrative detention the following day.

Two of the five were released on bail last Friday, while the remaining three, including Huang, remain in custody.

The charges against the other detainees have not been made public. A sixth church member was detained on July 17 and remains in custody.

Under Chinas Criminal Procedure Law, public security officials are required to submit a request for formal arrest to the procuratorate within 30 days of detention.

Huangs representative believed the case was transferred for review on July 25, the last permissible day for detention without formal charges. However, the representative discovered that Huangs arrest had already been approved and posted on the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate of Chinas website on the same day.

The pastor was officially informed of the arrest on Wednesday and was told that the review had been completed on Monday and the arrest granted on Tuesday. His representative told CSW that the speed of the process raised concerns about the depth of the review and the lack of official documentation.

Huang had previously been detained in 2014 for protesting the demolition of church crosses in Wenzhou and served a one-year prison term. Less than a month after his release, he was detained again on Sept. 12, 2015, on charges of endangering national security and held for nearly five months in a designated residential surveillance location. Before the demolitions, his church had operated as a state-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement church.

The Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Group accused authorities of using broad and ambiguous charges, such as illegal business operations, to detain religious figures. They said the act of recording and distributing sermons falls within constitutionally protected expressions of religious belief.

Separately, in April, nine Christians were convicted in Inner Mongolia for reselling legally published Bibles through an unregistered house church. Sentences ranged from one year to nearly five years, with fines reaching as high as 1 million yuan ($137,000), Bitter Winter reported.

All nine individuals were convicted on the same charge used against Pastor Huang.

Earlier this year, the Chinese Communist Party also announced new rules banning foreign missionaries from establishing religious organizations or preaching without authorization. The regulations, effective May 1, prohibit foreign nationals from founding religious schools, producing or selling religious material, or recruiting Chinese citizens as followers.

Mission News Network reported that foreign clergy may only preach if officially invited by state-recognized religious bodies, and their messages must be pre-approved by authorities.
Home Opinion Is college worth it today?

Is college worth all the expenses and trouble these days? I used to think it was. But look at all the changes for the worse.

So much of what passes for a college education these days is indoctrination in political correctness.

A recent study reported in Newsweek found that one in four Gen Z college graduates regret attending university  all the trouble, all the expense, all the debt. Pew Research Center says Gen Z are those born from 1997 through 2012.

Writing for Newsweek, Suzanne Blake observes: As artificial intelligence transforms the workplace and student debt balloons, a significant portion of Generation Z now expresses regret over their college education. According to a new survey by Resume Genius, 23% of full-time Gen Z workers regret attending college, and 19% say their degree didn't contribute to their career.

Blake adds, Only 32% said they're content with their education path and wouldn't change it, according to Resume Genius.

I am so glad that I was able to study at college in the 1970s. It was liberal, but it wasnt Marxist.

To me, a large part of the problem is that college these days represents perhaps one of the largest mission drifts in history.

What was the original reason for colleges in the first place? All the original colleges and universities in North America  all of them (certainly as early as the settling and founding eras)  were thoroughly Christian. But today, most of these schools stand for the exact opposite. But the liberals didnt start these schools. They just eventually took them over, turning them away from God.

Consider just a quick run-down of these schools that many of our nations founders attended:

The original motto of Harvard was (in Latin): For Christ and the Church  with the word Veritas (Latin for Truth) on the college seal. In the early 20th century, they jettisoned everything but the word Veritas. Founded in 1630, named after Rev. John Harvard, a 1643 statement of the schools goals said, Every one shall consider the main End of his life and studies, to know God and Jesus Christ which is Eternal life. John 17.3.

William and Mary was Anglican in its founding and as such, Jesus Christ was pre-eminent. Among other things, two of the Statutes of the College of William and Mary (1727) state the schools purpose: That the Churches of America, especially Virginia, should be supplied with good Ministers after the Doctrine and Government of the Church of England; and that the College should be a constant Seminary for this Purpose  That the Indians of America should be instructed in the Christian Religion

Yale was founded to train ministers of the Gospel in the Connecticut area in 1700, and named after the Puritan benefactor, Elihu Yale. Its 1745 charter stated, All scholars shall live religious, godly, and blameless lives according to the rules of Gods Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, the fountain of light and truth; and constantly attend upon all the duties of religion, both in public and secret.

An early advertisement for Kings College, which opened in 1754 and is now Columbia University, read: The chief thing that is aimed at in this college is to teach and engage children to know God in Jesus Christ. The same Columbia that now sees many pro-Hamas riots.

Rev. Jonathan Dickinson was the first president of the College of New Jersey, which later became known as Princeton. Dickinson once said, Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ. Its official motto even now is reported to be, Under Gods Power She Flourishes.

Dartmouth was originally founded for the purpose of training ministers of the Gospel and missionaries to the Indians.

And on and on it goes. Too bad we have been largely cut off from this important tradition.

In fact, the phenomenon of the university was created by the Church around 1200 AD. The University of Paris was one of the very first, and Christian theology was a key part of the curriculum.

Dr. Paul Maier of Western Michigan University once said, You had students from England, studying in Paris who decided to go to a place where the oxen crossed the river, Oxenford, otherwise known as Oxford. And that gave birth to Cambridge. Cambridge gave birth to John Harvard, coming over to the United States, Harvard University in 1636. That was the background of our state university system, as well as our private university system, and so on to the universities we have today. Direct Christian origin.

Today, we have cut ourselves off from the ancient wisdom found in the Scriptures, and instead find ourselves adrift in a sea of relativism. No wonder so many young graduates regret going to college.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Life for Ross Jamie Collins was more or less normal, until recently. A talented young conductor with first-rate credentials, he was (and still is) squarely on the path to classical success.

Now, though, hes on a significant, potentially life-changing detour. After a well-timed meeting with Icelandic superstar Laufey, Ross is leading her series of appearances with major U.S. orchestras, including one with the Cleveland Orchestra on Thursday, Aug. 7, at Blossom Music Center.

How could I say no to an opportunity like that?, asked the Finnish-British conductor from a friends home in Helsinki, where he grew up, before studying in California. Im really excited to be getting to do this.

Left to his own devices, Collins might very well have made it to the Blossom Music Center podium. After all, hes been a Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a conducting fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, and a member of the conducting staff at the San Francisco Symphony. I could live my whole life inside classical music, Collins said.

One things for sure, though: taking the initiative last year to meet Laufey (pronounced loy-vay) when they both happened to be collaborating with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra  he as a conductor-in-residence, she as a guest soloist in an early Night at the Symphony  sped up the timeline.

A friendly conversation with Laufeys mother, a violinist in the Iceland Symphony, led to a backstage meeting with the Grammy Award-winning artist. That, in turn, resulted in an invitation join her on tour and to conduct the orchestras of Cleveland, Virginia, Philadelphia, and Chautauqua, New York, the preludes to a more wide-ranging A Matter of Time tour this fall.

I was just there to enjoy the show, Collins recalled of Laufeys Iceland concert. In Iceland, though, you tend to run into a lot of cool people, just by being there.

For Collins, the difference between conducting Laufey and conducting Mozart, Bruckner, and Brahms isnt as stark as meets the eye. Musically greedy, eager to do everything, to be a part of things, Collins said he sees only the faintest of boundaries between genres. In his mind, there are only two kinds of music: good and bad.

Laufey, of course, belongs to the former. Hes been following her career since her first album in 2021, admiring the seamless way the trained pianist and cellist melds classical music and jazz and the way her voice  inspired by the likes of Norah Jones and Adele  seems to extend directly from her soul. That her second recording, Bewitched, won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album is to him no surprise whatsoever.

Its just good music, Collins said. There are trends in music, but shes above them. Shes special, in the sense that her voice is so honest and true. Its just her. There are no effects. Its unfiltered. I think thats what draws me in: Its so authentic.

Collins said he feels much the same way about the tunes themselves. Drawing on the classical music he knows and loves, he described Laufeys music the way he might explain the brilliance of Mozart or Schubert.

You get that sense of, Of course its going to go like that, Collins said. At the same time, you also know you could never come up with that. Its genius.

Cleveland is the third stop on Laufeys tour with American orchestras, and the first with a group ranked among the worlds best. Its also the first stop in a venue thats fully open-air, where half the audience will be seated on an expansive lawn.

None of this does Collins find daunting. To a group like the Cleveland Orchestra, the smooth, jazzy quality of Laufeys music will come very naturally, he said. Well put on our swing boots and get everybody in line.

Likewise, the outdoors. Every venue, open or otherwise, has its unique characteristics. In the case of Blossom, he said, the possibility that it might rain or birds might sing is the precisely the charm. Whatever happens, he said, hell roll with it, much the same way he rolled with the circumstances that led him to Laufey in the first place.

In the outdoors, theres nature, and thats kind of the fun of it, Collins said. You have to be really adaptable, on the spot. We cant control the weather, but well do our best and have a lot of fun doing it.

Cleveland Orchestra

What: Laufey: A Night at the Symphony

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7

Where: Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls

Tickets: $39-$199. Go to clevelandorchestra.com or call 216-231-1111.
Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman seemingly would want their granddaughters and grandsons to inherit a better world than they did. But given inaction on property taxes, a voter has to wonder, columnist Thomas Suddes writes. Getty Images

Despite Ronald Reagans celebrated Freudian slip at the 1988 Republican National Convention  Facts are stupid things  facts do matter in Ohios property-tax/school funding debate, in which a reckless legislature is ignoring pleas from tax-crushed homeowners.

At the center of the stalemate are two GOP grandfathers, Gov. Mike DeWine, age 78, of Greene Countys Cedarville, and Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, age 65, of Lima. Presumably, like most every grandparent everywhere, they want their granddaughters and grandsons to inherit a better world than they did. But given inaction on property taxes, a voter has to wonder.

The governor, who must leave office in January 2027, may doubt that a legislature with far-more-partisan Republicans than those he grew up with will hold down property taxes without damaging schools.

But time is on Huffmans side: He could hold onto the speakership through 2032, an eight-year span bested only by the 20-year speakership of Appalachian Democrat Vern Riffe and the 10-year speakership of Republican Roger Cloud, of De Graff in Logan County.

The governor (a Miami of Ohio alumnus) and the speaker (a Notre Dame grad) are Roman Catholics. (Full disclosure: So is this columnist). DeWine and Huffman favor spending state money to, in effect, subsidize non-public schools, notably, but not just, Catholic and other religious schools.

Ohios 2025-27 budget, allots about $2.4 billion for non-public-school voucher programs. Thats about $205 per Ohio resident.

The legislature, also led by Senate President Rob McColley, a Napoleon Republican whod like to be probable 2026 GOP gubernatorial nominee Vikram Ramaswamys running mate, went home last month without enacting anything close to genuine reform of zooming property taxes.

Huffman claimed otherwise  naturally  and decried DeWine item-vetoes that, if not vetoed, Huffman said, wouldve eased homeowners tax burdens.

Huffman also criticized DeWines creation of a Property Tax Reform Working Group to suggest pro-taxpayer changes. Huffman said legislators now-abolished Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform made DeWines group redundant. Im not interested in participating in that [DeWines group], the speaker said.

But as previously noted, the legislator best-versed on property taxation, Republican state Sen. Louis Blessing III, of suburban Cincinnati, the joint panels co-chair, said its recommendations offered two mutually exclusive [plans] ... One would require school districts to cut or forego property tax receipts without make-up money from Columbus ... [with] property-tax-cuts ... across the board, whether a home is valued at, say, $200,000 or $2 million. The other perspective, which Blessing shares, would means-test [property-tax] relief. Here, local governments and school districts [would] be held harmless, and relief will be targeted to low- and middle income Ohioans.

Whatever the virtues of the joint committees ideas, Huffman sent the House home without acting on them to any significant degree.

Bigger challenge: Income-tax cuts in recent years have limited school-funding options. The irony is that in 1971, only with the help of yes votes from General Assembly Republicans, including then-House Speaker Charles F. Kurfess, of Perrysburg, and future Senate President Stanley J. Aronoff, of Cincinnati, did legislators OK the state income tax, proposed by Democratic Gov. John J. Gilligan.

But since mid-1985, Republicans have chain-sawed down the income tax. And in 2005, in a huge but under-noticed slash in public school funding, the legislature began phased repeal of Ohios tangible personal property tax on business equipment and inventories. In a highly inadequate offset, the legislators imposed a new gross-receipts tax on businesses, the Commercial Activity Tax.

According to the Ohio Education Policy Institute, repealing the equipment and inventory tax erased over $1.6 billion in local taxes, of which roughly $1.1 billion [had previously gone] to Ohio public schools.

Among those cheering that business-property tax cut? Then-House Speaker Jon Husted, then a suburban Dayton Republican (now of Upper Arlington). As lieutenant governor, DeWine appointed him this year to the U.S. Senate.

The late GOP mega-lobbyist Neil S. Clark was among the (off-the-record) critics of that business-property-tax bonanza, because of how it squeezed public school funding.

Despite Speaker Huffmans stated goals, homeowners are still holding the bag, especially older Ohioans relying on savings and Social Security payments, which somehow never seem to rise as fast as property taxes.

Thats not a plan. Thats the problem  an unaddressed problem.

Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens.
Huang Yue, a 29-year-old Chinese national and member of a transnational fraud syndicate wanted by Interpol, has been arrested in Nha Trang in central Vietnam.

Khanh Hoa Provincial Police announced that Yue was detained on Aug. 1 and subsequently transferred to Chinese authorities at the Vietnam-China border in Lang Son Province, in compliance with legal protocols and diplomatic principles.

Huang Yue is arrested in an apartment in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Khanh Hoa Provincial Police

Yue is linked to a transnational criminal organization engaged in fraudulent property appropriation.

The Yiwu City People's Court in Zhejiang Province, China, had earlier issued an arrest warrant for him on charges of fraud.

After fleeing in August 2020, he was placed on Interpol's red notice list on Nov. 23, 2021.

Following an investigation, Khanh Hoa police located Yue residing in a building in Nha Trang, a popular tourist beach town, and conducted a raid to apprehend him.
Aerial view of the construction site for Long Thanh Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Aug. 2 reiterated that Long Thanh International Airport must be completed to receive its first flight on Dec. 19, 2025 and begin commercial operations in early 2026.

Inspecting the airport construction in the southern province of Dong Nai, the leader praised efforts to accelerate progress but warned that the remaining tasks are complex and time is running out.

He, therefore, asked all stakeholders to revise the schedule and ensure clear assignment of tasks.

"It is a must to coordinate more tightly and efficiently, mobilize additional manpower and equipment, and fully engage main contractors, subcontractors, as well as police and military forces to speed up work wherever possible," he said.

The PM also urged monitoring, alongside construction progress, to ensure quality, workplace safety, technical and aesthetic standards, environmental hygiene, and worker well-being.

Apart from the airport, connecting roads, telecom, power, and water infrastructure, landscaping and environmental works, and service zones, he also called for studies to develop an airport city, aviation industrial park, free trade zone, and logistics hub around the site.

PM Chinh emphasized the airport's vital role in driving socio-economic development, generating jobs, and improving livelihoods. He described the project as a new symbol of progress, not only for the Southeast region but for the entire country.

He requested preparations to ensure the effective management and operation of the airport, while directing relevant sides to prepare for the construction of runway 3 and phase 2 of the project.

This marks his eighth on-site inspection of the Long Thanh International Airport project, a 5,000-hectare development with a total investment of VND336 trillion (12.84 billion USD), aimed at easing congestion at Ho Chi Minh Citys overstretched Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Regarding delays in several bidding packages due to material shortages, site clearance issues, overlapping construction, and heavy workloads, PM Chinh asked the investor to step up oversight, maximize manpower and equipment, and resolve bottlenecks to keep the overall project on schedule.

The same day, the PM inspected the Tan VanNhon Trach section of HCMC's Ring Road 3 project, which includes the Nhon Trach Bridge.

Ring Road 3 spans 76.34 kilometers and carries a total investment of VND75.3 trillion, fully funded by the state budget. The Tan VanNhon Trach section stretches about 8.22 kilometers, including 6.3 kilometers in Dong Nai province and 1.92 kilometers in HCMC.

The Tan VanNhon Trach section has reached nearly 98% completion and is slated to open to traffic on Aug. 19. The Nhon Trach Bridge - the largest bridge along Ring Road 3 - will also be inaugurated the same day.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) during a visit to the shipyard Zvezda, as Rosneft Russian oil giant chief Igor Sechin (C) accompanies them, outside the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on September 4, 2019, ahead of the start of the Eastern Economic Forum hosted by Russia.

India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of penalties, two Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday, not wishing to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

On top of a new 25% tariff on India's exports to the U.S., Trump indicated in a Truth Social post last month that India would face additional penalties for purchases of Russian arms and oil. On Friday, Trump told reporters he had heard that India would no longer be buying oil from Russia.

But the sources said there would be no immediate changes.

"These are long-term oil contracts," one of the sources said. "It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight."

Justifying India's oil purchases from Russia, a second source said India's imports of Russian grades had helped avoid a global surge in oil prices, which have remained subdued despite Western curbs on the Russian oil sector.

Unlike Iranian and Venezuelan oil, Russian crude is not subject to direct sanctions, and India is buying it below the current price cap fixed by the European Union, the source said.

The New York Times also quoted two unnamed senior Indian officials on Saturday as saying there had been no change in Indian government policy. Indian government authorities did not respond to Reuters' request for official comment on its oil purchasing intentions.

However, during a regular press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has a "steady and time-tested partnership" with Russia.

"On our energy sourcing requirements ... we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances," he said.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
J.B. Pritzker, governor of Illinois, during a news conference at the Democratic Party of DuPage County office in Carol Stream, Illinois, US, on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Talia Sprague | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The Texas state House briefly reconvened Monday afternoon amid a nationally watched clash over the GOP majority's plan to redraw the state's congressional lines, with Republican lawmakers voting to approve civil arrest warrants targeting the dozens of Democrats who fled the state, blocking Republicans from proceeding with the plan. The bulk of the 50-plus Democrats who left the state are in Illinois, where they've been welcomed by Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. Others are in Boston and in Albany, New York, where Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, in response to Texas, is pushing for a change in state law to allow redistricting in future years. There, beyond the reach of the state sergeant-at-arms and the Texas Department of Public Safety, the warrants may have little practical effect. But back home, the Democrats face mounting fines, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to boot the state Democratic lawmakers from office or send law enforcement to force them to return to the state. Because House business requires a quorum, 51 out of the state's 62 Democratic House members can, by remaining out of state, prevent the Republican-led state House from moving forward with legislation. Those absences deprived the House of its quorum, a reality confirmed quickly after legislators gaveled in Monday afternoon. Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows admonished the dozens of Democrats who fled the state as having "abandoned their post and turned their backs on the constituents they swore to represent. "They've shirked their responsibilities under the direction and pressure of out-of-state politicians and activists who don't know the first thing about what's right for Texas," he said. "Leaving the state does not stop this House from doing its work. It only delays it," he added.

Republican lawmakers immediately, under House rules, locked the chamber doors and moved for the sergeant at arms to "send for" the absconded lawmakers "under warrant of arrest, if necessary." Burrows adjourned the chamber until Tuesday and told reporters shortly after that he followed through on the House vote and signed those civil arrest warrants. It's not the first time Democrats in Texas have fled the state to gum up the legislative works in protest of legislation they oppose  they did so in 2021 over GOP-backed changes to voting laws. Democrats faced similar threats from Republicans that time, but this time, Abbott has also raised the prospect of not only sending law enforcement after the Democrats but, asserting untested and tenuous legal authority, pushing courts to declare their seats vacant and call for new elections to fill them. Abbott has also suggested that Democrats who are fundraising to support their quorum break may be committing felony bribery. (The Legislature enacted a $500-a-day punishment for breaking quorum after a similar Democratic effort in 2021.) "I will use my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons," Abbott said in a statement Sunday. So far, Democrats have dismissed those threats. Trey Martinez Fischer, a prominent state House Democrat, told NBC News that Abbott's attempts were "desperate" and said, "I'll frame this arrest warrant on my wall with the rest," a reference to previous quorum breaks in 2021 and 2003. It's possible Democrats don't just have to worry about Republicans back home. When asked whether President Donald Trump would call upon federal agents to arrest the Texas lawmakers who have left state jurisdiction, an administration official told NBC News: "Abbott can handle his own state." Asked about whether he would welcome help from the Trump administration bringing the Democratic lawmakers back to the House, Burrows replied: "There is nothing off the table." The clash stems from Abbott's decision to call a special session of the Legislature this summer to address, among other topics, redistricting. Trump has pushed for a rare mid-decade redistricting, which the president has said would allow Republicans to pick up five more seats and pad their slim majority in the U.S. House ahead of next year's national elections, when Democrats will try to flip the chamber.



The proposed map released by a Republican state lawmaker last week opened a path toward a five-seat GOP gain, shifting boundaries around major cities and in South Texas to create 30 districts that Trump carried by double-digits in last fall's presidential election. Texas Republicans currently control 25 of the state's 38 congressional seats. Democrats have decried the move as a power play and criticized Republicans for moving on the redistricting bill before responding legislatively to the devastating floods this summer that killed more than 100 people in Kerr County, outside of San Antonio. On Monday, Burrows shot back by arguing that Democrats are delaying their ability to move on other legislative priorities like addressing the floods. Democratic state Rep. Ann Johnson of Houston, speaking Sunday evening after arriving at a news conference at a strip mall about 30 miles west of Chicago, said the redistricting bill is only happening because Trump is "afraid of the electorate next November." "Nobody wants this mid-redistrict draw. Nobody is asking for this. There is one human that wants this, and that is Donald Trump," Johnson added. "And Abbott has turned over the state of Texas to try to serve his purpose. This does no good for the people of Texas. In fact, it takes away the voice of millions of Texas." But while many Republicans acknowledge the politics of the situation, they point to their party's significant majority in the Legislature and control of Texas' statewide offices as justification. Republican state Rep. Cody Vasut told NBC News over the weekend that he evaluated the map by asking himself the question: "Does this improve the political performance of Republicans in Texas?" "When we've seen all of these blue states overperform with their maps and Texas is underperforming, that puts Republicans at a distinct disadvantage nationwide," added Vasut, who chairs the state House redistricting committee. More from NBC News: Texas GOP unveil congressional map to pick up 5 seats

Dems work to transcend weak party brand by exploiting Trump woes

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What happens next?
Jeanine Pirro is sworn in as the new interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia during a ceremony hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 28, 2025.

The Senate has confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for the nation's capital, filling the post after President Donald Trump withdrew his controversial first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.

Pirro, a former county prosecutor and elected judge, was confirmed 50-45. Before becoming the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May, she co-hosted the Fox News show "The Five" on weekday evenings, where she frequently interviewed Trump.

Trump yanked Martin's nomination after a key Republican senator said he could not support him due to Martin's outspoken support for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Martin now serves as the Justice Department's pardon attorney.

In 2021, voting technology company Smartmatic USA sued Fox News, Pirro and others for spreading false claims that the company helped "steal" the 2020 presidential election from Trump. The company's libel suit, filed in a New York state court, sought $2.7 billion from the defendants.

Last month, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send Pirro's nomination to the Senate floor after Democrats walked out to protest Emil Bove's nomination to become a federal appeals court judge.

Pirro, a 1975 graduate of Albany Law School, has significantly more courtroom experience than Martin, who had never served as a prosecutor or tried a case before taking office in January. She was elected as a judge in New York's Westchester County Court in 1990 before serving three terms as the county's elected district attorney.

In the final minutes of his first term as president, Trump issued a pardon to Pirro's ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett speaks with reporters in the driveway outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., March 19, 2025.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's sudden decision to fire the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, without citing specific evidence.

Hassett repeatedly pointed to the revisions in Friday's employment data to justify Trump's firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, but did not provide data showing the latest jobs report was "rigged," as Trump claimed.

"I mean, the revisions are hard evidence," he said on NBC News, adding that there "have been a bunch of patterns that could make people wonder."

Revisions are common in jobs report data, as the initial estimate often becomes more precise as additional payroll data becomes available in subsequent months. The data is dependent on surveys of employers, and some businesses may not file their data by the initial reporting deadline.

Trump on Friday fired McEntarfer, accusing her of manipulating the jobs numbers for political purposes after the latest report included downward revisions to job growth data for two previous months.

Hassett argued that the revisions are a "historically important outlier," saying they raise broader doubts about the data.

He also rejected claims that Trump was "shooting the messenger" for the weaker-than-expected jobs numbers.

Instead, he said, the president "wants his own people there," suggesting that the data would be "more transparent and more reliable" with a Trump appointee.

"And if there are big changes and big revisions, we expect more big revisions for the jobs data in September, for example, then we want to know why, we want people to explain it to us," he continued.

Hassett did not say whether the White House had asked McEntarfer to explain the reason for the revisions in the data before she was fired.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday commenced the trial of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in absentia over crimes against humanity related to the violent suppression of the 2024 student-led protests. The interim government-appointed Chief Prosecutor, Tajul Islam, in his opening statement, described Hasina as the "nucleus of all crimes" and called for the maximum penalty.The prosecution also named Hasina's two top aides, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullaah Al Mamun, as the co-accused in the case. The ICT commenced the proceedings against Hasina on several charges, with the major one being killings and tortures to tame last years Students Against Discrimination (SAD)-led violent street campaign that eventually toppled her Awami League government on August 5, 2024.While Hasina and Kamal are being tried in absentia, Mamun is in custody and has agreed to be the approver in the case. The prosecution said it would present testimonies from individuals injured during the protests and eyewitnesses to the violence in the coming days.Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year amid escalating unrest and is currently residing in India. Former home minister Kamal reportedly too later took refuge in the neighbouring country.The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has sought Hasina's extradition, but India has yet to respond to the request. The ICT, originally established to prosecute war crimes from Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, indicted Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun on July 10.Last month, Hasina was also sentenced to six months in prison in absentia in a contempt of court case by the ICT. It marked the first time that the 77-year-old Awami League leader has been sentenced in any case since she left office in August last year.According to a UN rights office report, up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year as Hasina's government ordered a security crackdown on protesters.
Spain is crying out for a solution to its serious housing crisis. While the central and regional governments try to accelerate policies to achieve more affordable rent, business entrepreneurs are coming up with solutions that break with traditional logic. Oriol Valls and Anna Bedmar, two 33-year-olds from Catalonia, created a startup in 2023 that allows people to buy individual rooms.

We saw that most young people couldnt save any money and were wasting all their income on rent, and at the end of the month, they didnt own anything because they hadnt been able to save. The same thing happened to us, since we both spent a large part of our income renting a room or a property, explain the co-founders. With their method, they say, young people can start saving, benefit from the appreciation in property value, and, in just a few years, have the capital required to make the leap to buy their first full-fledged home.

This is the idea behind Habitacion.com, which ended 2024 with more than 80 sales totaling 3.4 million ($4 million) and revenue of 1.4 million ($1.65 million). They are not making a profit yet, but expect to do so in 2026. The entrepreneurs say they have more than 21,000 people on a waiting list to purchase a room. We expect to reach 400 rooms sold this year, says Oriol Valls, an engineer and the CEO of the company. Habitacion.com has offices in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Granada, and they are planning to expand into southern Europe. To achieve this, the company, which raised 400,000 (over $470,000) in 2024, has just taken an important step in its path to growth with a 1.3 million ($1.53 million) round of financing led by Demium Capital.

Oriol Valls and Anna Bedmar, the founders, in a courtesy photo. HABITACION.COM (-)

The model works the same as any other joint ownership. Habitacion.com finds apartments for sale, completely renovates them, and markets them by room. It connects owners interested in selling with buyers interested in acquiring a room, and handles the entire sales process.

Ownership of the property is divided proportionally according to the square footage of the room plus an equal percentage of the common areas. When you buy a room, you are acquiring an undivided share of the property [proindiviso], or, in other words, a percentage. Its the same legal concept as when a married couple buys an apartment. The deed is signed before a notary public and recorded in the Property Registry.

The price of a room depends on the location, surface area, whether it has a bathroom or balcony, and so on. They typically cost anywhere between 60,000 ($70,600) and 80,000 ($94,000). For example, if a user pays a monthly rent of 450 ($529) for a room, thats 5,400 ($6,350) a year. As a co-owner, with that same monthly payment, theyll be generating a property asset. Within five years, they could earn more than 20,000 ($23,500) in returns if they want to sell the room, says Bedmar, who studied business administration. The room can be bought upfront, but the most common option is for buyers to take out a loan.

When it comes time to sell the room, the co-owners have the right of first refusal, and the startup offers a buyback service if necessary.

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Ask any filmmaker whos ever been featured on a list of films considered to be the worst, and theyll tell you that being memorable isnt always a good thing. Sometimes, its better to be in the forgettable middle. After all, countless movies are released every year. We can generally name the best and the worst, but if we tried to remember all of them, the wheels of industry would grind to a halt as we all became professional pub trivia players.

Sometimes, though, even a really good movie gets lost to the sands of time. For example, I just watched Fearless (by Peter Weir), and it was great, Redditor inder_the_unfluence told r/MovieSuggestions. Really great cast. Fascinating and odd. It got them thinking about movies that everyone thought (were) brilliant at the time of release but didnt make a lasting impression on culture. Forgotten gems.

They then asked for more movies that everyone has forgotten about but are actually amazing, and their fellow Redditors were more than happy to jog our collective memory.

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21 The Fall Advertisement

20 Get Shorty

19 Reversal of Fortune

18 Defending Your Life Advertisement Advertisement

17 Cold Mountain

16 Beowulf Advertisement

15 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Advertisement

14 Big Trouble Advertisement

13 Under the Silver Lake

12 A Perfect World Advertisement

11 Barton Fink Advertisement

10 Body Double Advertisement

9 Quiz Show

8 Sneakers Advertisement Advertisement

7 Miracle Mile

6 The Swimmer Advertisement

5 Big Fish Advertisement

4 Syriana Advertisement

3 Gattaca

2 Gorky Park Advertisement Advertisement
RIP, LBJ, you would have loved the Jumbotron

Is Madonna the only person who gives her nethers the respect they deserve?

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2 Rainn Wilson Has the Best Nickname (Maybe) Its hard to find the original source, because the gossip blogs all just link back and forth to each other recursively, but he reportedly calls his penis The Fail Whale.
Alzheimer's disease is largely seen as one of old age.

The most common form of memory-robbing dementia, Alzheimer's affects nearly 7 million Americans, most of whom are over the age of 65.

In general, about one in 14 people develop the disease by age 65, and one in three are diagnosed by 85.

But the hundreds of thousands of Americans living with Down syndrome are 'destined' to be struck by the deadly condition, experts have warned.

Down syndrome is one of the most common intellectual disabilities in the US, affecting about 200,000 to 400,000 Americans. Individuals with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to developmental and intellectual delays.

That extra chromosome contains a gene that produces amyloid precursor protein (APP), which causes extra amyloid beta protein to form plaques in the brain and cause Alzheimer's disease.

As a result, half of adults with Down syndrome will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in their 40s, decades earlier than most patients. Nine in 10 will have it by age 59.

Experts speaking at the world's largest dementia conference this week warned people with Down syndrome are at an 'ultra-high risk' of developing Alzheimer's, and research on this population has been 'largely neglected' by scientists for decades.

About nine in 10 people with Down syndrome will be struck by Alzheimer's disease

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Doctors told the Daily Mail that despite 'a generation of adults' being left out of crucial research, it's 'an exciting time' for the Down syndrome community, who are finally being enrolled in clinical trials.

Hampus Hillerstrom, president and CEO of Down syndrome research foundation LuMind IDSC, told the Daily Mail: 'It's a big deal, and the delay in including people with Down syndrome in clinical trials has been an issue in the past.'

Hillerstrom explained that while there were 18,000 participants in about 30 collective trials for the most recently approved Alzheimer's medications, none of them included patients with Down syndrome.

He said: 'So for 14, 15 years, there was no participation. And so a generation of adults were left out of this research.'

It's unclear exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease - researchers believe the protein amyloid beta, found in the brain's gray matter, builds up and forms plaques, which attack brain cells and cause overall brain volume to shrink.

Amyloid beta is also thought to form from APP, which people with Down syndrome have significantly more of than neurotypical people. This accelerates the growth of amyloid beta throughout the brain.

A 2025 study found people with Down syndrome accumulate amyloid 40 percent faster than neurotypical people.

In general, about one in 14 people develop Alzheimer's disease by age 65, and one in three are diagnosed by 85

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Hillerstrom said: 'There's just more of it, and it accumulates faster. And when you have Down syndrome, the onset is 20 to 30 years earlier than in the general population.'

In the 1980s, Hillerstrom said people with Down syndrome weren't living as long as they are today.

'Now that you have an aging population, these are acute problems, and families are losing their loved one with Down syndrome at record speed. It's about four, four and a half years from the moment you get diagnosed with dementia [until you're] dying of dementia. It's much shorter than in the general population.'

The average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome is 60.

Other issues like sleep apnea and epilepsy are also more common in people with Down syndrome.

The increased risk of sleep apnea is likely due to people with Down syndrome having smaller upper airways and larger tongues, which can make their airways more narrow and prone to obstructions.

They also have differences in their brain structures and neurotransmitter function, increasing the risk of seizures.

Hillerstrom described people with Down syndrome as having 'Stage 0' Alzheimer's from the time they're born.

Dr Juan Fortea, director of the Memory Unit at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Spain, said during a presentation at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto: 'They are nonetheless destined to develop Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is the main medical problem and the main cause of death in people with Down syndrome.

'It's a limiting factor for life expectancy.'

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Dr Fortea also warned that if researchers don't spend more time studying the relationship between the two conditions, 'we will not close the 20-year gap we have with the general population.'

He noted that while science on Alzheimer's disease in the Down syndrome community has been 'largely neglected,' enrolling these patients in clinical trials would help turn the tide.

For the first time, three trials are underway in the US looking at potential Alzheimer's treatments specifically in adults with Down syndrome.

Hillerstrom said: 'Now there's a very exciting time happening.'

The HERO Study, which is in stage one, involves a medication called ION269 administered once via lumbar puncture, which is when a needle is inserted into the spinal canal in the back. The goal is to make the brain produce less amyloid.

The ABATE trial, meanwhile, is testing an immunotherapy that may remove amyloid plaques in the brain. And ALADDIN is a clinical trial testing the effects of donanemab, which was approved by the FDA last year for the general population with early Alzheimer's disease.

All of the trials are actively enrolling people with Down syndrome who don't yet have symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Hillerstrom said: 'There is a lot of evidence that if you wait until you have symptoms, it might be too late, and so you have to [start] at the prevention stage before you're symptomatic.

'That's the best time to intervene and have an impact.'

Hillerstrom is urging people with Down syndrome and their caregivers to sign up for clinical trials before symptoms of Alzheimer's set in, as it could be only four to five years before they succumb to the disease.

He told the Daily Mail: 'If you wait until you have symptoms, it may be too late to help.

'Anything you can do to participate in these treatment trials early, that's the best thing you possibly could do for your loved one.'
It is a difficult decision that, until now at least, relatively few women have been forced to make: having their healthy breasts removed to prevent breast cancer.

Their options are stark  face the prospect of a disease that has likely affected and even killed women in their families, or undergo a surgery described by doctors as medieval and mutilating.

Known as a risk-reducing mastectomy, the procedure is typically offered to women who are at extremely high risk of developing breast cancer, often due to genetic factors.

Women with mutations in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2  which are passed down through families  have significantly higher chances of developing cancer, with some reaching a lifetime risk of up to 80 per cent.

Famously, Hollywood star Angelina Jolie (see below) chose to undergo the surgery after discovering she carried the BRCA1 mutation, which brought the risk-reducing mastectomy into public consciousness.

Tested after losing her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, to ovarian cancer at 56, Jolies decision triggered a sharp rise in the number of women seeking genetic testing and opting for mastectomies.

This surge in awareness  that a mastectomy wasnt just for women already diagnosed with breast cancer but could also be preventative  became known as the Jolie effect.

Angelina Jolie had genetic testing to see if she carried the BRCA1 mutation after losing her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, to ovarian cancer at 56. When it was found that she did, she opted to have a risk-reducing mastectomy

Still, fewer than 2,000 women a year in the UK choose the surgery. Even women with a high risk often opt to watch and wait rather than having their breasts removed.

However, some experts are now calling for the NHS to explore expanding access to the procedure, suggesting it should be offered to as many as 20,000 women annually.

The aim is to reduce the number of new breast cancer cases, giving more women the opportunity to take preventative action before the disease can take hold.

In a study published last month, researchers proposed lowering the threshold for accessing a mastectomy, meaning women over the age of 30 who are believed to have a 35 per cent  roughly one in three  lifetime risk of developing breast cancer would be offered the operation.

This move, they argue, could prevent as many as 6,500 new cases each year.

But the study has come under fire from other experts who argue that the NHS should move away from mastectomies  a procedure that scars women for life and can trigger a range of complications, including life-threatening infections and chronic pain.

Some also suggest that carrying out more of them would not meaningfully reduce breast cancer deaths.

Now the doctor behind the study has hit back, arguing that women have the right to know whether they are at risk and, if necessary, be able to do something about it.

We are constantly learning more about the genetic mutations that put people at an increased risk of breast cancer, says Professor Ranjit Manchanda, a gynaecological oncologist at Queen Mary, University of London. But theres no point in predicting a patients risk of cancer if theres nothing you can do to prevent it.

Not everyone will want to have a mastectomy, its a personal choice, but women with an increased risk of cancer should have treatment options. The alternative is doing nothing.

So who would be offered the procedure under these proposed changes  and is it really worth it?

Twenty-seven-year-old Grace Burton decided to have a risk-reducing mastectomy after both her mother and aunt were diagnosed with the cancer

First, it is important to understand exactly what a mastectomy involves.

During the procedure, the breast tissue  where tumours can form  is cut away. Done under general anaesthetic, it usually takes around two hours.

In recent decades the procedure has become more precise. Many women in the UK are now offered a mastectomy, where the surrounding skin and nipple are preserved. In around a third of cases, women also choose to have breast reconstruction, where implants and other techniques are used to recreate the shape of the breasts.

This is offered free on the NHS  including to the 15,000 or so women with breast cancer who have the operation.

In the general population, women have a 12 to 13 per cent lifetime risk of breast cancer  a one in eight chance.

Risk-reducing surgery is offered to women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, as well as the PALB2 mutation, which increases risk by up to 58 per cent.

Patients who dont choose surgery are offered yearly scans to check for early signs of the disease, combined with preventative medicines  such as anastrozole and tamoxifen  that slash the risk by 50 per cent.

Experts say that, while a risk-reducing mastectomy is far more effective at slashing the risk of breast cancer  the procedure lowers the chances of the disease occurring by as much as 95 per cent  it is often a tough decision for patients.

Studies suggest roughly only half of at-risk women take up the offer of the op.

Its a really complex, personal choice that comes with lots of trade-offs, says Fiona MacNeill, a senior breast surgeon at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Yes, you are significantly reducing your risk of breast cancer, but youre also losing your breasts.

Patients often feel like they lost their femininity after the procedure. It affects a womans sexual confidence. You also lose the ability to breastfeed, which for young women planning to become mothers can be a big deal.

The corporate finance consultant from Bromley, south-east London, found out that she carried the BRCA1 mutation when she was 21

And, after all that, its possible you may never have developed cancer if you hadnt had the op.

In recent years, research has uncovered a number of other genes that increase breast cancer risk. These include two relatively common mutations, CHEK2  carried by around one in every 200 women  and ATM  that occurs in around one in every 100.

Less common are RAD51C and RAD51D, which are each believed to be carried by around 8,000 women in the UK.

Experts say most women who carry these genetic mutations are unaware of their risk.

This is because  like those who find out they carry the better-known mutations  they would only find out if they were offered a genetic test after the diagnosis of a close relative.

This means it is hard for researchers to establish how many women in the UK have this raised risk of breast cancer. Some estimates put the number at close to 400,000.

These lesser-known mutations alone do not mean someone has a dramatically increased chance of breast cancer. However, alongside other factors, such as obesity, alcohol intake and increasing age, the risk can begin to mount.

According to the charity Breast Cancer Now, patients concerned they carry one of these mutations  due to a family history  should speak to a GP who may be able to refer them for genetic testing. Crucially, however, they are not offered a risk-reducing mastectomy.

Prof Manchanda says this is the wrong approach. No one has ever looked into whether this group of women would benefit from preventative surgery, he explains.

The NHS accepts that anyone with the BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutations should be offered the procedure, but theres been no scientific studies looking at whether patients with other mutations would benefit too. We wanted to change that.

In his study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, Prof Manchanda and colleagues at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine concluded that, of the 58,000 breast cancer cases diagnosed every year, around 6,500 could be prevented by lowering the risk threshold for offering a mastectomy to 35 per cent.

Moreover, doing so would be cheaper for the NHS than treating those patients for breast cancer.

We think this is something that merits further research, says Prof Manchanda. The next step is to see whether women with this raised risk would want to have the procedure.

Similar changes have been made to the NHS guidelines that dictate which patients can undergo surgery to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in order to prevent ovarian cancer.

Grace had the surgery last year, after marrying her partner, Tom Cheesman, also 27

Last year, the NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), concluded that women with a 5 per cent lifetime risk of ovarian cancer should be offered the radical procedure. Previously, only those with a 10 per cent risk were given this option.

The move was made after researchers found there is a wider range of ovarian cancer-causing gene mutations than once thought. Its possible that, eventually, similar changes will be adopted for the prevention of breast cancer, says Prof Manchanda.

But fewer than half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive more than five years, while eight in ten women with breast cancer are cured. Experts say this means that, while preventative ovarian surgery can be life-saving, a risk-reducing mastectomy is unlikely to be  as its more than likely that the patient would survive the cancer if it did arise.

Prof Manchanda says: We dont think the measure we propose would considerably lower the number of breast cancer deaths  though it would prevent some. The main thing is that many women would prefer to avoid getting cancer altogether and not have to go through treatment.

However, Ms MacNeill says: A mastectomy is a fairly straightforward procedure, but a reconstruction is not. Many patients are left with chronic pain in the area around the implant, others may really dislike the way it looks. Some patients end up needing multiple surgeries to correct these issues.

Ms MacNeill argues that the NHS should be looking for ways to move away from mastectomies, rather than increasing the number that are offered.

This is a crude prevention tool, she says. The irony is that we know so much about the genes linked to breast cancer because of modern advances in testing. And yet, here we are using a medieval treatment to prevent it.

I believe too many women are getting mastectomies as it is, and this would only increase that number.

If you have a 35 per cent chance of developing breast cancer, its more likely that you wont get cancer. But patients always overestimate their risk out of fear.

Its very common that women will come to me and ask for a mastectomy. But once Ive properly explained the risks compared to the benefits, many chose to go with screening instead.

The problem is that some surgeons dont have the time to sit down and have this conversation, so they immediately agree to do the procedure.

And this would only happen more often if we offered mastectomies to more women.

However, other experts point out that research suggests that most patients who undergo a mastectomy are satisfied with their decision  even if they do experience complications.

One of those is 27-year-old Grace Burton, who decided to have a risk-reducing mastectomy after both her mother and aunt were diagnosed with the cancer.

The corporate finance consultant from Bromley, south-east London, found out that she carried the BRCA1 mutation aged 21, but decided to wait to undergo the operation.

I was told that, at that age, it was unlikely Id develop cancer, so I just had yearly scans, says Grace. But I knew that I very much wanted to have it done. I didnt want to sit around waiting for the cancer to arrive.

In May, Grace and Tom went on holiday to Florida  her first trip since the surgery. When I got there I realised for the first time that none of my bikinis fit me any more, and I did feel a bit self-conscious that my scars were showing under some of my tops, she says

In October 2024, after marrying her partner, Tom Cheesman, 27, Grace had a risk-reducing mastectomy and breast reconstruction, which took several months of recovery.

This involved wearing surgical drains  designed to help prevent fluid build-up under the skin  for several weeks.

Grace was also briefly hospitalised after she suffered a reaction to the implants.

She says it has taken some time to get accustomed to the implants. In May, she went on holiday to Florida  her first trip since the surgery.

When I got there I realised for the first time that none of my bikinis fit me any more, and I did feel a bit self-conscious that my scars were showing under some of my tops, she says.

Its also, at times, physically uncomfortable too. I can feel the plastic edges of the implants, particularly when I lift my arms up.

Sleeping can be also difficult. When I roll on to my front, I can feel them pressing into my chest.

Despite this, Grace says that she doesnt regret the procedure.

Yes, theres no guarantee that I wouldve got cancer, but, for me, the risk was just too high, she says.

At one point, before the procedure, a nurse asked me whether I wanted to wait a few more years until I had kids so I could breastfeed, but I said Id be a better mother alive than dead.

ANGELINAS REVELATION THAT HAS SAVED LIVES WORLDWIDE

Last year, actress Kara Tointon revealed shed had a mastectomy after finding out that she carried a BRCA mutation. Her mother, Carol, had died of ovarian cancer in 2019, aged 62

Shes one of the worlds most recognisable actresses, and renowned for her humanitarian work in developing countries.

But its possible that Angelina Jolies longest-lasting legacy will be an article she wrote for The New York Times in 2013.

Ms Jolie, then 38, revealed shed had a double mastectomy. Genetic testing had shown she carried the BRCA1 mutation, and doctors estimated she had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer.

The article had an instant impact worldwide, with many women learning about cancer-causing genetic mutations for the first time.

In the year following Ms Jolies revelation, the number of women who were referred for BRCA testing in the UK doubled, in what has became known as the Jolie effect. Clinics also reported a rise in risk-reducing mastectomies in following years.

Last year, the former EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner Kara Tointon, 41, revealed shed had a mastectomy after finding out that she carried a BRCA mutation. Her mother, Carol, had died of ovarian cancer in 2019, aged 62.
Many families would far rather pass wealth to the next generation than have it seized by the taxman but are wary of giving children and grandchildren too easy a ride.

Its a classic conundrum. How do you give away your hard-earned money without undermining the values of hard work and financial responsibility you hope to instil in your offspring?

But the pending inheritance tax levy on unspent pensions, and the threat of a further tax raid in this autumns Budget, has prompted many families to consider how to reduce the bill without further delay.

Spending or gifting your money are the easiest ways to avoid inheritance tax legally.

The first is straightforward enough. But wealth planners tell us that while many people are weighing up how best to gift money to younger family members, they have worries about the effect this may have. This can in some cases be down to a lack of trust that they wont just fritter it away.

However, it is also about ensuring that your loved ones get a good start in life without taking their good fortune for granted or failing to learn how to manage their own finances sensibly.

How to strike the right balance between tax-efficient estate planning without demotivating the next generation is a recurring issue among our clients, says Olly Cheng, financial planning director at Rathbones.

Many of them have a story about an acquaintance where the parents were a bit too generous, and as a result their children never had the drive to make the most of their careers.

With pensions being caught in the inheritance tax net from April 2027, making plans to reduce the bill is becoming more urgent, according to Zohaib Mir, a financial planner at EQ Investors.

The so-called Bank of Mum and Dad remains open, but parents are increasingly thoughtful about how support is provided, he says.

Support can empower ambition  it doesnt have to dilute it.

Some gifts, such as help to buy a home, can intensify the need to keep working hard rather than detract from it, agrees Anthony Fuller, a chartered financial planner at Path Financial.

He points out a large money gift or inheritance can give someone the freedom to change jobs or even their careers. Suddenly, a more enjoyable but less well-paid job may be affordable.

Examples I have come across are clients who have given up their full-time jobs to work for a charity on less money, set up their own business or retrained because they have become unhappy in their previous career, he says. So, if you think there is cause for concern about how your wealth will be spent or want to ensure it has a positive impact, how do you retain control or simply put your money towards worthwhile goals? Here are the experts smartest tips.

SHOW THEM HOW IT'S DONE WITH A JUNIOR ISA

Investing alongside your children, whether they are under 18 or adults, can give them a good start in life, stop them just spending the money you hand over, and teach them valuable lessons.

You can put up to 9,000 a year in a Junior Isa for a child, who can start managing the account when they are 16 but cannot make a withdrawal until they are 18.

This offers a great opportunity to teach children about investing, and to get them involved in an age-appropriate way.

You can consult them on buying and selling decisions, and, as they grow up, switch roles, so you become the consultant.

You can put up to 9,000 a year in a Junior Isa for a child, who can start managing the account when they are 16 but cannot make a withdrawal until they are 18

Over-18s run their own stocks and shares Isas, but you can still influence an adult child by agreeing to match whatever they put in, or invest alongside them.

You can also swap ideas about what you are putting in your own Isa and pursue parallel or contrasting investment strategies.

Mr Cheng says: The most important thing is to start having money conversations with your children as early as possible.

It is never too soon to instil the value of long-term savings and to discuss what financial milestones any gifts are intended for.

An increasing number of people are making gifts out of surplus income because they will be exempted from inheritance tax.

If you are doing this, your childrens and grandchildrens Isas are one of several useful destinations for this cash.

Mr Mir says it will help reduce the size of an estate over time while encouraging financial engagement from the recipient.

In one case, a parent offered to top up their daughters Isa by 500 a month  on the condition she saved the same from her salary, he says. It became a shared goal and a way to build investmentconfidence together.

PUT MONEY TOWARDS PRIVATE SCHOOL FEES

Wealthy grandparents may want to contribute or assume full responsibility for private school fees to remove the burden from their adult children. Again, this can be done out of surplus income to cut an inheritance tax bill.

You will need to keep good records showing a regular pattern of giving for this to pass muster with the taxman.

Another advantage is you can transfer the money direct to the school, without it having to pass through any other hands first.

By contrast, certain financial products, such as Isas and some pensions, can only be run by parents or an adult account holder. That involves trusting them to use the cash you hand over as intended.

Beyond private school fees, you can chip in for other practical needs, such as funding childcare or adult education to help parents retrain or return to work.

HELP THEM GET A GRIP ON UNIVERSITY COSTS

Higher education is a huge financial undertaking. Young adults in England are now leaving university with an average of 53,000 in loans, according to the Student Loans Company.

Its not just about tuition, says Henrietta Grimston, financial planner at Saltus. Accommodation costs vary wildly. Even with a full loan, some students are left with nothing once rent is paid.

Henrietta Grimston, financial planner at Saltus, says: One client family cleared their childs [student] loan on graduation, but asked them to pay back the equivalent amount to the Bank of Mum and Dad over time. It wasnt interest-bearing, but it wasnt a free ride either

She says, however much you would like to help out, given the cost involved you should first do a reality check on what you can afford.

Then there is the dilemma  to which there is no hard and fast answer  over whether simply to cover the bills yourself, therefore cutting interest payments on a loan, or to let a child take out a loan while assisting in other ways.

Ms Grimston suggests a halfway house, saying: One client family cleared their childs loan on graduation, but asked them to pay back the equivalent amount to the Bank of Mum and Dad over time. It wasnt interest-bearing, but it wasnt a free ride either.

She says its important to talk to your child about how student finance works  including interest, repayment thresholds and budgeting  because many will encounter overdrafts and credit cards for the first time while they are at university.

One other important point is being fair to siblings, whether children or grandchildren, who take different paths in life and may not go to university. Where one child may need more help now, it is common for parents to balance this out later, says

Ms Grimston. But it is important to document your intentions and consider family dynamics, especially where differing needs are involved.

PASSING ON WEALTH? IT'S A QUESTION OF TRUST

Giving an early inheritance but putting it in trust is a popular way among wealthy families to pass money down the generations. It can also allow you to steer what happens next.

A discretionary trust hands you a great deal of control over how your money is used, and you can even be a trustee yourself.

That includes setting rules, such as age thresholds and conditions for releasing funds, and linking them to education or buying a home.

Anthony Fuller of Path Financial says: We have recently assisted a couple in setting up a discretionary trust for their children.

There are multiple benefits to this, one of the main ones being that the parents retain control of the trust and when to distribute the assets to their children.

The rising number of estates paying inheritance tax, plus a difficult job market for new graduates, means more clients are considering how to help their children now without spoiling them.

Mr Cheng says trusts arent for everyone and are more about control than optimal tax planning. But for the right families, in particular blended ones, they can be a good solution. He suggests that another good option is to set up a general investment account via a financial adviser which is owned and run by the recipient.

There is a big psychological difference between money held in a bank account and money held with a professional intermediary, he says.

While its easy to keep dipping into a cash balance without much thought, making a phone call to the family advisers to take out a lump sum adds a significant barrier to access, albeit with none of the legal protections given by a trust. In practice we see this work well, even though there are no guarantees.

Be aware that you usually cannot continue to benefit yourself from a trust if you want the money and assets in it to be exempt from inheritance tax.

There are many types of trusts, and layers of costs and tax charges to be dealt with, so it is essential to get professional advice.

Read our in-depth guide to trusts and inheritance tax at thisismoney.co.uk/trusts.

GIVE THEM A HELPING HAND TO BUY A HOME

Property costs are so high that any help you can give will be valuable, but home ownership is not just a financial matter. It comes with many other responsibilities.

Purchase costs, such as the deposit, stamp duty or legal fees, are a one-off. But you might want to think carefully about whether to assist with ongoing bills or mortgage payments, or whether to let a child or grandchild take full charge of the household finances.

From a practical perspective, be clear up front whether any contribution is a loan or a gift.

See a lawyer to get a formal agreement set up if necessary  and especially if an adult childs partner will be moving in and could claim part ownership rights in future.

PUT THE MONEY INTO A PENSION FOR LATER ON

Putting aside money for children which they cant get their hands on until retirement is one of the safest and most sensible ways to help them out.

At present, you cant access private pensions until 55, and this will rise to 57 in spring 2028 and is likely to go up again in coming years.

For children and non-taxpaying adults, you can put 2,880 a year into a pension and the Government will top that up to 3,600.

Wealthy grandparents may want to contribute or assume full responsibility for private school fees to remove the burden from their adult children. This can be done out of surplus income to cut an inheritance tax bill

Mr Cheng says for under-18s, parents or legal guardians have to be the ones to set up and manage the pension. One person needs to have full oversight of what goes in, as otherwise it is very easy to exceed the 2,880 limit for non-earners, he explains.

At 18, a junior self-invested personal pension (Sipp) converts automatically into a regular one, and the holder gains control over their own pension.

With work pensions, rules differ depending on the type of scheme and how it is set up, so you will have to check, but many will not accept direct payments from outsiders. You may therefore have to trust your family member to put your contribution in their pension.

TREAT THE FAMILY TO A LUXURY HOLIDAY

Paying for family holidays is one of the more enjoyable ways to share your wealth and create memories for the whole family.

You may not want adult children to feel entitled to all-expenses-paid trips abroad though, so you could balance your generosity with a requirement for them to put their hand in their pocket.

If you would like some family members to pitch in, you can ask them to buy their own flights, share accommodation costs or pay for some meals out or excursions.

Whatever you do pay counts as a gift and falls under the seven-year rule for inheritance tax, which has a 3,000 a year tax-free limit, so bear this in mind if your estate is large enough to pay death duties.

INHERITANCE TAX: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Everyone has a 325,000 inheritance tax-free allowance, known as the nil rate band, which can be doubled to a joint 650,000 if you are married or in a civil partnership.

A further residence nil rate band allowance of 175,000 per person applies if you own your home and leave it to direct descendants, delivering a maximum IHT-free allowance of 1million for a couple.

There is a special extra allowance for wedding gifts, of up to 5,000 to your own child, 2,500 to a grandchild or great-grandchild, and 1,000 to anyone else

An individual can make gifts adding up to an overall 3,000 a year, without them being liable for inheritance tax. They can also make unlimited small gifts of 250, but they cannot make more than one of these to the same person.

There is a special extra allowance for wedding gifts, of up to 5,000 to your own child, 2,500 to a grandchild or great-grandchild, and 1,000 to anyone else.

Beyond these exemptions, you give away as much as you want, but the gifts will fall under the so-called seven-year rule.

Officially, such gifts are called potentially exempt transfer gifts, because if you survive seven years the gift becomes free of IHT. They are taxed on a sliding scale if you die sooner.

Another exemption exists for gifts from surplus income.

These can be unlimited and immediately fall out of the inheritance tax net, but HMRC specifies they must be part of normal expenditure, made out of income, and leave you with enough income to maintain a normal standard of living.

The normal expenditure qualifier is a grey area, but is commonly judged to mean they are regular gifts and HMRC refers to a pattern of giving.

When making use of this exemption, it is essential to ensure that you have detailed records of your income in order to back up your case.

These should track your income and expenses and record the gifts you make.

Seeking help from an independent financial adviser or qualified tax adviser is also highly recommended.
In Colombia, extreme wealth and social inequality are two sides of the same coin. Many of the countrys richest people have evaded and avoided taxes for decades. Their assets have increased significantly, while the tax rates they pay to the state have stagnated or decreased. This paradox  documented in various academic studies  deepens inequality, undermines the countrys development and affects the daily lives of the millions of people who remain in poverty.

According to figures from the World Inequality Database (WID), the wealthiest 1% of Colombias population holds 40% of total household wealth, while the poorest 50% holds only 2%. This concentration of wealth is higher than the national average in Latin America, which is one of the most unequal regions in the world. According to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), 28% of Colombians  approximately 14.4 million people  suffer from food insecurity. The Colombian tax system, which should reduce these gaps, has a very weak redistributive capacity.

Do the ultra-rich pay less than the poor?

Oxfams most recent report on inequality, published in January of 2025, reveals that Colombian billionaires pay proportionally less in taxes than the poorest. A person belonging to the richest 1% paid an average of 17 cents in taxes per dollar of income up until 2021. Meanwhile, a person in the poorest 50% paid 21.1 cents in taxes per dollar of income. This debunks the myth that the poor and the middle classes dont pay taxes and shows that the opposite is true, the document concludes.

This contradiction occurs for two main reasons. The first is that the national tax structure relies heavily on taxes on consumer goods, such as value added taxes (VAT), which are deeply regressive. This is because all citizens, regardless of their income level, pay the same rate. In contrast, little is raised by direct taxes, such as personal income and wealth taxes, which are key instruments of tax progressivity. In 2024, Colombias VAT raised $70 billion, almost 30% of total revenue, while the personal income tax contributed $22 billion. The wealth taxes added only another $1.4 billion.

The second reason is that the wealthiest Colombians use sophisticated strategies to either avoid paying taxes, or to pay less. They find loopholes to minimize their tax burden, deliberately hide assets, and benefit from laws that grant them broad exemptions and deductions.

The Commission of Experts on Tax Expenditures/Benefits, convened in 2022 by the administration of former President Ivan Duque, reached conclusions that were similar to those found in the Oxfam report. Regressive tax exemptions for personal income tax frequently result in the wealthiest Colombians paying less in taxes than their poorest compatriots, the document states. According to the report, the ultra-rich manage to pay less taxes than high-income taxpayers: a person in the top 1% paid the state a smaller share of their earnings than a less wealthy person.

Luis Carlos Reyes is the former director of Colombias National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) and former minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. In an interview with EL PAIS, he explains that tax evasion in Colombia represents nearly 8% of the countrys annual GDP. In 2024, for example, Colombias GDP was 1.7 trillion pesos ($418 billion). Therefore, approximately 136 trillion pesos ($34 billion) were lost or not collected, due to nonpayment of taxes. This is a lot, Reyes sighs. No country has zero [tax] evasion but Colombias is very high. If progress were made and evasion reached the levels of OECD countries  around two percentage points of GDP  those six percentage points of potential revenue could be allocated to create or strengthen social programs that benefit the poorest people.

Luis Carlos Reyes, a Colombian economist and politician. Hes the former director of National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) and a former minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. He is pictured in Bogota, on March 15, 2025 ANDRES GALEANO

The high levels of tax evasion are even more serious today, as the administration of President Gustavo Petro  the first leftist government in modern Colombian history  decided to break the fiscal norms, due to insufficient revenue. In the next congressional session the executive branch will present an ambitious tax reform seeking to collect nearly 20 trillion pesos ($5 billion). However, the current political reality and the lack of a legislative majority make this goal almost impossible to achieve.

Who evades taxes the most?

According to a recent DIAN report on tax amnesties  mechanisms that make it possible to rectify the tax situation of evaders who previously omitted assets or included nonexistent liabilities in their tax returns the majority of those who admitted to evading taxes in recent decades are part of the countrys wealthiest population. People who use these voluntary mechanisms to regularize their assets with a special rate admit to not having declared them beforehand, so as to avoid paying the required taxes.

As wealth increases, the likelihood of having hidden information from the tax authorities about assets or liabilities also increases, the document states. The research shows that the wealthier the individuals, the more money they had hidden away. 97% of the people who participated in the 2019 amnesty belonged to the 5% of [Colombian] adults with the highest wealth (net worth) that year. The richest 0.5% of people in the country regularized 91% of all the money declared by individuals during the 2019 and 2020 tax amnesties.

The situation is even more serious at the top 0.01% of the richest people in Colombia. A study by researchers Juliana Londono Velez and Javier Avila indicates that, in the tax amnesties of 2015, 2016 and 2017, during the administration of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018), 40% of these ultra-rich people, or two out of five, admitted to tax evasion and availed themselves of this mechanism. And in the subsequent amnesties of 2019 and 2020, nearly 20% of this same group also admitted to tax evasion. In fact, the DIAN report reveals that the probability of having regularized your tax situation if you are part of this top 0.01% [of earners] is 96 times higher than the average probability for a taxpayer.

In the top 0.01% of the wealthiest individuals, there are nearly 3,700 people with assets exceeding $9.8 billion. Nearly 70% of this group are men and 30% are women, according to another DIAN report, which also reveals that the majority of their income doesnt come from work. These individuals receive an average of $4.05 billion in total annual gross income, divided as follows: income from capital, dividends and/or shares of $1.064 billion; non-labor income of $1.775 billion; labor income of $329 million; income from occasional earnings of $848 million; and pension income of $33 million. $9.8 billion is the lower limit for this group, but according to the latest Forbes report, the five richest men in the country, including the businessmen Jaime Gilinsky and David Velez, have fortunes of up to $40 trillion Colombian pesos (US$10.7 billion).

Luis Carlos Reyes  who, before joining the DIAN, was director of the Tax Observatory at Javeriana University  explains that, indeed, its the ultra-rich who evade and avoid taxes the most. Reyes states that productive Colombian society can be divided into four segments. The first group is made up of the lowest-income 50% of the population: informal workers who earn less than the minimum wage and arent required to pay income taxes. The members of the second group  49% of the population, made up of mostly formal wage earners  fulfill their obligations, paying income tax and VAT, while the companies they work for withhold their taxes automatically, meaning that they have few mechanisms to evade taxes. Its of no use to them to have an account in the Cayman Islands, Reyes notes. The third group is the richest 1% of Colombians, which also includes many high-income wage earners, such as company managers or executives of multinational corporations, who pay their taxes adequately. The remaining, very small group is made up of the ultra-rich. Thats where the highest percentage of evasion occurs. Reyes explains that these people file income tax returns, pay VAT and seemingly comply with what theyre required to pay but, in reality, they are hiding a significant portion of their income and assets. They dont pay what they should.

How do the richest people evade taxes?

The DIAN report on tax amnesties explains that these multimillionaire evaders hide their assets abroad. In 2019, nearly 90% of the undeclared money held by individuals belonging to the richest 0.01% corresponded to assets outside the country. Half of the previously-untaxed money declared by individuals in the 2019 amnesty ($3.3 trillion of $6.8 trillion Colombian pesos) [consisted of] assets held abroad by the richest 0.01%, the document states.

Juliana Londono, a professor of economics at UCLA and one of the leading experts on tax evasion and inequality, explains that the ultra-rich hide a good portion of their money in tax havens. The use of complex structures, such as trusts or companies abroad, particularly in Panama, is common among the wealthiest Colombians, Londono specifies, in an interview with EL PAIS. The tax secrecy that existed between countries until recently allowed the wealthiest people to easily avoid and evade many taxes through tax havens. According to her research, the wealthiest tax evaders hid a third of their assets abroad. This was the main way they evaded the wealth tax: Tax evasion abroad accounts for more than four-fifths of the wealth tax evasion detected [in Colombia].

Professor Londonos research shows that Panama was an attractive destination for the wealthiest Colombians to hide their assets and avoid paying taxes. Let there be no doubt: the use and abuse of offshore structures in tax havens has been the preferred vehicle for the wealthiest Colombians to hide their fortunes and reduce their tax burden, the Colombian writes. She has also found that belonging to the richest 0.01% of the countrys wealthiest individuals meant that  compared to belonging to the richest 5%  you were 24 times more likely to have been a client of Mossack Fonseca. Before its dissolution, it was one of the five largest law firms specializing in offshore financial services.

However, thanks to agreements regarding the automatic exchange of financial information (for tax purposes) between countries, the DIAN for several years now has been able to determine the value of assets held abroad by the wealthiest Colombians. These agreements seek to combat tax evasion by requiring financial institutions to report information about their clients accounts to the tax authorities. In 2021, these agreements revealed $42.5 trillion Colombian pesos ($10.7 billion) that hadnt been declared. An Oxfam report from late 2024 titled Tax Havens: A Pending Challenge for Colombia, explains that, in the last decade, one in every three dollars of incoming or outgoing investment capital to or from Colombia has passed through a tax haven.

Another one of the most common mechanisms used by the wealthiest individuals to evade taxes is the formation of family businesses. This allows them to deduct personal expenses as business costs, thus reducing their tax burden. Juliana Londono explains that, while there are still no studies in Colombia that show the recurrence of this strategy, its a documented formula in other parts of the world. Luis Carlos Reyes explains that one strategy used by the wealthiest people is to have a family business in a country with low income tax that provides fictitious services to the real company in Colombia. These services are declared as costs so as to reduce the companys profits in Colombia. Subsequently, these costs are converted into profits in the other country, which has a low income tax rate. Its an example of the many ways to reduce tax payments, Reyes points out.

The ultra-rich use different strategies to underreport their assets in their tax returns, in order to pay less tax. Reyes explains that the declared tax value is often different  and much lower  than the actual value of assets held.

In another study, Juliana Londono and Javier Avila analyze the variations that have occurred in the wealth tax in Colombia in recent decades. They reveal how the wealthiest people declare the value of their assets as being just below the established thresholds, in order to avoid paying certain taxes, or to pay a lower rate.

We found compelling evidence that taxpayers immediately reduced the wealth they declare in response to the implementation of the wealth tax. These effects dont disappear when the tax is eliminated. On the contrary, they persist for years. Specifically, Londono explains, what many of the wealthiest individuals do is incorrectly declare elements that the authorities cannot verify, such as inflating the amount of debts they have, or understating business assets not reported by third parties. Additionally, the research notes, wealthy taxpayers respond to tax increases by hiding assets in difficult-to-trace entities.

In fact, a common way for the wealthiest people to reduce their tax bill is through the use of complex legal structures, such as trusts or companies, that allow them to manage their assets without them being directly in their names. Oftentimes, people combine several of these mechanisms. For example, they may keep their money in a trust in Panama, so as to underreport their assets in Colombia.

A progressive tax system that reduces inequality Tax evasion by the wealthiest people isn't a phenomenon thats unique to Colombia. Various studies have shown how billionaires around the world pay very low effective tax rates.

French economist Gabriel Zucman  a professor at Berkeley and the Paris School of Economics  explains that, rather than being progressive, contemporary tax systems fail to effectively tax individuals with extremely high net worths. When you're very rich, it's very easy to avoid income tax. We saw this with the ProPublica revelations about the taxes paid by Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, Zucman noted, in a recent interview with this newspaper. It's easy for the super-rich to structure their wealth so that it doesn't generate much taxable income. That's why the income tax fails. It's probably one of the biggest problems with our tax systems. It needs to be addressed, he insisted. For example, shareholders can avoid having taxable income if they decide not to allow a company to distribute dividends.

His proposal to shift the global tax system in a more progressive direction is a minimum tax on the richest individuals a tax based not on income, but on wealth. Our proposal is to have a minimum tax equivalent to 2% of the wealth of billionaires each year. It's in line with whats been done in the taxing of multinationals. Theres an international agreement regarding a global minimum tax of 15%, which has been applied in the EU since January 1 of this year. The next step is to do the same for the very wealthy.

While Colombia already has a tax on the largest fortunes with progressive marginal rates  similar to the one proposed by Zucman  in reality, there are still significant challenges in combating the strategies used by the wealthiest people to evade this tax. Researcher Juliana Londono affirms that the fact that the wealthiest Colombians arent paying the taxes they owe means that the tax system  the most important tool that the state has to redistribute wealth  is failing to meet its objective of reducing inequalities.

*This journalistic work is part of a series of publications resulting from the Call for Coverage of Tax Justice Issues in Colombia, promoted by the Gabo Foundation in partnership with Oxfam Colombia. This initiative has received support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

R.B. writes: Some time ago I was contacted by TBE Consultants Ltd about investments in Terra Firma Energy Ltd.

They said: 'Our clients enjoy a 12 per cent return on their capital inside 12 months.'

I did not invest, but I have now seen a website called Stonehold Investment also promoting Terra Firma Energy.

Are you able to find out anything about this company and the people who run it?

Tony Hetherington replies: This investigation began in January, with more than a few twists and turns since then.

Staff issues: William Davies (left) and Daniel Keenan

Let's start with the sales firm TBE Consultants. Coincidentally, a few weeks after I began enquiring, its owner William Davies put it into liquidation with debts estimated at 1.7 million.

According to the Financial Conduct Authority, Davies was once an investment adviser at Beaufort Securities, already a disreputable stockbroking company when he joined in 2005. The City watchdog fined it 90,000 in 2006. He also ran finance firm Salesian Consultants Ltd until he put this into liquidation in 2019.

He borrowed more than 79,000 from it but convinced the liquidator to accept just 30,000 in settlement, saying he was close to bankruptcy.

A few months later, Davies became a director of one of the Terra Firma Energy (TFE) group of companies and now sits on the board of four TFE businesses. So when TBE Consultants was recommending investment in TFE, Davies was a boss at both.

The salesman who contacted you from TBE Consultants was Stephen Leary, whose background in dodgy investments is pretty scary. He is currently banned for 14 years from acting as a director of any limited company following his central role at Worldwide Commodity Partners Ltd, an investment scam which cost investors almost 3 million. That said, this does not stop him from working in his present role.

According to the FCA, Leary was also at two separate disreputable stockbrokers, both exposed by The Mail on Sunday.

And while a salesman at TBE Consultants he marketed loan bonds issued by Platinum Assets And Developments (PAD).

I warned in 2020 that this was a high-risk scheme. It relied largely on the prospects of an offshoot, Platinum Energy Solutions, but last year the High Court ordered this into liquidation because of its debts.

And here is a link to Terra Firma Energy. Peter Eagle was the managing director of the failed Platinum Energy Solutions, and he became a director of TFE in 2020 until quitting in 2021.

The day-to-day management team at TFE are just as interesting. When I began investigating, its business development manager was Dan Keenan. In 2012 he was jailed for 11 years for money laundering and other financial crimes, linking him to a major drug dealer. And before this he was jailed for five years for blackmail and conspiracy to defraud. Mr Keenan vanished from TFE's website within hours of my first questions to the company.

Simon Fagan was named as TFE's legal adviser. He is a Manchester solicitor, and in 2015 he was a director of radiator company Xefro Ltd, the parent company of Xefro Trade, which was wound up by the High Court following an investigation which described its products as defective and dangerous.

Of course, none of this means TFE's 12 per cent loan notes will flop. The firm exists and runs 'battery farms' that store power with the idea of selling it on. It is concerning, though, that its website claims TFE is in partnership with National Grid, which told me: 'Terra Firma sell power to the electricity grid, or into the national energy market. They do not sell it to National Grid.'

TFE did, however, say that their assets had participated in the electricity market.

TFE's loan notes are only supposed to be offered to experienced or wealthy investors who can take risks. The website of Stonehold Investment  where you spotted the TFE investment  emphasises this. And it should know, as Stonehold Investment is just TFE itself using a different name!

Stonehold has claimed to be 'award winners' and 'trusted by 123,000 investors'. What awards? And how many investors!

Well, I asked TFE about Stonehold and about its personnel. TFE failed to reply, but back like a guided missile came a rocket fired at me by its lawyers.

Stonehold's claims erroneously appeared in Google results, they conceded. TFE had no explanation but would correct this.

Yes, William Davies was a stockbroker but was just one of many employees at firms penalised by the regulator. Nothing to do with TFE, they added.

Yes, Stephen Leary is banned as a director for ripping off investors, but this does not ban him from recruiting investors now for TFE, they explained.

Yes, Simon Fagan provides legal advice to TFE, but so what, as TFE has no connection to disgraced company Xefro.

The lawyers insisted that TFE's management team had no idea of Dan Keenan's prison record and told me that he has now left the company by mutual agreement. If so, it might be a good idea to ask Mr Keenan to change his LinkedIn page, which still says he is TFE's full-time business development manager.

It might also be a good idea for Helen Aletras, one of TFE's management team, to stop putting holiday photos online showing her with Mr Keenan, who she has known for many years.

Mysteriously, investment in TFE's loan notes was promoted via a now-defunct website called bestrenewableenergyinvestor.com. This claimed that TFE has a '15-year purchase agreement with National Grid'.

However, I am told now that TFE has no idea who ran the sales site, or why they promoted TFE as an investment.

TFE's lawyers also told me there was no reason that any of this should be published.

I disagree.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Investment trust Strategic Equity Capital has a bold approach. It takes big stakes in companies it likes in the expectation that its judgment will be proved right, then rewards its shareholders with attractive returns.

Although the strategy is not foolproof, the current manager is making a mighty good fist of it.

Since taking the reins in September 2020, Gresham House's Ken Wotton has delivered shareholder returns in excess of 100 per cent, outperforming both the average for the trust's peer group and its benchmark index, the FTSE Small Cap (excluding investment companies).

Wotton's modus operandi at Strategic is to seek out opportunities in the smaller companies section of the UK stock market  a sector Gresham knows intimately as a result of running numerous other funds focused on it.

'I look for companies with market capitalisations between 100 million and 300 million,' he says, 'and provided the quality and valuation are right, become one of the biggest shareholders.'

This approach, he says, gives the trust 'muscle' to 'actively engage' with the companies it buys. He adds: 'At one end of the scale, engagement may be rather benign and just a question of supporting a company's management plans.

'But at the other, it may be helping a company find a non-executive board member or pointing them in the direction of a merger and acquisitions boutique if they become the target of interest from a potential private equity buyer.'

The fruits of this strategy can be rewarding. For example, one of the fund's top-ten holdings is Inspired, which advises companies on optimising their procurement and usage of energy.

Wotton had been a backer of the company before he took over the helm at Strategic, and made it one of his first new holdings for the trust.

He then kept tickling up the stake, participating in the company's raising of new capital late last year to reduce borrowings.

Inspired was then subject to a hostile takeover by Regent, an owner of gas and infrastructure companies. Strategic said it would not back the deal and put adviser Evercore in touch with Inspired.

The result was the discovery of 'white knight' HGGC, a US private equity firm, which trumped Regent's 68.5p a share deal by offering 81p a share. The new offer is likely to be accepted in the coming weeks, providing the trust with a tidy profit.

The 168 million trust has 18 holdings  a concentrated portfolio, especially given the top-ten stakes account for nearly 80 per cent of assets. Wotton describes the other eight positions as 'toe-hold positions,' the trust's 'pipeline'. Some of these, he says, could benefit from the cash received from the sale of Inspired.

Wooton says mistakes are part of being a fund manager.

'If you don't make them, you're not taking enough risk,' But he adds: 'Risk can be mitigated by engaging with company management  which Strategic does as a matter of course  selling out, or ensuring you have an appropriate-sized holding.'

The manager believes the trust's prospects are 'really attractive' over the next three to five years, although he admits the FTSE AIM market  where a majority of the trust's holdings are listed  has been undermined by Labour's decision to reduce the inheritance tax attractions of holding AIM shares.

'There has been a lot of forced selling of shares,' he says, 'and some have been derated.'

Annual trust charges are 1.2 per cent, the fund's stock market ticker is SEC, and identification code B0BDCB2.
Businesses face chaos as a deadline looms for up to seven million company directors to have their identities verified  as it emerged that only 300,000 people had done the checks so far.

With just weeks to go, Companies House said it was planning a campaign to raise awareness of the changes.

But some bemused business owners said the information they had received was poor and amounted to emails that could easily be mistaken for spam.

Those who have attempted the process have found it cumbersome and time-consuming, as it cannot be done through existing online Government accounts.

Instead, users have to register afresh via a new app.

Some who have tried to register their identities have given up  or paid an accountant hundreds of pounds to do it for them.

Frustration: Businesses face chaos as a deadline looms for up to seven million company directors to have their identities verified

The extra checks are being brought in to combat fraud and money laundering under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023  the biggest reform of Companies House since its inception in 1844.

Company directors questioned why there had been so little process or engagement with businesses to ensure they submit details for verification.

After the cut-off date, directors will not be allowed to access Companies House to submit annual accounts or changes to executives' details.

Companies House  which said it had notified directors by email  told The Mail on Sunday it planned to announce the deadline for identity verification during the coming week. According to previous reports, the deadline could be as early as next month.

Such a move would play havoc with the many enterprises whose calendar year-ends mean they must file annual accounts by the end of September to avoid fines.

Hotelier Elyse Waddy said Companies House should have worked with business and trade groups earlier to ensure the change was widely known about.

She said: 'When you receive an email saying it's from Companies House or HMRC, you assume it's a scam. I'm on a major UK Hospitality Committee, yet I was not aware of this at all, although I file my submission via my accountant who may know.'

Waddy, owner of the Empire Hotel, in Llandudno, North Wales, added: 'Had Companies House chosen to target a major body or agency to disseminate information about this change, it would have been helpful.

'Or they should have sent the email to accountancy firms who could pass the information on to companies. That way, you know it's genuine.

'If you are going to implement something by a deadline, you need to make people aware of it.'

Paul Milsom, owner of Milsom Hotels, a small chain of hotels and hospitality venues in Essex, questioned why the change wasn't prioritising new company directors first. He said: 'New companies and new company directors setting up need to be verified but if you have been a director of a company for a long time, it's obvious who you are.'

Karen Stobart, secretary of a management company set up by eight leasehold flat owners in South London, is among directors caught out by the change.

She described Companies House's communications as 'threatening'  as she must file annual accounts by September 22, but she has tried to verify her details without success and fears a fine if the deadline is imposed before then.

She said: 'There's massive confusion and I find it threatening as a process. To send me an email asking me to verify myself online sounds like a scam.'

Companies House has emphasised that directors whose firms have recently filed their accounts could wait until next year.

A source said: 'We are not expecting all 6 million to 7 million company directors to meet the deadline  they will be expected to meet the requirements over the next year. We're expecting tens of thousands per day to be completing the checks.'

But since the verification process was launched, the rate of people going through the tests is equivalent to fewer than a million a year  meaning it would take up to 2032 for all company directors to be processed.

A Companies House spokesperson said: 'The rollout of identity verification will boost business, and support growth, by giving more assurance about who is setting up, running and controlling companies in the UK.

'We will be phasing in identity verification over 12 months, beginning this autumn, to ensure we provide the best support to all companies and individuals within scope of the requirements.

'We are contacting all companies with advice and guidance. We encourage people to verify as early as possible.'
Debra Crew's abrupt departure from the top job at Guinness-maker Diageo has highlighted the radical changes transforming the world of drinks.

The industry is under pressure from weight-loss drugs that suppress alcohol craving and the 'sober curious' movement among Generation Z  those born between 1997 and 2012.

Sales of no or low alcohol drinks are up 28 per cent at Ocado and 32 per cent at Waitrose, while pubs are predicted to sell a record 33 million pints of no or low alcohol beer this summer, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

No or low alcohol drinks are on a 'gradual march into the mainstream', says Fraser McKevitt of Kantar. The research firm found seven in 100 households bought one last month, lifting sales 21 per cent.

On the rocks: Debra Crew left Diageo as drinking habits change

Sarah Holland, Waitrose's low-and-no buyer, said: 'There's a trend to wellbeing-focused drinking that doesn't compromise on flavour or social connection.'

Olivia Ferdi, who founded Trip, Britain's largest privately owned soft drinks firm, goes further: 'The main reason people drink alcohol is to relax and unwind, but most alcohol-free options don't deliver on taste or relaxing.'

She says Trip's CBD-infused drinks take the edge off a long day.

There are shifts in the market for alcoholic drinks too.

Traditional aperitifs such as gin and tonic are being replaced by the likes of Hugo Spritz  a mix of elderflower liqueur, prosecco, mint, soda water and lime. So is Britain really going teetotal?

'There is an equally strong movement to moderation, where consumers drink less but better,' said Ed Faulkner of Sapling Spirits, which makes 'climate-positive vodka' from winter wheat.

So Gen Z still has an appetite for the social lubricant that makes for those memory-forming occasions of our 20s and early 30s.
More than 125 bosses, peers and academics have written to Rachel Reeves in a stark warning over the 'scandal' of nearly a million young people at risk of being a wasted generation.

Official figures show there is an army of NEETs  people aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education or training.

The letter, to be delivered to the Chancellor today, says that without urgent action, huge numbers are destined 'for the scrapheap.' It has been co-ordinated by Christopher Nieper, boss of the David Nieper fashion business, along with the Jobs Foundation charity.

Signatories include JCB chief Lord Bamford, City tycoon Lord Spencer, property mogul Jamie Ritblat, grocery entrepreneur Sean Ramsden and venture capitalist Jon Moulton.

Warning: The letter to the Chancellor has been co-ordinated by Christopher Nieper (pictured)

Toyota UK and the Rigby Group, Europe's largest private IT services company, are also among the signatories urging a skills tax relief to incentivise firms to train young people, which they say would benefit the Exchequer and boost less prosperous areas.

Nieper, who has rescued a failing school in Derbyshire which claims that it helped all 18-year-old pupils secure a job or further education, said: 'The cost of the NEETs crisis to the economy is unsustainable  not just in welfare payments but in lost productivity, unfulfilled potential and long-term damage caused by early unemployment.'

He has proposed a tax break for employers and says modelling shows that if the number of NEETs is halved, the Exchequer would gain up to 23billion.
Three British women have been detained in Mauritius after a group of nine passengers were found with over 4million worth of cannabis in their suitcases.

Shania Mabel Rosalind Wood, Alethea Jade Demitre and Chloe Nancy Parker were arrested in what has been described as 'one of the largest' drug seizures at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSR) on May 29.

Between eight suitcases 212kg of cannabis, worth an estimated street value of 254.5 million Mauritian rupees (4,104,353.22), was seized upon their arrival EK703 from Dubai, at around 4.40pm local time.

Wood, 25, was found with 30 packages of the class B drug weighing 31.10kg, while fellow Brit Demitre, 33, was discovered with 31.11kg of cannabis across 46 packages.

Eighteen-year-old Parker was also found with 46 packages of the drug weighing at 44.95kg.

The five arrested - which includes both Dominican and Portuguese nationals - are Hansel Gomez, Esequiel Perez, Ildo Valera De Brito, Luis Manuel Herrera Martinez and Soraia Cristina Da Silva Cruz.

Another Brit, Daniel Jonathan Pearson, was also taken into custody despite having no drugs in his possession. He is believed to have been the ringleader supervising the eight drug mules, Defi media reported.

It is suggested Pearson was going to create a diversion at the checkpoint to allow the drug smugglers to pass through unchecked.

Shania Wood, 25, of Luton was arrested along with seven others after being found with 4million worth of cannabis in their suitcases

Fellow Brit, Alethea Jade Demitre, was also detained in what has been described as 'one of the largest' drug seizures at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSR) on May 29

Daniel Jonathan Pearson (pictured) was also taken into custody despite having no drugs in his possession as he is believed to have been the ringleader behind the operation

Between eight suitcases 212kg of cannabis, worth an estimated street value of 254.5 million Mauritian rupees (4,104,353.22), was seized upon their arrival EK703 from Dubai

However the airport's Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU), officers from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) foiled their operation.

Wood, Demitre and Parker face provisional charges of the importation of cannabis, while Pearson faces charges of drug dealing with aggravating circumstances and managing the importation of cannabis with an averment of trafficking.

All nine people involved have been remanded in jail as they await a trial before the Mauritian Supreme Court. If found guilty, the Brits could spend between 25 to 60 years locked up abroad.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting a number of British nationals who have been detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.'

It follows the arrest of seven other British citizens at the same airport, including a six-year-old boy, who were found to have 1.6million worth of cannabis concealed in their suitcases.

Customs officials at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport discovered 14 kilos of cannabis concealed in the young boy's bag and 17 kilos in luggage belonging to another individual on June 22.

Altogether some 161 kilos of the drug were found hidden throughout several other suitcases.

Eleven numbered Apple AirTags were discovered, suggesting the operation may have been linked to an organised crime gang responsible for smuggling drugs from Europe to Mauritius.

Wood was found with 30 packages of the class B drug, weighing at 31.93kg

Demitre, was discovered with 31.11kg of cannabis across 46 packages. Parker was also found 46 packages, weighing at around 45kg

Authorities say had the drugs reached the local market, it could have flooded the island and caused havoc on several levels (stock image)

The six arrested British adults - all from Cambridgeshire - included Laura Kappen, 28, a bar worker from Orton Goldhay, Shannon Holness, 29, a caterer, from Bretton, Shona Campbell, 33, a cleaner from Standground, Lily Watson, a caterer from Peterborough and window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, also from Peterborough.

Romanian national, Florian Lisman, 38, a machine operator living in Huntingdon, was additionally arrested.

Daily Mail recently revealed how a British man was arrested in Cambodia after allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 20kg of marijuana into the UK - just hours after he was reported missing by his girlfriend.

Robert Brown, 41, from Newcastle, had been the subject of an urgent missing persons post on social media before he was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport on June 17.

Police found 22 packages of cannabis weighing nearly 20kg hidden inside his luggage.

The drugs, which police believe originated from Thailand, are thought to have a street value of around 200,000.

Brown has been charged with the use, possession, trafficking, and transport of drugs under Cambodian law and has been referred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for legal proceedings.

Shannon Holness, 29, a caterer, from Bretton, Cambridgeshire, is among the British nationals arrested in Mauritius for allegedly smuggling 161kg of cocaine into the country

Bella Culley (pictured) is languishing in notorious Women's Penitentiary Number Five in Georgia after allegedly carrying 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish into the ex-Soviet nation

Charlotte Lee May, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, has been locked up in a Sri Lankan prison after police discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase when she arrived on a flight from Thailand

If convicted, he could face a hefty prison sentence of between 20 to 30 years, Khmer Times reported.

It comes amid a spate of drug smuggling offences by Brits, with Bella Culley, 18 from Billingham, County Durham, was arrested in Georgia last May.

She was accused of carrying 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish into the ex-Soviet nation from Thailand, where she had been holidaying.

She claimed in court that she is pregnant and has confided in legal sources that she was in love with a mystery man who now forms a central part of the investigation.

In a similar case, 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon, south London, has been locked up in a Sri Lankan prison.

She was detained after police discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase when she arrived on a flight from Thailand.

The former cabin crew member for Tui was placed in handcuff after 1.15million worth of cannabis was allegedly found in her luggage last month.

Kimberly Hall is said to have tried to get Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport her to her native Britain after she was allegedly busted with $6.5 million of cocaine at Chicago O'Hare Airport

Hall, pictured shortly after her August 2024 arrest, was on the verge of boarding a flight home to the UK to evade justice, prosecutors allege. She had been released from jail on an ankle tag just before the alleged escape attempt

Hall, pictured in a newer mugshot, says she had been asking about how to get a job when she was taken into ICE custody

She is being detained in a prison north of Colombo and could face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty.

A flurry of cases have since followed including OnlyFans model Clara Wilson, 36, from Nottinghamshire, who allegedly tried to smuggle around 200,000 of Thai cannabis into Spain.

Meanwhile, British beautician Kimberly Hall, 29, from Middlesbrough, was accused of attempting to smuggle $6.2m of cocaine from Chicago O' Hare Airport to the UK, after travelling from Cancun, Mexico.

Many of the alleged British smugglers face decades in prison if convicted.
I picked up the phone, saw the text, and in that instant, I knew my life would never be the same.

It was from a friend saying there had been an accident. My heart shattered into a million pieces, and my stomach dropped. They were the words every military wife dreads but prays will never come.

Part of me had been bracing for it. Just hours earlier, Id told my family I could feel something was wrong, but couldnt put a finger on what or why.

Maybe I was just tired, I told myself. Maybe it was the long drive ahead of me - eight hours with my two-year-old son, Ethan, from my nephews high school graduation in Pennsylvania back home to North Carolina.

I couldnt have been more wrong.

I had tried to keep myself occupied on the drive, cheering myself up by calling my girlfriends.

That one, short, devastating message has stuck with me for the last 15 years.

Petrified, I knew immediately it was about my husband, who that morning had stepped into a mud compound laced with explosives 7,000 miles away.

It was June 8, 2010, and 29-year-old Marine Sgt. William Bee - my Billy - was on his fourth deployment in what was at the time the most deadly and hellish place on earth: Afghanistan.

American bodies were piling up in Marjah - a Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province - during the largest military operation by US forces of the war, second only to the 2001 invasion.

After pulling over to try to collect my thoughts, my phone rang. Terrified, I answered - and there he was, Billy.

Bobbie Bee remembers the message that shattered her heart into a millions while her Marine husband Billy was 7,000 miles away in Afghanistan

He was crying, hysterical, screaming. His words tumbled out in fragments as he tried desperately to remember what had happened.

I couldnt understand him at first - his voice was broken. He couldnt understand me.

I later learned he was lying on a cot in the middle of the Afghan desert, surrounded by Marines with burns and missing limbs. A Navy corpsman was leaning over him, trying to soothe him as the agony poured out uncontrollably.

I tried to ask him what happened, but he didnt understand me. He couldnt hear me because his eardrums had been blown out.

What we didnt know was that Marine headquarters had already retrieved our home address. They didnt think he would survive.

Suddenly, through sobs, I heard him say, Im coming home, baby.

Later, he told me what happened. He said there was a 'thump' so loud he felt it in his veins. The blast lifted him off his feet, tossing him like a rag doll across the compound before he slammed into the mud floor. Then, nothing.

An improvised explosive device (IED) hidden in a wall next to him had detonated. He avoided instant death by moving a few feet so he could help a Marine whose rifle had jammed.

The next thing he could remember after crashing to the ground was lying in a helicopter with a medic checking on him while he stared at the roof of the cabin.

Then, he was strapped down and fed into an MRI machine, creating the sensation he had been crammed into a metal trash can.

That text from a friend and the call from Billy on the side of a highway, which I remember so vividly, was the start of my war at home and a nightmare my family still hasnt fully woken from.

We were lucky he wasnt coming home in a flag-draped coffin.

Two families of Marines who stepped into the same compound got the dreaded knock on the door with the most excruciating news imaginable.

Marine Bill Bee has a close call with a Taliban sniper round in Garmsir, Afghanistan. The photo taken by Reuters photographer Goran Tomasevic is one of the most iconic of the War on Terror

Bee was knocked to the ground. At the time he thought he had survived unscathed, but he would suffer one of his three traumatic brain injuries

Their bodies were so decimated that their remains were put into trash bags.

Wives and husbands of the men and women serving their country are the last line of defense at home, but they are always at the mercy of a phone call with news from the frontlines.

Id had these updates before: one from Billy after his head was almost ripped off by a Taliban sniper round, and many others simply telling me he couldnt wait to see me and our son.

These calls also follow you home after your loved ones have left the military, just when you think they are safe. It happened two years ago when Billy had been out of the Marines for years.

Fifteen years ago this month, Billy was at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, beginning his long road to recovery.

The IED blast blew holes in his eardrums, and he could only walk a few yards before he lost his balance and toppled over.

He went through a series of endless tests to check out the extent of his brain injuries.

During one exam, a doctor pulled out an inch of wall that had been lodged in his ear since the explosion.

A nurse would have to escort him to appointments because he would constantly get lost. He would get angry when he couldnt complete puzzles meant for children that tested his cognitive function.

He also suffered his first flashback, a side effect that has tormented him since.

While staring at a computer screen, his mind was taken back to that compound in Marjah, and he felt like the explosion where he lost two men was happening all over again.

When he returned to the US a few weeks later, I was filled with relief and happiness, but I was also scared of what lay ahead.

Ethan and I saw Billy for the first time in six months as he stepped out of a car at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

My son, who was barely walking, took a while to recognize a man who had changed dramatically since he got on the bus for what would be his final deployment.

I hugged Billy, and for a brief moment, I was awash with joy - the Marine I loved and the father of my child had survived - But I knew our life would never be the same.

He had PTSD and three traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that sparked constant violent rages and memory loss.

The American military was woefully underprepared to help those who came home, and brain injuries from explosions and PTSD were becoming more common.

Military doctors still hadnt fully grasped the complexities of TBIs, and progress in diagnosis and research was still slow.

Wives and husbands of the men and women serving their country are the last line of defense at home, but they are always at the mercy of a phone call with news from the frontlines

On their seventh anniversary wedding anniversary, Billy told Bobbie he was leaving the Marines. She thought it would bring peace, but peace never came

Dealing with the psychological trauma of the battlefield was being taken more seriously, but Marines going to therapy was still taboo.

Billy had already self-medicated with alcohol to deal with everything he experienced in Garmsir, his third deployment, where he lost men and had a brush with a Taliban sniper that left him inches from death.

Finding out that two men he had led into the building had died sent him spiraling, but he tried to hide the rollercoaster of emotions.

He started drinking again, and every time I tried to get him help, his Marine command blew me off and warned me it would threaten his career.

Their advice was to lock away the guns we had in our house and for me to sleep in a separate bedroom with the door locked.

It was the first time I realized how alone I was in this fight. I was the only one able to save him.

Billy reunites with his son Ethan after returning home from a deployment

Marine Sgt. William Bee is given a Purple Heart, the result of Bobbie's eight-year fight and a battle through a mountain of paperwork

I was at breaking point, losing patience and didnt feel like I had anyone to turn to for support.

His depression, constant need to get drunk and desire to spend hours in bars weighed down on a marriage we had spent years trying to keep intact.

One day, I gave Billy an ultimatum. I told him that if he wanted to be miserable all the time, he could do that without us. I told Billy he could choose: fight for us or drown alone.

So after years of trying to hold us together, I packed up Ethan and left for my parents house in Pennsylvania.

When I came back, I found him passed out on the bathroom floor. He had written a goodbye letter. A neighbor, a corpsman, had to tape Billys head to the fridge and start IVs in both arms to save his life.

On our seventh anniversary, Billy told me he was leaving the Marines. I thought it would bring peace, but peace never came.

It took 10 agonizing months to get a VA appointment. Their solution: a cocktail of pills. I researched them myself and discovered that, if taken all together, they could have killed him.

We stumbled forward - nightmares, screaming, endless treatments that didnt work. It wasnt until we found private care that Billy began to breathe again.

Billy and Bobbie's journey is captured in The Shot: The Harrowing Journey of a Marine in the War on Terror

After eight long years, I fought through mountains of paperwork to finally get him a Purple Heart.

A single tear ran down his cheek as they pinned it to his chest. It wasnt just a medal. It was validation. Recognition of wounds - seen and unseen - that had torn our lives apart.

But the fight isnt over.

Two years ago, I got another call. This time Billy was just miles away. Hed passed out at the wheel and crashed into a house. He was neither drunk nor high. It was just another side effect of the war still raging inside him.

Doctors told him he could never return to service. Yet to this day, he hasnt been granted medical retirement.

Too many Marines like Billy come home permanently changed. Too many have been driven to suicide. The government still doesnt have the resources for families like ours.

But were still here. Still fighting.

I try not to focus on the battles we cant win. Im just grateful Billy is still walking this Earth.

To the families like ours still waiting for help, still clinging to hope, I see you.

There is hope. Somehow, we found some. And you can too.

The full story of Marine Bill Bee is inThe Shot: The Harrowing Journey of a Marine in the War on Terror

If you want to help Bill, Bobbie and his family, you can donate here.
Nearly 70 per cent of the world's countries have seen their populations double since 1960, Daily Mail can reveal.

Mesmerising charts show how the global population has rocketed to exceed 8billion, despite global birth rates plummeting to all-time lows.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar saw the largest leaps during the period, of over around 8,000 per cent, to 10.8m and 2.8m, respectively.

Eight countries saw their population decrease, with Bulgaria recording the biggest fall (-18 per cent).

India  home to 1.45billion people  officially overtook China to top spot in 2023, with its population having tripled in size since the 60s.

Over a third of the world now live in one of the two nations, World Bank figures show.

The US ranks a distant third at around 340million people.

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For context, that's approximately one billion fewer than 2nd-placed China, which is battling a population slump that has fuelled concerns of an impending 'disaster' for the economic superpower.

Between 1979-2015, the Chinese Communist Party maintained its controversial one-child policy in a bid to curb its post-war baby boom.

But a decade later, the country's birth rate has plunged and the government is even offering parents a 375 per child annual bursary to reverse the decline.

India's staggering population could even be an undercount because it hasn't carried out a census for 14 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced earlier this month that India would undergo a full population count over the next two years.

The Pacific island of Tuvalu, meanwhile, has the smallest population in the world  at below 10,000.

In terms of the global league table, the UK's population of 69million ranks 21st. It has increased by 32.1 per cent since 1960, when it ranked 9th.

The total world population has shot up 168.3 per cent in the same timeframe.

Despite the enormous population growth across the majority of the planet over the last 60 years, demographers warn the world is in the throes of a massive population crisis.

More than half of nations globally have a fertility rate below 2.1  the recommended amount to sustain current populations.

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Women in England and Wales, on average, now only have 1.44 children. This is the lowest level since records began in the 30s.

Yet, in parts of the country, this is as low as 0.1  the equivalent of one child for every ten women of childbearing age, the Daily Mail revealed last month .

Without replenishment of an ageing population, scientists claim public services and economic growth are at risk. Ever-declining birth rates will also heap extra pressure on the NHS and social care.

Commentators warned that policymakers need to 'wake up to the fact that falling fertility rates are one of the greatest threats' to the West and that the country could become increasingly reliant on migration.

Looking ahead to 2100, nearly half of the world's countries' populations are expected to shrink, forecasts suggest.

Ukraine, Jamaica and Albania are among 14 nations set to halve in size. Hong Kong is expected to slide the most, at 72.4 per cent.

China will, according to estimates by the World Bank Group, dip below 1billion in 2071 and end the century at around 633m.

India's population is expected to peak in the late 2060s.

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As of 2024, more than 60 countries including China, Germany, and Japan have already hit their peak populations, according to the figures.

On the contrary, African and Middle Eastern nations are set to undergo a boom.

Atop the list is Angola, a nation of 37m. By 2100, it is expected to grow to over 150m people  a leap of nearly 300 per cent.

Close behind are the Democratic Republic of Congo (294.2 per cent) and Tanzania (283.4 per cent)

The UK's population is expected to creep up by 7.3 per cent to just north of 74m.

The US, meanwhile, is projected to see a 23.9 per cent leap to nearly 430m.

Biggest % growth 1. UAE - 10,876,981 (81881.9 per cent) 2. Qatar - 2,857,822 (7,836 per cent) 3. Kuwait - 4,973,861 (1,499 per cent) 4. Sint Maarten - 43,350 (1,496 per cent) 5. Saudi Arabia - 35,300,280 (1349.7 per cent) 6. Djibouti - 1,168,722 (1,258 per cent) 7. Jordan - 11,552,876 (1,253 per cent) 8. Oman - 5,281,538 (895.6 per cent) 9. Bahrain - 1,588,670 (860 per cent) 10. Cayman Islands - 74,457 (783.5 per cent) Advertisement
People who might have seen Salym Liufau, her husband, Dan, and four children posing for professional photographs in a leafy park likely thought they were just another family having pictures taken for their Christmas card.

After all, how could they have known the deeper significance of the occasion? At the end of the 45-minute shoot in November 2024, Liufau took the photographer aside and gently requested a portrait of her alone.

I wanted a photograph of just me, she tells the Daily Mail, adding, Its for my obituary.

The 33-year-old is living on borrowed time after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS,) the progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

It causes the motor neurons, which control voluntary muscle movement, to degenerate and die, ultimately leading to whole body paralysis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the average life expectancy of patients is between two and five years. Estimates vary, but the National ALS Registry suggests less than 30,000 people in the United States have the disease and about 5,000 people receive the diagnosis every year.

It is rare - there is a less than 1 percent chance of developing the disease without a family history - but with an aging population experts in the field expect that to rise.

Liufaus symptoms began a month before the family moved from her home city of Las Vegas to Houston, Texas, in September 2022.

Salym Liufau in her motorized wheelchair. She made a point of commissioning this photograph to appear in her obituary

From left, Jai, Dan, Clover, Meadow, Salym and Leyla Liufau in a park in their home city of Houston, Texas

They surfaced at her aunts 60th birthday celebration when her daughter, Clover, then four, twirled across the dance floor with the other children at the party.

The mother beckoned her over so she could swing her around. But, as she squatted to scoop the child into her arms  an instinctive motion shed done effortlessly for years  the muscles in her back didnt engage. She couldnt stand up.

Fortunately, there was a table nearby and she managed to steer herself towards a chair without falling over.

My auntie was right there and asked if I was ok, Liufau says. But I brushed it off, saying I was fine.

Then 30, Liufau put it down to the stress of having to lift so many boxes ahead of the move, along with juggling childcare for Clover and her sister, Leyla, six, and boy/girl twins Jai and Meadow, two, while working part-time as a cosmetologist.

But, while she initially dismissed the incident at the party as a one-off, she became worried two weeks later when her left foot felt weak and unresponsive.

Something as simple as keeping a flipflop on her foot proved difficult.

Still, she was so caught up with the move, she didnt have time to see a doctor. She tried to put it to the back of her mind, telling herself that shed get checked out once they had arrived in Texas if the symptoms persisted.

Liufau had always been a strong, fit woman with no particular health concerns. She watched what she ate and worked out regularly in the at-home gym she shared with her husband, Dan, now 35.

Yet by Christmas her energy levels had plummeted. She used to be able to run on the treadmill for at least two miles with relative ease. Now she could barely do a quarter of that distance without needing to stop.

She started suffering from foot drop, a condition where a person has difficulty lifting the front part of their foot, causing it to drag or slap on the ground when walking.

At the end of January, four months after moving to Houston, Liufau finally saw her new primary care provider when her mother came to stay to help look after the children.

The Liufau family before Salym was diagnosed with ALS

Salym pictured with her husband, Dan, now 35

I explained about not being able to move my foot, Liufau says. He said it was probably nothing serious and might be caused by some kind of vitamin deficiency.

However, after blood work came back normal, the doctor sent her for a series of MRI scans. Again, there was no evidence that anything was amiss. All she knew was that she was feeling weaker by the day.

In mid-February, she was referred to a neurologist. But he could only see her in late May. I knew in my heart that I couldnt wait that long, she says. By then, my gut was saying there was something seriously wrong.

Desperate to find answers, she took matters into her own hands and headed to the ER at Houston Methodist Center. As part of the check-up, she had a simple procedure to test her reflexes.

The doctor tapped her knee with a hammer. But her leg didnt jerk. Similarly, when tested, her foot didnt exhibit the Babinksi reflex - a natural response which sees the toes curl downward when the sole is stimulated. Its absence is an indicator of possible damage to the central nervous system.

The physician was so alarmed that Liufau was admitted immediately and monitored for 10 days.

During that time she lost count of the number of follow-up exams, including more MRIs as well as CT scans that she underwent.

She had a number of electromyography (EMG) procedures which involve inserting a thin needle electrode into the muscle to measure both muscle and nerve function.

The results showed dramatically reduced activity, especially in her spine and legs.

One of the doctors turned to me and said, Im afraid you have a long way to go before we discover the true cause,' the mother says.

Liufau was prescribed steroids to minimal effect, but eventually, after almost two weeks of tests, and an agonizing month-long wait for the results of a muscle biopsy, she received the chilling diagnosis.

By then I could only get around on a walker, she recalls. My anxiety and stress were building.

Liufau, who had turned 31, will never forget the morning of May 23, 2023. She had ALS. The original neurologist shed waited so long to see delivered the crushing news as Dan sat across from her on the examination table.

Time stood still, she says. I froze then burst into tears.

Liufau had always been a strong, fit woman before she developed the progressive neurodegenerative disease

Liufau in hospital in 2023. She had a battery of tests before her final diagnosis that May

In truth, the diagnosis came not so much as a shock but as confirmation of her deepest fears.

In her darkest moments, she had dreaded it could be ALS  shed been in touch with an old school friend with the disease and compared symptoms. Now, with her own diagnosis, she knew she might not live to see Jai and Meadow start kindergarten.

Next, she faced the heartbreaking task of telling her family, starting with her parents and in-laws. Im a great believer in ripping off the Band Aid so I called them on the drive home.

Returning to the house to find the children playing happily, not realizing for a second that their mother was so sick, was hard. She didnt want them to see her cry, so she hid her tears as her distraught mother led her to her bedroom.

Inevitably, however, she had to tell the two oldest kids what to expect.

She sat them down and gently took their hands. Im not going to get better, but its going to be ok, she said. She described how, just as her legs could no longer function, other parts of her body would follow suit.

I have the most tender, loving kids, says Liufau, who has chronicled her journey on social media. The twins will get me a blanket whenever I need one. We have lots of hugs and cuddles.

She is already raising the children to do practical tasks that other mothers not on borrowed time might teach their kids when theyre older.

Leyla and Clover independently bake cookies and brownies and even cook vegetables. They relish snuggling up to her and have learned how to do her favorite hobby of crochet.

Before the muscles on her hands fully succumbed to ALS, Liufau has made a point of crocheting a giant woolen turtle toy for each child.

Theyre a work in progress, but she has already recorded comforting messages on a tiny microphone which can be activated inside them because she knows that her vocal cords will inevitably fail.

If they wake up in the night, they can squeeze their turtle and hear me say how much I love them and that Im watching over them, she says.

As for Dan, Liufau calls him her angel on earth. She says she doesn't need or expect grand romantic gestures from him. Something as simple as him getting her dressed in the morning or putting pillows behind her head before going to work exemplify his devotion.

Liufau's diagnosis came not so much as a shock but as confirmation of her deepest fears.

Liufau with her four children on a trip to the store

'Were making the most of the time we have left together, she says. Still, there are moments of intense emotion. Clover recently blindsided her by suddenly asking Liufau whether she was going to die. She recalls, I said, Yes, but we dont know how soon.

Clover said, It seems like a lot of people with ALS die. And I said, "Yes, its incurable and so I will pass away.'

Then Clover asked if her father would get remarried. According to Liufau, I looked her in the eye and said, I hope so." It was true. I want him to live a full life.

In the meantime, she says, as her health deteriorates, she spends the time she has left making precious memories.

It was one of the reasons she commissioned last year's touching family photo shoot. She sat in her motorized wheelchair  which she tells the children is her 'big girl's chair  wearing a flowing pale green dress adorned with white magnolias.

Dan and the kids wore coordinating outfits. There were smiles and laughter, she says.

The photographer said she would be honored to take the single portrait for her obituary.

I know people might expect me to want to be pictured as the woman I once was, standing and walking tall, Liufau says.

But life is fragile and my story isnt just about who I was before ALS, its about who I am now.
It was almost time for school but my mother Bernadette Quirk was asleep in bed.

'Come on, coats on,' I said to my younger sister Catherine and brother Chris. 'You don't want to be late.'

I was only 14, but it was my job to look after Catherine, four, and Chris, three.

My stepfather Karl worked long shifts as a nurse. My mother worked at the same hospital as a care assistant. But when she wasn't working, she would go out drinking with different boyfriends.

And while she was drunk and having affairs, it was left to me to do all the housework and look after the younger children.

We had no money at all. The house was filthy.

Chris would scurry out early in the morning to steal milk from the neighbours' doorsteps. I would take soap from the school bathrooms to wash our clothes.

I knew it was wrong, but we had no choice.

Life with my mother Bernadette (left, with me on the right) was tough. We never had any money and I had to take care of my younger siblings

My mother (right) just didn't seem to care about us. Often our gas and electric would be cut off for weeks on end. We had no refrigerator, no cooker, no hot water

My mother just didn't seem to care. Often our gas and electric would be cut off for weeks on end. We had no refrigerator, no cooker, no hot water.

School welfare workers called to check on us, but we didn't let them in because Mum told us not to.

One Christmas, we had to cook the whole Christmas lunch on a dilapidated sandwich maker. It was horrible - yet none of us dared to complain.

Soon Karl left and life got even worse. The rubbish piled up everywhere. Poor Catherine didn't even have a bed.

When I was 15, I met my first boyfriend and fell pregnant. Mum was unsympathetic.

But as my bump grew, I began to look forward to my new baby. I was already acting as a mother anyway.

Then, five months into the pregnancy, I went into labour. Early one morning, I woke up bleeding heavily.

Later that day, I gave birth to a little boy, named John. He lived for just half an hour before passing away. My heart broke as he took his last breath.

Me (left) and my sister Catherine (right) kept our mother's dark secret for years - but we never could have imagined the depths of her depravity

But it was so beautiful to be a real mother, even for such a short time.

I struggled to cope after the death of my son. Nobody seemed to care. Mum never even mentioned it.

I kept myself busy, looking after Catherine and Chris, and trying to keep the house tidy.

One morning, in November 1987, I went into Mum's room to clean and found a large bloodstain on the carpet.

'I had a nosebleed,' she told me.

I didn't think any more of it.

The following year, I fell pregnant again. In December 1988, I gave birth to a little girl, Natalie.

I didn't want to leave Catherine and Chris. But we had no running water and it wasn't a suitable place to bring up a baby.

So I got my own place, just around the corner. I still saw them most days.

When Natalie was three, I had a second daughter, Samantha.

I adored my children, and I made sure that they were well looked after. I didn't want them to suffer as I had.

Yet despite everything, I kept in touch with Mum. It was as if she had a sort of hold over me. I couldn't explain it.

Mum continued to drink heavily. Sometimes, she would put on lots of weight. Then, almost overnight, she'd lose it all again.

'Are you pregnant?' I asked her once, half-joking. She shook her head.

My own weight yo-yoed, so it made sense that my mother was the same. Besides, she always wore big, baggy clothes, so it was hard to see what shape she really was.

On New Year's Eve 1997, we went to a family party. As usual, Mum was drunk, holding court, surrounded by a group of men.

'She's so embarrassing,' Catherine said under her breath.

Later, she took me aside.

'Mum's telling people she's pregnant,' she said. 'Did you know?'

I just rolled my eyes and we both laughed.

Everyone knew what Mum was like. She told so many lies, she just couldn't be trusted.

But a few months later, in May 1998, Catherine called me, sobbing hysterically.

'What's happened?' I asked.

In between gasps for breath, Catherine told me there had been a bad smell in the house. 'Mum told me it was rotten bacon,' she said.

But the stench was so bad that, when our mother went out, Catherine had decided to investigate.

'I went into her bedroom and the smell was in her wardrobe,' she sobbed. 'I found a shiny red bin inside. And inside the bin, there was a baby.'

I was stunned into silence. I collected Catherine and we sat in the car together.

'It was a dead baby,' Catherine repeated. 'I put my hand inside the bin and I felt a baby's head.'

We were both in shock.

I thought back to the New Year's Eve party, when Mum had told friends she was pregnant. I knew I had to confront her.

Leaving Catherine at my house, I drove back to Mum's.

I was shaking, terrified, as I faced her.

'What have you done?' I asked. 'Have you had a baby?'

'Yes, I have,' she replied. 'It was stillborn. It's upstairs.'

Calmly, she explained she'd had a baby girl and named her Helen.

'Please let me bury her,' I pleaded. 'She deserves a decent burial. You can't just leave her upstairs.'

She shrugged her shoulders.

When I returned the next morning, as planned, Mum emerged from the house, carrying a canvas bag. She threw it in the back, as if it were a bag of shopping.

As she got into the car, a sickening stench hit the back of my throat.

I drove to St Helens Cemetery where my great-grandmother and my baby son were buried.

I dug a shallow grave with my bare hands, while Mum watched in silence. Passers-by hardly gave us a second look. They presumed I was planting flowers.

When the hole was ready, I laid the canvas bag gently in the ground, and covered it with earth.

When I got home, I was violently sick. I knew what I had done was so terribly wrong - and yet I felt I had no choice.

If I reported the death, Mum would go to prison. And despite everything, I didn't want her to be locked away.

I was so frightened of her, too. I dreaded to think what she might do if I went to the authorities. I was frightened for Catherine and Chris, and for my own children.

Catherine and I found it hard to live with the burden of our secret.

Together, we cried for the little girl that we would never know, but Mum carried on as if nothing had happened.

The years passed.

Catherine left home and had three children of her own.

In 2007, Mum moved house. Catherine and I helped carry boxes and unpacked.

We were both in disbelief when we spotted the red bin in which we'd found Helen. Mum wouldn't let us near it and told us she used it to store books now.

The months passed, but the image of the red bin niggled away in my mind.

'I need to report Helen's death,' I confided in my friend Julie. 'I can't live with this.'

But I was worried that Catherine and I might get into trouble, because we'd kept the secret for so long. I thought of my own children, too. What would happen to them if I confessed?

In August 2009, with Julie's help, I finally picked up the phone and called the police.

After initially thinking I was crazy or drunk, police finally agreed to search Mum's house. And when they had finished, two officers knocked on my door.

'We're arresting you on suspicion of murder,' said one.

My jaw dropped. I had been trying to help - and yet now I was being blamed.

At the police station, I was told Mum and my brother Chris had also been arrested on suspicion of murder.

My solicitor came and told me the officers had found three stillborn babies in the house - one in the red bin, and two others wrapped in bags in Mum's bedroom.

It was like the plot of a sick horror movie  with my own mother as the monster.

Life went on hold while the case was investigated. I didn't see my mother. Only then did I realise just how badly she had failed me.

She had stolen my childhood and left me to bring up my brother and sister. Then she'd watched me bury her baby with my bare hands. I had kept her secret and stayed loyal.

And now Chris and I were mixed up in this horrible mess.

I thought of my own children, of my unconditional love for them, and wondered how any mother could behave so disgracefully.

Eventually, Chris and I learned we would not be charged with any offence. It was a huge relief.

Mum admitted four counts of concealing a birth.

In September 2010, she appeared before Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard that she kept her stillborn babies in a red bin with an air freshener. There was also a fourth baby - the one I knew about - buried in a local graveyard.

She had hidden the bodies for up to 20 years, wrapped in newspaper, sheets and plastic bags.

She said she gave birth to the babies between 1985 and 1995 when her marriage ended and she was drinking heavily - but she could not be more specific than that.

She claimed she had no recollection of the fourth baby, but forensic tests had proved it was hers.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Bickley said my mother led 'a chaotic lifestyle' after the failure of her marriage in the late 1980s, and 'had a number of sexual encounters'.

The court heard she had insisted all the babies had been stillborn and police were unable to prove otherwise.

Tests established three of the babies were girls, but extensive examinations by some of Britain's leading forensic scientists could not establish whether the babies ever lived, or how they died.

DNA tests enabled police to trace three separate fathers. None of them knew Mum was ever pregnant.

After Mum's court case, Catherine and I (pictured) arranged a proper burial for the four babies

In December 2010, she was sentenced to a two-year community order, under strict supervision.

After the court case, Catherine and I arranged a funeral for the four babies at St Helens Crematorium. It was important to us that they were given some dignity and respect at last.

From then on, I no longer wanted my mother in my life.

I will never understand why she hid the births, or why she carried the bodies around like that in a bin. It was utterly inhumane.

Mum died in February 2019. For the rest of my life, I'll strive to be a better mother than she ever was.

My book 'Silent Sisters' is out now

As told to Ann Cusack
I started using ChatGPT in my second year of college, during a very stressful time juggling internships, assignments, studies and extracurricular activities. To ease this burden, I began using it on small assignments. And, little by little, I realized [that it was remembering] details about my writing style and my previous texts. So, I quickly integrated it into everything my work [became] as easy as clicking a button, explains Monica de los Angeles Rivera Sosa, a 20-year-old Political Communications student at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.

I managed to pass the course but I realized that I couldnt remember the last time I had written an essay by myself, which was my favorite activity. This was the catalyst for me to stop using the app, she affirms.

This students view isnt the most common, but its not exceptional, either. More and more students are ceasing to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their assignments. They feel that, with this technology, theyre becoming lazier and less creative, losing the ability to think for themselves.

Ive stopped using artificial intelligence to do my university work because it doesnt do me any good. Last year, I felt less creative. This year, Im barely using it, says Macarena Paz Guerrero, a third-year journalism student at Ramon Llull University in Barcelona. At university, we should encourage experimentation, learning and critical thinking, instead of copying and pasting questions into a machine without even reading them, she adds.

Microsoft recently published a study in which it interviewed 319 workers to investigate how the use of AI tools impacts critical thinking and how this technology affects their labor. The results indicate that AI users produce a less diverse set of results for the same task. This means that workers who trust the machine put less effort into contributing their own ideas. But who delegates work to the machine? And why do they do so?

The workers who are most critical of AI are those who are most demanding of themselves. In other words, the more confident a person is  and the more confidence they have in the tasks they perform  the less they resort to technology. Were talking about overqualified [individuals]... that is, students or workers who stand out for their high abilities and encounter limitations when using AI, says Francisco Javier Gonzalez Castano, a professor at the University of Vigo, in Spain. He has participated in the development of AI chatbots. But for most people and tasks that require repetition, artificial intelligence tools are very helpful, he adds.

When a university assignment can easily be solved by a machine, its not the students problem. Rather, the education system [is at fault], says Violeta Gonzalez, a 25-year-old pianist and graduate student in Pedagogy at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. However, if the assignment requires a critical mindset to be carried out, things change, because AI still isnt capable of doing many of the things that humans can do. A ChatGPT response is a blank canvas to work on. Its nothing more than collected data that we use to decide what to do. On its own, it doesnt contribute anything new.

Despite criticism, generative AI is widely used in universities. According to a recent study by the CYD Foundation, 89% of Spanish undergraduate students use some of these tools to resolve doubts (66%), research, analyze data, or gather information (48%), or even write essays (45%). Approximately 44% of students use AI tools several times a week, while 35% use them daily.

Toni Lozano, a professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, admits that these tools pose a challenge for the education system. [AI] can be helpful for students who want to improve the quality of their work and develop their own skills. [But it] can be detrimental for those who dont want to put in the effort or lack the motivation. Its just another tool  similar to a calculator  and it all depends on how you use it.

There are students who only attend university for the degree, he notes, and others who come to learn. But in any case, I dont think limiting or suspending the use of AI is a good idea. Were increasingly committed to in-person classes and have returned to written exams, he adds.

AI for Critical Thinking

In an age of automation and uniformity of results, fostering critical thinking is a challenge for both universities and technology companies. These institutions are trying to develop generative AI tools that motivate users to think for themselves. They also purport to help them tackle more complex problems and enter a job market thats increasingly influenced by AI. This is evident from the aforementioned Microsoft study and also from recent announcements by the two leading AI companies: OpenAI and Anthropic.

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Edu  a version of its chatbot for students  in May of 2024. Anthropic, meanwhile, launched Claude for Education, a version of its chatbot focused on universities. Claude poses Socratic questions (How would you approach this? or What evidence supports your conclusion?) to guide students in problem-solving and help them develop critical thinking.

When Google first burst on the scene, there were similar claims about it leading to less creativity, less effort and less critical thinking. What are the differences between using the search engine or generative AI to complete a project? There are many, Macarena Paz asserts emphatically. In search engines, you enter the question, consult different pages and structure your answers, adding and discarding what you consider to be appropriate, she details.

Paz explains that shes now opting for other types of search engines, since Google has integrated AI through Overviews: automatically-generated answers that appear at the top of the page in some search results. Instead, she uses Ecosia, which promotes itself as a sustainable alternative to Google, as it uses advertising revenue generated by searches to fund reforestation projects. All the students interviewed for this report expressed concern about the water consumption associated with each search performed with an AI tool.

One of the biggest limitations I find with ChatGPT is that it doesnt know how to say no. If it doesnt know an answer, it makes one up. This can be very dangerous. When I realized this, I started to take the information it gave me with a grain of salt. If you dont add this layer of critical thinking, your work becomes very limited, Violeta Gonzalez explains. [ChatGPT] selects the information for you and you lose that decision-making ability. Its faster, but also more limited, she clarifies. Critical thinking is like an exercise. If you stop doing it, your body forgets it and you lose the talent, Monica de los Angeles Rivera Sosa warns.

Monica de los Angeles Rivera Sosa, student, pictured in downtown Barcelona, on April 14, 2025. Gianluca Battista

Furthermore, it has its limitations. In the case of programming, we must differentiate between coding and programming. Generative AI is ideal for automating thousands of specific tasks executed with a single line of code but it still shows significant limitations when it comes to solving complex and original problems, Toni Lozano adds. In the case of the humanities, it can write a report or an email appropriately and correctly, but its unable to write in its own style. A way of writing with the ChatGPT tone is already becoming established. Again, this is the problem of standardization.

People have never been as educated as they are now. But do we all really need to be hyper-educated for the system to work? Francisco Javier Gonzalez asks. Obviously not. AI is likely to reduce some skills that arent as necessary as we think. There was a period in ancient times  Im not saying it was better  when only a few monks had critical thinking skills. In five years, it wont be necessary to learn languages. [At that point], something will be lost, he admits.

There are scientific studies that confirm the negative impact of generative AI on memory, creativity and critical thinking. Before generative AI entered our lives, the American writer Nicholas Carr already warned of the epistemological impact of the internet: Once, I was a scuba diver in a sea of words. Now, I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski, he writes, in the opening pages of The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains (2011). As our window onto the world  and onto ourselves  a popular medium molds what we see and how we see it and eventually, if we use it enough, it changes who we are, as individuals and as a society.

If generative AI makes us less original and lazier, removing our critical thinking skills, what impact will this have on our brains? Will we all have the same answers to different questions? Will everything be more uniform, less creative? Only time will tell. But as we wait for the future to speak, this is what ChatGPT says: The advance of generative artificial intelligence poses a disturbing paradox: the more it facilitates our thinking, the less we exercise it.

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When Dr Matthew McKay's son was killed, he grieved the loss of his voice and presence - until something extraordinary happened that he believes is proof of an afterlife.

Jordan McKay was just 23 when he died. A recent University of California Santa Cruz graduate with a degree in economics, he had a promising career in animation and post-production, helping build 3D environments for an upcoming Bruce Willis thriller.

He lived with his girlfriend in San Franciscos Richmond District and dreamed of using his talents to fight environmental injustice in the developing world.

But in the early hours of September 17, 2008, Jordan was biking home through the Panhandle after a late shift in Berkeley when, just after 1:40am, he was robbed by three individuals and shot at an intersection - likely for his bicycle.

Bleeding and desperate, Jordan went door to door, knocking, pleading for help. No one answered. He died alone on the sidewalk. His killer was never found.

For his father, a clinical psychologist trained to trust only what could be measured and proven, the loss was devastating and unexplainable. McKay had no framework for the grief consuming him, nor for what would happen next.

Months later, he traveled to Chicago to meet Dr Allan Botkin, a former VA psychologist who had developed a controversial therapy called induced after-death communication (IADC) adapted from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and used to treat trauma. There, McKay says, he heard Jordans voice again.

Botkin instructed him to recall the moment he learned of Jordan's death, guiding him through a series of eye movements. When the session ended, Botkin said, 'Close your eyes. Let whatever happens happen.'

Clinical psychologist Dr Matthew McKay has spent the last 16 years exploring the afterlife after the murder of his son, Jordan

Jordan was shot and killed while biking home through San Francisco in 2008. His killer was never found

McKays first breakthrough came during an IADC session in Chicago, when he says he heard Jordans voice again

At first, there was only silence. 'A distant panic starts, that I have come all this way for silence,' McKay writes in his book. 'That my beautiful boy is unreachable; I will never hear from him again.'

Then, he says, came a voice.

'Dad Dad Dad Dad. Tell Mom I'm here. Don't cry it's okay, it's okay. Mom, I'm all right, I'm here with you. Tell her I'm okay, fine. I love you guys.'

For McKay, it was unmistakably Jordan's voice - his tone, cadence and presence. He claims it was not imagined and not metaphorical. 'It was very clear that it was not inside my head he was there, he was communicating,' he says.

That moment shattered everything McKay thought he knew about consciousness, death and grief.

In the 16 years since Jordan's murder, McKay has devoted his life to exploring the afterlife, convinced that what he experienced was real.

His latest book, Seeking Your Loved One on the Other Side, set for release on September 9, chronicles this extraordinary journey of grief, healing and what he believes is irrefutable evidence of life after death.

He says the inspiration came directly from Jordan, who he claims outlined the premise for the book during a five-minute conversation from beyond the grave.

For McKay, fatherhood didnt end with death - he says his son continues to guide him from beyond

'Seeking Your Loved One on the Other Side,' out September 9, 2025, chronicles McKays journey from grief to what he calls 'absolute evidence' of life after death

A psychologist for 47 years, McKay has long specialized in trauma and anxiety. He's developed therapies, trained clinicians and opened low-cost mental health clinics.

But after Jordan's death, he began bridging psychotherapy with spirituality - blending clinical work with something far more personal: his ongoing connection with his son.

'Anyone who loses a child - it's the worst thing that could ever happen,' he said.

The immensity of that loss drove him to seek answers, not just about where Jordan was, but whether their bond could still exist.

Initially, McKay turned to mediums, but their one-way communication left him cold. What he longed for next was dialogue. IADC was the breakthrough.

Through the late psychologist Ralph Metzner, McKay learned channeled writing using breathbased meditation to enter a receptive state and allow Jordan's responses to appear spontaneously.

'I'm not looking for an answer,' McKay says. 'The words just show up for me. They're very clear, very distinct.' The information often surprised him, especially when Jordan shared knowledge McKay had never encountered before.

What sealed the feeling he describes as authenticity for him was Jordan's voice, his sense of humor, his phrasing, and the physical sensations McKay claims to have felt when the channel opened - a tingling at the crown of his head, a current of energy running through him.

Over time, McKay says their conversations became routine. Beyond personal comfort, Jordan continues to play an active role in McKay's life. The doctor claims his late son offers guidance in therapy sessions and intervening when McKay is about to 'say something really stupid or hurtful.'

The 23-year-old was gunned down for his bike just steps from his apartment in San Franciscos Richmond District

Police believe he was targeted for his bicycle (pictured)

He has even appeared in dreams of McKay's clients, offering insight and support.

One of Jordan's most profound revelations, McKay says, is the nature of reincarnation, and how our souls evolve through multiple lives.

McKay claims Jordan told him his soul has already reincarnated as a 12-year-old girl.

But that part of his soul - what Hindu mythology calls the 'Atman' - remains in the spirit world, still able to communicate.

'Souls are at different levels of development,' McKay says. 'Some are just early in their incarnation cycle. We can call them young souls, they're in the grammar school of growth. And other souls have had hundreds of incarnations, a huge amount of experience and learning, and carry a great deal of wisdom.

'We don't remember all our past lives. We don't remember the people in our soul group. We're stripped of all that so we can grow and learn from each life. But when you return to the spirit world, you remember everything, you have access to all of it. You understand how the spirit world works. And you understand the nature of God, which is very different from what I was taught as a Catholic.'

That nature of God, McKay says, was one of the most startling revelations he got from communicating with Jordan.

'We're in an interesting paradox,' he says. 'We are individual souls with individual personalities and things that we're learning - but also we are part of "All," simultaneously.'

He compares it to bees in a hive. 'The bees go out and collect honey, which is wisdom and knowledge, and then they bring it back to the hive. That's what we do. We spend our lives learning, and everything we learn we take back to the afterlife, to the spirit world, to all of consciousness.'

McKay claims Jordan outlined the entire structure of the book in five minutes, 'as if he was dictating from the other side'

Pictured: Cyclists gather for a bonfire tribute to Jordan McKay at Ocean Beach on Tuesday September 30, 2008

McKay continues: 'All of our experience and everything we learn becomes something that God learns. Which is very different from the Catholic version of God as perfect and unchanging. Jordan says, "No, no, no - Allah, or God or whatever we want to call it - is actually growing and evolving all the time." And we, as individual souls, are what allow it to do so.'

McKay claims that Jordan also described the 'landing place,' where newly departed souls arrive. It's a liminal space made of energy - familiar, comforting and sometimes confusing since he said thoughts there are able to take form.

Guides and counselors help the soul adjust and begin healing from the trauma of death or unresolved experiences from past lives.

The key to that healing, McKay claims Jordan told him, is love.

'Focus on love,' he says Jordan advised. 'It opens the channel.'

While McKay's wife hasn't experienced direct auditory contact with Jordan, she claims to have had her own 'very direct' and 'profound' moments of connection, which McKay fully respects.

As for science, McKay believes it must expand. He cites the late Dr Michael Newton's research with thousands of people under hypnosis and Dr Ian Stevenson's work on children who remember past lives as serious, empirical studies that shouldn't be dismissed.

'What we need to do is see them as observations of phenomena that we need to learn about,' he says.

Though Jordan's mother (right) doesnt practice IADC or channeling, shes experienced moments of connection she says are unmistakable

Still, he acknowledges that skepticism lingers, both within the world and within himself.

'You always have doubt  at least I've had doubt. You know, like, what is this? Is this all serving an illusion of somebody that I've created for myself in order to hold onto some sort of relationship that no longer exists?' McKay says.

'There's some doubt sometimes. But I've had so many experiences where he said things that blew my mind - things I didn't know or understand - and he was opening up a whole world to me. He's talked about analysis, knowledge, how things really work. He's just taught me so much. It's absolute evidence to me that he's there, and that this relationship exists.'

Now, McKay sees his son as both companion and guide - no longer a child, but a wise soul who's walked ahead.

'There's no separation between the living and the dead,' McKay says. 'That's what Jordan came back to show me. And it's what I believe he wants others to know too.'

'Seeking Your Loved One on the Other Side' by Dr Matthew McKay is published by Park Street Press and is out September 9, 2025.
Shes swiftly become one of the most talked-about women in Australia thanks to her relationship with billionaire tech mogul Mike Cannon-Brookes.

Yet, despite the growing public curiosity, very little is known about Amelia Beaumont.

It is well-known that Mr Cannon-Brookes has been quietly dating since his separation from wife Annie, which became public two years ago.

But the identity of his latest love interest has only recently come to light. Reports suggest he and Ms Beaumont have now been together for the past year or so.

With her Facebook account deleted and few personal details available online about the Sydney-based tech worker, public intrigue only continues to grow.

Now, the Daily Mail can share previously unseen images showing a markedly different side of the woman who has captured the heart of Australias wealthiest eco-entrepreneur and whose old look was so distinctive, she is almost unrecognisable.

Photographs from a Cancer Council media campaign, taken during Ms Beaumonts two-year tenure as a digital project officer beginning in 2017, show her wearing a sharply styled inverted bob, reminiscent of the so-called Karen cut.

Another campaign, promoting meat-free living, features Ms Beaumont in an avant-garde photoshoot, posing with protest-style slogans draped across her, such as NO MEAT MAY and END FACTORY FARMING, perhaps offering a glimpse into her eco-conscious past and endorsement of plant-based living.

Amelia Beaumont presents a stark contrast to Annie Cannon-Brookes, who shares four children with the Atlassian co-founder

Amelia Beaumont has captured the heart of Australias richest eco-entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes

In 2023, she attended the Archie Party, the exclusive annual event at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

There, posing beside a portrait of actress Claudia Karvan, Ms Beaumont appeared in a black mini dress and thoughtful expression, her former blunt bob of her Cancer Council days replaced by a softer look.

Ms Beaumont currently works for Sydney payments technology platform Payable, and her career has included roles with several companies in recent years.

Last week, the couple returned from a romantic getaway to Fiji and were seen sharing a kiss upon disembarking Mr Cannon-Brookes grey and aqua Bombardier 7500 private jet.

In less than a year, his jet has flown more than 440,000km across four continents and 43 airports, the equivalent of flying to the moon and part of the way back.

His globetrotting itinerary reads like a billionaire's bucket list: European capitals, American national parks, luxury Pacific resorts and high-octane Formula One events.

According to flight data, the jet has spent more than 531 hours in the air over 309 separate days since last September, totalling nearly 22 full days of flying time.

Analysts estimate the carbon emissions from his flights would be the equal of powering a town of 2,400 homes for a year.

Images from a Cancer Council media campaign, taken during Ms Beaumonts two-year tenure as a digital project officer beginning in 2017

In 2023, she attended the Archie Party, an exclusive annual event held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

Ms Beaumont contrasts with Ms Cannon-Brookes, who shares four children with the Atlassian co-founder.

Ms Cannon-Brookes was working as a fashion designer when she first met her future husband in the Qantas lounge at Sydney Airport while travelling home to Michigan.

They married in January 2010 but were involved in a serious car accident just months before their separation.

Both made a full recovery, and the incident was unrelated to their split.

The couple are now going through a high-profile divorce, reportedly negotiating assets worth $25 billion, including an extensive portfolio spanning Sydney and the Southern Highlands.

According to Domain, Mr Cannon-Brookes recently purchased three properties on the slopes of Mount Gibraltar at Mittagong for $12.25million.

He also owns nearby Greyladyes Farm, bought for $13million, and an adjoining property valued at $9.1million.

Earlier this week, Mr Cannon-Brookes made headlines when Atlassian announced 150 customer service and support roles would be cut, with some tasks set to be replaced by AI.

Images from a past photoshoot endorsing a plant-based living offer a glimpse into her eco-conscious past

The lay-offs were communicated in a pre-recorded video sent by Mr Cannon-Brookes and bluntly titled Restructuring the CSS Team: A Difficult Decision for Our Future.

Staff reportedly received no prior warning and waited 15 minutes for email confirmation after the announcement, at which point their laptops were immediately locked.
An obscure 1970s sci-fi novel  packed with graphic depictions of teenage sex slaves, breeding clinics, and aristocratic rapists  is suddenly one of the most talked-about books on the internet.

Conspiracy theorists have drawn eerie parallels between its disturbing plot and Jeffrey Epstein's real-world sex trafficking ring.

The book in question, Space Relations: A Slightly Gothic Interplanetary Tale, published in 1973 by Donald Barr  a former headmaster of a New York City prep school and father of Trump-era Attorney General Bill Barr  has found itself at the heart of a tangled web of online controversy.

Fueling the speculation is the fact that Donald Barr, a former CIA officer, once served as headmaster at the prestigious Dalton School on the Upper East Side, where Jeffrey Epstein taught in the mid-1970s, despite lacking a college degree.

Though Donald Barr had stepped down by the time Epstein was hired, conspiracy theorists have seized on the timing, the lurid novel, and his son Bill Barr's role in Epstein's 2019 death in custody  as proof of a sinister connection.

'The Internet is abuzz with many bizarre theories,' reviewer Justin Tate posted on Goodreads about the 250-page book, which is now being sold online for as much as $4,000 a copy.

'Some read Space Relations like it's the Da Vinci Code, with hidden clues that might even reveal who killed Epstein. Others marvel over loose connections between Barr's plot and Epstein's crimes.'

What has most stunned readers is how eerily similar the fictional universe is to the real-life sex trafficking empire run by Epstein, who abused scores of underage girls in New York, Palm Beach and his now-infamous private island.

Jeffrey Epstein landed a job in the 1970s at an elite Manhattan prep school despite lacking qualifications

The school's headteacher Donald Barr wrote a book about an aristocratic sex trafficking ring, decades before his son Bill Barr became Attorney General

The plot of Space Relations follows John Craig, an Earth diplomat captured and enslaved on a distant planet called Kossar, where the ruling aristocracy maintains a brutal regime of sexual domination and forced breeding.

Craig ultimately becomes a servant to Lady Morgan Sidney, a sadistic elite described as having 'high breasts and long thighs', and is compelled to rape a teenage slave girl as part of an intergalactic breeding clinic.

Critics have called the book 'cheesy', 'bad writing' and 'incredibly creepy'  but that hasn't stopped a cult following from forming among collectors, conspiracy theorists, and critics of America's ruling class, who say the novel reads more like a disturbing prophecy than fiction.

Just one year after Space Relations hit shelves, Donald Barr was headmaster at Dalton.

In 1974, Epstein, then a college dropout in his early 20s with no teaching qualifications, landed a job there teaching math and physics.

His brief stint at the school is widely seen as the springboard for his later social climbing  and grooming.

It's never been definitively confirmed that Donald Barr personally hired Epstein. But it's that foggy link  between the bizarre content of the novel, Epstein's inexplicable employment, and Bill Barr's involvement decades later  that has sent the internet into a frenzy.

Following Epstein's death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in August 2019, then-Attorney General Bill Barr promised a full investigation, calling the circumstances a 'perfect storm of screw-ups'  including non-functioning security cameras and asleep guards.

He ultimately accepted the ruling of suicide, despite widespread doubts and calls for deeper scrutiny.

Recently, conservative YouTube host Tucker Carlson featured a segment exploring the connections, interviewing controversial history podcaster Darryl Cooper, who called the coincidences 'very strange and unacceptable'.

Cooper questioned Bill Barr's motives for dismissing Epstein's death as a 'suicide before they'd finished the investigation.'

Donald Barr,a CIA officer-turned teacher, dreamed up an intergalactic sex trafficking ring for his 1973 sci-fi novel

Donald Barr's son, Bill, came under fire for his handling of the Epstein suicide investigation when he was President Donald Trump's Attorney General in 2019

Donald Barr and Epstein both worked at this elite Manhattan prep school in the 1970s

Epstein's brief stint at the school is widely seen as the springboard for his later social climbing

'It could all be a coincidence, but the odds are against that,' said Cooper.

The claims have been debunked by fact-checkers, including Snopes, which labeled the theories 'mostly false.'

There is no proof Donald Barr, who died in 2004, played a role in Epstein's hiring, nor are there strong similarities between the fictional interplanetary sex ring in Space Relations and Epstein's real-life criminal enterprise.

Still, for a novel that once gathered dust on the back shelves of second-hand bookstores, Space Relations has found a strange second life  not as science fiction, but as the focus of one of the strangest conspiracies of the post-Epstein era.
The FBI received a warning about the Oklahoma City bombing seven months before the 1995 attack took place, but failed to act on the tip-off, a new book reveals.

Officials at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were told by an informant that an attack was coming and that the Oklahoma City federal building was among the targets.

The source, Carol Howe, had impeccable credentials and had infiltrated a white supremacist compound which had ties to Timothy McVeigh, who carried out the deadly truck bombing, which killed 168 people and injured around 700.

But according to Blowback: The Untold Story of the FBI and the Oklahoma City Bombing, by journalist Margaret Roberts, the federal government ignored the intel, allowing McVeigh to carry out his evil plot.

She says the FBI hushed up Howe's story after the bombing because it contradicted their own narrative that McVeigh was a 'lone wolf'.

In fact he had significant links to white supremacist groups who could have been to blame, writes Roberts, a former news director of the true crime TV series America's Most Wanted.

The bombing was, at the time, the deadliest terrorist attack on US oil and remains the third most serious by loss of life.

On April 19, 1995, McVeigh parked a rented Ryder truck in front of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in downtown Oklahoma City.

The FBI is alleged to have ignored a tip warning them about the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people after a domestic terrorist blew up a federal building with a truck bomb

The perpetrator, Timothy McVeigh, was arrested days later and authorities argued that he had acted alone, but new book Blowback has now disputed that narrative

It was packed with fertilizer, diesel fuel and other chemicals and exploded just after 9am, carving out a massive chunk out of the building.

Among the dead were 19 children.

McVeigh, a former Army soldier, was arrested days later with prosecutors arguing he acted alone.

But Roberts claims that this was not the case and in fact a witness could point to disturbing links to a group of white supremacists.

In her book she said Howe had infiltrated a white-supremacist enclave called Elohim City, on the Oklahoma/Arkansas border, after being taken there by Dennis Mahon, a member of a group called the White Aryan Resistance.

She was undercover in Elohim City for eight months leading up to the bombing and after falling out with Mahon  she claims he sexually assaulted her  the ATF offered her $120 a week to spy for them.

Howe became known as CI-183 and spied on Mahon and others who were suspected of illegal firearms and explosives crimes.

Known as 'The Blonde Nazi', Howe later said she filed between 50 and 150 written reports to her ATF handler, Angela Finny, in exchange for cash payments and expenses.

Author Margaret Roberts claims the FBI ignored the informant's warning after the bombing because it contradicted the bureau's narrative that McVeigh was a 'lone wolf'

The bombing was at the time the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on US oil and remains the third most serious by loss of life

Dozens of cars were incinerated and more than 300 nearby buildings were damaged or destroyed

Rather than McVeigh acting alone, the plot Howe uncovered involved what she called 'The Big Three' white supremacists in Elohim City: Mahon, who is currently in federal prison for another bombing, convicted bank robber Michael Brescia and his roommate Andreas Strassmeir, a German national who DoJ tried to interview about the bombing, but found he had returned to his homeland. German authorities refused to make him available without a guarantee he would not face the death penalty.

In September or October 1994 Howe told her handlers that the three men wanted to 'blow up federal buildings'

Roberts writes: 'The bomb plot was already entering its decisive phase. According to Howe, the terrorists had developed a list of three potential bombing targets including Oklahoma City's Murrah Building.

'Howe said the conspirators made three separate scouting missions there in 1994 and 1995 including one accompanied by Mahon and Strassmeir in December 1994'.

Howe knew of McVeigh by his alias 'Tim Tuttle' and that he operated a 'satellite cell' outside of Elohim, which he had visited more than once in 1994 including at a Ku Klux Klan rally.

In yet another twist, McVeigh called Elohim City asking for Strassmeir on April 17, 1995, the day the bomb truck was rented in Kansas.

The FBI is said to have been given another warning about the bombing five days before it happened but again did not act, Roberts writes.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department's dispatch chief received a phone call from the FBI on the Friday before the bombing, warning of a possible terrorist threat.

The book delves into the theory that rather than McVeigh being the mastermind behind the plot, he could've been a 'satellite figure'. He was executed by lethal injection in 2001

Roberts calls Howe's testimony 'astonishing' and points to the involvement of up to 20 domestic terrorists in the bombing.

But all of these lines of inquiry were shut down as McVeigh was portrayed as the sole suspect.

Rather than being the 'mastermind', McVeigh could have been a 'satellite figure who followed orders as a good soldier', Roberts writes.

Howe's story was due to be reported by ABC News but the TV network allegedly worked in 'cooperation' with the Justice Department and 'suppressed the biggest news story of that year'.

'The fix (was) in', Roberts writes.

Howe had been prepared to testify at McVeigh's trial but Judge Richard Matsch of Federal District Court in Denver refused to let her do so.

Instead she was put on trial on charges she threatened to blow up buildings in 15 cities: she was acquitted.

McVeigh was executed by lethal injection in June 2001 at the age of 33.

Two of his accomplices, Michael Fortier and Terry Nichols, were charged and jailed over the bombing but Roberts argues that the plot went far beyond them.
A mother and her 11-year-old daughter were killed in a head-on crash after an illegal immigrant allegedly drove drunk into oncoming traffic in New Jersey.

Raul Luna-Perez, 43, a Mexican national living in the US illegally has a long rap sheet and two DUI arrests in just the last four months together with multiple arrests for drunk driving, domestic violence, and hit-and-run.

Luna-Perez had been living illegally in Red Bank since early 2023 and was able to remain free under New Jersey's sanctuary policies.

On the night of July 26, police say Luna-Perez's speeding SUV veered into the wrong lane in Lakewood and smashed into a Nissan Sentra carrying 42-year-old Maria Santos Pleitez and her daughter Dayanara Cortes, killing them both and critically injuring another child.

He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto after his speeding Dodge Durango slammed into Pleitez's car.

Pleitez was killed instantly. Dayanara, who had been sitting beside her in the front seat, died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The surviving passenger, Dayanara's friend, was in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable.

Luna-Perez and two passengers in his vehicle walked away with minor injuries.

Maria Santos Pleitez, 42, and her 11-year-old daughter Dayanara Cortes, left, were killed after a speeding SUV driven Raul Luna-Perez, 43, crashed into their car after crossing into their lane

Raul Luna-Perez, 43, a Mexican national living in the US illegally has a long rap sheet and two DUI arrests in just the last four months together with multiple arrests for drunk driving, domestic violence, and hit-and-run

According to authorities, Luna-Perez showed signs of intoxication at the scene and had his blood drawn at the hospital.

Formal toxicology results are pending, but prosecutors say additional charges could be filed once they arrive.

The tragedy has triggered a furious backlash from the Trump administration and immigration officials, who are blaming New Jersey's sanctuary policies for allowing a man with multiple prior arrests to remain at large.

'Governor Murphy and his sanctuary policies released this serial criminal into New Jersey communities,' said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

'Now, this innocent family is shattered by their failed leadership. President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to do everything in their power to remove these criminal illegal aliens before they destroy more lives.

'Every crime committed by an illegal alien is 100 percent preventable - they should have never been in our country to begin with,' added White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.

'This tragedy underscores how dangerous sanctuary jurisdictions are and how critical it is to deport criminal illegal aliens from the country. President Trump is committed to fulfilling the mandate he was elected on: deporting criminal illegal aliens and making America safe again.'

The horrific crash occurred at the intersection of Cross Street and Hearthstone Drive in Lakewood around 11.20pm as Pleitez was driving with her daughter and her daughter's friend to a local Wawa to get milkshakes.

Pleitez, a native of El Salvador who immigrated to the US 24 years ago, leaves behind a surviving second daughter and a devastated extended family

'She was the head of the family, and she was bringing up her two daughters,' her niece, Maria del Carmen Pleitez, told the New York Post.

'She had her own apartment, her own place, and she never asked for help for anything. She was just such a hardworking woman.'

Pleitez, a native of El Salvador who immigrated to the US 24 years ago, leaves behind her surviving daughter and a devastated extended family now scrambling to raise funds to return the bodies to El Salvador for burial.

A GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than $30,500.

Records show Luna-Perez had a years-long history of brushes with the law including a 2008 arrest for disorderly conduct, a 2023 domestic violence charge, and a hit-and-run.

He was also arrested twice for driving under the influence this year alone - once on March 20, and again on April 17, yet was able to remain free.

Despite his extensive rap sheet, Luna-Perez was never turned over to immigration authorities and remained on the streets thanks in part to New Jersey's status as a 'sanctuary state', a designation made official in 2018 under Governor Phil Murphy's administration.

That year then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued the Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricted local police from sharing immigration information with federal authorities and barred them from asking suspects about their immigration status.

Luna-Perez is now being held at Ocean County Jail in Toms River on an active ICE detainer. But Maria del Carmen Pleitez, Pleitzez's niece says deportation isn't enough.

'I don't believe that's fair. I feel they have to try him here, and bring justice to him here,' she told The Post.

New Jersey prosecutors have refused to discuss Luna-Perez's immigration status, citing state disclosure laws however Governor Murphy released a statement to the Daily Mail.

The Governor believes that Mr. Luna-Perez, who has been arrested multiple times for DUI and domestic violence, should not have been allowed behind the wheel and should have already been deported due to his previous dangerous criminal activity,' said Mahen Gunaratna, a spokesman for the governor.

Red Bank itself is not officially a sanctuary city, but in 2017 it passed a resolution declaring its support for undocumented immigrants.

Trump officials are pointing to the tragedy as a vivid example of what they say is the danger of progressive immigration policies that protect repeat offenders.
Shocking photographs show what appears to be a homemade bomb wrapped in cellophane, reportedly recovered from the bedroom of a California man accused of supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, 28, was arrested Friday morning and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization - a felony offense that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

His arrest comes after federal agents with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force recovered knives and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device inside his Long Beach home.

According to officials, the bomb-like device, discovered in his bedroom, was packed with ball bearings, wrapped in cellophane, and wired with red and black electrical cords.

The horrifying discovery came as investigators also uncovered disturbing messages Villanueva, a lawful permanent U.S. resident originally from the Philippines, exchanged with individuals he believed to be ISIS fighters.

According to court documents, the 28-year-old used social media to communicate with two individuals who identified themselves as ISIS fighters.

During these communications, Villanueva discussed his desire to support ISIS, and offered to send money to the ISIS fighters to support their terrorist activities, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

He expressed a desire to join their ranks, writing, 'It's an honor to fight and die for our faith. It's the best way to go to heaven,' and later adding, 'Someday soon, I'll be joining.'

What appears to be a homemade bomb wrapped in cellophane (pictured), was reportedly recovered from the bedroom of Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, of Long Beach, California, who has since been accused of supporting ISIS

Villanueva allegedly told one of the individuals he believed to be ISIS fighters that he possessed a bomb and knives, which authorities recovered from his home on the 3000 block of Caspian Avenue in Long Beach, California (pictured)

Villanueva also allegedly told one of the individuals that he possessed the lethal weapons - a bomb and knives - which authorities later recovered from his home on the 3000 block of Caspian Avenue.

Prosecutors added that the Long Beach resident sent a total of 12 payments, amounting to $1,615, over a five-month span using Western Union, to two intermediaries who accessed the funds overseas.

'Villanueva is alleged to have financially supported and pledged his allegiance to a terror group that targets the United States and our interests around the world,' Patrick Grandy, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said.

'Thanks to the proactive efforts by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI and our partners safely arrested Mr. Villanueva today and prevented further support and spreading of ISIS ideology.'

Villanueva was also found to have asked one of the individuals back in February if the money he sent would 'cover your equipment and your weapons'.

'Supporting a terrorist group, whether at home or abroad, is a serious risk to our national security,' Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said.

'We will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies.'

Following his arrest, Villanueva's neighbors expressed shock at his 'unexpected' behavior, describing their neighbor as quiet and unassuming.

According to officials, the bomb-like device (pictured), discovered in his bedroom, was packed with ball bearings, wrapped in cellophane, and wired with red and black electrical cords

Following his arrest, Villanueva's neighbors expressed shock at his 'unexpected' behavior, describing their neighbor as quiet and unassuming. Pictured: Heliodoro Becerra, a neighbor of Villanueva's

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said federal authorities 'will aggressively hunt down and prosecute anyone who provides support or comfort to our enemies'

'I don't know what to think. It's kind of scary,' Heliodoro Becerra, a neighbor of Villanueva's told KTLA. 'You see your neighbors, but you don't see what they're doing inside their house.'

Although federal authorities allege Villanueva believed he was speaking with ISIS fighters, some experts warn that he may have been communicating with undercover agents.

'There is nothing in the criminal complaint that makes it clear he was actually talking to ISIS,' Hal Kempfer, a retired Marine intelligence officer, told KTLA. 'He could very well have been talking to law enforcement working undercover online.'

Still, Kempfer emphasized the continued risk posed by individuals self-radicalizing from their homes.

'You probably wouldn't notice a neighbor who is self-radicalizing online at night,' he said.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, with assistance from Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force continues to investigate.

Villanueva appeared in a Los Angeles court after his Friday arrest, where he was ordered to be held without bond.

ISIS, also known as ISIL or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is a Sunni jihadist group with a particularly violent ideology that calls itself a caliphate and claims religious authority over all Muslims. Pictured: ISIS fighters celebrate on a vehicle in the city of Mosul

His arraignment is scheduled for August 15 at the Roybal Federal Building.

ISIS, also known as ISIL or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is a Sunni jihadist group with a particularly violent ideology that calls itself a caliphate and claims religious authority over all Muslims, according to RAND.org.
Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi has had full prison privileges restored for 'good behaviour' - despite an alleged brutal attack on guards in April.

That reportedly means that he will be able to use the gym again and spend more time outside of his cell, The Sun reported.

Other perks as a result of his regime being upgraded from 'basic' to 'standard' are believed to include additional canteen credit and more cash to spend on phone calls - and even a better TV package.

A source told the newspaper: 'They do that when someone behaves and it makes a huge difference to how comfortable the inmate's life is.

'He'll get Freeview TV with about 25 channels, can afford better food and won't be in his cell as much.

'Naturally he is cock-a-hoop about it but many of the officers who look after him are less than happy  especially considering what he did to their colleagues.'

Abedi was ordered to serve a record 55-year minimum term for helping his brother Salman Abedi carry out a bombing at the Manchester Arena in 2017.

The blast killed 22 people, many of them children, with more than 1,000 left injured.

Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi, 28, is accused of attacking three prison officers with cooking oil and makeshift weapons at HMP Frankland, County Durham in April

HMP Frankland in Durham, where Abedi is accused of brutally attacking prison guards in April this year

Abedi is seen with a smile on his face moments before the horrific alleged attack unfolded

The terrorist also reportedly attacked three warders with burning cooking oil and a makeshift blade at HMP Frankland, County Durham on April 12, leaving them with what were described as 'life-threatening' injuries.

Despite the severity of his original offence, Abedi was given privileges including being allowed to cook for himself in a prison kitchen.

He was reportedly able to fashion two 20cm blades from a baking tray.

Abedi is said to have dashed out of the kitchen just before lunchtime clutching the weapons and a pan of boiling oil which he flung at the nearest three prison officers he encountered on a landing.

One male officer was then stabbed in the neck, with the blade coming close to severing an artery, reportedly leaving the victim 'just millimetres' from death.

Another male officer was stabbed at least five times in the back, puncturing a lung.

One of their female colleagues was also injured. The boiling oil is said to have left victims with third-degree burns.

As a result of the alleged attack, Abedi was moved to HMP Belmarsh, where he has been barred from having any contact with lags under 18 due to fears he will attempt to radicalise them.

Salman Abedi, Hashem's brother, at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017 where he detonated a homemade bomb

A composite showing the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 which Abedi helped to plan

An undated handout photo issued by the Manchester Arena Inquiry of Hashem Abedi, one of those responsible for the terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in May 2017

A file photo issued by Greater Manchester Police of Salman Abedi on the night he carried out the Manchester Arena terror attack

As a result of the alleged attack on prison guards in April, Abedi was moved to HMP Belmarsh (pictured), where he has been barred from having any contact with lags under 18 due to fears he will attempt to radicalise them

Prison authorities are concerned that could encourage other prisoners to carry out attacks of their own, a source told The Sun.

That raises the question of why Abedi's regime has been relaxed if officials still believe he is an active threat.

Following the alleged attack, justice secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the use of tasers will be trialled by guards in UK prisons.

She also previously said the Prison Service will investigate whether front line staff should be given protective body armour.

It comes after union bosses called for officers to be given stab vests and protective equipment, arguing the incident shows 'how dangerous our job is'.

The move is response to a dramatic rise in assaults on prison staff, which hit 10,605 in the year to December - a rise of 13 per cent.

The Ministry of Justice declined to comment. The prisons minister has been approached for comment.
Lucy Letby wept repeatedly in the arms of a close colleague as she tried to cope with allegations that she was harming babies in her care, a powerful TV documentary will reveal tonight.

She had been banned from nursing and sidelined in a backroom job after hospital consultants suggested she was 'purposely harming babies'.

At the time, one senior nurse expressed shock at the claims, saying Letby's clinical practice as a neonatal nurse was 'second to none'.

She was often accused of being cold and unfeeling during her trial for murder. But she was in fact devastated by the accusations against her, according to Karen Rees, former head of urgent care nursing at the Countess of Chester Hospital where she worked.

The bitter, tearful scenes followed suggestions made by consultants at the hospital that Letby was doing harm. 'She was broken, cried regularly in my arms and in my office, and her mantra to me was, 'Why are they doing this to me? I've done nothing wrong',' said Ms Rees.

The show also reveals another friend was so sure of her innocence that she sought permission from the authorities to invite Letby to her wedding while she was on bail.

Letby was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others.

She was sentenced to die in prison. But since then there has been a growing clamour among expert doctors, scientists and statistics experts, who say her trial was unfair, that there are serious doubts about prosecution evidence and that the case should be reopened.

Lucy Letby was devastated by the accusations against her, according to Karen Rees (pictured), former head of urgent care nursing at the Countess of Chester Hospital where Letby worked

Letby (pictured) was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others

Letby (picturd) was sentenced to die in prison. But since then there has been a growing clamour among expert doctors, scientists and statistics experts, who say her trial was unfair

Tonight's programme describes how the nurse had believed she had good working relationships with the consultants who denounced her. She was devastated that they thought what they thought.

Ms Rees, in her first TV interview, revealed she was given the task of breaking the bad news to Letby that she was being removed from the job she was trained for  the care of newborns  and confined to a humiliating desk job in a back office.

Letby had to pretend to colleagues that this was her choice. Ms Rees said: 'I was told just to say that concerns had been raised, and that this was seen as a neutral act.

'She was not being accused of anything at this point. But it seemed safer to take her off clinical practice to protect herself as well as babies on that neonatal unit.'

As she was led away from the unit where she had worked, Letby did not even question the decision. 'She was just looking at me,' added Ms Rees. 'I then had to walk her across the hospital grounds. I was the only one making conversation. She wasn't asking me why. She wasn't crying. She was just shocked.'

But, said Ms Rees, she cried a lot later. Eventually, after police became involved, Letby was prescribed antidepressants which often suppress moods and emotions. She told her trial in May 2023 she was still taking them and that she had considered suicide at the time she was removed from her job.

Ms Rees recalled how Letby once told her: 'You're the only person that hasn't asked me, 'Have I purposely harmed anybody?'.'

She said: 'The reason why I never asked her is that I never thought she had. No. I didn't, I don't believe it.' Her revelations are one of several dramatic moments in the documentary Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt? to be shown on ITV this evening.

Ms Rees (pictured), in her first TV interview, revealed she was given the task of breaking the bad news to Letby that she was being removed from the job she was trained for  the care of newborns  and confined to a humiliating desk job in a back office

Pictured: the moment Letby was arrested at home in Chester on July 3, 2018

Also interviewed for the show is Dawn  who did not wish her surname to be used. She is a close childhood friend of Letby who has stood by her despite her conviction and is convinced of her innocence.

The programme reveals she is so sure that Letby is blameless that she invited the accused nurse to attend her wedding while she was on bail.

Dawn also undermines claims that scribbled notes found in Letby's house were any sort of confession. She reveals that, at sixth form college together, both trained in peer-support counselling and learned of a common method to deal with anxieties  to write down your worst fears and feelings.

'If you're feeling overwhelmed, you write down everything that's going through your mind,' she said. And this is what Letby did when undergoing counselling arranged for her by the hospital. Dawn recalled her reaction when she learned her friend was being accused: 'I watched it all unfold and every step of the way I couldn't believe it.'

In her darkest moments she wondered if Letby had perhaps inadvertently caused harm, because she was newly-qualified and under heavy pressure. But that was the limit of what she could believe.

Dawn was at work when she heard the guilty verdicts and said she could not take them in.

'I sat there dumbfounded for a while, not really knowing how to process what I was hearing. I didn't think it was real. I immediately switched to thinking what happens next? This can't be it, she can't just spend the rest of her life in prison. I'm living a life that Lucy should be living beside me.

'We should both be having families. We'd both bought our houses, and we were looking forward to the next chapter of our lives  and then all this happens. There's so much guilt that I'm living a life that Lucy should also be living.'

Also interviewed for the show is Dawn  who did not wish her surname to be used. She is a close childhood friend of Letby who has stood by her despite her conviction and is convinced of her innocence. Pictured: Dawn and Letby

Dawn (pictured) was at work when she heard the guilty verdicts and said she could not take them in

Lucy Letby at the wedding of Dawn, a close childhood friend who was so convinced of Letby's innocence that she arranged for her to be there

Dawn also undermines claims that scribbled notes (pictured) found in Letby's house (pictured) were any sort of confession

The striking loyalty of a lifelong friend and a senior colleague are not the only elements of the programme, produced by Anouk Curry, which will shake the beliefs of many in Letby's guilt.

It also provides a devastating counter to prosecution claims that babies on the unit were poisoned with insulin.

Many on the prosecution side viewed this as the nearest they had to a 'smoking gun' in a trial which lacked any hard evidence.

The 'immuno-assay' test used to make this claim was useless for the purpose, according to Matt Johl, an American expert in chemistry and forensic science.

'That kind of test was never meant to put somebody in prison,' he said. 'You would not strip a gold medal from an international athlete on an immuno-assay test.

'It's not good enough for drug testing pilots, or anyone who has mandatory testing. If it's not good enough to fire them, how can it be good enough to put someone in prison?'

It also probes the strange contradictions among witnesses. Dr Dewi Evans changed his mind about how Letby was supposed to have killed, when the facts failed to back up his original theory. And Dr Ravi Jayaram did huge damage to Letby's case with his account of her allegedly failing to act to help a sick baby.

It was even wrongly claimed she was caught 'virtually red-handed' in this incident. Dr Jayaram's version of events was exploded in an email which surfaced long after the trial.

Letby's new barrister Mark McDonald (pictured) is shown in the documentary being questioned outside the CCRC offices in Birmingham by the Daily Mail's Liz Hull, who has covered the case from the beginning

Yet he had said in a TV interview that the incident was 'etched on my memory and would live in my nightmares forever'. The programme is aired as the Crown Prosecution Service considers the possibility of fresh charges against Letby.

The case has been put before the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which has the power to order an appeal  the courts have so far refused to hear one.

Letby's new barrister Mark McDonald is shown in the documentary being questioned outside the CCRC offices in Birmingham by the Daily Mail's Liz Hull, who has covered the case from the beginning.

Mr McDonald admits to camera that, despite the involvement of some of the most distinguished doctors in the world, who say no crime was committed, an appeal may yet be refused on a technicality  that the objections to the guilty verdict could have been raised at the original trial, so it was not the court's fault that things went wrong.

He asks: 'If they dismiss this evidence, to say 'Well, it could have been called at trial... she's innocent but we are not going to take any notice of it because they could have done that, so we will let an innocent person stay in prison'  well, what is the logic of that?'

Professor Neena Modi, a leading expert in the care of newborn babies, concludes: 'It's been deeply disturbing that one can have such a high profile and tremendously important trial that seems to have been conducted with so many flaws.'

PETER HITCHENS: Still convinced of her guilt? Watch this brick-by-brick dismantling of the police case

This is old-fashioned, high-quality responsible broadcasting. It is what television was invented for. It is the kind of thing which makes us better citizens.

Very seldom will you see an argument so fairly, fluently and powerfully made. Lucy Letby's case must surely now be reopened, especially after the contribution of Professor Neena Modi, one of this country's most distinguished experts in the care of newborns.

She has re-examined the records of the babies who died, and her verdict is devastating. You will wonder what the jury might have concluded if they had heard her testimony.

Is there in fact another explanation of the babies' deaths? Might they have survived in a better hospital? Is it almost too upsetting to speak it out loud?

Before the spike in deaths which led to the suspicions growing round Ms Letby, the Countess of Chester Hospital had been required to take cases which it was not really equipped or staffed to cope with.

Professor Modi says problems could have been recognised earlier and 'perhaps for some of the babies the outcomes might not have been what they were'. She describes her discoveries as 'harrowing' and 'deeply distressing'.

She concludes 'This was a neonatal unit that was being required to look after babies who should not have been cared for there. The babies that we are referring to were all extremely vulnerable.

'Some of them were demonstrably and recognisably on a knife-edge. Others could have been recognised to have been on a knife-edge. But they were not monitored appropriately and not treated appropriately.

Letby (pictured) in happier times before she was found guilty of murder over the deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital neo-natal unit.

Pictured: the Countess of Chester Hospital where Letby worked

'Problems went unrecognised until the point at which a baby deteriorated very abruptly... so that the babies might not have died had their difficulties been addressed earlier.' If this is so, why is Lucy Letby in prison until she dies?

The documentary does not ignore the misery and distress of the bereaved parents. Especially striking is the role, as a sort of guide, of The Guardian's Northern Editor Josh Halliday, who sat through the entire, gruelling Letby trial.

Josh still looks haunted by what he heard, and beautifully expresses the grief at the core of the whole case  the families who lost their babies. He speaks of 'the empty car seats, the unpacked hospital bags, the nurseries at home that would never get slept in... You could really feel the anguish and the destruction that it caused in their lives. It broke families apart. It was just shocking and awful'.

Josh started by accepting the prosecution case, but now has serious doubts. He describes his reaction after a panel of internationally renowned doctors concluded no crimes had taken place and so Ms Letby could not be guilty of them: 'It was like two worlds colliding. It was just jaw-dropping.'

And any viewers who have so far been convinced of Ms Letby's guilt may feel the same way as they watch the brick-by-brick dismantling of the police case.

Josh also eloquently recalls the astounding moment in the trial when Ms Letby's original defence offered no expert witnesses to rebut the charges against her.

Now such experts have spoken.

l Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt? is on ITV1 at 10.20pm
US President Donald Trump last night confirmed that two US Navy nuclear submarines are 'getting closer to Russia', dramatically escalating tensions between the two countries.

Mr Trump ordered the submarines, packed with nuclear warheads, towards Russian waters after an online spat with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev  now deputy chairman of Russia's National Security Council  who said: 'Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war.'

The sabre-rattling came after Mr Medvedev wrote on social media platform Telegram that Russia could invoke 'Dead Hand'  a doomsday program with the ability to automatically launch a nuclear counterstrike against major US cities, even if Moscow and President Vladimir Putin are wiped out.

Mr Medvedev wrote: 'As for the talk about the 'dead economies' of India and Russia, and 'entering dangerous territory'  maybe he should recall his favourite movies about 'the walking dead,' and also remember how dangerous the so-called 'Dead Hand', that does not exist in nature, could be.

'He should remember two things: 1: Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2: Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe [a reference to former President Joe Biden] road!'

Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: 'Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions. Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.

'A threat was made so we have to be very careful. We're going to protect our people. He's entering very dangerous territory!'

On Friday, in an interview with cable channel Newsmax, Mr Trump added: 'The subs are getting closer to Russia. We always want to be ready. I want to make sure his words are only words and nothing more than that.'

US President Donald Trump (pictured) last night confirmed that two US Navy nuclear submarines are 'getting closer to Russia '

Mr Trump's has given a deadline of August 8 for Vladimir Putin (pictured) to declare a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine

Last night the White House, Pentagon and Downing Street refused to comment on the escalating tensions, which come just days before Mr Trump's August 8 deadline for Putin to declare a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine.

The US President has vowed to impose 'devastating' sanctions on Russia and her closest trading partners if his demands are not met.

A source close to the President told the MoS: 'Trump is running out of patience with Russia. He promised to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office and clearly that has not happened.

'Now he's threatening to impose sanctions if Putin doesn't declare a ceasefire and come to the negotiating table to discuss peace.'

While the location of the subs is unknown, the US Navy has 71 nuclear-powered submarines in its fleet, all of which can travel thousands of miles without resurfacing.

By comparison, the Russian Navy fields fewer than 30 nuclearpowered submarines. Military experts said Mr Trump will most likely have deployed two Ohio -class vessels.

Each is armed with up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles that can deliver multiple thermonuclear warheads with a range of up to 7,000 miles.

Sources last night told the Washington Post that Russia is 'seeking clarity' from America about Mr Trump's 'actions and intentions', with Russian officials scrambling to assess the significance of the subs' deployment.

The guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) transits the Suez Canal in Egyp

RIA Novosti, a state-controlled news agency which has been called 'Putin's mouthpiece', confirmed it had sent enquiries to the White House, Pentagon, US Central Command and the National Security Council, but had not received a response.

Mr Trump's dramatic doubling down came after the deadliest Russian air strike on Kyiv this year, when 31 people were killed in a single missile strike on an apartment block in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Five children, the youngest aged just two, were among the dead.

Mr Trump called the air strike 'disgusting' and announced he was sending his special envoy Steve Witkoff to the region to try and negotiate a ceasefire.

Russian lawmaker Viktor Vodolatsky said there are enough Russian nuclear submarines in the high seas to tackle the two American subs.

'The number of Russian nuclear submarines in the world's oceans is significantly higher than the American ones, and the subs that US President Donald Trump ordered to be redirected to the appropriate regions have long been under their control,' he said yesterday.

'So no response from the Russian Federation to the American leader's statement about the submarines is required.'

Retired US Marine Colonel Mark Cancian called Mr Trump's announcement that he had sent subs steaming towards Russian waters 'highly unusual'.

He said: 'This is signalling in its purest form.'

Others urged restraint, saying Mr Medvedev does not speak for Putin.

An unarmed Trident II D5LE missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming

Oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, now a Putin critic living in London, said: 'When you see his [Mr Medvedev's] latest apocalyptic tweet about turning European capitals to dust, remember: this isn't strategic communication from the Kremlin. It's the rambling of a man drowning his terror in vodka.'

The exchange of nuclear threats and references to Cold War-era systems evoked echoes of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the closest the world has come to full-scale nuclear war.

The 13-day crisis occurred after Fidel Castro overthrew the US-backed government and aligned his new regime with the Soviet Union.

President John F. Kennedy said US spy planes had spotted Soviet nuclear missile installations and threw a blockade around Cuba, even as Russian ships carrying additional warheads steamed towards the island, 230 miles off the tip of Florida.

Nuclear bombers on both sides were put on round-the-clock alert, provoking terror in the US with schoolchildren being taught what to do in a nuclear attack.

Soviet President Nikita Khrushchev eventually backed down and turned his ships around.

He agreed to remove the nuclear missile installations in Cuba, in return for the US not invading the island.

Mr Trump has spoken of his admiration for JFK, saying: 'He made the Soviets blink first.'

A source said: 'Whether this latest move leads to a breakthrough with Putin remains to be seen.'
Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to another prison under cover of darkness after being bombarded with death threats from rapists and murderers who accused her of being a snitch, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The convicted sex offender was moved from Tallahassee Federal Jail in Florida to cushy low-security Bryan prison camp 100 miles outside Houston, Texas, amid fears she would be killed.

The move  which has been condemned by Maxwells victims  came after the disgraced socialite spent two days speaking to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche about more than 100 men connected to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, including Prince Andrew.

Epstein died in jail in 2019  his death was ruled a suicide but many, including his brother Mark, believe he was murdered  before he could be prosecuted on multiple child sex charges.

During a nine-hour interrogation with Mr Blanche, Maxwell was grilled about men including Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Bill Gates and several billionaires.

The source said: As soon as Ghislaine spoke to the government she was considered a snitch by other inmates at Tallahassee. There were very real and very credible threats on her life. The prison had dangerous inmates serving time for serious crimes like rape and murder.

Tallahassee has not had a permanent governor in some time and is chronically under-staffed. She has faced death threats before but after meeting with the government she was bombarded with them. She had a target on her back.

There were real fears inside Tallahassee that they could not guarantee her safety, which is why she was moved.

Ghislaine Maxwell was (pictured) moved from Tallahassee Federal Jail in Florida to cushy low-security Bryan prison camp

A drone view captures the Federal Prison Camp, a lower security facility where the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said Ghislaine Maxwell has been transferred to continue serving her 20-year sentence

Maxwell was moved early on Thursday morning in a two-car convoy that drove for 16-hours straight to Bryan, Texas (pictured)

Maxwell was moved early on Thursday morning in a two-car convoy that drove for 16-hours straight to Bryan, Texas.

She was not shackled during the drive and stopped once for a toilet break in Louisiana.

It is unprecedented for a convicted sex offender such as Maxwell  sentenced to 20 years  to be moved to a minimum-security facility like Bryan, nicknamed Camp Fed.

The source explained: There is a different class of people at Bryan so she is less likely to be attacked. It is an all-female facility.

'These are non-violent, white-collar criminals. It is a professionally run prison camp with a great warden, working cameras everywhere and properly trained staff. She is far safer there.

The source said reports Maxwell was in an honour dorm in Tallahassee and already receiving preferential treatment were untrue.

Bryan prison allows inmates to freely roam its 37-acre grounds which have limited or no perimeter fencing, according to the US Bureau of Prisons website.

Inmates can take part in activities including training guide dogs for the blind, which allows them to keep a puppy for much of the day for socialisation. There are yoga classes and a state-of-the-art gym.

Ghislaine with Jeffrey Epstein who died in jail in 2019  his death was ruled a suicide but many, including his brother Mark, believe he was murdered  before he could be prosecuted on multiple child sex charges

Maxwell will mix with white collar criminals including Elizabeth Holmes, the Silicon Valley fraudster convicted of stealing tens of millions through her now defunct blood-testing company, and Jen Shah, a former Real Housewife of Salt Lake City who was convicted of a telemarketing scam.

The family of Virginia Giuffre expressed outrage over the move.

Ms Giuffre died by suicide in April aged 41. She claimed Maxwell recruited her from the spa at Donald Trumps private Mar-a-Lago club and she was passed her around like a plate of meat for Epstein and his friends to abuse.

In a statement on Friday, Ms Giuffres family said: Trump has sent a clear message today. Paedophiles deserve preferential treatment... Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.

Mr Trumps administration was plunged into a storm after promising to release files on Epstein but failing to do so.

In an interview with Newsmax on Friday he said he will release them as long as they dont hurt anyone. He added: Im allowed to give her (Maxwell) a pardon but, right now, it would be inappropriate to talk about it.

Maxwell was set to testify before Congress on August 11 but it has been postponed while the US Supreme Court decides whether to hear her appeal.
Some say Shanghai began as a crab fishermens market; others claim its first inhabitants came from southern China, fleeing the Mongols. They settled at the old port, where centuries later they built walls to fend off Japanese pirates  walls that, in 1842, did not withstand British cannons. The British consul chose the junction of two Yangtze tributaries to set up his embassy and control the river. For some, that moment marked the citys true beginning. Others disagree, believing the real Shanghai  the one of glass towers and colorful lights  was born in 1992, when the Chinese government launched the construction of the financial district west of the river.

The truth is that few cities have transformed so much and so quickly. From a village of peasants to a colonial enclave, from a revolutionary stronghold to a global port with the third-largest urban GDP in the world, Shanghai has always been at the forefront. Even long before the skyscrapers and high-speed trains, it attracted adventurers and exiles. A refuge for Tsarist Russians, Baghdadi bankers, revolutionary thinkers, and opium smugglers, the Chinese metropolis brought together the most cosmopolitan population in Asia during the first half of the 20th century, eventually becoming a haven for Spaniards as well.

Between the Chinese characters and steamed baos, its streets still offer a glimpse into the most unlikely history: Spanish Shanghai. A neo-Mudejar mansion, luxury cinemas, ballrooms, and the remains of a Basque pelota court hide the hallmarks of a small community that nonetheless left a lasting mark.

Antonio Ramos cinema

In 1865, the first census of foreigners recorded 131 Spaniards  all men. Most were concentrated in the so-called American zone, today the Hongkou district, indicating they were ship crew, military personnel, or merchants of shawls waiting for their next connection to Manila in the Philippines. The record of the first Spanish women dates to the late 19th century, when Spanish families began settling at the mouth of the Yangtze River after Spain lost control of the Philippines.

These Spaniards gathered in Jeronimo Candels store, La Espana, located at 59 North Sichuan Road. Although his millinery shop and grocery store have long since vanished, the surrounding buildings still maintain the Art Deco style that defined the era.

To the north, away from the tourist circuit, in one of the citys best-preserved areas with small antique shops and huntun soup stalls, stands a little Alhambra. At 250 Duolun Road, the lobed arches, geometric details, and blue mosaics seem out of time and place. The horseshoe-shaped building, with clothes drying in the sun and neighbors chatting in the porches, recalls a Mediterranean landscape. A plaque, placed thanks to the Shanghai Cervantes Institute, tells of its former owner: the cinema magnate Antonio Ramos, originally from the Spanish province of Granada.

According to the researcher Juan Ignacio Toro, Ramos arrived in Shanghai after 1899 with the first cinematographs under his arm. He began projecting moving images in tea houses located in the red-light district on Fuzhou Street (which since Maoism has become a cultural avenue with bookstores and shops selling calligraphy and stamps). Unlike his competitors, his films sought to attract a Chinese audience with historical themes, such as the death of Empress Dowager Cixi. His success was resounding.

Shanghai in the 19th century. Pictures from History / UNIVERSAL IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

Next to his summer mansion, built in 1924, the Ramos Apartments one of his real estate investments  also still stand. This residential block with French-style balconies housed Lu Xun, the most influential Chinese writer of the 20th century.

Ramos owned seven movie theaters throughout the city, including the countrys first modern cinema house, the Hongkew. In its place, the government built a promenade honoring the stars and pioneers of what was once the Hollywood of the Far East.

In 1927, at the height of the Chinese Civil War, Ramos set off for Madrid, where he founded the Rialto Theatre on the citys Gran Via avenue. Originally, the cinemas name was a tribute to the distant port where he had made his fortune: Shanghai.

The king of ballrooms

In a city that just wanted to have fun, a Madrid-born architect created the stage for its wildest nights. During the 1920s, Abelardo Lafuente designed houses, renovated hotels and envisioned chapels, but above all, he was renowned for his ballrooms.

The former Hotel Astor  now the Stock Exchange Museum  located at number 15 Huangpu Street, no longer hosts parties, though echoes of the jazz that played more than a century ago still linger. This stately building on the riverbank hides the citys only surviving ballroom designed by Lafuente. With an arched wooden floor designed to mimic the rhythm of the music and a false ceiling that enhanced the acoustics, the dance hall opened its doors in 1917, four years after Lafuentes arrival from Manila.

Interior view of the Hotel Astor. Steve Vidler (Alamy / CORDON PRESS)

Researcher Alvaro Leonardo-Perez, who rediscovered Lafuentes legacy, highlights that the architect introduced the neo-Mudejar style to a city eager for exoticism. Leonardo-Perez  who designed Ramoss mansion and apartments  also left other surviving works, such as the Kincheng Bank (Jiangxi 200) and the Rosenfeld family villa at Dongping 11, where an upscale restaurant now revives the elegance of yesteryear.

Like the cinema entrepreneur, Lafuente was forced to leave the country in 1927 due to clashes between the communists and nationalists. He pursued his career in the United States, but never gained much recognition. A few years later, contemporary reports celebrated his return to the Paris of the East, though shortly after arriving, he died from a lung disease contracted during his journey from California.

The transportation mogul

At night, the lights come alive on West Nanjing Street. But dont be fooled by the shopping centers and luxury stores  theres a building that commands attention. At number 702, the Arabic arches, wooden latticework, and the ornate lettering of its old name  the Star Garage  stand out. Like an Andalusian fantasy, imagined by Lafuente for Albert Cohen, this building was constructed to house rickshaws and rent out the citys first automobiles. Located next to what was once the Jewish club, the garage was one of many properties owned by this millionaire.

Cohen  a Sephardic Jew from Spain  made his fortune with a mode of transportation that embodied the colonial tensions of the time: the rickshaw, a two-wheeled cart pulled by a person. His company, with thousands of uniformed employees roaming the city, monopolized the sector. Cohen was the owner of rental buildings, laundries, and three garages, and its said he even lent his car to the Spanish consul so he could travel around the city in a style fitting of his status.

One of the buildings designed by Abelardo Lafuente. WIKIPEDIA

In A Novelists Journey Around the World (1924), Vicente Blasco Ibanez recounted a dinner at the old consulate (now Huaihai 1431), where he met the three most prominent Spaniards in the city. But the real celebrities were the pelotaris  the athletes who played Basque pelota. They never missed an opening and brought prestige to any party.

Some of that swagger still lingers in the walls of what was once the most popular fronton, a type of court for Basque pelota, the Auditorium at South Shaanxi 132, which still retains its original staircases. Small but prestigious, was how Blasco Ibanez described this Spanish community that, though unlikely, still reveals its history today in the streets of Shanghai.

Lucila Carzoglio and Salvador Marinaro are authors of the Instituto Cervantes Guide to Shanghai and co-editors of Chopsuey magazine.

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A 'Hamas-supporting' illegal Channel migrant who was released early from jail is back behind bars after breaching his licence conditions, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Palestinian Abu Wadee was sent back to prison within days of his release under Labour's scheme to ease pressure on the overcrowded prison estate.

The 33-year-old was initially jailed for nine months at Canterbury Crown Court in May after he was convicted over his illegal arrival in the UK on a dinghy, which he had live-streamed on TikTok.

He admitted one count of attempting to enter the UK without leave or valid entry clearance when he arrived on the crowded inflatable on March 6.

Wadee was arrested by immigration enforcement officers at an asylum hotel in Manchester, three days after he arrived in the UK, after the MoS uncovered a stream of online anti-Semitic vitriol in which he called for the 'death to all Jews'.

Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas, is believed to be from the city of Khan Yunis in Gaza.

Images on social media show him taking part in running battles with the Israel Defence Forces.

He was released from prison in June after serving around three months, including time spent in custody awaiting his plea hearing.

Abu Wadee, 33, who was released early from jail, is back behind bars after breaching his licence conditions - months after uploading a video of himself crossing the Channel to the UK

Wadee's social media is replete with pictures of him posing with a Kalashnikov, an artillery shell and a menacing posse of masked men

The migrant has filmed himself chanting about killing Jews, and previously shared this picture on social media

Sources confirmed Wadee was recalled to prison early last month for breaching his licence conditions.

He will now serve the remainder of his nine-month sentence behind bars. It is not known what prompted his recall to jail.

A 12-month jail term usually triggers automatic removal from the UK, so a court will have to decide whether to deport Wadee.

But he would likely have to be sent to one of the European countries he previously passed through on his journey to the UK, rather than his homeland due to the conflict with Israel making it a warzone.

He has lodged an asylum application in the UK, having previously made similar applications in Greece, Belgium and Germany before crossing the Channel.

Other clips shared by Wadee of his journey to the UK show him sat outside a tent accompanied by other refugees

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said that Wadee can be seen in this image posing with slingshot for hurling rocks

Wadee, seen wearing a Palestinian flag headband, chants his desire is to 'die for Allah'

Wadee is seen here posing with two assault rifles in front of a Palestine flag

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'This shameful episode lays bare a double Labour failure.

'Firstly, their failure to control our borders is allowing people like this hateful extremist into our country.

'And then Labour's early release scheme is allowing dangerous criminals to roam our streets and put the public at risk.'

Wadee is just one of 25,000 migrants to have arrived in the UK in small boats so far this year.
It was re-routed to the other end of the country

An Aussie has slammed Australia Post after their parcel was nearly delivered to their home before being inexplicably sent across the country.

Jay Morgan explained they had ordered a package from Melbourne, when it arrived at a distribution centre in southeast Queensland.

Jay claimed the package was just five minutes away from their home when it was suddenly sent all the way to South Australia.

'I am about to crash out over Australia Post,' Jay said in a TikTok video.

'I had a parcel that was supposed to arrive either yesterday or today. It got to the final stop on Wednesday - the last depot before it gets delivered.

'Why is it now in South Australia? I am in southeast Queensland. This parcel was sent from Melbourne.

'It got through southeast Queensland, like five kilometres down the road from where I live. In what world does this make any sense? Australia Post, what are we doing?'

Jay claimed it made absolutely no sense, as they could've easily picked up the parcel when it was in southeast Queensland.

@jay_morgan16x And suddenly it's expected delivery date is a full week later than it was this morning  original sound - Jay Morgan 

Jay Morgan (pictured with a map of their parcel's trip) vented online after their parcel was re-routed to the other end of the country

'I could have literally driven five minutes down the road and picked it up from the depot yesterday,' Jay said.

'This is really the best that our country has to offer?'

Dozens of commenters were shocked by the strange delivery route and did their best to make light of the situation.

'This is the most efficient way. Obviously,' one joked.

'Australia Post are literally the worst when it comes to delivering packages,' another said.

'It's called Australia Post, it needs to see more of Australia first,' another wrote.

'The parcel decided it wanted an extended holiday,' another said.

Others shared their own Australia Post horror stories.

Dozens of commenters were shocked by the massive detour from Queensland, where Jay lives, to South Australia and shared their own horror stories (stock image)

'Australia Post once shipped my wheelchair to Canada. It was being sent from Sydney to Newcastle,' one wrote.

'This happened to me. It was coming from the Gold Coast to Logan and it went to Adelaide,' another said.

'I had this happen to me last year with a box of diabetes supplies,' another wrote.

'I had the same thing happen to me. Started in Queensland, bounced between NSW and Queensland for three weeks,' another said.

An Australia Post spokesperson said: 'We are keen to look into this matter further and encourage the customer to get in touch with us directly via our website or calling 13 POST (13 7678).'
What started as a routine morning commute ended in chaos - and a lot of sausages - when a tractor-trailer crash in southern Pennsylvania sent thousands of frozen hot dogs tumbling across Interstate 83.

The crash, which occurred around 9:13 a.m. on Friday just south of Exit 8 in Shrewsbury Township, involved at least one tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle, according to the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company.

Four people were injured and transported to York Hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known, however their injuries are non-life threatening, according to state police.

The truck, reportedly hauling more than 1,000 pounds of frozen hot dogs, split open when it scraped along a concrete barrier, spilling its meaty contents across both directions of the highway.

'We heard a loud bang, and then we heard about three more loud bangs,' a nearby business owner told WGAL.

'We knew it was a tire first, blowout here on 83. But then after that, we knew there was some other type of accident because it went on for a minute or two.'

The crash scene quickly became a traffic nightmare - and a spectacle.

Rescue crews clean up a truckload of hot dogs that spilled out of a tractor-trailer on Friday along Interstate 83 in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

The truck, reportedly hauling more than 1,000 pounds of frozen hot dogs, split open when it scraped along a concrete barrier (pictured), spilling its meaty contents across both directions of the highway

The crash scene quickly became a traffic nightmare - and a spectacle. Pictured: Hotdogs line the side of Pennsylvania's Interstate-83

A viewer video shared with WGAL showed vehicles carefully navigating around and over smashed hot dogs as cleanup crews tried to clear the mess.

'We just got a whole truckload of hot dogs,' one person can be heard saying in the clip.

State police said the tractor-trailer suffered a mechanical failure before slamming into a passenger car and the concrete median. The impact tore open the trailer, unleashing its porky payload.

'Once those leave the truck and hit the road, that's all garbage, and it's still pretty warm,' Shrewsbury Fire Company Chief Brad Dauberman told NBC News.

'I can tell you personally, hot dogs are very slippery - I did not know that.'

Cleanup crews, armed with front-end loaders and dump trucks, worked for hours to clear the road.

Twelve barriers were also damaged in the crash and are being assessed by PennDOT, WGAL reported.

A viewer video shared with WGAL showed vehicles carefully navigating around and over smashed hot dogs as cleanup crews tried to clear the mess

Cleanup crews, armed with front-end loaders and dump trucks, worked for hours to clear the road

Photos shared by the fire company showed responders walking past scattered hot dogs, broken boxes, and a mangled trailer

Photos shared by the fire company showed responders in high-visibility gear walking past scattered hot dogs, broken boxes, and a mangled trailer.

As one witness put it: 'This wasn't just a traffic jam  it was a meat meltdown.'

Social media users have since chimed in on the meat-ridden crash, cracking jokes and shedding humor on the otherwise grim afternoon.

'And the driver asked the trooper whose fault it was. The Trooper said: 'I'm going to be frank with you,' one user wrote on Facebook.

'Driver was just trying to ketchup,' another quipped.

'Looks like I-83 got a good weinering.' another joked.

Another wrote, 'Dog on it, there goes my cookout!'

While another chimed in: 'Authorities say dozens of wieners went rogue, and the buns couldnt ketch-up. It was the wurst.'

The impact tore open the trailer, unleashing its porky payload. Pictured: Rescue crews clean up a truckload of hot dogs that spilled out of a tractor-trailer on Friday along Interstate-83 in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

Twelve barriers were also damaged in the crash and are being assessed by PennDOT, WGAL reported. Pictured: Battered boxes of hotdogs line the side of Pennsylvania's Interstate-83

Following the collision, a section of I-83 was shut down in both directions in the areas surrounding the accident (pictured)

Another suggested a clever way to straighten out the mess. 'Bring in the dogs from the local shelter, cleanup complete in 30 minutes. You're welcome.'

Following the collision, a section of I-83 was shut down in both directions in the areas surrounding the accident. One northbound and one southbound lane later reopened, but traffic remained severely backed up into the afternoon.

'This was definitely one of the more unique scenes we've responded to,' Dauberman said. He added that his daughter texted him a photo of a hot dog-themed T-shirt as the incident unfolded.

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash. No citations or charges have been announced.
Criminal gangs who advertise small boat crossings across the English Channel or fake passports online could spend up to five years behind bars under new legislation.

Ministers are looking to create a new offence under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill already going through Parliament in an attempt to crackdown on criminal gangs promoting Channel crossings on the Internet, The Mirror reports.

Under the proposed law, offenders could receive a prison sentence of up to five years and a hefty fine.

Assisting illegal migration is already a crime, but officials hope the changes will give more powers to police to disrupt criminal gangs.

Around 80 percent of migrants arriving to the UK by small boats say they used social media to find someone associated with a criminal gang who could smuggle them into the country.

According to the Home Office, many of those who make the perilous crossings across the Channel are sold a 'false narrative' about their ability to live and work in the UK.

'Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK and a life in this country  whether on or offline  simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral,' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said.

'These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media. We are determined to do everything we can to stop them  wherever they operate.'

Criminal gangs who advertise small boat crossings across the English Channel or fake passports online could spend up to five years behind bars

Ministers are looking to create a new offence under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill already going through Parliament

Anti-migrant protesters take part in a demonstration outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in London, United Kingdom on August 02, 2025

The potential new measure comes the Government announced last week that members of people-smuggling gangs who send migrants across the Channel in flimsy boars will face financial sanctions.

The new powers target smugglers and those who supply them with money and equipment.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the measures are 'the world's first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers.'

Those in breach of the rules can have UK assets seized, be barred from using British banks and be banned from entering Britain.

The government said the new rules are authorised by existing sanctions legislation.

British lawmakers won't get a chance to debate them until they return from a summer break in September.

Keir Starmer has pledged to stop criminal gangs sending thousands of migrants each year on dangerous journeys across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Under the proposed law, offenders could receive a prison sentence of up to five years and a hefty fine. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from an RNLI Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel. Picture date: Wednesday July 30, 2025

Around 80 percent of migrants arriving to the UK by small boats say they used social media to find someone associated with a criminal gang who could smuggle them into the country

A group of migrants run from the beach into the water to reach an inflatable dinghy to leave the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain as tougher migration controls were announced, at the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, July 17,

The Prime Minister has said the crime gangs are a threat to global security

Some 37,000 people crossed the channel in 2024, and more than 22,000 so far in 2025

A migrant tries to board a smuggler's inflatable dinghy in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France on July 29, 2025

The Prime Minister has said the crime gangs are a threat to global security and should be treated like terror networks.

Some 37,000 people crossed the channel in 2024, and more than 22,000 so far in 2025 - an increase of about 50 percent from the same period last year.

Dozens of people have died attempting the journey.
Civil servants are scheduling hundreds of woke events a month in their working hours.

They include listening circles for trans colleagues and allies, music sessions called sapphic sounds and two-hour-long diversity and inclusion sessions.

The meetings are organised by staff networks within government departments. These include diversity groups, environmental and faith groups, as well as culture and history enthusiast networks. Some departments also have networks dedicated to flexible working.

The Cabinet Office said staff networks should not host events during work time.

But many are not following the guidance and the meetings can last for several hours.

In May alone, 200 events and meetings were held across seven government departments  an average of ten per working day, according to documents released using the Freedom of Information Act.

Some events had as many as 100 attendees, while others lasted for up to four hours.

The listening circle for trans colleagues and allies was held on May 7 at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero at 11am for an hour.

In May alone, 200 events and meetings were held across seven government departments  an average of ten per working day, according to documents released using the Freedom of Information Act

Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Taxpayers are sick of seeing staff time wasted on pointless meetings and irrelevant events'

And the Treasurys history network held a 90-minute presentation on May 14 on Wars, fires and pandemics: how events shaped our buildings.

LGBT networks schedule regular events during working hours, including a conversation on lesbian identity and a sapphic sounds music event in April in the Department for Transport.

Another sapphic sounds event was staged in the Department for Education on April 24, and a listening circle following the high-profile Supreme Court judgment on biological sex in the Department for Business and Trade on April 17.

The Treasurys All Ages Network, a diversity group, held a four-hour staff event in May.

Staff networks at the Department for Health and Social Care held the most events in May, with a total of 84. These included an Invisible Women presentation at 10.30am as well as a race equality allyship working group catch up at 4pm.

Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Taxpayers are sick of seeing staff time wasted on pointless meetings and irrelevant events, none of which benefits the Britons paying for them.

The country faces crises in almost every policy area, with illegal immigration skyrocketing, energy bills through the roof and the economy in the doldrums.

Yet pusillanimous pen pushers are devoting huge amounts of their time to ignoring these issues and focusing on their own pet projects.

Ministers need to take on The Blob and demand an unconditional end to events and meetings during working hours.

A Government spokesman said: While departments are responsible for their own networks, it is strongly advised that activity takes place outside of working hours, including in lunch breaks which staff are entitled to as in the private sector.
This week sees the 80th anniversaries of the only two uses of nuclear weapons in war against human targets. The Hiroshima bomb will be commemorated on Wednesday. The Nagasaki bomb will be marked on Saturday.

These actions, though generally believed to have brought the Second World War to an end, remain highly controversial, not least because of the large number of non-combatant civilians who died of appalling injuries.

American military authorities prevented the publication of some pictures of the aftermath for many years.

Some of the scientists involved in developing the bomb regretted it deeply. Albert Einstein, who had urged President Franklin Roosevelt to embark on the research which led to it, later said this was the one great mistake in my life.

But whatever we think now about President Harry Trumans decision to drop two bombs on Japan, such discoveries cannot be undiscovered.

Several countries, including Britain, concluded that the best response was to build their own bombs, so deterring attack by any other nuclear power. This policy has, on the whole, worked.

The 1961 Cuban missile crisis was defused because both Moscow and Washington had the sense to see that a compromise was better than the end of the world. Both backed down.

Since then, most of us have believed that Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) would deter all but the crazy from taking actions which might lead to the use of nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks while visiting the Sevmash Shipbuilding Plant, on July 24, 2025

US President Donald Trump last night confirmed that two US Navy nuclear submarines are 'getting closer to Russia ', dramatically escalating tensions between the two countries

The Russians have developed a grim system known as the Dead Hand, which would deliver a shattering nuclear response to an American nuclear strike, even if the Kremlin leadership were all dead in the ruins of an irradiated Moscow.

It was this which former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev was referring to when he recently taunted Donald Trump over his approach to Russia.

And Mr Trump duly rose to the bait, proclaiming that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions in response to what he called the Russians highly provocative comments.

This is probably bluster. Mr Trumps advisers will have told him that Mr Medvedev is not a significant figure.

And the US Navy always has several of its 12 Ohio-class submarines, equipped with formidably accurate Trident multi-warhead missiles, within striking range of Russia.

Even so, with a war still in Ukraine, it would be unwise to be complacent. MAD may have worked so far but the world is madder than for many years, with Russo-American relations tense, dogged by mutual incomprehension and personally unfriendly.

Mr Trump may be unpredictable and erratic but the root of this problem is Vladimir Putins cruel and lawless aggression, made worse by despicable bombing attacks on civilians.

Mr Trump is right that it must stop, and it is Mr Putin who must stop it. If he does not, who knows where it might lead?

Russia has relied too long on its nuclear strength to limit the Wests response.

The West must now deploy the most severe conventional military, diplomatic and economic means to bring Putin to the negotiating table and to obtain a ceasefire
Labours panic over Reform deepened last night amid fears that big businesses are following voters and increasingly supporting Nigel Farages party.

One Cabinet minister confessed to The Mail on Sunday that many leading companies will now attend Reforms high-profile autumn conference in Birmingham.

It came as Mr Farage insisted yesterday that his own health was fine, dismissing talk that his lifestyle and relentless schedule were taking their toll, and blaming suggestions to the contrary on rumours spread by Labour and Tory rivals because its the last card theyve got.

He joked that he doubted the British Medical Association would hold me up as a pin-up boy but declared: Im feeling good. However, he later admitted that he was trying to moderate with age.

All the parties are currently gearing up for the autumn conference season, with Labours gathering in Liverpool expected to dwarf the Conservative event in Manchester.

Traditionally, conference attendance by major corporate leaders tends to be highest at whichever party is in power, with the official Opposition party reduced to the second-best showing.

But one leading Labour minister privately forecast that Reform was likely to upend that tradition this year, saying all the major businesses they had spoken to had said they would buy a stand at the Reform event in Birmingham.

The minister said: They say they have to.

Labours panic over Reform deepened last night amid fears that big businesses are following voters and increasingly supporting Nigel Farages party, with leading companies set to attend Reform's autumn conference in Birmingham, a cabinet minister confessed to The Mail on Sunday

It came as Mr Farage insisted yesterday that his own health was fine, dismissing talk that his lifestyle and relentless schedule were taking their toll, and blaming suggestions to the contrary on rumours spread by Labour and Tory rivals because its the last card theyve got

The forecasts come after Sir Keir Starmer made plain that even though Reform had only four MPs, Mr Farages party  which is leading in recent polls  was Labours main enemy at the next General Election

'They said that its the polling numbers  its making everyone feel they cant miss it this year.

That has stoked Labour fears over the momentum Mr Farages party is likely to get from the conference season.

One Labour source said: Business leaders want a presence at Reform partly because they are an unknown  they want their teams to get more detail on policy.

The forecasts come after Sir Keir Starmer made plain that even though Reform had only four MPs, Mr Farages party  which is leading in recent polls  was Labours main enemy at the next General Election.

Last night there were claims that Labour in the North West was seeking to hire a campaign worker to help save Cabinet ministers Jonathan Reynolds and Angela Rayner from losing their Commons seats to Reform at the next election.
A seventh suspect has been arrested over a break-in at RAF Brize Norton during which two military aircraft were damaged.

The 22-year-old man was detained on Friday in Bedford on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

The incident saw activists break into the Oxfordshire air base and spray paint on two RAF Voyager planes, causing 7million worth of damage.

Palestine Action, which has since been proscribed under terrorism legislation, said it was behind the incident.

Last month, four people were charged and remanded in custody over the break-in

in June. A 41-year-old woman was released on bail, while a man was freed without charge.

Footage from the incident showed two people inside the base at night. One could be seen riding a scooter up to a Voyager and spraying paint into its jet engine.

Palestine Action also said activists had used crowbars to damage planes.

A seventh suspect has been arrested over a break-in at RAF Brize Norton during which two military aircraft were damaged. pictured: One of the RAF Voyager aircraft that was damaged

Voyagers, described as a 'petrol station in the sky', can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and are used to refuel fighter and compatible heavy aircraft. (File image of RAF Airbus A330 Voyager)

The Government moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws after the group claimed responsibility for the action.

Some 81 organisations have been proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas and al Qaida, far-right groups such as National Action, and Russian private military company Wagner Group.

Another 14 organisations connected with Northern Ireland are also banned under previous legislation, including the IRA and UDA.
Kimberly Cheatle, the former Secret Service director who resigned in disgrace following the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, has suffered a new professional blow after receiving news her security clearance will not be renewed.

The decision by the Secret Service, first reported by RealClearPolitics came after a wave of fierce opposition from Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), who led a sweeping investigation into the agency's catastrophic failures at Trump's July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

'Following the security debacle in Butler, the former director of USSS made the right decision to resign,' Johnson said. 'I see no reason for her security clearance to be reinstated.'

Cheatle, handpicked by thenFirst Lady Jill Biden in 2022, had previously led the agency through what congressional investigators later described as one of the most glaring security breakdowns in presidential protection in modern history.

Trump narrowly survived the July 13, 2024, shooting after a bullet grazed his ear, while a local firefighter, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were wounded in the chaos.

Cheatle stepped down just 10 days later following intense pressure from lawmakers who demanded accountability over a security detail that failed to station an officer on the rooftop where the gunman had positioned himself, among other lapses.

The revocation of her clearance is not only a personal humiliation for Cheatle, but also a stark departure from past practice.

For decades, the Secret Service has routinely renewed security clearances for its former directors, maintaining open channels for consultations on national security issues.

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle who resigned in disgrace following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump has been told her security clearance will not be renewed

Trump narrowly survived the July 13, 2024, shooting after a bullet grazed his ear, while a local firefighter, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were wounded in the chaos

But under new Director Sean Curran, a Trump loyalist and the former head of the president's protective detail, that tradition has now ended.

'Director Curran has been modernizing the intelligence apparatus within the agency,' a Secret Service spokesperson said. 'During that process, he has determined that not all former directors will have their clearances renewed.'

The process to renew Cheatle's clearance was already underway until RealClearPolitics inquired about Johnson's objections. Soon after, the agency seemed to reverse course.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), a Judiciary Committee member who jointly investigated the Butler debacle, offered no sympathy.

'Kim Cheatle disgraced the Secret Service by failing to prevent a horrifying attempt on President Trump's life,' Blackburn said in a statement.

'Not only did she oversee one of the greatest security failures in our nation's history, but she also stonewalled congressional oversight and ran away from my colleagues and me when we confronted her.

'Under no circumstances should she be allowed to regain her security clearance, and it is shameful she would even try.'

On the one-year anniversary of the Butler rally, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), now chair of the Homeland Security Committee, issued a scathing report accusing Cheatle of lying to Congress when she claimed under oath she had not denied requests for increased security for Trump.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), a Judiciary Committee member who jointly investigated the Butler debacle, offered no sympathy at the stripping of Cheatle's access

Under new Secret Service Director Sean Sean Curran, a Trump loyalist and the former head of the president's protective detail, the tradition of allowing security clearances for its former directors has now ended

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is seen covered by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania

On the one-year anniversary of the Butler rally, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), chair of the Homeland Security Committee, issued a scathing report accusing Cheatle of lying to Congress

Cheatle, speaking through her attorney, denied the accusation in a rare public statement.

'Any assertion or implication that I provided misleading testimony is patently false and does a disservice to those men and women on the front lines who have been unfairly disciplined for a team, rather than individual, failure.'

And it appears this may not be the last of it. House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer has said a criminal referral is still on the table.

'If stark evidence of an intentional effort to deceive arises... this Committee will respond,' an Oversight aide said.

'Whether or not Ms. Cheatle's testimony meets the legal definition of misleading Congress, it's clear she failed in her mission leading the agency and appropriately resigned.'

According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in July, the Secret Service received classified warnings about a possible Iranian threat to Trump 10 days before the Butler rally but that intelligence that was never passed to agents securing the site.

The report, commissioned by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), reinforced suspicions that Cheatle's office had treated Trump more like a former president than a current presidential candidate, despite clear evidence that he was a high-value target.

The report, commissioned by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), reinforced suspicions that Cheatle's office had treated Trump more like a former president than a current presidential candidate, despite clear evidence that he was a high-value target

Multiple Secret Service insiders said Cheatle's team had repeatedly denied Curran's requests for additional counter-sniper support and other heightened security assets during the 2024 campaign.

Cheatle's fall is just one part of a much larger shake-up in the US intelligence world under Trump's second term.

Within 24 hours of retaking office, the president signed an executive order revoking the clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials including the now-infamous '51 spies who lied' who had signed a 2020 letter dismissing the New York Post's Hunter Biden laptop story as 'Russian disinformation.'

Among those stripped of access: John Brennan, James Clapper, Leon Panetta, Michael Hayden, and John Bolton.

In March, Trump went further, ordering the suspension of clearances for the Democratic-aligned law firm Perkins Coie, which was central to commissioning the now-discredited Steele dossier during the 2016 election.

A federal judge has since blocked that order, but DOJ lawyers are appealing.

National security attorney Sean Bigley said the revocations reflect a reform that is long-overdue.

'You have all of these former government bureaucrats, who are continuing to have access to the highest level of classified information... and then they can go and take that continued insider access and make themselves a hot commodity in the private sector or on the cable news circuit,' Bigley told RCP.

Former White House counterterrorism adviser under Obama John Brennan, left, Former National Security Advisor to Trump, John Bolton, center, Former United States Secretary of Defense under Obama Leon Panetta have all had their security clearances stripped

'That's not what security clearances are supposed to be used for  it's a fringe benefit that should be pulled.'

Despite Cheatle's ousting, Trump has publicly taken a more tempered tone toward the Secret Service rank-and-file.

'They should have had communications with the local police... So there were mistakes made,' Trump said in an interview last month with Fox News.

'But I was satisfied in terms of the bigger plot... And I have great confidence in these people... They had a bad day. And I think they'll admit that.'

Last month, the agency suffered another embarrassing episode when a Secret Service agent tried to sneak his wife onto an Air Force One flight during Trump's overseas trip to Scotland.
A worker has been fired from his high-paying job after he referred to his non-binary colleague as 'he' instead of 'they'.

The Perth man, 63, claimed wrongful dismissal and the case went to the Fair Work Commission, following an incident in February in which he introduced his younger co-worker at a leadership training course.

It's understood the legal dispute began when the non-binary employee told their older male colleague they wanted to be referred to as 'they', and the pronoun would be written on their name badge.

After the Perth man called his colleague 'he', another colleague corrected him.

The 63-year-old then apologised to his younger co-worker  a biological male who identified neither as a man nor a woman.

Following the exchange, relations between the colleagues remained cordial throughout the training day, The West Australian reported.

The Perth man was later told by his manager that a formal complaint had been made and he was required to submit a written apology.

He refused and it's understood he said no one could be ordered to call a colleague 'they'.

A 63-year-old Perth man claimed wrongful dismissal and his case went to the Fair Work Commission, following an incident in which he called his non-binary colleague 'he' instead of 'they' (stock image)

The 63-year-old later told a Fair Work hearing that if one person had the right to use a particular pronoun, then another person had the right not to.

His decision not to apologise led to further backlash from his younger co-workers, who had sided with their non-binary colleague.

In March, the company launched an investigation, culminating in the Perth man's contract being terminated.

He claimed his dismissal was unlawful, sought legal advice, and shared his intention to take the matter to Federal Court.

The case went to the Fair Work Commission and the man was told he risked being subjected to social backlash if the matter was heard in open court.

He subsequently reached a confidential settlement with his former employer.

The identities of the 63-year-old man and the non-binary employee, and the name of their employer, are not publicly available information, however details of the case were leaked when lawyers discussed the implications of the case.

Lawyers have said there did not appear to be a legal right for someone to be called they or them within the workplace, and it was up to individual companies to dictate pronoun convention.

The Perth man was corrected by another colleague, with the 63-year-old apologising, before a formal complaint was subsequently lodged (stock image)

It is understood that the company who employed the 63-year-old and his non-binary colleague did not have a pronoun policy.

The case is unusual because motivations were not linked with religion.

The Perth man's refusal to submit a written apology was not connected to faith, but to a belief he was being forced into accepting a position on gender politics.
American astrophysicist Claude Canizares says his surname should be Canizares  with an n  like his father, a Cuban doctor who emigrated to France in the 1930s and later settled in the United States.

This scientist is now 80 years old, having spent 50 of those years as an astrophysicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the countrys top universities, where he previously served as director of scientific research and as vice president. Canizares currently co-directs NASAs Chandra X-Ray Observatory Center, which celebrated its 26th anniversary this year. However, the telescopes days may be numbered: Donald Trump is planning to slash the U.S. space agencys budget by a brutal 50%. Canizares is one of more than 300 signatories of a letter published this week warning of the catastrophic consequences of these cuts, which are unprecedented in the countrys history.

Trump hasnt just attacked NASA. He has also targeted the National Institutes of Health (NIH)  the worlds largest biomedical research organization  the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as some of the nations top universities. Hundreds of layoffs and budget cuts are expected, jeopardizing American dominance in global science.

According to a recent study, these cuts will ultimately lead to a decline in the nations wealth similar to that of the Great Recession of 2007-2009. Employees of the aforementioned organizations have also rebelled against these policies, signing open letters. Many of them, however, dont dare to add their names or speak up publicly.

Canizares  who has just become professor emeritus at MIT after a long academic career  says that he no longer fears retaliation. In this teleconference interview with EL PAIS, he explains that the consequences of this attack on science could even threaten the lives of astronauts.

Question. Why did you decide to sign the manifesto?

Answer. Theres a huge amount of undiscovered truth. We  the international scientific establishment  spend a considerable amount of energy trying to prioritize what science gets done, whats the most important [research] and whats the most likely to make significant breakthroughs in all fields of science.

The recent activities in the U.S. have been almost incredibly arbitrary, with no regard to the effect on the whole scientific establishment worldwide.

In the letter of dissent we signed  The Voyager Declaration  NASA scientists warn that these arbitrary cuts even endanger the safety of our astronauts. Its extraordinary to see NASA scientists criticizing their own institution, because many of the signatories are the most knowledgeable about each program. When something like this happens, the government must listen.

Deployment of the Chandra Space Telescope aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, on July 23, 1999. NASA

Q. Is there any precedent for whats happening in the U.S. scientific sector?

A. In my lifetime, its unprecedented.

Q. How would you describe the current situation in the countrys academic community?

A. The attacks, in some cases, really have nothing to do with the quality or impact of the research. Its just a scattergun approach to making a budget, which is hardly the best way.

Q. What other impacts might these cuts have on NASA and other public agencies?

A. [These cuts] will be devastating. First of all, in the workforce: the younger generations who are going to make scientific breakthroughs in the future are being denied the opportunity. And frankly, theyre losing their jobs. [Many young researchers] are going to leave [the U.S.].

[Our country] benefits tremendously from international participants who come to the U.S., get their graduate degrees and then stay on, becoming faculty members at our major universities. The number of [American] Nobel Prize winners who were born outside of the U.S. is very large. But now, [among our] postdoctoral scientists who are very promising, [many] are going back to Europe to pursue their careers because of the uncertainty.

Claude Canizares, astrophysicist, in a file photo. MIT

Q. Is there fear of government retaliation?

A. Yes, its a grave concern. If scientists cant speak the truth, society really isnt in a very good place. Science is all about truth, about facing facts. And yet, universities are under attack.

Theres a big legal battle between our neighbor, Harvard University, and the [Trump] administration. When I was growing up in the U.S., our universities were the crown jewels [of] national security and science. And now, this is all threatened by people who arent taking into account the grave impact that this will have.

Q. Youve known many U.S. presidents. What do you think of Trump?

A. I feel frankly ashamed that the United States would elect someone who celebrates ignorance. People who are experts in their field should be the ones making the decisions about what [scientific research] can be done. We all accept the fact that the budget isnt limitless and that we have to make choices. But lets do it intelligently and not mindlessly.

Q. Is there any hope that the situation can be reversed?

A. Many of my colleagues at MIT and elsewhere are still ready to work with the administration to try to make the best decisions that can be made. One hopes that this doesnt mean just a scattergun approach at budgeting, but [rather] that the priorities of the scientific community are accepted.

[Members of] the scientific community arent likely to become fervent Trump supporters, but they can be helpful in working with the administration to [write] budgets [and] achieve goals without sacrificing the workforce and the scientific breakthroughs of the future.

Cassiopeia A, a supernova remnant, observed by the Chandra Space Telescope. NASA/CXC/SAO

Q. Do you think the Trump administration will agree to sit down and negotiate?

A. I dont know. Its hard to be optimistic at this point. But I hope that [both sides will come to] some compromise. This will be difficult for scientists but organizations like the National Academy of Sciences have reached out and have tried to sit down with administration leaders to see if theres a best outcome that can be achieved.

Q. What would you say to those young researchers you mentioned?

A. Working in science is a privilege. We have the ability to open doors we didnt know existed, to discover new things about how planets and galaxies form, for example. In the last 50 years, our knowledge of the universe has increased at least 1,000-fold. Being able to participate in this is wonderful. I encourage young people  and all those who want to be part of this  to hang in there. Well get through these tough times and science will always progress.

Its the nature of human curiosity to want to discover things like that. It wont disappear. These attempts to make arbitrary reductions in our scientific progress [will fail]. In the end, ignorance will not triumph over truth.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
A magnitude 3.0 earthquake rattled parts of northern New Jersey on Saturday night, with tremors felt across the region - including in New York City - according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake struck at approximately 10:22 p.m. and was centered in Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County.

The USGS reported the epicenter as 0 kilometers northeast of the town, indicating a shallow event likely responsible for the widespread sensation of shaking.

Residents in multiple counties - including Jersey City, Bergen, Morris, and Essex - said they felt the tremor, as did people in Harrison and East Orange, Patch reported.

The shaking extended beyond New Jersey, with reports of movement coming in from parts of New York City and even as far as Westchester and Rockland counties in upstate New York.

New York City residents also reported hearing a boom along with the vibration. The Empire State Building playfully tweeted 'I am fine' after the tremors.

Despite the surprise, no injuries or property damage have been reported as of Saturday night.

Local authorities, including the Paterson Police Department, said they are coordinating with state and county authorities and have urged those affected to call 911 to report any injuries or emergencies.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake rattled parts of northern New Jersey on Saturday night, with tremors felt across the region - including in New York City - according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The shaking extended beyond New Jersey, with reports of movement coming in from parts of New York City (pictured) and even as far as Westchester and Rockland counties in upstate New York

Social media users were quick to respond to the quake.

'I was laying in bed and suddenly there was a rumble, a bang and my bed shook! I thought my furnace exploded,' one user wrote on X.

'I went down to the basement to check it and I could hear all my neighbors gathering outside and that's when we realized it was an earthquake.'

'Felt nothing on LI but my sis was who happens to be in Astoria did! She thought it was the tenant upstairs vacuuming, and it lasted pretty long she said!' another user wrote.

'Felt on Staten Island. Was like a ripple shockwave. Shook my house a bit,' wrote another.

Manhattan resident Jacqueline Bolier was at home in her Upper West Side apartment when she felt the brief tremor.

'My floor - I thought it was going to cave in. My floor has never shook. I thought WTF!'

'I texted my friend in New Jersey and he said, "My entire house just shook and the dogs woke up. Did you just feel an earthquake?" Yes!'

The late-night quake comes just a day after a massive earthquake off the coast of Russia was detected more than 4,700 miles away in Upstate New York, highlighting the incredible reach of seismic waves.

Data from the USGS showed the tremor struck about 84 miles east-southeast of Kamchatska at around 7:24pm EST on Friday.

The quake struck at approximately 10:22 p.m. and was centered in Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County

With a magnitude of 8.8, it ranks as the sixth strongest earthquake ever recorded.

Meteorologist Howard Mange revealed that shockwaves from the megaquake were picked up by a seismometer in Binghamton, New York.

The first waves to arrive were the primary waves, or P-waves, reaching the seismometer about 11 minutes after the initial quake.

These are the fastest seismic waves, traveling in the same direction as the wave itself, similar to sound waves, and are typically the first to be recorded following an earthquake.

These are the fastest seismic waves, moving in the same direction as the wave itself, similar to a sound wave, and are the first to be recorded after an earthquake.

Approximately 22 minutes after the event, the seismometer detected secondary waves, or S-waves. These slower waves move particles side-to-side and cannot travel through liquids.

A meteorologist in New York revealed shockwaves from the megaquake that hit Russia were picked up by a seismometer in Binghamton

Your browser does not support iframes.

Finally, around 36 minutes after the quake, the slowest but often most powerful surface waves arrived in New York.

'These waves travel as a group around the surface of the earth and are usually the largest waves seen on the seismogram,' Mange shared on Facebook.

'The further away the earthquake, the more spread out the surface waves are in time.'

Alex Nikulin, associate professor at Binghamton University, explained that an earthquake that powerful is capable of sending waves around the world multiple times.

'Importantly, they are not felt at that point by humans because you've attenuate out most of the frequencies that would have been felt, but they're felt by sensors.

He told local 12News that 'it was the largest recorded in the region since 1952,' referring to the 9.0 magnitude that hit in Kamchatka, Russia - the same location as the tremor that struck this week.
The St. Louis couple who drew national attention in 2020 for pointing firearms at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home has finally regained possession of one of those weapons after a years-long legal dispute.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, both attorneys, went viral during the summer of 2020 when they were seen armed on their front lawn as demonstrators passed through their private neighborhood.

The couple said they felt threatened after protesters broke through a gate and ignored 'No Trespassing' signs displayed on their private street - no one was hurt in the instance.

Now, five years after the viral spectacle, Mark posted a video to X showing himself collecting the AR-15 rifle from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as he was finally rewarded with the return of the firearm after the lengthy fight.

He wrote: 'It only took 3 lawsuits, 2 trips to the Court of Appeals and 1,847 days, but I got my AR15 back!'

'We defended our home, were persecuted by the left, smeared by the press, and threatened with death, but we never backed down,' he added.

The McCloskeys were initially charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

They later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in 2021 - Mark to fourth-degree assault and Patricia to second-degree harassment - and agreed to forfeit the weapons.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, both attorneys, went viral during the summer of 2020 when they were seen armed on their front lawn as demonstrators passed through their private neighborhood

The St. Louis couple who drew national attention in 2020 has regained possession of one of those weapons after a yearslong legal dispute. Pictured: Mark McCloskey retrieves his AR-15 from the St. Louis Police Department

Five years after the viral spectacle, Mark posted a video to X showing himself collecting the AR-15 rifle from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, writing, 'It only took 3 lawsuits, 2 trips to the Court of Appeals and 1,847 days, but I got my AR15 back!'

However, the couple was pardoned by Missouri Governor Mike Parson shortly thereafter.

In 2024, a Missouri appeals court approved the expungement of those misdemeanor convictions, and under state law, the ruling meant the offenses were effectively erased from the couple's records - paving the way for them to reclaim the confiscated firearms.

'That gun may have only been worth $1,500 or something, and it cost me a lot of time and a lot of effort to get it back, but you have to do that,' Mark told Fox News Digital. 'You have to let them know that you will never back down.'

According to Mark, the AR-15 had been in the possession of St. Louis police, while Patricia's Bryco .380-caliber pistol was held by the St. Louis Sheriff's Department.

He said he expects the pistol to be returned sometime next week.

The firearms were initially ordered destroyed after the couple entered their guilty pleas. However, court proceedings later revealed that both weapons still existed.

Mark sued in 2021 to get the guns back, but his request was denied multiple times.

He eventually prevailed following the expungement ruling last month, which came despite opposition from city attorneys, who argued the couple still posed a threat and cited McCloskey's use of the incident in political advertisements during his unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign.

'That gun may have only been worth $1,500 or something, and it cost me a lot of time and a lot of effort to get it back, but you have to do that,' Mark said. Pictured: Mark McCloskey holding his AR-15 rifle

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, standing in front of their house along Portland Place, confront protesters on June 28, 2020

'Each and every one of us owns a personal responsibility for our freedom and our democratic republic,' Mark said on Friday. Pictured: Mark and Patricia McCloskey

He also noted that the protesters' statements addressed only perceived threats on the day of the incident, not any ongoing danger.

Judge Joseph P. Whyte rejected those arguments, the Daily Mail previously reported, writing in his decision that the court was bound to rule based on the expungement statute and not on political grounds.

He also noted that the protesters' statements addressed only perceived threats on the day of the incident, not any ongoing danger.

The case drew national attention and political reaction at the time, with President Donald Trump and several Republican leaders expressing support for the St Louis natives.

The couple later appeared in a video message during the 2020 Republican National Convention.

'Each and every one of us owns a personal responsibility for our freedom and our democratic republic,' Mark said on Friday.
An Aussie has lashed out at government agencies such as Centrelink for turning away customers to complete their documentation online rather than assist them in person.

Former Big Brother star Estelle Landy said she visited a Births, Deaths and Marriages agent to get help with obtaining her mother's death certificate.

Ms Landy, who has previously worked for Centrelink for 13 years, claimed she witnessed several frustrating exchanges between workers and customers.

'I watched agents systematically not help people in the job they're supposed to do by sending them online and not taking their documentation,' she claimed on TikTok.

Ms Landy couldn't understand why customer service agents were sending people home to fill out their forms online, when the same people would need to return in person with their documentation.

She said she felt forced to step in when she watched one man become upset after an agent refused to help.

'I could see how upset he was so I stepped in and said, '"Hang on, you can do that on his behalf,"' she said.

Ms Landy explained she knew as a former Centrelink employee that agents have the ability to help customers with the online process.

Estelle Landy (pictured) shared her frustration after overhearing a government worker 'refuse to help' a customer who had wanted to hand over documentation

The agent conceded she could help the customer fill out the forms online for him before submitting the necessary documentation.

'Why not do it? You're sending him home to then come in again,' Ms Landy fumed.

'It's a joke that people don't want to help others especially when it's their job.'

Ms Landy claimed the exchanges she observed were 'not uncommon' and that she frequently saw them at government agencies and Centrelink.

Social media users shared their frustration, revealing they also had terrible experiences.

'Centrelink is the worst- they make you feel like a criminal for asking questions. I swear its untenable so people just give up,' one wrote.

'I was in Centrelink a few months back, waiting for ages just to finally get called up and I see a bunch of them just standing around talking/laughing with each other,' another claimed.

'Like dude, people are sitting here for hours waiting but they either send them home to call up or just have to suffer sitting around all day. It sucks.'

The former Big Brother star worked for Centrelink for 13 years as a team leader, with experience training customer service agents (stock image)

A third added: 'Years ago when I was on Centrelink, I went in and they told me to call them. I was like, this is why I'm here, because I can't get through.'

Daily Mail contacted Centrelink and Justice Service Centre for comment.
Prince Harry has denied having a 'physical fight' with Prince Andrew after a bombshell royal book serialised by the Mail claimed punches were thrown when the disgraced Duke of York said something behind his back.

The new biography, called Entitled, claims the Duke of Sussex and his uncle entered a violent altercation during a family gathering in 2013 over 'something Andrew said behind Harry's back'.

In extracts serialised in the Daily Mail on Saturday, and continuing this week, the book's author Andrew Lownie claimed 'Harry got the better of Andrew by all accounts', with Harry leaving his uncle 'with a bloody nose' before their brawl was broken up.

Later Andrew is said to have told Harry his marriage to Meghan Markle would not last more than a month and accused his nephew of going 'bonkers' and not doing any due diligence into her past.

Read the full extract serialised in the Mail here.

Last night, representatives for the Duke of Sussex denied the fight ever happened, adding that Andrew never made the alleged comments about Harry.

A spokesman for the Duke of Sussex told the Daily Mail: 'I can confirm Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make the comments he is alleged to have made about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry.'

In the explosive new biography, Prince Andrew was dubbed 'sex obsessed' and a 'perverted animal' by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan Markle in April 2022) has denied having a 'physical fight' with Prince Andrew after reports punches were thrown when the disgraced Duke of York reportedly said something behind his back

A new book, called Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, claims the Duke of Sussex and his uncle entered a violent altercation during a family gathering in 2013, claims which have been vehemently denied by representatives for the Sussexes

There was even a long-standing rumour of an affair with a household staff member when he was still married to the Duchess of York. One nanny is said to have left because he made unwelcome advances.

However, a family friend also described the prince as 'not very socially adept' and a 'bedroom bore' when it comes to women. 'He's about as subtle as a hand grenade,' said another.

As a young man Andrew was said to be juvenile and fond of sly pranks - and sources said not much changed as an adult.

One friend described him as a 'nightmare to sit next to at dinner', making ghastly jokes about whether the ladies are wearing knickers and 'lavatorial' jokes.

Last night a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex denied the fight ever happened, adding that Andrew (pictured above) never made the alleged comments about Harry

Prince Andrew pictured today with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson heading to Windsor Castle for a walk

At the same time he has a strong sense of of his own position as a senior member of the Royal Family, demanding people call him 'Your Royal Highness' and 'Sir' and insisting people stand up when he comes into the room.

Some aides have been reduced to tears, while another was moved to different duties because Andrew 'disliked a mole on the man's face'.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson was said to have remarked after being forced to dine with Andrew: 'I'm the last person to be a republican but, f***, if I ever have to spend another lunch like that, I soon will be.'
Vladimir Putin bombed a key bridge in the Ukrainian frontline city of Kherson as he defies Donald Trump and seeks major new territorial gains in the war.

Footage shows Russia using two guided bombs to destroy a vital road crossing on the Dnipro River - severing a main artery to the Korabel district of the city.

The bold move forced the district to be evacuated, in a significant blow to Ukraine.

It was yet another strike on its civilian infrastructure by Putin, who is seeking to control the entire Kherson region as a war aim.

Three private homes and a high-rise residential building were also damaged in the strike which took place at 6pm local time on Saturday, officials said. A local resident was injured in the attack, according to local reports.

But Ukraine has hit back at Putin with a major strike on a military-linked oil depot in Sochi, Russia's Black Sea resort city where Putin is rebuilding one of his palaces.

Some 30 huge explosions led to a massive inferno at the facility close to the main airport, which is often used by the Russian dictator.

The Lyutyi long range drones led to major disruption at the airport with more than 50 tourist planes diverted or delayed, and waiting passengers evacuated to an underground bomb shelter.

Footage shows the moment Russia used two guided bombs to destroy a bridge in the Ukrainian frontline city of Kherson

The Russian attack exploded the vital road crossing of the Dnipro River - severing a main artery to the Korabel district of the city

The bold strike forced the district to be evacuated, which is a significant blow to Ukraine

Ukraine hit back at Putin with a major strike on a military-linked oil depot in Sochi, Russia's Black Sea resort city where Putin is rebuilding one of his palaces

A Russian propagandist Valeria Yaronovetskaya caught in the chaos complained: 'It seems I won't be flying anywhereDrone attack.

'It even seems like it's right on the airport. Air defence is working. The noise is so loud that the windows are shaking'

She said: 'Everyone is evacuated to the basement floor. There's nowhere to sit here.

'And I'm thirsty I didn't buy any water before going through the screening. And now I'm suffering'

The strike was on a depot with a 76,000 cubic feet capacity, and a major fire-fighting operation was underway to stop the blaze spreading.

More than 120 firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire, regional Russian Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Sunday on the Telegram messaging app.

These attacks are the latest trading of blows between Russia and Ukraine as each nation looks to focus on targeting the other's infrastructure.

The war has increasingly become a gruelling battle of attrition since Russia's failed full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour in February 2022.

Each side now launches regular drone attacks into the other's territory. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes.

Russian propagandist Valeria Yaronovetskaya caught up in the chaos at Sochi complained: 'It seems I won't be flying anywhereDrone attack'

The Russian army bombs in Kherson caused damage to a gas pipeline, while residents urged to evacuate

The bridge attack caused a fire to break out at three private houses and one apartment building

A Ukrainian local resident was injured after the attack, according to the reports

The Ukrainian fire emergency workers attended the scene of the bridge attack in Kherson

Kyiv says that its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure key to Moscow's war efforts and are in response to Russia's relentless strikes on Ukraine.

This morning, the Russian defence ministry said in its daily report on Telegram that its air defence units destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one over the Krasnodar region and 60 over the waters of the Black Sea.

The ministry reports only how many drones its units destroy, not how many Ukraine launched.

Ukraine's air force said Russia fired 83 drones or 76 drones and seven missiles overnight, 61 of which were shot down. It added that 16 drones and six missiles struck targets in eight locations.

The surge in fighting in the war came with reports of blasts and smoke close to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in occupied Ukraine.

This led to a warning from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the combatants to halt strikes close to Europe's largest nuclear plant.

'Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant  regardless of the intended target  poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided,' said director-general Rafael Grossi.

'Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident.'

Meanwhile Ukraine hit Russian city Voronezh region in a drone strike, leading to four wounded in a residential complex, and also sent military drones to Nizhny Novgorod and Leningrad region, disrupting air traffic in St Petersburg.

And seven were injured in a Russian missile strike hitting private homes in Mykolaiv.

In overnight strikes, Russia used seven missiles and 73 drones to batter the city, according to the Ukrainian defence ministry.

In the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, seven were injured in a Russian missile strike hitting private homes

In overnight strikes, Russia used seven missiles and 73 drones to batter the city, according to the Ukrainian defence ministry

Two of the injured were hospitalised as a result of the late Saturday attack, Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said on the Telegram messaging app

The Mykolaiv Governor said 23 private homes, 12 apartment buildings and a post office were damaged

Even after Russian forces were pushed back in late 2022, drones and missiles have remained a constant danger to communities in Mykolaiv

Ambulance and fire service attending the attack in Mykolaiv, Ukraine

Two of the injured were hospitalised as a result of the late Saturday attack, Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said on the Telegram messaging app.

Kim posted photos showing single residential buildings almost destroyed, with building debris spread around. He said 23 private homes, 12 apartment buildings and a post office were damaged.

In the early days of the war, the Mykolaiv region stood on the front lines, facing frequent artillery strikes and aerial attacks.

Even after Russian forces were pushed back in late 2022, drones and missiles have remained a constant danger to communities.

Russia also launched a short-lived missile attack on Kyiv overnight, but there were no reports of injuries or damage.

The weekend's fighting comes after a particularly deadly week for civilians in Ukraine, including an attack on Kyiv on Thursday that killed at least 31 people.

It included than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles, Ukrainian officials said, making the attack one of the deadliest on the capital since the war began.

The latest bloodshed comes as peace talks in the long-running war continue to flounder.

Trump said in July that Putin had 50 days to engage with a ceasefire and peace talks, or Russia would face severe tariffs targeting its oil and other exports.

On Monday, he set a new '10 or 12' day deadline. The American president then later set a new deadline, which would expire on August 8.

On Friday, Trump sent two nuclear submarines 'closer to Russia' after accusing the Kremlin of threatening war with the US

The US has a total of 14 Ohio Class nuclear-powered submarines, each capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles that can deliver multiple thermonuclear warheads up to 4,600 miles

Between eight and 10 Ohio Class submarines are deployed at any one time, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative arms control group

'All disappointments come from inflated expectations,' said Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday in response to Trump's expedited deadline issued on Monday

The Kremlin dictator has shown no indication he will stop his attempted invasion of Ukraine - or his terror strikes on civilians - despite the threat of major new sanctions on this country, and others trading oil with Russia.

On Friday, Trump sent two nuclear submarines 'closer to Russia' after accusing the Kremlin of threatening war with the US.

The US commander-in-chief announced that he had ordered the deployment of a pair of U.S. nuclear submarines amid escalating threats and rhetoric with a top Russian official over his deadline to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

The new move of the nuclear submarines to 'appropriate regions' appears mostly symbolic  the US already has a fleet of dozens of nuclear-powered subs that are constantly ready to strike in the event of a conflict.

Nevertheless, it notches up the tensions once again after Trump announced he was moving up his ultimatum for Russia to agree to end the war.

Trump told reporters on Friday: ''We had to do that. We just have to be careful. And a threat was made and we didn't think it was appropriate. So I have to be very careful.

'A threat was made by a former president of Russia, and we're going to protect our people.'
Anger is growing over a 'cover-up' after two Afghan asylum seekers were charged with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, but police advised authorities not to reveal their background.

Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was charged with the rape of the girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

While a second man, Mohammad Kabir, also 23, was charged with aiding and abetting rape, as well as strangulation and kidnap of the girl, who is now receiving specialist care.

Despite the huge interest the incident has caused in Nuneaton, sources told the Daily Mail on Sunday that Warwickshire Police advised local councillors and officials not to reveal the asylum seeker background of the two suspects, for fear of 'inflaming community tensions'.

Now Reform MP, Lee Anderson, has taken to social media to express his outrage at the handling of the situation.

Writing on X he said: 'Trying to cover up again.'

His anger was matched by the leader of his party, Nigel Farage, who said last night: 'I am afraid, police and elected officials are acting against the British people.'

It comes as the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, warned that there is 'every possibility' of a repeat of the 2024 summer riots amid deepening divisions in communities.

CCTV image that appears to show someone who resembles the man who has been charged with a girl

Nuneaton town centre, Warwickshire. Questions are being asked of police as to why the backgrounds of the suspects were kept hidden

Local councillor George Finch also waded in, saying: 'Yesterday, I wrote to urge the Home Secretary and the Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police to disclose the immigration statuses of the two men charged in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton on July 22.'

Despite this, Warwickshire Police has defended its position, saying in a statement: 'Where relevant, sensitive information around locations, details of the crime and policing activity to catch offenders can be shared, with a warning that this is sensitive or confidential information and disclosure by those being briefed could affect future court hearings.'

One local who contacted the Daily Mail also accused the police of a 'cover-up' in an effort to suppress information which the public have a right to know.

Mulakhil, who crossed the Channel on a small boat, allegedly raped the victim on Cheverel Street in Nuneaton, between 8.30  9.45pm on Tuesday, July 22.

The Mail on Sunday has obtained CCTV from a resident's house near Cheverel Road which appears to show a man walking with a girl.

Warwickshire Police said Mulakhil was arrested four days after the incident and charged the following day.

He appeared before Coventry Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with two counts of vaginal and oral rape of the victim.

Mulakhil has been remanded in custody to appear before Warwick Crown Court on August 26.

Kabir was arrested on Thursday, and charged with aiding and abetting rape of the 12-year-old, as well as strangulation and kidnap.

He appeared before Coventry Magistrates' Court on Saturday, and was remanded in custody until his appearance before Warwick Crown Court on August 26.

Warwickshire Police said in a statement: 'We continue to appeal for witnesses who were in the Cheverel Street area between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Tuesday 22 July and who saw anything of interest to please come forward.'

Now Reform MP, Lee Anderson, has taken to social media to express his outrage at the handling of the situation branding it a 'cover-up'

In recent months, other asylum seekers living in tax-payer-funded accommodation have been charged with serious sexual offences across the country

Inquiries by the MoS in Nuneaton revealed that both Mulakhil and Kabir lived in two rented houses of multiple occupation (HMO) about 70 yards from each other on adjoining streets.

Both properties are managed by Serco, which has accommodated around five asylum seekers in each house. Serco has a 1.9billion contract with the Home Office to house asylum seekers across the country.

When the MoS contacted the owner of the property Mulakhil lived in, she said: 'I don't know anything because Serco manage the house completely.'

When we asked Serco if they were aware of Mulakhil and Kabir, the company said in a statement: 'We do not confirm individual addresses, nor the names of people in properties we manage.'

Gorwan Muhammad Ali, 27, an Iraqi Kurd who lives in the same house as Kabir, said: 'I have not seen Kabir for a few days. The police have come round the house. Kabir came to this country to work.'

Ali added that all residents in the house get their bills paid by Serco, and are given 49 per week as spending money.

Last night, councillors from the Tory party, as well as Labour and Reform  which controls Warwickshire County Council  said they did not know much about the incident, despite the huge interest.

They blamed the police for not sharing any information with them.

But a source told the MoS certain councillors and officials were informed by the police about the incident, and were advised not to reveal to the public that the two people charged were asylum seekers.

The source said police feared the revelation could cause tensions in the community.

A group of migrants is brought to Dover Marina from a UK Border Force vessel following small boat incidents in the English Channel in Dover on 17 July

The man, who did not want to be identified, said: 'It is horrific what's happened. But even though the police have done door-to-door enquiries and put out an announcement about the rape charge, they are refusing to say the details of who they are investigating or their background.'

Warwickshire Police said in their statement: 'We work to hold offenders to account and will always do everything in our power to present a robust case to the courts and protect the integrity of court proceedings.

'Once someone is charged with an offence, we follow national guidance. This guidance does not include sharing ethnicity or immigration status.

'As our investigation progresses, the victim remains at the forefront of our focus, and we will continue to work with our partners  providing updates and working alongside the people of Nuneaton.'

In recent months, other asylum seekers living in tax-payer-funded accommodation have been charged with serious sexual offences across the country.

In some cases, local politicians have accused their council and the police of a 'cover-up', by trying to keep incidents secret, for fear they will inflame community tensions.
Ghislaine Maxwell has been quizzed over three mystery Brits linked to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The convicted sex offender was interviewed by government lawyers near to the Tallahassee Federal Jail in Florida where she had been locked up before her move to 'cushy' Bryan prison camp in Texas this week.

After being asked about former friend Prince Andrew, who has always denied claims by Virginia Giuffre that she was sex-trafficked to him by Epstein when she was just 17, Maxwell was questioned about other Brits in the New York financier's close circle.

One is believed to be a 'high-profile public figure' who had a long-running friendship with Epstein which was viewed as a cause for concern even before the paedophile killed himself in prison in 2019.

The other spent a lot of time at his various properties, including his infamous private Caribbean island, his townhouse in Manhattan and his New Mexico ranch.

A source told the Sunday Mirror: 'There was more than just Prince Andrew known to Epstein. [Deputy US Attorney General Todd] Blanche asked detailed forensic questions about three other British nationals.

'He was very specific about dates, locations and their relationship to Epstein. It was clear the Department of Justice is now pulling on threads that go far beyond just the Duke [Prince Andrew] where Brits are concerned.'

The line of questioning came amid a two-day interview at the hands of the top US government lawyer last week which saw disgraced socialite Maxwell, in jail for 20 years for helping Epstein abuse young girls, talk about 100 men connected to the paedophile.

Ghislaine Maxwell has been quizzed over three mystery Brits linked to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein

She had been asked about former friend Prince Andrew, who has always denied claims by Virginia Giuffre that she was sex-trafficked to him by Epstein when she was just 17 (pictured: Andrew and Ms Giuffre in 2001)

Two of the Brits mentioned are believed to have flown on Lolita Express, Epstein's private jet, several times.

The third attended multiple dinners hosted by the late financier in New York and Palm Beach.

The Department of Justice had questions regarding the three Brits' relationship with Epstein, according to the source, with Maxwell reportedly aware that she is not the last Brit who will be grilled by government lawyers.

Maxwell, daughter of fraudster media tycoon Robert Maxwell, is holding out hope for a presidential pardon after her 2022 conviction, a separate source claimed.

Investigators are said to have found an address book belonging to Epstein, who hanged himself in prison aged 66 while awaiting trial, containing the names of more than 300 people from the UK.

Both Maxwell and Andrew's names show up in various flight logs, photographs and calendars in the possession of the FBI.

Maxwell was moved to another prison under cover of darkness after being 'bombarded' with death threats from rapists and murderers who accused her of being a 'snitch', The Mail on Sunday revealed this weekend.

During a nine-hour interrogation with Mr Blanche, she was also grilled about the likes of Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and 'several billionaires'.

Maxwell, pictured, is in jail for 20 years for helping Epstein abuse young girls, and previously talked about 100 men connected to the paedophile

Two of the Brits mentioned are believed to have flown on Lolita Express, Epstein's private jet, several times. Another attended multiple dinners hosted by him

Maxwell was spotted returning to prison with a box of materials after she was grilled by Trump's Department of Justice last week

The convicted sex-trafficker answered all questions 'honestly and truthfully' as she was quizzed about 'more than 100 different people' connected to Epstein.

While it is not known exactly what Maxwell said about the Duke, this is the first time she has ever been formally questioned about him. A source said: 'This is the first time anyone has asked Ghislaine about any of the men.

'She told the truth and didn't back away from any questions. She wants the truth to come out.'

A source familiar with the meeting said: 'Ghislaine has never told her story to anyone in government before.

'At times it was very emotional but she answered every question asked of her.

'The limited immunity deal is a huge risk for her because this case is so politicised she only has immunity so long as she hasn't lied. She answered everything truthfully but she is taking a risk.

'She was asked about a laundry list of people including Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Les Wexner, Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, Leon Black and a Who's Who of powerful Wall Street moneymen and financiers.

'There were Silicon Valley names in there along with world leaders, other non-British royals aside from Andrew and famous names from the world of showbusiness.

The extraordinary two-day meeting with US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, pictured in June, took place on the orders of Trump

Maxwell, far right, pictured with (L-R): Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Epstein in 2000. Convicted sex-trafficker Maxwell answered all questions 'honestly and truthfully' as she was quizzed about Andrew and 'more than 100 different people' connected to Epstein

'It's ironic that Elon Musk kicked this whole thing off when he fell out with Trump and then made that post on X about Trump allegedly preventing the release of the full Epstein documents as some sort of 'cover-up'. Well, Elon is in there, as is his brother.

'It was a monumental moment for Ghislaine to finally be asked about these people and to tell the truth.'

A source told The Mail on Sunday: 'As soon as Ghislaine spoke to the government she was considered a snitch by other inmates at Tallahassee. There were very real and very credible threats on her life. The prison had dangerous inmates serving time for serious crimes like rape and murder.

'Tallahassee has not had a permanent governor in some time and is chronically under-staffed. She has faced death threats before but after meeting with the government she was bombarded with them. She had a target on her back.

'There were real fears inside Tallahassee that they could not guarantee her safety, which is why she was moved.'

Maxwell was moved early on Thursday morning in a two-car convoy that drove 'for 16-hours straight' to Bryan, Texas.

She was not shackled during the drive and stopped once for a toilet break in Louisiana.

It is unprecedented for a convicted sex offender such as Maxwell  sentenced to 20 years  to be moved to a minimum-security facility like Bryan, nicknamed 'Camp Fed'.

Maxwell was granted 'limited immunity' for her cooperation, which included revealing what she knows about a host of other men, including former President Bill Clinton, pictured in June

Prince Andrew paid Ms Giuffre, pictured in April, a multi-million-pound sum to settle a civil suit with no admission of wrongdoing. Ms Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year

The source explained: 'There is a different class of people at Bryan so she is less likely to be attacked. It is an all-female facility.

'These are non-violent, white-collar criminals. It is a professionally run prison camp with a great warden, working cameras everywhere and properly trained staff. She is far safer there.'

The source said reports Maxwell was in an 'honour dorm' in Tallahassee and already receiving preferential treatment were untrue.

Bryan prison allows inmates to freely roam its 37-acre grounds which have 'limited or no perimeter fencing', according to the US Bureau of Prison's website.

Inmates can take part in activities including training guide dogs for the blind, which allows them to keep a puppy for much of the day for 'socialisation'. There are yoga classes and a state-of-the-art gym.

The family of Ms Giuffre expressed outrage over the move.

Ms Giuffre died by suicide in April aged 41. She claimed Maxwell recruited her from the spa at Donald Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club and she was 'passed her around like a plate of meat' for Epstein and his friends to abuse.

In a statement on Friday, Ms Giuffre's family said: 'Trump has sent a clear message today. Paedophiles deserve preferential treatment... Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.'

A drone view captures the Federal Prison Camp, a lower security facility where the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said Maxwell has been transferred to continue serving her 20-year sentence

Maxwell was moved early on Thursday morning in a two-car convoy that drove 'for 16-hours straight' to Bryan, Texas (pictured)

Mr Trump's administration was plunged into a storm after promising to release files on Epstein but failing to do so.

In an interview with Newsmax on Friday he said he will release them 'as long as they don't hurt anyone'.

He added: 'I'm allowed to give her (Maxwell) a pardon but, right now, it would be inappropriate to talk about it.'

Maxwell was set to testify before Congress on August 11 but it has been postponed while the US Supreme Court decides whether to hear her appeal.
Two people have been found dead following the partial collapse of the world's largest underground mine in Chile, during a search for five trapped workers.

Chile's state-owned mining company Codelco said on Saturday that human remains had been recovered in the search at El Teniente mine in Rancagua.

The mining company did not identify whose remains had been discovered.

'We know this news hits the families of our colleagues and our entire mining community hard,' Andres Music, the mine's general manager, said in a statement.

'This discovery fills us with sadness, but it also shows us that we are in the right place, that the strategy we followed led us to them,' he said, adding that search efforts would continue.

Some 100 people have taken part in search efforts after the mine collapsed on Thursday following a 'seismic event'.

It was not yet known whether the tremor was natural or caused by drilling. The tremor registered a magnitude of 4.2.

'It is one of the biggest events, if not the biggest, that the El Teniente deposit has experienced in decades,' Music said.

Two people have been found dead following the partial collapse of the world's largest underground mine in Chile

A view shows a tunnel at Codelco El Teniente copper mine, the world's largest underground copper mine, near Rancagua, Chile July 30, 2024

People hold a vigil at an entrance to El Teniente mine complex of the Chilean state-run copper producer Codelco, as rescue teams continue efforts to reach miners trapped after a tremor at the Andesita unit, in Maitenes, Chile, August 2, 2025

The miners had been working at a depth of more than 900 metres in a bid to extend the mine to 1,200 metres at the time of the incident. The rescue team is still attempting to drill through 90 metres of rock to reach the miners.

'We will do everything that is humanly possible to rescue the five trapped workers,' Codelco's president, Maximo Pacheco, said during a news conference on Friday afternoon.

'All of our experience, all of our knowledge, all of our energy and all of our strength are dedicated to this cause and to seeing this through,' he added.

Chile's president, Gabriel Boric, visited miners' relatives on Saturday and vowed to 'complete the search'.

'Codelco has all the resources, experience and technology to carry out' the search, he said.

The body of another miner  not one of the five trapped  identified as Paulo Marin Tapia was found on Friday, shortly after the mine's partial collapse.

The world's biggest copper supplier has now halted production at the site after the devastating collapse.

El Teniente began operating in the early 1900s and boasts more than 4,500km of underground tunnels.

In 2024, the site produced 356,000 metric tonnes of copper  nearly seven percent of the total for Chile. Codelco delayed reporting its quarterly results, including annual production guidance, on Friday, as it deals with the incident.

Chile's mining industry is one of the safest on the planet, with a death rate of 0.02 per cent last year, according to the National Geology and Mining Service of Chile.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric (C) speaks alongside Mining Minister Aurora Williams (L) and other officials during a press conference at the El Teniente Division headquarters in Rancagua, Chile, August 2, 2025

At least two workers were killed and five others were missing after a copper mine collapse in Chile triggered by an earthquake on July 31, 2025, state-owned operator Codelco said

The entrance to the El Teniente mine, a Codelco copper mine in the commune of Machali, near Rancagua, O'Higgins Region, Chile, on August 1, 2025

The Andes mountain range rises over the Los Maitenes access control at the El Teniente mine in Rancagua, Chile, August 2, 2025

It also lies in the seismically active 'Ring of Fire' that surrounds the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

But in August 2010, a section of Chile's San Jose Mine collapsed, trapping 33 miners 2,300ft below the Atacama Desert.

Seventeen days later, the rescue team discovered that the miners had survived the initial accident but were struggling to survive with very little food or potable water.

The Chilean government requested technical advice from NASA and a team of experts traveled to the mine site and were on the scene from August 30 through September 5, 2010.

The 33 miners were miraculously brought back to the surface sixty-nine days after the collapse, alive and surprisingly healthy after their ordeal.
Baby boomers face a financial crunch, with figures revealing almost half of workers over 60 wont have enough money to fund the lifestyle they want in retirement.

As many as 49 per cent of the still-employed generation aged 60 to 80 are not expected to reach their retirement goals, according to research for The Mail on Sunday.

The problem is particularly acute for those who do not have a defined benefit work pension, which pays a guaranteed income in retirement. But experts say older workers should avoid burying their heads in the sand and act to improve their retirement savings while they are still earning. Here are the steps you can take if you are approaching retirement with pensions that will fall short.

How big is the problem?

The analysis by investment giant Vanguard, based on a survey of 2,200 working baby boomers, shows a seismic gap between those with defined benefit pensions and those without.

Defined benefit (DB) schemes  commonly referred to as final salary pensions  offer an income based on salary and years of service.

They were once commonplace but have been almost entirely phased out in the private sector. The vast majority of workers now save into defined contribution (DC) schemes.

DC pensions are based on an individual and their companys contributions and investment returns, with a pension pot built up that must be turned into retirement income.

Some 69 per cent of baby boomers with DB pensions are expected to meet their retirement goals, but as few as 28 per cent of those with DC pots will.

As many as 49 per cent of the still-employed generation aged 60 to 80 are not expected to reach their retirement goals

Georgina Yarwood, senior investment strategy analyst at Vanguard Europe, says: It is concerning that half of baby boomers arent on track to meet retirement goals, given their proximity to retirement.

Saving your retirement

Most people want to enter retirement with a similar standard of living to what they had while working.

But it is important to remember retired people incur lower bills than workers, saving on the cost of commuting, lunches and clothing, among other things.

Benchmark figures from the Pension and Lifetime Saving Association put the annual cost of a moderate retirement at 31,700 for an individual, or 43,900 for a couple. These figures are after tax and exclude housing costs. The individual or combined pension pot required for this is between 330,000 and 500,000.

If you are expecting your pension to be insufficient, its not too late to take action.

Benchmark figures from the Pension and Lifetime Saving Association put the annual cost of a moderate retirement at 31,700 for an individual, or 43,900 for a couple

Five-step plan

1. Track old pension pots

To begin, make sure you know where all your pension pots are and contact former employers to check on those which may be missing.

Calculate how much all your pensions are expected to be worth. There is 31.1 billion currently sitting in unclaimed or inactive pension pots.

2. Review spending

Double check your spending assumptions and be prepared to lower expectations. Ed Monk, associate director at Fidelity International, says: With the cost of retirement rising and expectations shifting, its vital savers understand what lifestyle their savings can realistically support.

Ms Yarwood adds: Those who are unsure what an appropriate spending goal might be can make use of online retirement calculators to determine what a realistic goal is.

3. Delay retirement

You could postpone retirement for a few years or continue to work part-time. This would help you add to your pension pot at the same time as reducing the amount you will need to draw from it.

It also means you can defer your state pension, which would give you a 5.8 per cent uplift for each year you delay claiming. If you are in good health, this could mean thousands of pounds extra over your retirement, but you would lose out if you dont live as long as expected.

4. Look elsewhere

Consider other sources of capital that you can draw on to supplement your retirement income, and savings pots that could be invested for better returns.

Andrew Tully, of financial advice firm Nucleus, says: Consider savings in other sources such as Isas, investments and bonds. And if these are invested in cash, as most Isas are, they could be invested in equities or a balanced portfolio.

Beyond your savings, you can also choose to access your home equity, Ms Yarwood says. You can do this via equity release, which allows homeowners to take out a loan of up to 60 per cent of the value of their home. Beware this comes with new debt that increases with interest. An alternative is to downsize.

5. Boost pension investment

Re-evaluating your pension investments, especially if you have some years before you reach retirement, could allow your pot to grow considerably before you access it.

Mr Tully says: Consider where your pension is being invested. If you are in a default fund this is likely to be very conservative or low risk. There may be other options available if people want to take more risk.

Many pensions are lifestyled, which means your investments are de-risked as you approach retirement to help smooth out volatility. This can drag on returns and may not be suitable for you.

Mr Monk warns not to de-risk too early if you intend to remain invested into retirement. And remember your investment horizon, and potential for returns, could continue well into your retirement.
A father who raped and impregnated his own daughter then searched online for information on how to falsify paternity tests will serve a reduced sentence upon appeal

The forklift driver from Western Australia, who legally cannot be named to protect the victim, pleaded guilty in 2024 to 40 counts of sexual offending against his daughter who is now aged 17-years-old.

He was charged for the four years of offending between 2019 and 2022, when his daughter was between 11 and 14, and was only caught after one of the teen's teachers discovered she was pregnant.

The tradie also pleaded guilty to five further counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, which was recorded while he committed the other sexual offences.

He was hit with 14-and-a-half year prison term for the sickening offending.

But he appealed the length of the sentence because he pleaded guilty early and claimed his term was not properly discounted.

He was granted a 10 per cent sentence reduction for the plea, but argued it should have been 25 per cent.

The WA Supreme Court found his appeal to have solid grounds.

The man appeared in the WA Supreme Court where his sentenced was reduced

The criminal's lawyer, Mark Gunning, said the original 10 per cent discount against his sentence was 'manifestly inadequate', adding his early plea had saved his daughter from testifying at a trial.

Public prosecutions lawyer Natalie Sinton argued against the reduction, noting the man's daughter had given birth to his child and he had filmed his acts.

However, she conceded she was unaware of any case where an offender having entered a plea of guilty at the first reasonable opportunity was afforded a discount of only 10 per cent.

The Supreme Court panel of appeals ruled in the man's favour, deciding the initial 10 per cent reduction had been 'unreasonable' and 'plainly unjust'.

The panel adjusted his sentence to include a 22 per cent discount against the first three counts of offending, and 20 per cent for the remaining accounts.

The man's sentence was set at 12 years, two-and-a-half years less than his original sentence.

'As strong as the State's case was in relation to all of the counts, counts one, two, and three were slightly weaker, having regard to the fact that they were not video recorded,' the panel stated.

The court heard how the offending was 'brazen' and occurred on occasion with other children in the home, or on one occasion with other children in the room.

The court heard the father searched for information on faking paternity tests before he was interviewed by police (stock)

It heard he raped his daughter without using a condom, exposing her to potential diseases and the risk of pregnancy.

Her eventual pregnancy was brought to light when the school contacted police.

The teenager then told her mother, who has been separated from the father for 15 years, that the baby was his.

She was about 30 weeks pregnant at that stage.

When police arrested and interviewed the father in 2023, they seized his telephone and discovered a series of disturbing Google searches.

They included 'Can someone refuse a paternity test Australia,' 'What does a fake DNA test look like,' 'How long can a drug test pick up meth,' and 'Can police see deleted DMs'.

He later read a news article titled: 'Man jailed for fake DNA test to deny parentage of two sons'.

The man's amended sentence is backdated to March 28, 2023.

He is already eligible for parole.

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Residents of a small Dorset village have said a decision to direct lorries through it is to blame for 8 million of repair work now needed.

Officials are fearing that a deadly landslide could crush vehicles due to an unstable embankment which they say needs to be strengthened.

However, residents of Melbury Abbas claim the tree-covered slope has only been weakened by the amount of large lorries that thunder past it.

For a decade the C13 road through the village has become blocked on a regular basis by HGVs getting stuck on tight bends on the narrow road.

Lorries are sent down the road by signs which divert them off the main A350 which runs parallel to the village.

Now villagers want to create an unofficial one-way system for HGVs, with northbound lorries using the A road.

The 350-metre long steep stretch on road on the C13 is called Dinah's Hollow. At one steep and narrow incline, it is a one-way road with the flow of traffic maintained by traffic lights.

However, villagers say Dinah's Hollow, has been used both ways, causing traffic chaos and leading to Melbury Abbas being dubbed the 'Village of the Jammed.'

Two lorries struggle to pass each other on a narrow part of the C13 road in Melbury Abbas

Officials fear a deadly landslide that could crush passing vehicles will occur unless the ancient roadside bank is not strengthened.

Residents want create an unofficial one-way system for HGVs with northbound lorries using the A road to avoid the road becoming jammed

Traffic chaos caused by the lorries has led to Melbury Abbas being dubbed the 'Village of the Jammed.

Dorset Council has identified the risk of landslips on a steep embankment and plans to spend 8m to stabalise it.

The project will see nearly 1,000 trees felled and the bank reinforced with large steel soil nails driven into it.

Ahead of the planned work, the entire road has been closed off for five days while a bat survey of the condemned trees takes place.

Derek Coombes, the vice chairman of the Melbury Abbas Parish Council, said: 'Dorset Council say the bank is unsafe and a car could be crushed if it collapsed.

'I have been here for 30 years and any fall I have seen has been absolutely minimal.

'But if the bank has been weakened it is because the lorries that make a hell of a vibration when they drive through the hollow.

'They should leave the bloody road alone and send the HGVs onto the A350.

'It is a C-class road but we now get over 700 vehicles going through here in an hour. In rush hour there is always something happening.

'One lorry coming down the hill towards my house lost control and took out 100ft of my hedge.

Dorset Council is planning 8 million of work to sbabalise the road. Pictured: The steep one-way section of Dinah's Hollow

The village has become blocked on a regular basis by HGVs getting stuck on tight bends on the narrow road.

'The council is compulsory purchasing the banks either side of the C13 from the landowners. They will be felling 1,000 trees, spraying chemicals and piling stakes into the bank and putting in wire netting.

'The council seems to think this will work.

'But the trees take most of the water run off that goes down to the river so where will that go now?

'They have just closed the road for five days to do a bat survey. People have been trying to count bats in the day time.

'Meanwhile, the road closure caused traffic to build up elsewhere. It's a joke.'

Local resident Tamsin Reynolds responded to the proposed 8m work by posting on social media: 'So all the wildlife in this area will be poisoned with the chemicals they are using to kill the vegetation on the banks.

'It's bloody disgusting, all the trees felled and land flattened.'

She claimed the village has been made a scapegoat for the council's decision to remove the 7.5 ton weight limit for vehicles using the C13.'

Lorries are often diverted down the road from the major road which runs parallel to it

Villagers in Melbury Abbas, Dorset, claim the slope has only been weakened by the amount of large lorries passing

But a Dorset Council spokesperson maintained that HGVs using the C-road have not caused the weakening of the embankment.

They said: 'This matter was raised during the recent Compulsory Purchase Order Public Enquiry.

'In summary, Heavy Goods Vehicles have not been identified as the root cause of slope instability at Dinah's Hollow.

'However, we did commission [an engineering firm] to assess the potential impact of HGV traffic on slope stability.

'The findings were published during the public enquiry, confirming that most slope failures in the UK are triggered by changes in groundwater or rainfall, not vibration, and that vibration from HGVs is a less common cause of slope instability.

'The assessment also concluded that the proposed soil nailing scheme will effectively mitigate any vibration-related risks from HGVs.'

Councillor Jane Somper, who represents Melbury Abbas on Dorset Council, said the local authority had to act now.

She said: 'As far as the council were concerned, a failure to act would mean a corporate manslaughter question, should there be an incident, and ownership of land moved to the council, lifts the liability from the landowners.'

The narrow road sits just over a mile away from one of Britain's bendiest roads - Zig Zag Hill, famous for its hairpin turns and steep inclines.
Stunning footage has captured the moment a volcano in Russia dramatically erupted for the first time in 600 years.

The Krasheninnikov Volcano erupted overnight in the Kamchatka Peninsula, which was the epicentre of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings for Japan, part of the US and the Philippines on Wednesday.

During the blast - the first in recorded history - the volcano spewed an ash plume of 29,000ft into the sky.

Pilots circling the area were warned of flight dangers with a red aviation alert following the eruption in eastern Russia.

'This is the first historically confirmed eruption of Krasheninnikov Volcano in 600 years,' Russian state news agency RIA cited Olga Girina, head of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team, as saying.

Krasheninnikov's last lava effusion took place in around 1436, within an 80-year range, an no eruption had been known to have taken place since, Girina added on the Telegram channel of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

the Kamchatka Territory EMERCOM of Russia said the Krasheninnikov volcano has been assigned an 'orange' aviation danger code.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry issued a recommendation not to visit the vicinity of the volcano or attempt to climb it.

The Krasheninnikov Volcano erupted overnight in the Kamchatka Peninsula, which was the epicentre of the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings for Japan , part of the US and the Philippines on Wednesday

During the blast - the first in recorded history - the volcano spewed an ash plume of 29,000ft into the sky

'The vicinity of the volcano is volcanic wasteland, cinder and lava fields without dense vegetation. At the moment there is no threat of natural fire,' an official statement published on the website of the reserve read.

'The condition of the volcano is being monitored. There is no threat to the life of the reserve staff, infrastructure and settlements,' it continued.

The earthquake which took place earlier in the week was followed by an eruption of Klyuchevskoi - the the most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Klyuchevskoi is one of the highest volcanoes in the world and has erupted a number of times in recent years.

The eruption of Krasheninnikov comes after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the remote Kuril Islands in the Russian far east on Sunday, as per the German Research Centre for Geosciences said.

Footage emerged showing tsunami waves crashing against Shumshu Island, just off the southern coast of the Kamchatka peninsula, as a local man and his dog attempted to retreat from the danger.

While 6,089ft Krasheninnikov was listed as an active stratovolcano, it has not erupted for around 600 years, in the era before observations were made.

Ash covered the Kronotsky Nature Reserve which includes dozens of volcanoes, the world famous Valley of the Geysers, and one of the world's largest concentrations of brown bears.

Vsevolod Yakovlev, head of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, said today: 'Its eruption is not something out of the ordinary for a region with high volcanic activity.

Pilots circling the area were warned of flight dangers with a red aviation alert following the eruption in eastern Russia

While 6,089ft Krasheninnikov was listed as an active stratovolcano, it has not erupted for around 600 years, in the era before observations were made

Footage emerged showing tsunami waves crashing against Shumshu Island, just off the southern coast of the Kamchatka peninsula, as a local man and his dog attempted to retreat from the danger

'During satellite monitoring, thermal spots have been repeatedly noted in the area of the Krasheninnikov volcano.

'This is a significant increase in temperature on the Earth's surface compared to neighbouring areas.'

Russian volcanologist Alexei Ozerov said: 'A crack opened up along the volcano from the top of the crater, and a steam-gas mixture is currently rising from this crack.

'Emissions are occurring, and a large amount of ash was ejected during the opening of the crater crack'.

He added that ash and the smell of gas reached the Valley of Geysers during the historic eruption.

Russian officials confirmed that there was no immediate threat to life or wildlife after concerns were raised over the safety of tourists in the area.

The response team said: 'The explosive eruption of the volcano continues.

'Ash explosions up to 32,800ft above sea level could occur at any time.

'Ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft.'

The volcano belongs to Russia's Eastern Volcanic Belt, one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth.

It has about 300 volcanoes, with 29 of them still active, according to NASA's Earth Observatory.
A gang of masked thugs raid a DPD vain in broad daylight as the driver parks up to deliver packages in east London.

The terrified driver can only look on with his hands in the air as the gang ransacked his van and stole a large number of items during the incident in Forest Gate, London.

Click to watch the moment above.
A loophole in border security meant Tommy Robinson could leave the UK despite being deemed 'wanted' by police hours earlier.

The far-right activist, 42, allegedly assaulted a man at St Pancras station in London last week - with viral footage showing the apparent victim lying unresponsive on the floor.

Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - then caught an early morning flight from Stansted to Tenerife despite being flagged as 'wanted' by police nearly five hours earlier.

He was allowed through at the departure gate by Ryanair staff, as the police alert was raised after he booked his flight and checked in online - the point passenger details are typically run past security watch-lists.

UK airline officials are not obliged to check whether a traveller is wanted for suspected criminality immediately before embarkation, The Times first reported.

Their primary job is to examine the passenger's passport to ensure it is valid.

Footage posted on social media this week appeared to show a man lying motionless on the London station concourse while Robinson paced around him.

Detectives then launched a manhunt for a 42-year-old man from Luton, Bedfordshire, after Robinson boarded a flight out the country.

Tommy Robinson walks past a man who appears to have been knocked unconscious at St Pancras

Footage shows the former EDL leader - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - pacing back and forth beside the unresponsive man

Robinson posted a video to his X account at 4.09pm on Monday, claiming he was in London preparing for what he called 'the biggest free speech event the world has ever seen'

The 64-year-old victim - whose head appeared to be covered in the video - was taken to a major trauma centre with 'serious injuries' after the ordeal.

He was discharged from hospital on Wednesday, British Transport Police confirmed.

During the viral footage, Robison could be heard saying 'he come at me' as he walked down a flight of stairs.

As stunned bystanders watched on, one Good Samaritan could be heard shouting: 'Can we get some help over here!'

But Robinson, visibly agitated, threw his arms in the air before turning and walking away down a staircase, repeatedly protesting his innocence. 'He f***ing came at me, bruv,' he yelled. 'He come at me bruv, you saw that.'

The English Defence League founder had earlier posted footage of himself handing out flyers inside the station for an upcoming 'free speech' protest on September 13.
Residents have been left disgusted after an enormous 22-inch rat was found in a home in Redcar and Cleveland.

Hundreds expressed their shock and disgust after a picture of the supersized rodent was posted on social media by local politicians.

Conservative Party councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin criticised the Labour-run council for its inaction and called for a full vermin study to be carried out across the borough.

The rat, which has a potentially record-breaking size in UK terms, was discovered recently in a property in the Normanby area by a pest controller who had been called to investigate.

It is unknown how it accessed the property, which it is believed to have been nesting in, but rats had been reported in back alleys nearby.

In their social media post, Mr Taylor described public bins in parts of the Eston and Whale Hill area as 'overflowing', with shops, particularly takeaways, dumping items in them and providing 'easy food' for rodents.

He wrote: 'It's almost the size of a small cat. And it's not a one-off.

'The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get. We need action  not just advice.'

Hundreds of residents expressed their shock and disgust after a picture of an enormous 22-inch rat was posted on social media by Redcar and Cleveland councillors

Conservative Party councillors Stephen Martin (left) and David Taylor (right) criticised the Labour-run council for its inaction and called for a full vermin study to be carried out

In response to their post, dozens of residents shared their concerns about the growing problem in the area

The politicians were first shown the shocking picture of the rat after a resident visited Mr McInnes' shop to show them, and the image was then shared with his permission.

In response to their post sharing the picture, dozens of residents shared their concerns about the growing problem in the area.

What diseases do rats carry? Arenavirus

Bartonellosis (Trench fever)

Capillariasis

Echinococcosis

Hantavirus

Leptospirosis

Rat bite fever

Rat tapeworm

Salmonellosis

Toxoplasmosis

Trichinellosis

Tularemia

Weils disease Source: Rentokill Advertisement

Rats are known to grow to a large size when there is an ongoing abundant supply of food.

The Eston ward councillors pointed out that Redcar & Cleveland Council no longer handle domestic rat infestations, instead expecting residents to foot the bill themselves.

But the councillors argue that due to public land being left overgrown and overflowing bins, the problem has been made worse.

As well as a full vermin study, they are calling for 'proper funding' to tackle infestations and joint action with businesses and landlords - so tackling vermin is built into tenancies and responsibilities.

As with many other cash-strapped local authorities, the council no longer offers pest control to private households, but retains a full-time officer to tackle issues on council land.

Not all social housing providers automatically offer such a service, or if they do, it is only on a discretionary basis, according to the Yorkshire Post.

A spokeswoman for the council said: 'The council has a dedicated pest control officer who manages pest issues on council-owned land. While we no longer provide a wider pest control service, we do offer advice to residents where possible.

The rat, which has a potentially record-breaking size in UK terms, was discovered recently in a property in the Normanby area by a pest controller who had been called to investigate. Pictured: Stock photo of the Normanby area

Redcar and Cleveland residents have been left dismayed at the council's response

'The council continues to work with Beyond Housing, Northumbrian Water and other partners to address complex issues and explore potential solutions. There is also helpful guidance and preventative measures on our website to support people in dealing with pests.'

It is estimated that there could be around 250 million rats in the UK.

They can carry illnesses which can be passed to humans, including Weil's disease, which has flu-like symptoms initially but can lead to jaundice and kidney failure.

Less frequent bin collections can see foxes tearing overflowing bins apart and spilling the contents, which encourages rats to come from the sewers to feed on the waste.

Bin collections are already under threat as some councils look to cut costs, as the Local Government Association last year estimated that councils in England could face a 4 billion funding gap over the next two years.

Rats are a major problem as they pose a big health hazard and they breed rapidly, so they need to be dealt with by a professional as soon as they are suspected.

In April, the British Army was called in to rodent-ridden Birmingham after pest control experts labelled the city 'apocalyptic' due to the bin strikes taking place at the time.

In April, the British Army was called in to rodent-ridden Birmingham after pest control experts labelled the city 'apocalyptic' due to the bin strikes taking place at the time

Meanwhile earlier this year in Southampton, the Labour-run Hampshire city faced its worst rodent epidemic in 30 years. Pictured: Rats at Fullerton Place, Southampton

A pest control expert had been forced to patrol the streets of Birmingham armed with an air rifle as a swelling rat army, some said to be 'the size of cats', plagued the UK's second city's streets.

Droves of monstrously sized rodents had been gorging on the growing pile of leftover refuse as almost 400 bin workers have intermittently been on strike in Labour-run Birmingham since January.

An increase in fly-tipping and HS2 building work helped spark the invasion, with residents finding rodents tucked behind wheelie bins and nestling under car bonnets.

It came after Birmingham City Council declared itself effectively bankrupt last year, partly because of cases brought by two trade unions.

Meanwhile earlier this year in Southampton, the Labour-run Hampshire city faced its worst rodent epidemic in 30 years.

Rats were reportedly running riot in people's kitchens and bedrooms, leaving pest controllers struggling to get a grip of the infestation.

In one building, an elderly woman was forced to flee after being left so worried giant rats would attack and devour her beloved puppy.

Another furious pensioner living in the block of flats was so appalled at the state of it, he refused to pay his council tax until the left-wing authority sorted it out.

DAGENHAM: Dubbed 'Ratland', residents in the area were up in arms earlier this year about the 'inhumane' conditions that have made the town into a living wasteland

TOTTENHAM: A video posted on social media earlier this year shows a gang of nearly 10 rats eating among the birds in broad daylight in Tottenham Green East

Rats are dirty and carry harmful diseases, while also being expensive to get rid of

London has usually been seen as the rat capital of the UK, with Dagenham in the east of the city being dubbed 'Ratland' in March due to constant fly tipping.

But locals claimed their Labour council has done nothing about it.

Shocking photos earlier this year showed rodents slithering through the cracks in bins and scuttling along the roads in Tottenham, a busy district in the north of the city.

In 2023, SNP-run Glasgow was hit with a rat crisis as giant rats the size of 'small dogs' turned a street in the city into a no-go zone for refuse workers.

It came a month after city council leader Susan Aitken denied the number of rats was growing  claiming they were simply becoming more visible.

Chris Mitchell, GMB convenor for Glasgow's cleansing workers, said some staff needed hospital treatment after being bitten or scratched by rats in other areas of the city. Vermin infestations in Glasgow rose by 31 per cent from 2021 to 2022, with 10,323 reports.
A grandmother was attacked outside her New York City home by two grandsons of ruthless crime boss John Gotti.

Cathy Gabrielli, 60, was punched outside her $1 million Queens home on June 2 after attempting to quell tensions between the two men who had attacked her son, Gino.

Images of the incident, obtained by the New York Post, show Gabrielli attempting to fend off the two, identified by the outlet as John Gotti Jr, 31, and Frankie Gotti, 27.

Gino told the outlet that his mother was hit in the arm by one of John Jr's punches, with police then arriving. John Jr is also dating Cathy's daughter Eleanor.

'She tried to push John off, and then he [John] hit her  and then thats when the police ran it, like ran in and broke it up', he said.

Gino also claimed that the father of the two men, Peter Gotti, had sat outside the property watching the brawl.

The two men appeared in court and were hit with third-degree attempt assault and harassment charges for the attack on Gino, they pleaded not guilty.

According to the Post, the fight started after Gino was reportedly caught on surveillance cameras breaking into the home of John Jr and his sister Eleanor.

Cathy Gabrielli, 60, was punched outside her Queens home on June 2 after attempting to quell tensions between the two men who had attacked her son

John Gotti Jr, 31, and Frankie Gotti, 27, are said to have attacked Gabrielli's son outside her home, seen here, in New York City

Prosecutors say he made off with $3,000 in cash, a pair of his sister's earrings, a watch, a wallet and belt, his criminal complaint said.

He told the Post that he took the money but denied having lifted anything else from the property.

Gino also claimed the money was to cover two months' back rent that John Jr owed his grandfather.

He also claimed that he had been unfaithful to his sister, adding: 'My sister caught him cheating with the girl from Howard Beach.

'She threw him out, okay, and, and so he stopped paying rent to my grandfather. So, you know, it got me really, really p***** and upset, and thats why I went inside the apartment to collect the rent.'

Gino claimed to the outlet that as well as the alleged theft, he had wrecked a tattoo parlor belonging to the brother of John Gotti and that his father had also been slapped by a member of the mobster's family.

Gino is facing charges of burglary, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

John Gotti is seen in this 1990 file photo arriving at court in New York City

Gerard Marrone, a lawyer for Frankie Gotti, told the NYPost: 'Who cares', when approached for comment over Gino's accusations.

John Gotti, also known as the Teflon Don, was the head of the Gambino crime family until he was sentenced to life in prison in 1992 on charges including murder and racketeering.

Known for his flash personality and an expensive wardrobe, he died behind bars from cancer in 2002.

The two Gotti brothers are due back in court on August 7 in relation to the incident involving the Gabrielli family.
A power cut at Great Ormond Street childrens hospital forced surgeons to finish an operation using the torches on their mobile phones.

The central London hospital, which treats 76,000 kids a year, has been blighted by power outages, water leaks, and issues with air filtration systems.

Recurring problems have led to delayed and cancelled operations, impacting patient safety and stopping patients from receiving timely care.

At one point last year, six of the hospitals 15 operating theatres were out of action for maintenance.

In the most serious incident, in late 2023, power failed midway through complex spinal surgery.

The incident is detailed in a report by the care watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which sent inspectors into the surgery department in March this year.

Its visit was prompted by concerns over the care provided to hundreds of children by Yaser Jabbar, an orthopaedic surgeon, the Sunday Times reported.

A number of children suffered unnecessary pain and failed surgeries, including some amputations, while under his care.

Sign at NHS Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

The review of his cases is due to be completed later this year.

Staff told inspectors that there were repeated problems with the maintenance of operating theatres.

In its report, the CQC said: A recent power outage during a spinal surgery procedure required staff to use mobile phone torches to complete wound closure.

Great Ormond Street Hospital said the surgical lights immediately over the patient remained on during the power cut - but theatre staff moving around the operating theatre had to use their torches to avoid cables and find equipment needed during the procedure.

A spokeswoman blamed an electrical design fault for the power failure, adding that an external review had been commissioned and work was under way to fix the problems.

She said: A decision was taken to stop the surgery to ensure the safety of the patient. The surgery was carried out at a later date and the patient is doing well.

As with many hospitals across the country, we have some parts of our hospital that are older and in need of upgrades to provide the best environment for patients and our staff. Improving these areas is part of our long-term plan for the hospital, and in the meantime our staff work hard to mitigate any issues that do arise.

In its annual accounts, the hospital said it has been forced to pay a company for extra power to be supplied to the main hospital site.

Woman illuminated by the light from her mobile phone

The CQC also flagged concerns over staffing levels in its inspection report, saying: Some surgical areas at the hospital faced challenges with staffing levels, especially in key clinical roles such as nurses and operating theatre staff.

Overall it rated the leadership of the trust and surgery services as good but warned there is still work to do to reduce the risk of further scandals.

Nationally, NHS England data shows there is a 14 billion backlog in maintenance spending that is impacting on patient care.

In some cases hospitals are spending millions to maintain empty buildings that are no longer deemed safe for patients to be treated.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said: For years, investment in NHS buildings and equipment has been a neglected priority.

Now were paying the price with a ballooning repairs bill, bigger than the NHSs annual capital budget.

'Patching up is a recipe for poor patient care, low staff morale and falling productivity.
A 10-year-old girl has been identified as the third victim who died after a sailboat crashed into a massive barge in Miami.

Arielle Mazi Bucham died alongside two other girls, Erin Co, 13, and seven-year-old Mila Yankelevich, after their Miami Youth Sailing Foundation summer camp boat collided with a 60-foot barge around 11am Monday in Biscayne Bay.

Bucham's family's place of worship announced her passing Sunday morning, stating: 'With broken hearts, we announce the funeral service of our beloved Arielle Mazi Bucham.'

Arielle was one of the victims who was critically ill in hospital, but sadly succumbed to her injuries days later.

Her service is set to be held Sunday afternoon.

News of the third victim's death comes just days after the boat captains' toxicology reports came back negative, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Friday.

'I can confirm alcohol and drug testing was completed for both individuals onboard the tug and barge as well as the sailboat operator. All results were negative,' a spokesperson with the federal agency said.

Both Co and Yankelevich died from accidental drowning, according to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department's report. Bucham's cause of death remains unclear.

Arielle Mazi Bucham, 10, has been identified as the third girl who tragically died after a sailboat collided with a barge on Monday in Miami, Florida

After the two vessels collided in Biscayne Bay, the U.S. Coast Guard said the boat captains' toxicology reports came back negative

The three girls were among five children aboard the sunken sailboat. A 19-year-old camp counselor was also with them at the time.

Co and Yankelevich were pronounced dead while on their way to Ryder Trauma Center, per the Miami Herald.

Two others, Bucham and an eight-year-old, were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The unidentified counselor and other child, 12, walked away unharmed.

The eight-year-old's current condition remains unclear at this time.

The sailboat was part of the Miami Yacht Club's youth sailing program, but since the incident, the program has been suspended while authorities investigate.

The U.S. Coast Guard previously stated the barge was supporting construction work in the Miami Beach area before the fatal collision.

Capt. Frank Florio, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami said that the agency believes 'all of the girls were wearing life jackets' when the crash happened, based on interviews throughout the investigation.

Co was a student at San Pedro Nolasco School in Vitacura, Santiago, who recently moved to the US, the school said in a memorial post about her.

Her grieving father, Pil Jye Ko, told Local10 that Monday was his daughter's first day attending the sailing camp.

Erin Co, 13, also died that day. Her cause of death was determined to be an accidental drowning

Mila Yankelevich, seven, also lost her life in the crash. She and Co were pronounced dead while on their way to Ryder Trauma Center

'I still remember when we dropped her off. She said, "See you later, mom and dad!",' Ko recalled as he cried.

'We hoped that this was all just a dream, or that a miracle would have happened,' he went on.

'That the hospital would call and say, "Your daughter is alive. Shes alright." But no, that didnt happen. No, no, no. Its not what happened.'

He said his late daughter was attending Nautilus Middle School in Miami Beach and that she was fluent in three languages - English, Spanish and Korean. She was also learning how to speak Japanese.

'She was the perfect daughter. She was perfect,' Ko continued.

Yankelevich was the granddaughter of Cris Morena and Gustavo Yankelevich, two prominent Argentine producers.

Her father, Tomas Yankelevich, is also a producer and director, while her mother, Sofia Reca, is an actress in Argentina. The family lived in Surfside, Florida.

Yankelevich's grandmother called her 'my girl with wings, my happy and free little fairy,' in a now heartbreaking tribute she posted of her late granddaughter for her birthday in February.

The sunken sailboat is seen after being recovered from the water

She added in Spanish that their 'moments together [were] filled with dancing [and] songs' and said her granddaughter embodied 'the sun, freedom and hugs.'

One year prior, in another social media post, Morena called her granddaughter 'my cutest little girl in the world... My red heart, my everything.'

A witness at the scene told WSVN that a crane on the barge 'completely destroyed the boat' that day.

'The boat just went under and I heard a girl shouting for help under the crane,' the witness recounted.

Nine-year-old Enzo Pifer Eddy also told CBS News how 'all the kids went flying' in the aftermath.

According to the Coast Guard's navigation rules, sailboats generally have the right of way over motorboats, but must yield the right of way to a vessel that is 'restricted in its ability to maneuver.'

Determining whether a tugboat that was seen pushing the barge in the clash will now likely be a central focus for Coast Guard investigators.

They said at a news conference they will also be questioning the captain of the barge as they noted that 'the area was safe for sailing' at the time.

However, Miami Yacht Club member Katie Flood-Reiss told the Miami Herald that the sailboat's 19-year-old instructor would have had no chance of evading the barge in the bay.

'In those conditions, with almost no wind, it would have been impossible to turn that sailboat around quickly,' she explained.

The investigation could take several months to complete for officials to determine what caused the deadly crash.

Daily Mail contacted the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department and the U.S. Coast Guard for comment.
The search for a woman swept away in floodwaters in the Hunter region of NSW has been suspended overnight.

The woman, 26, was in a Mini Countryman which became stuck in floodwater at Black Creek north of Cessnock, in the Hunter Valley, about 7.50pm on Saturday.

The driver, a 27-year-old woman, managed to swim to the bank with her dog and was rescued unharmed.

However the other woman was dragged away by the rapid current, with the floodwaters rising to between 4-6metres.

Both women were Chinese nationals working in Australia and had been visiting the area from Sydney. The missing woman relocated to Australia three years ago.

Authorities immediately launched a multi-agency search including police, the Rural Fire Service, and Volunteer Rescue Association rescuers which continued on Sunday.

The search was disbanded for the night about 4.30pm today due to poor weather conditions and visibility issues. The multi-agency search will resume about 8am tomorrow, on Old North Road, Rothbury.

Multiple rivers in the Hunter region are under flood warnings and evacuation orders were issued on Sunday night for parts of Raymond Terrace and Gunnedah.

A multi-agency search for a 26-year-old woman has been suspended for a second night in the Hunter Valley (above, rescue vehicles at the scene just north of Cessnock)

The woman went missing on Saturday evening when the Mini Countryman she was in became stuck in floodwaters (pictured, rescuers at the scene of the search)

'Both the driver and the passenger opened the driver's door, exited the vehicle, and at this time they were swept with the rising and rapidly running causeway waters,' Superintendent Steve Laksa told reporters earlier.

Members of the public in flood-affected areas have also been warned avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and floodwaters on roads.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has directed residents in Gunnedah, central NSW, to evacuate due to hazardous flooding.

Those on Bloomfield Street and Conadilly Street are affected.

Authorities are warning there has been major flooding in the Peel and Namoi Rivers at Tamworth, Manilla & Gunnedah.

Moderate flooding is expected at the Paterson & Williams Rivers near Gostwyck Bridge, Dungog and Mill Dam Falls.

Minor flooding has been forecast for Myall, Severn, Manning, Gloucester, Macleay, Nepean & Gwydir.

Also on Sunday, SES crews responded managed to save a 40-year-old man who was stuck in a tree due to floodwater in the Hunter Valley.

Volunteers have been called into action as widespread rain has caused flooding in New South Wales (above, SES vehicles stationed beside a submerged road)

The SES has responded to more than 1455 call-outs related to rain, thunderstorms and snow

The man was swept out of the tree but rescuers followed him in the water and managed to pull him to shore, and he was taken to hospital.

Both sides of the nation were facing wild weather, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding continuing for northern NSW.

Tens of thousands of households in the eastern state spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc.

The SES has responded to more than 1455 call-outs related to rain, thunderstorms and snow.

Residents in some parts of Taree on the mid north coast have been asked to evacuate due to flooding, while warnings are in place for the Peel and Namoi Rivers at Tamworth, Manilla and Gunnedah.

Armidale and Guyra in New England had unprecedented snowfall and SES crews responded to more than 100 trapped cars.

A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Elsewhere, the bureau has issued a severe weather warning as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's southwest, affecting Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields.

Minor flooding has affected several towns in New South Wales as rain continued on Sunday (above, an SES volunteer stands beside floodwater)

A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology said

'Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms,' meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.

Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells.

People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment.

Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney.

The Australians returned to the pitch and beat out the Lions 22 to 12 to avoid a series whitewash.

Much of the match was played in torrential rain.

The lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter.
Britain's most wanted fugitive is still at large exactly 20 years after a mother-of-three was shot dead in her own home.

Kevin Parle is the prime suspect in the murder of Lucy Hargreaves, 22, who was fatally wounded when three men burst into her house and opened fire while she was sleeping on the sofa on August 3 2005.

The killers then set fire to the home in Liverpool, where her partner and two-year-old daughter were upstairs, forcing them to escape through a window.

Her murder was described as 'one of the most brutal and callous acts' Merseyside Police had seen.

Two decades on, her family are still fighting for justice. There have been no confirmed sightings or trace of Parle - who is also the prime suspect in the murder of 16-year-old Liam Kelly in the city in 2004.

Meanwhile, two young men prosecuted for her murder had charges dropped after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence against them.

In a statement marking the anniversary of her death, Lucy's family have revealed a clue which they hope will bring them justice.

They said: 'Over the past 20 years, people will have talked with family and friends. A number of people were contacted by males using a phone that was stolen, along with a vehicle used in Lucy's murder.

Lucy Hargreaves (pictured in new photo), 22, was asleep on the sofa when three men burst into her home in Walton, Liverpool, on August 3 2005 and fatally injured her

Kevin Parle is believed to have gunned down Lucy and set fire to her body in Liverpool in 2005 while her three children slept upstairs

He is also the prime suspect in the shooting of 16-year-old Liam Kelly (pictured) in Liverpool in 2004

'The people who received those calls, along with others, could have information which could be crucial in achieving justice for Lucy, her parents, sister, children and all her extended family and friends.

'We appeal directly to them to please come forward. Now is the time.'

Police arrested 21 people as part of their investigations, but no-one has been convicted.

A comprehensive review into her murder was launched by Merseyside Police two years ago and remains ongoing.

Former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley previously spent four years on a personal hunt for Parle.

There have been reports of him in Spain, Australia and Dubai but no confirmed sightings or any substantial leads that have helped catch him.

Howard Rubbery, head of the serious case review unit, said: 'It is now 20 years since Lucy was taken from her family in the most brutal of circumstances.

'After carrying out the killing, the offenders ignored the cries of a toddler upstairs as they poured petrol around the house and set fire to it.

Lucy Hargreaves was murdered as she slept on a sofa in her house in Merseyside in 2005

Images released by Merseyside Police that show age progression pictures of Parle

'Their callous and reckless actions could have claimed the lives of two more people that night, had they not escaped the flames by jumping from a window upstairs.

'We are as determined as ever to get justice for Lucy, whose death robbed her family of a loving mother and daughter.

'As with any unsolved murder, time is no barrier to our pursuit of justice for Lucy and we appeal to anyone with any information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact us.'

Ms Hargreaves' family, who said they 'miss her every single day', welcomed a focus on tackling violence against women and girls in recent years.

They praised the families of other victims of gun crime, including the mothers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel and Ashley Dale, 28, who were shot in their homes in separate incidents in Liverpool in August 2022.

The family said: 'We greatly admire the determination and guts of the families of those who have more recently been killed as a result of gun crime here in Merseyside.

'The mums of both Ashley Dale and Olivia Pratt Korbel have led a real and powerful community challenge to men of violence.'

The family added: 'We consider ourselves to be an ordinary local family with strong roots in the Walton, Norris Green, Croxteth and Dovecot areas of Liverpool.

'Lucy's nanny Joyce was a strong mother of eight who had to cope with the loss of three granddaughters in her lifetime - including Lucy.

'Her nanny Betty, left a widow aged 35 with six children to bring up, was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to nursing as an auxiliary nurse in the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

'They were two strong local women typical of their generation, and Lucy too was a strong woman who could have achieved so much had she only been given the opportunity.'

Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about a gold Lexus car, believed to have been dumped shortly after the shooting on Richard Kelly Drive, Clubmoor, by a number of men who then ran in the direction of Normandale Road.

Police previously said they wanted to speak to Parle in connection with Ms Hargreaves' murder.

Parle, who was believed to be living abroad, was also wanted in connection with the murder of Liam Kelly, 16, who was shot in the early hours of June 19 2004 in Dingle, Liverpool.

Anyone with information should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC, on Facebook at Merseyside Police Contact Centre or through the website merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.

Information can also be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Three teenagers have been arrested after a man, 19, was stabbed to death in a Powerleague car park.

The trio, all aged 19, have been detained on suspicion of murder following the attack which is being described as 'targeted'.

The last of the three was arrested at Manchester Airport at around 4.30am on Sunday.

The others were detained in Bury and Bolton on Saturday night.

The victim was attacked at around 9pm on Friday in Bury, Greater Manchester suffering several stab wounds before dying later from his injuries.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that members of his family were being assisted by specialist officers.

The force's Major Incident Team is leading the investigation into the attack.

Detective Chief Inspector John Charlton said: 'Even though we have three people in custody this is still a live investigation and that will continue today and into next week.

Three teenagers have been arrested after a man, 19, was stabbed to death in a Powerleague car park, pictured

The trio, all aged 19, have been detained on suspicion of murder following the attack which is being described as 'targeted' (pictured: the scene of the incident)

The victim was attacked at around 9pm on Friday in Bury, Greater Manchester suffering several stab wounds before dying later from his injuries

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that members of his family were being assisted by specialist officers

The force's Major Incident Team is leading the investigation into the attack

'This was a violent and tragic incident that was witnessed by a lot of people.

'This incident will have shocked the community and distressed anyone who witnessed it, but we believe this was a targeted attack with no wider threat.

'Our officers will be in the area today and over the next few days as we try to establish what happened in the lead-up to this awful incident.

'We also have specialist officers supporting the family at this difficult time.'

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
A school in Cambridge said it is 'deeply saddened' after one of its students was found dead in the city outside luxury flats near the railway station.

EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, said they are 'working closely with the local police' after a 20-year-old student was 'fatally injured' on Friday.

Police remain at the scene today after two men were arrested in connection with the death, which happened on Mill Road shortly before midnight.

A 21-year-old man from Cambridge was arrested on suspicion of murder while a 50-year-old man, also from the city, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

A local said she could hear a woman screaming outside the luxury flats as paramedics tried to save the man for 30 minutes.

But despite the efforts of emergency services, the victim sadly died at the scene.

The witness said the girlfriend of the man was in a distraught state but stayed with her boyfriend.

The school where the man was enrolled have expressed their sadness at the young man's death.

Police at the scene in Cambridge where a male student, 20, was found dead on Friday evening

Police remained at the scene in Cambridge today as officers continue their investigation

In a statement, EF International Language Campuses Cambridge said today: 'We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our adult students was fatally injured on Friday night in a public space.

'Emergency services responded immediately but the student tragically passed away.

'We are working closely with the local police, who are investigating the incident and have confirmed they made arrests.

'The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority.

'We are providing support to all students and staff affected by this tragic event and have organised counselling sessions.

'Our thoughts are with the student's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time and we have offered our full support. We will not be commenting further while the investigation is ongoing.'

Both suspects remain in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station.

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said today: 'The investigation remains ongoing, and we continue to urge anyone with information who has not yet come forward to contact us.'
Labour grandee Alan Milburn has faced calls to resign from his role advising private equity predators who have bought the biggest chain of NHS dentists.

The former health secretary, a key aide to Wes Streeting, is acting for the profit hungry capitalists at a time when patients are forced to pay huge costs to fix their teeth and many find it difficult or impossible to find an NHS dentist.

Mr Milburn, 67, was appointed non-executive director to the board of the Department for Health and Social Care in November.

But while lending a hand to the current health secretary, Mr Milburn has also been a long-standing adviser to Bridgepoint Capital which swooped to buy MyDentist in an 800m deal last month.

The firm, previously owned by Palamon Capital, is the UKs biggest private dental chain with a 5pc market share, and the largest private company providing NHS work.

The DHSC is currently working on a root and branch reform of crisis-hit NHS dentistry, which has a chronic shortage of practitioners, sending adult usage to a record low.

Only 40 pc of adults have seen an NHS dentist in two years, according to most recent figures.

Today, Mr Milburn, health secretary from 1999 to 2003 at the height of Tony Blairs premiership, faced concern from campaigners who believe the two roles for UK-listed investment company Bridgepoint and DHSC were incompatible and urged to step aside from one role or the other.

Alan Milburn, non-executive director at the Department of Health and Social Care is facing pressure over his advisory role with Bridgepoint Capital, which has snapped upMyDentist

It comes as an investigation by the Mail on Sunday yesterday revealed the extent to which private equity sharks are tightening their grip on Britains dental sector  with 12pc of clinics now owned by big chains.

As availability of health service dentistry dries up, more and more patients are forced to go private, where fees for simple procedures can be up to 3.5 times that of the NHS.

Dennis Reed, of pensioners campaign group Silver Voices, called Mr Milburns dual roles a shocking overlap of responsibility.

He said: I wouldnt hold out too much hope that Alan Milburn is going to be rooting for NHS dentistry. He should step aside from one role or the other.

I think the public are sick and tired of these sorts of conflicts of interest between politicians public roles and their private interests.

Stuart Andrew MP, Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, said: 'Its hard to see how this doesnt amount to a clear conflict of interest. Alan Milburn is advising Labour on NHS policy while being paid by the private equity firm that just bought Britains largest provider of NHS dentistry.

'Patients need confidence that NHS decisions are being made in the public interest, but this appears to be just more cronyism, sleaze and scandal at the heart of the Labour government.'

Bridgepoint have not revealed how much they pay Mr Milburn but his role with the company caused controversy at the time of his appointment by DHSC because the private equity firm previously ran Care UK, a large chain of over 160 nursing homes.

Current usage of NHS dentistry has fallen to the lowest level since the health service began

He receives 15,000 per annum for the directorship at DHSC and works two to three days a month.

Mr Milburn has reportedly been advising Mr Streeting since Labour was in opposition.

Mr Milburn is paid for his private consultancy work via AM Strategy Limited, a company listing the politician, his partner and two sons as the only directors.

The family withdrew dividends of more than 8m from the firm between 2016 and 2023, according to accounts filed with Companies House.

As well as working for Bridgepoint, the former Darlington MP has been a longstanding advisor to PwCs health practice, confectionary giant Mars and US-based healthcare firm Centene Corporation.

While an MP, he received 25,000 a year to sit on the board of Lloyds Pharmacy and was paid 20,000 a year as an advisor to soft drinks firm PepsiCo.

Alan Milburn has been a longstanding advisor to private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital

Dennis Reed, of Silver Voices, says Mr Milburn should 'step aside from one role or the other'

At Milburn's detached four-bedroom home in Northumberland, his partner Ruth Briel declined to comment. Closing the door, she said: 'It's got absolutely nothing to do with me.'

Bridgepoint said Milburn 'advises on leadership and development topics' but is 'not involved in deals'.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: 'Mr Milburn has declared his interests in any discussions or activity that relate to products or services that are or may be provided by companies owned by Bridgepoint Capital Ltd, making the nature of any potential conflict transparent'.

A source added Mr Milburn 'recuses himself from any discussions or activity in the department directly related to these companies', adding that he 'had no involvement in Bridgepoint's acquisition of this business and has recused himself from all discussions in the (DHSC) relating to dentistry'.
A search is continuing for a pilot and his partner after a bright-green light aircraft vanished over the Bass Strait on Saturday afternoon.

The light plane was carrying the pilot, a man in his 70s, and a female passenger, in her 60s, as it headed for Hillston airport, Condolobin, NSW, via Leongatha, Victoria.

The pair are both Tasmanian residents and had been travelling in the two-seat aircraft to visit friends.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it was coordinating a search for the couple near Tasmania.

'Just after 5pm on Saturday evening, concern was raised after the aircraft failed to land in Central Western NSW, after departing George Town, Tasmania at around 12.45pm,' a spokesman said.

The plane had not made radio contact nor emitted a mayday alert before it vanished.

Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark said the pilot was very experienced.

'But he was flying a plane that was relatively new to him,' he said on Sunday.

Authorities are still searching for a man and woman in their 70s and 60s after a light aircraft vanished (above, a Tasmania Police boat)

Searchers have combed the Bass Strait in the air (above, the rescue plane flight path) and in the water

'The current owner and pilot of the plane had only purchase the plane three or four months ago.'

'We believe he has had several flights prior to this incident.'

He said it authorities would re-evaluate the search on Sunday evening.

'Any body of water is difficult to search, the main thing is though, that this is still a search operation,' he said.

'We are hoping to find these people alive, that's the main focus of the search.'

AMSA, Victorian and Tasmanian police have focussed their search over the Bass Strait and southern Victoria.

Inspector Clark has asked for the public to assist with the search by looking out for signs of the missing aircraft.

The plane is understood to have departed George Town airport (pictured) about midday on Saturday

'Keep a lookout for any debris or something as simple as a life jacket or some airplane parts to contact AMSA or Tasmania Police,' he said.

'We stress that if you find some people in the water and it's safe to do so, please render them assistance.'

The daily ferry between Tasmania and the mainland was diverted to the last known location of the plane on Saturday but crews saw no sign of the plane.

Local authorities were alerted to the missing plane by concerned loved ones.

'The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue,' a Tasmania Police spokeswoman said earlier.

'As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated.'

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre on 02 6279 5700 or Tasmania Police.
Another former longtime staple presence of the Fox News Channel has officially joined the Trump administration.

Judge Jeanine Pirro was confirmed as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia by the U.S. Senate on Saturday evening with a vote of 50-45.

Pirro was President Donald Trump's second pick for the role, and has been serving in the position on an interim basis since May.

The president's initial selection for the post was Ed Martin, a longtime conservative activist, podcast host, and recent defender of January 6th rioters. Martin failed to garner an adequate amount of support from enough Senate Republicans to proceed with his conformation.

Pirro's own confirmation process was not without hurdles. She had to be voted out of the Judiciary Committee twice. Democrats walked out of a committee hearing two weeks ago, claiming that Republicans improperly rushed the confirmation process. That walkout invalidated the initial committee vote.

During a swearing-in ceremony for the Judge, which took place in the Oval Office back in May, Trump noted that 'Over five decades, Jeanine Pirro, known by millions as Judge Jeanine, has devoted her life to the pursuit of justice, the defense of freedom and the fair, equal and impartial rule of law.'

Trump also referred back to Pirro's early career as a district attorney in Westchester County, New York.

'And she went after real criminals, not fake criminals, like we seem to do today, nowadays,' the president added back in May.

U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump during her interim swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Jeanine Pirro, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino and Greg Gutfeld attend Fox News' 'The Five' at Fox News Studios on June 28, 2023 in New York City.

U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro listens to President Donald Trump speak during her interim swearing in ceremony, May 28, 2025, in Washington.

Pirro will now formally serve in a unique position, overseeing both federal crimes, and serious crimes committed in Washington, D.C.

Her new jurisdiction encompasses the U.S. Congress, as well as the headquarters of most government agencies, which makes her role one of the most influential in the country. Cases brought before her division may include ones of national security and public corruption, as well as violent crimes and drug trafficking.

Republicans, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, praised Trump's selection for the role, while doing their best to fend off attacks on Pirro from their Democrat counterparts.

'You may hear my Democrat colleagues criticize Ms. Pirro for some of her colorful remarks during her time as a TV personality,' Grassley, stated on the Senate floor ahead of Saturday's vote, adding that 'yes, she has a larger-than-life personality.'

However, Grassley added that, 'she has [a] decades [long] distinguished record as a prosecutor and judge. D.C. is fortunate that the president nominated her to serve as its U.S. attorney. Her job in the interim role, where she is stationed now, has been heralded.'

Cecily Strong returned on the May 10 2025 episode of SNL to reprise one of her most recognized roles, playing Jeanine Pirro. In the cold open, President Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) announced that he had named "one of the loudest people I know," Pirro, as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

Democrats framed Pirro as 'an election denialist, recklessly peddling President Trump's Big Lie.' Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said that Pirro continued to push false claims about the 2020 election, 'despite even her own Fox News producers and executives warning her to reel it in.'

Fox Corp, the parent company of Fox News, is still locked in a legal battle with voting machine technology company Smartmatic, and Pirro is among the list of Fox personalities accused of spreading false claims about the 2020 election.

Pirro's comments during her Fox News tenure also captured the attention of writers at the comedy show 'Saturday Night Live'. There, Pirro was played by Cecily Strong. In her portrayals of the Fox News personality, Strong frequently praised Trump, and also carried and drank alcohol during her imitations of Pirro.

After Saturday's confirmation vote, Pirro wrote on social media site X that she was 'blessed to have received a Senate confirmation vote this evening of 50 to 45 to be the United States attorney for the District of Columbia the largest United States Attorney's Office in the country.'

'Thank you to those senators who supported my confirmation and DC- get ready for a real crime fighter,' Pirro added in her X post.
Trump loyalist Charlie Kirk has sparked debate after sharing a video showing hundreds of Muslims participating in prayer in New York, calling the Democrat city the 'third world'.

The controversial political activist shared the footage that showed a large group of people gathered in Washington Square Park in New York City for prayer.

'Import the third world, become the third world', Kirk posted to his social media while sharing drone footage of the gathering, along with the caption 'This is New York City, not the Middle East.'

It remains unclear when the video was captured, but Muslims gather in the public park every year to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan - which occurred on March 30 this year.

Supporters of Kirk, who has advocated for Christian nationalism, backed his post - with many pointing out that the park and nearby arch was founded to commemorate avid Christian and founding father, George Washington.

One wrote: 'Our founding fathers could never have imagined.'

Another supporter of his added: 'It must stop!! Otherwise there will be no return from this.' While a third said: 'So if we go to Iran and occupy the town square for a Christian prayer. All good?'

And another wrote under the post: 'But if we worship God in their country were killed.'

Kirk shared the footage that showed a large group of people gathered in Washington Square Park in New York City for prayer

Besides the Islamic prayer that took place, other religions have also hosted public prayer throughout New York City

However, some people in Kirk's comment section said that the scenes were not problematic - and just a sign of the multicultural diversity of the city.

'I'm not sure why anyone is concerned about this, am I missing something?' one person said.

Another user came to their defense: 'What is so wrong in this? Let them pray. There are people of good faith in that crowd who would wish you are blessed regardless of which religion you belong to. Respect other religions.'

Besides the Islamic prayer that took place, other religions have also hosted public prayer throughout New York City.

Last September, thousands of Jewish people in the city gathered to sing Oseh Shalom, the Jewish prayer for peace amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

One of the most iconic symbols of the city, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, is also put on public display in the lead up to Christmas.

The annual Islamic gathering in downtown Manhattan each Eid was started by leaders of the Islamic Center at nearby New York University.

The center's director Imam Khalid Latif previously told The New York Times: 'We were just trying to conceptualize space that could fit our growing numbers and be a memorable experience.

'It can be very affirming knowing that in a city as large as New York, youre not by yourself, youre not alone.

'And it helps people also around us who we share space with, who are our neighbors, to know that were Muslim, and we are here as well.'

It comes after Kirk stirred up outrage after saying women should only go to college to find a husband.

He had been taking questions at a Turning Point USA event when a 14-year-old girl asked for his advice on attending college and the pros and cons of higher education.

After the girl mentioned that she was interested in pursuing a career in political journalism, Kirk asked all the young girls in the audience to raise their hands if their top priority is to 'get married and have kids.'

Kirk is seen here at The People's Convention hosted by Turning Point Action at The Huntington Place in Detroit, MI on June 15

Many of them did raise their hands, including the girl who asked him the question.

'Interestingly, I think there is an argument to bring back the MRS degree,' he said, referencing the slang term for women who go to college solely to find a husband.

'No seriously. And just be clear that's why you're going to college. Don't lie to yourself, like, "Oh, I'm going and studying sociology." No you're not, we know why you're here and that's okay!' Kirk said, grinning.

He specifically cited universities in the Southeastern Conference, many of which are known for being party schools, to find a man.

'That's a really good reason to go to college actually, especially an SEC school. You will find a husband if you have the intent to find a husband at Ole Miss,' he said.

'I say college is a scam, but if you find your life partner that's actually a really good reason to go to college.'

His comments did not go over well with critics after a clip of his answer spread online.

'This poor girl. She asks Charlie Kirk about her goal to be a political journalist and he tells her to go get an Mrs degree,' author and columnist Jill Filipovic posted on X.

'Charlie Kirk telling a 14-year-old to go to college just to land a husband? Thats not advice - it's a time warp,' another user added.
Authorities have found the white Ford F-150 allegedly used by a former Army sergeant to flee after a deadly bar shooting in Montana - but the suspected killer is still at large.

Michael Paul Brown, 45, is accused of gunning down four people - including a bartender - at The Owl Bar in Anaconda around 10 a.m. Friday before disappearing into the wilderness.

Law enforcement officials say Brown, of Anaconda, is 'armed and dangerous' and was last spotted in the remote Stumptown area west of the city.

After locating the abandoned pickup, officers launched a massive air and ground search across the mountainous terrain near Stumptown Road, which continued into Saturday.

Authorities also released a chilling photo of Brown, believed to be moments after the shooting.

The image showed him barefoot, shirtless, and wearing black shorts as he descended a set of concrete steps.

Officials have not yet released the names of the victims, identified only as a bartender and three others, saying they will do so when 'the time is appropriate.'

No motive for the attack has been disclosed.

The owner of a Montana bar where a gunman killed four people before going on the run believes the suspect just 'snapped.'

Michael Paul Brown, 45, is seen shirtless and barefoot in this image released by authorities Saturday, taken shortly after the fatal bar shooting

Brown served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and left the Army with the rank of sergeant, according to military records

Pictured: The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, where four people - including a bartender - were gunned down Friday morning

David Gwerder, owner of the Owl Bar, said alleged shooter Michael Paul Brown likely knew the victims of Friday's attack.

SWAT teams stormed Brown's home on Friday but found no trace of the suspected killer, who remains at large.

'He knew everybody that was in that bar, I guarantee you that,' Gwerder said.

'He didn't have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.'

Gwerder was not at the bar at the time of the shooting and believes the victims were the only ones inside.

Though no further injuries have been reported, officials insist Brown is still considered armed and dangerous - and residents have been urged to stay indoors and remain on high alert.

With no sign of the Army veteran in the truck or at his residence, authorities locked down the Stumptown Road area west of Anaconda, flooding it with air and ground teams and barring anyone from entering or leaving.

The lockdown was lifted Saturday, but the search effort continues.

Authorities have found the white Ford F-150 (stock photo) allegedly used by Brown to flee after a deadly bar shooting in Montana

He was last seen near Stumptown Road, where authorities locked down the area as helicopters and SWAT teams scoured the rugged terrain

The Department of Criminal Investigation has warned the public not to approach Brown under any circumstances.

Instead, anyone who spots him is urged to call 911.

He is described as 5-foot-10, about 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.

A woman who appears to be related to Brown took to social media as the manhunt continued saying 'mental health is real'.

Clare Boyle posted after the horrific events unfolded writing: 'There is one thing Im certain of. Mental health is real.

'And it goes unmanaged and dismissed every single day. There are people who search for help and get turned away at every stop along the path.

'There are people who cry for help and show DEFINITE warning signs of crash out. This town? All this town does is talk and judge.'

Daily Mail has approached her for further details.

Despite SWAT clearing his home and truck, Brown remains at large - residents have been warned not to approach him under any circumstances

Residents were urged to stay inside as helicopters and SWAT units locked down the area during Fridays manhunt

A friend to Brown wrote on Facebook: 'The shooter was a friend, combat veteran with PTSD and a delusional mentality of still being active spec ops! He would tell me these outrageous stories of his that were straight out of motion pictures!

'Mikey Brown needed help! Several locals contacted authorities and pleaded for them to do something to no avail! He was always polite to everyone he was in contact with! Gentle soul, I knew him for years, and watched his mental health decline!

'PTSD is a serious disease! I am so sorry for those who lost their lives and their loved ones who are dealing with the loss of their own! Mikey I'm sorry people didn't listen! God Bless Anaconda.'

Army records show Brown served as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005, deploying to Iraq for over a year.

He later joined the Montana National Guard, serving until 2009.

He left the military with the rank of sergeant.
An Australian has been arrested for allegedly stealing a car, hitting two people, and lighting the vehicle on fire in Bali, Indonesia.

The man, identified by local police only as RJW, allegedly confronted a local who was parking his Toyota Avanza outside a hotel in Seminyak about 12.30am on Sunday.

The Australian is alleged to have aggressively knocked on the car window outside the hotel, called Eden the Residence at the Sea, and forced the victim from his car.

He then allegedly jumped inside the vehicle and drove away.

The local man chased after the car with the help of a security guard.

After the car sped away it struck two people on a nearby road because it was being driven dangerously, police said.

The Balinese local used phone tracking software to trace a bag inside the car to a road 8km east of the hotel.

He went to the location but could not find his car and alerted local police.

Firefighters worked through the early hours of Sunday morning to bring the fire under control (pictured, locals watch on as fire crews fight the blaze)

Firefighters extinguished the fire (pictured above) revealing the scorched bodywork

An Australian man was arrested in Bali after allegedly stealing a car (pictured) outside a Seminyak hotel in the early hours of Sunday

Denpasar Fire Brigade then informed police a car had caught fire near a building on the same street.

Police alleged the Australian set fire to the vehicle intentionally, with the flames also catching the home alight.

No one was killed or harmed in the fire, which was extinguished by fire crews by about 5.30am.

Footage from the scene showed the Avanza engulfed in flames tucked against the side of a building as flames burned an overhead awning.

Firefighters from two trucks turned their hoses on the SUV and the building beside it.

The car was completely destroyed in the fire, with the interior burnt away and the windows outwardly shattered in the blaze. The home suffered minor damage.

The Australian was arrested and taken to North Kuta Police Station.

The Toyota Avanza is estimated to have been worth just over $14,000.

Denpasar Police spokesperson Ketut Sukadi confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Trans rights protesters have claimed responsibility for vandalising Wes Streeting's constituency office.

Police have launched an investigation after the Health Secretary's HQ in Ilford North had its windows smashed and the words 'child killer' daubed on the front in graffiti.

Trans Bash Back, a 'trans-led direct action project', claimed responsibility for the stunt in a post on the BlueSky social media platform on Friday.

Sharing a photo of the front of Mr Streeting's office shortly after it had been damaged, they wrote: 'Don't want action? Don't kill kids.'

The MP for Ilford North has addressed the vandalism but did not reference the accusations made by the activists.

'From day one as Ilford North's MP I've had an accessible and visible constituency office to serve my local community,' he wrote on X.

'Repeated criminal damage is unfair to my staff and an attack on democracy. I will not be commenting further while there is a live police investigation.'

Trans Bash Back describes itself as a 'non-violent direct action group' which takes 'risky, and rarely legal' action.

Police have launched an investigation after the Health Secretary's HQ in Ilford North had its windows smashed and the words 'child killer' daubed on the front in graffiti

The MP for Ilford North (pictured) has addressed the vandalism but did not reference the accusations made by the activists

On social media, the group has said it 'to sit and watch as trans young people have their healthcare stripped from them.

'We refuse to allow Streeting to cover up their suicides. We refuse to endure the violence and humiliation. They will have to go through us'.

One local business owner told The Telegraph that 'glass was broken and there's paint everywhere'.

'It's happened a few times  he's only just had the window replaced,' they added.

Mr Streeting has previously been clear about his stance on the gender debate.

In an interview with Talk Radio last year, he said: 'Men have penises, women have vaginas; here ends my biology lesson.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Police were called at 10.16 on Friday, Aug 1 to reports of criminal damage at an office in Woodford Avenue, IG4.

'Officers attended the scene, where they discovered that the address had been attacked with paint and the windows had been damaged.

'No one was injured.

'No arrests have been made at this early stage in the investigation.'
Two lawmakers in Alabama are pushing to make child rape cases eligible for the death penalty, after a gang of seven were arrested in a horrific sexual abuse case.

Police in Bibb County said the group subjected their victims, one of whom was just three years old at the time, to heinous sexual attacks inside a nightmarish underground bunker.

William Chase McElroy, 21; Dalton Terrell, 21; Timothy St. John, 23; and Ricky Terrell, 44, are facing rape charges 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.

Rep. Matt Simpson and state Senator April Weaver are organizing a bill that would make those convicted of rape or sodomy of a child younger than 12 eligible for the death penalty.

Speaking earlier this week, Rep. Simpson said: 'When you have situations like what happened in Bibb County, that would be up to the Bibb County prosecutor.

'But this would be a tool that they would have in their belt that they could if they decided to use that.'

Weaver added: 'I defy anyone anywhere with any conscience or any sense of morals to look at this case and others like it and argue the death penalty is not appropriate.'

Police in Bibb County said the group subjected their victims, one who was just 3 at the time, to heinous sexual attacks inside a nightmarish underground bunker, seen here

Rep. Matt Simpson, left, and state Senator April Weaver are organizing a bill that would make those convicted of rape or sodomy of a child younger than 12 eligible for the death penalty

The victims in the case, aged between three and 15, were abused with shock collars and raped inside the grimy storm bunker in Brent.

At least two of the victims were found performing sexual acts on each other, with some of the victims said to include some of the suspects' own children.

Images shared by police of the inside show a lone stained mattress with no sheets or blankets was seen stuffed in a corner of the barren and dirty room.

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 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 as a form of punishment, court documents said.

Police began investigating the group in early February after a tip from the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).

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.

The inside of the bunker where the deplorable acts took place, according to prosecutors

William Chase McElroy, 21, (left) and Timothy St. John, 23, (right) face rape charges, among others

Ricky Terrell, 44, (left) and Dalton Terrell, 21, (right) also face rape charges, among others

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

'He would tie one child to the bed, one child to a chair and one to one of the support poles,' Assistant District Attorney Bryan 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.

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.

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.
A Texas father has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after his 7-year-old adopted son was discovered dead inside a washing machine at the family's home.

Jermaine Thomas, from Spring, Texas, was convicted of murder nearly three years after the horrific 2022 death of little Troy Koehler, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Troy was reported missing on July 28, 2022, when Jermaine told deputies he came home late and found the front door open and his son gone.

But police soon discovered Troy's body inside the washing machine in the garage.

Troy's body was found stuffed inside the top-loading machine just hours after Thomas called police claiming the boy had vanished in the middle of the night.

But investigators revealed that Troy had been abused leading up to his death.

An autopsy showed the child had suffered multiple injuries, both new and healing, with evidence of asphyxiation, blunt-force trauma, and possible drowning, according to KPRC.

Prosecutors say Troy's adoptive parents were enraged over missing snacks like oatmeal cream pies and donut sticks, and used them as justification for the abuse.

Troy Koehler (pictured), 7, was reported missing on July 28, 2022, when Jermaine told deputies he came home late and found the front door open and his son gone. But police soon discovered Troy's body inside the washing machine in the garage

At one point, Troy's adoptive mother, Tiffany Thomas, allegedly threatened to put him in the oven until he confessed to eating her food.

Court records reveal the chilling message Jermaine sent to his wife: 'I need to get the [locks]. I'm going to end up [killing] him.'

During the sentencing hearing, Sheryl Reed, Troy's first-grade teacher, recalled the bright, book-loving boy who once dreamed of becoming a leader.

'Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. That was always Troy. He loved reading. If he finished early, he'd head straight to our class library.'

She recalled how Troy would rush to the classroom library and then happily share stories with classmates.

'Then he'd go right back to share those stories with classmates...always lifting others up with the joy he carried.'

Jermaine Thomas, from Spring, Texas, was convicted of murder nearly three years after the horrific 2022 death of little Troy Koehler, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office

An autopsy showed the child had suffered multiple injuries, both new and healing, with evidence of asphyxiation, blunt-force trauma, and possible drowning

'But Troy wasn't just leading his classmates-he led me, too. He led me to become a better teacher, a better mentor, and a better person,' she continued.

'His energy, his smile, and his love for learning reminded me daily why I chose this path.' It's unclear if the boy's mother ever faced charges.
Brits have been ordered to keep their doors shut after an amber weather warning was issued for Storm Floris amid fears 85mph winds could wreak havoc.

The sixth named storm of the 2024-25 season has arrived in time for August and will batter Britain tomorrow.

A 'danger to life' alert is in place for most of Scotland between 10am and 10pm.

And a yellow warning for wind has also been issued for as far south as Manchester and north Wales - as well as the entirety of Northern Ireland between 6am and midnight tomorrow.

In a post on X offering advice on how to stay safe in a storm, the Met Office said: 'Storm Floris is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain for parts of the UK from Monday. Stay #WeatherReady and check out some advice from our partners about keeping yourself, your home, and your garden safe.'

Other advice included 'opening internal doors only as needed' and 'closing them behind you', as well as parking vehicles in a garage, securing loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows - and staying indoors as much as possible.

Experts have also warned of potential travel disruption when the summer storm hits, with the Scottish Transport Secretary saying the unseasonable weather makes raising awareness even more important.

Network Rail has warned of disruption to trains as a result of the weather, while cancellations to ferry services are also likely.

Parts of Britain and Ireland are to be battered by the storm. Pictured: A cyclist riding through flood water on the Bay Estate in Dundalk, Co Louth, last week

A man makes a makeshift cover to shelter from the morning rain in Trafalgar Square on July 31

Train operator LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday as a result of the forecast.

Those intending to travel tomorrow can do so on Sunday, the operator said, with tickets also being valid until Wednesday.

Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston on Monday as it expects its Scottish-English routes to be 'heavily affected' by Storm Floris.

The operator said services are likely to be impacted in Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Haymarket, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh.

Tickets dated for Monday for these areas will be accepted on Sunday and Tuesday, it added.

The Met Office said gusts could reach 85mph on exposed coasts or hills north of the border.

A spokesman added: 'Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK early next week.

'The strongest winds are most likely to occur across Scotland during Monday afternoon and night, although there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris.

Man jogging in the morning rain in Trafalgar Square, central London, on July 31

Mounted military personnel last week near Trafalgar Square, central London

Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a meeting had been held on Friday to ensure the country is ready for the storm, adding: 'Given the unusual timing, and the fact some people will be on holiday, travelling or perhaps unaware, we are trying to raise even more awareness than usual of this potentially disruptive storm.

'Please check with operators as we do expect rail, ferries, roads and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country.

'This is a slightly unusual situation for August, however the message is the same as winter - plan ahead, check your journey in advance, allow extra time, and don't take any unnecessary risks.

'Officials will be monitoring the situation and are ready to stand up the Multi Agency Response Team, if required.

'I am grateful to those who are giving up their weekend and time off to help co-ordinate the transport sector's response.

'Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, Sepa, local authorities and others will communicate any closures to the public and provide real-time updates.'

Scottish ferry operator CalMac has issued a series of cancellation warnings ahead of the storm.

'Disruption to sailings is expected across our network on Monday August 4 due to forecasted strong winds across parts of Scotland's west coast,' it posted on X.

People walking in the morning rain in Leicester Square, central London

People punting on the river Cam on a wet start to the day on July 31 in Cambridge

Elsewhere, motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes.

Rod Dennis, of the RAC breakdown service, said: 'This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week.

'It's the height of the holiday season, so those towing trailers and caravans, as well as those with roof and tent boxes, must ensure their loads are properly secured.'

Shaun Jones, of the AA, said: 'If you're planning a journey - especially through exposed or rural areas - it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected.

'Keep both hands on the wheel, especially on open roads and motorways, and be mindful of high-sided vehicles and cyclists who may be more affected by gusts.

'Watch out for fallen branches or debris, particularly in rural areas - this could be telltale signs of a fallen tree ahead.'

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland.

'There is a small chance that some locations here could even record gusts of 85mph.'

The strongest winds will most likely affect Scotland on Monday afternoon and night but 'there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris', a spokesman added.

'Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east.

'Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.'

The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England.
As Kamala Harris reemerges into the political spotlight, other members of her party are signaling that she shouldn't be treated as their presumptive 2028 presidential nominee.

During a Sunday morning appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Democrat Governor Jared Polis of Colorado was asked to share his take on a potential repeat presidential run from 2024 nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

The show's guest host, Kasie Hunt, asked Polis if Harris was 'the right person to be the Democratic standard-bearer in 2028.'

'Well, it's about the message and what they run on, right? I haven't talked to Kamala about what her plans are,' Polis replied, kicking off the exchange.

'I think what we need is the ability to make sure that we can build that coalition of 55, 58 percent, win, win decisively, turn our back on this divisive Trumpian era of politics and move forward with an era of prosperity and opportunity for the American people,' the Colorado Governor continued, riffing on what qualifications his ideal nominee would have.

Polis then added that he thinks 'it's great that many people will hopefully run to be able to audition to see who has that voice and who's able to get that done and win and, of course, govern effectively to improve our quality of life,' without explicitly mentioning Harris, or any other potential presidential contenders.

Hunt then asked Polis if he was considering a 2028 run himself.

'It's not something I have looked at. I'm focused on governing,' the Colorado Governor replied, adding that he has another year-and-a-half left to serve in his current role.

Democratic Governor Jared Polis discusses Trump's tariffs with CNN's Kasie Hunt and weighs in on whether Kamala Harris should run for President again in 2028 on August 3rd, 2025

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest Vice President Kamala Harris during Thursday's July 31, 2025 show

Harris is attempting to revitalize her public image after a devastating loss to President Donald Trump last year. Trump won every swing state and beat Harris with a total of 312 electoral votes to his opponent's 226.

The former vice president announced last Wednesday that she would not be running for Governor of California in 2026, leaving the door open for a potential 2028 presidential bid.

She followed up that announcement by previewing the release of an upcoming book about her 2024 campaign. The work is titled '107 Days,' and is set to be released in September.

Harris has also twice in the last week teased that she is staying out of electoral politics 'for now.'

'For now, my leadership  and public service  will not be in elected office,' she wrote in a statement on X, announcing that she would not be running for Governor of California.

'I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans,' Harris added.

The former vice president also appeared on Steven Colbert's 'The Late Show' on Thursday to promote her book in her first major televised post-election interview.

Harris then doubled down on her perceptions of electoral politics, noting that she 'made the decision ... for now' to not 'go back in the system,' adding that she thinks 'it's broken.'
A teacher branded 'Islamophobic' has been sacked after describing Lucy Connolly's prison sentence as an example of two-tier policing.

Simon Pearson, a teacher at Preston College, has said he fell victim to an unfair 'witch hunt' which resulted in his dismissal from his position.

The 56-year-old, working as an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher at the higher education institution, was removed following an internal investigation.

Connolly, wife of a Tory councillor, was given a 31-month sentence in October after pleading guilty to a charge of inciting racial hatred in a social media post following last year's Southport riots.

The post, which the 42-year-old later deleted, said: 'Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care... if that makes me racist so be it.'

In a Facebook post, Mr Pearson described Connolly's online comments as 'obviously wrong', but said that he believed her prison sentence was a 'two tier policy from the top down' and that she 'should not have been jailed', The Telegraph has reported.

An internal investigation was launched following a complaint submitted by a Muslim representative of the National Education Union (NEU) at the school who alleged that the post was 'Islamophobic' and 'racially discriminatory'.

Mr Pearson said that following the raised concern, he apologised and also claimed to have provided evidence of his support for both Muslim students and asylum seekers.

Simon Pearson, a teacher at Preston College, has said he fell victim to an unfair 'witch hunt' which resulted in his dismissal from his position at Preston College after he publicly criticised Lucy Connolly's (pictured) prison sentence

Connolly, wife of a Tory councillor, was given a 31-month sentence in October after pleading guilty to a charge of inciting racial hatred in a social media post (pictured) following last year's Southport riots

In a Facebook post, Mr Pearson described Connolly's (pictured) online comments as 'obviously wrong', but said that he believed her prison sentence was a 'two tier policy from the top down' and that she 'should not have been jailed', the Telegraph has reported

Pictured: Mr Pearson's Facebook post that eventually resulted in his dismissal. Preston College's investigation deemed the posts a violation of its policies, damaging of professional relationships and likely to bring the college's reputation into disrepute

However, the college's investigation deemed the posts a violation of its policies, damaging of professional relationships and likely to bring the college's reputation into disrepute.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Pearson said he had been left 'appalled' by the decision, particularly given his life-long commitment to helping to support and educate students 'from all walks of life'.

Describing his dismissal as a 'grave injustice', he added: 'As soon as I was branded 'Islamophobic' for expressing concern about violent crime, I became a marked man.

'It was clear that I had to be found guilty by the college, it became a witch hunt, and I had to be eliminated no matter what.'

Mr Pearson, who has now launched legal action at an employment tribunal, has claimed wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal, harassment and discrimination under the Equality Act of 2010.

Lord Young of Acton, founder of the Free Speech Union, told The Daily Mail that he was 'shocked' by the decision to sack Mr Pearson, criticising the NEU for 'siding with the bosses rather than the workers when it comes to breaches of workplace speech codes'.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, supporting Mr Pearson, described the case as an indication of the 'dangerous consequences of the vague and weaponised use of the term 'Islamophobia'.

They added: 'In a free and democratic society, we must be able to discuss public events and express concern about violence and injustice without fear of losing our livelihoods.

Connolly's husband, Raymond (pictured left), a former West Northamptonshire Conservative councillor, said on the day she lost her appeal: 'Today, the court had the opportunity to reduce her cruelly long and disproportionate sentence, but they refused. That feels like two-tier justice'

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Pearson said he had been left 'appalled' by the decision, particularly given his life-long commitment to helping to support and educate students 'from all walks of life'. Pictured: Connolly with a photo of her child Harry, who died aged 19 months

A spokesperson for The Christian Legal Centre, supporting Mr Pearson, described the case as an indication of the 'dangerous consequences of the vague and weaponised use of the term 'Islamophobia'. Pictured: Connolly, the mother-of-one who was arrested on August 6 last year

'The definition of Islamophobia is being used to silence legitimate speech and punish those who dare to speak out. We stand firmly behind this teacher and his right to freedom of expression.'

Connolly, of Northampton, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court in October and imprisoned at HMP Drake Hall, Staffordshire after admitting to making her 'racist' post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The 42-year-old former childminder, wife of Tory councillor Ray Connolly, lost her 19-month-old son, Harry, in 2011.

With around 9,000 followers on X at the time, Connolly's message was reposted 940 times and viewed 310,000 times before she deleted it around three and a half hours later.

The mother-of-one was arrested on August 6 last year, by which point she had deleted her social media account. But other messages which included other condemning remarks were uncovered by officers who seized her phone.

Her X post was made just hours after killer Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls and attempted to murder 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, sparking nationwide unrest.

A number of public figures and politicians have spoken out since Connolly was handed her sentence, claiming that she is a victim of 'two-tier justice'.

Connolly's husband, Raymond, a former West Northamptonshire Conservative councillor, said on the day she lost her appeal: 'Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she will release 40,000 prisoners, some of them dangerous men on tag.

Connolly's X post was made just hours after killer Axel Rudakubana (pictured) murdered three young girls and attempted to murder 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, sparking nationwide unrest

Pictured: scenes of violence and rioting by demonstrators on the streets in Rotherham following the Southport attacks

Connolly's supporters, including the Free Speech Union (pictured) , argue that Connolly's 285 days in custody already represent punishment enough

'Lucy has not been allowed out on tag and she has been denied leave to see our child who is struggling.

'Today, the court had the opportunity to reduce her cruelly long and disproportionate sentence, but they refused. That feels like two-tier justice.

'The British people know all this is not right. They have given an amazing 81,000 so far to Lucy's crowd-funder. Despite today's upsetting setback, Lucy gets courage from everyone's kind support.'

Mr Connolly had been a Tory West Northamptonshire district councillor but lost his seat in May. He remains on the town council.

Connolly's supporters, including the Free Speech Union, argue that  as a woman with significant mitigating factors including the lack of previous convictions, a young daughter at home and the death of her baby son  Connolly's 285 days in custody already represent punishment enough.

Adelle Healy, 42, who has been friends with Connolly for nine years, previously told the Daily Mail: 'Lucy was horrified and heartbroken that three little girls had been murdered. She let her emotions take over and wrote something that she definitely shouldn't have done but she has paid a very dear price.

'She should not be behind bars for a tweet. I think it's ludicrous that it's got to this point.'

In May, Connolly lost an appeal to shorten her 31-month sentence despite telling the Court of Appeal in London that she 'never' intended to incite violence and did not realise that pleading guilty would mean she accepted that she had.

Connolly, of Northampton, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court in October and imprisoned at HMP Drake Hall (pictured), Staffordshire after admitting to making her 'racist' post on X, formerly known as Twitter

Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out in Southport on July 30 - a day after the knife attack

Meanwhile, earlier this week, a friend of Connolly shared a post to X saying that she believed Connolly would be 'with a glass of Whispering Angel in-hand' this time next month, expecting that she could be released as early as August 21.

The pal, who describes herself as a ''conspiracy' blonde', said: 'Missed a call whilst working today and not spoke to her for 2 weeks now... *HOWEVER* Happy to say that this time next month Lucy will be with a glass of Whispering Angel in-hand - And more importantly her family AT HOME.'

She concluded the post with, 'What a year it's been...'

The Southport atrocity sparked nationwide unrest, with several people - including Connolly - jailed as a result.

Connolly's case received international interest with the White House saying in May it was 'monitoring' Connolly's case.

The length of her sentence, which has seen her locked up alongside career crooks, has drawn bitter criticism from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, as well as a raft of free speech advocates for being unduly harsh.

Reform's Richard Tice even previously proposed a bill - named 'Lucy's Bill' - which would allow people to mount mass appeals against punishments they deem to be too severe or lenient.

A spokesperson for the NEU said: 'The management of Preston College reached a decision to dismiss the teacher following disciplinary procedures.

'The NEU was not directly involved in these processes and it will be for the Employment Tribunal to consider the fairness of the dismissal if and when the claim reaches a hearing.'

Preston College has been approached for comment.
A woman who was severely beaten following a street brawl in Cincinnati is suffering from a 'very bad' brain trauma after the horrific attack.

The woman, known only as Holly, was attacked in the downtown area of Ohio city alongside an unidentified man - and the shocking attack was captured on camera.

In her first remarks since the assault, Holly, who is still severely bruised, said it has left her with trauma to the brain.

In an emotional message, she said: 'I want to say thank you to everyone for all of the love and support.

'It's definitely what's keeping me going. And you have just brought back faith in humanity.

'It's been very, very hard, and I'm still recovering. I still have a very bad brain trauma. God bless you all. Thank you.'

Political commentator Benny Johnson shared the video to his X profile after he organized an online fundraiser for her, which has already raised $168,000.

According to the page Holly is a single working-class mother and is out of work due to her injuries as well as living in an undisclosed location due to threats on her life.

The woman, known only as Holly, was identified by lawmakers in the city earlier this week after the incident last weekend which went viral

In her first remarks since the assault Holly, who is still severely bruised after the attack, said it has left her with brain trauma

It also adds that is suffering from a severe concussion as well as hemorrhaging, with the money raised going to help her medical and legal bills.

Images had emerged earlier this week of her extensive injuries with both sides of her face were extremely bruised following the assault.

Her bottom lip was also cut open slightly, with dark bruises seen around her neck and upper torso.

The update from Holly comes after a fourth person was arrested in connection with the fight.

Dominique Kittle, 37, was taken into police custody on Friday night and was charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot, his bond was set at $150,000.

He appeared in court on Saturday where his lawyer told the judge that suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, according to WLWT.

Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were taken into custody earlier this week after the ordeal, which JD Vance waded in on.

Matthew and Merriweather were initially charged with aggravated riot and assault over the brawl.

Images had emerged earlier this week of her extensive injuries with both sides of her face were extremely bruised following the assault

Jermaine Matthews, left, and Dominique Kittle are both facing charges in connection with the brawl

Dekyra Vernon, 24, (left) and Montianez Merriweather, 34, (right) were also taken into custody in connection with the melee

Matthews, however, was hit with three more charges on Thursday - two felonious assault and one misdemeanor assault charge.

It is alleged that Merriweather was the 'catalyst' for what detectives have described as a 'coordinated attack'.

New footage has also emerged showing the moments leading up to the attack, with one of the men who police said was a victim using racial slurs.

The video, obtained by The Enquirer, shows the unknown individual say: 'Get him! Get that little n*****.'

Two black men appeared to try and talk to the man to calm him down before the brawl starts. Matthews' attorney Brandon Fox released the video.

The violent brawl went viral last weekend, catapulting the city into the spotlight

Merriweather's family have also claimed that he was called racial slurs and spat on in the lead up to the fight.

Fox said: 'It was not a Black, racist mob attacking people. These were separate fights that were triggered by racial slurs that ultimately poured gasoline on the fire.'

The melee prompted an outcry from Police Chief Theresa Theetge who admonished witnesses for failing to call 911.

'Nobody called the police,' she said Monday. 'Nobody got us there as quickly as we could get there. They waited until they saw it on social media.

'That is unacceptable to not call the police when you view this. Traffic was horrendous. People saw this, they were fighting in front of traffic.'
Multiple casualties have been reported after Ukrainian officials alleged that a group of bat and pipe-wielding civilians attacked a draft officer.

Officials said the incident took place at 2pm local time in the small village of Buzke in Mykolaiv Oblast.

They said that the civilians, who have not yet been identified, were 'armed with bats and metal pipes' and 'damaged a vehicle and inflicted bodily injuries on a soldier.'

In response to the attack, the soldier is said to have 'a shot with a non-lethal ammunition device.'

The attack left an unspecified number of Ukrainian soldiers and police, as well as civilians injured.

Cops are now investigating the incident, and warned dissidents that insulting the 'honour and dignity' of soldiers, as well as threatening violence against them, was punishable by up to five years in prison.

It added that bringing harm to soldiers could result in up to 12 years imprisonment.

From the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky faced an uphill battle with his countrymen, who resisted the enforced conscription into the country's military.

A view of destruction following the Russian drones hitting the building of the regional Territorial Centre of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR and SS) in Kharkiv, Ukraine on July 7, 2025

Fire breaks out after a Russian attack at the 3 private house and one apartment building as the emergency officials work at the area in Kherson, Ukraine on August 2, 2025

Just two days ago protesters in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia broke into a stadium where roughly 100 men were being held by military enlistment officers.

Cops arrested several demonstrators.

It comes as a Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in Sochi, the Russian resort that hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic which is 250 miles from the Ukrainian border, authorities said Sunday.

Ukraine has regularly hit Russian oil and gas infrastructure in response to attacks on its own territory since Russia began its offensive in February 2022.

'Sochi suffered a drone attack by the Kyiv regime last night,' the governor of Russia's Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratiev, said on Telegram.

He said drone wreckage hit an 'oil tank, which caused a fire' during the night-time attack.

Sochi's mayor, Andrei Proshunin, said there were no victims and that the fire was put out several hours later.

A firefighter puts out the fire after a Russian drone hit the market in the town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025

A seller leaves the market hit by Russia's drone attack in the town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025

Images, broadcast by Russian media but whose authenticity AFP could not verify, showed flames and a thick plumes of black smoke rising from the site.

Air traffic was briefly suspended at Sochi airport, Russia's air transport regulator Rosaviatsia said.

Ukraine authorities have not commented on the fire.

Air strikes on Sochi are relatively rare compared to some other Russian cities.

However, Ukrainian drone attacks killed two people there late last month, according to local authorities.
A never-before-seen image of convicted killer Bryan Kohberger has shown the moment he knew he was caught for the gruesome deaths of four innocent Idaho college students.

The 30-year-old criminology Ph.D student murdered Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20 Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, on November 13, 2022 after sneaking into their home in Moscow.

For about a month, police searched for the person responsible - until December 30 when they nabbed Kohberger.

The image, which showed the twisted killer donning a stone-faced expression at one of the arresting officers, was taken after authorities stormed his parents' home in Pennsylvania.

He looked directly at the camera as he sat down, wearing a black hoodie and black shorts with his hands restrained behind his back.

'I'll never forget - my phone dinged and I looked at it and it said, "We got him,"' Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger told ABC News.

'The next thing on, there was a picture of him in handcuffs from the scene.'

Dahlinger recalled the sense of 'relief' he felt in that moment, adding: 'So being able to share that information with the community, I can only imagine that many of us in the community felt the same when we knew we had him.'

A newly released image showed stone-faced Bryan Kohberger when he was arrested in his parents' Pennsylvania home on December 30, 2022

Kohberger brutally stabbed four University of Idaho students - to death Madison Mogen (top left) , 21, Ethan Chapin (middle), 20 Kaylee Goncalves (bottom left), 21, and Xana Kernodle (bottom right), 20 - on November 13, 2022

Just before his arrest, it appeared Kohberger was 'sorting through garbage, with gloves on,' Idaho State Police Lt. Darren Gilbertson, a lead investigator in the blockbuster case, told the outlet.

He was among those who interviewed Kohberger the day of his arrest, as he recalled the murderer being 'expressionless.'

Despite his demeanor, which has been on full display since the tragedy made headlines three years ago, Gilbertson said he noticed Kohberger still liked to 'speak to you and teach and enlighten you' during his interview.

'We started with just very general questions about Pullman, about WSU ... he spoke at length about that with us,' the detective recollected.

The murderer went on to ask Gilbertson why he was being interviewed, but when he found it was related to the fatal stabbings in Moscow, he stopped talking.

'As soon as we mentioned that, then he stopped, and he said, "I don't want to talk anymore",' Gilbertson said.

'We asked if he was familiar with it, if he knew anything about Moscow, and he said, no ... and stopped right then and said he wanted an attorney.'

Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison on July 23 as the victims' families spoke directly to him with their emotional and powerful impact statements.

He was handed four life sentences for each death plus 10 more years for the burglary charge related to the murders.

Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison on July 23 (pictured) as the victims' families spoke directly to him with their emotional and powerful impact statements

He was supposed to stand trial for the deaths that would have seen him possibly get the death penalty, but just weeks before his sentencing Kohberger entered a plea deal.

Instead of getting the death penalty, he will now remain locked behind bars for the rest of his life.

He is being held in the 'J' block of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution near Boise - the most restricted prisons in the area.

Following his sentencing, a trove of investigation documents were released by the Moscow Police Department.

Within the lengthy documents, it was sadly revealed how one of the victim's, Goncalves, was so badly injured by Kohberger's knife that she looked 'unrecognizable' by the time he claimed her life.

'I was unable to comprehend exactly what I was looking at while trying to discern the nature of the injuries,' a cop wrote in the files.

Goncalves was stabbed a total of 34 times, with many of those wounds left on her face at the student home.

Goncalves (pictured with Mogen) was so badly injured by Kohberger's knife that she looked 'unrecognizable' by the time he claimed her life

Chapin was found partially covered with a blanket in her bed, with his jugular severed. His girlfriend, Kernodle, was stabbed more than 50 times. (Pictured: The late couple)

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 in 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.

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.
Police have launched a desperate search for a British woman who disappeared from her sunbed on a beach in Greece whilst her husband was asleep.

A Silver Alert was issued after authorities failed to locate Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, who suddenly disappeared from Ofrynio beach in the city of Kavala at around noon on Friday.

The Greek authorities confirmed to The Sun that Ms Bourda is a British national and said they believe her life could be in danger.

Greece's Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed a search operation via sea is underway.

Ms Bourda was last seen wearing a two-piece beaded swimsuit, yellow beach shoes, and a pair of red sunglasses.

A Silver Alert was issued after authorities failed to locate Michele Ann Joy Bourda (pictured), 59, who suddenly disappeared from Ofrynio beach in the city of Kavala at around noon on Friday

She disappeared from Ofrynio beach (file picture) in the city of Kavala in Greece

She is described as being 5ft6in, of a slim build with blue eyes and shoulder length hair.

It is understood she went to the beach with her husband, who was allegedly asleep when the she vanished.

When he woke up, his wife was nowhere to be found, according to local media.

Sources claim Ms Bourda's belongings were left behind on the beach after she vanished.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
The billionaire ruler of Dubai added solar panels to a property on his vast Highland estate without obtaining the key planning permission required in advance.

Representatives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum - one of the worlds richest men with an estimated 11billion fortune - have now filed relevant paperwork with Highland Council to get the green light for the installation at the 63,000-acre Inverinate estate in Wester Ross.

The environmentally friendly technology was put in place at Lochview house to the west of the main estate house in a bid to enhance the buildings sustainability performance while having minimal visual impact.

Retrospective planning permission is also being sought for additional installations at Lochview such as a new staff room, and a ring road connection to improve site circulation and access for service vehicles.

A design statement submitted to Highland Council states: Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed on the roof to enhance the buildings sustainability performance in line with national and local renewable energy goals. Their location ensures minimal visual impact.

The document from Colin Armstrong Architects also states: The PV panels demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental responsibility and align with Highland Councils carbon reduction targets.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has asked for retrospective planning permission for solar panels at his Highland estate

The Sheikh has built a substantial complex at the 63,000-acre Inverinate estate in Wester Ross

The solar panels progress the Sheikhs support of this renewable source of energy, and he is behind the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai.

The facility is billed as the largest single-site solar park in the world, and supports the citys aim to produce all of its energy from clean sources by 2050.

However, the plans at Inverinate come amid longstanding questions from locals after years of building works at the site, which is located on the banks of Loch Duich, a haven for wildlife such as red deer, Eurasian otters, pipistrelles, west European hedgehogs, and harbour seals.

Some people living in the area have previously accused the Sheikh of building a mini Dubai at the estate that he visits only once or twice a year.

The 74-year-old bought the property more than two decades ago, and his representatives say major expansion implemented in recent years is to make more room for guests and staff.

The Sheikh is one of the UKs biggest landowners with a portfolio spanning more than 100,000 acres, while he developed a friendship with the late Queen through their mutual love of horses, often appearing as her guest at Ascot.

Inverinate, whose considerable facilities include several helipads, a hunting lodge and a pool, was recently given the go-ahead to build a tenth on-site property with 15 bedrooms, a large living room and dining room area, and a conservatory.

That came after the Sheikh in 2020 won a long battle to create the six-bedroom Ptarmigan Lodge on the estate, despite more than 30 local objections.

The application was granted on condition of a 30,000 payment towards local affordable housing.

A statement from his representatives submitted to Highland Council regarding the latest plans said: This retrospective application reflects necessary and beneficial modifications made during the construction and operational planning phases.

The proposed changes are minor in scale relative to the approved development and are fully justified in terms of functional necessity, sustainability, and design integrity. We respectfully request that The Highland Council support this application.

The office of the Sheikh did not respond to a request for comment.
A retired doctor was forced to crash his own car after it started to accelerate and his brakes failed on a mountain road.

Peter Rothschild was driving down a mountain road in northern California in May when his new Volvo SUV wouldn't brake, dashcam footage showed.

The 69-year-old retired radiologist spoke with The Wall Street Journal about the horrifying journey and his battle to slow the car down.

'I kept pushing on the brakes and pushing on the brakes', he told the outlet - but the car continued to speed up.

Horrifying footage of the incident showed the car quickly driving down the road, before Rothschild managed to crash the vehicle into an embankment to stop it.

The side air bags deployed and the vehicle was damaged, but Rothschild added: 'I dont think I wouldve made the next curve and wouldve gone off the side.'

Unbeknownst to Rothschild, and Volvo, his XC90 plug-in hybrid had a breaking defect.

The vehicle had been recalled the month prior over failures with the rearview camera and given a software update.

Peter Rothschild was driving down a mountain road in northern California in May when his new Volvo SUV wouldn't brake

Following the brake failure, Peter Rothschild's enthusiasm for the brand has waned and he told the outlet that he is officially done with the brand

The update was packaged alongside other software updates that then introduced the braking issue to the car.

Volvo said that around 11,500 of those updated vehicles, which totaled 400,000, then started experiencing braking failures.

After discovering the problem, Volvo said they immediately stopped installing the software updates.

A statement said: 'We are treating this issue very seriously and doing everything we can to update all impacted vehicles as soon as possible.'

Rothschild told the outlet that he bought his first Volvo in the 1980s and owns two currently.

He passed down his love for the Swedish car manufacturer to his children, and claimed that he had spent close to a million dollars on Volvos over the years.

His love comes from their renowned safety-first reputation, having invented important safety features including the three point safety belt.

Following the brake failure however his enthusiasm for the brand has waned and he told the outlet that he is officially done with the brand.

He added: 'The last thing you want to do is panic, but this was a scary road and without brakes its very scary. This wasn't my fault. This was Volvo's fault.'

Horrifying dash cam footage of the incident shows the car quickly driving down the road, Rothschild managed to crash the vehicle into an embankment to stop it

Unbeknownst to Rothschild, and Volvo, his XC90 plug-in hybrid, seen here, had a breaking defect

Following the crash he said a third-party emergency provider had called him due to the air bags going off.

He added: 'I remember telling them "you need to tell this to your supervisor, this is huge, this is really, really important".'

After alerting Volvo, they discovered the software issued in the recall had interfered with the breaking system.

They found that a driver could lose all braking functionality without warning 'after coasting downhill for at least 1 minute and 40 seconds', the company said.

According to Volvo the problem occurs when drivers are using the vehicles regenerative braking technology. In normal circumstances the issue wouldn't happen.

The car maker said they had received three reports of similar incidents, nobody was injured in them.

In June they advised drivers of nine models not to use their car until it was fixed, they then said in July that all drivers should urgently go to a dealer to have it repaired.

As of this week the company said that 600 of the vehicles remain unfixed. Rothschild is now considering a Tesla as his next purchase.
A Florida boater made a surprising move after stumbling on a massive stash of suspected cocaine floating just five miles off Islamorada - handing it over to cops instead of fleeing or pocketing the loot.

The unidentified Good Samaritan spotted more than 20 tightly wrapped, black, brick-shaped packages drifting in the water on Thursday and immediately alerted authorities, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies, with help from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, swooped in and hauled the 50-pound stash ashore - a total of 23 kilos - suspected to be packed with cocaine.

Photos show the suspicious bricks bobbing in the turquoise waters before they were loaded onto law enforcement vessels. Testing is still underway, but officials believe the bundles are cocaine.

The haul has since been turned over to federal agents for further investigation.

It's unclear whether the boater will receive a reward - or face any blowback - for getting involved.

Packages of cocaine that wash ashore in Florida aren't just dangerous - they're often marked with cartel symbols, making it clear they belong to someone you don't want to cross, reports News 6.

And hanging onto them isn't just risky - it's illegal.

'It should go without saying that retaining possession of (a washed-up block of drugs) is an incredibly bad idea...' Florida law firm Perlet & Shiner told News 6. 'If, for example, you intentionally retain possession of a block of drugs later valued at $100,000, you have committed grand theft in the first degree, which can carry up to 30 years in prison, plus significant fines.'

More than 20 black, brick-shaped packages suspected to contain cocaine were found drifting in the Caribbean Sea

The tightly wrapped bundles were spotted about five miles south of Islamorada in the Florida Keys

He's not the only one to strike white gold. Just weeks ago, a beachgoer in the Panhandle found $500,000 worth of cocaine - part of a growing trend of drug bundles washing ashore along Florida's coast.

Last year alone, authorities recovered over 180 pounds of cocaine across the state - from bricks floating near Key West to stashes buried in the sand in Volusia County.

Even massive bales of marijuana have been found on beaches in Palm Beach and Neptune Beach.

Experts say the phenomenon is tied to drug routes from South America, which produces about 90 percent of the cocaine consumed in North America, according to the United Nations.

Smugglers use boats and small planes to ferry drugs north - and when law enforcement gets too close, they often toss the cargo overboard to avoid arrest or arrange pickup later.

These floating bundles, dubbed 'blow bales,' can drift for miles, especially after storms churn the sea - just like Hurricane Debby did before last year's $1 million stash surfaced in the Keys.

And it's not just humans at risk. Scientists have warned that cocaine dumped in the ocean may be affecting Florida's marine life - especially sharks, according to Live Science.
French farmers have a devised a clever way of dealing with hordes of squatters on their land - and it involves truckloads of manure.

Footage shows the striking moment tractors are let loose on a farm in Hautes-Vosges to drive around in circles spraying a brown sludgy-looking liquid in their wake.

It comes as scores of white caravans and cars can be seen parked up on the outskirts of the land - in addition to what even appears to be one red Ferrari.

Desperate Travellers run after the tractors as they spread the off-putting substances with one even managing to hold onto the side where he shouts and shakes his fist angrily.

But their efforts, said to have taken place on July 8, appear to be to avail as the enraged man eventually tumbles off the vehicle and others are unable to catch up.

Local media reports the farmers decided to take matters into their own hands after 'not receiving any help from the police' to 'get rid of an illegal gypsy camp'.

It is understood the farmers were spaying liquid manure (slurry) from their tanks to make the area so unpleasant the squatters would be forced to vacate.

Slurry is made up of a mixture of manure and water and is a known tactic used by farmers to get rid of unwanted visitors.

The video was uploaded to YouTube and also X with the caption 'How to get rid of squatters on your property ... farmer style'

Footage shows the striking moment tractors are let loose on a farm to drive around in circles spraying a brown sludgy-looking liquid in their wake. Pictured: A squatter manages to cling onto the vehicle - but not for long

Scores of white caravans and cars can be seen parked up on the outskirts of the land - in addition to what even appears to be one red Ferrari

The incident follows a number of complaints from European farmers over trespassers on their land.

A number of people have since commented under a video on X to express their joy at the manure.

One person said 'Respect!' while another user dubbed the footage 'Feelgood video of the day, that'.

A third observed: 'The sprayed liquid is pig manure. The smell is so strong and long-lasting that the air is unbreathable for several days.'

Squatting incidents in Europe over recent months has not just been confined to farms.

The issue has also seen couples forced out of their homes after feeling helpless at the prospect of having trespassers evicted.

Earlier this week it emerged a British woman in Spain was forced to sell her dream Spanish holiday villa after a squatter moved in and refused to leave.

Joanne Venet, 61, said her ordeal began when a tenant refused to pay his 1,400 a month rent for the 450,000 three-bedroom luxury villa near Benidorm earlier this year.

A British woman has been forced to sell her dream Spanish holiday villa after a squatter moved in and refused to leave. Joanne Venet (pictured), 61, says her ordeal began when a tenant refused to pay his 1,400 a month rent for the luxury villa near Benidorm earlier this year

Joanne was then faced with Spain 's tough tenancy laws which could have seen her spend years and thousands of pounds to evict the tenant, who was a Spanish citizen. Pictured: Joanne's luxury Spanish villa

In the end the wedding celebrant and actress from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, was forced to pay an eviction agency - or 'de-squatters' - 4,000 to evict the tenant who owed 5,600 (4,800) for four months unpaid rent and bills. Pictured: A de-squatter mediating with one of the house occupants

Ms Venet was then faced with Spain's tough tenancy laws which could have seen her spend years and thousands of pounds to evict the tenant, who was a Spanish citizen.

In the end the wedding celebrant and actress from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, was forced to pay an eviction agency - or 'de-squatters' - 4,000 to evict the tenant who owed 5,600 (4,800) for four months unpaid rent and bills.

When she finally obtained possession of the property, it was trashed and covered in cocaine and cannabis paraphernalia, and debris.
A fifth person has been charged by counter-terrorism police for the RAF Brize Norton break in that caused 7million worth of damage to two military aircraft.

Muhammad Umer Khalid, of no fixed abode, was charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.

The 22-year-old was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) have confirmed.

The appalling incident on June 20 saw activists break into the Oxfordshire air base and spray paint on two RAF Voyager planes, causing 7million worth of damage.

Palestine Action, which has since been proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, accepted responsibility for the break in.

Shocking footage shared by the group showed protesters storming across the RAF runway in Oxfordshire on electric scooters.

The bodycam footage then showed them spraying red paint into the turbine engines of the air-to-air refuelling tankers which the RAF say are 'vital for enhancing the operational reach and flexibility of Britain's military air power'.

Palestine Action claimed to have used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray the paint, while they say they caused further damage with crowbars.

A fifth person has been charged by counter-terrorism police for the RAF Brize Norton break in (pictured) that caused 7million worth of damage to two military aircraft

Muhammad Umer Khalid, of no fixed abode, was charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom. Pictured: the scene of the break in on June 20

The 22-year-old was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) have confirmed. Pictured: the scene at RAF Brize Norton

The activists said they sprayed red paint across the runway and left a Palestine flag behind before fleeing the base undetected.

Last month, four people were charged and remanded in custody over the break-in in June. A 41-year-old woman was released on bail, while a man was freed without charge.

Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 35, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, were remanded in custody.

CTPSE said they had been charged with conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

A 41-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender had been released on bail until September 19, while a 23-year-old man was released without charge.

Brize Norton is the largest RAF base in the country with approximately 5,800 service members, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.

Voyagers, described as a 'petrol station in the sky', can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and are used to refuel fighter and compatible heavy aircraft.

RAF Brize Norton hold a core fleet of nine voyagers, while five others are available for commercial use but can be recalled for military purposes.

The appalling incident (pictured) on June 20 saw activists break into the Oxfordshire air base and spray paint on two RAF Voyager planes. Palestine Action, which has since been proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, accepted responsibility

Last month, four people were charged and remanded in custody over the break in. A 41-year-old woman was released on bail, while a man was freed without charge

Voyagers, described as a 'petrol station in the sky', can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and are used to refuel fighter and compatible heavy aircraft. (File image of RAF Airbus A330 Voyager)

The RAF is reportedly planning to send Voyager aircraft to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.

One of the Voyagers, which has a Union Jack on its tail, has previously been used as a VIP aircraft to transport prime ministers and Royal Family members to engagements abroad. But Daily Mail understands this was not one of the Voyagers targeted.

Palestine Action claimed they damaged the planes at Brize Norton as it is the base 'where flights leave daily for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus' - the base used for military operations in the Middle East.

Following the shocking incident, the Ministry of Defence said it 'strongly condemns this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets', and said it was working closely with the police.

A spokesperson added: 'The UK's defence estate is vital to our national security and this government will not tolerate those who put that security at risk.

'This Government is taking the strong step of proscribing Palestine Action due to its activities, which are a threat to our national security.'

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer described the raid on the base as both 'disgraceful' and 'an act of vandalism' .

In a post shared on X, the Prime Minister added: 'Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day.

Following the incident, the UK Government moved quickly to ban the group under anti-terror laws, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) announcing plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23

During a hearing on July 4, Huda Ammori, (pictured), co-founder of Palestine Action, asked the High Court to stop the government from classifying the group as a terrorist organisation, pending a potential legal challenge to the decision to proscribe it

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'It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.'

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'The security breach at Brize Norton is deeply concerning.

'This is not lawful protest, it is politically-motivated criminality.'

'We must stop tolerating terrorist or extremist groups that seek to undermine our society. The full force of the law must come down on those responsible.'

A Palestine Action spokesperson previously said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets.

'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East.

'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.'

Following the incident, the UK Government moved quickly to ban the group under anti-terror laws, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announcing plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23.

A Palestine Action spokesperson previously said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets. Pictured: a protestor outside of the High Court on July 4

Mr Justice Chamberlain refused Ms Ammori's request to block the government's plans, concluding that the harm which would ensue if interim relief is refused but the claim later succeeds is insufficient to outweigh the strong public interest in maintaining the order in force'

Ms Ammori's legal team was also denied permission to appeal and was advised to take their case directly to the Court of Appeal

It means being a member of it or supporting it is a criminal offence - punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Ms Cooper stated that the vandalism of the two planes was 'disgraceful' and that the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'.

During a hearing on July 4, Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, asked the High Court to stop the government from classifying the group as a terrorist organisation, pending a potential legal challenge to the decision to proscribe it under the Terrorism Act 2000.

But Mr Justice Chamberlain refused to block it, concluding that the harm which would ensue if interim relief is refused but the claim later succeeds is insufficient to outweigh the strong public interest in maintaining the order in force.'

Ms Ammori's legal team was also denied permission to appeal and was advised to take their case directly to the Court of Appeal.

File image of soldiers boarding an RAF Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton to take part in exercises to combat Russian aggression

Pictured is the VIP air-to-air refuelling and transport Voyager from RAF Brize Norton tanking fighter jets

During the hearing, Raza Husain KC, representing Ms Ammori (pictured) told the London court: 'This is the first time in our history that a direct action civil disobedience group, which does not advocate for violence, has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists'

Following the decision she said her lawyers would seek an 'urgent appeal' to what she labelled a 'dystopian nightmare' at the Court of Appeal.

During the hearing, Raza Husain KC, representing Ms. Ammori, argued for the suspension of what he called the 'ill-considered' and 'authoritarian abuse of statutory power' until a hearing scheduled for around July 21.

Mr Husain told the London court: 'This is the first time in our history that a direct action civil disobedience group, which does not advocate for violence, has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists.'

The barrister said that his client had been 'inspired' by a long history of direct action in the UK, 'from the suffragettes, to anti-apartheid activists, to Iraq war activists'.

Some 81 organisations have been proscribed under the 2000 Terrorism Act, including Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas and al Qaida, far-right groups such as National Action, and Russian private military company Wagner Group.

Another 14 organisations connected with Northern Ireland are also banned under previous legislation, including the IRA and UDA.
An Airbus plane has been grounded after suffering massive damage as it was hit by a bird while taking off from a Spanish airport.

This afternoon Iberia Flight IB579 was forced to land back in Madrid after it was reportedly struck by a large bird during takeoff.

Photos from Adolfo Suarez MadridBarajas Airport, the main air travel hub for Spain's capital, showed the radome, the plane's nose, had suffered severe damage.

The material at the front had fallen away from the plane, an Airbus A321-253NY that was meant to fly to Paris.

In one photo, the offending bird that apparently cause the strike was seen in one of the plane's jets.

Data from FlightRadar24 showed the plane made a short loop above the area surrounding Madrid before landing back at the airport.

It landed just over an hour after it took off.

The Daily Mail has contacted Iberia for comment.

Iberia Flight IB579 was forced to land back in Madrid after it was reportedly struck by a large bird during takeoff

Photos from Adolfo Suarez MadridBarajas Airport, the main air travel hub for Spain's capital, showed the radome, the plane's nose, had suffered severe damage

It is the latest in a series of setbacks to the aviation industry this week after major airports - including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham - were forced to suspend flights with thousands of passengers left stuck on the tarmac.

A technical issue suffered at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre grounded all London flights, sparking travel chaos.

Passengers heading off on their summer holidays took to social media to vent their frustration, with some posting pictures from grounded plane windows or telling the Daily Mail they had been rediverted to Brussels.

NATS said the issue was resolved but knock-delays will continue, with passengers advised to check with their airline.

A statement read: 'Our engineers have now restored the system that was affected this afternoon.

'We are in the process of resuming normal operations in the London area. We continue to work closely with airline and airport customers to minimise disruption.'

Departures across all airports have now resumed, NATS said, however the backlog of flights is expected to cause delays across the country for the next few hours.

'Our systems are fully operational and air traffic capacity is returning to normal,' it added. 'We are working with affected airlines and airports to clear the backlog safely.'

In one photo, the offending bird that apparently cause the strike was seen in one of the plane's jets

The material at the front had fallen away from the plane, an Airbus A321-253NY that was meant to fly to Paris

Data from FlightRadar24 showed the plane made a short loop above the area surrounding Madrid before landing back at the airport.

RyanAir's chief operating officer Neal McMahon called on NATS' chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign following the chaos - which marks the second time in two years the air traffic controller has seen a major outage.

More than 700,000 passengers suffered disruption when flights were grounded at UK airports on August 28 2023 when NATS suffered a technical glitch while processing a flight plan.

Mr McMahon said: 'It is outrageous that passengers are once again being hit with delays and disruption due to Martin Rolfe's continued mismanagement of Nats.

'Yet another ATC system failure has resulted in the closure of UK airspace meaning thousands of passengers' travel plans have been disrupted.

'It is clear that no lessons have been learnt since the Aug 2023 Nats system outage, and passengers continue to suffer as a result of Martin Rolfe's incompetence.

'If Nats CEO Martin Rolfe fails to resign on the back of this latest Nats system outage that has disrupted thousands of passengers yet again, then UK transport minister Heidi Alexander must act without delay to remove Martin Rolfe and deliver urgent reform of Nats' shambolic ATC service, so that airlines and passengers are no longer forced to endure these preventable delays caused by persistent Nats failures.'

One person on X reported a Heathrow bound flight was flying around Ben Nevis while unable to land safely.

Another frustrated passenger travelling from Heathrow to Jersey has been sat on the plane since 2:35pm

A frustrated passenger reported 'going nowhere' as they sat inside an airplane on the runway for more than 40 minutes

Meanwhile, passenger Jane Ainsworth told the Daily Mail her flight from Kos back to Birmingham has been forced to land in Brussels.

Another frustrated flyer reported 'going nowhere' as they sat inside an airplane on the runway for more than 40 minutes.

'Going nowhere as no departures from @HeathrowAirport for the last 40 minutes. Apparently 'the radar isn't working'. @British_Airways crew being fab,' they wrote.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'Flights at Heathrow have resumed following a technical issue at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre. We are advising passengers to check with their airline before travelling. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.'

Gatwick Airport said on Wednesday afternoon that technical issues caused a complete halt to departures while the situation was being resolved.

'A technical issue impacting Nats is affecting all outbound flights across the UK,' the airport said on X.

'There are currently no departures from London Gatwick while the situation is being resolved.

'We are working with Nats to resume flights as quickly as possible. Inbound flights are still landing at the airport.

'Passengers should check the status of their flights with their airline.'
Firebrand Democrat Jasmine Crockett faces being booted from Congress after Republicans proposed a heavily gerrymandered redistricting map that would mean she no longer lives in her district.

Crockett has made headlines numerous times in recent months as a key critic of the Trump administration, and the redistricting issue is the latest one she has spoken out on.

She has slammed the Texas redistricting maps as a sham that silences minority voices and keeps power in the hands of the few, diluting the voting power of Latino and Black communities.

The redistricting push in Texas was spurred by a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice sent to state officials in July, which argued that four of the state's congressional districts were racially gerrymandered. Democrats won all four of these seats in the 2024 elections.

President Donald Trump then urged Texas Republicans to rethink their Congressional maps to give Republicans a leg up in next year's midterm elections.

Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, the Republican author of the bill pushing the new maps, described the new proposed carveouts in the following way: 'It is important to note that four of the five new districts are majority minority, Hispanic.  Each of these newly drawn districts now trends Republican,' Hunter said.

'Political performance doesn't guarantee electoral success; that's up to the candidates. But it does allow Republican candidates the opportunity to compete in these districts.'

A map of U.S Congressional Districts proposed Plan is seen a Texas legislators' public hearing on congressional redistricting in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025

Rep. Jasmine Crockett testifies against the new proposed Congressional maps on August 1st, 2025

Crockett called Trump 'Temu Hitler' in a recent interview with SiriusXM host Zerlina Maxwell, due to the president's involvement in the redistricting process.

'So what we have seen is, again, this rogue Department of Justice going out to do the bidding of this Temu Hitler,' Crockett told Maxwell in July.

Crockett also added that in her view, Trump believes that the only way to 'ensure that [he] will have no checks on [him] is if [he] can ensure that those voices of color do not have representation.'

The Texas congressional maps were already redrawn after the 2020 Census, and they are typically edited every ten years.

Texas state Rep Chris Turner holds a map as he asks questions during a public hearing on congressional redistricting in Austin, Texas, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025

US Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks during a "Oversight and Government Reform" hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2025

After the Friday hearings on the proposed new maps, the Republicans on the Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting voted to advance House Bill 4 on a party-line vote.

Democrats plan to stall a vote on the legislation by the full chamber by not showing up. A full chamber vote could happen as soon as Tuesday. 100 members of the Texas House are needed to conduct business, and Republicans hold 88 seats in the body. 62 seats are held by Democrats.

Lawmakers could be fined $500 a day if they refuse to come to work, per a rule adopted in 2021 after Texas Democrats pulled a similar move to postpone another voting bill.

A set of maps showing the new proposed Congressional seats in Texas

A comparison of the current Texas Congressional Districts, and the new proposed map

Regardless of the creation of the new maps, Crockett's time in the U.S. House of Representatives may be coming to an end soon.

In a July interview with liberal comedian and media personality Hasan Minhaj, Crockett noted that she already has her 'expiration date in mind for the House,' adding that she already has 'been eyeing people to replace' her.

Polling released by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) last month showed Democrat Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett leading a hypothetical Democratic primary with 35 percent of likely voters, followed by former Rep. Colin Allred at 20 percent.

Failed Democrat candidate for both U.S. President and U.S. Senate Beto O'Rourke, and Rep. Joaquin Castro tied in that poll at 13 percent.

Only 18 percent of respondents to the poll remained undecided about who should challenge Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators are reportedly planning 'to flout terror laws en-masse' to overwhelm the police during a mass protest next weekend.

Protesters have been urged to turn up in towns and cities, including London, next Saturday and write on blank placards with marker pens their support for banned terror group Palestine Action.

The ban on Palestine Action means membership of or support for the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Due to the ban, inviting or expressing support for the organisation - through chanting, clothing or displaying articles like flags, signs or logos - is a criminal offence.

A briefing document handed out to supporters, seen by The Telegraph, boasts that 'it would be practically and politically difficult for the state to respond to an action on this scale'.

'Our assessment is that an action on this scale could be enough for the ban to be lifted.

'Charging and prosecuting at least 500 more people, in addition to the 200 people already arrested, is likely to be beyond the capacity of the state, given the current situation in the criminal justice system.'

The plan is the brainchild of a number of groups, including Cage International and Defend Our Juries.

A protester holds up a '1984' sign criticising the Met Police as officers arrest a pair of protesters in Whitehall on July 19 who were holding placards stating 'Palestine Action are not the terrorists'

Palestine Action spray paint over the London offices of the arms company Leonardo, which supplies fighter jets to the Israeli military, in November 2023

Palestine Action was proscribed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper after its members caused an estimated seven million pounds worth of damage to RAF Brize Norton planes on June 20

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Moazzam Begg, has urged the Muslim community in Birmingham to join in 'the resistance'.

He told a Cage International meeting attended by 30 to 40 people, some wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and flags, to 'stop being cowards, cowards never win battles'.

Meanwhile, Angie Zelter, from Defend Our Juries, urged supporters during the meeting to 'face down the rising tide of fascism in Britain'.

Last Saturday, police failed to arrest supporters of the banned group Palestine Action as 11 activists sat holding signs for 60 minutes without being detained.

Protests were held in both Totnes and Edinburgh as part of a campaign opposing the proscription of the direct action organisation where demonstrators held signs saying 'I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action'.

At least 500 radical activists are preparing to sit in London for 60 minutes or 'until arrest' on August 9th while holding signs which state: 'I oppose Genocide. I support Palestine Action'.

Palestine Action was proscribed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper after its members caused an estimated seven million pounds worth of damage to RAF Brize Norton planes on June 20.

Ms Cooper also claimed '[the group's] activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence'.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Moazzam Begg (pictured here on July 4), has urged the Muslim community in Birmingham to join in 'the resistance'.

Protesters hold up hand-written signs that read 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, on July 19

Last Saturday, police failed to arrest supporters of the banned group Palestine Action as 11 activists sat holding signs for 60 minutes without being detained

Protests were held in both Totnes and Edinburgh last week as part of a campaign opposing the proscription of the direct action organisation

Despite more than 100 arrests last month and 200 total arrests since the ban came into force on July 5, protesters were allowed to hold their signs in Totnes

The police clampdown on Palestine Action saw more than 100 people arrested nationwide, at demonstrations across Bristol, London (pictured) and Manchester on July 19

The network of protests, organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries, saw participants hold placards reading: 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'. Pictured: A protester is carried away by police at the demonstration in London on July 19

The 15-page document, titled 'Lift the ban, De-proscribe Palestine Action' details the group's extensive plot to overwhelm the police and the justice system until - it claims - the Government is forced to U-turn and reverse the ban.

Their protest would be the largest escalation in a series of similar protests that have taken place across the UK since the ban.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick last week told the Daily Mail: 'The Government simply cannot allow a proscribed group to overwhelm our justice system.

'Anyone assisting the group must face immediate justice.

'There can be no doubt in people's minds: if they support a terrorist group, they will be punished.'

Lord Walney, the former government extremism adviser, added: 'People shouldn't be duped - this stunt will do nothing to help Palestine but it will land you with a criminal record that could ruin your life.

'The police are doing their job but now need to act quickly to show there are serious consequences for supporting a proscribed group.'

Under the heading 'The Action', the document explains: '[The protest on August 9] will be a conditional commitment action, which means it will only go ahead if 500 people have committed to taking action on the same day.

It continues: 'The intention is for a mass action on a scale that makes it almost impossible for the police to intervene.

Rallies were also held in Edinburgh and Truro to protest the proscription of the campaign group as a terrorist organisation earlier this month. Pictured: Protesters hold up signs in support of Palestine Action at the demonstration in London

A supporter of Palestine Action gives a 'V' sign as they are arrested and put in a police van after holding up a sign supporting a proscribed group on July 19, 2025 in London

'Although there's a substantial risk of arrest, and all taking part should be prepared for that, the indications from the past three Saturdays are that the stakes for action-takers are relatively low, in comparison to the worst-case scenarios.

'No-one has yet been charged with an offence, and no-one has been remanded.'

The document also advises supporters what to do 'in case of arrest' and how to respond to house raids from police.

It also links to a pre-prepared statement which activists are encouraged to read during police interviews and information about 'Preparing For Prison' which includes advice about ordering vegan meals and how to receive books behind bars.
The man who was accused of murdering a 17-year-old Long Beach girl who was walking home from her job at McDonalds has been sentenced to 358 years to life in prison.

Troy Lamar Fox, 34, was convicted in March of first-degree murder for the killing of Briana Soto, a student who was gunned down just steps from her home.

The jury also convicted him of four counts of attempted murder in a separate shooting on April 9, 2024, in which he opened fire on a car carrying four minors, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

'Briana Soto had her whole life ahead of her - she was getting ready for her prom, her 18th birthday, and graduation,' Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

'Today's sentence ensures the person who stole her future will never be free to harm another innocent person. While this punishment cannot undo the pain he caused, it is a step toward justice for Briana, her loved ones, and our community.'

Lamar Fox was already in custody for an unrelated weapons violation when he was identified by Long Beach Police as the suspect who fatally shot Soto as she walked home from work.

Soto was just outside her familys home on the evening of March 26 around 8:30pm when she was shot while on the phone with her mother.

Briana Soto, 17, was fatally shot just steps away from her family's home on March 26

Troy Lamar Fox, 34, convicted of killing a Long Beach teen in March, has been sentenced to 358 years to life in prison

The teens family heard the gunshots outside their home - rushing her to the hospital where she eventually succumbed to her injuries three days later.

The suspect was caught on security footage moments after the shooting dressed in dark clothing with a mask covering his face.

Long Beach Police investigated DNA, video and cell phone evidence before identifying Fox as the suspect who is believed to be involved in two other incidents on April 9 and July 7.

On April 9, officers responded to a shots-fired call where a suspect, believed to be Fox, discharged a firearm in the direction of three juveniles and one adult in a vehicle.

On July 7, cops arrived on the scene after a report of firearms inside of a vehicle. During the incident, officers located Fox and a juvenile suspect and later learned they were both prohibited possessors.

Two firearms were recovered on the suspects and four firearms were recovered from the vehicle.

Fox had an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued in November 2023 for violation of his parole terms.

The suspect was caught on security footage moments after the shooting dressed in dark clothing with a mask covering his face

Following investigation into Sotos case, on September 11, detectives presented evidence to a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and obtained an arrest warrant for Fox for the murder of the Long Beach teen.

On September 13, cops took custody of Fox from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and booked him into the Long Beach City Jail.

Police have not yet disclosed a motive behind the shootings.
David Attenborough fans have gushed over the presenter's 'stunning' new 'Parenthood' series which delves into the unique lives of animal parents.

The incredible documentary, narrated by 99-year-old Sir David, explores both the highs and lows of animals raising their young in the wild.

The first episode of the beloved broadcaster's new five-part series aired on Sunday, August 3, with viewers taking to social media to express their utter delight at the insightful programme that left them 'blown away'.

A fascinating clip from the show captures Attenborough's team as they attempt to build up a relationship with the unique silverback gorillas and their infants.

Described by Max Kobl, cinematographer for the show, as 'probably the most powerful of all primates', Sir David, narrating, warns that 'it isn't going to come easy' for the film crew as they attempt to get close to the sneaky gorillas.

Initially, the team face great difficulty even finding the animals, seen wading through thick swamps in order to locate them and using indicators such as the types of twigs on the ground.

Commentating, one member of the crew says: 'The swamps don't pose challenges for the gorillas, the swamps pose one of many challenges for us.'

In the insightful footage of their challenging trek, one member of the team is seen nearly toppling over due to the thick, knee-deep water. When asked 'you okay?', he simply responds: 'nope'.

The incredible documentary Parenthood, narrated by 99-year-old Sir David, explores both the highs and lows of animals raising their young in the wild

The first episode of the beloved broadcaster's new five-part series aired on Sunday, August 3, with viewers taking to social media to express their utter delight at the insightful programme that left them 'blown away'

A fascinating clip from the show captures Attenborough's team as they attempt to build up a relationship with the unique silverback gorillas and their infants

Described by Max Kobl, cinematographer for the show, as 'probably the most powerful of all primates', Sir David (pictured), narrating, warns that 'it isn't going to come easy' for the film crew as they attempt to get close to the sneaky gorillas

Sir David, narrating, adds: 'The team try as best they can to keep up and just as they reach dry land, the gorilla family has other ideas'.

Reflecting on the ongoing challenge as the gorilla's appear seemingly camera shy, Peter Lytle, a researcher on the team, acknowledges that while its 'great' they have managed to finally locate the animals, the gorillas have now decided they would like to return.

At a later point, the film crew finally achieve some success, eventually striking up a relationship with the silverback gorillas and their young babies, with incredible footage capturing them in their natural habitat.

Watching on lovingly at the magnificent creatures, one member of the film crew remarks: 'there's something everyday the gorillas do to put a smile on their face'.

Meanwhile, a trecker, who provides detailed insights into the lives and habits of the unique animals to Attenborough's team throughout the process, explains that 'you have to live among these animals to really understand how they work'.

Acknowledging the intricacies of the relationship between man and animal, he continues: 'They don't speak the same language as us, but we have already developed a certain language which allows the gorillas and us to communicate, its a form of love.'

Filmed over three years and spanning six continents, the new docu-series seeks to highlight how parenting in the wild can be a 'high-stakes game in which some animal parents must come up with extraordinary strategies to give their young a head start'.

Promising viewers 'astonishing, never-before-seen animal behaviours in stunning ultra high definition, from the remote jungles of Bhutan to the grasslands of Botswana', those who tuned in to watch the series' first instalment have been left in awe.

In the insightful footage of their challenging trek, one member of the crew is seen nearly toppling over due to the thick, knee-deep water. When asked 'you okay?', he simply responds: 'nope'

Reflecting on the ongoing challenge as the gorilla's appear seemingly camera shy, Peter Lytle, a researcher on the team, acknowledges that while its 'great' they have managed to finally locate the animals, the gorillas have now decided they would like to return

At a later point, the film crew finally achieve some success, eventually striking up a relationship with the silverback gorillas and their young babies, with incredible footage capturing them in their natural habitat

Taking to social media to express their fascination with the 'stunning' new show, one commenter on social media platform X gushed: 'All the contributors to Parenthood are amazing'

Taking to social media to express their fascination with the 'stunning' new show, one commenter on social media platform X gushed: 'All the contributors to Parenthood are amazing', while another added: 'Parenthood is another great programme. Congratulations once again Sir David Attenborough and the BBC'.

Meanwhile, other viewers were keen to share their utter adoration for the adorable gorillas in the episode, taking to social media to insist they could 'watch them for hours', while another quipped: 'These gorillas are playing the crew like a fiddle'.

Another adorable clip captures the wonderful moment a gorilla mother clutches her sleeping newborn to her chest, as he twitches fitfully in his slumber.

The clip shows a female western lowland gorilla with her moments-old baby in a breathtaking landscape of green jungle.

Narrating, Sir David says: 'For his mother, the arrival of her young baby is the start of a new chapter in her adult life - parenthood.

'Her journey will be challenging, full of excitement, uncertainty and complete commitment.

Meanwhile, other viewers were keen to share their utter adoration for the adorable gorillas in the episode, taking to social media to insist they could 'watch them for hours', while another quipped: 'These gorillas are playing the crew like a fiddle'

Another adorable clip captures the wonderful moment a gorilla mother clutches her sleeping newborn to her chest, as he twitches fitfully in his slumber

Narrating, Sir David says: 'For his mother, the arrival of her young baby is the start of a new chapter in her adult life - parenthood. 'Her journey will be challenging, full of excitement, uncertainty and complete commitment'

The near hour-long programme by Attenborough focuses on animal parents that are 'having to adapt to a world that is changing rapidly', with the creatures facing 'a unique set of challenges' that they must overcome. It is the first BBC natural history series to focus on parenting

'There will be mistakes - there always are. But success for her, and indeed for all parents, has perhaps the greatest of consequences, it ensures the future of life on our planet.'

Alongside stories of gorillas, Parenthood also features striking footage of the lives of orangutans, elephants and cheetahs, among many others.

The near hour-long programme focuses on animal parents that are 'having to adapt to a world that is changing rapidly', with the creatures facing 'a unique set of challenges' that they must overcome.

It is the first BBC natural history series to focus on parenting, with the team using new technology to capture the weird and wonderful in the wild.

These include using military-grade infrared cameras mounted on gimbals on off-road vehicles and show hippos being chased by lions at night.

The next episode of Parenthood airs on BBC One on Sunday, August 10 at 4.20pm. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer.
A Sudanese asylum seeker, who was staying in a three-star government hotel, has been charged with attempting to kidnap 10-year-old girl in front of her father.

Edris Abdelrazig, 30, was arrested in Stockport, Greater Manchester after allegedly trying to lure the child away on July 13.

He had been living in a 100-a-night hotel which now houses migrants in Wilmslow, Cheshire, before the alleged incident.

Abdelrazig appeared in court on July 15 where prosecutors said he had travelled two miles south of the hotel to Walnut Tree Playing Field in Stockport.

It is claimed he then tried to abduct the girl, who was accompanied by her father, near the playing field before police came and arrested him.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester crown court on August 26.

It comes after it was revealed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is giving serious consideration to the idea of introducing a digital ID system.

The PM reportedly sees the proposal as necessary if Labour is to crack down on illegal immigration and make public service delivery more efficient, The Times reported.

Sudanese asylum seeker Edris Abdelrazig, 30, was arrested and charged for allegedly trying to kidnap a 10-year-old girl near Walnut Tree Playing Field (pictured) in Stockport, Greater Manchester

As Director of Prosecutions, Sir Keir was a self-styled 'moderniser' who singled out the use of paper files and the need for the profession to utilise modern IT solution.

Now cabinet colleagues say he has grown increasingly convinced of the need to harness the power of technology to challenge some of the biggest problems facing his government.

While no proposal is expected soon, Downing Street is reported to be considering the 'workability' of issuing every individual a unique digital identifier.

The tag would be used to check an individual's right to live and work in this country, as well as their eligibility to access healthcare or housing.

Advisers to Sir Keir believe such a system could help smooth the friction between individuals and the state, and have noted the success of the official NHS app.

There would reportedly be no requirement to carry any kind of physical ID card, in much the same way as national insurance cards work now.

A system of identity cards was originally introduced in September 1939 under the National Registration Act - but it was repealed in May 1952.

A huge driver for the introduction of a universal digital ID appears to be a new paper by the Tony Blair Institute, commissioned by Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) is reportedly giving serious consideration to the idea of introducing a digital ID system

While no proposal is expected soon, Downing Street is reported to be considering the 'workability' of issuing every individual a unique digital identifier

The tag would be used to check an individual's right to live and work in this country, as well as their eligibility to access healthcare or housing

It presents digital ID as a crucial step in meeting the demands of voters in the modern world, as well helping to curtail immigration in a bid to neuter the threat of Reform UK.

The proposal has reportedly been met with enthusiasm by several of the most influential figures in the Labour cabinet.

Proponents of the scheme are believed to include health secretary Wes Streeting, technology secretary Peter Kyle and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden.

One senior Labour figure told The Times: 'I think it is now coming. Yvette is no longer resistant. They're working through the how.'

Another senior figure added: 'There is overwhelming support in the parliamentary party, so I am hoping we get to the conclusion soon.'
In retaliation to US President Donald Trump moving submarines closer to Russia, Putin has begun 'war game training' with China in a bleak display of their allied force.

Last night, Trump confirmed two US Navy nuclear submarines are 'getting closer to Russia', after an online spat with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev - now deputy chairman of Russia's National Security Council.

In response, Russia and China today showed off their strengthening military ties as they took part in staged mock combat drills and other war games in the Sea of Japan together.

A statement from China's Defence Ministry said the Joint Sea-2025 drills were launched in waters nearby Vladivostok, Russia's largest port on the Pacific Ocean.

Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, will be participating in the drills which will span across three days.

The exercises will include 'submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat', followed by naval patrols in 'relevant waters of the Pacific'.

Russia and China, which signed a 'no-limits' strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries.

Although they were pre-planned, the joint naval exercises came just a day after Trump moved submarines packed with nuclear warheads towards Russian waters following his argument with Mr Medvedev on social media.

In retaliation to US President Donald Trump moving submarines closer to Russia, Putin has begun 'war game training' with China in a bleak display of their allied force

Pictured: A previous drill earlier this month which saw Russia stage its largest naval war games this year in the Barents Sea

Donald Trump (pictured) confirmed two US Navy nuclear submarines are 'getting closer to Russia'

On Telegram, an encrypted social media app, the deputy chairman of Russia's National Security Council said Russia could invoke 'Dead Hand'  a doomsday program with the ability to automatically launch a nuclear counterstrike against major US cities, even if Moscow and President Vladimir Putin are wiped out.

His post read: 'As for the talk about the "dead economies" of India and Russia, and "entering dangerous territory" - maybe he should recall his favourite movies about "the walking dead", and also remember how dangerous the so-called "Dead Hand", that does not exist in nature, could be.

'He should remember two things: 1: Russia isn't Israel or even Iran. 2: Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don't go down the Sleepy Joe [a reference to former President Joe Biden] road!'

Responding in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: 'Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions. Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.

'A threat was made so we have to be very careful. We're going to protect our people. He's entering very dangerous territory!'

On Friday, in an interview with cable channel Newsmax, Mr Trump added: 'The subs are getting closer to Russia. We always want to be ready. I want to make sure his words are only words and nothing more than that.'

Despite Russia and China both claiming no third country is being targeted by their military cooperation, Japan has objected to the joint drills - stating greater strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow poses a 'strong concern' for its national security.

Whilst announcing the drills on Wednesday, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for Beijings defence ministry, criticised US Air Force drills with Japan and others in the western Pacific.

A firefighter puts out the fire after a Russian drone hit the market in the town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025

A seller leaves the market hit by Russia's drone attack in the town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025

Mr Xiaogang said: 'The US has been blindly flexing its muscles in the Asia-Pacific region and attempting to use military drills as a pretext to gang up, intimidate and pressure other countries, and undermine peace and stability in the region.'

China and Russia have held military exercises together for over 20 years, with 'Joint Sea' exercises beginning in 2012.

However, their cooperation, which was once sporadic, has deepened over the past decade, with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping having met more than 40 times.

Last night, the White House, Pentagon and Downing Street refused to comment on the escalating tensions, which come just days before Mr Trump's August 8 deadline for Putin to declare a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine.

The US President has vowed to impose 'devastating' sanctions on Russia and her closest trading partners if his demands are not met.

A source close to the President told the MoS: 'Trump is running out of patience with Russia. He promised to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office and clearly that has not happened.

'Now he's threatening to impose sanctions if Putin doesn't declare a ceasefire and come to the negotiating table to discuss peace.'

While the location of the subs is unknown, the US Navy has 71 nuclear-powered submarines in its fleet, all of which can travel thousands of miles without resurfacing.

By comparison, the Russian Navy fields fewer than 30 nuclearpowered submarines. Military experts said Mr Trump will most likely have deployed two Ohio -class vessels.

Each is armed with up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles that can deliver multiple thermonuclear warheads with a range of up to 7,000 miles.

Sources last night told the Washington Post that Russia is 'seeking clarity' from America about Mr Trump's 'actions and intentions', with Russian officials scrambling to assess the significance of the subs' deployment.

RIA Novosti, a state-controlled news agency which has been called 'Putin's mouthpiece', confirmed it had sent enquiries to the White House, Pentagon, US Central Command and the National Security Council, but had not received a response.

Mr Trump's dramatic doubling down came after the deadliest Russian air strike on Kyiv this year, when 31 people were killed in a single missile strike on an apartment block in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Five children, the youngest aged just two, were among the dead.

Mr Trump called the air strike 'disgusting' and announced he was sending his special envoy Steve Witkoff to the region to try and negotiate a ceasefire.

Russian lawmaker Viktor Vodolatsky said there are enough Russian nuclear submarines in the high seas to tackle the two American subs.

Fire breaks out after a Russian attack at the 3 private house and one apartment building as the emergency officials work at the area in Kherson, Ukraine on August 2, 2025

A source close to the President told the MoS: 'Trump is running out of patience with Russia. He promised to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office and clearly that has not happened'

'The number of Russian nuclear submarines in the world's oceans is significantly higher than the American ones, and the subs that US President Donald Trump ordered to be redirected to the appropriate regions have long been under their control,' he said yesterday.

'So no response from the Russian Federation to the American leader's statement about the submarines is required.'

Retired US Marine Colonel Mark Cancian called Mr Trump's announcement that he had sent subs steaming towards Russian waters 'highly unusual'.

He said: 'This is signalling in its purest form.'

Others urged restraint, saying Mr Medvedev does not speak for Putin.

Oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, now a Putin critic living in London, said: 'When you see his [Mr Medvedev's] latest apocalyptic tweet about turning European capitals to dust, remember: this isn't strategic communication from the Kremlin. It's the rambling of a man drowning his terror in vodka.'
Authorities in Colorado are desperately searching for a convicted child abuser who rammed his vehicle into Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Jose Mendez-Chavez, 31, a Mexican national, remains on the loose since he tried to assault officers with his vehicle at new home construction sites in Sterling Ranch, south of Denver, on Thursday morning, KOAA reports.

None of the officers were injured in the attack, but it prompted one agent to fire his weapon at least three times in a residential area.

ICE officials quickly apprehended the other suspect in the vehicle, identified as Francisco Zapata-Pacheo, whom they say is now cooperating with law enforcement.

But Mendez-Chavez's whereabouts remain unknown, as ICE agents revealed that he is a convicted child abuser with previous arrests for domestic violence and entering the country illegally a half dozen times,

Records obtained by Fox News show Mendez-Chaves was most recently convicted in August 2020 of reckless endangerment in Texas and was sentenced to one year behind bars.

He was also arrested in January 2020 for child abuse, and in July 2013, Mendez-Chaves was convicted in Ohio of domestic violence and sentenced to 180 days in prison.

'Mendez-Chaves was not an "innocent victim," he is an abuser who plays the system, and is now wanted for assault on a federal officer,' a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement.

Jose Mendez-Chavez, 31, a Mexican national, remains on the loose since he tried to assault officers with his vehicle in Sterling Ranch, Colorado, on Thursday morning

ICE officials were conducting a raid on construction sites at around 8.30am

Mendez-Chavez's whereabouts still remain unknown, as ICE agents revealed that he is a convicted child abuser with previous arrests for domestic violence and entering the country illegally

The spokesperson also blasted the Colorado Rapid Response Network, an immigrant-rights organization he called 'despicable' for reportedly showing up in defense of Mendez-Chaves 'who has abused children and attempted to injure our officers.'

ICE agents began their operation at around 8.30am on Thursday, arriving at a cul-de-sac of new home builds near near Poco and Vollmer Roads, KOAA reports.

Upon their arrival, construction workers from different job sites started to run, and Mendez-Chaves and Zapata-Pacheo rammed their vehicle into the officers, prompting one to open fire at around 8.31am.

That agent then claimed that one of the two men inside the vehicle fled on foot before the car sped away.

Meanwhile, home security footage from the newly-built neighborhood showed a man jumping the fence of a home and hiding under a barbecue grill cover.

Officers could be seen in pursuit nearby, but apparently did not notice the suspect jumping the fence as they appeared to chase others who were running.

The homeowner has since told KOAA that the unidentified man hid under their grill for at least two hours - before he entered their home while his family was inside.

Yet the family, in another room, was unaware of the man's presence as he walked through their house while their grandchild played video games nearby.

The two acknowledged each other, but otherwise, the man largely ignored the child as he sought an exit - eventually slipping through the front door and entering a vehicle that seemed to be waiting for him, and drove away.

Home security footage taken near the raids showed one man jumping a fence and hiding under a resident's grill cover

It now remains unclear whether the man is one of the two suspects ICE agents had sought in connection with the ramming incident

It now remains unclear whether the man is one of the two suspects ICE agents had sought in connection with the ramming incident.

In the meantime, Zapata-Pacheco has been taken to the Aurora ICE Detention Facility.

It is unclear whether he was facing any criminal charges prior to his arrest, but officials say he will be held in ICE custody pending immigration and criminal proceedings.
Baby killer Constance Marten has been told to befriend Lucy Letby 'for protection' as she faces life behind bars inside a notorious prison dubbed the 'female monster mansion'.

The socialite is locked up at Surrey's HMP Bronzefield where she previously whinged in a prison magazine about her treatment.

The runaway aristocrat, 38, had already reportedly become close to Sara Sharif's killer stepmother Beinash Batool during her murder trial.

Batool has already struck up a friendship with killer nurse Letby where the pair play Uno together and make cheese toasties together in the kitchen.

Violence is said to be rife on the ward with child killers a target among other inmates.

A source told The Sun: 'Letby and Batool have become friends, and that is partly for their own protection, because child killers are a target for all the women there.

'Marten comes out in the same group as Letby and Batool. She is not yet friendly with them and mostly keeps herself to herself.

They added: 'It might be wise for Marten to try to pal up with Letby and Batool, otherwise her time at Bronzefield could become extremely tough.'

Baby killer Constance Marten (pictured), 38, has been told to befriend Lucy Letby 'for protection' as she faces life behind bars inside a notorious prison dubbed the 'female monster mansion'. Marten and her lover Mark Gordon were convicted last month of killing their baby

Batool has already struck up a friendship with killer nurse Letby (pictured) where the pair play Uno together and make cheese toasties together in the kitchen. A source told The Sun: 'Letby and Batool have become friends, and that is partly for their own protection'

There is equally grisly company for Marten inside Surrey's HMP Bronzefield (pictured, file image), which also houses Sian Hedges, locked up for life last year for killing her 18-month-old son Alfie Phillips

Marten and her lover Mark Gordon were convicted last month of killing their baby.

The couple shook their heads in the dock of the Old Bailey as they were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence of their daughter Victoria after going on the run to stop her being taken into care.

In an extraordinary case which gripped the country, the couple went on the run with their baby in a 'desperately selfish' bid to prevent her being taken into care after their four previous children were removed by social workers, who feared they would come to harm.

Scotland Yard launched a nationwide manhunt, spending more than 1.2million chasing the couple around the country after discovering a placenta in their car when the vehicle was ablaze on a motorway in Greater Manchester on January 5, 2023.

More than 100 officers pursued the couple as they fled in taxis, travelling hundreds of miles across the country from Bolton to Liverpool, then to Harwich in Essex, and on to East London before finally resorting to camping on the South Downs in the freezing cold.

A day later, when Victoria died in their flimsy freezing tent, Marten and Gordon, 50, dumped their baby in a soiled nappy inside a Lidl bag for life.

There is equally grisly company for Marten inside HMP Bronzefield, which also houses Sian Hedges, locked up for life last year for killing her 18-month-old son Alfie Phillips.

Former prison officer Linda de Sousa Abreu, disgraced for having sex with an inmate, was also locked up there before her release last month.

Marten (pictured) was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence of their daughter Victoria after going on the run to stop her being taken into car

Pictured Mark Gordon, 51, who was also found guilty last month of killing baby Victoria

Marten socialite is locked up at Surrey's HMP Bronzefield (pictured, file image) where she previously whinged in a prison magazine about her treatment

When Batool was jailed last year for life with a minimum of 33 years for the murder of little Sara, the girl's father Urfan Sharif was also locked up for life and will serve at least 40 years.

Sara's uncle Faisal Malik was also imprisoned for 16 years minimum for causing or allowing the death of a child.

The young girl suffered more than 70 fresh injuries and 25 fractures after her father and stepmother battered her to death at their home in Woking, Surrey - before fleeing to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Marten, who is from an aristocratic family, had previously made headlines within jail when she featured as the cover model for a magazine selling itself as 'for women with conviction'.

Appearing on the cover of The View, Marten wore a glamorous dress and earrings in a shot said to have been taken at least 10 years ago.

In an article written during her retrial, Marten set out some of her objections about prison life, becoming a notorious irritant for staff at the prison due to her constant complaints about jail conditions.

In a bid to sway jurors midway through her prosecution, Marten's magazine interview was titled 'Surviving Serco', in which she claimed her trial was 'prejudiced' by the 'inhumane' conditions she endured behind bars.

In an accompanying podcast which proclaimed, 'this is the very foundation of a fair trial being undermined', Marten bemoaned the long journeys to court in transport provided by private contractor Serco and 'disgusting' microwave meals in her 'stone-cold' Old Bailey cell.

In an extraordinary case which gripped the country, the couple (pictured on CCTV) went on the run with their baby in a 'desperately selfish' bid to prevent her being taken into care after their four previous children were removed by social workers, who feared they would come to harm

Letby (pictured) was given 15 life sentences after being found guilty of the murder of seven babies and attempting to murder another eight whilst she worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital. One of her fellow inmates revealed in February that the killer was struggling with life behind bars

In an article written during her retrial, Marten (pictured) set out some of her objections about prison life, becoming a notorious irritant for staff at the prison due to her constant complaints about jail conditions.

'I'm being made to survive these 17 to 19-hour days with little or no rest, no food,' she said.

Marten also breached a High Court anonymity order by providing photographs to the magazine, risking prosecution for contempt of court.

It was one of the many extraordinary attempts she and her partner Gordon made to derail a prosecution which has cost taxpayers around 2.8million over two trials across the last two years.

Over that period, the couple conspired to delay, lie and obfuscate, often failing to turn up to court, inventing fictitious ailments and disregarding the judge's orders, shouting across him and chatting in the dock as the evidence was outlined.

As a consequence, their first trial last year was scheduled to last six weeks but ended up taking six months  and concluded with jurors unable to agree verdicts.

Then their retrial overran by more than a month as the pair continued to manipulate proceedings.

Letby was given 15 life sentences after being found guilty of the murder of seven babies and attempting to murder another eight whilst she worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

One of her fellow inmates revealed in February that the killer was struggling with life behind bars.

The insider, who lives with Letby in Houseblock Four, described her fellow prisoner as 'really weird' and claimed the baby killer was always accompanied by a prison officer for her own protection and to ensure she does not harm other inmates.
Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $176million funding package aimed at boosting economic opportunities for Indigenous Australians, announced during his address at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land.

The funding forms part of a new economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks and the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.

It includes $70million for Indigenous clean energy projects, $31million for a mobile TAFE program, and $75million for native title reform under the partnership.

'This builds on our commitment to the Closing the Gap Agreement, to its call for a new way of doing business and to the principle of shared decision-making,' he told the festival audience at Gulkula in the Northern Territory on Saturday.

The approach will allow traditional owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing, and energy projects on their land and build equity beyond the land itself.

Coalition of Peaks lead convener Pat Turner said the partnership was about putting Indigenous communities in control of their economic future.

'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been clear for decades that our community-controlled organisations are the best employers of our people, providing the foundation for our economic development,' she said.

Addressing the crowd at Garma, Yolngu leader and chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation Djawa Yunupingu said he wanted a real economy for his people.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an Indigenous partnership and funding for programs

'We intend to use our lands and waters for our own future and the future of our children, and the future of our nation,' he said.

National Native Title Council chief executive Jamie Lowe said this funding showed the government was serious about supporting traditional owners.

'Investing in the native title sector is game-changing,' he said.

'This injection of capacity will mean more jobs, more opportunities for young people and stronger protection for our cultural heritage.'

While some organisations met the prime minister's announcement with praise, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, the elder in residence at community legal centre Knowmore, expressed disappointment in the lack of any mention of truth-telling.

The government backed away from its commitment to Makarrata in 2024, and though he acknowledged the work of the Victorian truth-telling inquiry Yoorrook, Mr Albanese made no mention of a national process in his address.

Aunty Glendra said it hurt to see truth-telling missing from the conversation.

'Our people have been asking for this for generations,' she said.

'Without truth, the pain of colonisation remains open -generation after generation.

'We can't heal what we won't name.'

The annual Garma Festival has been told of the government's commitment to shared decision-making. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe said it was time for Mr Albanese to recommit to federal truth-telling and treaty.

'Cash for the corporations and a few utes are crumbs on the table while so many of our people are dying in custody and governments continue to steal and jail our children at record rates,' she said.

Garma is marking its 25th festival, and Mr Yunupingu acknowledged those who started it in 1999 - his brothers - and the festival's roots in promises of treaty, which were 'washed down' by governments of the past but never forgotten.

Mr Yunupingu said he felt the disappointment again at the result of the Voice referendum in 2023.

'We talked about it last year, we shed a tear to that and now it's behind us,' he said, speaking about Mr Albanese's visit to Garma in 2024.

'Even though we live with shattered dreams, we must keep looking to the future.'
Keir Starmers plan for Palestinian state recognition is one of the fruits of October 7, a top Hamas official has boasted.

The statement came as furore around the Prime Ministers proposal showed no sign of dying down at the weekend.

Senior Hamas politician Ghazi Hamad enflamed the situation as he told news network Al Jazeera: The initiative by several countries to recognise the Palestinian State is one of the fruits of October 7.

Why do all countries recognise Palestine today? Before October 7, was there a single country that dared to recognise the State of Palestine? Just give me one example.

'Now, the achievement we accomplished on October 7 is what brought the Palestinian issue to the worlds attention and prompted powerful action in support of it, Hamad said.

Sir Keir and the leaders of France and Canada have faced accusations that plans to recognise a Palestinian state would be rewarding the group responsible for the biggest slaughter of Jewish people since the Holocaust and for emboldening the terror group with no clear incentive for a ceasefire.

Adam Rose, a lawyer acting for the British hostage families, said: It comes as absolutely no surprise to us that Hamas would welcome the UKs decision to recognise the state of Palestine without first requiring Hamas to release the 50 hostages it still holds, 667 days on from 7 October, 2023.

Keir Starmer and the leaders of France and Canada have faced accusations that plans to recognise a Palestinian state would be rewarding Hamas for the October 7 massacre (file image)

It comes as Hamas released a horrifying video of an emaciated Israeli hostage, Evyatar David, after 664 days in captivity

Images show Evyatar in 2023, in February and in the most recent video released by Hamas in July

Hamas last night said it is conditionally ready to deliver Red Cross aid to hostages. Pictured: A Hamas fighter stands guard as a Red Cross vehicle transports newly released hostages in Rafah in November 2023

Indeed, and as we predicted, in the past few days since the UKs announcement, we have seen an emboldened Hamas, which released videos of emaciated hostages Rom Braslavski, 22, and 24-year-old Evyatar David, the latter being shown digging his own grave in the dungeon in which he is being held, starved and tortured.

Last week British-Israeli Emily Damari led condemnations from hostage families saying the PM was not standing on the right side of history with his pledge to recognise a Palestinian state if Israel did not agree to a ceasefire before Septembers UN meeting.

In contrast, no conditions were placed on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, giving the terror group no reason to stop the fighting.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy last night posted on X: The images of hostages being paraded for propaganda are sickening. Every hostage must be released unconditionally. Hamas must disarm and have no control over Gaza.

We are working with partners on a long-term solution and plan for peace. This must begin with an immediate ceasefire that frees the hostages, as well as removing inhumane aid restrictions.

Noam Sagi, whose elderly mother Ada was kidnapped into Gaza, told the Daily Mail: Britain should lead with moral courage, not appease evil.

Last night, Hamas said it is conditionally ready to deliver Red Cross aid to the hostages it is holding in Gaza.

The terror group said that if Israel opens humanitarian corridors permanently and halts all forms of air traffic during the delivery of packages to the hostages, it would allow aid to reach them.
A royal author has claimed that Meghan Markle was reluctant to take part in an interview alongside Prince Harry because their joint appearance with Oprah Winfrey had already been agreed two years before it aired.

Following the so-called 'peace summit' earlier this month, where images of Harry and Meghan's press secretary meeting with King Charles's communications secretary were revealed by The Mail On Sunday, relations between the Sussexes and the Palace appear to be warming.

If this is true, it will mark a high point in their relationship since Megxit. But four years ago the royals faced a particularly low point when Harry and Meghan sat down for a bombshell interview with US TV personality Oprah Winfrey.

Writing in his biography about the staff who serve the royals - titled Courtiers - author Valentine Low claimed that two years before the interview in March 2021, Meghan had already agreed to speak to Oprah.

The original interview was slated to take place in autumn 2019, when Harry and Meghan were still working royals.

According to Low, during the run up to Harry and Meghan's tour of southern Africa in 2019, royal aide Sam Cohen suggested the couple should speak with British journalists.

'At the same time as preparing for the Africa tour, the team was trying to persuade the couple it would be appropriate to do an interview with the British media. Sam Cohen suggested Tom Bradby of ITV, who already had a relationship with Harry, would be a good idea.' Low wrote.

'Meghan in particular was reluctant at first, her attention was focused on the prospect of doing an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which at that point was slated for the autumn of that year (it would eventually go ahead more than a year later, in March 2021.'

Meghan Markle during the southern African royal tour. According to author Valentine Low, royal aide Sam Cohen suggested they should speak with British journalists

Harry and Meghan during their interview with Oprah. The original interview was slated to take place in Autumn of 2019 when Harry and Meghan were still working royals

During their first meeting with ITV, Meghan was 'distinctly cool' but then the couple did agree with one condition.

'There was one proviso: he and Meghan could not do the interviews together, or be in the same shot. That would go against the deal with Oprah,' Low said.

Meghan's interview with Bradby caused its own controversy, when the Duchess spoke about how she was struggling to cope with the media scrutiny on top of being a new mother and a newlywed.

During the interview she thanked Bradby for asking if she was OK, claiming 'not many people have asked if I'm OK'.

And then when asked if it had been a struggle, she agreed with the reporter's analysis.

Meghan's reluctance to be interviewed was an indication Megxit was on the horizon, but it was far from the first indication the royal staff had noticed that the couple could be plotting an escape.

Low wrote: 'There were clues that - again, with hindsight - might have suggested that Harry and Meghan did not see their long-term future as working members of the Royal Family.'

'Their Africa tour was coming up, but there was nothing in the diary after that. What were they actually planning to do after November?'

Royal aide Sam Cohen at Harry and Meghan's wedding. It was said to be Sam's suggestion that the royals consider giving an interview to the UK media during their royal tour of southern Africa

In 2019, during an interview with ITV journalist Tom Bradby, Meghan was remarkably candid about how she was struggling to cope with the media scrutiny on top of being a new mother and a newlywed

Meghan speaking to Tom Bradby. While she received praise in some circles for her openness, it was not the sort of answer many working royals would have been expected to give

He added: 'Meanwhile, staff were increasingly aware of the presence in the background of Meghan's business manager, Andrew Meyer, and her lawyer, Rick Genow, as well as her agent, Nick Collins, and Kaleigh Thomas Morgan of Sunshine Sachs.'

'The US team had been very busy on Meghan's behalf, working on deals not.'

Harry and Meghan did sit down with Oprah for their interview when they were no longer working royals, and instead revealed 'the truth' about their lives in the Royal Family.

The pair made allegations that rocked the monarchy during the 85-minute conversation.

They claimed comments had been made about how dark Prince Archie's skin might be when he was born, while Meghan accused Catherine, Princess of Wales, of making her cry over bridesmaid dresses just days before her wedding.

Queen Elizabeth II then issued a statement saying the issues raised in the interview would be dealt with privately as a family, adding that 'recollections may vary'.

Other bombshell claims included Meghan's candid discussion about her mental health struggles during her time as a royal.

She said: I just didn't see a solution. I just didn't see a solution. I would sit up at night, and I was just, like, I don't understand how all of this is being churned out.

Writing in his biography about the staff who serve the royals, Valentine Low revealed two years before the interview in March 2021, Meghan had already agreed to speak to Oprah

Meghan during the Oprah interview. One of the more bizarre claims was that they were allegedly married in secret three days before their actual wedding in May 2018

And, look, I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I know how much loss he's suffered.

But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. And I just didn't I just didn't want to be alive anymore.'

One of the more bizarre claims was they were allegedly married in secret three days before their actual wedding in May 2018 - and the Archbishop of Canterbury led the private ceremony.

Setting the scene, Meghan said they 'were married' at Nottingham Cottage - their home at the time, in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

But two weeks later, these claims were blown apart when the General Registrar Office revealed the couple's wedding certificate for the first time.

It proved they were officially married on May 19, 2018 in the lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle after all, with the witnesses recorded as Prince Charles and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland.
A controversial gondola ride has turned residents against a local developer who they say is exploiting historic lands for tourism greed.

A proposal to build a tramway called Kamananui along Mount Ka'ala, a landmark of cultural meaning to the community of Oahu in Hawaii, was first proposed by Kaukonoahua Ranch in March 2019.

The project also includes a zipline and trails for hiking and biking. Kaukonoahua Ranch estimated that the business would bring in around 1,700 visitors a day.

Locals recently gathered for a rally to showcase their refusal to accept the development into their hometown.

The proposal argued that the land would be used for agribusiness facilities to help preserve the land; however, locals have rejected the notion.

A community group called Keep the North Shore Country is rallying to stop the project, advocating against the development down the historic mountainside.

'There are many problems with this project, besides that fact that few people want a major tourist attraction on the dangerous, narrow Kaukonahua Rd, or mechanized joy rides up the side of Mt. Kaala,' the group stated on their website.

'Rather than admit that the primary purpose of this project is to generate money from tourist attractions, the developer is exploiting zoning laws by calling the project an agribusiness operation.'

A proposal to construct a gondola ride and zipline along Mount Ka'ala in the background of Kualoa Ranch (pictured) received intense backlash from locals (file photo)

Protestors gathered to showcase opposition for the development, arguing that they don't want tourists coming into their cultural lands

The proposal details plans for hiking and biking trails, a gondola, a zipline, and a cattle ranch

Residents have frequently protested the effort and shown their opposition to the gondola at community meetings.

At a protest this week resident Kathleen Pahinui told local CBS affiliate, Hawaii News Now, that visitors should go elsewhere for tourist attractions.

'Were not Disneyland. Were not a theme park. There are places in this world where you can go to do those kinds of things,' she said.

'This is Hawaii. We are not a theme park and we shouldnt be treated like a theme park.'

Racquel Achiu echoed a similar sentiment, telling the outlet: 'Were tired of people coming in, buying up lands, and then telling us what we need and what would be right.

'Theyre not of this place. They dont even live here. They know nothing about our culture or our history and know nothing about what our community is, but yet want to hugely impact it.'

Denise Antolini told Hawaii News Now that building a theme park over sacred Hawaiian lands was 'a complete desecration'.

A petition was launched to stop the developer from continuing to pursue the land for agritourism.

Residents have protested the development, claiming it will interfere with the cultural significance of Mount Ka'ala. Protesters are seen above this week

Community members advocated against the development in a town meeting

'I'm supporting this cause because protecting Kaala (Mount Kaala) is essential for preserving not only the land but the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Native Hawaiian community,' one comment on the petition read.

'This mountain holds deep significance, and its crucial that we stand together to ensure its respected and protected for future generations.'

'All my life this mountain and its beauty is all I know.. Untouched and Preserved,' another agreed.

Kaukonoahua Ranch proposed the project for agricultural use, stating the intention is 'To expand existing agriculture with comprehensive agroforestry, conservation areas (native tree reforestation), valley agriculture (including some traditional crops) and cattle ranching, while enhancing the property with educational, cultural and agricultural tourism.'

The proposal added that recreational activities, including trails, the tramway, and the zipline, would support the agricultural uses of the property.

The ranch's general manager, Mark Taylor, told Hawaii News Now that the agribusiness project is working to meet the requirements of the Conditional Use Permit for agricultural use.

Kaukonoahua submitted edits to the permit to reduce the scale of the project and is awaiting a decision from the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting.

'We remain committed to being good community stewards for Kaukonahua Ranch,' Taylor said in a statement to the outlet.

The proposal detailed plans for recreational activities, a tramway, and a zipline as part of an agribusiness project

The proposal depicted a mock setup of what the top of the gondola ride would look like and how it would operate

The proposal also detailed heritage crops to support the development's agricultural mission. Critics claimed that the developers called the project agritourism to evade backlash

'We continue to focus on enhancing our cattle ranching and crop-growing operations, the reforestation of native trees, and creating an agricultural-based model that is in keeping with the rural qualities, unique country feeling, and agricultural history of the north shore.'

'We look forward to sharing the latest details of our project with the community and how it will support the future of Kaukonahua Ranch, create more local jobs, and foster community partnerships and opportunities.'

Daily Mail reached out to Kaukonahua Ranch for additional comment on the business proposal.
Americans everywhere are struggling to purchase homes, with sales reaching a 30 year low in 2024.

Despite the tribulations of the housing market itself, the number one real estate site in the country - Zillow - is thriving.

CEO Jeremy Wacksman sat down with The New York Times to discuss what may be causing the dip in the housing market and what keeps Zillow afloat amidst it all.

The Seattle resident was appointed as CEO a year ago, but has been with the company since 2009.

Wacksman added that the major issue with homebuying in the United States is that there is an availability problem.

'We have an affordability crisis, which is driven by an availability crisis. It is a supply-side problem,' he said.

While many complain about increasing mortgage rates, he said that it's only a small factor.

'The real problem for a home buyer is home prices are up 30, 50, 70, 100 percent, depending on the market, from pre-pandemic levels. Incomes are not up that much.'

According to the US Social Security Office, the average yearly income in 2023 was $66,621, only increasing 4 percent from the year prior.

Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman (pictured) sat down with The New York Times to discuss the state of the US housing market

Wacksman stated: 'The real problem for a home buyer is home prices are up 30, 50, 70, 100 percent, depending on the market, from pre-pandemic levels. Incomes are not up that much'

Despite the dip in home purchases, 'Zillow surfing' - browsing the site with little intention of buying - is just as prevalent as ever

Wacksman noted that if the housing industry had continued to build new properties to keep up with buyer demand, it may not have become the 'crisis' it is today.

'We have been chronically under-building since, really, the global financial crisis,' he said. 'Less supply and a lot of demand is going to keep home prices elevated.'

According to Zillow, the average home value is almost $370,000 with just 1.3 million homes in the for-sale inventory.

Despite the dip in purchasing and sky-high prices, Zillow is seeing hundreds of millions of unique visitors every month. The company has seen a jump in revenue and its stock is up more than 60 percent.

The top site for real-estate listings in the country attracts what the internet has dubbed 'Zillow Surfers.' Those with little to no intention of purchasing a home browse on the website everyday.

Wacksman welcomes such browsers.

'Zillow Surfing is pretty pervasive, regardless of if its a buyers market or a sellers market,' he said.

'You spend all this time window shopping and escaping and dreaming. You are getting a little smarter about what you might want, and then something happens and you pull the trigger.

'As a marketer, I dont think you could have a stronger brand endorsement than all of the usage you get from people escaping on your platform.'

Wacksman (pictured) has been CEO of Zillow for only a year, but joined the company in 2009

Wacksman said 'Zillow-surfing' may be good for buyers and sellers alike. 'You are getting a little smarter about what you might want, and then something happens and you pull the trigger'

Now, Zillow requires sellers to post homes within the first 24 hours they're on the market or they face a 'Zillow-ban'

The way Zillow makes money is by selling ads to real estate companies who want to reach those endlessly scrolling Zillow-surfers. The company requires agents to post listings within 24 hours of being on the market.

If not, it's never allowed on the site at all.

Real estate companies like Compass have grown wary of Zillow, and even filed a lawsuit claiming they maintain a monopoly, calling it a 'Zillow ban.'

But Wacksman said that the lawsuit itself speaks to the larger issues of seller transparency within the United States housing market.

'The heart of the issue is the U.S. real estate market currently exists with a unique amount of transparency,' he said.

'So you and I, as a buyer and seller, can see all available listings, and that empowers us to shop on our own. There are a few companies that are looking to put the internet back in a box and hide inventory and force you to pay them.

'The lawsuit is about challenging that consumer benefit and that transparency.'

Many companies have ridiculed the 'Zillow ban,' but Wacksman maintains that its promotes buyer transparency

Wacksman said the largest issue with the current housing market is a lack of new properties. 'Less supply and a lot of demand is going to keep home prices elevated,' he said

Now, Zillow is trying to shift toward a 'super app' structure that allows buyers to be connected with any resources that they may need. That includes mortgage providers and rental properties as well as any other related services.

The service even offers a three dimensional walk through option to help buyers completely view each property.

Wacksman said that marketing a home 'in the broadest sense' is the best way for agents to get the most out of Zillow. Amidst a market low, that may be the best way to break through.

'Thats why we spend so much time on the software to help agents do their job well.'
In the wake of Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill', Florida homeowners are clamoring to add solar panels to their homes before it's too late.

Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4. Amongst restrictions to Medicaid and tightening on immigration, it also moved up the deadline for homeowners wishing to receive a tax credit for their solar panels.

Now, homeowners who want to conserve energy and earn a 30 percent tax credit must have their solar panels installed by the end of the year.

US Representative Kathy Castor told Floridians at a press conference this week: 'Our message today is if you are interested in lowercost solar for your home or for your business, for your church, synagogue or mosque  you have to act now.'

And act they have, but the rush is overwhelming local solar panel companies and creating a dismal future for the industry in Florida as a whole.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the appropriately named Sunshine State ranked third in the solar industry.

Over 20,000 solar panel systems have been installed, employing 14,000 Floridians.

The often sweltering heat and sunny conditions makes lowcoast solar a good way to decrease electric bills and promote environmentally-friendly living.

President Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4

Among other things, the act moved up the deadline for Americans to receive a 30 percent tax credit for installing solar panels on their homes

Solar companies in Florida are now scrambling to meet the demands of citizens who wish to make changes to their home before the new December 31 deadline

Florida House Representative Kathy Castor (pictured) ridiculed the decision in a press conference and encouraged residents to act fast

Bill Johnson, who runs Brilliant Harvest in Sarasota, Florida told the Tampa Bay Times: 'Within 48 hours of the bill being signed, we had enough contracts to complete the year.'

It could take weeks for companies like Johnson's to obtain the proper permits and contracts to even begin installing solar panels. So to get that tax credit homeowners must start immediately.

Steve Rutherford, the CEO of Tampa Bay Solar said he can't train enough installers to fulfill every request by the December 31 deadline.

But after that deadline has come and gone, solar industry professionals worry what a drastic decline in demand will do to their business.

Without the government incentive to install green energy, Tampa businesses could see job losses.

Rutherford said that these realizations are 'a bit of a funeral in the industry'.

Johnson was a little more optimistic and noted that he'd already had clients create contracts for next year, despite losing out on the tax credit.

'This is a body blow,' he said.

Bill Johnson (pictured), who runs Brilliant Harvest, said 'Within 48 hours of the bill being signed, we had enough contracts to complete the year'

It can take weeks to obtain the proper permits and contracts for solar panel installation

Steve Rutherford (pictured), the CEO of Tampa Bay Solar called the change 'a bit of a funeral in the industry'

With or without a tax credit, Americans may save hundreds of dollars a year after installing solar energy. File photo above

Officials worried that losing federal support for solar programs could cause electric bills everywhere to rise, especially amidst the heat waves Tampa had seen this summer.

'As TECO, Duke and FP&L ask for higher rate increases and your electric bills go up, part of the reason is because of the big ugly bill, and taking away the tax credits you were enjoying for cleaner, cheaper energy,' said Castor.

According to the United States Department of Energy, solar panels may still be a good thing for your wallet with or without a 30 percent tax cut.

Installation can increase the value of a home by an average of $15,000. Depending on a home's location, sunlight exposure, and climate, owners could still save hundreds of dollars a year, per the US Department of Energy.
Nashville is getting a serious makeover thanks to Tesla billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk's The Boring Company has plans to build a futuristic underground tunnel in Tennessee which will transport passengers from the city center to the airport in just eight minutes using electric vehicles.

But while the project has support from the state's federal lawmakers, local leaders aren't so sure.

One representative called it a 'vanity project for the wealthy' and it has been dubbed the 'Music City Loop'.

The tunnel will run 10 miles from city center to the airport on Nashville's south-east corridor, with its entrance just steps from the airport.

The privately-funded project will supposedly shuttle Tennesseans between downtown and the airport in only eight minutes.

That's a big saving in time from downtown to the airport, which takes about 30 minutes by taxi, rideshare or bus.

The company plans to use electric vehicles to connect city hotspots, similar to an already operating Boring system in Las Vegas.

Musk and The Boring Company seemed to have the full support of Republican lawmakers at a press conference announcing the project on July 28.

Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said he was excited by the tunnel.

'They could have taken their next underground loop anywhere, but they saw something unique about Tennessee,' he said.

'The best part of all of it is its 100 percent privately funded. There will be no cost to Tennessee taxpayers.'

Elon Musk's Boring Company has plans to construct a tunnel from downtown Nashville to the airport

The 'Music City Loop' will use zero-emissions electric vehicles to take passengers from the airport to the city in just 8 minutes

John Ray Clemens, chair of the Tennessee House Democratic Caucus, hammered the privately-funded project as 'fiscally irresponsible and legally suspect'.

'No responsible executive would give away unrestricted and unlimited underground property rights to an unhinged billionaire, who Donald Trump doesnt even trust anymore, and grant him and his company exclusive access rights beneath our city and a monopoly to profit in perpetuity.'

The project has yet to receive approval from the Metro Nashville Council or the mayor's office, and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell was notably absent from the event.

In a brief statement about the project, he said: 'We are aware of the states conversations with The Boring Company, and we have a number of operational questions to understand the potential impacts on Metro and Nashvillians.'

Yet, United States Senator Marsha Blackburn seemed to think the impact would be overwhelmingly positive.

She posted on X that the company 'couldn't have picked a better new home for their state-of-the-art tunneling technology than Nashville'.

She wrote: 'I look forward to seeing the tremendous impact of this investment in our city!'

State Representative Aftyn Behn called the tunnel a 'privatization of public infrastructure,' noting that it was designed to benefit a select few 'not the people who actually live and work here'.

In his press release about the 'Music City Loop' Behn wrote, 'Its a vanity project for the wealthy, and once again, the Lee administration is rolling out the red carpet for billionaires while working families are stuck in traffic.'

'We rank at the bottom in livability, and yet instead of investing in roads, schools and transit that benefit everyday Tennesseans, theyre floating billion-dollar boondoggles for the ultra-rich,' stated state Senator Heidi Campbell

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (pictured) supports the privately funded project and expressed his excitement at a press conference on July 28

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell did not attend the conference and expressed his concern about the tunnel's impact on Nashville citizens

The entrance to the tunnel is meant to be constructed just steps from the airport

Construction will begin immediately upon approval and the tunnel may be operational as early as next fall

The decision seems to be just as divisive among citizens as it is among local lawmakers.

One local posted on Reddit afterwards: 'And the grift continues. This isn't a much needed or desirable project.

'This is a grift meant to line the pockets of the world's richest person. The goal was never providing a decent or even acceptable transit service.'

Another commented: 'Could've had a great light rail system and instead get this utter nonsense.'

A third wrote: 'What a complete waste of money that could be going to build transit that's actually useful.'

Regardless of the public's opinion, The Boring Company is ready to go full speed ahead.

Famous Neon signs of blues clubs on Beale street illuminated at night in downtown Nashville. People will be able to get from the airport to downtown in just 8 minutes in the new tunnel

A Tesla car drives through a tunnel in the Central Station during a media preview of the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop on April 9, 2021

Construction will begin immediately following the approval process, according to the Tennessee state government.

It could be operational as early as Fall 2026.
Anya Taylor-Joy looked stylish as she enjoyed a date with her husband Malcolm McRae at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The actress ensured she was the center of attention flashing her legs in cream shorts and a white tank, quirkily styled out with a lace shawl and green pleated headscarf.

She wore her blonde hair in two braids tucked beneath the scarf and completed her stylish ensemble with ballet flats and a pair of shades.

Cream dreamy: Anya Taylor-Joy caught the eye in a leggy fit at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

To tie for: The star was hard to miss wearing a bright-green headscarf over long braids

Wrap star: She completed her quirky race-day look with a vintage cream lace shawl

Couple goals: She was joined in the pits by Malcolm McRae, her husband of three years

Vow wow: They tied the knot in New Orleans in 2022 before having a second wedding in 2023

'Perfect match: 'I love him so much,' she recently told Drew Barrymore, 'I'm so lucky'
A city trader who claimed his divorce settlement was 'gender prejudice' after being handed $450K of his ex-wife's $80million family fortune has won an appeal case to have the arrangement reviewed.

Simon Entwistle's three-year marriage to Jenny Helliwell ended in 2022 but he was awarded just 0.5 per cent of her fortune. He blamed gender bias for the decision and has won his case at the Court of Appeal in London, meaning his settlement will now be considered again.

Appeal judges ruled Jenny had engaged in 'fraudulent' behavior by not declaring almost $64milllion of her personal fortune whilst making a prenuptial agreement.

Sexist settlement? Wealthy heiress Jenny Helliwell engaged in 'fraudulent' behavior by not declaring all her fortune whilst making a prenuptial agreement, which resulted in her ex only getting 0.5 per cent of her money

The couple had a lavish wedding in Paris in August 2019 and Entwistle 'enjoyed the trappings of being married into a family of exceptional wealth,' it was said.

They were living in a luxury villa in Dubai gifted to Helliwell by her father, businessman Neil Helliwell. But when they split up, Helliwell got her lawyers to order her husband out of the family home with just 48 hours' notice in August 2022.

The pair, both 42, then went to court, with Entwistle asking for $3.3million from his interior designer ex-wife's personal fortune.

Entwistle claimed he needed $48K a year for flights and $35K a year 'on a meal plan just for himself' because he said: 'I can't even cook an omelet.

The judge told him: 'Being married to a rich person for three years does not suddenly catapult you into a right to live like that after the relationship has ended.'

At a loss: Entwistle's divorce ended with an award in his favour of just $450K instead of the 3.3m he had originally claimed

He was left with a 0.5 per cent share of the pot after the judge upheld a pre-nuptial agreement the pair had signed promising they would each keep their own assets in the event of a split.

Appealing that ruling, Entwistle said he was a victim of 'gender prejudice' and that the prenup had been invalidated by Helliwell having failed to disclose assets worth almost $64milllion- amounting to 73 per cent of her wealth.

Now, Lady Justice King has ruled that the nondisclosure by the heiress amounted to 'fraudulent' behavior which had invalidated the prenup. She allowed Entwistle's appeal and sent the case back to the divorce courts, ordering it to be recalculated as if the pre-nuptial agreement did not exist.

The judge said: 'Willful or fraudulent breach of that agreement such that the disclosure made bears no resemblance to the true wealth of a party...is capable of being material non-disclosure, as it deprives the other party of the information that they have agreed is necessary in order for them to decide whether to agree to a pre-nuptial agreement.

'Since the husband in the instant case was deliberately deprived of information which it had been agreed that he should have, in my judgment, the agreement cannot stand.'

Negotiation: Helliwell had offered him first $665K, then $1m, to avoid a court battle, but he had refused, holding out for $3.3m

Challenging the judge's ruling at the Court of Appeal, Deborah Bangay KC, for Mr Entwistle, said: 'The judge was warned against gender prejudice, but failed to heed that warning.

'Had the positions been reversed, it is very unlikely that he would have so ungenerously assessed the needs of a wife after a six-year relationship.'

She also argued that the prenup, which had been key to the husband's low award, was invalidated by Helliwell's failure to disclose her full wealth.

Lady Justice King, giving her ruling, made no finding on the gender prejudice argument but said: 'The husband and wife entered into the agreement on the day they married, July 12, 2019. Upon divorce, each party would retain their own separate property and split any jointly owned property as to 50 per cent each.

'At the heart of the dispute is whether the wife's undoubted failure to disclose the majority of her substantial wealth should have the consequence that the agreement should not be upheld by the court.

'In the present case, the non-disclosure of the majority of her assets by the wife was undoubtedly deliberate.'
There are some things that are just so LA. Think palm trees, celeb-spotting, Lululemon-clad women holding their overpriced Hailey Bieber-inspired crafted drinks - and, more importantly, traffic.

After hopping off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan, Im keenly anticipating all the glitz and glamour awaiting me, while dreading the amount of time Im about to be stuck in a car this week.

But, forget what youve youve heard about needing to rent a car in LA, theres a part of the City of Angels you can actually walk around and still feel like an A-lister - West Hollywood.

Theres so much to see here, including the Sunset Strip, Design District and Santa Monica Blvd, - and you can see it all in breathtaking views from the Skybar of my Alice in Wonderland-themed hotel, Mondrian.

This hotels location is testament to why WeHo is known as LAs most walkable area.

Here, Im a stones throw from The Comedy Store - often deemed the greatest stand-up comedy club in the world; The Viper Room, a nightclub partly owned by Johnny Depp; and The Abbey, a favourite bar of Elizabeth Taylor and the inspiration for Chappel Roans hit song Pink Pony Club.

Naturally, the food scene in West Hollywood is remarkable, and you wont even need to leave your hotel to find a decent joint.

At Mondrian, I dine at the newly opened Casa Madera which offers delectable Mexican cuisine under starry lights and large open windows showcasing the painting-like sunset.

'Forget what youve youve heard about needing to rent a car in Los Angeles, theres a part of the City of Angels you can actually walk around and still feel like an A-lister - West Hollywood,' says Faima Bakar (pictured in Mondrian Los Angeles)

While the hotel itself is pretty swanky, the newly opened Casa Madera restaurant (pictured) is its standout jewel, with some of the most good-looking patrons and views I have ever seen

I enjoy a refreshing drink at Casa Madera

While the hotel itself is pretty swanky, the restaurant is its standout jewel, with some of the most good-looking patrons and views I have ever seen.

I also eat at Ladyhawk, a restaurant in the Kimpton LA Peer Hotel, which won Best New Restaurant in LA Magazine, thanks to its prodigy chef Charbel Hayek.

The Middle Eastern spot has one of the most delicious mezze platters Ive tasted, complete with fresh hummus, a muhammara dish made of roasted red peppers.

And for breakfast, I visit another famous hotel - Sunset Tower, which served as residence to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.

But I didnt go to LA just to eat - its all about the active lifestyle here.

After a morning workout at Taylor Swifts favourite fitness studio DOGPOUND, I head out on an e-bike tour with Bikes + Hikes to learn more about WeHo - where porn theatres and brothels have been replaced by cannabis lounge, State Social House, and rows and rows of cannabis dispensaries.

Even actor Woody Harrelson has his own one - aptly named The Woods.

I choose not to indulge in any of the green stuff - opting instead for some relaxation.

I head out on an e-bike tour with Bikes + Hikes to learn more about WeHo

Porn theatres and brothels have been replaced by cannabis lounge, State Social House, and rows and rows of cannabis dispensaries. Even actor Woody Harrelson has his own one - aptly named The Woods (pictured)

And you certainly wont be lacking that in West Hollywood, as it has the largest number of wellness offerings on the West Coast.

I try several treatments, including the red carpet facial at Bamford Spa at 1 Hotel - a go-to for the likes of Jennifer Coolidge.

I sip on tea and freshly made smoothies while awaiting my appointment.

Even before the facial, Im feeling more relaxed, sipping on tea and freshly made smoothies while waiting for my appointment.

And after, my face is positively glowing, with my skin having gone from dry to dewy in just an hour.

But I feel like a fully fledged Angelino after the two treatments I have at Next Health - a vitamin injection in my butt and cryotherapy.

It might sound mad having a bum injection, but the Beauty B shot is full of good stuff for skin, hair and nail health, like biotin and folic acid.

Im usually apprehensive about injecting anything into my body, and after seeing two of my friends get light-headed from the treatment, I do have doubts for a second - but watching the more regular customers look so nonchalant as they have vitamin drips via IV and red light therapy eases my nerves.

I enjoy a morning workout at Taylor Swifts favourite fitness studio DOGPOUND

I feel like a fully fledged Angelino after my visit to NEXT Health - where I have a vitamin injection in my butt and cryotherapy. LEFT: The chairs for vitamin drips via IV. RIGHT: The treatments menu

I have a red carpet facial at Bamford Spa at 1 Hotel - a go-to for the likes of Jennifer Coolidge - and after, my face is positively glowing, with my skin having gone from dry to dewy in just an hour

I feel like even more of an A-lister later, when I take a helicopter ride across the city, with Maverick Helicopters, flying over the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios and Harry Potter World

Anyway, when in Hollywood!

While I cant say I feel a noticeable difference after the glute injections, the cryotherapy is one of the most refreshing treatments Ive had done.

The advanced cold therapy reaches temperatures as low as -65C in just three minutes, and although my eyelashes do freeze over, I have Taylor Swift on in the background helping the time fly by - and Id be keen to be frozen again!

I feel like even more of an A-lister later, when I take a helicopter ride across the city, with Maverick Helicopters, flying over the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios and Harry Potter World.

Suspended over such iconic locations Id only ever seen in films before, Im almost too starstruck to remember my fear of heights.

Just like the helicopter, I come back down to earth when I return from the bright lights of Hollywood - at least my skin is still glowing!
The futuristic megacity, located in China, is home to over 30 million residents

A 'cyberpunk' megacity in China is the world's largest by population - yet it remains relatively unknown to many outside of Asia.

Chongqing, situated in the south west of the country, is home to a staggering 32 million residents - making it the only Chinese city with a population of over 30 million.

The sprawling municipality, which covers a whopping 31,815 square miles, is distinguished by its ethereal mountainous terrain and its complex, multi-tired infrastructure.

Chongqing is built on elevated, hilly terrain, resulting in a unique vertical layering of buildings, where entrances can be found on different floors of properties, while roadways and pedestrian walkways overlap one another across various heights.

The city's skyline, meanwhile, with its neon lights and futuristic architecture, is often compared to cyberpunk and sci-fi concepts - with YouTuber Ben Morris calling it the 'closest I've ever been to a real-life video game' in a viral clip.

Despite its sheer size and jaw-dropping landscape, Chongqing is often overlooked by tourists, who might be more familiar with other major Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai.

Now, the spotlight is firmly on the 'Mountain City' thanks to its growing popularity amidst seasoned travellers, curious content creators and distinguished tourism boards.

The Lonely Planet travel guide describes the city as 'the most important city in western China and the economic engine of the upper Yangzi [Yangtze],' while highlighting the municipality's 'fantastic food and 'charismatic geography.'

Chongqing, situated in the south west of China, is home to a staggering 32 million residents - making it the only Chinese city with a population of over 30 million

Chongqing is built on elevated terrain, resulting in vertical layering of buildings, where entrances can be found on different floors of properties and roadways overlap one another across various heights

The city's skyline, meanwhile, with its neon lights and futuristic architecture, is often compared to cyberpunk and sci-fi concepts

In addition, the Western China International Communication Organization says the complex design of the 'internationally renowned 8D Magic City' defies traditional urban planning.

Chongqing is positioned at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, serving as a major departure point for cruises with access to the breathtaking Three Gorges region.

In the city itself, the monorail winds its way through buildings and across hills, offering a unique and efficient mode of transportation that adds to the landscape's impressive design.

The city played a crucial role as China's wartime capital, making it a fascinating destination for history buffs, according to Travel and Leisure Asia.

It's most famous for its hotpot - though it offers a more fiery and flavourful culinary experience compared to other regional variations of Sichuan cuisine.

Other notable Chongqing dishes include sliced meat with crispy rice, Jiangtuan - or 'big-head' - fish, Yongchuan bean sauce and pork leg cooked with rock candy.

Chongqing has also emerged as a major hub for laptop production and the overall electronic information industry.

The city was placed on the global stage after computer hardware company HP set up its base for laptop production there in 2009.

The sprawling municipality, which covers a whopping 31,815 square miles, is distinguished by its ethereal mountainous terrain and its complex, multi-tired infrastructure

In the city itself, the monorail winds its way through buildings and across hills, offering a unique and efficient mode of transportation that adds to the landscape's impressive design

The Western China International Communication Organization says the complex design of the 'internationally renowned 8D Magic City' defies traditional urban planning

Chongqing has also emerged as a major hub for laptop production and the overall electronic information industry

Despite its sheer size and jaw-dropping landscape, Chongqing is often overlooked by tourists, who might be more familiar with other major Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai

It's most famous for its hotpot - though it offers a more fiery and flavourful culinary experience compared to other regional variations of Sichuan cuisine

Other information companies have since followed suit, with firms like Foxconn, Quanta Computer, Lenovo and Asus, setting up successful operations in the Chinese megacity.

Driven by big data and artificial intelligence development, Chongqing has become an emblem of the fastest urban revolution on the planet.

Darkness for the city's inhabitants is exacerbated by the fact it is enshrouded by a thick layer of fog for over 100 days of the year.

The city is also so built up, that it now has its own microclimate - bringing about humidity and sweltering temperatures of up to 40C degrees.
Jack Osbourne returned to mainstream TV on Sunday evening, just days after his father Ozzy's funeral service in Buckinghamshire.

The reality star was joined by his devastated family for the private service at Welders House, Ozzy and wife Sharon's sprawling home in rural Jordans, on August 31.

Returning to TV with an appearance on ITV1 show Cooking With The Stars on Sunday evening, Jack shared a fond anecdote about his father while attempting to impress judges with his culinary skills.

In scenes filmed before Ozzy's death, Jack, 39, recalled growing up in a household where professional chefs would occasionally be employed to prepare the family meals.

'I grew up on potato waffles until we moved to America,' he recalled. 'We would get take out all the time a part from times when we had a chef.

'Wed get through them all the time because we were a family of really picky eaters and my dad would think that he could cook it better.'

Jack Osbourne returned to mainstream TV on Sunday evening, just days after his father Ozzy's funeral service in Buckinghamshire

Ozzy, nicknamed the Prince of Darkness, died on July 22 at the age of 76 just weeks after he took to the stage for his final show

During a 2005 episode of Gordon Ramsey's reality series The F Word, Ozzy shared in an interview that he considers his wife Sharon the 'worst cook on the face of the Earth.'

He joked that Sharon 'couldn't even make a piece of toast without burning it.'

In the episode, she admitted that she had to keep the instructions for her home oven 'taped to the side of it' because she used it so rarely.

She also joked that Ozzy would 'hide his booze' in the oven at the height of his struggles with substance use because he knew she was unlikely to ever open it.

Ramsey showed Sharon how to cook a tasty lamb chop with mint  a favourite of Ozzy's  and when she asked for a solid side dish to accompany it he suggested mashed potatoes.

When the celebrity chef asked Sharon if she knew how to make the simple dish, she jokingly responded: 'Yeah, you get powder and you pour boiling water in it.'

Ozzy, nicknamed the Prince of Darkness, died on July 22 at the age of 76 just weeks after he took to the stage for his final show with Black Sabbath, with his family confirming the devastating news.

His private funeral took place on Friday with the heavy metal icon being being buried in the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire - as he had said he desired.

The reality star was joined by his devastated family for the private service at Welders House, Ozzy and wife Sharon's sprawling home in rural Jordans, on August 31

In scenes filmed before Ozzy's death, Jack, 39, recalled growing up in a household where professional chefs would occasionally be employed to prepare the family meals

'Wed get through chefs all the time because we were a family of really picky eaters and my dad would think that he could cook it better,' he said

Ozzy's private funeral took place on Friday with the heavy metal icon being being buried in the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire - as he had said he desired

It followed a funeral procession attended by thousands of fans through Birmingham city centre on Wednesday (Jack and his sister Kelly pictured on Wednesday)

Ozzy's widow Sharon, 72, and their children were joined by heavy rock royalty at the family's sprawling 250-acre estate near Gerrards Cross.

Guests also included Manson's wife Lindsay Usich and Ozzy's lead guitarist Zakk Wylde.

A huge floral tribute in the grounds of the mansion spells out an affectionate tribute to the heavy metal legend, with the words, 'OZZY F***ING OSBOURNE', on the banks of the Osbourne lake.

A version of a floral 'Ozzy' tribute that featured at the memorial procession was also placed atop a fountain.

It followed a funeral procession attended by thousands of fans through Birmingham city centre on Wednesday.
Mel B has celebrated her second wedding in Morocco with her husband Rory McPhee, marking their marriage with a spiritual ceremony in Marrakech.

The couple, who first tied the knot in London last month, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a glimpse of their latest nuptials.

She captioned her post: 'We got married!!! Again! A wedding so good we keep the celebration going with our closest and dearest in our fav place at @selmanmarrakech... we had the time of our lives!!'

In contrast to her very traditional wedding at St Pauls Cathedral in London, Mel wanted a second ceremony to reflect her more individual and glamorous style.

As with her Josephine Scott-designed gown, Mel was guided in her choice of outfit by wedding dress guru Caroline Black from London-based Evelie Bridal, who helped her choose the perfect dress to celebrate her and Rorys day.

Just as Josephine Scotts dress proudly reflected her British roots, Mel and Caroline chose Justin Alexander, a US-based designer, to reflect her life in America where she is currently a judge on Americas Got Talent.

Mel B has celebrated her second wedding in Morocco with her husband Rory McPhee, marking their marriage with a spiritual ceremony in Marrakech

In contrast to her very traditional wedding at St Pauls Cathedral in London, Mel wanted a second ceremony to reflect her more individual and glamorous style

Rory, who wore traditional McPhee tartan and kilt at the London ceremony, flew the flag for UK designers with a twist on the traditional black tie, wearing an outfit by Alexander McQueen.

Scary Spice, 50, walked down the aisle for a third time last month when she tied the knot with hairdresser Rory McPhee, 37, at St Paul's Cathedral.

Despite the wild antics of her younger days, the wedding was a rather a low-key affair, with guests said to have headed home at 7pm.

After the lavish ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral, including a horse and carriage, she took pals and family to a bar at The Shard skyscraper for a bash which many expected to rage well into the early hours.

The wedding party arrived at the reception at 4.30pm, however most of Mels guests had headed for home by 7pm, with many having already changed into casual clothing following just over two hours of socialising.

Among the celebs on the guest list for the star-studded wedding were Mel B's fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton and comedians Alan Carr, Katherine Ryan and Tom Allen.

And her beloved Yorkshire Terrier pup Cookie served a very important role at the nuptials as the ring bearer.

After the ceremony, guests jumped onto a boozy party bus to take them to the lavish Shangri-La hotel at The Shard.

Scary Spice, 50, walked down the aisle for a third time last month when she tied the knot with hairdresser Rory McPhee, 37, at St Paul's Cathedral (pictured)

While Victoria Beckham and Mel C were quick to apologise to Mel for missing the ceremony - Geri Halliwell-Horner has remained tight-lipped on the matter amid reports of differences

Emma was the only Spice Girl to make an appearance and while Victoria Beckham and Mel C were quick to offer up their apologies - paying tribute to Mel on social media - Geri Halliwell-Horner has remained tight-lipped on the matter amid reports differences between the pair.

It was thought the Spice Girls could be set for a reunion at the Moroccan celebrations, with Geri given the chance to extend an olive branch to Mel if she attends the North African ceremony.

Morocco hold significance for the girl band after they jetted there for a mini reunion a decade ago to celebrate David Beckham's 40th birthday.

However ironically Mel B was the only member not in attendance as instead, Eva Longoria filled in for Scary - joking 'I'm the new Spice Girl! #LatinaSpice'.

As with her Josephine Scott-designed gown, Mel was guided in her choice of outfit by wedding dress guru Caroline Black from London-based Evelie Bridal, who helped her choose the perfect dress to celebrate her and Rorys day in the African country.

Just as Josephine Scotts dress proudly reflected her British roots, Mel and Caroline chose Justin Alexander, a US-based designer, to reflect her life in America where she is currently a judge on Americas Got Talent.

Caroline Black, Evelie Bridal Owner, said: For Mels Morocco wedding dress, we focused on trying Justin Alexander gowns with a little extra sparkle. Mel loved the idea of a red dresssomething bold, with lots and lots of shimmerbut it also had to feel light and easy to move in.

'We drew inspiration from a variety of dresses she tried on at Evelie South Kensington, then went back and forth brainstorming with Justin Alexander and his design team. After several conversations and sketches, the first design took shape. Mel gave us clear feedback on what she liked and what she didnt, and the final result was beautiful.

'Mel had such a strong sense of what she wantedit was a joy working with her and Justin Alexander to bring her vision to life.

Mel and Caroline collaborated with Creative Director Justin Warshaw and Chief of Design Terri Hilferty at Justin Alexander to create a show-stopping, sheer, fit-and-flare gown for her Moroccan nuptials.

The sultry silhouette is entirely hand-beaded with rich red crystals and bugle beads, creating a mesmerizing floating effect across the illusion bodice and skirt.

It required a team of six artisans and over 850 hours to complete. The plunging sweetheart neckline is framed with concentrated red crystal detailing gradually dispersed across the structured corset.

Exposed boning subtly peeks through layers of sheer tulle, while asymmetrical draping at the waistline adds dimension.

A sultry side slit reveals a glimpse of leg, as the crystal beading lightly scatters down the length of the skirt.

The back features a lace-up corset with red ribbons to highlight her hourglass figure, while a cascading godet flows into a dramatic cathedral-length train.

Mel completed her look with a Moroccan-inspired cathedral veil, custom-draped in mocha tulle and accented with red crystals to mirror the gowns embellishments.

The warm-toned veil blends seamlessly with the dress, offering a radiant, skin-toned glow.

Crystals accent the veils crown and cascade delicately down the back drape, with additional sparkle scattered throughout the train to finish the look.

Mel B told The Sun of her plans for a second wedding to Rory later this summer and said she'd already splashed out on a gown to wear.

'In one incredible afternoon I found two perfect dresses. One beautiful classic dress by Josephine Scott, a British designer, and one stunning dramatic dress by a US designer, Justin Alexander'.

Only Emma attended the big day at St Paul's Cathedral last month- where she looked incredible in a baby pink mini dress and hat

Mel C shared a sweet snap of Mel B and her new husband as they celebrated their wedding day - offering her apologies for missing the service

Despite her absence, Posh, 51, also took to Instagram to pay tribute - sharing a sweet black and white throwback of herself and the bride with bandmates Geri, Mel C and Emma

Now, Geri will be given the chance to extend an olive branch to Mel if she attends the North African ceremony - which holds a significance for the girl band (pictured in 1996)

In 2015, the Spice Girls had a mini reunion in Morocco when they jetted there to celebrate David Beckham 's 40th birthday (Geri, Emma, Mel C and Victoria pictured with Eva Longoria)

Guests including Alan Carr and Leigh Francis were quick to offer their congratulations, while fellow bandmate Geri remained silent.

The pair have a tempestuous relationship and at times have struggled to be in the same room without there being animosity.

Geri continued to snub Mel B on Sunday after her lavish wedding weekend - while the likes of Heidi Klum, Paloma Faith and Kerry Katona led the stars sending the Spice Girl congratulatory messages following the ceremony.

However other Spice Girl Victoria was quick to comment under Mel's post saying: 'Congratulations!!!!! We hope you had an amazing day!!!! X kisses xxxxxxxxc.'

Heidi Klum added: 'CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH. WISHING YOU LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE FOREVER.'

Paloma Faith then added: 'Congrats my angel you deserve the world.'

Alice Evans said: 'You deserve this! I'm so happy for you!'. Alexandra Burke posted simply saying: 'Congrats!'

Katie Piper added: 'Congratulations you deserve so much love and happiness

Robbie Williams' wife Ayda Field said under the post: 'Congratulations !'.

Mel C also shared a sweet snap of Mel B and her new husband as they celebrated their wedding day on Saturday.

Sporty Spice was notably absent as her Spice Girl bandmate said 'I do' to her fiance Rory in London in front of a string of very A-list guests.

Mel was unable to attend no doubt due to scheduling conflicts, as she was performing in Sweden, but still wanted to share her excitement and happiness for the pair and took to her Instagram to share a photograph of the newlyweds.

Admitting that she was 'gutted' not to be there, she made reference to the fact they would all see each other and meet up in the not too distant future.

Posting some sweet words online, she gushed in the caption: 'So so happy for you both and beyond gutted I couldn't be there. Excited to celebrate with you really soon! Yippee!'

Victoria also missed the ceremony but did share a sweet black and white throwback of herself and the bride with bandmates Geri, Mel and Emma to her Instagram.

Posh, 51, captioned the snap: 'Congratulations @officalmelb @rorymcphee on your special day! I couldn't be more excited for you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness! kisses xx'

Mel B shared a glimpse of her quirky 'just married' outfit following her lavish wedding day

Mel and Geri have a tempestuous relationship and at times have struggled to be in the same room without there being animosity (pictured 1998)

Hours earlier, Victoria had also posted another tribute to the couple on Friday with a photograph of herself and Mel looking glamorous together at a recent event.

She gushed in a caption: 'Sending love to you @officialmelb! @rorymcphee is a very lucky man! xx'

Ahead of the wedding, sources told the Mail that there was no bad blood between Victoria and Mel but was simply a scheduling conflict.

They said: 'Victoria has long standing plans out of the country and she simply can't be there. She adores Mel, they get on really well despite their paths going in opposite directions. It's a real shame.

'There is no issue between them, they haven't fallen out. It's just one of those things.'

Geri was taken aback after Mel B revealed that they had had an intimate relationship when the band was starting out while she was being interviewed for Piers Morgan's Life Stories programme.

Geri was said to have been deeply upset by the bombshell revelation in 2019, for which Mel has apparently never apologised.

Sources also say that Geri's husband Christian Horner was 'mortified' about Mel's claims.
Lindsay Lohan has revealed what she would have done differently during her rollercoaster years in Hollywood after her major career comeback.

The actress, 39, rose to fame as a child star and went on to nab major roles throughout her teenage years, including in 2003's Freaky Friday and Mean Girls.

However, she then faced widely publicized struggles, including multiple arrests for DUI, theft, and cocaine possession, as well as several stints in rehab that sidelined her Hollywood career.

Now, as she returns to screen with the Freaky Friday sequel, Lindsay has revealed that she would say 'no' a lot more if she could go back and do it all again.

She told The Sun: 'I was always such a ''yes'' person to my agents and everyone that no one ever really took the time to ask me, ''Do you wanna chill for a second?''

'And if I knew then what I know now, I'd definitely have used the word ''no'' a lot more.'

Lindsay Lohan has revealed what she would have done differently during her rollercoaster years in Hollywood after her major career comeback

Lindsay (pictured in 2003) rose to fame as a child star and went on to nab major roles throughout her teenage years, including in 2003's Freaky Friday and Mean Girls

Lindsay went from being America's sweetheart as a Disney star to experiencing many turbulent years in the public eye.

She spent years battling addiction - leading to her own run-ins with the law, as well as numerous rehab visits.

It began to affect her career and she was thrown off movie sets, kicked out of roles, and forced to cancel appearances, casting doubt on whether her career would ever recover.

After a string of critically-panned roles, she decided to pursue other endeavours instead, and he opened a nightclub in Athens, Greece, in 2016, followed by a successful beach resort on the Greek island Mykonos.

Around that time, she also decided to give up her life in Hollywood and relocate to Dubai, which she called a 'fresh start' to Emirates Women in a 2018 interview.

'Moving here was a fresh start,' she said. 'You hear more about real current events rather than celebrity gossip, which I really appreciate.'

The former child star added that her lifestyle in Dubai was quite the opposite of that in LA, and that she was thoroughly enjoying stepping away from the spotlight to live a 'normal life'.

Alongside her move to the Middle East, Lindsay also tied the knot with financier Bader Shammas, and they welcomed their first child together last year.

Lindsay faced widely publicized struggles , including multiple arrests for DUI, theft, and cocaine possession, as well as several stints in rehab that sidelined her Hollywood career

After a string of personal troubles, Lindsay disappeared from the limelight to start a new life in Dubai with her husband, financier Bader Shammas

But she kickstarted her return to acting in 2022 with a role in Falling For Christmas, and after its success, signed a two-film deal with the streaming service

In 2022, Lindsay finally kickstarted her return to acting with her role in Falling For Christmas.

It was then revealed she'd signed a new deal with Netflix to star in two more films for the streaming service.

'We're so happy with our collaboration with Lindsay to date, and we're thrilled to continue our partnership with her,' Netflix's Director of Independent Film Christina Rogers said.

'We look forward to bringing more of her films to our members around the world.'

The first in Lindsay's two-picture deal, Irish Wish, hit Netflix earlier last year, and saw her star opposite English actor Ed Speleers and Alexander Vlahos.

The film saw Lindsay star as Maddie, a book editor whose world crumbles when her secret crush gets engaged to her closest friend.

After reluctantly accepting the role of bridesmaid for the wedding in Ireland, Maddie soon realizes her heart's true desire lies elsewhere.

Lindsay's sequel to Freaky Friday, called Freakier Friday, is also hitting screens on August 8, with excitement building up for the long-awaited release

Amid her return to the limelight, Lindsay has also been stunning fans with her fresh-faced new transformation

While the film earned negative reviews from critics, and was described as 'a scattering of rom-com cliches,' Variety noted that Lindsay 'hasn't lost her ability to light up a scene'.

Lindsay's sequel to Freaky Friday, called Freakier Friday, is also hitting screens on August 8, with excitement building up for the long-awaited release.

She has reunited on screen with Jamie-Lee Curtis, who played her on-screen mother, for the sequel, more than 20 years after the original was filmed.

Amid her return to the limelight, Lindsay has also been stunning fans with her fresh-faced new transformation.
Amber Heard took to Instagram on Saturday to thank her fans as she wraps her final performance of her play Spirit of the People.

The 39-year-old superstar  who showed off her toned physique on Friday  posed with multiple bouquets of flowers and added a sentimental caption.

'Thank you to all of my fans and supporters for making this already unforgettable weekend so much more beautiful,' she wrote to her five million followers.

Amber added: 'The flowers wont last forever but the memories of all the love and support I received through this will.'

She has spent the past several weeks performing at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts.

Earlier this week the Texas-bred star was showered with support from fans on Instagram as she shared a glowing selfie.

Amber Heard took to Instagram on Saturday to thank her fans as she wraps her final performance of her play Spirit of the People

The 39-year-old superstar posed with multiple bouquets of flowers and added a sentimental caption

Amber has spent the past several weeks performing at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts

Reflecting on her imminent final performance, she captioned the image, 'Lucky to be stealing one final breath before this weekends final performances. Last chance to see Spirit of the People at @wtfestival!'

Her fans expressed their excitement about her comeback in her comments section.

'Amber! Were so proud of you!!!', wrote one person, while another said, 'Wish I could see the play again! You were absolutely incredible in it  I hope you have a great final weekend with the festival!'

Another person gushed, 'Getting to see you live was literally one of the best moments of my life, you're amazing!!'

Other notes read, 'Our queen is THRIVING', and 'Beautiful as always and mastering your craft. Keep glowing and growing. '

Three years ago Amber resolved her bitter court case with ex-husband Johnny Depp.

She made a sensational return to acting last month, following the birth of her twins in May and her widely publicized defamation trial with ex Johnny.

After stepping back into the spotlight, the Hollywood siren was cast as Genevieve in Jeremy O. Harris' play.

Earlier this week the Texas-bred star was showered with support from fans on Instagram as she shared a glowing selfie

Earlier this week the Texas-bred star was showered with support from fans on Instagram as she reflected on her imminent final performance

Three years ago Amber resolved her bitter court case with ex-husband Johnny Depp; pictured in 2015

Amber was previously wed to Pirates of The Caribbean star Johnny from 2015 to 2017, and they were involved in a high-profile defamation trial in 2022.

She was ordered to pay the actor $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages, which she argued she didn't have.

The jury awarded the actress $2 million in compensatory damages for her countersuit against Johnny.

She is now a mother-of-three, as she has four-year-old daughter Oonagh in addition to her newborn twins  daughter Agnes and son Ocean.

She appears to be single, but it is unclear if she had her babies alone or with a partner.
Australia's biggest TV awards night is facing fresh controversy, with claims of broadcaster bias, snubs and an extraordinary media ban casting a shadow over the 65th TV Week Logie Awards.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Destination NSW  the state's tourism body  pumps a fortune into the event to ensure it's held in Sydney.

While the exact figure remains under wraps, Melbourne previously shelled out around $1million for the honour.

In return, Destination NSW gets some glossy drone shots of the Harbour Bridge in the broadcast, a few 'Feel New Sydney' tourism ads and a table at the glamorous ceremony.

But when the organisation reportedly invited a handful of top-tier journalists to join them at their table, organisers allegedly swooped in and revoked the invitations.

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.

Australia's biggest TV awards night is facing fresh controversy, with claims of broadcaster bias, snubs and an extraordinary media ban casting a shadow over the 65th TV Week Logie Awards. Pictured: Sonia Kruger

The move has been branded not only embarrassing for Destination NSW, but 'absurd' given the long-standing relationship between the media and the Logies.

A few years ago, organisers quietly banned media from being in the room altogether  a policy that began when the awards were held in the smaller Gold Coast venue.

But now that the event is staged at Sydney's sprawling Star Casino Events Centre, critics say there's more than enough room for the entire press pack.

Adding to the farce, many of this year's nominees are journalists themselves  with two of the Gold Logie contenders and 24 Silver Logie nominees coming from journalism or current affairs programs.

And it's not just the media missing out.

Most of the cast of The Real Housewives of Sydney have been left off the guest list, despite the show being up for an award.

Sources claim only Sally Obermeder has been invited to walk the red carpet.

Meanwhile, the stars of Married At First Sight have also been snubbed, with Channel Nine only extending an invite for experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling and Alessandra Rampolla.

When Destination NSW reportedly invited a handful of top-tier journalists to join them at their table, organisers allegedly swooped in and revoked the invitations

Speaking to Daily Mail this week, expert John Aiken admitted that despite dominating the ratings every year, the reality series has never been recognised with a win on Australian TV's night of nights.

'We have never won anything at the Logies,' Aiken admitted.

'But we're pretty happy with the ratings that we have. At the end of the day it all comes down to who's prepared to vote.

'The shows that win usually have people who get online and vote. With MAFS, while we have a lot of committed viewers, they don't seem to vote.'

Aiken said the team does not measure success by trophies.

'We don't do it to get a Logie, we do it because it's fun, it's exciting and a lot of people watch it. The real prize is the huge audience engagement we get every year,' he said.

This year, like in the past, many MAFS cast members have been left off the official Logies guest list, something Aiken says is out of everyone's hands.

'It's a privilege to be invited, but it's completely out of my hands and out of the hands of the talent. Every year people are going to miss out, but you have no control over it,' he explained.

The stars of Married At First Sight have also been snubbed, with Channel Nine only extending an invite for experts John Aiken (pictured), Mel Schilling and Alessandra Rampolla

And even if the show did win a Logie, Aiken joked it would be risky to let some of the brides or grooms accept the award.

'You'd have no idea what they're going to say,' he said with a laugh.

'They're very brave people who put themselves out there and I'm grateful to them for doing the show, but you never know what they'll do once filming wraps.'

Aiken says that while the Logies may elude them, the show's reach is undeniable.

'It's now in its 13th season and it just keeps growing. It's sold into over 120 countries and it's consistently high in the ratings here. We keep putting out a high-quality product that people respond to,' John said.
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Emily Weir suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction on Sunday night as she stepped out in a very racy white gown on the 2025 Logie Awards red carpet at The Star in Sydney.

The Home and Away star, 35, almost flashed more than she bargained for during entertainment's night of nights as she rocked a very high thigh split.

She was forced to hold down the front of her Krzysztof gown to avoid any raunchy mishaps while arranging the train of the one-shouldered frock.

Emily appeared to be embarrassed as she posed for photos following the awkward entrance onto the red carpet, but no less stunning as she put on a leggy display in her flashy attire.

She paired her look with a set of low-heeled white pumps and opted for a smoky eye makeup look as she curled her brunette tresses and pushed them back out of her face.

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.

Emily Weir, 35, suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction on Sunday night as she stepped out in a very racy white gown on the 2025 Logie Awards red carpet at The Star in Sydney

The Home and Away star, 35, almost flashed more than she bargained for at entertainment's night of nights as she rocked a very high thigh split

She was forced to hold down the front of her Krzysztof gown to avoid any raunchy mishaps while arranging the train of the one-shouldered frock

Sonia Kruger arrived with a bang as she stepped out in a glittering strapless gown, by Victorian fashion designer Alin Le' Kal, which looked like molten gold beneath the lights.

But what really caught the attention of attendees was the huge yellow gem shining on her ring finger, surrounded by smaller diamonds.

The Gold Logie nominee, 59, has been in a relationship with former Channel Seven executive Craig McPherson since 2008.

The two began their romance shortly after Sonia split from her British banker husband, James Davies.

Sonia was all smiles as she strutted her stuff down the red carpet, making sure the huge ring was on display.

Her gown featured racy, full-length cutouts down both sides of her body with dangling diamante chains.

Sonia kept her accessories to a minimum for TV's night of nights, opting for simple elegance as she sported stacked rings on one hand and a massive gem on the other.

The Dancing With The Stars host also rocked a fresh burgundy manicure, a nude lip and smoky eyes as she styled her blonde locks into loose waves.

Emily appeared to be embarrassed as she posed for photos following the awkward entrance onto the red carpet, but no less stunning as she put on a leggy display in her flashy attire

She paired her look with a set of low-heeled white pumps and opted for a smoky eye makeup look as she curled her brunette tresses and pushed them back out of her face

Sonia Kruger, 59, arrived with a bang as she stepped out in a glittering strapless gown, by Victorian fashion designer Alin Le' Kal, which looked like molten gold beneath the lights

But what really caught the attention of attendees was the huge yellow gem shining on her ring finger, surrounded by smaller diamonds

The Gold Logie nominee, 59, has been in a relationship with former Channel Seven executive Craig McPherson since 2008

The two began their romance shortly after Sonia split from her British banker husband, James Davies

Elsewhere, fellow Gold Logie nominee Poh Ling Yeow, 51, wowed the crowd with a strapless corset gown, featuring a beige base with intricate patterns

The MasterChef Australia judge had a huge grin as she arrived at the venue, slicking her dark tresses back into a tight updo

Looking decades younger than her years, Poh highlighted her natural beauty with a bold red lip as she posed with co-stars Sofia Levin (left) and Andy Allen (centre)

Elsewhere, fellow Gold Logie nominee Poh Ling Yeow wowed the crowd with a strapless corset gown, featuring a beige base with intricate patterns.

The voluminous skirts spread across the red carpet as she posed up a storm in the deep green fabric.

The MasterChef Australia judge, 51, had a huge grin as she arrived at the venue, slicking her dark tresses back into a tight updo.

Looking decades younger than her years, Poh highlighted her natural beauty with a bold red lip as she posed with co-stars Sofia Levin and Andy Allen.

Poh also stopped to pose with I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris, who was also dressed in Alin Le' Kal.

The comedian, 57, put on a cheeky display as she showed off a pair of gold and white Adidas sneakers she wore beneath her black gown, wisely opting for comfort over style.

Her strapless gown cascaded into black tulle material over beige skirts as she bent down to 'tie' her shoelaces.

Julia finished her look with a sleek blonde bob, red lip and gold-framed glasses to match her dress ring.

Poh also stopped to pose with I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! host Julia Morris, 57, who was also dressed in Alin Le' Kal

The comedian put on a cheeky display as she showed off a pair of gold and white Adidas sneakers she wore beneath her black gown, wisely opting for comfort over style

Her strapless gown cascaded into black tulle material over beige skirts as she bent down to 'tie' her shoelaces

Sophie Monk, 45, put on a very busty display in a low-cut white gown by Cappellazzo Couture

The Love Island host highlighted her assets with a cinched waist and supportive halter neck as she left a white train trailing behind her

Sophie Monk put on a very busty display in a low-cut white gown by Cappellazzo Couture.

The Love Island host, 45, highlighted her assets with a cinched waist and a supportive halter neck as she left a white train trailing behind her.

Pulling her blonde locks back into a neat up-do, Sophie opted for a full nude lip and dark smoky eye to complete her sultry look.

Soap star Ada Nicodemou and her partner James Stewart, 49, looked very loved-up on the red carpet.

The on-and-off-screen lovers cuddled up as they arrived at the event, one year after they first attended a Logies night together.

Ada, 48, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she slipped into a voluminous custom-made burgundy gown from Velani which she accessorised with matching heels and a $720 Bottega Veneta clutch.

Radio star Carrie Bickmore stunned as she walked the red carpet in a glittering gold dress by J'Aton Couture, which featured a one-shouldered detail.

The blonde beauty, 44, was glowing as she pulled her locks over one shoulder and added a simple bracelet and earrings to her look.

Soap star Ada Nicodemou, 48, and her partner James Stewart, 49, looked very loved-up on the red carpet

The on-and-off-screen lovers cuddled up as they arrived at the event, one year after they first attended a Logies night together

Ada couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she slipped into a voluminous custom-made burgundy gown from Velani which she accessorised with matching heels and a $720 Bottega Veneta clutch

Radio star Carrie Bickmore, 44, stunned as she walked the red carpet in a glittering gold dress by J'Aton Couture, which featured a one-shouldered detail

The blonde beauty was glowing as she pulled her locks over one shoulder and added a simple bracelet and earrings to her look

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington were all smiles as they posed for photos together, with the former Olympian, 46, opting for a simple black suit.

Meanwhile, Natalie, 57, looked glamorous in a nude gown with a matching sheer cape from Sydney designer Mariam Seddiq.

Rival breakfast host Karl Stefanovic, 50, was also in attendance, stepping away from the Today show to slip on a black tuxedo.

Australian pop star Ricki-Lee Coulter arrived in a glamorous purple gown by designer Sean Rentero, which shone on the red carpet.

The hitmaker, 39, paired the elegant look with dangling silver earrings as she slicked her brown tresses back.

Media personality Brittany Hockley, 37, sizzled in a Steven Khalil nude gown covered in diamantes, pairing the look with a pair of see-through pumps.

The Golden Bachelor host Samantha Armytage, 48, opted for a tulle look, also from Cappellazzo Couture, as she arrived in a soft pink gown with a matching scarf.

Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew, 42, rocked a business casual look in a baby blue pant suit from InStitchu, with a glittering silver bandeau underneath.

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr, 46, and Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington, 57, were all smiles as they posed for photos together

Rival breakfast host Karl Stefanovic, 50, was also in attendance, stepping away from the Today show to slip on a black tuxedo

Australian pop star Ricki-Lee Coulter arrived in a glamorous purple gown by designer Sean Rentero, which shone on the red carpet

The hitmaker paired the elegant look with dangling silver earrings as she slicked her brown tresses back

Media personality Brittany Hockley, 37, sizzled in a Steven Khalil nude gown covered in diamantes, pairing the look with a pair of see-through pumps

The Golden Bachelor host Samantha Armytage, 48, opted for a tulle look, also from Cappellazzo Couture, as she arrived in a soft pink gown with a matching scarf

Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew, 42, rocked a business casual look in a baby blue pant suit from InStitchu, with a glittering silver bandeau underneath

Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys, 39, looked every inch the classic beauty in a black halter-neck dress designed by Rebecca Vallance.

Her co-star David Campbell, 51, looked dapper in a mocha coloured suit and bow-tie.

Guy, 43, and Jules Sebastian, 40, looked every inch the matching pair in their respective pin striped suit and glittering gown.

Farmer Wants A Wife host Natalie Gruzlewski, 48, kept her ensemble simple with a black gown featuring a feathered neckline.

Celebrity vet Dr Chris Brown, 46, arrived in a velvet black suit jacket, notably alone despite recently confirming his new romance with glamorous publicist Lorraine Monforte.

Sports commentator Jelena Dokic, 42, who walked the red carpet without new boyfriend Yane Veselinov, looked stunning as she slipped into a silver gown with a dripping diamante feature at her neckline.

Loge Hall of Fame inductee Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 71, was all smiles as she arrived in a low-cut red gown, carrying a shimmering silver clutch.

Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake also arrived together, with the radio star, 43, in a tuxedo while the skincare founder, 45, slipped into a unique cream garb.

Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys, 39, looked every inch the classic beauty in a black halter-neck dress designed by Rebecca Vallance

Her co-star David Campbell, 51, looked dapper in a mocha coloured suit and bow-tie

Guy, 43, and Jules Sebastian, 40, looked every inch the matching pair in their respective pin striped suit and glittering gown

Farmer Wants A Wife host Natalie Gruzlewski, 48, kept her ensemble simple with a black gown featuring a feathered neckline

Celebrity vet Dr Chris Brown, 46, arrived in a velvet black suit jacket, notably alone despite recently confirming his new romance with glamorous publicist Lorraine Monforte

Sports commentator Jelena Dokic, 42, who walked the red carpet without new boyfriend Yane Veselinov, looked stunning as she slipped into a silver gown with a dripping diamante feature at her neckline

Loge Hall of Fame inductee Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 71, was all smiles as she arrived in a low-cut red gown, carrying a shimmering silver clutch

Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake also arrived together, with the radio star, 43, in a tuxedo while the skincare founder, 45, slipped into a unique cream garb

Gold Logie nominee Lynne McGranger, 72, dressed to win in a shiny gold ball gown as she arrived, all smiles for her big night in the spotlight.

7Bravo presenter, 30, Bella Varelis stepped out in a lush purple gown with black cups, with the multi-shaded frock featuring a boned corset.

Angela Bishop donned a sleek black gown, showing off her golden tan and flashing a lot of leg with a high split.

The Channel Ten star, 57, paired her frock with chunky, high silver heels and heavy cuff bracelets to match.

Kate Miller-Heidke opted for a classic look as she arrived in a bright red, one-shoulder gown with a frilled neckline and gold clutch.

The Australian singer, 43, was seen posing with US star Richard Marx, 61, as the pair are set to appear in the judging panel of The Voice Australia this month.

Sonia Kruger, Ally Langdon, Hamish Blake, Julia Morris, Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger, and Poh Ling Yeow are all in the running for the coveted Gold Logie.

At the ceremony, beloved rocker Jimmy Barnes is set to take to the stage at The Star, bringing four decades of fan-favourite hits to Aussie ears.

Sam Pang hosts the event for the third time.

Gold Logie nominee Lynne McGranger, 72, dressed to win in a shiny gold ball gown as she arrived, all smiles for her big night in the spotlight

7Bravo presenter, 30, Bella Varelis stepped out in a lush purple gown with black cups, with the multi-shaded frock featuring a boned corset

Angela Bishop, 57, was flashing a lot of leg, with a high split in her gown

Kate Miller-Heidke, 43, opted for a classic look as she arrived in a bright red, one-shoulder gown with a frilled neckline and gold clutch

The Australian singer was seen posing with US star Richard Marx, 61, as the pair are set to appear in the judging panel of The Voice Australia this month

Channel Nine sports presenter Danika Mason, 34, opted for a plunging halter neck

Bachelor star Matty 'J' Johnson, 38, appeared to be having the time of his life as he arrived on the red carpet in a pink suit, notably without his pregnant wife Laura Byrne

Home and Away star Sophea Pennington stepped out in a very low-cut glittering black dress

Home and Away star Jessica Redmayne, 32, opted for a baby pink evening gown with a full skirt

Play School presenter Zindzi Okenyo, 40, wowed onlookers as she made an art sculpture out of her hair and stepped out in a plaid pant suit

Australian actress Michelle Lim Davidson, 38, looked angelic in a white tulle gown

Bondi Vet star Kate Adams, 43, arrived in a royal blue gown with a racy split

Seven reporter Katrina Blowers was one among many who rocked a sky high thigh split for the evening

Australian actress Ally Harris, 28, opted for modest attire for the event

Home and Away star Stephanie Panozzo, 30, stepped out in a red mermaid-cut dress

Fox News Sports presenter Megan Barnard, 40, slipped into a simple black, sleeveless gown

Children's entertainer Emma Watkins, 35, favoured tulle for the evening

My Kitchen Rules judges Manu Feildel, 51, (left) and Colin Fassnidge, 51, (right) rocked up in decorative suit jackets and posed together on the red carpet

Nine News Morning star Deborah Knight, 52, opted for a black frock with a square neckline

Nova announcer Mel Tracina, 36, stepped out in a sheer gown which offered a nude illusion

Heartbreak High star Chloe Hayden, 28, opted for a dark butterfly inspired ensemble

Seven US correspondent Angela Cox wore a bright pink gown and carried a gold clutch as she walked the red carpet

Nine News star Leila McKinnon, 52, slipped into a black pant suit with a large white bow detail at her hip

Better Homes and Gardens presenter Melissa King, 38, arrived in a black gown with a huge red cape

TV star Eddie McGuire, 60, paired some shiny black shoes with his tuxedo

Nine News Sydney presenter Peter Overton, 59, kept things simple in a black tuxedo

Comedian and radio star Dave Hughes, 54, also wore a black suit and tie

Taskmaster Australia host Tom Gleeson, 51, walked the red carpet in a classic tuxedo

Joe Pickett stars Michael Dorman, 44, and Julianna Guill, 38, looked cosy as they posed for photos together

Former wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott, 34, wore a black-on-black suit with shiny dress shoes

A Country Practice star Shane Withington, 66, used his time on the red carpet to shed light on the Free Palestine movement
She made her name as Married At First Sight's 'hottest bride ever' - but Evelyn Ellis looked worlds away from her TV debut as she unveiled a jaw-dropping new look ahead of the 2025 Logie Awards.

The 29-year-old beauty left fans speechless during a glamorous photoshoot alongside fellow MAFS star Duncan James, as the pair geared up for their red carpet hosting duties with 9Honey.

Evelyn poured her enviable figure into a glittering gold Ryan Patros gown that hugged every curve.

The show-stopping number featured a daring, sheer ruched design, a sultry draped neckline and a structured bodice that highlighted her toned physique.

She revealed her chic brunette bob which was styled in glossy, face-framing waves, while her makeup was pure Hollywood glamour.

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.

She made her name as Married At First Sight's 'hottest bride ever' - but Evelyn Ellis looked worlds away from her TV debut as she unveiled a jaw-dropping new look ahead of the 2025 Logie Awards

The 29-year-old beauty left fans speechless during a glamorous photoshoot alongside fellow MAFS star Duncan James, as the pair geared up for their red carpet hosting duties with 9Honey

Standing proudly beside her was boyfriend Duncan, 39, who looked every inch the leading man in a tailored Hugo Boss tuxedo, crisp white shirt and classic bow tie.

The chemistry between the duo was undeniable as they posed arm-in-arm, with Evelyn resting a hand on Duncan's cheek in one loved-up snap.

Fans were quick to praise Evelyn's transformation on social media, with many declaring she looked 'absolutely flawless' and 'even more stunning than on MAFS.'

This year, like in the past, many MAFS cast members have been left off the official Logies guest list, something John Aiken says is out of everyone's hands.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, John said: 'It's a privilege to be invited, but it's completely out of my hands and out of the hands of the talent. Every year people are going to miss out, but you have no control over it.'

And even if the show did win a Logie, Aiken joked it would be risky to let some of the brides or grooms accept the award.

'You'd have no idea what they're going to say,' he said with a laugh.

'They're very brave people who put themselves out there and I'm grateful to them for doing the show, but you never know what they'll do once filming wraps.'

Evelyn poured her enviable figure into a glittering gold Ryan Patros gown that hugged every curve

Standing proudly beside her was boyfriend Duncan, 39, who looked every inch the leading man in a tailored Hugo Boss tuxedo, crisp white shirt and classic bow tie

Evelyn looked world's away from her stint on the Channel Nine dating show in 2023

Aiken says that while the Logies may elude them, the show's reach is undeniable.

'It's now in its 13th season and it just keeps growing. It's sold into over 120 countries and it's consistently high in the ratings here. We keep putting out a high-quality product that people respond to,' John said.

Aiken admitted that despite dominating the ratings every year, the reality series has never been recognised with a win on Australian TV's night of nights.

'We have never won anything at the Logies,' Aiken admitted.

'But we're pretty happy with the ratings that we have. At the end of the day it all comes down to who's prepared to vote.

'The shows that win usually have people who get online and vote. With MAFS, while we have a lot of committed viewers, they don't seem to vote.'

Aiken said the team does not measure success by trophies.

'We don't do it to get a Logie, we do it because it's fun, it's exciting and a lot of people watch it. The real prize is the huge audience engagement we get every year,' he said.
JERUSALEM, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Protesters gathered in Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square" on Saturday, urging the Israeli government to secure a ceasefire deal that would bring home the hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.

The demonstration followed the release of new videos by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad earlier this week, showing Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in visibly fragile condition.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, one of the groups behind the protest, called on the Israeli and U.S. governments to "stop this nightmare and bring them out of the tunnels and home."

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visited the plaza on Saturday amid the demonstrations, just a day after touring a controversial U.S.-backed aid distribution site in Gaza.

Witkoff's visit, starting from Thursday, comes amid mounting international criticism of the aid distribution mechanism in Gaza, where the UN-affiliated Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said a famine is unfolding.

Speaking with families of the hostages, Witkoff emphasized the need for a shift in negotiations -- from phased agreements to a comprehensive deal that would see all hostages released at once.

Witkoff made headlines last week when he abruptly withdrew U.S. delegates from the ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of negotiating in bad faith.

According to the Hostages Forum, Witkoff assured the families that the United States would "get your children home," hold Hamas accountable for "any bad acts," and also "do what's right for the Gazan people."

U.S. President Donald Trump recently admitted that Gaza is experiencing "real starvation," and announced plans to set up new food distribution centers overseen by Israel in Gaza. However, Palestinian analysts and residents didn't buy those remarks, saying Trump's change in tone is nothing but a political maneuver aimed at placating public opinion.

Israel has been waging a massive war in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, which has killed more than 60,000 people and injured over 148,000. A total of 169 people, including 93 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza-based health authorities said Saturday. 
Florence Pugh has reportedly got engaged to actor boyfriend Finn Cole after the pair 'found something special' together.

The Oscar-nominated actress and the Peaky Blinders star, both 29, were first romantically linked last September, but have not publicly confirmed their relationship.

The couple have been friends for years and were first reported to be secretly dating after they were seen slipping out of the after-party for the London premiere of Netflix hit The Perfect Couple together last September.

A source has now revealed the pair have been getting to know each other away from the spotlight and plan to get hitched.

They told The Sun: 'Finn and Florence have been in a bubble getting to know each other away from the spotlight.

'They are both putting everything into their careers but have found something special between them.'

Florence Pugh has reportedly got engaged to actor boyfriend Finn Cole after 'finding something special' together; pictured December 2024

The Oscar-nominated actress and the Peaky Blinders star, were first romantically linked last September, but have not publicly confirmed their relationship - but have been spotted out and about together

Daily Mail have contacted Finn and Florence's representatives for comment.

While she wouldn't name Finn, Florence confirmed her relationship status during her October cover shoot with Vogue, and has confessed she is very much in love and is approaching their romance differently to things in the past.

She confirmed: 'I am [in a relationship]. OK, so something that I resonate with is that I believe that if magic is real, then it's falling in love.'

Florence candidly revealed that she and her partner were 'figuring it out' and said she is ready to start a family.

She added: 'We are figuring what we actually are. And I think for the first time, I'm not allowing myself to go on a roller-coaster.

'I'm allowing myself to take time to let something evolve and let it be completely real to its core, as opposed to racing into that.

'Falling is the most amazing feeling but unfortunately if that's the only thing that you know in a relationship, then that's the thing that you chase. That's not gonna last.'

Finn previously showed his support to Florence in April as they both walked the red carpet of her new Marvel film Thunderbolts*.

A source said: 'Finn and Florence have been in a bubble getting to know each other away from the spotlight'

While the duo did not pose directly together - with Finn even striking poses solo on the red carpet - his presence at the premiere provided a telling clue about just how important they are to one another.

Notably, he appeared in a group photo featuring Florence and her friends and family, making a red carpet debut of sorts with the actress.

He looked in top spirits as he appeared near the edge of the group, with Florence posing several feet away from him looking gorgeous in a black gown and Ara Vartanian jewellery.

The actor and the actress are thought to have been dating for several months, however neither of them have officially confirmed their relationship.

The pair had previously been seen partying at Glastonbury Festival together, while Florence had been spotted liking his Instagram posts and shared her delight when it was revealed he had landed a role in the theatre production Red Speedo.

She commented on the post: 'Oh my gosh this is unbelievably exciting!' and added that she'd be bringing her beloved grandmother, sharing: 'Granny Pat wants to come... #obvi'.

Finn is best known for playing Michael Gray in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, which he starred in alongside his brother Joe.

Prior to Finn, Florence was in a relationship with former Scrubs star Zach Braff, 49, from 2019 until their split in 2022.

Giving a rare insight into their relationship, the star explained: 'I had to be public in the past because people were bullying me and bullying my partner.

'Mine and Zach's relationship was actually quite private until it was nasty, and I could see the toll that it was taking on him and us and our families. And that's when I spoke out.

Florence confirmed her relationship status during her October cover shoot with Vogue, and has confessed she is very much in love and is approaching their romance differently to things in the past

Finn is best known for playing Michael Gray in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, which he starred in alongside his brother Joe

'I think for anyone I'm with, I want to protect them. It's not nice knowing that people are saying the worst things I've ever read about someone that I love.

'So that was necessary. I needed to talk about it. I think any relationship in this limelight is going to be stressed.'

Florence confirmed in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in August 2022 that the pair had gone their separate ways.

She told the magazine at the time: 'We've been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it's been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on.

'We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we're not together. So we've done that.'

The pair later reunited during the release of their film A Good Person in 2023, with Zach explaining at the time that the pair still 'love each other' despite now only being 'friends'.

Meanwhile Florence split from photographer Charlie Gooch in 2023 after a year of dating.

And before that, she was linked to Harry Styles after the pair shared a kiss while shooting 2022 film Don't Worry Darling in America.
Mariah Carey wowed fans on Saturday as she took to the stage for her much-anticipated headline slot at Brighton Pride.

The singing superstar, 56, put on a leggy display in four figure-hugging outfits as she performed for an impressive two hours.

Mariah glittered in a silver gradient dress that she paired with a diamante pink jacket and silver boots before changing into a blue and turquoise number that kept her legs on full display.

Her packed setlist included hits like Vision of Love and Heroes as she gave the long-awaited performance that was initially scheduled for 2020, but was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.

She later wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you so much Brighton Pride for having me tonight! A special heartfelt thank you to the LGBTQ+ community for your ongoing support.

'I will always be there for you. Love, MC.'

Mariah Carey, 56, wowed fans on Saturday with her headline slot at Brighton Pride, dazzling in four different looks including a silver dress that she paired with a diamante pink jacket

The singing superstar put on a leggy display in an array of looks as she took to the stage for a two-hour set

She took the opportunity to show her support for the trans community by embellishing her pink jacket with the phrase 'Protect the dolls'.

Elsewhere in the performance, Mariah stunned in a more loosely fitted gold dress and thigh-high boots.

She also changed into a longer black dress and open-toed glittery high heels for a more upmarket, glamorous look.

Fans were quick to praise the performance on Mariah's Instagram, writing: 'What an amazing performance! Vocals on point Mimi!!! X';

'I have no words to describe this night. Best 2 hours of my life. Thank you Mariah, you dont know how much you and your songs mean to me! Love you.';

'YOU ARE PERFECT.';

'PROTECT THE DOLLS';

'Protect the Dolls!!!! I want that jacket.'

The star was praised for her vocals at Preston Park, with one fan describing the show as the best two hours of their life

Elsewhere in the performance, Mariah stunned in a more loosely fitted gold dress and thigh-high boots

The concert was a special event for fans as it was the first time that Mariah had performed in the UK since 2019

Mariah was all smiles for the performance as she underwent an impressive four outfit changes

She also changed into a longer black dress and open-toed glittery high heels for a more upmarket, glamorous look

Mariah took the opportunity to show her support for the trans community by embellishing her pink jacket with the phrase 'Protect the dolls'

Fans were quick to praise the performance on Mariah's Instagram, writing: 'What an amazing performance! Vocals on point Mimi!!! X'

The slot comes after Mariah recently admitted that she does not think about her age, insisting that she 'doesn't know time'

Mariah thanked fans on Instagram after the performance and assured the LGBTQ+ community that she will always be there for them

The concert was a special event for fans as it was the first time that Mariah had performed in the UK since 2019.

Mariah was so keen to look her best for fans that she actually stopped her performance to have her makeup touched up.

A fan told The Mirror: 'What Mariah wants, Mariah must get. She called her makeup and hair team to the stage to touch up her hair and makeup. As she should, the queen that she is.

'She was absolutely incredible and just goes to show that even though she's one of the biggest stars on the planet, she has no qualms about wanting to look her best - like all of us.'

The slot comes after Mariah recently admitted that she does not think about her age.

She told Harper's Bazaar: 'I don't know time. I don't know numbers. I do not acknowledge time.'
Married At First Sight's Jessika Power sent tongues wagging on Saturday night when she was spotted cosying up to 2025 groom Adrian Araouzou.

The unlikely duo were among the many stars who attended a Daily Mail event at Dry Martini in Sydney's Chippendale.

The blonde bombshell, 32, turned heads in a figure-hugging scarlet satin gown featuring a daring thigh-high split and a dramatic knotted detail at the hip.

She accessorised with strappy heels, a chic black designer clutch, and wore her short blonde locks in soft, Hollywood-style waves.

Adrian, 36, looked effortlessly cool in wide-legged black trousers, a black T-shirt, white sneakers and a grey camouflage bomber jacket.

Throughout the night, Jessika and Adrian were spotted chatting intimately and laughing together in a quiet corner of the venue.

Married At First Sight's Jessika Power (right) sent tongues wagging on Saturday night when she was spotted getting cosy to 2025 groom Adrian Araouzou (left)

The unlikely duo were among the many stars who attended a Daily Mail event at Dry Martini in Sydney's Chippendale

They posed for several photos, with Adrian draping his arm around Jessika as she snapped selfies on her iPhone, the pair smiling and leaning in close for the perfect shot.

They were also seen sitting together on a plush emerald-green velvet couch, Jessika leaning towards Adrian as they engaged in deep conversation, sparking whispers among partygoers about their newfound connection.

While Jessika and Adrian have not previously been linked, their surprise appearance together had onlookers wondering if something more could be brewing.

The lavish birthday bash drew a who's who of reality TV, including MAFS stars Eliot Donovan, Katie Johnston, Rhi Disljenkovic, Paul Antoine, Ashleigh Ackerman, Tony Mojanovski, Ryan Donnelly, Beth Kelly, as well as Tayla Winter, Dean Wells and Harrison Boon.

Also spotted mingling were The Bachelor's Juliette Herrera, Love Triangle's Alan Wallace, Chloe Hannigan and Payton Ellicott.

Jessika rose to fame on season six of Married At First Sight in 2019, where she was married to Aussie farmer Mick Gould.

The reality star ended her romance with her new boyfriend Ryan in March just weeks after going Instagram official.

She previously explained in an Instagram Stories post that the pair had gone their separate ways, after his text messages to another woman were leaked.

The blonde bombshell, 32, turned heads in a figure-hugging scarlet satin gown featuring a daring thigh-high split and a dramatic knotted detail at the hip

Throughout the night, Jessika and Adrian were spotted chatting intimately and laughing together in a quiet corner of the venue

They posed for several photos, with Adrian draping his arm around Jessika as she snapped selfies on her iPhone, the pair smiling and leaning in close for the perfect shot

The former reality star explained that the pair were on a break from their relationship when the messages were sent and that no infidelity occurred.

Last September, Jessika confirmed her split with British DJ Brent Anthony.

The serial reality star made the confession in the comments of an Instagram post.

A fan wrote under an image of the blonde in skimpy pink underwear: 'I'm sad you and Brent broke up, you looked so happy with him'.

Jessika replied to the fan, writing, 'I really wasn't and I hid a lot of my emotions and embarrassment from the internet.'

The former Married At First Sight star had hinted the romance was over just days prior.

Jessika has appeared on a string of reality shows around the world since she found fame on MAFS Australia in 2019.

She unveiled plans to return to Australia in 2024, after calling time on her two-year relationship with fellow British DJ Connor Thompson in June 2023.

The upbeat star told fans last December she was 'saving money' to relocate home to Australia and is now based on the Gold Coast.
Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart are more in love than ever, if their appearance at Sunday's Logie Awards is any indication.

The Home and Away co-stars packed on the PDA as they walked the red carpet at The Star in Sydney.

The 48-year-old actress kept close to her handsome, 49-year-old date, cuddling and gazing into one another's eyes as they posed alongside the media wall.

Ada stunned in a maroon, strapless gown, which featured flared skirting and a long train.

The actress added some dazzling accessories including diamond earrings and a matching, short necklace.

For makeup, Ada chose a plum-toned palette that matched her dress and wore her brunette locks down in soft waves.

Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart are more in love than ever, if their appearance at Sunday's Logie Awards is any indication. Both pictured

The Home and Away co-stars packed on the PDA as they walked the red carpet at The Star in Sydney

The 48-year-old actress kept close to her handsome, 49-year-old date, cuddling and gazing into one another's eyes as they posed alongside the media wall

James was dapper in a classic black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and bow tie.

The fellow actors have seen their romance go from strength to strength, and they celebrated their one-year anniversary in April.

Ada gushed over the couple's recent romantic connection, which blossomed after 25 years of friendship, in a recent issue of Stellar.

Revealing she is usually very private about their intimate life together, the actress said she couldn't help but celebrate their recent relationship milestone with a post on Instagram.

'It's been a really lovely year together,' she told the publication when asked about her rare social media post about the pair.

'I don't like to post a lot of stuff about us online but, at the same time, I'm really proud of the last year we've had, and wanted to share that.'

Ada shared a tribute to James, as she took to Instagram to post a sweet collection of pictures celebrating their one year anniversary at Mimi's in Sydney.

'Just perfect,' Ada captioned the post, which showed the happy couple enjoying a delicious meal of oysters, caviar and bubbles at the iconic eatery.

Ada stunned in a maroon, strapless gown, which featured flared skirting and a long train

The actress added some dazzling accessories including diamond earrings and a matching, short necklace

For makeup, Ada chose a plum-toned palette that matched her dress and wore her brunette locks down in soft waves

James was dapper in a classic black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and bow tie

The soap opera stars, whose characters are married on the Channel Seven show, were first linked at the beginning of 2024 when they were seen sharing a kiss on Anzac Day before Ada confirmed their romance in an interview.

Last July, Ada finally broke her silence on her romance with James after months of speculation.

She confirmed she was dating her longtime co-star James in a magazine interview, describing their romance as 'unexpected'.

'Jimmy and I are together, yes. It's only early days. It's very recent and unexpected. I'm super happy. It's really lovely,' she told Stellar Magazine.

But she insisted their Home And Away characters Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan getting married on-screen was not an early sign of their real-life romance.

The couple began dating after Ada split from her ex-partner Adam Rigby just before Christmas in 2023 and James finalised his divorce from Sarah Roberts in March 2024.
Allison Langdon left fans guessing on Sunday night after she dropped a cheeky hint about her mystery celebrity crush while walking the red carpet at the 2025 Logie Awards.

The A Current Affair host, 46, was all smiles as she spoke to Daily Mail ahead of the ceremony.

Langdon is nominated for the coveted Gold Logie thanks to her acclaimed work on the Nine Network's flagship current affairs program and the network's broadcast of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

When asked whether she'd rather win a Logie or win over her celebrity crush, Ally couldn't help but laugh before delivering a playful tease.

'You know what, I don't even know if I have one but yes but tough question,' she said with a smirk.

The veteran TV presenter then went coy, refusing to name names - but dropped a bombshell hint that had onlookers buzzing.

Allison Langdon left fans guessing on Sunday night after she dropped a cheeky hint about her mystery celebrity crush while walking the red carpet at the 2025 Logie Awards

The A Current Affair host, 46, was all smiles as she spoke to Daily Mail ahead of the ceremony

'That's not a celebrity I don't know if I'm gonna reveal,' she teased, before adding: 'He may be here tonight oh, so is my husband.

Allison cut a show-stopping figure on the red carpet in a strapless black velvet gown featuring a daring thigh-high split that showcased her toned legs.

The figure-hugging number accentuated her trim frame, while she teamed the look with classic black pointed-toe heels and sparkling diamond drop earrings.

She completed her ensemble with a silver bracelet and soft, voluminous waves framing her face, along with a glowing makeup look that featured a nude lip and defined eyes.

Allison previously hit back at criticism from people who 'don't like' ACA while accepting an award at the 2024 Logie Awards.

She was recognised for her hosting role earlier this year when she won the Silver Logie for Best News or Public Affairs Presenter.

She beat out the ABC's David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, Channel Nine's Liz Hayes and Peter Overton, and Seven's Michael Usher to take home the esteemed gong.

During her acceptance speech, Allison paid tribute to her predecessor Tracy Grimshaw and hit back at people who 'don't like' the news program.

When asked whether she'd rather win a Logie or win over her celebrity crush, Ally couldn't help but laugh before delivering a playful tease

'To Trace who I love, she's the one who always said the people who don't like our show, don't know our show,' she said.

'To Mike Munro, Ray Martin, and everyone who has been in this role, thank you.'

Taking home the award in August, Allison also said she pours her 'heart and soul' into her job as she shared her pride at taking home the Silver Logie.

'When you hear all [the nominees], you definitely don't expect yours to be the one called out,' she began.

'Everything we do is with heart and soul. If a story doesn't have heart and soul, we just don't do it.

'I look at those who've sat in this chair before me, right back to my father-in-law [Mike Willesee] who started this show.

'It would be wonderful if he could have seen the family connection and where that played out.'

Allison joined the Nine Network program at the start of 2023 after leaving the Today show following a three-year stint.
Samantha Armytage is single and ready to mingle after a painful divorce.

The 48-year-old looked absolutely stunning as she arrived for the Logies on Sunday night.

Sam ruled the red carpet in a cream gown with graduating tones of beige, pale pink and grey in the sheer overlay that sat over the gown's skirting.

She showed off her glamorous new look, with a full face of bronzed makeup and a soft pink lip.

The television host swept her blonde locks off her face and added glittering earrings for extra interest.

But it was the man on Sam's arm that commanded the most attention.

Samantha Armytage is single and ready to mingle after a painful divorce. The 48-year-old looked absolutely stunning as she arrived for the Logies on Sunday night. Her date, Barry 'Bear' Myrden. Both pictured

Sam was mixing business and pleasure and had the star of her new series, The Golden Bachelor, on her arm.

Her date, Barry 'Bear' Myrden, is the 50-something hunk who is looking for love in the upcoming dating series that Sam hosts.

While the outing is designed to be a promotion for the hotly-anticipated series, Sam's return to the public eye with a glamorous man on her arm is the perfect comeback following her painful divorce.

Sam split with husband Richard Lavender late last year, just shy of their four-year anniversary.

The television personality has been single and ready to mingle ever since, and has recently undergone a glamorous makeover ahead of her hosting role on The Golden Bachelor.

Barry 'Bear' Myrden is an infrastructure engineer and passionate sailor from Sydney, who has been handpicked as the leading man for the upcoming Australian adaptation.

He is a father-of-three and a respected professional in the tech industry, currently working in Data Centre Management for Woolworths Group.

With decades of experience in his field, he has held senior roles at major companies like Macquarie Bank and the NSW Port Authority.

Her date, Barry 'Bear' Myrden, is the 50-something hunk who is looking for love in the upcoming dating series that Sam hosts

Sam ruled the red carpet in a cream gown with graduating tones of beige, pale pink and grey in the sheer overlay that sat over the gown's skirting

But while his career has flourished, sources close to Daily Mail Australia revealed his personal journey has been marked by tragedy as Barry is widowed.

'Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying that he is bringing around the wrong kind of girls that are just too young and hot for him,' one friend revealed.

'We were always saying that he needs to be put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.'

Despite his corporate background, Barry is far from your typical office-bound executive.

A passionate sailor, he has competed in high-profile races like the Sydney to Hobart.

Unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, which feature young men and women, The Golden Bachelor is targeted at a more mature audience eager to watch how those who have already experienced great love and loss are chasing companionship in their next chapter.

'Bear is not your usual reality TV type,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He's been through love, loss and now he's ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.'
Tom Holland was all smiles as he appeared for the first time on the set of the new Spider-Man film in Glasgow on Sunday.

The Scottish city has been transformed into downtown New York for filming after becoming an alternate (and cheaper) option to the Big Apple itself.

Tom, 29, smiled as he waved to fans in the superhero's famous suit as he began work on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to be released in 2026.

He even appeared to jokingly shoot webs from his suit after first portraying the character in Marvel's Captain America: Civil War in 2016.

While the final casting of the latest instalment in the Spider-Man franchise has not been confirmed, Tom is believed to be starring alongside Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, 23.

Zendaya, 29, will also feature in the film after striking up a romance with Tom on the set of his first feature-length film as the hero, Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016.

Tom Holland, 29, was all smiles on the set of the new Spider-Man film in Glasgow on Sunday, after he finally addressed speculation he could be the next James Bond

The actor was filming scenes for the upcoming sequel in his full Spider-Man suit on top of a tank as production kicked off in the Scottish city

Tom's appearance in Glasgow comes amid a very busy time for the actor after he was named the new face of Prada's Paradigme Fragrance  and posed with some adorable puppies to promote it.

He also recently addressed speculation that he could be stepping into the shoes of James Bond.

Tom's name has been bandied about along with other high-profile stars as a potential new star of the James Bond franchise.

But Tom Holland didn't give any hints about the speculation when he was asked about it in a video posted Thursday.

A screenwriter for the highly anticipated film was also announced on Friday.

While joining chef Gordon Ramsay on his YouTube channel to make fried chicken sandwiches and promote his non-alcoholic beer brand, Tom acknowledged the 'speculation' swirling around him.

'Listen, there's speculation at the minute. Well keep it to a minimum for now,' he said with a sheepish grin. 'We'll get there one day.'

'Every young British actor, its the pinnacle of working in our industry,' Tom continued. 'I already consider myself to be the luckiest kid alive. I could never have dreamed to have the career that I've had.'

Glasgow has been transformed into downtown New York for filming after becoming an alternate (and cheaper) option to the Big Apple itself

The actor was spotted on Sunday with stunt wires attached to his Spider-Man suit

The actor appeared to be filming a scene where he was shooting webs as the famous character

The actor was seen taking a drink of water as he took a brief beak from filming the dramatic-looking scenes

Spider-Man: A New Day begins with the world having forgotten all about the iconic superhero

Other high-profile films that have been filmed in Glasgow include the 2013 Zombie flick World War Z, which saw Brad Pitt visit the city

Tom's eyes were spotted below the iconic Spider-Man suit as he got into full character

Tom reset on the railings of the set during filming after Glasgow was transformed into New York over the past few days

Tom gave a thumbs up to crew as he stood on top of a tank for the action-packed scene

The actor even appeared to jokingly shoot webs from his Spider-Man suit as he made his way to the set of the role that has made him a global superstar

It comes after Tom recently addressed speculation that he could be stepping into the shoes of James Bond (Daniel Craig is pictured in the role)

Tom's appearance in Glasgow comes amid a very busy time for the actor after he was named the new face of Prada's Paradigme Fragrance  and posed with some adorable puppies to promote it

The next Bond film is coming into focus after the announcement on Friday that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight would be joining Villeneuve behind the camera to write the next James Bond film.

While speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Knight said: 'It has always been on my bucket list and it's fantastic to be invited to do it  I can't wait to get started.'

The movie will be overseen by Amazon MGM Studios, after producer Barbara Broccoli gave up creative control of the Bond franchise.

Even though the creative team is falling into place for the next Bond film, there haven't been any indications of who will replace Craig  or which actors are being considered.

The producers are reportedly looking for a considerably younger actor to take over the role after Craig  who is 57  presented a more weathered, mortality-focused version of the beloved character.
Zoe Foster Blake was attracting attention at the Logies - and some would say for the wrong reasons.

The 45-year-old had husband Hamish Blake on her arm as she walked the red carpet at The Star in Sydney.

The skincare mogul chose an unusual gown for the occasion, consisting of pearl-toned panels.

Inspired by Art Deco designs, the frock included large cuts-outs that showed off her midriff and a hint of bust.

The skirting was semi-detached and featured an unusual triangular pattern.

Zoe finished the ensemble with a pair of strappy black heels and pearl drop earrings, as well as a number of diamond rings.

Zoe Foster Blake was attracting attention at the Logies - and some would say for the wrong reasons. The 45-year-old had husband Hamish Blake on her arm as she walked the red carpet at The Star in Sydney. Both pictured

Not everyone appreciated the author's look, with some comparing it to a 'shower curtain' online.

'I normally love everything Zoe Foster Blake does, says, and wears, but her dress is giving me "I forgot my outfit so used the hotel shower curtain" vibes,' one Logies viewer commented online.

Another chimed in: 'Is she wearing a shower curtain?!'

Hamish, meanwhile, looked handsome on his wife's arm, contrasting her avant-garde fashion moment with a classic black tuxedo.

It comes after news that Zoe is setting out to forge a new career in television.

The Go-To skincare mogul has just sold the TV rights to her new novel Things Will Calm Down Soon.

And there's a chance that Nicole Kidman will play the book's main character - a businesswoman with a resemblance to the real-life Blake.

TV Tonight reported that Blake has made the deal with Sydney-based company Made Up Stories who plan to make the book as a series in the US.

The skincare mogul chose an unusual gown for the occasion, consisting of pearl-toned panels. Inspired by Art Deco designs, the frock included large cuts-outs that showed off her midriff and a hint of bust. The skirting was semi-detached and featured an unusual triangular pattern

Not everyone appreciated the author's look, with some comparing it to a 'shower curtain'

The high-profile outfit is led by producer Bruna Papandrea, who has a strong relationship with Kidman.

The Hollywood superstar has already starred in a number of Made Up Stories productions, including HBO's The Undoing in 2020 and 2021's Nine Perfect Strangers as well as the Apple+ anthology series Roar in 2022.

The Oscar winner also co-produced the 2017 HBO hit Big Little Lies with Papandrea.

Blake, who shares Sonny, eight, and Rudy, five, with her radio star husband Hamish, also announced she will be an executive producer on the new series.

Things Will Calm Down Soon centres on a 30-year-old hairstylist called Kit who sets out to launch her own product line.

But things get complicated as the would-be corporate mogul tangles with investors amidst romantic disappointment and family demands.
Magda Szubanski broke down on Sunday night as she gave an emotional acceptance speech via video call during her 2025 Logies Hall of Fame induction.

The comedian, 64, was unable to attend the event in person because she is immunocompromised as she undergoes treatment for stage 4 cancer.

But that didn't stop the Kath and Kim star from bringing the audience to tears with laughter and sadness as she graciously accepted the honour.

'I am so sorry I cannot be there. I do have a good excuse this time, normally I don't come because I can't be bothered getting out of my pyjamas,' she said.

'This time there really is a reason. I want to say first of all, let's get this out of the way, I have not been awarded this honour because I have the cancer.'

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Magda Szubanski, 64, (pictured) broke down on Sunday night as she gave an emotional acceptance speech via video call during her 2025 Logies Hall of Fame induction

'I am getting this because of 40 years of hard work. Lobbying, bribing, threatening, whatever it took. Finally it has all paid off,' she joked.

Magda then struggled to contain her emotions as she thanked her friends, fans, and supporters.

'The love and support that I have felt, like a tsunami, from the Australian public, it has been overwhelming and I have to tell you, it really helps,' she began.

'I did not think I was going to cry,' she then added as she teared up.

'When I go online and look at those messages, every time, my heart lifts. And I feel that much stronger to deal with the cancer.

'So thank you for the love that you are pouring my way, I really feel it.'

A wave of A-list stars stepped out to help induct Magda into the Hall of Fame on Sunday night.

Today Extra co-host David Campbell introduced the segment, with Magda being the godmother to his daughter Betty, seven.

'I did not think I was going to cry,' the comedian said, as she teared up

Today Extra co-host David Campbell (left) introduced the segment, with Magda being the godmother to his daughter Betty, seven. Good friend Marg Downey (right) accepted the award on her behalf

Stars who shared their tributes included big names like Hamish Blake, Dannii Minogue, Ally Langdon, Julia Morris, and Poh Ling Yeow.

The Irwins, Melissa McCarthy, Rebel Wilson, and Kathy Lette were also among many others who shared kind words for the Australian star.

Good friend Marg Downey accepted the award on Magda's behalf.

Magda is the fifth woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since it was introduced in 1984.

She has joined the likes of Ruth Cracknell, Noni Hazlehurst, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, and Rebecca Gibney.

Two months ago, Magda revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

She appeared on camera with a shaved head to reveal the shocking news after beginning her treatment for cancer.

'Hello, my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,' she said.

Magda also revealed she has started treatment in Melbourne called the Nordic protocol, which treats mantle cell lymphoma by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases.

It's known as the Nordic regimen based on its clinical trial sites in Denmark and Norway.

The actress explained she will be 'lying very low' due to her weak immune system.
Sydney Sweeney's political party affiliation has been revealed as she continues to be embroiled in woke backlash from her recent American Eagle denim campaign.

The 27-year-old actress is a member of the Republican Party of Florida, according to public voter records viewed by Daily Mail. She registered in Monroe County, Florida in June 2024.

Daily Mail has reached out to Sydney's rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Buzzfeed was first to report the news not long after one social media user on X uploaded a now-viral post on Friday.

They wrote, 'was about to make a whole youtube video exploring sydney sweeney's choices not defending her but going through her career context and i just found out this lady is an actual registered member of the republican party as of 2024.'

The star modeled items for the clothing brand under the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.'

The ad blew up on social media, with some labeling the campaign as 'Nazi propaganda' and others calling the backlash 'ridiculous.' American Eagle has since defended the star in a statement released earlier this week.

Sydney Sweeney's political party affiliation has been revealed as she continues to be embroiled in woke backlash from her recent American Eagle denim campaign

The 27-year-old actress is a member of the Republican Party of Florida, according to public voter records viewed by Daily Mail; seen in June in London

Fans have offered differing viewpoints on the actress's political party registration by jumping to X, with one penning, 'are we really surprised? lol.'

'I would like to say im shocked...but im not,' another typed, and one added, 'Her playing a character who supports women's rights while being registered Republican in Florida is something!'

An X user shared, 'oh so she's part of the maga family, that's disappointing,' while others came to her defense.

'Its okay for people to have different views than you,' one commented, while a fan also said, 'Y'all need to stop harassing her. She's a human being and is allowed to vote for whoever she wants. There's a thing called free will people.'

Another added, 'If every celeb's voter registration became public, we'd probably cancel 80% of Hollywood,' and one wrote, 'Why is this anyone's business? She's an actress, not your elected official.'

Beginning late last month, Sydney starred in a number of ads for American Eagle's denim campaign.

In one, the Anyone But You actress could be seen buttoning a pair of denim blue jeans while saying, 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue.'

Another clip filmed the star wearing a denim jumpsuit with a plunging neckline on the front as the camera panned down towards her chest.

The ad blew up on social media, with some labeling the campaign as 'Nazi propaganda' and others calling the backlash 'ridiculous'

Buzzfeed was first to report the news not long after one social media user on X uploaded a now-viral post on Friday

Fans have offered differing viewpoints on the actress's political party registration by jumping to X, with one penning, 'are we really surprised? lol'

In one, the Anyone But You actress could be seen buttoning a pair of denim blue jeans while saying, 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue'

'My body's composition is determined by my genes,' she said, and then stopped to add, 'Hey, eyes up here.' The camera then jumped back up to her face.

The campaign has since garnered woke backlash from some critics, with one sharing on social media, 'So Sydney (& American Eagle) somehow expect audiences to not interpret this visual as a euphemism for eugenics and white supremacy?'

Another said, 'The Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad campaign is just modern day Nazi propaganda. Like it's wild how blatant it is. Things are weird right now, man.'

The words 'great genes' have been 'historically used to celebrate whiteness, thinness and attractiveness,' per a Salon report. The outlet added that using the phrase also made the ads 'seem to be a tone-deaf marketing move.'

Earlier this week on Friday, Sydney was defended by American Eagle as the company released a statement amid the backlash.

'"Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" is and always was about the jeans,' the brand wrote. 'Her jeans. her story.

'We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.'

The Euphoria actress also broke her silence on Saturday by making a return to social media with a cryptic post.

Earlier this week on Friday, Sydney was defended by American Eagle as the company released a statement amid the backlash

The Euphoria actress also broke her silence on Saturday by making a return to social media with a cryptic post

She uploaded a photo of a bouquet of pink roses and added a white heart emoji over the image.

Insiders have also revealed the impact that the ad starring Sydney has had on the brand - and have claimed that 70% of the reaction to the campaign has been positive.

'This is yet another example of how social media is just not reflective of real life. The absurd response from some corners of the internet is absolutely not reflective of how American Eagle's customers feel,' sources told TMZ.

'The bottom line is that this was about creating a great pair of jeans and supporting a very worthy cause through some of the proceeds going to domestic violence prevention.'

They continued, 'Anything beyond that is noise that is not registering with the average person.

'Regardless of how people feel about the ad, we hope they can agree we should be doing more to support and empower those who are experiencing domestic violence.'

Late last month on July 23, Sydney opened up about her involvement in the denim campaign in a news release.

'There is something so effortless about American Eagle,' she expressed. 'It's the perfect balance of being put-together but still feeling like yourself.

'Their commitment to creating pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin is something that resonates with me.'

Insiders have also revealed the impact that the ad starring Sydney has had on the brand - and have claimed that 70% of the reaction to the campaign has been positive; American Eagle storefront seen on Friday in NYC

'There is something so effortless about American Eagle,' she expressed. 'It's the perfect balance of being put-together but still feeling like yourself'

The star added, 'It's rare to find a brand that grows with you, the way American Eagle has for generations. They have literally been there with me through every version of myself.'

The president of the company Jennifer Foyle also said of campaign, which is set to raise money for domestic violence charities: 'This fall season, American Eagle is celebrating what makes our brand iconic  trendsetting denim that leads, never follows.

'Innovative fits and endless versatility reflect how our community wears their denim: mixed, matched, layered and lived in.'

Jennifer continued, 'With Sydney Sweeney front and center, she brings the allure, and we add the flawless wardrobe for the winning combo of ease, attitude and a little mischief.'
Guests attend a discussion session during the main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 3, 2025. The main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference kicked off Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, highlighting new quality productive forces. As a national-level dialogue, the conference attracted guests from government, business, academia and enterprises this year, to contribute innovative ideas and inject momentum for high-quality economic and social development. With an annual theme focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces: New Intelligent Manufacturing, New Consumption and New Ecosystem," the conference, held from Saturday to Monday, is hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Harbin Modern Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Photo by Liu Yang/Xinhua)

HARBIN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference kicked off Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, highlighting new quality productive forces.

As a national-level dialogue, the conference attracted guests from government, business, academia and enterprises this year, to contribute innovative ideas and inject momentum for high-quality economic and social development.

Liu Hui, deputy secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that the province features abundant scientific and educational resources, profound innovation heritage, and solid industrial foundation. Liu said that he hopes attendees can advise and contribute to Heilongjiang's high-quality development and sustainable revitalization.

Liu Jian, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, said that the conference serves as a platform to empower local economic and social development and northeast China's comprehensive revitalization. The platform of exchange and collaboration can provide vital support for high-level opening-up and the development of new quality productive forces, he added.

With an annual theme focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces: New Intelligent Manufacturing, New Consumption and New Ecosystem," the conference, held from Saturday to Monday, is hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Harbin Modern Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd.

Besides the main forum, the conference also holds parallel events such as forums on digital intelligence empowering new consumption, and integrated development of the low-altitude economy and intelligent manufacturing. 

This photo taken on Aug. 2, 2025 shows the venue of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference kicked off Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, highlighting new quality productive forces.

As a national-level dialogue, the conference attracted guests from government, business, academia and enterprises this year, to contribute innovative ideas and inject momentum for high-quality economic and social development.

With an annual theme focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces: New Intelligent Manufacturing, New Consumption and New Ecosystem," the conference, held from Saturday to Monday, is hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Harbin Modern Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

Participants attend the main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 3, 2025. The main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference kicked off Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, highlighting new quality productive forces.

As a national-level dialogue, the conference attracted guests from government, business, academia and enterprises this year, to contribute innovative ideas and inject momentum for high-quality economic and social development.

With an annual theme focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces: New Intelligent Manufacturing, New Consumption and New Ecosystem," the conference, held from Saturday to Monday, is hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Harbin Modern Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Participants attend a forum on digital economy during the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 2, 2025. The main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference kicked off Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, highlighting new quality productive forces.

As a national-level dialogue, the conference attracted guests from government, business, academia and enterprises this year, to contribute innovative ideas and inject momentum for high-quality economic and social development.

With an annual theme focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces: New Intelligent Manufacturing, New Consumption and New Ecosystem," the conference, held from Saturday to Monday, is hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Harbin Modern Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

Participants attend the main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 3, 2025. The main forum of the 2025 Entrepreneurs Sun Island Annual Conference kicked off Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, highlighting new quality productive forces.

As a national-level dialogue, the conference attracted guests from government, business, academia and enterprises this year, to contribute innovative ideas and inject momentum for high-quality economic and social development.

With an annual theme focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces: New Intelligent Manufacturing, New Consumption and New Ecosystem," the conference, held from Saturday to Monday, is hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Harbin Modern Culture and Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Wang Song)
Jessa Duggar has welcomed a new baby into her family and her mother Michelle was by her side for the delivery.

The reality star, 32, revealed in March that she and husband Ben Seewald were expecting their sixth child. The couple are parents to Spurgeon, nine, Henry, eight, Fern, five, Ivy, three and George, 18 months.

On Saturday, she revealed via her YouTube vlog that she had given birth in an episode titled Birth Story: Baby #6 (part 1.)

She began the video, filmed on July 24, by revealing 'Tomorrow is my due date. I had a visit with my OB a few days ago. I was dilated to 2 [centimeters and was] 50 percent effaced, and I lost my mucus plug a few days ago,' she said.

'Other than that, [I] havent had any signs of labor. So, just waiting it out.'

Jessa said she had tried curb walking to jumpstart labor. It's a technique in which the expectant mom walks with one foot on the curb and the other on the street to try to get the baby into a favorable position for birth.

Jessa Duggar, 32, has welcomed her sixth child and her mother Michelle, 58, was by her side

'I gave it a try, [but] I havent noticed much of a change or anything like that,' she told the camera.

'Im still having Braxton Hicks contractions, and such. For me, my history has been that when I go into labor, I always feel contractions heavily in my back. I havent had any of those real contractions at this point. So, waiting it out.'

Toward the end of the video, which promoted part two of the story, the expectant mom was seen walking up and down the stairs of her mother Michelle's house to get things moving along.

'So, Im having contractions every three to five minutes,' she said, as she leaned against a counter.

She was next seen lying on a brown sofa with a white towel between her legs. Someone in the background is asking 'What happened?' 'My water just broke,' she explained.

At the end, of the clip, Michelle can be seen by her daughter's side as she works through labor at the hospital. Fans will have to wait for part two to learn more about the baby's name and gender.

Michelle, 58, shares 19 children with her husband Jim Bob, 60. The family rose to fame in the TLC reality show 17 Kids and Counting, which became 19 Kids and then Counting On, with Jessa at the helm, as the kids began to get married and have children of their own.

The family adhered to the controversial and strict teachings of Institute in Basic Life Principles, formerly led by Bill Gothard.

Jessa began the YouTube video filmed on July 24 by revealing 'Tomorrow is my due date. I had a visit with my OB a few days ago. I was dilated to 2 [cm,] 50 percent effaced, and I lost my mucus plug a few days ago'

Toward the end of the video, which promoted part two of the story, she was seen walking up and down the stairs of her mom's house to get things moving along

'So, Im having contractions every three to five minutes,' she said, as she leaned against a counter

She was next seen lying on a brown sofa with a white towel between her legs. Someone in the background is asking 'What happened?' 'My water just broke,' she explained

At the end, of the clip, Michelle can be seen by her daughter's side as she works through labor at the hospital. Fans will have to wait for part two to learn more about the baby's name and gender

Jessa shares her children with husband Ben Seewald. The new baby will be joining siblings Spurgeon, nine, Henry, eight, Fern, five, Ivy, three and George, 18 months

Gothard was removed after more than 30 women accused him of sexual harassment, which was covered in the documentary series Shiny Happy People, featuring Jill Duggar, 34, and her husband, Derrick Dillard.

Jill, Jessa have come forward as victims of sexual abuse by their brother Josh, 37, who is currently serving a 12-year-prison sentence in Dallas for possession of child pornography.

In her memoir, Counting the Cost, she wrote on an interaction with her dad in which she told him, 'You treat me worse than you treat my pedophile brother.'

In an Instagram Q&A in November 2024, Jill described their relationship as 'complicated,' adding, 'I feel like we are in a rebuilding phase now, with healthy boundaries still in place.'
Former Love Island winner Amber Davies has hit out at a 'selfish' theatre goer for 'ruining' her West End performance in The Great Gatsby.

The theatre actress, 28, took to Instagram in full stage make-up while backstage at the London Coliseum following her latest show.

After Saturday evening's performance, Amber issued a warning to those attending the musical after being distracted by someone in the audience.

She told Instagram followers: 'This is a PSA. The closer you are to the stage when you're watching a show the more obvious it is when you're filming.

'This is the entire stalls. If you're filming in the stalls we can see you! From someone who's on stage, I just wanna tell you a little bit about what we see. So we see like a dark canvas and outlines of people's heads.

'If you're filming, the reflection from the lights bounce straight back off your ... the back of your iPhone onto us on stage. So it is the one thing we can see.' She then criticised one particular audience member.

Former Love Island winner Amber Davies has hit out at a 'selfish' theatre goer for 'ruining' her West End performance in The Great Gatsby

After Saturday evening's performance, Amber issued a warning to those attending the musical after being distracted by someone in the audience

'So to the woman filming New Money tonight - you distracted absolutely everybody on that stage.

'And not only that, it takes us out of the Gatsby world because you're filming and you've basically ruined that moment for everybody else who was watching the show tonight.'

'Please don't be selfish. Stop filming shows. If someone is filming during a show know that this is the consequences that it has to the people on stage and tell them to stop because honestly it's annoying.

'Also, I single-handedly will count how many seats back you are and tell our stage manager where you're sitting and what colour hair you've got, and trust me, in the interval they will come and ask you to delete the footage so you've basically done it for nothing.

'Okay, I'm gonna enjoy act two now.'

The production, running at the London Coliseum from April 16 to September 7, brings F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic story to life in dazzling style.

In February, the complete casting for the West End production was revealed.

Joining the previously announced Jamie Muscato as Jay Gatsby and Frances Mayli McCann as Daisy Buchanan are Corbin Bleu as Nick Carraway, Amber Davies as Jordan Baker, Joel Montague as George Wilson, John Owen-Jones as Meyer Wolfsheim, Jon Robyns as Tom Buchanan and Rachel Tucker as Myrtle Wilson.

The theatre actress took to Instagram in full stage make-up while backstage at the London Coliseum following her latest show

Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic American novel, The Great Gatsby follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his quest to win back the heart of married socialite Daisy Buchanan, his former flame.

This musical adaptation arrives in London following its 2024 Broadway premiere, where it won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design.

Earlier in January, the star lashed out at trolls who criticised her for her work schedule.

The beauty, who won Love Island back in 2017, took to Instagram at the time to share a snap of herself returning to work at the Universal Music Group studios, where she was thought to be recording her podcast Call to Stage.

Captioning her mirror selfie, Amber penned: 'First working day of 2025', before adding: 'Time to buckle up.'

And while the West End star seemed in good spirits about getting back to the grind, she found herself facing backlash at having only just returned to work 20 days into the new year.

This musical adaptation arrives in London following its 2024 Broadway premiere, where it won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design

A second image on Amber's stories then showed the response she received on her last post, with one person responding: 'Imagine going over half the month without working ' alongside eye roll emojis.

Clearly unimpressed with the criticism, Amber then wrote over the screenshot, hitting out at the person as she remarked that she 'needed the break' before urging them to not judge.

She wrote: 'Erm I need the break. I lived out of a suitcase on tour for a whole year with no day off in sight, whilst doing 8 shows a week & then worked all the way up to week before Xmas so ... Don't judge my unemployed downtime.'

Amber's hard work she referred to was her year-long role as Vivian Ward in the touring production of the Pretty Woman musical.

The star then went on to further address the criticism in a video shared to her stories as she opened up about the difficulties of self-employed working and noted that she would have worked 'if the work was there'.

Speaking to the camera, Amber said: 'I literally love the internet. Everyone's like "you don't need to justify yourself". And I'm like "justify myself for being self-employed?".'

She went on: 'Like, yes, I've had half of the month off, the majority of the month off, because 1) I'm self-employed and 2) I did need a break, but if the work was there, I would have worked.'

Captioning her clip, she added: 'Love to the self employed'.
Stacey Dooley ensured her daughter wasn't too far from her thoughts on Sunday as she left Zoe Ball's radio show with boyfriend Kevin Clifton on Sunday.

The couple - who have been dating since early 2019 - welcomed a daughter named Minnie together back in January 2023.

And Stacey, 35, was seen wearing a bubbly font necklace which had her two-year-old daughter's name on it during their latest appearance in London.

She looked super fashionable in a white top and camo trousers, adding a huge tote bag and glasses to finish off her daytime look.

The mum-of-one scraped her locks into an elegant bun and was seen wearing a massive smile as they walked through the city together.

Meanwhile, former Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin, 42, looked smart in a blue polo shirt and jeans as he carried a suitcase and bag beside his girlfriend.

Stacey Dooley ensured her daughter wasn't too far from her thoughts on Sunday as she left Zoe Ball 's radio show with boyfriend Kevin Clifton on Sunday

Stacey was seen wearing a bubbly font necklace which had her two-year-old daughter's name on it during their latest appearance in London

Back in May, Stacey revealed she took her baby daughter to a brothel in Nevada, while she was filming a documentary about prostitution in the United States.

In the latest series of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA, the presenter visited the oldest legal brothel in Nevada, the Mustang Ranch, to explore the lives of sex workers in the States.

But she has now revealed that her daughter came along for the visit, when she was just eight-months-old, joking 'it sounds like a comedy sketch'.

Stacey recalled the story at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales, during a panel with journalist Emma Barnett, where she discussed how she juggled balancing motherhood and work.

The broadcaster explained that she brings her little girl along with her for filming - including to the more unusual locations.

According to The Telegraph, she admitted: 'Theres nowhere that child hasnt been. When she was eight months we had this gig in the diary to go to the States to make a documentary about this legal brothel in Nevada.

'Id sort of signed the contract and was like: "oh, shell be eight months, thatll be fine."

'Anyway, the trip comes, and Im nowhere near comfortable leaving her so I take my eight-month-old child to this brothel in Nevada.

The distinctive necklace was hard to miss as she made her way out of the radio studio

She looked super fashionable in a white top and camo trousers, adding a huge tote bag and glasses to finish off her daytime look

Back in May, Stacey revealed she took her baby daughter to a brothel in Nevada, while she was filming a documentary about prostitution in the United States

'I have to ask the sheriff for special permission, because shes under 18. It sounds like a comedy sketch, but its legit!'

Stacey explained that she had to rent a trailer for Minnie to stay in with dad Kevin and that the little girl would watch out the window while she was filming.

She hilariously recalled that when she returned to the trailer to breastfeed, the prostitutes at the brothel would greet her daughter with: 'Morning Miss Minnie!'

The presenter quipped: 'Im like: shell be open minded if nothing else!'

The couple looked loved-up as they strolled through London together following an appearance on Zoe Ball's radio show
A Harry Potter event, that saw celebrities such as Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne attend has been permanently cancelled.

Traditionally, hundreds of fans gather in fancy dress at Kings Cross to recreate the scene of students pushing through the wall to the hidden Platform 9 and 3/4 where the Hogwarts Express waits.

The Back to Hogwarts tradition, which celebrates the start of each academic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry every September 1, has previously involved the train service being displayed on departure boards.

Last year Warner Brothers Discovery announced the cancellation of the public event and have now confirmed the event will also be cancelled this year.

A statement released in July on the Wizarding World website advised fans to stay away from Kings Cross.

It read: 'Special Hogwarts notice: alas, we must once again discourage fans from attending Kings Cross Station on 1st September, as there will be no countdown or train announcement occurring in 2025. Safety first, folks.'

A Harry Potter event which celebrates the start of each academic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry every September 1 has been permanently cancelled (Daniel Radcliffe pictured)

The gathering has seen celebrities such as Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne attend (pictured in 2022)

A spokesperson confirmed to The Sun: 'It is the same for this year, in that we wont be hosting the event at the station.'

There will however be a screening of the fourth Harry Potter film at Cineworld Leicester Square with actors James and Oliver Phelps hosting a Q&A.

Last month, it was revealed the Wightwick Hall steam locomotive is on track for worldwide fame as it has been selected to feature as the Hogwarts Express in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.

The locomotive, which has been beautifully restored over 41 years by volunteers, will transport the wizard from platform 9 and 3/4 at Londons Kings Cross station to the school of magic.

The Wightwick Hall was built in 1948. It travelled 640,000 miles with the Great Western Railway before being withdrawn in 1964 and sold to a scrapyard in Barry, South Wales.

In 1978 it was bought for 9,180 by volunteers from Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton who restored it.

The loco is now on long-term loan to the Bluebell Railway in West Sussex.

The Wightwick Hall will spend six months a year filming for the HBO series for the next eight years. It will run at the tourist attraction in between shoots.

It has previously involved the train service being displayed on departure boards

Traditionally, hundreds of fans gather in fancy dress at Kings Cross (pictured in 2023)

Last month, it was revealed the Wightwick Hall steam locomotive is on track for worldwide fame as it has been selected to feature as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter TV series

Filming for the latest adaptation of JK Rowlings novels began in May and the show is due to air next year

Filming for the latest adaptation of JK Rowlings novels will begin this month and the show is due to air next year.

Dominic McLaughlin, 11, has landed the role of Harry Potter while Arabella Stanton, 11, will play Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout, 11, will star as Ron Weasley.

In the films, released between 2001 and 2011, the Olton Hall engine  now at the Warner Bros Studio Tour near Watford  starred as the Hogwarts Express.

Filming for the series began in May, with cast and crew seen setting up on the Ile de Sein off the coast of Brittany, France.
Jen Shah was seen exercising at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas this weekend - where she is behind bars with fellow inmates Ghislaine Maxwell and Elizabeth Holmes.

The 51-year-old RHOSLC star - whose prison sentence was reduced once again back in January - spent time outdoors for a run while wearing a pair of gray shorts as well as a matching shirt.

The TV personality slipped into a pair of black Nike sneakers and added a gray visor cap on top of her locks which were pulled back into a low ponytail.

Back in 2023, Jen was initially sentenced to 78 months in prison for 'running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme' which had targeted both elderly and vulnerable individuals.

She had been arrested by the FBI on camera while filming the second season of RHOSLC. While she maintained her innocence at first, the reality star later pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Jen has been serving time at the minimal security prison camp located in Southern Texas since February 2023.

Jen Shah, 51, was seen serving time at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas this weekend - where she is behind bars with fellow inmates Ghislaine Maxwell and Elizabeth Holmes

Back in 2023, Jen was initially sentenced to 78 months in prison for 'running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme' which had targeted both elderly and vulnerable individuals

According to the prison's official website, the facility houses a total of 635 inmates - including Theranos fraudster Elizabeth.

Jen and Elizabeth have been spotted staying active together at the facility, such as in February when they were both working out in the same outdoor area.

During an interview with People in February, Elizabeth had labeled her time at the Texas prison thus far as 'hell.'

She stated, 'It's surreal. People who have never met me believe so strongly about me. They don't understand who I am.

'It forces you to spend a lot of time questioning belief and hoping the truth will prevail. I am walking by faith and, ultimately, the truth. But it's been hell and torture to be here.'

It was reported earlier this week that Ghislaine - who was convicted in 2022 over her role in a scheme to sexual exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Jeffrey Epstein over the course of a decade - was recently transformed to the female-only prison, per NBC.

She had previously been serving her 20-year sentence at a low-security facility located in Tallahassee, Florida which held both female and male inmates.

Meanwhile, Jen's sentence has been reduced multiple times.

In January of this year, Jen's prison sentence was reduced for a third time to November 2026.

The RHOSLC star spent time outdoors for a run while wearing a pair of gray shorts as well as a matching shirt

She had been arrested by the FBI on camera while filming the second season of RHOSLC

While Jen maintained her innocence at first, the reality star later pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud

Jen has been serving time at the minimal security prison camp located in Southern Texas since February 2023

During an interview with People in February, Elizabeth had labeled her time at the Texas prison thus far as 'hell'; seen in 2022 in San Jose, California

It was reported earlier this week that Ghislaine - who 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 - was recently transformed to the female-only prison, per NBC; Maxwell and Epstein seen in 2005 in NYC

In January of this year, Jen's prison sentence was reduced for the third time and was set to be released in November 2026

At the time, fans offered their thoughts on the star's earlier release date with one penning on X, 'Free Jen Shah means you're upholding the United States Constitution'

At the time, fans offered their thoughts on the star's earlier release date with one penning on X, 'Free Jen Shah means you're upholding the United States Constitution.'

Another wrote, 'The only thing the Justice System can get right,' and one added, 'Oh, so the judges reducing Jen Shah's sentence are REALLY big fans of #RHOSLC.'

But two months later in March, her prison time was slashed once again and she will finish her sentence on September 19, 2026, according to Us Weekly.

Both Jen and her former assistant Stuart Smith were arrested in March 2021 after being accused of fraud in a telemarketing scheme.

Stuart pleaded guilty later that same year but the Real Housewives star claimed that she was innocent throughout 2022.

But she also eventually pleaded guilty and began her prison sentence in February 2023. Jen was ordered to pay $6.5 million in restitution.

At the time of her sentence, the star had also read out an emotional statement and expressed, 'You and the world know me as Jen Shah.

'But reality TV has nothing to do with reality, even my tagline, Shah-mazing - they wrote it. I want to speak about who I am.'

But two months later in March, her prison time was slashed once again and will finish her sentence on September 19, 2026, according to Us Weekly

Both Jen and her former assistant Stuart Smith were arrested in March 2021 after being accused of fraud in a telemarketing scheme

But she also eventually pleaded guilty and began her six-and-a-half-year prison sentence in February 2023. Jen had also been ordered to pay $6.5 million in restitution

At the time of her sentence, the star had also read out an emotional statement and expressed, 'You and the world know me as Jen Shah'

The TV personality alleged that she had 'longstanding untreated mental issues' which resulted in her 'creating her own reality'

The TV personality alleged that she had 'longstanding untreated mental issues' which resulted in her 'creating her own reality.'

Late last year in December, Jen gave her fans an update as she served her prison sentence in Texas.

Her team shared a message to her website called Dear Jen Shah to share that the star is 'doing very well' and is also focused on working on her 'personal self.'

It was also added that Jen is 'focused on her journey towards positive rehabilitation' and had the chance to hold a conversation with co-star Meredith Marks on the phone.

'Jen has indeed spoken with Meredith Marks (co-star), and the conversation was extremely positive. She loves Meredith and appreciates her friendship and support during this time.'

Her team continued at the time that she has been keeping busy at the facility.

Late last year in December, Jen gave her fans an update as she serves her prison sentence in Texas

Her team shared a message to her website called Dear Jen Shah to share that the star is 'doing very well' and is also focused on working on her 'personal self'

Jen was also seen doing other workouts during her time outdoors over the weekend

Jen gained recognition when she began starring on RHOSLC during the first season which aired in 2020. She appeared on the Bravo series for three seasons before her prison sentence

'Jen is currently focused on her next holiday beauty showcase within FPC Bryan Prison, and continues to send love to her family, fans, and friends who continuously message her in support.

'She is thankful of everyone who continues to pray and uphold her in a positive light,' the update concluded.

In her most recent update, dated May 30, she said she was 'in great spirits and well' as she shared a photo of her working out.

'The consistent love and admiration from my supporters, my loving family, and my faith keeps me going as I make it through this rehabilitative journey of coming home soon.

'I wanted to share a personal image that I mailed to my team of one of my shahmazing workouts. I remain consistent in my passion for fitness and helping other inmates achieve similar goals. You will see more soon.

'I can only control what I can control.'

Jen gained recognition when she began starring on RHOSLC during the first season which aired in 2020. She appeared on the Bravo series for three seasons before her prison sentence.

The star also tied the knot with Sharrieff Shah in 1994 and the pair share two children Sharrieff Jr. and Omar.
MTV UK has quietly been axed for production after three whole decades, as it is the latest casualty of streaming and social media.

The popular channel 'will still have a presence' but bosses state that there will be no more original music content, although generic US shows will be aired alongside the usual rolling music videos.

It first launched back in July 1997 and has since become a household name, loved by celebrities and fans alike thanks to groundbreaking shows.

It is responsible for kickstarting the TV careers for many stars, including Love Island's Maya Jama, Cat Deeley, Kelly Brook and Emma Willis.

Some notable cancellations include original series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK.

A source told The Sun: 'Everyone at MTV is gutted. To say there has been a bloodbath of cuts would be an understatement.

MTV UK has quietly been axed for production after three whole decades, as it is the latest casualty of streaming and social media

'Staff have been left in tears as some have been there for decades.

'Those that are left fear more doom and gloom could be around the corner.'

Daily Mail has reached out to MTV for comment.

The move comes after the popular European Music Awards was axed last year due to cuts.

It took place in November at Manchester's Co-Op Live, with Rita Ora hosting the show.

The Best Song award went to Sabrina Carpenter for her smash hit Espresso from her Short n' Sweet album.

Best UK act was won by Raye and the Best Pop award went to Ariana Grande who wasn't there at the ceremony.

Best Hip-Hop award went to Eminem while the Best Electronic gong went to Calvin Harris.

Elsewhere Jimin won in the Best K-Pop category while Peso Pluma was victorious in the Best Latin group.

It is responsible for kickstarting the TV careers for many stars, including Love Island's Maya Jama , Cat Deeley (pictured), Kelly Brook and Emma Willis

South Park was a staple show on the channel, as well as other iconic 90s series

Love Island host Maya Jama kickstarted her career on MTV before she picked up a string of successful presenting jobs

Ralf Little and Kelly Brook pictured together. Kelly's career also began on the TV channel

The Best R&B and Best Afrobeats awards went to Tyla - who also performed at the event while the Best New award went to Benson Boone who opened the show with his hits.

The Best Rock award went to Liam Gallagher while Busta Rhymes accepted the Global Icon award at the event.

Later on the Best Alternative award went to American pop rock band f Imagine Dragons.

The Best Collaboration award went to LISA feat. Rosalia for their hit NEW WOMAN.
Comedian Bill Maher mocked 'online social justice girls' in a blistering monologue slamming criticisms of Sydney Sweeney's new 'great jeans' advert.

The talk show host waded into the controversy surrounding the actress in his latest episode of 'Real Time', slamming liberals for overreacting to Sweeney's new advertising campaign for American Eagle jeans.

Sweeney made a pun about her 'good genes/jeans' in the promo, which created a media firestorm as some accused the clothing company of suggesting that Sweeney's 'good genes' was her whiteness.

But Maher disagreed, saying in his monologue: 'She talks about the fact that she has blue eyes, and then she says, 'I have great jeans'... Ya know, because she's wearing jeans.'

'According to the woke people - this means that she's a white supremacist,' Maher continued.

'It also doesn't help that her bra size is 36KKK.'

The comedian confessed that the marketing team at American Eagle 'should've been aware' when they wrote the ad that backlash could ensue, but argued that the company 'didn't do it on purpose.'

Maher also didn't hesitate to take shots at 'online social justice girls' who believed there was 'no such thing as good genes.'

Bill Maher defended American Eagle and Sydney Sweeney as the left ridiculed the advertisement for undertones of white supremacy

Sweeney's American Eagle ad declared that she has 'great jeans/genes,' which many argued had racist undertones

Maher defended the ad as a play on words for 'jeans/genes' and mocked 'online social justice girls' as hypocrites for criticizing Sweeney

'Right - and then you go on Tinder and swipe left on every bald guy,' Maher said sarcastically.

'America,' he concluded with an exacerbated sigh.

The segment went viral on social media, with many praising Maher's candor, while others claimed the comedian went too far.

'Hahahaha. He nails this one,' one social media user commented on X.

'Okay that was funny,' another confessed.

'I dont find that funny at all. Its rather crude and creepy to be honest,' a third added.

'Bill Maher's got some fire in his belly tonight, and I'm here for it. The woke mob needs a good roasting every now and then. But let's be real, 36 KKK? That's just low,' a fourth commented.

Sweeney's American Eagle ad became the viral story of the week, creating a worldwide debate over the nuances behind the phrase, 'great genes.'

In a video advertisement for the campaign, the camera pans close to Sweeney as she buttons up her American Eagle jeans.

'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color my genes are blue,' Sweeney says before looking to the camera.

She continues: 'My body's composition is determined by my genes...' before exclaiming: 'Hey, eyes up here' as the camera cuts back to her face.

Maher's blistering, sarcastic monologue generated mixed reviews online as some praised his comments, while others argued he went too far

Sweeney's ad campaign sparked a media firestorm over the underlying messages

Critics of the ad pointed to the historic connotation behind the phrase, linking 'great genes' to celebrating whiteness, thinness, and conventional attractiveness, a report in Salon argued.

The company responded to the backlash with a statement that read: '"Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" is and always was about the jeans'.

'Her jeans. her story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone'.

Sweeney has yet to comment on the controversy, but shared a cryptic post on Instagram of a photo of pink roses with a white heart sticker.
Mortgage Advice Bureau (Holdings) plc (LON:MAB1  Get Free Report) insider Nathan James McLean Imlach acquired 228 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 817 ($10.84) per share, with a total value of 1,862.76 ($2,472.47).

Nathan James McLean Imlach also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, July 1st, Nathan James McLean Imlach acquired 231 shares of Mortgage Advice Bureau stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 878 ($11.65) per share, with a total value of 2,028.18 ($2,692.04).

On Friday, May 30th, Nathan James McLean Imlach acquired 264 shares of Mortgage Advice Bureau stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 824 ($10.94) per share, with a total value of 2,175.36 ($2,887.39).

Mortgage Advice Bureau Trading Down 2.5%

Mortgage Advice Bureau stock opened at GBX 790 ($10.49) on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 836.43 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 795.75. The firm has a market capitalization of 457.86 million, a PE ratio of 42.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.14. Mortgage Advice Bureau has a 12-month low of GBX 528 ($7.01) and a 12-month high of GBX 924 ($12.26).

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 1,150 ($15.26) price objective on shares of Mortgage Advice Bureau in a research report on Thursday, July 24th.

View Our Latest Stock Report on MAB1

About Mortgage Advice Bureau

(Get Free Report)

MAB is one of the UKs leading consumer intermediary brands and specialist networks for mortgage advisers.

Through its partner firms known as Appointed Representatives (ARs), MAB has approximately 2,000 advisers providing expert advice to customers on a range of mortgage, specialist lending, protection, and general insurance products.

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Vodafone Group Public Limited (LON:VOD  Get Free Report) insider Margherita D. Valle sold 885,183 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 83 ($1.10), for a total transaction of 734,701.89 ($975,181.70).

Margherita D. Valle also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, June 25th, Margherita D. Valle bought 251,374 shares of Vodafone Group Public stock. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 77 ($1.02) per share, for a total transaction of 193,557.98 ($256,912.64).

Vodafone Group Public Price Performance

Shares of LON:VOD opened at GBX 82.86 ($1.10) on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 96.88. Vodafone Group Public Limited has a fifty-two week low of GBX 62.40 ($0.83) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 87.49 ($1.16). The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 78.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 73.06. The company has a market cap of 25.04 billion, a PE ratio of 37.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.54.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Berenberg Bank began coverage on shares of Vodafone Group Public in a research note on Wednesday, June 25th. They issued a hold rating and a GBX 80 ($1.06) target price on the stock.

View Our Latest Stock Report on VOD

About Vodafone Group Public

(Get Free Report)

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. We provide mobile and fixed services to over 340 million customers in 15 countries, partner with mobile networks in over 40 more and have one of the worlds largest IoT platforms. In Africa, our financial technology businesses serve almost 88 million customers across seven countries  managing more transactions than any other provider.

Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, businesses and help progress inclusive sustainable societies.

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Argent Trust Co boosted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 14.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,228 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,979 shares during the quarter. Argent Trust Cos holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $8,319,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of GS. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings 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 worth $2,172,423,000 after purchasing an additional 3,970,467 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter worth $1,766,238,000. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth $944,334,000. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its holdings 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 worth $741,018,000 after purchasing an additional 882,099 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC increased its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 23.7% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,586,348 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,053,614,000 after purchasing an additional 687,711 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 2.0%

The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $709.40 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $669.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $610.89. 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, Inc. has a one year low of $437.37 and a one year high of $737.88. The stock has a market cap of $217.67 billion, a PE ratio of 15.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.38.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 16th. The investment management company reported $10.91 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 analysts expectations of $13.53 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $8.62 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS 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 paid a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. This is a boost 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%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Citigroup lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $550.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 21st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $680.00 to $715.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $650.00 to $785.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $771.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $660.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, EVP John F.W. Rogers sold 6,008 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $717.39, for a total transaction of $4,310,079.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 65,761 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,176,283.79. The trade was a 8.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO David M. Solomon sold 6,608 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $712.31, for a total value of $4,706,944.48. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 126,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $89,876,426.56. The trade was a 4.98% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 20,079 shares of company stock worth $14,423,221. 0.55% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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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LANZHOU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Gansu Province has upgraded its mountain torrent alert from yellow to orange on Sunday morning, according to the provincial water resources department and meteorological administration.

Intense rainfall were reported in the central and eastern parts of the province on Saturday and Sunday. The provincial meteorological administration forecast that Zhangye, Wuwei and other cities and prefectures in the province will experience heavy rainstorms with precipitation up to 80 mm per hour from 2 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Additionally, thunderstorms, gales or hailstorms are forecast for areas including the southern part of Lanzhou, the provincial capital. From 2 p.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday, there is a high probability of mountain torrents in cities and prefectures such as Lanzhou, Baiyin, Wuwei, Dingxi and Linxia.

Local authorities are urged to evacuate people from vulnerable spots and take measures to prevent hail damage to greenhouses and cash crops.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 
Blueshift Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 5,169 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $371,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Shakespeare Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Shakespeare Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,839 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $972,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the period. Safeguard Investment Advisory Group LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Safeguard Investment Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,839 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $410,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Summit Wealth & Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 3,362 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Nwam LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Nwam LLC now owns 8,806 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $632,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the period. Finally, Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 22,501 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,580,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on WFC. Piper Sandler reissued an overweight rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Raymond James Financial downgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, July 26th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $77.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $80.39.

Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 3.5%

NYSE WFC opened at $77.80 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $253.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.32, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.20. Wells Fargo & Company has a one year low of $50.15 and a one year high of $84.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The businesss fifty day moving average is $78.56 and its 200-day moving average is $74.94.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.83 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.33 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, April 29th that permits the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to repurchase up to 17.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. This is an increase from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.40%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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DCF Advisers LLC decreased its stake in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 65.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 10,750 shares of the companys stock after selling 20,750 shares during the period. DCF Advisers LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $2,252,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Steel Grove Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in AbbVie by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Steel Grove Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,110 shares of the companys stock worth $553,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Peninsula Wealth LLC raised its stake in AbbVie by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Peninsula Wealth LLC now owns 1,360 shares of the companys stock worth $242,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc. raised its stake in AbbVie by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 2,938 shares of the companys stock worth $616,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares during the period. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in AbbVie by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,711 shares of the companys stock worth $660,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Finally, Castle Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in AbbVie by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Castle Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,725 shares of the companys stock worth $361,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.23% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of AbbVie from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of AbbVie to $204.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $194.00 target price on shares of AbbVie in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of AbbVie to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of AbbVie to $205.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 11th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $212.81.

AbbVie Trading Up 3.3%

NYSE ABBV opened at $195.17 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $188.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $190.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.14. The stock has a market cap of $344.75 billion, a PE ratio of 92.94, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.50. AbbVie Inc. has a 12 month low of $163.81 and a 12 month high of $218.66.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $2.97 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.24 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $15.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.93 billion. AbbVie had a return on equity of 518.10% and a net margin of 6.45%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.65 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that AbbVie Inc. will post 12.31 earnings per share for the current year.

AbbVie Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. AbbVies dividend payout ratio is 279.15%.

About AbbVie

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, an injection for autoimmune and intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Epkinly to treat lymphoma; Elahere to treat cancer; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat blood cancers.

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Eldorado Gold Co. (TSE:ELD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as C$30.03 and last traded at C$28.81, with a volume of 104857 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$28.39.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Eldorado Gold from C$25.00 to C$29.00 in a research note on Monday, April 21st.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on ELD

Eldorado Gold Stock Performance

Insider Activity at Eldorado Gold

The firm has a market cap of C$4.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.10, a PEG ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.22. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$28.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$25.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.28, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a current ratio of 3.37.

In other news, Senior Officer Christos Balaskas sold 2,367 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$29.51, for a total transaction of C$69,850.17. Also, Senior Officer Nicolae Stanca sold 4,737 shares of Eldorado Gold stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$28.96, for a total transaction of C$137,172.62. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 185,501 shares of company stock valued at $5,380,236. Company insiders own 0.58% of the companys stock.

About Eldorado Gold

(Get Free Report)

Eldorado Gold Corp is a gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Canada, Greece and Romania. It has a portfolio of high-quality assets and long-term partnerships with local communities. Some of its projects include Kisladag, Efemcukuru, Skouries; Perama Hill and Certej projects.

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United Dominion Realty Trust (NYSE:UDR  Get Free Report) and Invitation Home (NYSE:INVH  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Dividends

United Dominion Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Invitation Home pays an annual dividend of $1.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. United Dominion Realty Trust pays out 452.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Invitation Home pays out 131.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. United Dominion Realty Trust has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years and Invitation Home has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. United Dominion Realty Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares United Dominion Realty Trust and Invitation Homes gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio United Dominion Realty Trust $1.67 billion 7.67 $89.58 million $0.38 101.84 Invitation Home $2.62 billion 7.10 $453.92 million $0.88 34.45

Invitation Home has higher revenue and earnings than United Dominion Realty Trust. Invitation Home is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Dominion Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares United Dominion Realty Trust and Invitation Homes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets United Dominion Realty Trust 7.81% 4.11% 1.27% Invitation Home 20.36% 5.56% 2.88%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

97.8% of United Dominion Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.8% of Invitation Home shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.4% of United Dominion Realty Trust shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Invitation Home shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Volatility and Risk

United Dominion Realty Trust has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Invitation Home has a beta of 0.78, indicating that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for United Dominion Realty Trust and Invitation Home, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score United Dominion Realty Trust 1 8 7 0 2.38 Invitation Home 0 9 9 0 2.50

United Dominion Realty Trust presently has a consensus target price of $46.07, suggesting a potential upside of 19.04%. Invitation Home has a consensus target price of $37.86, suggesting a potential upside of 24.87%. Given Invitation Homes stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Invitation Home is more favorable than United Dominion Realty Trust.

Summary

Invitation Home beats United Dominion Realty Trust on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About United Dominion Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR), an S&P 500 company, is a leading multifamily real estate investment trust with a demonstrated performance history of delivering superior and dependable returns by successfully managing, buying, selling, developing and redeveloping attractive real estate communities in targeted U.S. markets. As of December 31, 2023, UDR owned or had an ownership position in 60,336 apartment homes including 359 homes under development. For over 51 years, UDR has delivered long-term value to shareholders, the best standard of service to Residents and the highest quality experience for Associates.

About Invitation Home

(Get Free Report)

Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing and management company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, Together with you, we make a house a home, reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences.

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L & S Advisors Inc cut its stake in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST  Free Report) by 24.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 54,166 shares of the companys stock after selling 17,404 shares during the quarter. L & S Advisors Incs holdings in Vistra were worth $6,361,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. HM Payson & Co. increased its stake in shares of Vistra by 275.4% in the 1st quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 229 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the 1st quarter valued at about $46,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 2,540.0% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 396 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 381 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 53.9% during the 1st quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA now owns 431 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.00, for a total transaction of $8,792,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 306,600 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,136,200. This represents a 15.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director John R. Sult sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.67, for a total value of $4,291,750.00. Following the sale, the director owned 75,946 shares in the company, valued at $13,037,649.82. The trade was a 24.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 294,000 shares of company stock valued at $47,461,490 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.42% of the companys stock.

Vistra Stock Down 0.2%

Vistra Increases Dividend

NYSE:VST opened at $208.06 on Friday. Vistra Corp. has a 52-week low of $66.50 and a 52-week high of $213.05. The company has a market cap of $70.60 billion, a PE ratio of 32.71, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.53, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $184.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $155.15.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.226 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 19th. This is a boost from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Vistras dividend payout ratio is currently 14.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VST has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI set a $192.00 price objective on Vistra and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on Vistra in a report on Friday, June 13th. They set a strong-buy rating and a $216.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Vistra from $178.00 to $186.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Vistra from $134.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Vistra from $207.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Three equities research 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 company. According to MarketBeat, Vistra has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $178.69.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on VST

Vistra Profile

(Free Report)

Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia.

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NorthRock Partners LLC trimmed its position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ  Free Report) by 27.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,613 shares of the companys stock after selling 600 shares during the quarter. NorthRock Partners LLCs holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF were worth $193,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IJJ. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. CX Institutional acquired a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. von Borstel & Associates Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF in the first quarter worth $27,000. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF in the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 66.95% of the companys stock.

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iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Stock Down 1.7%

IJJ opened at $122.57 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 1.17. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF has a twelve month low of $102.24 and a twelve month high of $136.42. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $123.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.86.

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Profile

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Value Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index (the Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics.

Further Reading

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US Bancorp DE boosted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 1.0% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 338,470 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,493 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $23,504,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NVO. North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 18.2% in the first quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 20,742 shares of the companys stock worth $1,440,000 after acquiring an additional 3,200 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 6.0% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 839,802 shares of the companys stock worth $58,316,000 after acquiring an additional 47,804 shares in the last quarter. Stanley Laman Group Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the first quarter worth $390,000. Dover Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the first quarter worth $505,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 9.6% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 9,466 shares of the companys stock worth $657,000 after acquiring an additional 827 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

Shares of NVO opened at $48.23 on Friday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1-year low of $46.90 and a 1-year high of $139.74. The stock has a market cap of $215.35 billion, a PE ratio of 14.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $69.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.66.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.92. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 34.52% and a return on equity of 80.94%. The firm had revenue of $11.87 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current year.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim cut shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Hsbc Global Res cut shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an underperform rating for the company. HSBC cut shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $57.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Dbs Bank cut shares of Novo Nordisk A/S to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $93.67.

View Our Latest Report on Novo Nordisk A/S

About Novo Nordisk A/S

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

Further Reading

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OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd lowered its stake in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 29.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,656 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 2,736 shares during the period. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltds holdings in McDonalds were worth $2,081,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Abound Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in McDonalds in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.29% of the companys stock.

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McDonalds Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MCD opened at $302.88 on Friday. McDonalds Corporation has a 52-week low of $265.33 and a 52-week high of $326.32. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $299.44 and a 200 day moving average of $303.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $216.57 billion, a PE ratio of 26.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.52.

McDonalds Announces Dividend

McDonalds ( NYSE:MCD Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The fast-food giant reported $2.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $2.67. McDonalds had a net margin of 31.75% and a negative return on equity of 195.27%. The company had revenue of $5.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.70 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a $1.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. McDonaldss payout ratio is 62.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MCD has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Loop Capital lowered shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $346.00 to $315.00 in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $364.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Argus lowered shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 13th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $324.00 to $326.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic reiterated a sell rating and issued a $260.00 price objective (down from $319.00) on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Tuesday, June 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, McDonalds presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $323.39.

Get Our Latest Research Report on McDonalds

Insider Buying and Selling at McDonalds

In related news, CMO Edith Morgan Flatley sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total value of $300,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 8,858 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,657,400. The trade was a 10.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 939 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $299.49, for a total transaction of $281,221.11. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 9,283 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,780,165.67. This trade represents a 9.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 3,817 shares of company stock valued at $1,147,992 over the last quarter. 0.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About McDonalds

(Free Report)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

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TIAA Trust National Association lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 135,791 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 3,457 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Associations holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $18,013,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hughes Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Redwood Park Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. JCIC Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of ABT opened at $127.32 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $131.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $130.49. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $107.11 and a fifty-two week high of $141.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $221.52 billion, a PE ratio of 15.95, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a current ratio of 1.82.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

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 for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.26. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 32.43% and a return on equity of 18.32%. The firm had revenue of $11.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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 paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 29.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on ABT shares. BTIG Research cut their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $145.00 price target (up from $133.00) on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Leerink Partners started coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Monday, June 16th. They set a market perform rating and a $143.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $144.47.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis 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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Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM  Free Report) by 4.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,226 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Boston Beer were worth $532,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SAM. Rossby Financial LCC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Beer in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. GeoWealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Beer in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 24.4% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 214 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 232 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 483.7% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. 81.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

SAM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen cut Boston Beer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Cfra Research raised Boston Beer from a moderate sell rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group reduced their price target on Boston Beer from $275.00 to $214.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Boston Beer from $219.00 to $187.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $279.00 price objective on shares of Boston Beer in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $258.09.

Boston Beer Stock Up 1.2%

NYSE SAM opened at $209.55 on Friday. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $185.34 and a fifty-two week high of $329.55. The stock has a market cap of $2.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a fifty day moving average of $206.65 and a 200-day moving average of $228.20.

Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The company reported $5.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.37 by $1.08. Boston Beer had a return on equity of 15.15% and a net margin of 3.65%. The company had revenue of $587.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $599.18 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.39 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that The Boston Beer Company, Inc. will post 9.29 EPS for the current year.

Boston Beer Profile

(Free Report)

The Boston Beer Company, Inc produces and sells alcohol beverages primarily in the United States. The company's flagship beer is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It offers various beers, hard ciders, flavored malt beverages, and hard seltzers under the Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly, Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Angel City, and Coney Island brand names.

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HARBIN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese historical drama titled "731," which revisits the horrific World War II-era human experiments conducted by Japan's notorious germ warfare unit 731, is set to premiere on Sept. 18, sources associated with the film have said.

According to the film's director Zhao Linshan, it tells the story of Wang Yongzhang, a local vendor, and others who were imprisoned and lured by false promises of freedom in exchange for cooperation with health checks and disease prevention research.

Instead, they became victims of brutal medical experiments carried out by the occupying Japanese forces -- including frostbite testing, gas exposure and vivisection.

Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base, was established in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, and served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.

"This is a history that must never be forgotten," said Jin Chengmin, a historical adviser for the film and head of the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.

"The film reveals the inhumane atrocities committed by the invading Japanese army through the eyes of ordinary civilians, while highlighting the unyielding resistance spirit of the Chinese people in the face of despair," Jin said. "It serves as a powerful reminder to safeguard peace."

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The release date of the film coincides with the anniversary of the September 18 Incident in 1931 that marked the start of Japan's 14-year invasion of China. 
J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG grew its holdings in shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT  Free Report) by 638.5% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 6,602 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 5,708 shares during the period. J. Safra Sarasin Holding AGs holdings in Waters were worth $2,433,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WAT. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Waters by 50,228.3% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 662,320 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $244,111,000 after buying an additional 661,004 shares during the last quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd boosted its position in shares of Waters by 676.8% in the 1st quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd now owns 705,733 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $260,112,000 after purchasing an additional 614,877 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Waters by 3,349.7% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 304,404 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $112,928,000 after purchasing an additional 295,580 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in Waters by 438.0% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 303,076 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $112,435,000 after purchasing an additional 246,738 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BLI Banque de Luxembourg Investments acquired a new stake in Waters during the 4th quarter worth about $50,704,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.01% of the companys stock.

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Waters Stock Up 0.7%

Waters stock opened at $290.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.81 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Waters Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $279.61 and a fifty-two week high of $423.56. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $332.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $354.79. The firm has a market cap of $17.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 1.05.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Waters ( NYSE:WAT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.22 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $661.71 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $655.50 million. Waters had a return on equity of 41.70% and a net margin of 22.02%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.21 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Waters Corporation will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Several analysts have issued reports on WAT shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Waters from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Waters from $374.00 to $352.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of Waters in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $400.00 target price on Waters and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Waters from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $420.00 to $330.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Waters presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $382.40.

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Waters Company Profile

(Free Report)

Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through two segments: Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products, and post-warranty service plans.

Further Reading

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Baxter International (NYSE:BAX  Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $25.00 target price on the medical instruments suppliers stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price objective indicates a potential upside of 13.79% from the companys current price.

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A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on BAX. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Baxter International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, June 22nd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Baxter International from $28.00 to $27.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Evercore ISI cut their target price on Baxter International from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Baxter International from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Baxter International from $36.00 to $33.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Baxter International has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $33.13.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Baxter International

Baxter International Price Performance

BAX stock opened at $21.97 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -73.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. Baxter International has a 52-week low of $21.33 and a 52-week high of $40.49. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $29.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.03.

Baxter International (NYSE:BAX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by ($0.01). Baxter International had a positive return on equity of 16.93% and a negative net margin of 1.42%. The business had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.68 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Baxter International will post 2.48 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Baxter International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Horizon Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Baxter International by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 7,438 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $255,000 after acquiring an additional 351 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its position in shares of Baxter International by 3.4% during the first quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 14,479 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $496,000 after purchasing an additional 481 shares in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp boosted its stake in shares of Baxter International by 20.5% in the first quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 2,935 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $100,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Home Federal Bank of Tennessee boosted its stake in shares of Baxter International by 2.5% in the first quarter. Home Federal Bank of Tennessee now owns 22,600 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $774,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the period. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in Baxter International by 17.3% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 3,822 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $131,000 after purchasing an additional 565 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.19% of the companys stock.

About Baxter International

(Get Free Report)

Baxter International Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, and Kidney Care. The company offers sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; surgical hemostat and sealant products, advanced surgical equipment; smart bed systems; patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies; and respiratory health devices, as well as advanced equipment for the surgical space, including surgical video technologies, precision positioning devices, and other accessories.

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Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG  Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report issued on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has a $52.00 price objective on the banks stock, up from their previous price objective of $48.50. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 11.13% from the companys current price.

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Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Wall Street Zen raised Citizens Financial Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on Citizens Financial Group from $48.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $48.00 to $43.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Citizens Financial Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $51.53.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Citizens Financial Group

Citizens Financial Group Stock Performance

NYSE CFG opened at $46.79 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Citizens Financial Group has a 12-month low of $32.60 and a 12-month high of $49.98. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $44.60 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.70. The company has a market capitalization of $20.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 0.78.

Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The bank reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.04. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 6.94% and a net margin of 13.26%. The business had revenue of $2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.82 earnings per share. Citizens Financial Groups revenue for the quarter was up 3.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Citizens Financial Group will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Citizens Financial Group announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Friday, June 13th that allows the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the bank to reacquire up to 8.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Citizens Financial Group

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Howard Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group in the second quarter worth $526,000. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund raised its position in Citizens Financial Group by 17.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 86,484 shares of the banks stock worth $3,870,000 after purchasing an additional 13,000 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 4.8% in the second quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 2,784,020 shares of the banks stock worth $124,585,000 after buying an additional 126,853 shares during the period. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Citizens Financial Group in the second quarter worth $291,000. Finally, Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY raised its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 3.7% during the second quarter. Cobblestone Capital Advisors LLC NY now owns 10,387 shares of the banks stock valued at $465,000 after acquiring an additional 371 shares during the last quarter. 94.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Citizens Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking.

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From August 4 to 8, 2025, the "Azerbaijani National Day" will be celebrated within the framework of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), taking place in the Avaza National Tourism Zone of Turkmenistan, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the event aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage, artistic traditions, and contemporary creative potential of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani delegation, led by Minister of Culture Adil Karimli and including prominent figures from the countrys art scene, has already arrived in Avaza and is actively preparing to ensure the high-level organization of the event.

As part of the cultural program, the Azerbaijani pavilion will feature traditional handicrafts, publications, souvenirs, and examples of applied arts. In the open-air exhibition space, live demonstrations of carpet weaving, traditional garments, kelaghayi (silk headscarves), stained glass (shebeke), and embroidery will be held, alongside master classes led by skilled artisans.

A culinary corner will offer visitors the opportunity to taste the most iconic dishes of Azerbaijani national cuisine.

The concert programs will include performances of national music, traditional dances, and modern stage acts, reflecting the diversity and vitality of Azerbaijan's cultural scene.

A grand international gala concert is scheduled for August 5 as part of the conference's official opening.

On August 6, Azerbaijani National Day will be marked with a spectacular showcase of music and dance, celebrating the spirit and identity of the country.

The event will conclude on August 8 with a closing gala concert featuring renowned Azerbaijani artists and performers.

Beyond the celebration of culture, Azerbaijans participation in this international gathering stands as a meaningful contribution to the promotion of peace, cooperation, and cultural diplomacy on the global stage.
Tourists interact with an accordionist from Russia at a square in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 22, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Liu Yang/Xinhua)

People cool off in tents by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 6, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Yang Wei/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows people sitting on the steps to enjoy the cool air by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Zhang Shu/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 26, 2025 shows performers dancing during a float parade on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Liu Yang/Xinhua)

People enjoy the sunset glow by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 25, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Zhang Shu/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows people walking around and taking photos in the sunset outside the Harbin Grand Theatre in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Yang Wei/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows people watching a folk choir performance by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Zhang Shu/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows people sitting on the steps to enjoy the cool air by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Zhang Shu/Xinhua)

Tourists drive a motorboat on the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 6, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Yang Wei/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on July 6, 2025 shows people having fun by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Photo by Yang Wei/Xinhua)

Tourists pose for photos on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 1, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

People visit the Chinese Baroque Historic and Cultural Block in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 30, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Tourists sit on the steps to enjoy the cool air by the Songhua River in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Aug. 1, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

People buy food on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on June 8, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

A dressed-up tourist poses for photos in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on June 8, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

Tourists take selfies with Modern popsicles on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Aug. 1, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

People visit a scenic spot on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 30, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

People visit a scenic spot on the Central Street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 30, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

People visit the Chinese Baroque Historic and Cultural Block in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 30, 2025.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo taking on Aug. 1, 2025 shows tourists near the Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Attracted by the coolness in summer, many tourists come to Harbin for vacation.

Taking advantage of its historical heritage, Harbin in recent years has accelerated the transformation of historical and cultural blocks and the utilization of old buildings, which has promoted the prosperity of the city's tourism industry. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)
I wont be wrong when I say that chatting with an AI feels as harmless as firing off an email to yourself  until it isnt. If those chats are being indexed and appearing on Google search, that would send alarm bells ringing, as they rightly did in the case of a strange ChatGPT feature that frankly shouldnt even have existed in the front place.

Last week, Fast Company revealed that ChatGPT users who opted into a new Make this chat discoverable feature were unknowingly sending their private conversations with the OpenAI chatbot straight into Googles search index. A small, opt-in checkbox was all it took, buried beneath the share button, to transform a private one-on-one session with ChatGPT into a globally searchable web page. Within hours, search queries for site:share.chat.openai.com returned thousands of personal chats  some detailing therapy confessions, business secrets, and even criminal admissions, according to various reports.

In full damage control mode after the initial revelation, OpenAIs Chief Information Security Officer, Dane Stuckey, was quick to call the toggle a short-lived experiment  it was merely aimed at helping users showcase insightful exchanges. Yet the company underestimated how many people would assume share meant share privately, not invite Googles web crawlers. By Friday morning, the feature was disabled, and OpenAI began coordinating with search engines to permanently delete the accidentally diverted conversations from their caches.

AI companies vs user trust

Imagine pouring your heart out to an AI  ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, or whoever  seeking career advice, drafting wedding vows, or hashing out a scandalous plot twist for your next novel. Only to discover a stranger could stumble upon every line with a simple Google search  not because of a hack or data breach, but a crazy feature. That sense of betrayal isnt something to be taken lightly. Why such a chat sharing feature even existed in ChatGPT is beyond me, it makes no sense.

OpenAI has removed a feature from the ChatGPT app that allowed users to make conversations discoverable by search engines like Google.



The opt-in feature was intended to help share useful chats but raised concerns about accidental exposure. OpenAI is now working to de-index any https://t.co/YUsfsOd7Bs  Wes Roth (@WesRothMoney) August 1, 2025

Just think about it for a second, everyone whos using AI to enhance their work or creativity is doing so in private, understandably hesitant to share their personal thoughts, ignorances and secrets with anyone. What made the OpenAI product team think it would be otherwise is beyond me  unless, of course, the idea was to test the limits of user behaviour. We are after all guinea pigs for big tech, for better or worse, arent we?

Also read: ChatGPT answers over 2.5 billion queries a day, shows internal data

This fresh ChatGPT debacle underscores a broader reality: default settings carry the weight of a companys trust promise. A checkbox buried in fine print isnt the same as informed consent. As Pieter Arntz of Malwarebytes aptly noted, The friction for sharing potential private information should be greater than a checkbox  or not exist at all. I wholeheartedly agree with this view.

User privacy needs to be paramount

This isnt the first time AIs privacy controls have flopped in the public eye. Only the outcry was swift, forcing OpenAI to correct the perceived mistake. This will only make more users grow wary of handing over their innermost thoughts to code. Therefore, OpenAIs stumble is a timely reminder that transparency and clear UX design arent optional, but absolutely mission critical.

Also read: ChatGPT is changing the way we speak, study finds

Before surfacing any conversation, platforms should require a two-step confirmation  perhaps even a pop-quiz just to make it absolutely clear to the users of what theyre getting into. Needless to say, every conversation users have with AI chatbots should default to private, with discoverability toggled off. Period.

More importantly, governments should take these opportunities to tighten user privacy and data protection rules for AI, forcing companies to design features in compliance to begin with  rather than retrofit after a scandal erupts.

After all, the real test for AI isnt how fast it can answer trivia  its how diligently it protects the private moments we entrust to it. When we talk to these systems, were not just generating text, but sharing fragments of our lives. Something that shouldnt be trifled with.

Also read: MITs ChatGPT study says AI is making you dumber: Heres how
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Vivo X Fold 5 are both premium foldables that scream flagship while they burn a hole through your wallet. But spend a week with each and youll realize that the question isnt Which is better? but rather, Who are you?. One wants to be your forever partner and the other wants to be your forever fling. But which once should you choose? Read on

Design: A Tale of Two Feelings

The Fold7 is Samsungs sleekest foldable yet. At 215 grams and 4.2mm thin when open, it doesnt just fit in your pocket, it feels like it belongs there. The titanium under the display adds a certain stiffness you can actually feel when unfolding it. The hinge is smooth like a knife through warm butter, and with IP48 and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, it feels like it was built in a lab.

Then theres the Vivo X Fold5. Two grams heavier, sure, but its like comparing a hardcover novel to a fashion magazine. Theres more density, more presence. The hinge is rock-solid and the IP58 rating with IP59+ makes it technically more durable than Samsungs. So yes, its chunkier, but also tougher.

The Fold 7 feels like a Swiss watch and the X Fold 5 like a German tank with leather seats. So, pick your poison.

Displays: Subtle Accuracy vs Saturated Punch

If screens were personalities, Vivos would be the friend who shows up to brunch in sunglasses and confidence. Its absurdly bright at 3,250 nits on the main panel and nearly 3,000 on the cover. But its not just about visibility, our Calman tests came back with a Delta E of 0.9, 68,000:1 contrast ratio, and 99.5% colour gamut coverage. Thats studio-grade calibration done right.

Samsungs Fold7 hits 2,400 and 2,480 nits, respectively. Slightly lower on paper, but it has that typical Samsung tuning: punchy colours, slightly saturated hues, and an overall vibrant feel. A Delta E of 1.6 and 100% colour gamut make it excellent, just in a different way.

Vivos for colour accurate nerds and confident outdoor use. Samsungs for binge-watchers and people who like their pixels a little extra.

Performance: Workhorse vs Work-Life Balance

Vivo X Fold 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 while Samsungs gone all-in on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite. The latter posts higher multi-core scores: 8,405 vs Vivos 6,609, which means heavier tasks like desktop-mode multitasking, emulation, and exporting chunky files feel breezier.

But Vivos no slouch. Taks such as app switching are quick and fluid, and its got a more consistent app background usage. Even under load, it maintains 83% CPU performance, just edging Samsungs 82%.

In gaming samsungs GPU wins, but Vivo takes the long game: 5+ hours more battery life, thanks to better thermal and power efficiency.

Samsung brings seven years of software updates, Android 16 to Android 23, which is basically a software pension plan. Plus, DeX Mode, taskbar, and multi-window support make this a productivity powerhouse.

Vivos lighter on the long-term (4+5 years), but Funtouch OS 15 gets the daily stuff just right. The Origin Workbench floating windows, snappy gestures, and zero bloat make for a joyously fluid day-to-day.

Battery Life: Not Just Bigger, but Better

You know how most foldables quietly ask you to compromise on battery? These two dont. But one of them rewrites the rules entirely.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 packs a 4,400mAh battery, which may sound modest in the era of 5,000mAh+ slabs, but its held its own surprisingly well. In real use, it gets through a day with moderate usage that include emails, social, maps, light gaming without panic. It also supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless, which feels standard-issue for a Samsung-premium device. Youll get 50% in 30 minutes, and a full charge takes a bit over 90 minutes.

Now enter the Vivo X Fold 5, and suddenly, Samsung feels like its coasting. A 6,000mAh Si/C battery means youre looking at easily 1.5x the screen time of the Fold7. This phone just keeps going. In PCMark tests, the Vivo clocked over 20 hours on moderate use patterns. In our daily use which includes a camera-heavy shoot, app hopping, and hotspot tethering, the Fold 7 dipped into power-saving by 7PM, while the Vivo still had 28% left at bedtime.

And Vivo goes all out in the charging department. The X Fold 5 has support for 80W wired, 40W wireless, and even reverse wired + 5W reverse wireless. A full charge from zero takes just under 50 minutes.

Cameras: Moody vs Masterful

Both the Vivo X Fold 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 can shoot like flagships. But they dont see the world the same way.

Vivos images are full of energy with punchy skies, saturated reds and brightened shadows. Its the kind of images that gets dropped straight into Instagram without needing tweaks. But Samsung gets you the photos you work with. Natural tones, more dynamic range, and better raw information in the highlights and shadows.

Take the cityscape shots for instance, the X Fold 5 turns the sky to a richer blue and the foliage to a glowing green. Samsung preserves the haze, the smog, and the subtle gradient of light across glass. One is cinematic, the other documentary.

Now, zoom is where Samsung flexes, despite Vivo offering a 100X digital zoom, the actual sharpness collapses after about 30X. In our sample of a distant building, Samsungs 30X shot is legible, clean, and usable. Vivos is still decent, but softer, watercolour-like with visible noise and less clarity. If youre shooting signs, far-off text, or architectural details, Samsungs telephoto camera delivers more usable zoom results.

At night, Samsung handles neon and streetlights like a pro. Look at the neon sign sample, the greens on Samsung are controlled, defined, with no bloom. Vivos version is brighter, yes, but also bleeds the signage, softens edges, and introduces light flaring. That theme continues with other signages too, Samsungs got this dark but clean look, while Vivo gives you a bright and buzzy approach that leans more casual.

Vivo is ahead when it comes to food and macro shots. Whether its pizza crust texture or a close-up of a flowers petal veins, Vivos Zeiss-enhanced tuning makes details pop in a way that looks instantly shareable. That contrast-heavy, colour-forward processing flatters dishes, nature, and textures, whereas Samsung sometimes flattens colours slightly in favour of tonal realism.

In portraits, that Fold 7 shows smooth gradients, perfect bokeh falloff, and natural skin rendering that avoids the plastic over-processing some phones still struggle with. Vivos portraits, while dramatic, tend to amp up the contrast and saturation a touch more than usual, especially under indoor lighting.

Indoor lighting tests with art prints and white walls confirmed this: Samsung edges ahead on white balance accuracy and finer detail, especially when looking at the art prints under controlled warm lighting.

So ask yourself, are you capturing moments or moods? Because these cameras both shine, just under different lights.

Verdict: Whos It Really For?

After flipping, folding, editing, and commuting with both of these foldables, one thing became clear:

The Galaxy Z Fold7 is a long-term commitment. Its for people who think of their phone as their second brain. Its polished, reliable, and serious about the future.

The Vivo X Fold5 is that spontaneous road trip with your best friend. Its fun, fast, better at surprises, and easier to fall in love with.

Samsung plays the long game. Vivo plays the now game.
Dundalk's Dreambeans Coffee said it is proud to announce that their newest coffee blend, Cinco Jalisco, has been awarded two Gold Stars at the 2025 Great Taste Awards, the most prestigious and rigorous of all the food and drink awards.

Judged by more than 500 experts including chefs, buyers, food writers, and retailers, the Great Taste Awards recognise exceptional flavour, quality, and craftsmanship in food and drink.

Cinco Jalisco impressed judges with its bold character, balance, and craftsmanship, earning it one of the most coveted accolades in specialty coffee.

Dreambeans Coffee owner Pat McArdle, said: "We are delighted to get this award.

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"Cinco Jalisco is the result of a long time in tasting and blending by Master Roaster Pat Grant, to hit that perfect balance of bite, body and smoothnesswithout bitterness.

"We knew we had something special, and to have it recognised at this level is very rewarding.

"Our whole team works incredibly hard to produce a world-class coffee which we can deliver to our customers at a reasonable price. Everyone on the team is delighted."

The Great Taste judges said: Big notes of muscovado and tropical fruits are present for this well-balanced coffee that has gentle acidity and good balance an excellent blend clever coffee, and a combination of great crafting and cunning flavour harmonies.

A delicious coffee that's intelligent and unexpected rich milky chocolate notes a really enjoyable product and cleverly put together.

Cinco Jalisco is a powerful, complex blend with five constituent origins. It was developed with both flavour intensity and drinkability in mindideal for those who want a proper caffeine kick without any bitterness, Mr McArdle said.

It features a standout high-grown Pacamara from the Sierra Madre del Sur in Jalisco, Mexicocultivated by a new generation of growers who moved upslope following the 2012 coffee rust outbreak and replanted with resilient, flavour-rich varietals.

This Mexican component brings complexity and a sharp yet smooth aroma.

Whether taken black as an espresso or Americano, or with milk for a creamy, rounded cup, Cinco Jalisco offers bags of flavour, a good caffeine kick, and balance without bitterness".

Its a superb morning brew or mid-afternoon boost it is "smooth, bold, and beautifully constructed".



Cinco Jalisco is available from dreambeanscoffee.ie
A unique access route into the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) is set to commence in September 2025, with a tertiary degree route being made available across three ETB (Education and Training Board) campuses in Cavan, Monaghan, and the Louth /Meath Region and is aimed at widening participation to communities and individuals who may not have considered third-level education as an option.

Tanya Jones, Deputy Director, National Tertiary Office said: Tertiary Bachelors Degrees offer a great alternative and more affordable route for learners to achieve their degree, starting in a Further Education college and seamlessly progressing to the Higher Education Institution, while availing of all the supports and benefits across both FE and HE from the outset.

"Tertiary Degrees are about meeting prospective students where they are and helping them get to where they want to go. They provide an opportunity to pursue a degree regardless of background, family circumstances or financial situation.

The Tertiary Degree Pathway in Intellectual Disability Nursing Route will commence with students completing a QQI Level 5 in Nursing Studies in one of the participating ETBs, and then gaining entry into the first year of DkIT BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing.

Incorporating the Level 5 Nursing Studies and the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing, this innovative programme is one that will give the opportunity to students to start their preparation for the Intellectual Disability Nursing degree programme in the Further Education sector, in one of the participating campuses; OFiaich Institute, Dundalk, Cavan Institute and Monaghan Institute. Students will spend the first year of this programme in their local ETB and then progress to Dundalk Institute of Technology to undertake their four-year BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing programme.

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This course is designed to give applicants the academic skills and competence to succeed at undergraduate level, the confidence to progress into a professional programme and the opportunity to undertake a rewarding career in Intellectual Disability nursing. Each ETB will offer students additional support in the areas of mathematics, ICT and study skills to build knowledge and confidence in their next step to DkIT.

This tertiary education programme aims to increase access to degree level education in several ways, including increasing the number of locations regionally where students can begin their studies, enhancing flexibility through providing a number of programme paths, and widening access through more flexible entry requirements which take account of the socio-economic and other barriers faced by eligible participants.

Briege King, Head of Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years at DkIT said: DkIT is proud to be part of the new Tertiary Access Degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing, offering prospective nurses across the North East a new route into this rewarding profession.

"We are very fortunate to collaborate with Cavan Institute, Monaghan Institute, and OFiaich Institute, Dundalk, to offer this programme which aims to widen participation and support students from diverse backgrounds to pursue third-level education. Intellectual Disability Nurses play a vital role in helping people live independently with dignity, and were excited to see more individuals gain access to this essential career path.

Sadie Ward-McDermott, Director of Further Education and Training, LMETB added: LMETB and O Fiaich Institute are exceptionally proud to be a partner in this newly developed, innovative Tertiary Access Degree programme in Intellectual Disability Nursing which launches this Autumn.

"As a leading provider of FET provision, LMETB is pleased to see this programme now being made available in the North East region and is assured that it will be a hugely popular course with Adult returners and school leavers as they consider their options for September 2025.

"The tertiary degree programme is a unique offering which is aimed at enabling and supporting the widening of access to participate in education and training. Intellectual Disability nursing provides a hugely rewarding career and LMETB is very proud to be part of this partnership, delivering this opportunity in September 2025 in the region.

Dr Linda Pinkster, Director of Further Education and Training, CMETB, said: CMETB is delighted to be part of this collaboration with DKIT and LMETB that opens new doors for learners in our region. This tertiary degree pathway provides a meaningful and supported route into a highly rewarding career in Intellectual Disability Nursing.

"By starting their journey in their local community, students gain confidence, develop essential academic skills, and are empowered to progress into higher education. This is about equity, opportunity, and building the future workforce in a sector where compassionate, skilled professionals are so urgently needed.

To find out more about this new Tertiary Pathway visit: https://nto.hea.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-intellectual-disability-nursing/
This September, against a backdrop of war, disinformation, and environmental collapse, the Thomas DArcy McGee Summer School returns to Carlingford in north Louth, from 2-3 September 2025, with an urgent focus: how climate justice, democracy, and human rights are being undermined by authoritarianism, corporate influence, and political inertia.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Summer School coincides with the bicentenary of McGees birth. A Young Irelander, Irish-Canadian statesman, and Father of Canadian Confederation, McGees enduring belief in dialogue, pluralism, and democracy remains central to this unique gathering.

Following the United Nations' 2022 recognition of the right to a healthy environment, global efforts to achieve climate justice face mounting resistance. The return of President Trumps administration has accelerated attacks on international cooperation, environmental safeguards, and human rights commitments.

Organisers of the Summer School warn of a rapid erosion of multilateralism and a dangerous retreat from hard-won global agreements. We face an existential crisis not just of climate, but of trust, truth, and governance, the organisers said. This Summer School will challenge unsubstantiated opinion and disinformation with hard evidence and lived experience.

These issues resonate locally following revelations that US politicians and the UK Ambassador to Washington, Lord Peter Mandelson, have been lobbying to accelerate approval for a controversial gold mining project in the Sperrin Mountains.

They expressed American investor frustration and called for a timely decision, raising alarm about external corporate pressure on Northern Irelands planning process at the expense of the local environment and community. Fidelma OKane of Save Our Sperrins will join activists from a range of environmental campaigners in what promises to be an energetic community panel.

Confirmed speakers include:

Professor Astrid Puentes Riano, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment

Ambassador Dennis King, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland

Professor Jennie Stephens, Professor of Climate Justice, ICARUS Climate Justice Research Centre

Ambassador David Donoghue, Former Irish Ambassador to the UN

Professor Teresa Vicente-Gimenez, University of Murcia

Professor David Wilson, University of Toronto and McGee Biographer

Bernadette McAliskey, Campaigner for Social Justice and Human Rights

Ambassador Bob Rae, Canadian Ambassador to the UN

Frances Fitzgerald, former Tanaiste, Minister, TD and MEP

Hon. Gilles Arsenault, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Action from Prince Edward Island

Eamon Ryan, former Minister for the Environment

Erin McGreehan TD; Denis Drennan, President ICSMA; Adrian Kane, SIPTU; Michael Savage, Newry Chamber of Commerce; Clare McKeown, Belfast City Council; Cllr Doire Finn, Newry, Mourne and Down Council; Dr Gabriel Scally, Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health; Professor Colin Harvey, Queens University; Heidi McIlvenny, The Fishery Exchange; Fiddle OKane, Save our Sperrins; Declan Owens, EcoJustice Ireland; Dr Eduardo Salazar Ortuno, University of Murcia; Colum Sands, musician and environmental campaigner; Thelma Thompson, Altnaveigh Trust.

This years Summer School will explore urgent local and global issues, and look towards visible leadership, effective governance, and collective action for sustainable development, including:

How can we promote sustainable models of growth that do not impact negatively on the environment, climate, and health?

How should we strengthen our local and global institutions and laws that protect human rights and climate justice, and face down those who would try to undermine them?

How do we challenge industrial and agricultural pollution and extractive development and ensure that the rights of nature, community knowledge, and respect are at the centre of decisions?

How can we raise public awareness about the growing support worldwide to give nature intrinsic rights?

Ecosystems are not objects, as they have been treated until now; they have their own life, and human beings are a part of them. Without them, we cannot live, says Professor Vicente-Gimenez.

UN Rapporteur Astrid Puentes Riano believes that this moment demands more than action - it demands rethinking our place on earth. The earth does not need to be saved by us. Our role is to learn how to live on this planet without destroying it.  The right to a healthy environment is not idealistic, its foundational and true protection begins  with fairness, she said.

In this Summer School, we will ask how can we act to safeguard a world order premised on respect for the environment and the human race, said the organisers.
August Craft Month, a month-long celebration of local craft across the island of Ireland, launches with a host of exciting events taking place throughout Louth.

This year August Craft Month returns with a packed programme of over 300 events from more than 900 makers across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland including workshops, exhibitions, open studios and festivals to allow audiences to immerse themselves in local craft.

With 26 craft disciplines represented there is something for everyone, of all ages, and all levels of expertise to experience, support, make, see and buy stand-out local craft. August Craft Month celebrates craft traditions that are hundreds of years old, and the fresh, modern ways people across the island still use and share them today.

The packed programme of events allows everyone to immerse themselves in creative craft celebrations on their doorstep and hit the road on a craft inspired adventure or staycation. Led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and Craft NI, August Craft Month is also continuing its long-term collaboration with Cork Craft & Design.

Read also: Dundalk's Dreambeans Coffee wins two Gold Stars in Great Taste Awards

Local makers such as Sarah McKenna, Tracy Fry and Adriana Torres Escobedo will all be involved in the celebrations and events, to name a few. The programme provides unmissable opportunities to experience, participate in, support, buy and learn about the local stand-out craft sector. Here are just a few of the exciting events on offer in Louth:

Resin Art Demonstration with Tracy Fry

Location: Creative Spark Downtown Hub, 42-43 Clanbrassil St, Townparks, Dundalk

Price: Free

Date & Time: Thu 14th Aug at 6pm  7:30pm

Live resin art demonstration hosted by Tracy on August 14. This hands-on session introduces participants to the fundamentals of working with resin, including essential health and safety practices, mixing techniques, and the use of colour additives such as mica powders and alcohol inks.

The demonstration will conclude with an interactive Q&A session, offering a chance to dive deeper into the process. Whether youre new to resin or looking to refine your skills, this event is a unique opportunity to explore the creative and practical potential of this dynamic medium, while considering our relationship to place and environment.

Ceramic Masks Workshop

Location: The watchtower Mchughs 1-3 Cord Rd, East Drogheda

Price: Free

Date & Time: Sun 16th Aug at 4pm - 9pm

Immerse yourself in a creative and cultural Ceramic Mask Workshop led by Adriana y Julio of Gato Thor Ceramica. In this five-hour session, youll design your own mask using traditional Peruvian techniques inspired by the Moche and Nazca culturesor follow your own freestyle vision. No experience needed!

Enjoy small breaks with delicious Peruvian finger foods from Fineperuvianpastries and create using special clay and hand-mixed ceramic slips. Your finished mask will be professionally dried, fired, glazed, and ready for collection in 34 weeks. All materials and tools are provided, plus a special gift from the studio.

Sarah McKenna Ceramics: 10 Years of Home Comforts  Exclusive Studio Showcase

Location: Sarah McKenna Ceramics Studio, Bridge Street Studios, 97 Bridge Street, Dundalk

Price: Free

Date & Time: Sat 23rd Aug at 10am  5pm

Join ceramic artist Sarah McKenna as she celebrates the 10th anniversary of her beloved Home Comforts Collection. Throughout August Craft Month, Sarah will be opening her 250-year-old Dundalk studio to offer an exclusive insight into her creative process and the stories behind her cherished collection.

On Saturday 23 August, Sarah will host a special event that provides a deeper look at the inspiration for her work. The event will feature imprints of vintage wallpaper, letterpress text, and her signature house motif with a glossy red heart. This is a unique opportunity to see where the magic happens and discover how each handmade piece tells a story, marking meaningful moments for homes across Ireland and beyond.

Be among the first to witness the unveiling of exclusive new pieces created especially for this anniversary celebration. This is a perfect chance to acquire a unique piece of Irish design directly from the artist.
Louth County Council says it was delighted to welcome the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) to Market Square, Dundalk, last week as part of its nationwide awareness campaign.

The GLT campaign, which has been running successfully across Ireland, aims to educate the public on the environmental impact of gum litter and promote positive behaviour change through interactive events and community engagement.

On Tuesday last, the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) joined with staff members from the Louth County Council community support team, members of Dundalk Tidy Towns and service users from the Irish Wheelchair Association to deliver a fun, educational, interactive event at The Square to highlight the environmental impact of gum litter and raise awareness of the 150 fine for improper disposal.

Welcoming the campaign back to Louth, Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: Hosting the Gum Litter Taskforce in Dundalks Market Square is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the importance of responsible litter disposal. This is a fantastic initiative that raises awareness about the negative impacts of gum litter in a fun and engaging way.

"Louth County Council is proud to support campaigns like GLT that encourage responsible litter disposal and help create cleaner, more welcoming communities.

Louth County Council says it remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster environmental responsibility and enhance the quality of life in our towns and villages.

Above: Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, with members of Dundalk Tidy Towns and Louth County Council staff from the community support team

Launching its sixth cycle, the Gum Litter Taskforce reports that: 92% of people now report properly disposing of their chewing gum, a record high; 85% of 1634-year-olds now view littering as socially unacceptable, and men remain more likely than women to improperly dispose of chewed gum.

A collaboration between industry, government and local authorities, and funded by Mars Wrigley, this year marks the launch of the campaigns sixth cycle.

GLT has seen gum litter reduce by almost 70% since 2007, via a sustained public engagement and education campaign. According to the latest National Litter Pollution Monitoring System data, gum now accounts for just 8.6% of all litter, continuing a downward trend in gum as a component of litter from 26.4% in 2006, and 9.1% in 2021, the end of the previous three-year cycle.

However, according to the latest research, one in 12 admits that they still drop their gum on the ground, with men more than twice as likely to do so as women. This highlights the continued importance of the campaign.

Above: Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council getting involved with the interactive games to highlight the environmental impact of gum litter

Launching the campaign in Mayo last month, Minister of State with responsibility for Circular Economy, Alan Dillon TD, praised the continued success of the initiative: Im delighted to kick off another year of the Gum Litter Taskforces Summer Roadshow.

"Since 2007, we have seen clear, measurable change on our streets thanks to the work of the Gum Litter Taskforce. The consistent fall in gum litter shows that education and collaboration are driving real results. This is exactly the kind of behavioural change we need to build a cleaner, greener Ireland.

Avril Donlon, Gum Litter Campaign Manager at Food Drink Ireland, added: We are delighted to be kicking off another summer of interactive roadshows. Each year, we continue to see the positive impact this campaign is having on communities across the country. Its encouraging to know that our efforts are helping more people make the right choice when it comes to gum disposal.

Anne Sheeran, Corporate Affairs Manager at Mars Wrigley, said: The Gum Litter Taskforce continues to prove whats possible through strong partnerships and community-focused messaging. By connecting with younger audiences and reinforcing positive behaviour, were not just cleaning up streets  were helping to create a culture of personal responsibility. Mars Wrigley is proud to sponsor a campaign that plays such an important role in educating people about proper gum and litter disposal.

This years Summer Roadshow will make 20 stops across 17 counties this Summer. The GLT campaign also includes a school roadshow (Bin It!) which will travel to primary and secondary schools across the country from October, and run an advertising campaign and website, where educational material at www.gumlittertaskforce.ie.
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) Business School recently hosted a dynamic two-week Chinese summer camp, offering 18 students from local secondary schools an unforgettable immersion into Chinese language and culture. Filled with hands-on learning, creativity, and community spirit, the programme provided a unique opportunity for students to explore the richness of Chinese traditions.

Held on the DKIT campus, the Chinese Summer Camp introduced participants to basic Chinese Mandarin while engaging them in a variety of cultural activities. Students practiced the elegant art of Chinese calligraphy, crafted delicate fans and kites, and discovered the flavours of authentic Chinese cuisine through interactive food workshops. The camp also included educational excursions to the local library and museum.

The camp culminated in a vibrant showcase, where students demonstrated their newfound skills through performances of Chinese songs, skits, calligraphy displays, and a traditional tea ceremony. The event was attended by proud parents, teachers, and representatives from the programmes funder.

In the special closing ceremony, Mr. Shane Hill, Department of Management and Financial Studies in Business School, presented certificates to the participants, celebrating their achievements and dedication. Speaking at the presentation, Shane said: "The creativity and cultural appreciation these students have shown is truly inspiring.

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"This successful programme reflects organiser Ping Caos dedication to creating meaningful cross-cultural experiences for our youth. Ms. Tattersall, Project Officer from Language Connect also praised the students for their excellent participation saying, Its been incredible to witness the students enthusiasm and growth over these two weeks.

Fully funded by the Department of Education through Language Connect, DkIT Chinese Summer Camp aligns with its mission to promote language education and cross-cultural understanding among youth. With its success, DKIT Business School looks forward to continuing its role in fostering cross-cultural awareness and appreciation in future programmes.
This file photo shows dinosaur footprints uncovered at Nanmushan Village in Dongxing City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)

NANNING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A recent study has resulted in the unveiling of the southernmost dinosaur tracks ever found in China, thereby providing new insights into ecosystems across southern China in the Mesozoic era.

Led by paleontologist Xing Lida, an associate professor from China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and professor Mo Jinyou, a researcher from the Guangxi Museum of Natural History, the discovery was published in the journal Earth History and Biodiversity.

The findings of this study extend the known range of dinosaur footprints in China to the shores of the Beibu Gulf -- about 21 degrees north latitude and located in what is now south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The tracks, uncovered in 2021 during high-speed railway construction at a village in the city of Dongxing, consist of seven theropod footprints on a four-square-meter rock slab -- indicating that some bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs had left these traces in this southern China coastal area.

Despite damage caused by blasting during construction, which left some of the tracks only partially preserved, researchers managed to identify two distinct footprint types.

"Type A tracks, which are relatively well-preserved with their length longer than their width, belong to medium-sized theropods with a likely length measured from nose to tail of 3 to 4 meters," said Xing. "With a robust third toe, V-shaped toe divergence and clear heel impressions, these tracks resemble those from Chongqing in southwest China, suggesting a close connection with the agile, predatory dinosaurs of the Sichuan Basin."

Type B tracks, though less distinct, indicate a much larger predator, potentially exceeding 6 meters in length measured from nose to tail, possibly an allosaurid or megalosaurid.

"This discovery confirms the presence of apex predators in Guangxi during the Middle-Late Jurassic," said Mo. However, the limited number of tracks and a lack of detailed toe pad impressions, make precise classification challenging. "Future excavations and 3D modeling could provide further clarity," Mo added.

The study also compared 14 fossil sites in Guangxi to those in the Sichuan Basin in southwest China -- revealing similar dinosaur species from the Middle-Late Jurassic period. This suggests a close geographic connection between these two regions in ancient times.

In addition, the study also highlighted a high level of consistency between the early Cretaceous fossils from Guangxi's Xinlong Formation in the Napai Basin in Fusui County and those found in Thailand's Khok Kruat Formation -- lending credence to the existence of a shared "southern" biogeographic province in southern China and Southeast Asia during the late Early Cretaceous period.

"The discovery in Dongxing marks Guangxi's first formally documented dinosaur footprint site, filling a critical gap in the region's Jurassic fossil records," said He Guan from Dinosaur Odyssey Science Museum, Guangxi. "And it also confirms active dinosaur populations along southern China's coastlines and provides a fossil benchmark for correlating Jurassic-Cretaceous strata across southern China and Southeast Asia."

"This discovery not only pushes the known boundaries of dinosaur distribution in China but also strengthens the prehistoric connection between southern China and Southeast Asia," said Xing. "Additionally, it offers tangible evidence for reconstructing ancient environments, climates and ecosystems." 
He would soon sign Cork citys original charter, but when Prince John of England arrived in Ireland in April of 1185, the youngest son of Henry II and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine was only 19, and his visit was about to descend into fiasco.

The fledgling prince had been nicknamed Jean sans Terre, or John Lackland, because, as a younger son of the king, it was never expected he would inherit anything of significance, or amount to much. That changed, however, when a dispute about land led to a rupture in the family.

The seven-year-old John emerged from the failed revolt of 1173-1174 his fathers favourite. That rebellion came after Johns mother and three brothers sided against the king over his decision to bequeath to John as a wedding present three castles which had been due to go to the heir apparent, known as Henry the Young King.

Coronation Street star Tina Hobley, who played barmaid Sam, with King John, played by actor Mike Finn, at King Johns Castle, Limerick for the opening of Castle Lane in 1998. Picture: Kieran Clancy

During the ensuing conflict, John spent much time with his father, and observers noted they grew close. The family eventually patched up their differences, to a degree, but Eleanor would remain imprisoned until 1189, after her husbands death. Before that, though, in 1177, Henry dismissed William FitzAldelm as Lord of Ireland, appointing the 10-year-old John as his replacement.

Families being complicated, Henry the Young King went briefly to war against his brother Richard  later known as Cur de Lion or the Lionheart  in Limousin in 1183. The king backed Richard, and when Henry the Young King died, aged 28, of dysentery contracted on the battlefield, Richard became heir.

However, when Richard refused to give up his lands in Aquitaine to John, Henry II ordered John, then 18, and his older brother Geoffrey to march against him. That conflict ended in stalemate, and at the end of 1184 the family again came to an uneasy reconciliation.

King of Ireland

The following spring, John made his first visit to Ireland, accompanied by 300 knights and a team of administrators. His father had tried to have John declared King of Ireland, but Pope Lucius III would have none of it, so the prince had to make do with the title Lord of Ireland. Johns expedition arrived in Waterford in April, 1185, and it quickly became a fiasco, with the inexperienced young prince managing to insult pretty much everyone he met. Tempers were still high after the recent Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland, and there were tensions between Henry II, the English settlers, and the native Irish.

Into this John and courtiers waded, making fun of the local chieftains for their unfashionably long beards, going so far, it was said, as pulling on their whiskers. The priest and historian Gerald of Wales, accompanying the royal visit, recorded that the Irish rulers reported to their kings that John was an ill-mannered child from whom no good could be hoped.

Ardfinnan Castle and bridge over the river Suir in Co Tipperary pictured in the mid-1960s. It was here that King John probably signed Corks original charter.

From Waterford, John headed for Dublin, and along the route, his expedition built two significant castles, at Ardfinnan, and at Lismore. It was during a brief stay at Ardfinnan Castle that John issued several royal charters, among them one declaring himself King of Limerick. Fifteen years later, he would order the building, on the ruins of an old Viking settlement, of Limericks Kings Island, the castle that to this day bears his name.

It seems likely that it was at Ardfinnan that John signed the charter for Cork. The document is believed long lost to antiquity.

John returned to England before the years end, having run out of money, after alienating Irish and English alike, losing most of his army in battle or to desertion, as well as considerable ground to the rebelling Irish. He blamed it all on the kings viceroy, Hugh de Lacy.

Henry II died in 1189, and Richard I succeeded him, almost immediately departing for the crusades, so naturally John attempted a rebellion in his brothers absence.

A decade into his reign, Richard was putting down a revolt in Limousin when he was struck in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt. The wound became gangrenous, and he died, aged 41, without any legitimate successor. Thanks in no small part to Eleanors campaigning, John succeeded him.

A spiteful, petty, and cruel man, John is not remembered as a good king, and his reign was marked by war with France and a rebellion by his own nobles, who were not pleased by his fiscal policies.

The Magna Carta was drafted as a peace treaty, but civil war broke out and John contracted dysentery on the battlefield in Nottinghamshire. He died in 1216, at the age of 49. He was succeeded by his nine-year-old son, Henry III.

Robin Hood

Nowadays, King John is remembered mostly as a villain in the folklore and popular culture around Robin Hood.

Corks first charter was granted by Prince John of England, who was then Lord of Ireland, some time during his disastrous 1185 visit to Ireland. It seems likely, though not certain, it was at Ardfinnan Castle in Co Tipperary, where he is known to have signed a slew of such charters.

Ballincolligs Victoria Maher, Aine Whelan, Susan Maher, Audrey Worsley, and Michelle McAdoo wrote and sang a Cork 800 song.

Former lord mayor of Cork and Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy has researched the many charters granted to Cork over the centuries, and in 2022 he wrote a book called Celebrating Cork.

It allowed me to go down the rabbit-hole of the charters a little bit. There have been 17 charters, and maybe one or two survive in the British Library, he said.

Unfortunately, the original charter has long since disappeared.

In the early 2000s, he visited the local studies department in Bristol to research that original charter.

On the original charter it said were granted the same privileges and customs as the people of Bristol, which was the staging point of the Anglo-Norman attack on Ireland, and anything that was going to be created in Ireland was going to be mirrored on customs and practices in Bristol.

In a nutshell, the charters gave us a marketplace, gave us a mayor, a sheriff, the corporation of Cork, and added status to any of the merchants who lived and traded within the walled town itself.

Steeplejack Angela Collins OMahony was invited to climb County Hall as part of the Cork 800 celebrations.

Mr McCarthy noted that the signing of the charter in 1185 came very recently after the Anglo-Norman conquest of 1169, taking over the Viking-age town of Cork and rebranding the Hiberno-Norse town as an Anglo-Noman town.

Cork 800

The Cork 800 celebrations in 1985 allowed us to look in more detail at what 1185 and that era were about, he said. Since 1985, we have discovered so much about that period and the history of Cork after that, through archaeological digs.

In maybe the early 1200s they built a town wall around the area of South Main St, and in the early 1300s they built a town wall around the North Main St area, this has all been discovered since 1985.

Next Saturday: How Cork celebrated the 800th anniversary of its original charter.
A new book explores a largely overlooked period of Irish history which, two centuries ago, saw more than 2,500 Irish men, women, and children, most of them from the Blackwater Valley in North Cork, migrate to Upper Canada.

That arduous journey began in the early 1820s, when a Canadian politician arrived in Fermoy and discussed with the local MP a radical proposal.

In 1823, Fermoy was a newly thriving garrison town.

Mary and Christy Roche with their children and granchildren at Christys book launch.

Barely three decades earlier, Scottish entrepreneur John Anderson had purchased the lands on which the then village stood and established a staging point for the mail service the British government had franchised him to build in Ireland.

Around the turn of the new century, Anderson offered the British government  badly rattled by the failed French invasion of Ireland in 1795  a free site for a military base in Fermoy.

Christy Roche with North Cork based journalist Ralph Riegel who launched his book From Whence They Came.

In 1807, the Rev J Hall described the town as a place rising fast into importance and containing about two thousand inhabitants, besides barracks for as many soldiers. A few years ago, Fermoy consisted of only a few miserable huts.

A native of New Brunswick, Peter Robinson was a 38-year-old veteran of the War of 1812, and a successful businessman who had been twice elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada.

On June 2, 1823, Robinson arrived in Fermoy and met with Richard Lysaght Hare, the 50-year-old Viscount Ennismore, who had been the Tory MP for Co Cork since 1812.

Helen OConnell, Mary Leamy and Maeve Myers at the launch.

Hare lived in Ballyhooly, in the newly built Convamore House, which would, a century later, be burnt in the War of Independence.

At Thomas Lindseys printing works on King St, which is now McCurtain St, they ordered posters detailing a planned Emigration to Canada sponsored by the British government, and these were duly read out at Masses in Catholic schools in the region.

British thinking had it that Catholics were causing a lot of trouble in Ireland, specifically around North Cork, South Tipperary and South Limerick and too many loyal Irish Protestant subjects had already emigrated to Canada.

As a result of the initiative, two ships set sail the following month from the Cove of Cork (Cobh), carrying 564 emigrants bound for the Bathurst region of Upper Canada. In 1825, a further nine ships left Cobh to bring 2,024 emigrants to the Ontario region of Canada.

Billy Flynn, Christy Roche, and Charlie MacAllister, age ambassader for Age Friendly in Cork county.

A new book by Fermoy historian Christy Roche explores a little-known period of Irish history, setting out a meticulously researched picture of life in the Blackwater Valley and the surrounding environs in the early years of the 19th century, a time when Irish Catholic peasants lived lives of grinding poverty under British rule.

The end of the Napoleonic Wars triggered a recession, banks failed, civil unrest was fomented by secret agrarian societies such as the Whiteboys and the Rockites, and a partial potato famine in 1822 was a portent of worse times to come.

Mr Roches accessibly written and beautifully produced book offers a fascinating insight into those times and documents the poor families who left Ireland to seek better lives in the New World.

From Whence They Came: The Peter Robinson Settlers by Christy Roche is available to buy in Philips Bookshop in Mallow and in Jim Berminghams newsagents, Fermoy.
A 59-year-old man arrested has appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of approximately 2m of cannabis at the Port Of Cork.

Robert Slivar, 59, of no fixed abode but originally from Ivanic, Croatia appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Saturday.

Mr Slivar was charged with cannabis possession and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork on July 27, contrary to section 3 and section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Detective Garda Ryan Dillon, with the accused man giving no reply after each charge.

Mr Slivar applied for bail through his solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher.

Garda Inspector Ray Dunne said gardai were objecting to bail on grounds of the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the evidence and fears the defendant poses a flight risk.

Judge John King refused bail and remanded Mr Slivar in custody to appear again at a special sitting of Cork District Court next Wednesday.

The judge requested that a statement of means be provided before deciding on the granting of free legal aid.
With the death toll in Gaza topping 60,400 on Saturday, around 300 protesters gathered in Cork city centre at lunchtime for the 95th such rally.

The city has seen a march for Palestine every Saturday afternoon since the latest iteration of the centuries old conflict was sparked by the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas-led militants, which saw 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 hostages taken.

According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry (GHM), at least 60,430 Palestinians have died in Israels war against Gaza.

Frustration

Veteran human rights advocate Arthur Leahy, who was last month given the annual Spirit of Mother Jones award for his decades of dedication to social justice, said there was a growing sense of frustration amongst protesters.

There is so little we can do in Ireland, we come out here for so many months, but its hugely frustrating that we have so little impact, he said.

Now, the Government is half-heartedly doing things that they should be doing, but with whats happening now in Israel and Palestine, it needs a much, much stronger voice.

Strong voice

Labour senator Laura Harmon said her party had been at every rally in the city centre and had been a strong voice for the people of Palestine.

Its very important that we keep speaking out for the people of Gaza, and its very important that our Government acts now in a meaningful way, she said.

We need the Occupied Territories Bill enacted now, with services included, as recommended by the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee.

What were seeing Gaza is absolutely catastrophic in terms of the famine, in terms of the starvation, in terms of the mass murder thats happening there, this genocide has to end.

Mick Nugent, former Sinn Fein councillor for the Cork city north-west ward, said there was a growing recognition internationally that Israel was "committing genocide in Gaza.

What we need now is international action, we need sanctions, we also need trading arrangements between the EU and Israel to be ripped up while this genocide is going on, he said.
James Cox

A TD who travelled to Egypt to meet Palestinians impacted by Israel's onslaught on Gaza has said they "so much appreciated" Ireland's solidarity and efforts to pass the Occupied Territories Bill.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie at his constituency office in Gorey, Co Wexford, Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan said: "I felt that the human aspect was not under consideration enough, personally, I felt there was one box not ticked and that was going out and meeting the people on the ground.

"I understand the argument that the financial aspect [of the Occupied Territories Bill] wasn't huge, but what did it mean to the people on the ground?

"I lined up meetings with NGOs in a private capacity and I got on a plane and went out there. I got the chance to meet some of the people directly affected by what is happening. I was amazed at how knowledgeable they are about what is happening in Ireland, and how Ireland is continuing to take the lead. That was so much appreciated out there, it was an eye-opener.

"I left with two main caveats; one was the knowledge of what is going on over there, number two is what the young people have gone through and how that is going to affect them down the road.

"At the moment things are in a terrible state, the NGOs over there have never experienced anything like it in their lives. We're now looking at mass starvation and that has to stop."

The Wicklow-Wexford TD is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

At a recent hearing of the committee, Mr Brennan's exchange with former justice minister Alan Shatter went viral.

When Mr Shatter claimed the Occupied Territories Bill was "fantasy politics", Mr Brennan spoke about the reaction he had received on his trip to Cairo.

When this was put to him, Mr Brennan reiterated that the Bill was far more important symbolically than the money that will be involved.

"The amount of money involved in the Bill is miniscule, as former minister Shatter pointed out, but what it means to the people out there is so important. Hopefully this will lead to bigger things like a permanent ceasefire, and if our small gesture is any way part of that, to me that is a success.

"On the ground this means so much to them. They are watching this, and it is getting worldwide publicity. Within 24 hours of the last committee there were comments from the American ambassador in Israel, America itself, it is being heard worldwide our stance and that we are taking the lead on this.

"It is being heard on the ground but we must maintain this, and credit has to go to our leaders for putting their heads above the parapet to call this as it is.

"Simon Harris stood up in the Dail and was one of the first leaders to call this genocide and he deserves credit for that, it was not easy.

"If I had found in Cairo this was absolutely irrelevant, I would have taken that on board and would have said that at committee, but it was the complete opposite.

"This small thing, in the wider scale, is a big part of the momentum."

He said: "To be fair to Simon Harris and Micheal Martin we were one of the first to stand up and take the lead on this, but we must continue to do that. This Bill may be a small token, but out there it means so much to people.

"This is beyond politics now, the committee has shown and proven that we're in agreement on this, there is political will to pass this Bill right across the foreign affairs committee."

Mr Brennan said the Bill, now known as the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, is still awaiting a final legal opinion from the Attorney General.

He also welcomed the inclusion of a ban in trade in services that has been included in the recommendation from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

I spoke to a man dying in bed, his biggest concern was for his brother who is still in Gaza.

Mr Brennan said he was amazed at how much the people he met in Cairo were aware of Ireland's solidarity and the Occupied Territories Bill, along with the early recognition of a Palestinian State, along with South Africa.

"To go out there and to see the fear in people's eyes. I spoke to a man dying in bed, his biggest concern was for his brother who is still in Gaza.

"He had months to live because of injuries that were beyond recovery. We have to acknowledge the genocide, the atrocities going on out there, the starvation. Most of the world is in agreement this is going on and not being exaggerated.

"The mothers and fathers, medics and journalists, everyone out there is suffering... we need a ceasefire.

"There are pockets of food being allowed in at the moment, it's not enough. Open the borders, let the food and aid in.

"My takeaways from that trip were number one, they knew so much about the Bill and what's happening in Ireland, number two I left with a great fear for the future. The teenagers and young people I spoke to out there were annoyed and upset that the world was standing by watching what was going on, with the exception of Ireland and South Africa.

"Looking as their brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents are being wiped out, where will they be in five years' time? They'll be angry young men and women unless they are given the help they need.

"We need a long-term solution. That includes Hamas releasing the hostages too."

Mr Brennan, who topped the poll in Wicklow-Wexford in the general election, is a first-time TD.

He said his experience before politics helped him appreciate the importance of international issues, adding that he feels his constituents all support him in highlighting the plight of people in Gaza.

He established six childrens homes in Sri Lanka, following the earthquake in 2004, which continue to operate to this day.

I feel the public's knowledge about what is going on in Gaza is completely underestimated.

"I think life experience means a lot. Through my work in Sri Lanka after the tsunami, through my work in business, I have found there is always something you can relate to. That sometimes equals, and if not is more, than being born and reared in politics.

"My goal is to try to leave Wexford and Wicklow in a better place than I've found, and also not to be afraid to speak out on issues that matter... I hope I have done that in the first term.

"I feel the public's knowledge about what is going on in Gaza is completely underestimated."

Mr Brennan added: "On the streets the feedback is unanimous. We can't continue to let this happen in front of our eyes, but let's continue to stand up to the plate as we are now doing even as a small country... to take the lead.

"If you walk down the streets of Arklow or Gorey what I'm getting is 'stay strong, this shouldn't be happening', I'm getting a huge reaction and other TDs are getting the same in their constitutencies. We have to be seen to be doing something, this means a lot so if it proves to be legally possible, let's put our full weight around it.

"If my words can make a small contribution to this momentum, I'm proud of that. I feel how we react to this will define everything we've done."
Kenneth Fox

Hilary Weston, the Dublin-born businesswoman who helped build Penneys and Brown Thomas as part of her husband Galen Westons family retail empire, has died aged 83.

As The Irish Times reports, Ms Weston died in England, where she lived in recent years.

She was prominent in the early days of Penneys after the family business bought the ailing Todd Byrnes department store and established the budget fashion chain.

She is said to have personally overseen the production of clothing for the in-house brand the company introduced early on, Primark, which would ultimately give its name to the wider chain outside Ireland.

She was later prominent in running Brown Thomas for a considerable time after her husband purchased the long-established retailer.

In the years that followed she served as vice-chair of Holt Renfrew, the groups luxury retail chain in Canada.

She held a variety of other positions in the wider familys interests, which included the conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF), of which Penneys was a subsidiary; Fortnum & Mason; and Loblaws, the largest food retailer in Canada. She also oversaw a major property development in Florida.

Born Hilary Frayne in Dun Laoghaire in 1942, she was the eldest of five children and attended Loreto Abbey, Dalkey.

She started to work as a model in the 1950s and was successful at it, working extensively in Ireland and internationally. She met her future husband after he saw her on a billboard advertisement and had auctioneer Corrie Buckley arrange an introduction. The couple married in 1966.

Having initially settled at the Roundwood Park estate in Wicklow, the family moved to Toronto in 1971 and Ms Weston later became a Canadian citizen.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, visits prominent experts on summer vacation in Beidaihe, a seaside resort in north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 3, 2025. Entrusted by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Cai Qi extended sincere greetings to the experts and all others across the country on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIDAIHE, Hebei, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Sunday paid a visit to prominent experts on summer vacation in Beidaihe, a seaside resort in north China's Hebei Province.

Entrusted by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, extended sincere greetings to the experts and all others across the country on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

It is an important institutional arrangement to annually invite exceptional experts to Beidaihe for a summer vacation. This summer, those invited are experts from sectors including high technology and philosophical studies and social sciences, as well as young talents in the field of basic research.

Cai urged the experts to carry forward the spirit of scientists and shoulder the mission of the times, to make more contributions to China's educational, scientific and talent development, as well as to the cause of the Party and the country. 
We're nearly five years out from the release of the original PlayStation 5 and rumors of Sony's next-gen console are starting to bubble up to the surface. In a YouTube video from Moore's Law is Dead, the leaker shares extensive information about the PlayStation 6's possible specs, starting price and release timing. It's always important to take these early leaks with a large grain of salt and Moore's Law is Dead even adds a disclaimer in the video that the info was sourced from a leaked AMD presentation to Sony back in 2023, adding that some of these specs may have changed by now.

While Sony hasn't confirmed anything, the leaks show the company may be prioritizing lower power output and keeping costs in line with previous generations for the upcoming PS6. The video claims the next-gen console will have three times the rasterization, or 3D rendering, performance compared to the base PS5 and roughly two times what's offered by the PS5 Pro. The YouTuber explained that the PS6 is rumored to have PS4 and PS5 backwards compatibility, while potentially releasing with a price tag of $499. That price point could be an indication that Sony wants to tap into the same success the PS4 had, which was partly thanks to its lower price compared to the competition at the time.

Along with the PS6, Sony is reportedly also working on a handheld that will complement the console. According to the leaked info, the PS6 handheld will get a microSD slot, an M.2 SSD slot, a touchscreen, haptic vibration and dual mics. The PS6 handheld rumors detail specs that should beat out the ROG Xbox Ally X and a USB-C port that could offer video out capabilities. According to the leak, the PS6 handheld could have a price range between $400 and $500. For the PS6 and the PS6 handheld, the leaker claims that Sony will start manufacturing both in mid-2027, with a potential release date window between fall 2027 and early 2028.
Sunday, August 3, 2025

The Doyenne of Death loves movies! I love how they can be used to get people to discuss death and hopefully take action to plan ahead for our 100% mortality rate. Over the next few weeks, Ill be sharing my lists of films, starting with those involving funerals, funeral directors, and the mortuary business in general. Got any additions to add to the list? Post in the comments!

Also included are selected film clips that can give you some insights to these films. And, if you might want to get a DVD of the movie, or view them on the Prime Video streaming service, click on the links in the titles. The links are Amazon affiliate links, so you can help support my work with a tiny referral fee.

Bernie (2011  PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.) In this comedy based on a true crime story, affable mortician Bernie Tiede strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow that goes tragically wrong. Provides insights into elements of the funeral business, the many roles funeral directors play and a great conversation starter. Stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey.

Death at a Funeral (2007  R, 1 hr. 30 min.) In this comedy, chaos ensues when a man tries to expose a dark secret regarding a recently deceased patriarch of a dysfunctional British family. Shows a funeral at home, the challenge of paying for a funeral and preparing a eulogy, and the general stress a death in the family can cause. There is also an American version of this film, made in 2010 featuring an African American family, starring Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence. Peter Dinklage is in both versions of the film. Rough language warning.

Departures (2008  PG-13, 2 hr. 10 min.) This charming Oscar-winning Japanese film follows the journey of an unemployed cellist who takes a job preparing the dead for funerals. Shows the importance of encountering the dead, Japanese traditions for funerals and cremation, and how grief can be repressed and expressed.

Elizabethtown (2005  PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.) This romantic comedy with a wonderful soundtrack incorporates the similarities of weddings and funerals, the clash of cultures between people in the South and the West regarding burial and cremation, illustrates different kinds of grief, and shows an ash-scattering road trip. Stars include Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon.

Eulogy (2004  R, 1 hr. 31 min.) This black comedy follows three generations of a family who come together for the funeral of the patriarch. Not only does the story uncover a litany of family secrets and covert relationships, it features scenes that can prompt discussions of estate planning, funeral planning, the challenge of writing a eulogy, and how to do your own Viking funeral.

Get Low (2009  PG-13, 1hr. 43 min.) This film is based on a true story of a man who threw his own funeral party while he was still alive. Set in the 1930s, it provides a glimpse into the evolution of the funeral business and shows the elements of planning and implementing an unorthodox funeral. Stars Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek.

Getting Grace (2017  PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.) Funeral directors loved this film when it debuted. Getting Grace follows a spirited and terminally ill teenage girl named Grace who, instead of sulking about her prognosis, bursts into a funeral home to ask about what happens after death. Her curiosity and irreverent charm shake up the life of a reserved funeral director, Bill Jankowski, and everyone else she encounters.

The Farewell (2019  PG, 1 hr. 40 min.) A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while to live and decide to keep her in the dark. They schedule a wedding so everyone can gather and celebrate her before she dies. It illustrates cross-cultural divides between East and West about death, anticipatory grief, and living while dying, embracing joy, connection and ritual.

Grand Theft Parsons (2003  PG-13, 1hr. 28 min.) This is based on the true story of the hijacking of musician Gram Parsons body after his untimely death in 1973 from an overdose at the age of 26. His road manager Phil Kaufman steals the body to fulfill a pledge to set his spirit free in Joshua Tree National Park. Includes insights on body shipment, wills, hearses, and setting a body on fire in the desert. Stars Johnny Knoxville, Robert Forster, and Christina Applegate.

Happy Funeral (2008  Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.) This Chinese film explores how a younger generation seeks to update traditional Chinese funeral rites with personalized, meaningful and even joyful ceremony. They approach a traditional funeral director with their ideas, and wind up putting together a most creative Happy Funeral for their beloved landlady. Dialogue is in Chinese with English subtitles.

Harold and Maude (1971  PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min.) This cult classic features Harold, a rich young man whos obsessed with death, who meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral. Shows several funerals, provides food for thought on living life to the fullest and exiting on ones own terms. Stars Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort and features a great soundtrack by Cat Stevens.

Just Buried (2007  PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.) A young man inherits a nearly bankrupt funeral home from his estranged father and falls in love with the female mortician on staff. Its a quirky comedy that explains embalming in detail, shows how pacemakers can make a crematorium explode, and looks at the details of running a funeral home. Favorite quote: I got a funeral home in a town where no one is dying.

Last Flag Flying (2017  R, 2 hr. 5 min.) Thirty years after they served together in Vietnam, a former Navy Corpsman reunites with two old buddies to bury his son, a young Marine killed in the Iraq War. Looks at themes of fatherhood and loss, the long shadow of war for veterans, and military honors for the dead. Stars Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne in this comedy/drama.

The Loved One (1965  unrated, 2 hr. 2 min.) This satire of the funeral business skewers casket sales, funeral services, pet deaths and cemeteries, embalming and more. Stars Robert Morse as a young British poet who plans a funeral for his uncle and goes to work at a Hollywood cemetery/funeral home. Liberace appears as an outrageous casket salesman.

My Girl (1991  PG, 1 hr. 42 min.) A sweet story about a young girl growing up in a family-owned funeral home. Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father works to balance work and life. Shows funeral home operations in the 1970s, that funeral directors have lives beyond their work, and different aspects of grief. Stars Anna Chlumsky, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis.

My Mexican Shivah (2007  not rated, 1 hr. 38 min.) This comedy from Mexico focuses on Jewish funeral traditions, including the rituals leading up to the funeral through the seven-day mourning period after the burial. Dialogue is in Spanish and Yiddish with English subtitles.

Noras Will (2008  not rated, 1 hr. 32 min.) This award-winning comedy/drama from Mexico focuses on Jewish funeral traditions related to suicide, keeping the deceased company prior to burial, scheduling around holidays, and more. Spanish with English subtitles.

The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009  PG-13, 1hr. 35 min.) A comedic cautionary tale for those who dont make funeral plans or make those plans but get married multiple times and change their plans. Henry Lefays daughter tries to arrange her fathers funeral while contending with all his ex-wives. Stars include Tim Allen, Elisha Cuthbert and Andie MacDowell.

Taking Chance (2009  TV-PG, 1 hr. 17 min.) Based on real-life events, Kevin Bacon stars as a voluntary military escort officer who accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. A moving account of the steps taken to honor those who die in military service. Without a witness it just disappears.

This is Where I Leave You (2014  R, 1 hr. 43 min.) In this comedy/drama, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home to sit shivah for a week after their father dies. Along with their over-sharing mother, theres an assortment of spouses, exes and others who come to the house where grief, dysfunction and the ties that bind collide. Stars include Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Jane Fonda. For the next seven days, you are all my children again and you are all grounded.

Undertaking Betty (2002  PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.) Originally titled Plots with a View, this comedy focuses on a woman whose husband is cheating on her and a traditional undertaker who has been in love with her since childhood. A progressive funeral director, new to this small town in Wales, shakes things up with personalized celebrations of life, including a Star Trek funeral. Stars Brenda Blethyn, Alfred Molina and Christopher Walken. Keep in mind, the root word of funeral is fun.

Waking Ned Devine (1998, PG  1 hr. 31 min.) When Ned Devine wins the lottery, he dies from the shock. Two longtime friends in this small remote town in Ireland discover his death and determine that bachelor Ned would have wanted his neighbors to benefit from his good fortune. The trick is to convince the lottery official that Ned is still alive. This comedy includes a moving eulogy about the idea of being present at your own funeral. The words spoken at a funeral are too late for the man who has died.

Mortality Movies with The Doyenne of Death

Love movies? Death curious? Looking for a way to start conversations with loved ones about end-of-life issues? Subscribe to Mortality Movies with the Doyenne of Death to get full access to Gail Rubins newsletter on Substack. Shes been helping people laugh about our 100% mortality rate and plan for the inevitable since 2010. Shes a pioneering death educator, author, speaker, Death Cafe host, Mortality Movies maven and coordinator of the Before I Die New Mexico Festival. Learn more here.

Related
British pork is heading to Mexican plates in a 19 million export breakthrough, as UK farmers secure access to one of the worlds fastest-growing pork markets.

Twelve businesses across England and Northern Ireland have been granted approval to export a range of British pork productsincluding pork chops, offal, and by-productsto Mexico, following eight years of talks.

UK pork producers, recognised globally for high welfare standards and premium quality, now gain access to a market where pork consumption has increased by over 5% annually between 2019 and 2024.

Mexican consumers show strong demand for a wide variety of pork cuts, including offal and other parts less popular in the UK but prized in traditional dishes.

Approval includes both English and Northern Irish exporters, with access for Northern Ireland secured through separate, dedicated talks with Mexican authorities.

The agreement is expected to benefit the entire pork supply chain by boosting the value of pork by-products, improving carcass balance, and helping lift farmgate prices for producers.

The deal creates pathway for additional opportunities in lucrative Mexican market where consumption grows 5.4% annually, with tariffs set to disappear.

Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner said: British pork is renowned for its exceptional quality and high welfare standards, so it's no surprise to see global demand continuing to grow.

This is a tremendous win for our pork producers and builds on our recent success in resuming exports to China.

Levy board AHDB, which supported the negotiations, welcomed the development: Access and broadening the scope of our pig meat exports to the significant Mexican market is very welcome news."

The deal also sets the stage for future trade advantages. Once Mexico ratifies the UKs accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), existing 20% tariffs on pork will be removedfurther enhancing competitiveness for British exports.

It also builds on recent export wins, such as US market access for British lamb and beetroot, as well as the lifting of Covid-era restrictions on unprocessed pork exports to China.
BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Italian musical "The Divine Comedy" has been staged at the Beijing Century Theatre, as part of its first-ever nationwide tour in China to mark the 55th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic ties.

The iconic musical is adapted from a long narrative poem written by Italian poet Dante Alighieri in the 14th century, which depicts an imagined journey through hell, purgatory and paradise.

The staging of this musical in China marks not only the revival of a literary classic but also serves as a significant reflection of the profound cultural exchange between China and Italy.

With blended music genres such as rock, pop and opera, the performance dazzled Beijing audiences with a contemporary interpretation of classic Italian literature.

It combines intricate stage mechanical installations with 70 immersive 3D projections, and boasts over 200 meticulously crafted costumes featuring embroidery, hand-sewn beadwork and special fabrics, showcasing both medieval elegance and mythological fantasy.

The musical was performed in Beijing from July 31 to August 3. It will visit other Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region during its 2025 China tour, delivering the charm of Italian culture to more Chinese people. 
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has expressed strong concern following President Donald Trumps announcement of new tariffs on multiple countries, warning of adverse effects on US retailers and consumers.

In an official statement, David French, NRF executive vice president of government relations, urged the administration to prioritise trade agreements that reducenot raisetariffs. Tariffs are taxes paid by US importers and are eventually passed along to US consumers, he said, cautioning that the result would be higher prices, decreased hiring, fewer capital expenditures and slower innovation.

French noted that while retailers have so far managed to keep prices stable, the newly announced tariffs will begin to affect merchandise costs in the coming weeks. We have heard directly from small retailers who are concerned about their ability to stay in business in the face of these unsustainable tariff rates, he added.

NRF has raised alarms over new tariffs announced by Trump, warning they will drive up costs for US consumers and threaten retail jobs. NRF's David French urged the administration to lower tariffs through trade agreements, stating the added costs are unsustainable for small retailers. NRF cautioned that escalating tariffs could disrupt the retail sector and reduce affordability for American shoppers.

The NRF called on the administration to pursue binding trade agreements that genuinely open markets, warning that further tariff escalation could severely disrupt the retail ecosystem and consumer affordability.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
The UK manufacturing sector showed tentative signs of stabilisation at the start of Q3, with the S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI inching up to 48.0 in July from 47.7 in Junea six-month high. While the index remained below the neutral 50 mark, indicating contraction for the tenth consecutive month, the rate of decline in output was the mildest since the current downturn began.

Business optimism improved to a five-month high, driven by expectations of a future recovery, new product launches and internal improvements. Nonetheless, sentiment stayed below the long-run average, weighed down by weak demand, policy uncertainty, and global trade challenges, S&P Global said in a press release.

Output shrank for the ninth month in a row, but contraction was notably softer. Consumer and intermediate goods producers returned to growth after prolonged declines, though investment goods output worsened. New orders fell at a quicker pace, extending a ten-month slide, with firms citing low client confidence and tighter budgetspartly influenced by recent government decisions on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

UK manufacturing showed tentative stabilisation in July, with the PMI rising to a six-month high of 48.0, though still in contraction for the tenth month. Output declined at the slowest pace in the current downturn, and business optimism improved. However, weak domestic and export demand, rising costs, job cuts, and policy uncertainty continued to weigh heavily on the sector's overall performance.

Export orders declined for the 42nd straight month, reflecting global tariff concerns, Brexit-related frictions, and rising foreign competition. Weaker demand was reported from key markets including North America, the EU, India, and China.

Employment in the sector continued to shrink, with July marking the ninth consecutive month of job losses. Hiring freezes and layoffs were reportedly used to offset cost pressures stemming from wage and tax reforms. Backlogs fell further despite reduced capacity, indicating under-utilisation of resources.

Stocks of finished goods declined for a sixth month, while purchasing activity and input inventories were also cut to align with softer demand. Although cost pressures remained stable overall, firms noted rising transport, shipping, and supplier charges.

Despite glimmers of hope, the data underscores a sector still under stress, with subdued domestic and international conditions tempering any immediate recovery.

Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: The UK manufacturing sector is starting to send some tentatively encouraging signals, with the downturn moderating in July as factory output came close to stabilising and future output expectations hit the highest since February. However, its clear that theres no assured path back to strong growth. Clients in the home market often remain unwilling to spend due to cost factors such as higher minimum wages and employer NICs, while export markets are being buffeted by geopolitical stresses and trade and tariff uncertainties.

The biggest concern remains the labour market, with the rate of job cutting through much of 2025 among the steepest since the pandemic year of 2020. With the Autumn budget only a few months away, manufacturers will likely remain cautious and focussed on stabilisation while waiting to see if future budget announcements provide much needed support or further challenges to overcome."

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana, and Varun Sharma are coming together for the first time in a new film titled Side Heroes. Produced by Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain under Mahaveer Jain Films and Lyca Productions, the film is a lighthearted but emotional journey into friendship, memory, and joy.



Actors, andare coming together for the first time in a new film. Produced by Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain under Mahaveer Jain Films and Lyca Productions, the film is a lighthearted but emotional journey into friendship, memory, and joy.

special surprise on Friendship Day, gave fans a glimpse of the films cheerful vibe. Directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy and written by Siddarth Sen and Pankaj Matta, Side Heroes promises to be a mix of laughter and life lessons.



The story follows three childhood friends who meet again at a school reunion after years of being apart. Through their catch-ups and late-night conversations, they explore their past dreams, missed chances, and what happiness really means today. Set against a backdrop of nostalgia, the film offers a blend of humour and heartwarming emotions.



The announcement was made as a, gave fans a glimpse of the films cheerful vibe.and written by Siddarth Sen and Pankaj Matta,promises to be a mix of laughter and life lessons.The story follows three childhood friends who meet again at a school reunion after years of being apart. Through their catch-ups and late-night conversations, they explore their past dreams, missed chances, and what happiness really means today. Set, the film offers a blend of humour and heartwarming emotions.

All the three lead actors  Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana and Varun Sharma are known for their natural comic timing and relatable screen presence. Fans can expect a lot of fun as the trio share screen space and bring their characters to life.





The producers, Mahaveer Jain and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, shared, Stories told from the heart and for the heart always resonate with us. Side Heroes is a script that we instantly related to, the tale of three friends looking back at their life during a reunion, told through the filter of humor and emotions. Its just the kind of film that excites all of us. We are looking forward to this journey with the amazingly talented cast and crew





The film will go on floors soon and is expected to release next year around Friendship Day. With its warm storyline and a promising cast, Side Heroes could be one of the most relatable films about friendships in recent times.







Also Read: Abhimanyu Dasani hosts a bash for his friends from the industry


Pawan Kalyan in a still from OG

Pawan Kalyan plays a gangster in OG

The euphoria is back among the fans of. The makers of his upcoming film(They Call Him OG) have released the much-awaitedThe song looks pulsating ands music seems to be elevating the narrative.Firestorm is athat is a mix ofThe song appears like celebrating the relentless power of the OG. The powerful lyrics, packed with swagger and grit, seems to be like a perfect tribute tos larger-than-life onscreen persona. Actor(Simbu) lent his vocals to the track making it all the more intense.

With Firestorm, the makers have officially commenced OG promotions. The track captures the rebellious spirit and tone of the film. Fans of Pawan Kalyan have already started celebrating the song  they are whistling and cheering the hook lines in the track when the number is played in theatres. Memes, fan edits and messages that capture the spirit of the fans are being circulated in social media. Pawan Kalyan garus fans are lauding the song as a battle cry perfectly complementing the gangster vibe of the film. They are even drawing parallels to global anthems of rebellion. We are thrilled to see the response for the song from the fans. What makes the number beautiful is Pawan garus characteristic and signature look, body language and the music score thats perfectly in sync with his personality, said producer DVV Danayya.



OG revolves around a ruthless don named Ojas Gambheera "OG" who returns to Mumbai following his ten year disappearance, to kill another crime boss, Omi Bhau. Directed by Sujeeth, OG also features Emraan Hashmi, Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, and Prakash Raj in key roles. The film is set to be released on September 25, 2025.

Also Read: Emraan Hashmi Recovers From Dengue; Resumes Shooting for Pawan Kalyans OG
Vijay Deverakonda in Kingdom movie

Rashmika Mandanna

:

s latest releasehas beenfrom the critics and his fans alike. But it looks like actresswanted to get a first-hand feel of the audience reaction and experience the euphoria. According to Kingdom producer Nava Vamsi, Rashmika secretly watched the action thriller at a single screen theater in Hyderabad.While reports ofandemerge often, the latest development adds fuel to their. A couple of days ago, Rashmika cheered for Vijay saying, Manam Kottinam, (we did it) on social mediaof the Kingdom. She was pumped about the response and the positive feedback the film has got. But heres another interesting development. During the films promotions, producer Naga Vamsi revealed an interesting anecdote. He stated that the actress watched the film in disguise on the first day. Rashmika garu such a huge fan of Vijay that she tried to catch up with Kingdom at Sriramulu theater (in Hyderabad) but she was denied permission due to security reasons. But she secretly went to watch the film in disguise like a common man at Brahmarambha theater, said the producer. His statement hasof Vijay and Rashmika's growing bond.After the producers revelation, many netizens acknowledged Rashmikas gesture of watching Kingdom in disguise as her way of expressing love. The timeline of the comments section was filled with messages that describe their mutual admiration. Last month,and wished the team good luck after stating that the entire cast is filled with his personal favorites (Dhanush, Nagarjuna and of course, Rashmika Mandanna). Neither Vijay nor Rashmika confirmed their relationship and continued to maintain stoic silence. But fans of both the stars observe that their gestures for each other isof their love and affection.
Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - August 3, 2025) - The Dr. Hazem Afifi Scholarship for Medical Students is now officially open for applications, inviting undergraduate students across the United States who are pursuing careers in medicine, nursing, or related healthcare disciplines to apply for a one-time award. Spearheaded by Dr. Hazem Afifi, a distinguished and board-certified medical professional based in Las Vegas, this scholarship initiative reflects his unwavering commitment to education, academic excellence, and the future of healthcare.

Dr. Hazem Afifi Launches Nationwide Scholarship to Support Aspiring Medical and Nursing Students Across the U.S.

With an application deadline of February 15, 2026, the Dr. Hazem Afifi Scholarship for Medical Students is open to all eligible undergraduate students currently enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges or universities. The scholarship recognizes individuals who demonstrate strong academic performance, a genuine commitment to the medical profession, and a passion for patient-centered care.

Applicants are required to submit an original 500-700 word essay addressing the prompt:

"What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine or nursing, and how do you plan to make a meaningful impact in the lives of your future patients?"

Submissions will be reviewed based on clarity, originality, personal insight, and alignment with the core values of the scholarship program. The recipient of the scholarship will be officially announced on March 15, 2026.

Dr. Hazem Afifi has built a career defined by clinical excellence, academic involvement, and a sincere interest in mentoring future leaders in healthcare. Throughout his medical journey, he has engaged with students from diverse backgrounds, encouraging them to embrace their passion for healing and service. With the introduction of this scholarship, Dr. Hazem Afifi aims to support students not only financially but also by recognizing their potential and validating their dedication to improving patient outcomes.

This scholarship is not limited by geographic region, allowing students from all states and cities across the United States to apply, thereby reinforcing Dr. Hazem Afifi's belief in equitable access to opportunity and education. By removing regional limitations, the initiative ensures that qualified individuals from all communities can benefit from this academic support.

The Dr. Hazem Afifi Scholarship for Medical Students represents more than just a financial contribution; it stands as a symbol of encouragement and acknowledgment for future healthcare professionals at a formative stage of their educational path. The scholarship is a reflection of Dr. Hazem Afifi's lifelong mission to foster a healthier future through education, mentorship, and support for the next generation of practitioners.

To learn more about the scholarship criteria and to access the application portal, students are encouraged to visit the official website: https://drhazemafifischolarship.com/.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260985

SOURCE: GYT
Springfield, Missouri--(Newsfile Corp. - August 3, 2025) - The Dr. Louis Krenn Medical Scholarship, founded by seasoned Family Medicine physician Dr. Louis Krenn, is now officially open for applications from undergraduate and medical students pursuing careers in medicine across the United States. The scholarship aims to recognize and support emerging medical leaders who are committed to service, innovation, and compassion in healthcare-values that define Dr. Louis Krenn's own professional journey.





Dr. Louis Krenn Launches Nationwide Medical Scholarship to Support Aspiring Healthcare Professionals Across the U.S.



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Open to current undergraduate or medical students enrolled in accredited U.S. institutions, the scholarship invites applicants to submit an original essay addressing the prompt: "Medicine is more than a career-it's a calling. What inspired you to pursue a path in healthcare, and how do you hope to shape the future of medicine through your work?"

Essays will be evaluated based on originality, depth of reflection, and alignment with the core principles upheld by Dr. Louis Krenn throughout his career in clinical practice and healthcare leadership.

The Dr. Louis Krenn Medical Scholarship reflects a long-standing commitment to education and mentorship. Throughout his more than 20 years in medicine, Dr. Louis Krenn has served in numerous leadership roles, including Medical Director of Ambulatory Clinical Efficiency, Chief Medical Information Officer, and Director of Telehealth, while also actively mentoring medical, nursing, and physician assistant students. His multifaceted career demonstrates a consistent dedication to improving clinical systems, expanding access to care through telehealth, and preparing future physicians for the challenges of modern medicine.

Applicants must be enrolled in a pre-med or medical track and submit a thoughtful essay of 500 to 800 words. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2026, and the winner will be announced on April 15, 2026.

This scholarship is not limited by geography and is available to students across all U.S. states, encouraging a broad and inclusive pool of future medical professionals to reflect on their aspirations and personal motivations for entering the healthcare field.

The scholarship is guided by Dr. Louis Krenn's belief that medical students are not only training to treat patients but also shaping the future of healthcare systems, access, and innovation. This initiative is a tangible continuation of his mission to support meaningful progress in medicine-through those who will carry the torch forward.

The Dr. Louis Krenn Medical Scholarship will be awarded to one student whose essay best captures the spirit of dedication to patient care and forward-thinking healthcare solutions. By focusing on both the personal calling and the broader impact of future physicians, the scholarship honors the legacy and leadership of Dr. Louis Krenn, while also investing in the promise of tomorrow's medical professionals.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260981

SOURCE: GYT
Niceville, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - August 3, 2025) - The Dr. Ian Weisberg Scholarship for Medical Students has officially opened applications for its 2025 award cycle, offering a unique opportunity for undergraduate students across the United States who are pursuing a future in medicine. Created by esteemed cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Ian Weisberg, the scholarship is designed to support students demonstrating academic excellence and a compelling commitment to shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, compassion, and clinical leadership.





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Open to undergraduate students enrolled in accredited colleges or universities, the scholarship invites applicants to submit a thoughtful and original essay addressing the following prompt: "Medicine is not just about treating illness-it is about understanding the human condition and making a meaningful impact on people's lives. How do you envision yourself contributing to the future of healthcare? What drives your passion for medicine, and how do you plan to make a difference in the lives of your patients and the world?"

Essays should be between 800 and 1,200 words and will be evaluated on originality, clarity, passion, and alignment with the values of the scholarship. The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2025, and the selected recipient will be announced on November 15, 2025.

Dr. Ian Weisberg-a highly respected figure in the medical field-brings decades of clinical expertise and a lifelong commitment to patient care, procedural advancement, and medical mentorship. Through this scholarship initiative, Dr. Ian Weisberg is further extending his mission of supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders. He has held pivotal roles at institutions such as the Okaloosa Heart and Vascular Center and the Heart Rhythm Center in Florida, where his work has contributed to life-saving procedures including atrial fibrillation ablations and the implantation of cardiac devices.

While the Dr. Ian Weisberg Scholarship for Medical Students bears his name, the focus of the program lies firmly on the future-on nurturing students with the vision, empathy, and dedication required to meet tomorrow's medical challenges. Dr. Ian Weisberg has continually advocated for education and access in medicine, believing firmly that talent and passion should never be hindered by financial constraints.

As part of his broader philanthropic efforts, Dr. Ian Weisberg has also worked internationally, notably contributing to the design and planning of electrophysiology infrastructure at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. These experiences continue to shape his belief in equipping young medical professionals with the tools to create a global impact.

This scholarship is not bound by geography-students from any region in the United States are encouraged to apply. The program's national reach ensures that diverse voices and perspectives from across the country are represented.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the official scholarship website at https://drianweisbergscholarship.com/ for full eligibility details and essay submission guidelines.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260983

SOURCE: GYT
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - August 3, 2025) - Doctorshire announced the nationwide release of its private healthcare booking platform, giving patients across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland a straightforward way to find specialists and confirm appointments online at no charge. The rollout brings together searchable listings for doctors, dentists, and a wide range of health professionals, with clear profiles and patient feedback to support informed choices.





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How the platform helps patients

Patients can look up providers by specialism, city or region, and participating insurer, then request a time that suits them-without phone queues or email chains. Each listing sets out the clinician's areas of interest, clinic details, and recent reviews, so users can compare options before booking. The site also includes plain-English guides to conditions, procedures, and treatments to help patients prepare for consultations; these resources are for background only and do not replace medical advice.

Support for practices

Doctorshire also serves clinics and individual practitioners who wish to reach new patients. Providers can create a profile, keep practice information up to date, and manage appointment enquiries from across the UK. A no-cost trial is available for practices that want to see how the listing and booking tools work before committing.

Built for London, available everywhere

While the service is open to the whole country, Doctorshire maintains a particularly deep roster of specialists in London, reflecting the city's concentration of private clinics. Patients in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, and other hubs get the same experience: clear profiles, reviews, and online booking.

Looking Ahead

The company's roadmap includes smarter search filters, optional teleconsultation, and closer links with insurers to shorten the time from research to confirmed appointment. These updates are intended to cut admin for practices and make access to care faster for patients.

About Doctorshire.com

Doctorshire connects patients with private doctors, dentists, and health specialists across the United Kingdom. The platform offers free online booking, open provider profiles, and patient reviews to help people choose the right clinician, while giving practices simple tools to grow their presence and manage enquiries. Learn more at www.doctorshire.com.

Note: Doctorshire does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Media Contact

Company: Doctorshire

Email: contact@doctorshire.com

Website: https://www.doctorshire.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261054

SOURCE: GYT
ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 migrants died and dozens remain missing after a smuggling boat carrying around 150 African migrants sank off the coast of Abyan Province in southern Yemen, Yemeni sources said Sunday.

An anonymous local official told Xinhua that the boat overturned late Saturday night at around 11:00 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) due to strong winds.

Field teams recovered more than 20 bodies from the shores of Shaqra and Zinjibar cities on Sunday morning, while 12 survivors were rescued and transferred to Shaqra General Hospital for treatment, the official said, noting that dozens of migrants remain missing.

Security authorities in Abyan said they were continuing a large-scale humanitarian operation to recover the bodies of the drowned migrants.

A statement from the Abyan Security Directorate said that security forces are carrying out a wide-ranging humanitarian operation to retrieve the bodies of a large number of irregular migrants of Ethiopian origin, who drowned while attempting to illegally enter Yemeni territory aboard smuggling boats from the Horn of Africa.

According to the statement, authorities have begun transporting the bodies to hospitals in Zinjibar as part of intensive rescue and humanitarian efforts, despite limited resources. Many bodies were found scattered along different coastal areas, raising concerns that more victims may have been lost at sea.

The security authorities in Abyan called on all relevant local and international organizations to intervene urgently and take measures to halt the illegal migration flow through Yemeni territorial waters, said the statement.

African migrants continue to flow into Yemen, and upon arrival, face extremely harsh conditions in a country suffering from a decade-long conflict and what the United Nations describes as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. 
Actor Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to a sexual offense stemming from an appearance at a 2022 horror convention in New Jersey, according to his representatives and court records.

The 81-year-old Buddy Holly stars manager, Ron Sampson, said in an email Friday that the actor admitted to touching a womans buttocks over clothing during an 8-10 second photo op.

Busey entered a guilty plea to a single count of criminal sexual contact during a virtual hearing in state court in Camden on Thursday.

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The actor had been accused of inappropriately touching at least three women at the Monster-Mania Convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, a South Jersey town and suburb of Philadelphia.

Organizers of the event acknowledged at the time that an unnamed celebrity guest was removed from the convention and instructed not to return and that affected attendees were encouraged to contact police.

Busey had been scheduled as a featured guest for all three days of the event. He was initially charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact and one count of harassment.

Buseys lawyer, Blair Zwillman, confirmed Friday that the other charges were dropped as part of a plea deal reached with prosecutors. The actor faces up to five years probation and fines when he is sentenced Sept. 18.

In my view Mr. Busey was overcharged probably based on his star status, Zwillman said in an email. He could have just as easily been charged with the disorderly persons offense of harassment by offensive touching.

Spokespersons for Camden County prosecutors didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday.

Busey is widely known as a character actor, largely in supporting roles, though he came to attention and was nominated for an Oscar for best actor for playing the title role in the 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story.

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The actress and politician also said, I said the Supreme Court is a ray of hope for the common people of India who seek justice. Thats it. I didnt even mention the actor. Post that, I received incessant trolling.

Actress and former MP Divya Spandana revealed how she was facing abuse and rape threats from actor Darshan who is out on bail in a murder case. When Divya aka Ramya spoke about the murder case the actor was involved in, she had to go through relentless trolling and abuse as stated above.

Bengalurus Cyber Crime Police registered a case after the actress and politician filed a complaint. The actress has now issued a statement in the matter and this is what she had to say:

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Actress statement

I said the Supreme Court is a ray of hope for the common people of India who seek justice. Thats it. I didnt even mention the actor. Post that, I received incessant trolling. And this is not where people just call you a prostitute or a slut, which I think is a sad thing women have come to be immune to.

We have kind of made it a norm and just ignore it, and that shouldnt be the case. And I usually let those slide. But these were messages that explicitly described how I should be raped and how I should have been murdered instead of Renukaswamy.

Receiving nude photographs and videos

I also received a lot of video calls and audio calls which I didnt entertain. I was kind of shocked because as a public figure, people criticise you and sometimes make memes of you and in fact I have also, you know, have seen such memes of myself and laughed about it. But this was on another level. The thought that crossed my mind was that if they can do this to me, it shows they have complete disregard for women and for the law. They have no fear. And if they can do this to me, imagine what they must be sending to others who stand up for the truth.

As of now, two individuals have been arrested by Central Crime Branch (CCB) in the matter.
The actor also said, The film is called Tehran and once you enter Tehran, you are not going to be speaking in Hindi. I think my producer is best equipped to answer that question.

John Abrahams film Tehran has been awaiting its release since 2023. It finally releases on Zee5 during the Independence Day weekend. And in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actor broke his silence on the same.

John revealed, Its very disheartening. Im not going to mince my words on it, but it breaks your heart, especially for an actor who always wants to be seen on the big screen. But we all made a very informed decision on that. And the decision was that because of the conflicts and controversies that are happening around internationally.

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The actor added, Theatres were a little wary of picking up a film that had Iran and Israel in it. We had a choice of either showing the film somewhere or not showing it at all.

On the films limited audience

Zee5 has been gracious and told us they would be our platform. But it also breaks your heart as an actor who only wants to be seen on the big screen. I treat this more like a foreign film in a way. When you will see the film, you will understand that why it will not resonate with a larger audience. It has got a lot of Farsi in it and a lot of Hebrew in it. Its only 1 hour and 50 minutes long. Its got a lot of foreign language in it.

The film is called Tehran and once you enter Tehran, you are not going to be speaking in Hindi. I think my producer is best equipped to answer that question. Having said all of it, its finally coming out.
This operation follows a series of successful counter-terrorism missions in the region. Just days earlier, security forces neutralised Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre in Operation Mahadev

An Indian Army soldier looks out from an armoured vehicle on a highway leading to south Kashmir's Pahalgam, in Marhama village, in Kashmir. Reuters

In a significant escalation in counter-terrorism efforts, three terrorists were killed, and one soldier was injured in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district as Operation Akhal stretched into its third day on Sunday (August 3).

The operation, which has already resulted in the death of six terrorists, has put the spotlight on the relentless efforts of security forces to curb militancy in the region.

Operation based on precise intelligence inputs

The operation began on Friday when security forces, acting on precise intelligence inputs, launched a cordon and search operation in the dense Akhal forest area of south Kashmir.

The situation quickly escalated when a group of terrorists, concealed by the forest cover, opened fire on the joint team comprising the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

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An initial exchange of fire ensued, but operations were paused on Friday night due to challenging conditions.

On Saturday, the operation resumed with renewed intensity, resulting in the elimination of three terrorists.

According to reports, these individuals were affiliated with the Resistance Front (TRF), a splinter group of Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The TRF had previously claimed responsibility for the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

As the operation entered its third day, the Akhal forest area reverberated with the sounds of blasts and firing throughout the night.

High-tech surveillance systems and elite paramilitary units have been deployed to neutralise the remaining threats. The operation is being closely overseen by the Director General of Police (DGP) and the 15 Corps Commander.

This operation follows a series of successful counter-terrorism missions in the region. Just days earlier, security forces neutralised Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre in  Operation Mahadev near Srinagars Dachigam area. On July 29, another operation, dubbed Shiv Shakti, resulted in the killing of two additional terrorists by the Indian Army.

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Since the April 22 attack, security forces have made significant progress, eliminating approximately 20 high-profile terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
US President Donald Trump announced on July 30, 2025, that a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goodsalong with additional penalties over Indias continued engagement with Russiawould take effect from August 1, 2025. In a striking contradiction, he simultaneously claimed to have concluded a trade and energy deal with PakistanIndias traditional adversary. While India has no objection to such bilateral engagements between sovereign nations, Trump went a step further by stating, Who knows, maybe theyll be selling oil to India some day! This wasnt merely an offhand commentit was a calculated provocation.

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India and Pakistan are archrivals, and the idea of such dependence is not only unrealistic but also strategically unacceptable. By making such statements, Trump is not merely playing geopolitical gameshe is striking at the heart of Indias national security sensitivities and damaging a relationship that both countries have spent decades nurturing into a consequential partnership for the 21st century.

Trump has consistently hyphenated IndiaPakistan relations, weakening Indias position on cross-border terrorism by boosting Pakistans strategic confidence through repeated endorsements and by portraying both countries as equals. These actions have granted Pakistan undue strategic legitimacy, disregarding decades of US policy that sought to engage India as an independent and trusted strategic partner.

Trumps aimrepeated over 29 timesthat he personally brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan has been unequivocally denied by top Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. By drawing false parallels and exaggerating his role, Trump has jeopardised Indias core interests and eroded the trust carefully built by successive US administrations.

A Diplomatic Liability

Recently, Indias Parliament witnessed a heated debate in which opposition leaders urged Prime Minister Modi to directly refute Donald Trumps repeated claims that he brokered the recent IndiaPakistan ceasefire. But such directness is unlikely to yield results. Trump is not a leader who responds to logic or diplomacy. His erratic, impulsive, and reactive personality makes engagement unpredictable. Even if the Indian prime minister corrects him publicly, Trump may repeat the same claim in the eveningand again the next day. The problem lies in Washington, not New Delhi.

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This isnt a unique pattern. Trump turned against Elon Muska long-time supporterafter a minor disagreement, telling him to go back to South Africa and threatening to revoke federal subsidies supporting Tesla and SpaceX. Notably, Musk was the largest individual donor to Trumps 2024 campaign, contributing between $250 million and $290 million to pro-Trump political action committees.

Despite this staggering support, Trump turned on him without hesitationhighlighting his transactional nature and readiness to discard even his most generous allies over personal slights. Similarly, Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy had the foresight to distance himself from Trump early onan act of pragmatism that likely spared him from similar treatment.

Trump is not a conventional statesman. He governs through impulse-driven outbursts on Truth Social, his personal platform, bypassing standard diplomatic channels and norms. One cannot expect rational behaviour or consistency from someone so clearly erratic. Even when Indias prime minister and foreign minister have privately countered his claims, Trump has continued repeating the same falsehoods, showing a complete disregard for diplomatic engagement.

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Undermining Indias Core Sensitivities

By equating India and Pakistan, Trump has granted Pakistan undeserved strategic legitimacy and confidence, despite its entrenched history of sponsoring terrorism against India.

Recently, Pakistans army chief, General Asim Munir, was hosted by Trump at a private luncheon at the White Housean extraordinary and rare gesture, especially considering that only a handful of Pakistani generals have ever received such treatment. Trump went on to lavish praise on Munir, calling him extremely influential in stopping the conflict from the Pakistan side and crediting both Munir and Modi for preventing what he claimed could have escalated into a nuclear war. Adding to this, Centcom Commander General Michael Kurilla described Pakistan as a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world, blatantly ignoring its well-documented role in nurturing and exporting terrorist proxies.

This repeated validationthrough White House meetings, public praise, and exaggerated claims of Pakistans counter-terrorism roleundermines Indias diplomatic efforts to isolate state-sponsored terrorism. Praising a country that has itself sponsored terrorism against India is not only absurd but also adds insult to injury. Instead of backing Indias fight, Trumps gestures have offered moral and strategic encouragement to Pakistans military and political leadershiperoding the very trust that should define IndiaUS strategic ties.

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Deliberate Provocation and Strategic Damage

Trumps recent suggestion that India might import oil from Pakistan is not only absurdit appears to be a deliberate attempt to provoke and humiliate. While this may be part of a broader negotiation tactic aimed at pushing India into a trade deal, the damage inflicted on bilateral relations is severe. Trump has thrown the IndiaUS relationship into a Cold Warlike deep freeze, eroding trust and mutual respect that had taken decades to build.

This shift is not the result of Indias foreign policy. The problem lies squarely with Trump. Unlike his predecessorswho operated with a sense of dignity, stability, and strategic foresightTrump has pursued a chaotic, transactional approach that alienates allies and undermines shared interests. In one of his recent statements, Trump said:

I dont care if India is buying oil from Russia. I couldnt care less. Let them do whatever they want. They can take their dead economies down together for all I care.

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Such a statement is not only undiplomaticit reflects a complete disregard for the economic realities of global partnerships and disrespects a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific. Instead of reinforcing mutual interests, Trump has repeatedly chosen to antagonise, offend, and weaken the very relationship considered vital for regional balance and global stability and widely regarded as the defining partnership of the twenty-first century.

Moreover, Trumps ignorance of Indias crucial moderating role in Brics reveals his blindness to structural realities. Indias presence in Brics has ensured the group remains a non-Western coalition rather than an anti-Western alliance. Without India, BRICS could have adopted an anti-dollar currency or an explicitly adversarial posture. But explaining such nuance to an impulsive and transactional US leadership seems futile. Trump is unableor unwillingto grasp the strategic logic of true partnerships.

Rebuilding Trust: A Long Road Ahead

The trust deficit between India and the US has widened significantly. Even those in India who once firmly believed in the potential of the bilateral relationship now feel disillusioned. But India has weathered such storms before. After the 1998 nuclear tests, the United States imposed sanctions on India. Back in 1971, it had deployed the Seventh Fleet to the Bay of Bengal in an attempt to intimidate India during the Bangladesh Liberation War. India didnt bow down thenand it wont now.

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India will adapt and find its path, just as it has done in the past. As Indias leadership has repeatedly stated, every step will be taken to secure national interest. However, the damage inflicted by Trumps erratic and impulsive leadership means that restoring faith in the relationship will take years, if not decades. Moving forward, we can expect a greater degree of scepticism and a likely recalibration of Indias foreign policy posturepossibly including greater resistance to US alignment.

Trumps presidency has sown the seeds of growing anti-American sentiment in Indian strategic circles. His words and actionsespecially repeated endorsements of Pakistan and disregard for Indias strategic concernshave not just weakened the IndiaUS partnership; they have dented the very idea of trust in global diplomacy. As The Economic Times recently noted, doubts over US reliability are once again taking root in Indian foreign policy circles, and thats a serious blow to what was once considered the defining partnership of the twenty-first century.

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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.
An Indian Army soldier looks out from an armoured vehicle on a highway leading to south Kashmir's Pahalgam, in Marhama village, in Kashmir. File image/ Reuters

On April 22, 2025, Baisaran, a higher valley above Pahalgam, echoed not with the laughter of visiting tourists but with gunfire. Armed terrorists emerged from the pine forest, forcing tourists to line up and demanding they recite Islamic verses. Those who faltered were executed on the spot. Twenty-six civilians, including a Nepali national and several newlyweds, were murdered in what was no random killing but a calculated Hindu massacre. Among the dead was Manjunath, visiting Kashmir with his wife, Pallavi, and son, who survived only because a terrorist chillingly told Pallavi, I wont kill you. Go and tell Modi.

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Intelligence inputs revealed that the perpetrators were foreign terrorists, affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a UN-proscribed terror outfit headquartered in Muridke, Pakistan. Forensic teams later confirmed that terrorists used Chinese AK-47s and American M4 carbine assault rifles. The men were trained killers, infiltrated via Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), supported by Pakistans military, and facilitated by its intelligence agency, the ISI.

As grief engulfed the nation, action followed. Within hours, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was on the ground in Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi state visit and convened the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting just off the tarmac at Delhi Airport the next day.

By then Intelligence had identified the terrorists: Suleiman, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, all Pakistani nationals trained in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Armed with solid evidence directly implicating Pakistan, PM Modi swiftly ordered immediate diplomatic and economic countermeasures against Islamabad. Citing material breach, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, with Modi asserting that blood and water cannot flow together.

Pakistans diplomats were expelled, and all visas were cancelled. Simultaneously, Indias security establishment swiftly mobilised to deliver its own decisive response. The reply came on May 7 when a deep-penetration multi-strike into PoJK and Pakistans Punjab province codenamed Operation Sindoor obliterated nurseries of terror across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.

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PM Modi named the operation Sindoor, a word that connotes both sanctity and bereavement: many of the Baisaran victims were newly married Hindu couples, their crimson vermilion barely set before widowhood descended.

Guided by satellite reconnaissance and advanced targeting technologies, Indian Armed Forces executed a series of exquisitely calibrated strikes against nine terrorist redoubts: Lashkar-e-Taibas Sawai Nala and Bilal camps in Muzaffarabad; Jaish-e-Mohammeds Gulpur and Abbas facilities in Kotli; and, most infamously, the sprawling Markaz Taiba at Muridke, the very academy that trained the gunmen who ravaged Mumbai in 2008. The barrage then shifted southwest to Bahawalpur, where Markaz Subhanallah, the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and its founder, Masood Azhar, was reduced to rubble.

These were no indiscriminate strikes but the surgical excision of Pakistans radical jihadist terror infrastructure: more than one hundred terrorists, including senior trainers and recruiters, were eliminated. Islamabads protestations of civilian casualties and religious infrastructure swiftly unravelled when leaked images revealed state funerals for UN-proscribed, now-dead terrorists, coffins draped in the Pakistani national flag, borne by officers of the ISI, local police, and the Pakistan Army.

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Pakistans riposte to the Indian strikes on terror was a blunt show of asymmetric force; swarms of Turkish-made Songar and STM Kargu and Chinese-supplied drones targeted Indian civilians in cities such as Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Surat, while heavy artillery raked the LoC along Samba, Poonch, Rajouri, and more, indiscriminately hitting Gurdwaras, churches, and temples along the LoC. Indias layered, largely indigenous air defence web, fronted by made-in-India S-400 batteries at Adampur and backed by Akash and Barak-8 interceptors, shot down almost all of those unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering ammo, an effectiveness the world witnessed in awe and defence equipment companies scrambled to comprehend.

Recognising that Pakistan had decided to hit its civilians, New Delhi swiftly switched from defence to punishment: in a 22-minute blitz, cued by space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and AI-fused targeting, India crippled Pakistans air infrastructure, flattening drone hubs at Murid, gutting fighter pens at Rafiqui and Chunian, shattering Sukkurs runway, and knocking Nur Khans AWACS shelters offline.

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With radar screens dark and sortie rates collapsed, Pakistans Director-General of Military Operations rang his Indian counterpart to plead for an immediate stoppage of firing. PM Modi informed Parliament that India accepted, without a hint of external mediation, its objective achieved and its message unmistakably clear.

While Islamabad scrambled to tender repairs for its obliterated airbases, New Delhi redoubled the hunt on home soil. Operation Mahadev, an integrated sweep by the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police, shadowed the Baisaran terrorists through dense woodland for fourteen weeks until, on July 28, 2025, the Baisaran terrorist trio was surrounded and neutralised in a Dachigam forest block outside Srinagar, under the brooding silhouette of Mount Mahadev.

Among the items recovered were the very AK-47s used in the Baisaran Hindu massacre, Pakistani voter-identity cards, and chocolate bars stamped Made in Lahore. When Indias Home Minister, Amit Shah, rose in Parliament to confirm the terrorists deaths, his statement was met with thunderous applause. More than 1,000 local residents had been interviewed, those who harboured them were arrested, and the bodies were identified by courageous citizens.

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Building on the precedent set by the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, Operation Sindoor established an entirely new threshold. Henceforth, any terrorist assault upon Indian soil will be treated as an act of war; New Delhi will draw no distinction between the terrorists and the state that shelters them; and Pakistans habitual nuclear blackmail will no longer afford it protection. Above all, Operation Sindoor remains unfinished business. The era of strategic restraint was laid to rest and replaced by offensive defence, the doctrine championed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The policy shift is historical.

However, for several decades Islamabads proxy war has been personified by a succession of Pakistani nationals who slipped across the LoC, wrought carnage, and, in most cases, died on Indian soil. Mast Gul set the grim template in 1995 when, leading Harkat-ul-Ansar terrorists, he torched the revered Charar-e-Sharief and escaped to a heros welcome in PoJK. A generation later Lashkar-e-Taibas Abu Qasim masterminded the August 5, 2015, Udhampur highway ambush that killed Border Security Force troopers, only to fall in a Kulgam encounter that October.

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His mantle passed to Abu Dujana, whose video-broadcast bravado masked a record of hit-and-run assaults on Pampore and other army posts until he was gunned down in Pulwama in August 2017. That same year, LeT gunman Abu Ismail planned the Amarnath Yatra bus attack, murdering eight Hindu pilgrims; he lasted barely two months before being cornered on Srinagars outskirts.

The most notorious of the lot, Naveed Jatt, escaped police custody from Srinagars SMHS Hospital in 2018, assassinated senior Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari, and was himself neutralised by the Indian Security forces that November in Budgam.

Each terrorist enjoyed ISI facilitation, specialised in high-profile ambushes designed for maximum communal shock, and left behind a trail of civilian and security-force deaths that highlight how PoJKs occupation has resulted in its curation as a factory for cross-border terror.

While the amendment of Article 370 of the Indian constitution in 2019 changed the ground reality. With local terrorist recruitment drying up, Pakistan turned increasingly to foreign fighters. The target killing of Hindus, labourers in Kashmir under the false pretext of domicile recipients, the Reasi terror attack in 2024, and the Baisaran Hindu massacre in 2025 are proof of Pakistani desperation, and Indias reply is proof of capability.

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Ultimately, enduring security in the Himalayas hinges on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir and the Pakistan-occupied Territories of Ladakh (PoTL), illegally occupied in 1947 and methodically fashioned into a crucible of jihad.

Muzaffarabads training grids and the Neelum Valleys shadowed ravines continue to disgorge terrorists and hateful indoctrination across the Line of Control; so long as these launchpads and extremist ideologues persist, peace will remain elusive.

Now, grief has hardened into resolve: from Srinagars streets to Rameshwarams shores, Indians of every shade stand united behind decisive action. The strategic verdict is clear: deterrence alone is no longer enough. Hence, Indias strategy must now include not just offensive defence but reclamation.

Rahul Pawa is an international criminal lawyer and director of research at New Delhi based think tank Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The discovery brings a heartbreaking end to a search that gripped local authorities and communities since the group was reported missing earlier this week.

Their vehicle was located on Saturday, at approximately 9:30 pm, off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road.

Four senior citizens of Indian origin, who vanished during a road trip from New York to Pennsylvania a few days back, have been found dead following a vehicle crash, the Marshall County Sheriffs Office confirmed.

The discovery brings a heartbreaking end to a search that gripped local authorities and communities since the group was reported missing earlier this week.

On Saturday (August 2), at approximately 9:30 pm, the familys vehicle was located off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, several miles from the highway.

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Emergency responders found their vehicle at the bottom of the remote, rugged terrain, in what the Sheriffs Department described as one of their most challenging recovery efforts, taking over five hours to access the scene.

Who are the deceased individuals?

The deceased individuals are Dr. Kishore Divan, 89; Asha Divan, 85; Shailesh Divan, 86; and Gita Divan, 84.

According to reports, before going missing, the group was last spotted at a Burger King on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 29.

Their last known credit card transaction also took place at this location. The family was travelling in a light green Toyota Camry with a New York license plate, EKW2611, en route to the Palace of Gold in Marshall County, a well-known religious site established by disciples of Swami Prabhupada, the founder of Isckon.

The group had planned to stay at the Palace of Gold on Tuesday night, but according to WTRF.com, police confirmed that they never checked in. Adding to concerns, none of the four answered their phones since July 29, with cell tower data last detecting signals from their devices around 3 am on Wednesday in Moundsville.

Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty earlier told WTOV News9, We have a few leads that we and surrounding law enforcement agencies are investigating, but have not yet located the missing persons.

Authorities had escalated their efforts, deploying helicopters and additional search teams to comb the area.

This case follows another recent disappearance involving an Indian national. In June, a 24-year-old woman named Simran went missing in New Jersey shortly after arriving for an arranged marriage. Investigators at the time suggested she may not have intended to marry and could have used the trip as an opportunity to travel to the United States.

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Armed groups attacked Syrias internal security forces in the southern province of Sweida, killing one officer and injuring others, state media reported Sunday.

Armed groups attacked Syrian internal security forces in Sweida, killing one and injuring others, and fired shells at numerous communities in the violence-hit southern province, state-run Ekhbariya TV reported on Sunday.

According to a security source quoted in the article, the armed factions had broken the truce in the mostly Druze area, where hundreds of people were killed by factional violence last month.

On July 13, violence broke out in Sweida between tribal warriors and Druze factions. Government forces were dispatched to quiet the conflict, but the violence escalated, and Israel launched strikes against Syrian troops in the name of the Druze.

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The Druze are a minority offshoot of Islam with followers in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Sweida province is predominantly Druze but is also home to Sunni tribes, and the communities have had long-standing tensions over land and other resources.

A U.S.-brokered truce ended the fighting, which had raged in Sweida city and surrounding towns for nearly a week. Syria said it would investigate the clashes, setting up a committee to investigate the attacks.

The Sweida bloodshed last month was a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after a wave of sectarian violence in March that killed hundreds of Alawite citizens in the coastal region.
At least 54 migrants died and hundreds more remain missing after a shipwreck off the coast of Yemen.

At least 68 migrants killed and many more remain unaccounted for after a boat sank off the coast of Yemen on Sunday due to rough weather conditions, according the United Nations.

The vessel had reportedly around 150 people on board at the time of the incident.

A police official informed AFP that the boat had been en route to the shores of Abyan province, a region frequently reached by smuggling boats.

In a statement, the security directorate of Abyan confirmed that local forces had launched a major recovery operation to retrieve the bodies of Ethiopian migrants, mostly from the Oromo community who drowned while attempting to enter Yemen illegally by sea.

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Many bodies have been found across various beaches, suggesting that a number of victims are still missing at sea, it added.

Despite the war that has ravaged Yemen since 2014, irregular migration via the impoverished country has continued, in particular from Ethiopia, which itself has been roiled by ethnic conflict.

Migrants cross the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which separates Djibouti from Yemen and is a major route for international trade headed to and from the Suez Canal, as well as for migration and human trafficking.

The wealthy Gulf monarchies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, host significant populations of foreign workers from South Asia and Africa.

According to the UNs International Organization for Migration, tens of thousands of migrants have become stranded in Yemen and suffer abuse and exploitation during their journeys.

With inputs from agencies
NSA Ajit Doval and EAM S Jaishankar are set to visit Moscow this month. The visits come shortly after Trump slammed Indias close ties with Russia as dead economies and announced new tariffs and penalties

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to visit Moscow this month, The Economic Times reported. Doval could travel in early August, while Jaishankar is likely to visit around mid-month.

This comes following harsh remarks by Donald Trump, who called India and Russia dead economies and announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods along with penalties. He also warned of penalties for countries maintaining strategic trade ties with Russia.

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Senior Indian officials clarified that the new penalties are aimed at Indias growing energy and defence ties with Moscow. Indias import of Russian crude has surged from just 0.2 per cent before the Ukraine war to nearly 40 per cent of its total oil purchases, making it Russias second-biggest buyer after China.

India has also continued to acquire advanced military equipment from Russia despite ongoing Western sanctions.

Earlier, Trump on Thursday lashed out at both India and Russia, calling their economies dead and saying he doesnt care about New Delhis ties with Moscow.

They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care, Trump wrote on Truth Social, also accusing India of having some of the highest tariffs in the world, which he claimed hampers US-India trade.

In the same post, Trump took a swipe at Russias Deputy Security Council chief Dmitry Medvedev, calling him a failed former President and warning him to watch his words, saying he is entering very dangerous territory.
KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Police have arrested 18 outlaws across Afghanistan, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said Sunday.

The alleged outlaws were involved in criminal activities such as armed robbery, murder and illegal hunting of animals, including precious birds, said a statement of the ministry posted on social media.

The police would spare no effort to ensure law and order in the country, the statement said. 
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has defended a sweeping constitutional reform that removes presidential term limits, dismissing criticism of authoritarianism. The reform, passed by a Bukele-controlled Congress, also extends presidential terms from five to six years.

El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele defended a constitutional revision that allows him to seek unlimited re-election on Sunday, criticising critics who claim it signals the Central American countrys rising authoritarianism.

Ninety percent of developed countries allow the indefinite reelection of their head of government, and no one bats an eye. But when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly its the end of democracy, Bukele wrote in English on X.

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The change was approved Thursday by El Salvadors Congress, which is controlled by Bukeles New Ideas party.

Additionally, it increases the length of presidential terms from five to six years.

Having been president since 2019 and re-elected in 2024 with 85% of the vote, 44-year-old Bukele now controls almost all of the nations institutions, a situation the opposition refers to as a dictatorship.

His uncompromising stance against criminal gangs has garnered him a lot of sympathy at home, but his strategy has drawn harsh criticism from both domestic and international rights organisations.

Bukele has prominently backed US President Donald Trumps deportation drive by accepting hundreds of expelled Venezuelan migrants held in the infamous CECOT prison under dubious legal grounds.

The constitutional reforms came after a wave of arrests targeting human rights defenders and government critics, prompting dozens of journalists and humanitarian workers to flee the country.

One of the few opposition lawmakers in the unicameral legislature, Marcela Villatoro, criticized the reforms on Thursday, saying: today, democracy has died in El Salvador.

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Bukele argued that the changes brought El Salvador into line with parliamentary systems where the prime minister can hold office indefinitely.

Critics will rush to point out that a parliamentary system isnt the same as a presidential one, as if that technicality justifies the double standard, he wrote in his post.

But lets be honest, thats just a pretext. Because if El Salvador declared itself a parliamentary monarchy with the exact same rules as the UK, Spain, or Denmark, they still wouldnt support it, he added, claiming critics would go ballistic if that happened.

With its reform, El Salvador joins Nicaragua and Venezuela as Latin American nations without presidential term limits.
Israeli forces shot and killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday as crowds desperate for food approached aid centres, according to witnesses and medical officials

Palestinians climb onto trucks as they seek for aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip. Reuters

Israeli troops shot and killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, witnesses and medical officials said, as crowds desperate for food surged around aid centres, with hunger-related deaths continuing to rise.

Desperation has seized the Palestinian region of more than 2 million people, which experts say is at risk of hunger due to Israels blockade and almost two-year onslaught.

Yousef Abed, who was among the masses en route to a distribution location, recalled coming under what he called indiscriminate fire and saw at least three people bleeding on the ground.

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I couldnt stop and help them because of the bullets, he said.

Southern Gazas Nasser Hospital said they had received bodies from near multiple distribution sites, including eight from Teina, about three kilometers (1.8 miles) away from a distribution site in Khan Younis, which is operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private U.S. and Israeli-backed contractor that took over aid distribution more than two months ago.

The hospital also received one body from Shakoush, an area hundreds of meters (yards) north of a different GHF site in Rafah. Another nine were also killed by troops near the Morag corridor, who were awaiting trucks entering Gaza through an Israeli border crossing, it said.

Three Palestinian eyewitnesses, seeking food in Teina and Morag, told The Associated Press the shootings occurred on the route to the distribution points, which are in military zones secured by Israeli forces. They said they saw soldiers open fire on hungry crowds advancing toward the troops.

Further north in central Gaza, hospital officials described a similar episode, with Israeli troops opening fire Sunday morning toward crowds of Palestinians trying to GHFs fourth and northernmost distribution point.

Troops were trying to prevent people from advancing. They opened fire and we fled. Some people were shot, said Hamza Matter, one of the aid seekers.

At least five people were killed and 27 wounded at GHFs site near Netzarim corridor, Awda Hospital said.

Eyewitnesses seeking food in the strip have reported similar gunfire attacks in recent days near aid distribution sites, leaving dozens of Palestinians dead.

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The United Nations reported 859 people have been killed near GHF sites from May 27 to July 31 and that hundreds more have been slain along the routes of U.N.-led food convoys.

The GHF launched in May as Israel sought an alternative to the U.N.-run system, which had safely delivered aid for much of the war but was accused by Israel of allowing Hamas, which guarded convoys early in the war, to siphon supplies.

Israel has not offered evidence of widespread theft. The U.N. has denied it.

GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding. Israels military has said it only fires warning shots as well. Both claimed the death tolls have been exaggerated

Neither Israels military nor GHF immediately responded to questions about Sundays reported fatalities.

Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry also said six more Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. This brings the death toll among Palestinian adults to 82 in the past five weeks since the ministry started counting deaths among adults in late June, it said.

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Ninety-three children have also died of causes related to malnutrition since the war in Gaza started in 2023, the ministry said.

The war began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, and abducted another 251. They are still holding 50 captives, around 20 believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals. Israels retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 60,400 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

The ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, is staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable count of casualties. Israel has disputed its figures, but hasnt provided its own account of casualties.
As the death toll rises to 175, Israel says UN fuel deliveries have resumed to support critical infrastructure, though aid access remains limited and chaotic.

Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the central Gaza Strip. File image/ Reuters

Six more people died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the last 24 hours, the health ministry reported on Sunday, as Israel announced it permitted fuel to be sent to the enclave, which is in the grip of a humanitarian disaster after almost two years of conflict.

The fresh fatalities bring the total number of people killed by what international humanitarian organisations believe to be an emerging famine to 175, including 93 children, since the war began, according to the ministry.

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Egypts state-run Al Qahera News TV said that two trucks carrying 107 tonnes of diesel were about to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely limited aid access to the territory before relaxing it somewhat as starvation began to spread.

COGAT, the Israeli military organisation that handles relief, announced later in the day that four tankers of UN fuel had arrived to assist hospitals, bakeries, public kitchens, and other essential amenities.

There was no immediate indication that the two diesel fuel trucks had reached Gaza via Egypt.

According to Gazas health ministry, fuel shortages have significantly hampered hospital services, requiring physicians to treat only the most seriously ill or injured patients.

Fuel shipments have been scarce since March, when Israel stopped the flow of aid into the enclave in order to put pressure on Hamas terrorists to release the remaining hostages kidnapped during their October 2023 attack on Israel.

Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international uproar, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

UN agencies say airdrops are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people, most of whom are displaced amidst vast swathes of rubble.

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COGAT said that during the past week over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza but that hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by UN and other international organisations.

Meanwhile, Belgiums air force dropped the first in a series of its aid packages into Gaza on Sunday in a joint operation with Jordan, the Belgian defence ministry said.

France on Friday started to air-drop 40 tons of humanitarian aid.

LOOTED AID TRUCKS

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Sunday that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs.

More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive.

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Palestinian local health authorities said at least 40 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave on Sunday. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said.

Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at their headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building.

The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israels air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
IAEA officials stationed at the ZNPP reported hearing a loud explosion and witnessing smoke rising from a nearby location.

Russian serviceman guard an area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in southeastern Ukraine. File Image/AP

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Ukraines largest nuclear facility, found itself alarmingly close to the chaos of war on Saturday (August 2), as Russian missile strikes allegedly hit near the plant.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Ukrainian authorities, the strikes occurred in the vicinity of the plant.

IAEA officials stationed at the ZNPP reported hearing a loud explosion and witnessing smoke rising from a nearby location.

In a statement, IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi noted, The IAEA team at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) heard explosions and saw smoke coming from a nearby location where the plant said one of its auxiliary facilities was attacked today (Saturday).

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The incident, which ZNPP officials said took place around 9 am local time (0600 GMT), coincided with Russian missile strikes and Ukrainian military activity just 1.2 kilometres from the plants perimeter. Smoke from the attack lingered into the afternoon.

Russia intensifies attacks

The strikes come on the heels of a series of aggressive military actions. Russian forces recently intensified their attacks following a Ukrainian strike on a strategic Russian air base in Siberia. The proximity of Saturdays strikes to the ZNPP has sparked international alarm, with Grossi warning of the catastrophic risks involved.

Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant, regardless of the intended target, poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided. Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident, Grossi urged in his statement.

The situation grew even more tense early Sunday when Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, according to a Telegram post from Ukrainian authorities.

Witnesses in the capital reported a powerful explosion shaking the city shortly after midnight.

While Russia has acknowledged targeting Ukrainian military facilities over the weekend, it has firmly denied striking the ZNPP, a site that remains one of the most precarious flashpoints in the ongoing war.

The stakes could not be higher. A direct hit on the ZNPP by either side could unleash a devastating nuclear fallout, threatening not only Ukraine and Russia but the entire European region. Experts warn that such an event could trigger a catastrophe of unprecedented scale, potentially spelling disaster for millions.

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Facing pressure from Trumps 25 per cent tariff, the Indian government has launched an inter-ministerial effort to draw up trade concessions ahead of key negotiations. With a US delegation set to arrive on August 25, key economic ministries have been directed to prepare sector-specific proposals

President Donald Trump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. The 25 per cent tariff and Russian penalty on India comes even as officials continue to hammer out a trade deal, which has been ongoing since February. File image/AP

In response to US President Donald Trumps sweeping 25 per cent tariff imposition on Indian goods, New Delhi has launched a cross-ministerial exercise to identify trade concessions it can offer in upcoming negotiations. With a high-level US delegation set to arrive on August 25, key economic ministries have been directed to prepare sector-specific proposals, The Indian Express reported.

The Trump administration is seeking deeper market access than India has previously committed to, pressing for broad tariff reductions and the removal of non-tariff trade barriers.

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The 25 per cent tariff, effective from August 7, is compounded by a separate, unspecified penalty tied to Indias defense and energy imports from Russia.

According to the report, government departments have already begun submitting possible concession packages. In some cases, such as oil refining, adjustments are underway, with refiners beginning to cut back on Russian crude purchases.

However, sources warned against retaliatory posturing in response to Trumps provocations, no matter how inflammatory they may be. This is a time for pragmatism, not posturing, one official noted.

Although Trump had originally listed India among his top trade priorities, progress has been sluggish, leading to mounting frustration in Washington. Like other countries navigating Trumps tariff tactics, India has followed a cautious approach, offering selective concessions while safeguarding its economic interests and shielding vulnerable domestic sectors.

Observers note that several nations that rushed to sign trade deals with the US, such as the UK and Australia, emerged with lopsided agreements that disproportionately benefited Washington, particularly in cases where trade deficits existed.

New Delhi had long operated on the assumption that the US would maintain a 1020% tariff differential between India and China, and continue to respect Indias longstanding trade red lines. These include opposition to genetically modified (GM) crops and the need to protect its vast, labor-intensive manufacturing base that underpins much of its export economy.

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The Officials cited in report remain cautious on sensitive agricultural imports, particularly soybeans, corn, and dairy, despite already proposing tariff cuts on 55 per cent of US imports. This figure could rise in the upcoming talks, especially as Indias trade pacts with Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN saw over 80 per cent of tariff lines reduced to zero.

While negotiators are eyeing October as the tentative deadline for finalising a deal, progress in fresh rounds of talks could accelerate that timeline. Complicating Indias position, however, is the possibility of China finalising a trade deal of its own, potentially locking in favorable tariff rates and securing waivers, including on penalties linked to Russian oil imports.
The funeral in absentia of Tahir Habib, an ex-Pak Army soldier and Lashkar terrorist killed in Op Mahadev, was held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, offering fresh proof of Islamabads role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Indian security officers inspect the site in Pahalgam where militants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists at Pahalgam. AP File

The funeral in absentia (Janaza-Ghaib) of Tahir Habib, a former Pakistan Army soldier and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative killed during Operation Mahadev in Jammu & Kashmir, was recently held in his native village of Khai Gala in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), The Times of India reported. The event further reinforces evidence of Islamabads involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead.

Visuals shared on Telegram show elderly residents of Khai Gala offering prayers for Tahir, who was one of the key operatives behind the Pahalgam massacre. The funeral adds to mounting proof that the attack was executed by terrorists from across the border, with clear interstate and cross-border links.

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The gathering turned tense when local LeT commander Rizwan Hanif attempted to join the funeral, despite explicit objections from Tahirs family. A heated confrontation followed, highlighting growing friction even within militant circles.

Tahir, classified as a Category A terrorist, had long been on the radar of Indian security agencies for his involvement in cross-border militancy. His killing, along with two others in Srinagar last week, marked a major breakthrough for Indian forces.

According to a local source, Lashkar operatives even threatened mourners at gunpoint, triggering outrage in the village. People here have long been uneasy about radicalisation. After this incident, Khai Gala residents are planning a public boycott against terror recruitment, the source said.

This incident not only reaffirms Pakistans direct hand in the Pahalgam attack, but also reflects a growing resistance in POK against Pakistans terror machinery. It also signals the far-reaching impact of Operation Sindoor, Indias counter-offensive launched in response to the April 22 strike.

On April 22, Pakistan-backed and trained terrorists opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam, a popular destination in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley in recent years.

Pakistan has long been accused of using terror as an instrument of state policy. Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, backed by Islamabad, have repeatedly targeted civilians in Kashmir and beyond.

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Nearly nine out of 10 Israeli military investigations into alleged war crimes or abuses by its soldiers in Gaza since the war began have been closed without findings of wrongdoing or remain unresolved, a conflict monitoring group said

Nearly nine out of 10 Israeli military investigations into alleged war crimes or abuses by its soldiers in Gaza since the war began have been closed without findings of wrongdoing or remain unresolved, a conflict monitoring group said.

Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) said unresolved cases include a February 2024 incident in which at least 112 Palestinians were killed while queueing for flour in Gaza City, a May 2024 airstrike that killed 45 people at a tent camp in Rafah, and the June 1 killing of 31 Palestinians as they went to collect food in Rafah. Witnesses said Israeli forces opened fire in the June incident. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially called reports false, but later told The Guardian the matter was still under review.

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AOAVs Iain Overton and Lucas Tsantzouris said the figures showed Israel was creating a pattern of impunity by failing to conclude investigations or find wrongdoing in most cases involving serious allegations.

The IDF said it investigates exceptional incidents during operations when there is suspected legal violations, following Israeli and international law. The military said it uses both criminal investigations by the military advocate generals police department and fact-finding assessments (FFA) by a separate general staff team.

AOAV said it found reports of 52 cases in English-language media between October 2023 and June 2025 where the Israeli military said it had conducted or would conduct investigations after allegations of civilian harm in Gaza or the West Bank. Those cases involved the deaths of 1,303 Palestinians and injuries to 1,880.

One investigation led to a conviction. A reservist was sentenced to seven months in prison in February for aggravated abuse of Palestinian detainees at the Sde Teiman detention centre. Five other cases resulted in disciplinary action, including the April 2024 dismissal of an IDF colonel and a major after an airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers.

AOAV said 46 other cases, or 88 per cent of the total, were either closed with no findings or remain unresolved. Seven were closed without fault, while 39 are still under review or have no reported outcome.

The IDF said any report  complaint or allegation that suggests misconduct by IDF forces undergoes an initial examination process. Depending on evidence, cases may be referred for criminal investigation or an FFA review to determine if criminal misconduct is suspected.

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Critics, including the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din, say the FFA process can take years. After 664 inquiries into previous Gaza operations in 2014, 2018-19 and 2021, there was one known prosecution, the group said.

In August 2024, the IDF said the FFA had collected information on hundreds of incidents from the Gaza war, and the military advocate generals office had opened 74 criminal investigations. Of those, 52 related to detainee deaths and mistreatment, 13 to stealing enemy ammunition, three to destruction of civilian property, and six to alleged illegal use of force.

AOAVs figures differ from IDF statistics because the group counted incidents where media reported an investigation was conducted, covering both Gaza and the West Bank.

The IDF said dozens of military police investigations have been opened and that most remain ongoing. The FFA has completed its review in dozens of cases, which have been sent to the military advocate general for possible criminal investigation.

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India has said it will continue purchasing crude from Russia, despite Trumps remarks that it has stop buying Russian oil, clarifying that theres been no change in its energy policy, says report.

Indian officials have said that oil refineries will continue purchasing crude from Russia, dismissing claims by US President Donald Trump that New Delhi has halted imports, news agency ANI reported. The clarification comes as Washington prepares to impose fresh sanctions next week on nations maintaining energy ties with Moscow amid the war in Ukraine.

Earlier, speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had heard India would stop buying Russian oilcalling it a good stepjust days after he accused New Delhi of having deep trade and military ties with the Kremlin. Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. Thats what I heard. I dont know if thats right or not, he said.

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Indian officials: No directive to halt Russian crude

However, Indian government sources, cited by ANI and Reuters, rejected Trumps assertion. There has been no change in policy. Oil companies make sourcing decisions based on price, quality, logistics, and market conditions. No directive has been issued to stop Russian imports, an official said.

Russia remains a key crude supplier to India

India, the worlds third-largest oil importer, has become a major buyer of Russian crude since Western sanctions pushed Moscow to offer steep discounts. Between January and June this year, India imported about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oilaccounting for 35% of its total crude imports.

A government source defended the policy, saying Indias purchases had helped stabilise global oil markets. Had India not absorbed discounted Russian crudealongside OPEC+ production cutsprices could have soared past the 2022 high of $137 a barrel, the official said.

India adheres to G7-EU price cap mechanism

Unlike oil from Iran or Venezuela, Russian crude is not directly sanctioned by the US or EU. It is subject to a G7-EU price cap mechanism aimed at curbing Kremlin revenues while maintaining global supply. Indian oil firms have been buying within this price cap, officials said, maintaining that imports are in line with international norms.

Trumps latest comments come amid his new executive order imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and a warning of penalties for countries importing Russian oil or weapons. He has given an August 8 deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war or face further punitive action.

Long-term oil contracts still in force, say officials

Despite the pressure, two senior Indian officials told The New York Times that state-run refiners had not received any instructions to halt Russian purchases. These are long-term oil contracts. It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight, one official explained.

There have been recent reports that Indian refiners such as Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum paused fresh Russian orders after July discounts narrowed to their lowest levels since sanctions began in 2022. But sources say this was a commercialnot politicaldecision.

Energy policy driven by market logic: MEA

At a weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that Indias energy decisions are guided by market factors: We take decisions based on price, availability, and the global situation.

Trump slams Indias trade barriers, defense ties with Moscow

While Trump has often praised India as a friend, he has also criticised its tariffs and defense ties with Russia. India has the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers, he said, noting that it remains one of Russias top arms and energy customers.

Still, Indian officials insist their oil policy serves both national interests and global market stabilityand they are unlikely to back down, at least for now.

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OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to raise oil production by 547,000 barrels per day for September, the latest in a series of accelerated output hikes to regain market share, as concerns mount over potential supply disruptions linked to Russia.

A brief virtual meeting among eight OPEC+ countries on Sunday ended with an agreement to sharply increase oil production in September, even as the United States steps up pressure on India to curb imports of Russian oil, part of Washingtons broader strategy to push Moscow towards peace talks with Ukraine. President Donald Trump has said he wants progress by August 8.

In its post-meeting statement, OPEC+ pointed to strong global economic indicators and low inventory levels as key drivers behind its decision. Crude prices have remained robust, with Brent futures closing near $70 per barrel on Fridayup from a low of about $58 earlier this year, buoyed in part by seasonal demand.

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Given fairly strong oil prices at around $70, it does give OPEC+ some confidence about market fundamentals, said Amrita Sen, co-founder of Energy Aspects, adding that the market structure was also indicating tight stocks.

The eight participating nations will raise their collective output by 547,000 barrels per day in September, completing the accelerated reversal of a 2.2 million-bpd supply reduction imposed in 2023. The increase also accounts for a phased-in boost from the United Arab Emirates.

OPEC+ sources told Reuters that the same group would reconvene on September 7, when they may evaluate whether to reintroduce another layer of cuts amounting to roughly 1.65 million bpd, measures that are officially extended through the end of next year.

The broader OPEC+ coalition, comprising 10 non-OPEC producers including Russia and Kazakhstan, has historically curbed production to stabilise prices. However, the alliance pivoted this year, aiming to reclaim lost market share, a move aligned with calls from Trump urging the group to increase supply.

The phased hikes began in April with a 138,000-bpd boost, followed by steeper increments of 411,000 bpd over the next three months, 548,000 bpd in August, and now 547,000 bpd for September.

So far the market has been able to absorb very well those additional barrels also due to stockpiliing activity in China, said Giovanni Staunovo of UBS. All eyes will now shift on the Trump decision on Russia this Friday."

As well as the voluntary cut of about 1.65 million bpd from the eight members, OPEC+ still has a 2-million-bpd cut across all members, which also expires at the end of 2026.

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OPEC+ has passed the first test, said Jorge Leon of Rystad Energy and a former OPEC official, as it has fully reversed its largest cut without crashing prices.

But the next task will be even harder: deciding if and when to unwind the remaining 1.66 million barrels, all while navigating geopolitical tension and preserving cohesion."

With inputs from agencies
Pakistan on Sunday supported Irans right to develop nuclear capability for peaceful purposes, as the two sides signed several agreements to expand cooperation in multiple fields.

Pakistan on Sunday voiced support for Irans right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as both countries signed a series of agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

The announcement came during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians two-day visit to Islamabad, where he held formal talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PMs official residence.

At a joint press briefing following their meeting, Sharif reaffirmed Islamabads backing of Tehrans civilian nuclear programme, which has been at the heart of escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

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Pakistan stands with Iran for the acquisition of peaceful nuclear power, Sharif said.

His remarks come at a sensitive time, as Irans relations with the USPakistans long-time ally and major non-NATO partnerremain strained over nuclear issues. Tensions further escalated in June when Israeli and American forces carried out coordinated airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear installations. In response, Tehran halted its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Sharif also condemned the airstrikes, calling them acts of Israeli aggression and reiterated Pakistans support for Irans right to self-defence. He strongly criticised Israels military operations in Gaza and urged the global communityespecially Muslim-majority nationsto take a stand against the ongoing human rights violations there.

On the economic front, the two leaders expressed optimism about achieving a trade volume of USD 10 billion annually. Several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, which Sharif said he hoped would soon evolve into formal agreements.

President Pezeshkian confirmed that the MoUs included provisions to expedite finalisation of a free trade agreement between the two neighbours.

According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, a total of 12 documentsincluding agreements and MoUswere exchanged during the visit. These cover cooperation in diverse fields such as trade, agriculture, science and technology, information and communications, culture, tourism, climate action, and maritime safety.

He criticised Israels actions in Gaza and called upon the international community, particularly Muslim nations, to address the ongoing human rights violations in the region.

Sharif said the two sides have signed several MoUs and made commitments and hoped that they would soon be transformed into agreements.

He said Pakistan and Iran are aiming to achieve the target of USD 10 billion in annual trade.

The two leaders also discussed issues related to terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat militancy along their shared border.

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President Pezeshkian, in his remarks, said that the MoUs signed also included one about finalisation of the free trade agreement at the earliest between the two sides.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, Pakistan and Iran exchanged 12 agreements and MoUs in the presence of Sharif and Pezeshkian.

The agreements and MoUs included cooperation in trade, agriculture, science, technology and innovation, information and communications, culture, art, tourism, climate, and maritime safety.

With inputs from agencies
VLADIVOSTOK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A 6.8 magnitude aftershock struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, the regional branch of the Ministry of Emergency Situations announced on social media.

The quake, which occurred at 17:37 local time (0537 GMT), was 277 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the regional capital, at a depth of 26 km.

According to the Kamchatka Tsunami Warning and Monitoring Center, tsunami waves generated by the quake are not expected to exceed 19 cm.

Despite the limited wave height, local emergency authorities have urged residents to stay away from the coastline as a precaution.

The ministry also advised vessels in coastal waters, including those anchored in open roadsteads or bays with wide entrances, to head out to sea beyond the 50-meter isobath and to sail perpendicular to the coastline. 
New outbreaks of violence overnight into Sunday rocked Syria at two distinct flashpoints, straining a fragile ceasefire and calling into question the ability of the transitional government to exert its authority across the whole country.

Bedouin fighters rest in the shade of a house as Syrian government security forces block them from entering Sweida province, in Busra al-Harir village, southern Syria, Sunday, July 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Syria was shaken by renewed violence overnight into Sunday with fresh clashes reported in two volatile regions, further undermining a fragile ceasefire and raising concerns over the interim governments ability to assert control nationwide.

In the countrys north, pro-government forces engaged in skirmishes with Kurdish-led troops who currently hold sway over much of the area. Simultaneously, armed confrontations broke out between state forces and Druze militias in the southern province of Sweida.

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The renewed fighting comes as the transitional authorities attempt to uphold a tenuous truce in Sweida, following previous clashes with Druze fighters last month. They are also working to enforce a pact with the Kurdish-led, US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to reintegrate large parts of north eastern Syria into the national fold.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who rose to power after leading an unexpected rebellion that unseated long-time ruler Bashar Assad in December, has faced persistent challenges in stabilising the country. His leadershipmarked by Islamist affiliations and support from aligned militant factionshas drawn scepticism from opposition groups as well as ethnic and religious minorities.

On Saturday, state television reported violent encounters between government forces and Druze militias in Sweida province. According to the state-run Alikhbaria network, an unnamed security source confirmed that the ceasefire had collapsed after Druze fighters attacked Syrian security personnel, resulting in at least one fatality. The Defense Ministry has not released any official comment.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that, along with one security officer killed, a Druze fighter also died in the violence, and at least nine others were injured. The group said the confrontation took place in the Tal al-Hadeed areaan important high ground that borders neighbouring Daraa province.

State media says that aid convoys continue to enter Sweida city as a part of a tense truce after over a week of violent clashes in July between Druze militias and armed Bedouin clans backed by government forces. However, humanitarian conditions remain dire, and residents of Sweida have called for the road into the city to be fully opened, saying the aid that has come in is not enough.

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The clashes that displaced tens of thousands of people came after months of tensions between Damascus and Sweida. The fighting led to a series of targeted sectarian attacks against the Druze minority, who are now skeptical of peaceful coexistence. Druze militias retaliated against Bedouin communities who largely lived in western areas of Sweida province, displacing many to neighboring Daraa.

Elsewhere, in the northern Aleppo province, government-affiliated fighters clashed with the SDF. The Defense Ministry said three civilians and four soldiers were wounded after the SDF launched a barrage of rockets near the city of Manbij in an irresponsible way and for unknown reasons.

SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami on the other hand said the group was responding to shelling by undisciplined factions within government forces on Deir Haffar, an eastern city in the same province.

The eastern part of Aleppo province straddles areas controlled by the government and by the SDF. Though the two are slowly trying to implement a ceasefire and agreement that would integrate the areas under Damascus, tensions remain.

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The Ministry of Defenses attempts to distort facts and mislead public opinion do not contribute to security or stability, Shami said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In Quneitra province, in the south, the Israeli military announced it conducted another ground operation in the area that borders the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. It said its troops questioned several suspects they accuse of involvement in weapons trafficking in the village of Hader, and raided four areas where they found weapons being trafficked.

Since Assads ouster, Israel has conducted numerous strikes and military operations in southern Syria, saying its forces are taking out militant groups that they suspect could harm Israelis and residents in the Golan Heights.

Damascus has been critical of Israels military activity, and the two sides have been trying to reach a security arrangement through U.S.-mediated talks. Syria has repeatedly said it does not intend to take military action against Israel.

Those talks intensified after Israel backed the Druze in Sweida during the earlier clashes. Israel struck military personnel near the southern city and most notably launched an airstrike targeting the Defense Ministry headquarters in the heart of Damascus.

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With inputs from agencies
Sukhi Chahal was known for his outspoken criticism of Khalistani separatism. His death has raised suspicions, particularly due to its timingjust weeks before a significant Khalistan Referendum event scheduled for August 17

The timing of Chahal's death, just before a significant Khalistan Referendum event on August 17 in Washington DC, which he was actively opposing, has heightened suspicions

The sudden and mysterious death of Sukhi Chahal, a prominent US-based businessman and social activist known for his outspoken criticism of Khalistani separatism, has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora and anti-Khalistani communities worldwide.

According to a Times of India report, Chahals unexpected death in California has left his friends, associates, and supporters grappling with grief and unanswered questions.

Chahal, the founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today, was a vocal opponent of Khalistani elements operating abroad.

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His death has raised suspicions, particularly due to its timingjust weeks before a significant Khalistan Referendum event scheduled for August 17 in Washington DC, which he had been actively working to counter.

Friends and associates have pointed to the frequent death threats Chahal received from pro-Khalistan groups, underscoring the risks he faced for his unwavering advocacy.

The pro-Khalistan movement is banned in India, and the government deems action associated with the movement as terrorism. Several such organisations, despite New Delhis objection, still continue their operations in nations like Canada, UK and the US.

Details of Chahals tragic death

Jaspal Singh, a close friend of Chahal, shared details of the tragic incident, which occurred after Chahal attended a dinner at an acquaintances home on Thursday (July 31).

Shortly after the meal, his health rapidly declined, and he passed away on the spot, Singh recounted on Saturday, stressing that Chahal had been in good health before.

The utter suddenness of his demise has fueled speculation about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Authorities are actively investigating the case, with an autopsy report pending to determine the exact cause of death.

Chahal was widely regarded as a courageous voice against extremism, consistently urging Indian immigrants to uphold the laws of the United States and avoid criminal activities. In a recent post on his X account, he wrote, The United States is a society of law and order. Crimes like assault by foreign visitors will not be tolerated. If you break the law in US, your US visa can be revoked, and you may be ineligible to return to the US.

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Kamala Harris has offered her clearest signal yet that she may seek higher office, even as Democrats continue searching for their lost identity. Meanwhile, Republican hopefuls face the challenge of building their profiles while staying onside with Donald Trump

A member of the media uses phone as a screen displays the presidential debate, as Republican presidential nominee, former US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris attend a presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, September 10, 2024. File Image/Reuters

Former vice-president Kamala Harris has ruled out a bid for California governor in 2026 but offered her clearest signal yet that she may seek higher office. Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday (July 31), Harris said she planned to travel the country and listen to people without asking for their vote, remarks that fuelled speculation about a third presidential run in 2028.

Harris remains one of the best-known potential Democratic contenders, bolstered by a strong donor network and name recognition from her time as vice-president. Yet strategists warn that the nomination will be far from guaranteed. Party operatives predict a contested primary with a large field that is already beginning to take shape.

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The Democrats making early moves

Several figures in the party are raising their profiles ahead of the next election cycle. Illinois governor JB Pritzker recently delivered a high-profile speech in New Hampshire, while Arizona senator Ruben Gallego has scheduled events in the state later this month. California governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and congressman Ro Khanna have all toured early-voting states.

Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and Maryland governor Wes Moore have also been active, turning to podcasts and policy discussions to appeal to the Democratic base. Some potential contenders, such as Khanna and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have already built up significant campaign funds that could be transferred to a presidential run.

The field is expected to be ideologically diverse, stretching from centrists such as former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel to progressives including Khanna, who was among the earliest lawmakers to call for a ceasefire during the Biden administration. Party strategists believe debates over foreign policy, the cost of living and left-wing populist energy will define the race.

Its gonna be messy and personal  but I think its going to help us shape as a party, what we believe, said Amanda Litman, a former staffer on the Obama and Clinton campaigns.

How Republicans are preparing for 2028

On the other side of the political divide, Republican hopefuls face the challenge of building their profiles while staying onside with Donald Trump, whose grip on the GOP base remains strong. Trump frequently jokes about seeking a third term despite constitutional limits, making it risky for would-be successors to appear disloyal.

Vice-president JD Vance is widely regarded as Trumps political heir, but other figures are manoeuvring for position. Secretary of state Marco Rubio, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, Texas governor Greg Abbott and Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin are seen as likely contenders. Rubios 2016 presidential bid gives him a measure of national recognition, while DeSantis has repaired relations with Trump after a fraught 2024 campaign.

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Governors such as Youngkin, Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Georgia governor Brian Kemp could appeal as leaders with independent records. Several senators  including Tim Scott, Rand Paul, Rick Scott, Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton  are also potential candidates, though they may struggle to shed the image of being tied to Washington politics.

The Republican primary calendar is expected to remain unchanged, starting with Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Youngkin, Sanders, Paul and Rick Scott have already begun visiting early primary states. While Vance holds a strong initial position, analysts note that voters in these states are also interested in Rubio and others who have remained loyal to Trump without being as closely identified with him.

Whether Trump critics such as Nikki Haley can mount a credible challenge may hinge on the former presidents popularity and Republican fortunes in the midterms. If Trumps second term is marred by electoral setbacks or controversy, candidates could gain space to distance themselves as they look ahead to 2028.

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The manoeuvres, part of the Maritime Interaction-2025 drills, involve a large Russian anti-submarine ship, two Chinese destroyers, diesel-electric submarines from both countries and a Chinese submarine rescue vessel

Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are seen at the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia. (Sergei Bobylyov/Reuters)

The Russian and Chinese navies are holding joint artillery and anti-submarine exercises in the Sea of Japan, Russias Pacific Fleet has said. The move comes just two days after Donald Trump announced he had ordered two US nuclear submarines to be deployed.

The manoeuvres, part of the Maritime Interaction-2025 drills, involve a large Russian anti-submarine ship, two Chinese destroyers, diesel-electric submarines from both countries and a Chinese submarine rescue vessel, according to Interfax news agency.

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The exercises, which began before Trumps announcement, are scheduled to conclude on Tuesday (August 5).

What do the drills involve?

Russian and Chinese sailors will carry out artillery firing, practise anti-submarine and air defence missions, and conduct joint search and rescue operations at sea, the Pacific Fleet said.

The drills are the latest in a series of regular military exercises between the two countries, which signed a no-limits strategic partnership shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Moscow and Beijing have increasingly coordinated their armed forces in recent years, seeking to send a deterrent message to western adversaries.

The significance of the timing of drills

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 1) said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions in response to remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries.

Trumps comments on Friday about deploying US nuclear submarines came after former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev made highly provocative remarks about the risk of war between the nuclear powers. Russia and the US possess the worlds two largest nuclear arsenals, and it is extremely rare for either side to reveal details about submarine deployments.

The timing of the joint drills is likely to be seen as symbolic, even though they were planned in advance. They come amid mounting tension between Washington and Moscow, as Trump grows increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in ending the war in Ukraine.
A top aide to President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of effectively financing Russias war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the US leader escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 30, 2025.-Reuters

A senior official in the Trump administration on Sunday accused India of effectively funding Russias war in Ukraine by continuing to purchase oil from Moscow, as President Donald Trump intensified calls for New Delhi to halt its energy imports from Russia.

Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trumps most influential aides said What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia,.

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Millers criticism was some of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the United States major partners in the Indo-Pacific.

People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. Thats an astonishing fact, Miller said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures.

The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite US threats.

A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine.

Indian officials told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will continue purchasing Russian oil, citing the countrys energy security requirements.

On Friday, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, pointing to Indias ongoing defence and energy ties with Moscow. Trump has also warned of raising tariffs to 100% on imports from countries that persist in buying Russian oil unless Russia agrees to a major peace deal.

Despite the sharp remarks, Miller acknowledged Trumps tremendous relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India and the United States have been negotiating a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement in recent months, and New Delhi remains committed to that goal, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

With inputs from agencies

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Speaking on Sunday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the rates, set to take effect on August 7, are pretty much set, defending the presidents strategy as both economic and geopolitical.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer gives a live TV interview about tariffs at the White House in Washington, DC, US. Reuters

New US tariff rates are pretty much set with no immediate possibility for discussion, Donald Trumps trade advisor said in remarks broadcast Sunday, justifying the presidents politically motivated charges against Brazil.

Trump, who has used tariffs as an instrument of American economic supremacy, has set tariff rates for dozens of economies, including the European Union, at 10 to 41 percent starting from August 7, his new hard deadline for the tariffs.

In a pre-recorded interview broadcast Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that tariff rates are unlikely to see changes in the coming days.

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A lot of these are set rates pursuant to deals. Some of these deals are announced, some are not, others depend on the level of the trade deficit or surplus we may have with the country, Greer said.

These tariff rates are pretty much set.

Undoubtedly some trade ministers want to talk more and see how they can work in a different way with the United States, he added.

But were seeing truly the contours of the presidents tariff plan right now with these rates.

Last Thursday, the former real estate developer announced hiked tariff rates on dozens of US trade partners.

They will kick in on August 7 instead of August 1, which had previously been touted as a hard deadline.

Among the countries facing steep new levies is Brazil. South Americas largest economy is being hit with 50 percent tariffs on exports to the United States  albeit with significant exemptions for key products such as aircraft and orange juice.

Trump has openly admitted he is punishing Brazil for prosecuting his political ally Jair Bolsonaro, the ex-president accused of plotting a coup in a bid to cling to power. The US president has described the case as a witch hunt.

Greer said it was not unusual for Trump to use tariff tools for geopolitical purposes.

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The president has seen in Brazil, like hes seen in other countries, a misuse of law, a misuse of democracy, Greer told CBS. It is normal to use these tools for geopolitical issues.

Trump was elected to assess the foreign affairs situation and take appropriate action, he added.

Meanwhile White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said that while talks are expected to continue over the next week with some US trade partners, he concurred with Greers tariffs assessment in that the bulk of the rates are more or less locked in.

Asked by the host of NBCs Sunday talk show Meet the Press with Kristen Welker if Trump could change tariff rates should financial markets react negatively, Hassett said: I would rule it out, because these are the final deals.

Legal challenges have been filed against some of Trumps tariffs arguing he overstepped his authority.

An appeals court panel on Thursday appeared skeptical of the governments arguments, though the case may be ultimately decided at the Supreme Court.

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The revelations came just days after Ukraines parliament approved a bill reversing Zelenskyys earlier decision to curb the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Offices (SAPO) authority

Corruption watchdogs whose authority Zelenskyy had tried to curb have uncovered corruption in drone procurements by the war-torn country. AFP

Ukraines anti-corruption agencies have uncovered a large-scale graft scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, just two days after parliament voted to restore their independence.

In a joint statement on Saturday (August 2), the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) said suspects had taken bribes in a plot that used state funds to purchase drones and other military equipment at inflated prices.

The essence of the scheme was to conclude state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices, the statement said, adding that offenders had received kickbacks worth up to 30 per cent of the contracts value.

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The agencies did not name the detainees but confirmed that a Ukrainian lawmaker, local officials and National Guard servicemen were involved. Four people have been arrested so far. The Interior Ministry said the implicated National Guard personnel had been removed from their posts.

Why are drones central to the case?

Drones have become a key element in modern warfare for both Ukraine and Russia, playing a critical role in reconnaissance, precision strikes and battlefield flexibility. Many of Russias destroyed military assets, including troops and heavy weapons, have been targeted by Ukrainian drones. Expanding drone production is also central to Kyivs plans to boost domestic defence manufacturing and exports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the corruption scandal in his nightly address on Saturday, calling it absolutely immoral and praising the agencies for their work.

Unfortunately, these corruption schemes involved the procurement of electronic warfare systems and FPV drones  There must be full and fair accountability for this, he said.

In an earlier post on X, accompanied by photos of him meeting agency heads, Zelenskyy said it was important that anti-corruption institutions operate independently, adding that the law passed on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a real fight against corruption.

How did parliament restore the agencies powers?

The revelations came just two days after Ukraines parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill reversing Zelenskyys earlier decision to curb the watchdogs authority. That move had sparked criticism from the public, the European Union and international rights groups, as well as rare street protests during wartime.

The earlier measure placed the agencies under the prosecutor-generals oversight, raising concerns that the government could interfere in investigations and protect allies from scrutiny.

Tackling entrenched corruption is seen as vital for Ukraines efforts to join the EU and sustain billions of dollars in western aid as the war with Russia enters its fourth year. It is also an issue with strong public backing.

With inputs from AP
The parent organisation of a top-visited history museum in the United States denied that political pressure played a role in the removal of a display about the impeachment of US President Donald Trump, during his first term in office

Signage for the exhibition, titled "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden", is displayed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, on August 1, 2025. Reuters

The parent organisation of a top-visited history museum in the United States denied that political pressure played a role in the removal of a display about the impeachment of US President Donald Trump, during his first term in office.

The Smithsonian Institution, which runs the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, said on Sunday that it removed the temporary placard for failing to meet the museums standards in appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation. It was not consistent with other sections in the exhibit and blocked the view of the objects inside its case. For these reasons, we removed the placard, the institution said in a statement.

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We were not asked by any Administration or other government officials to remove content from the exhibit," the statement further reads. The American institution runs around 21 museums and the National Zoo. In the statement, the Smithsonian Institution made it clear that the museum would be updating the impeachment section in the coming weeks to reflect all impeachment proceedings in our nations history.

What led to the clarification?

The statment came after The Washington Post on Thursday reported that the museum removed an explicit reference to Trumps impeachment last month. This resulted in the exhibit about impeachment incorrectly reading that only three presidents have seriously faced removal.

The Post cited an unnamed source familiar with the exhibit plans and reported that the display was taken down following a content review that the Smithsonian agreed to undertake following pressure from the White House to remove an art museum director.

The museums decision to remove the display swiftly drew backlash, with critics of Trump calling the development the latest capitulation to the whims of an authoritarian president. You can run, but you cannot hide from the judgment of history, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Friday.

So, heres my message to the president: no matter what exhibits you try to distort, the American people will never forget that you were impeached  not once, but twice," he added. Since the start of his second term, Trump has been seeking greater control over political, cultural and media institutions as part of his transformative Make America Great Again agenda.

In March this year, the US President signed an executive order to remove improper ideology from the Smithsonian Institutions properties and deny funding for exhibits that degrade shared American values or divide Americans based on race. It is pertinent to note that during his first term in the White House, Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives twice, in 2019 and 2021.

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However, he was eventually acquitted by the US Senate on both occasions. Trump was the third US president to be impeached, after Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, and the only US president to be impeached twice. Interestingly, former US President Richard Nixon faced a near-certain impeachment before his resignation in 1974 following the Watergate Scandal.
The Trump administration is launching probes against Special Counsel Jack Smith, who pursued legal cases against Trump before he was re-elected to the White House.

The US federal government has launched an investigation against special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated criminal cases against former US President Donald Trump in 2022. The US Office of Special Counsel said on Saturday that it would look into Smiths potential violation of the Hatch Act.

The Act in question restricts government employees from political involvement. The announcement of a probe came after Trump and his allies had previously alleged that Smith went after Trump without legal standing to thwart his second campaign for the presidency.

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It is pertinent to note that Former Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith just three days before the president announced his reelection bid. Since then, GOP lawmakers have been pushing for the special prosecutor to be investigated.

Jack Smiths legal actions were nothing more than a tool for the [former President] Biden and [former Vice President] Harris campaigns. This isnt just unethical, it is very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office, Senator Tom Cotton wrote in a Wednesday post on the social media platform X.

Special Counsel Smith pushed for an out-of-the-ordinary, rushed trial for President Trump, with jury selection to begin just two weeks before the Iowa caucuses. No other case of this magnitude and complexity would come to trial this quickly, the Arkansas senator added in a separate post.

Whats Smiths take on the matter

Meanwhile, Smith has long defended his actions. The ultimate decision to bring charges against Mr. Trump was mine. It is a decision I stand behind fully, Smith wrote in his final report published in mid-January. He made it clear that neither Garland nor anyone else at the Department of Justice encouraged him to prosecute Trump.

To all who know me well, the claim from Trump that my decisions as a prosecutor were influenced or directed by the Biden administration or other political actors is, in a word, laughable," he added. Amid political pressure, Smith ultimately had to resign from the Justice Department (DOJ) after Trumps November win.

He eventually dismissed charges against the POTUS, arguing that he would have secured a conviction against the leader if the legal battles had been tried in court. The throughline of all of Trumps criminal efforts was deceit, knowingly false claims of election fraud, and the evidence shows that Trump used these lies as a weapon to defeat a federal government function foundational to the United States democratic process, Smith wrote at the time of his exit.

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Until Trump obstructed it, this democratic process had operated in a peaceful and orderly manner for more than 130 years, he added. Earlier this month, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired 20 additional employees tied to Smith weeks before the Office of Special Counsel said it would investigate the prosecutor.

It is pertinent to note that the independent body can only research Smiths action and seek disciplinary measures for the federal employee. Investigators can present their findings to the DoJ, and the department can eventually decide whether to press criminal charges.
US President Trump and Canadas PM Carney are expected to speak in the coming days, a Canadian official said, as both nations navigate rising tensions over newly imposed US tariffs

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney would most likely speak over the next number of days after the US put a 35% tax on products not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal, a Canadian official said on Sunday.

Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian cabinet minister in charge of US-Canada trade, told CBS News Face the Nation that recent negotiations had encouraged him and that an agreement to reduce tariffs was still possible.

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Were encouraged by the conversations with Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer, but were not yet where we need to go to get the deal thats in the best interest of the two economies, LeBlanc said, referring to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The trade minister said he expected Carney and Trump to speak over the next number of days.

We think there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down some of these tariffs provide greater certainty to investment, LeBlanc said.

Washington attributed Fridays tariff announcement in part to Canadas inability to combat fentanyl smuggling. It was the latest blow in Trumps months-long tariff war, which began shortly after he returned to office this year.

According to Carney, Canada accounts for under 1% of US fentanyl imports and is working hard to cut numbers even more.
GUANGZHOU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The number of new locally transmitted cases of Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has declined in south China's Guangdong Province over the past week, though risks remain, local disease control authorities said on Sunday.

A total of 2,892 local infections were reported from July 27 to Aug. 2, with no severe or fatal cases recorded, while the majority of cases were found in the city of Foshan, it revealed.

"The recent surge has been initially contained, with a downward trend in newly reported cases across the province," said Kang Min, director of the infectious disease control institute at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kang, notably, warned that Guangdong faces continued pressure from imported cases due to high global transmission levels, while seasonal typhoons and rainfall are also contributing to heightened mosquito activity.

Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Chikungunya virus -- featuring clinical symptoms including fever, rashes and joint pains. The virus is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes.

China on Tuesday held a national conference on the prevention and treatment of Chikungunya fever, calling for decisive measures to fight against it.

The meeting stressed that strengthened efforts should be made to assess epidemic risks, resolutely safeguard people's health, and ensure overall economic and social stability, according to a statement released on the website of the National Health Commission. 
Witkoff was greeted with some applause and pleas for assistance from hundreds of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv, before going into a closed meeting with the families.

US envoy Steve Witkoff (L) arrives to meet families of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 as they demonstrate in Tel Aviv's 'Hostage' square on August 2, 2025. AFP

US envoy Steve Witkoff met anguished relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza on Saturday, as fears for the captives survival mounted almost 22 months into the war sparked by Hamass October 2023 attack.

Witkoff was greeted with some applause and pleas for assistance from hundreds of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv, before going into a closed meeting with the families.

Videos shared online showed him arriving to meet the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, as families chanted Bring them home! and We need your help.

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The meeting came one day after Witkoff visited a US-backed aid station in Gaza to inspect efforts to get food into the devastated Palestinian territory.

The war needs to end, Yotam Cohen, brother of 21-year-old hostage Nimrod Cohen, told AFP.

The Israeli government will not end it willingly. It has refused to do so, he added.

The Israeli government must be stopped. For our sakes, for our soldiers sakes, for our hostages sakes, for our sons and for the future generations of everybody in the Middle East.

Of the 251 hostages taken during the Hamas attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

After the meeting, the Forum released a statement saying Witkoff had given them a personal commitment that he and US President Donald Trump would work to return the remaining hostages.

Horrifying acts

Hamas attempted to maintain pressure on the families, on Friday releasing a video of one of the hostages  24-year-old Evyatar David  for the second time in two days, showing him looking emaciated in a tunnel.

The video called for a ceasefire and warned that time was running out for the hostages. Davids family said their son was the victim of a vile propaganda campaign and accused Hamas of deliberately starving their son.

The deliberate starvation of our son as part of a propaganda campaign is one of the most horrifying acts the world has seen. He is being starved purely to serve Hamass propaganda, the family said.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday also denounced the video, and one released a day earlier by another Palestinian Islamist group, as despicable.

They must be freed, without conditions, he posted on X. Hamas must be disarmed and excluded from ruling Gaza.

The United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, had been mediating ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel that would allow the hostages to be released and humanitarian aid to flow more freely.

But talks broke down last month and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is under domestic pressure to come up with another way to secure the missing hostages, alive and dead.

He is also facing international calls to open Gazas borders to more food aid, after UN and humanitarian agencies warned that more than two million Palestinian civilians are facing starvation.

Without rest

Israels top general warned that there would be no respite in fighting if the hostages were not released.

I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach an agreement for the release of our hostages, armed forces chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

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If not, the combat will continue without rest.

Zamir denied that there was widespread starvation in Gaza.

The current campaign of false accusations of intentional starvation is a deliberate, timed, and deceitful attempt to accuse the IDF (Israeli military), a moral army, of war crimes, he said.

Alongside reports from UN-mandated experts warning a famine is unfolding in Gaza, more and more evidence is emerging of serious malnutrition and deaths among the most vulnerable Palestinian civilians.

Modallala Dawwas, 33, living in a displacement camp in Gaza City told AFP her daughter Mariam had no known illnesses before the war but had now dropped from 25 kilograms (four stone) to 10 (around one and half stone) and was seriously malnourished.

Hamass 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally based on official figures.

Israels campaign in Gaza has killed at least 60,332 people, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territorys health ministry, deemed reliable by the UN.

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The Palestine Red Crescent Society said in a post on X early Sunday that one of its staff members was killed and three others wounded in an Israeli attack on its Khan Yunis headquarters in Gaza.

Gazas civil defence agency said Israeli fire killed 34 people in the territory on Saturday.

Five people were killed in an Israeli strike on an area of central Gaza where Palestinians were awaiting food distribution by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said.

The GHF has largely sidelined the longstanding UN-led aid distribution system in Gaza, just as Israel in late May began easing a more than two-month aid blockade that exacerbated existing shortages.

The UN human rights office in the Palestinian territories said at least 1,373 Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza were killed since May 27, adding that most of them were killed near GHF sites, and by the Israeli military.
While US President Donald Trump is threatening to impose high tariffs on India, data suggests that New Delhi has dramatically increased its energy purchases from the US since Trump came to office in January.

While US President Donald Trump is threatening to impose high tariffs on India, data suggests that New Delhi has dramatically increased its energy purchases from the US since Trump came to office in January. According to the data cited by The Hindustan Times, crude oil imports surged a whopping 51 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period.

The energy commitment reflects New Delhis bid to rebalance trade ties with Washington, DC, which has been one of the key demands of the Trump administration from India. The data also reflected that Indias Liquefied natural gas imports have nearly doubled from $1.41 billion in FY2023-24 to $2.46 billion in FY2024-25.

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It is pertinent to note that this rise in energy imports followed a February Agreement signed between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latters visit to the US. At that time, both leaders committed to expanding energy cooperation. India went on to pledge to boost American energy imports to $25 billion from $15 billion in 2024, while bilateral trade is targeted to more than double from $200 billion to $500 billion by 2030.

Indian companies tap into the American energy sector

According to the data cited by The Hindustan Times, Indian purchases from America jumped 114 per cent to $3.7 billion in the first quarter of FY2025-26 from $1.73 billion in the same period the previous year. This trend is increasing further from July this year. So, in July 2025, India imported 23 per cent more crude oil from the US compared to June 2025. Also, in Indias overall crude imports, while the US share was earlier only 3 per cent, in July that share increased to 8 per cent, one of the people who analysed the data told The Hindustan Times.

Not only this, American LNG has also emerged as an attractive market for Indian companies. Buying LNG from America is a very attractive proposition for many Indian companies, said Prashant Vashisht, senior vice president at ratings agency ICRA, told the Indian news outlet.

The jump came after Trump reversed former US President Joe Bidens pause on processing LNG export licences soon after taking office. Amid this rise, the US Energy Information Administration expects North Americas LNG export capacity to double by 2028, with the US providing most of the increase.

Indias growing appetite for American energy is also coming at a time when the country is poised to become the largest driver of oil demand in the world. According to the International Energy Agency, India will surpass China as the major driver of global oil demand growth by 2030, with LNG demand expected to jump 78 per cent to reach 64 billion cubic metres annually.
COLOMBO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will launch a new program allowing prisoners to have vocational training while serving their sentences, said an official on Sunday.

Jagath Weerasinghe, spokesperson for the Department of Prisons, told reporters that the government has allocated 100 million rupees (about 330,000 U.S. dollars) for the initiative, the first of its kind to be implemented.

Weerasinghe said the vocational training scheme aims to help inmates reintegrate into society after their release.

Sri Lanka has 36 prisons and around 34,000 inmates, the majority of whom are incarcerated for drug-related offenses, according to Weerasinghe. 
JERUSALEM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited East Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, defying a long-standing status quo, and called for the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.

In a video message taken during his visit and published on X, Ben-Gvir said, "Precisely from here, a message must be sent: to ensure that we conquer all of the Gaza Strip, declare sovereignty over the entire Gaza Strip, take down every Hamas member, and encourage voluntary migration (of Palestinians from Gaza)."

He added, "Only in this way will we bring back the hostages and win the war."

Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that Ben-Gvir also prayed at the site, despite a ban. Police officers present did not attempt to stop him, according to the broadcaster.

The visit prompted condemnations from Arab leaders, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the move as a blatant provocation to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement in an attempt to ease tensions, saying that Israel's policy to maintain the status quo at the site "has not changed and will not change."

Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is located in East Jerusalem, a territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed shortly thereafter. The compound is now administered by the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, through its Jerusalem Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, but secured by Israeli police.

Under a long-held status quo, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not to pray there. However, far-right Israeli extremists have increasingly prayed at the site in recent years. 
Iranian intelligence operatives uncover full profiles of Israeli air force pilots, commanders

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 11:13 PM

Iranian intelligence operatives have uncovered the full profiles of the Israeli air force pilots, commanders, and drone operators, who partook in the Israeli regime's unprovoked war on the Islamic Republic in June.

The development was reported by official Iranian broadcast channels and the country's various news outlets on Saturday.

According to the reports, the discovery had laid bare the air force personnel's complete personal details, including their identities, places of residence, operational units, military bases, and roles in other crimes.

The reports highlighted that the intelligence coup was realized, despite the regime's strict efforts to conceal the personnel's identities as witnessed by Israeli outlets routine blurring of their faces during televised coverage.

The reports named two of the pilots as "Major Yael Ash, deputy commander of Squadron 119 (the "Bat" Squadron)" and her husband Bar Prince. Ash was identified as the paternal granddaughter of Major Shimon Ash, a pilot who went missing during the Yom Kippur War that was fought between the regime and a coalition of Arab countries in 1973.

'They're no longer safe'

One Iranian channel reported that the country's intelligence apparatus was now in possesion of "satellite images revealing the exact locations" where the personnel lived.

It referred to Ash's comments in a televised interview, during which she had claimed "she wanted to restore security" to the Zionists.

"Now, she, herself, is no longer safe," it said, adding that revelation of the Israeli personnel's information "makes the entire world unsafe for them."

The Iranian intelligence apparatus' knowledge of the personnel's whereabouts, their equipment, and their movements "provides Iranian intelligence operatives with a strategic advantage" in case any future retaliation was required, the reports stated.

'Sample revenge already taken'

The reports further clarified that some of the Israeli air force personnel had already seen their residences targeted during Iranian retaliatory operations throughout the imposed war.

One broadcast report featured pictures of the aftermath of one such retaliatory strike against one of the personnel's residence in the city of Yavne in the central part of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Some of the residences, it added, were also hit by Iranian missile strikes.

The reprisal saw Iran's armed forces launch at least 22 rounds of counteroffensive across the occupied territories.

The retaliation targeted Israeli nuclear, military, and industrial sites, prompting the regime to request a ceasefire just after 12 days.

Failed attempt at vilifying Iran

The reports further revealed that once the personnel's whereabouts came under Iranian counterstrikes, the regime relocated them to such places as schools.

The evacuation, they noted, took place so the regime could claim that the Islamic Republic had targeted "civilian" sites in case those places were targeted.

The reports finally said what had been made public as part of the discovery so far was only "one example."

"The disclosures of such classified information will continue."

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'Politically motivated': Iran's embassy in Denmark rejects accusations of extraterritorial interference

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 6:45 AM

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Denmark has vehemently denied the accusations made by some Western countries regarding interference in extraterritorial activities against dissidents, journalists, or officials.

In a statement released on Friday, the embassy called these accusations "baseless and politically motivated."

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US signed an anti-Iran statement on Thursday alleging that Iranian intelligence agencies are engaged in attempts to "kill, kidnap, and harass people in Europe and North America."

These allegations, the statement added, "are completely false and lack any credible evidence, and appear to be part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

According to the statement, Iran adheres to international law, respects the sovereignty of nations, and observes the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, calling on those who make such accusations "to provide verifiable evidence rather than relying on baseless speculation."

The statement expressed concern over Western countries harboring terrorist elements, underscoring that some of the nations making these accusations have for years provided refuge to terrorist groups that plan and carry out violent acts against the Iranian people.

The Iranian Embassy addressed Denmark's judicial record regarding the terrorist group 'Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz' (ASMLA), noting that even Danish authorities themselves have confirmed the group's involvement in organizing terrorist operations in Iran, including the deadly attack on the Ahvaz military parade in 2018.

On September 22, 2018, a military parade was attacked by gunmen in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz. The shooters killed 25 people, including soldiers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and civilian bystanders.

However, the Danish prosecutor's office refused to charge these individuals with terrorist acts on Iranian soil, which, according to our embassy, is "questionable and an example of selective prosecution."

The statement further referred to Albania's role in harboring the terrorist group of the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO), a group that, with the full support of its American and European backers, carries out sabotage activities and directs hybrid warfare against Iran.

The statement also pointed to the recent terrorist attack by Jaish al-Adl on a courthouse in Sistan and Baluchestan, which resulted in the martyrdom of several security personnel and civilians, underlining that Iran has consistently been a victim of terrorism.

The Iranian embassy urged countries to uphold honesty, responsibility, and avoid double standards when dealing with terrorism.

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Baltic Sea C5I Synchronization Board Convenes to Enhance Defense Cooperation

By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command Vilnius, Lithuania Jul 25, 2025

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - The Baltic Sea Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Cyberspace, and Intelligence Synchronization Board (BSC5ISB) convened a meeting from July 14-18, 2025, in Vilnius, Lithuania, focusing on strengthening interoperability among the defense forces of the United States, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Representatives from these nations gathered to advance joint operational goals and enhance collaborative defense capabilities.

The BSC5ISB serves as a quadrilateral forum dedicated to establishing and validating interoperability requirements and roadmaps. Participants engaged in discussions aimed at implementing technical solutions and architectures for secure information exchange and persistent communications. Advancing capabilities through coordinated training, exercises, and synchronized multinational efforts to improve joint warfighting functions and multi-domain awareness was a core objective.

Throughout the week, attendees engaged in discussions on a range of topics critical to defense cooperation. National representatives provided updates on their respective efforts to modernize and enhance their defense systems, highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges. These updates fostered a deeper understanding of each nation's capabilities and priorities, laying the groundwork for more effective collaboration.

Working groups delved into specific areas of interoperability, focusing on enhancing communication protocols, data sharing, and joint operational readiness. These groups provided a valuable platform for experts to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and identify opportunities for synergy. The discussions emphasized the importance of aligning defense strategies and capabilities to ensure a cohesive and effective response to potential security challenges.

The board acknowledged the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation in the face of evolving threats. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working together to enhance their collective defense capabilities and maintain a strong security posture in the region.

The collaborative environment fostered during the BSC5ISB meeting facilitated open and constructive dialogue, leading to actionable insights and a renewed sense of shared purpose.

The attendees expressed their gratitude to the Lithuanian Armed Forces for their hospitality and excellent support in hosting the meeting.

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Ranking Member Shaheen, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Safeguard the Integrity of Future Country Human Rights Reports

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Published: August 01, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today,?U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Safeguarding the Integrity of Human Rights Reports Act,which would ensure that the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human Rights remain robust and free from political influence. This legislation would require the Department to continue to report on critical human rights issues, including the rights of women, government corruption, restrictions on participation in the political process, censorship online and violence or discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities and indigenous people, among others.

"Maintaining the veracity and integrity of the Human Rights Reports is critical to preserving its international credibility and holding human rights violators accountable," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "Omitting key information for political interests undermines the integrity of the entire report. We must continue to shine a light on human rights abuses wherever they persist. That's why we introduced the Safeguarding the Integrity of Human Rights Reports Act to ensure future Country Human Right Reports remain credible and independent."

"The horrors of the world will not simply disappear because the Trump administration refuses to report them," said Senator Coons. "I'm proud to sponsor this resolution because in order to combat terrorism and bad actors, to predict where attacks may come from or wars may break out, we have to understand the conditions in other nations - and that includes how they're treating their people."

"For decades, the State Department's Human Rights Reports have provided critical insight into human rights conditions in countries around the world and have helped inform American foreign policy. The Trump Administration's actions to water down and politicize these reports undermine their very purpose and damage the credibility of the Department itself. This legislation would require the Administration to reverse course and ensure the legitimacy and independence of these reports," said Senator Van Hollen.

"U.S. policy and leadership on human rights is rooted in American values and helps create a more just world, which in turn provides dividends to our national security interests and the safety and prosperity of Americans," said Senator Booker. "The State Department's annual country reports on Human Rights Practices are vital to these efforts, and any decision to erase, ignore, or politicize state-sponsored human rights abuses or the experiences of marginalized communities undermines American values, credibility, and leadership. This legislation will ensure these human rights reports remain factual, comprehensive, and free from political interference."

"Standing up for human rights has to remain a core part of U.S. foreign policy, no matter who's in the White House," said Senator Merkley. "As the Trump Administration tries to erase key issues from the State Department's human rights reports, this bill pushes back and promotes accountability and transparency in advancing this critical work."

"The State Department's annual human rights reports provide critical information about human rights and the security, political, and economic stability of countries around the world, many of which receive U.S. security assistance," said Senator Kaine. "The Trump Administration's attempts to politicize these reports by leaving out topics, such as women's rights or corruption, betrays our values and makes us less safe. This legislation is important to maintaining the credibility of these reports and the United States' decades-long efforts to promote human rights abroad."

"These reports encourage countries to improve their human rights records, and there's no reason to give up that leverage," said Senator Schatz, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Our bill requires the State Department to produce thorough reports, including on key issues of censorship and corruption, which undermine U.S. interests and make us less secure."

"The Human Rights Report is an essential tool to document human rights abuses and bring those responsible to justice. Erasing information on critical human rights issues from this report-including the rights of women and government corruption-won't erase the abuses. It will just serve to further endanger the health and welfare of some of the world's most vulnerable people, and further a culture of lawlessness in countries where impunity is the norm. It's another example of the Trump Administration's efforts to weaken transparency and accountability on every front," said Senator Welch. "I'm proud to join Senator Shaheen on this bill to maintain the integrity of the Human Rights Report and ensure human rights violators are held accountable for their crimes."

The Safeguarding the Integrity of Human Rights Reports Act would mandate reporting on:

Discrimination against women in access to maternal and reproductive health

Restrictions on freedom of expression, Internet freedom, or access to information

Arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy

Restrictions on political participation or the ability of citizens to elect public representatives through free and fair elections

Government corruption and its impacts on human rights

Discrimination or violence against women and girls, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, or LGBTQI+ persons

Full text of the Safeguarding the Integrity of Human Rights Reports Act can be found here.

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Islamic Jihad says U.S. envoy's Gaza visit aims to whitewash Washington's "criminal image"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

Palestinian Islamic Jihad has condemned the recent visit of a U.S. envoy to southern Gaza, calling it a "deceptive show on the scene of crime" aimed at whitewashing the image of Israel and its main backer, the United States.

In a strongly-worded statement on Saturday reported by Palestinian Shehab News Agency, the militant group denounced the visit of Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for West Asia, to Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday. Witkoff toured an American-Israeli humanitarian aid distribution center in the area.

"This visit is nothing but a propaganda stunt where the criminal appears dressed as a rescuer," the statement said, adding that it was part of "blatant efforts to sanitize the image of the occupiers and their main partner, the U.S. government, especially during the Trump administration."

Islamic Jihad accused Washington of being a direct accomplice in Israel's ongoing military aggression in Gaza, which have devastated the enclave and killed thousands of its residents. "Everyone knows that Washington is the main partner and direct supporter of the Zionist killing machine," the group said.

The statement also described the visit as a part of a "misleading media campaign" aimed at containing growing global outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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Resilience of Gazans a sign of commitment to the cause of liberation of Palestine and al-Quds: I.R.G.C.

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) has hailed the resistance and resilience of the people of Gaza, despite 21 months of relentless Israeli genocide and crimes in the besieged Palestinian coastal Strip.

The I.R.G.C. issued a statement on Saturday, commemorating the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Palestinian Hamas' Political Bureau, who was assassinated by the Israeli regime in Tehran on July 31, 2024.

Condemning Israel's criminal act of assassinating Haniyeh, who was an Iranian guest to participate in the presidential inauguration, the statement said that "The resilience of the people of Gaza, today, is the continuation of the path of their martyrs and a sign of their commitment to the liberation of Palestine and the holy city of al-Quds."

Referring to the escalation of Israeli crimes, the I.R.G.C. denounced the regime for preventing the oppressed Palestinians from accessing basic resources of life such as water, food and medicine, calling it "a clear violation of human rights and international law, and a new form of genocide."

The statement accused Western countries of being complicit in these inhuman crimes but said that "Despite their silence and support, global protests against the Zionist regime, have made it inevitable for international institutions to respond to these medieval crimes."

In order to avoid historical shame, human rights and international organizations must immediately lift the siege of Gaza and stop the genocide with effective and forceful means, and by imposing sanctions on the Zionist regime and bringing it to the international tribunal, with initiatives taken during the apartheid era in South Africa, the statement added.

Commending the steadfastness of the Palestinians, the I.R.G.C. said that the continuous support of the regional resistance front, especially the Islamic Republic, "have terrified the criminal gangs ruling Washington and Tel Aviv more than ever before."

The I.R.G.C. described the resistance as the guarantee of the victory of the Palestinian people, and the defeat of the fake and child-killing regime, and the humiliation of its supporters. "Contrary to the imagination of the despicable Zionist enemy and its devilish supporters, the final victory of Palestine against the usurpers and occupiers is imminent," reads the statement.

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UN says 1,373 Palestinians killed in Gaza while waiting for food

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has announced that since May 27, 1,373 Palestinian people have been killed by the Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip while waiting for food.

According to the Palestinian media, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed that 859 of these victims were killed at food distribution centers, while 514 others were killed along aid convoy routes.

The report added that 105 Palestinians were killed and more than 680 others were injured along aid convoy routes in northern Gaza and south of Khan Younis, as well as at relief centers on July 30-31.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military claimed it had suspended military operations for several hours to allow humanitarian aid deliveries.

According to the report, most of the victims were children and teenagers, who posed no threat to Israeli forces.

In a separate statement, Gaza's Civil Defense announced that 18 Palestinian citizens had been killed since Saturday morning with the bodies of 13 of them recovered from under the rubble in eastern Gaza.

A Palestinian medical source reported that at least one person was killed in an attack on the western side of Al-Zawaida settlement in the central Gaza Strip.

Additionally, the Israeli military demolished residential buildings near the Al-Amal neighborhood in the northern part of Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

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UN Spokesperson: Widespread support for Palestinian statehood is significant

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

The deputy spokesperson for the United Nations announced that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres views the broad level of support from countries for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as significant.

In an interview with IRNA, Farhan Haq addressed the recognition of an independent Palestinian state by some European and Western countries.

He said that the UN Secretary-General expressed the hope countries would leverage the results of the international conference on Palestine, held from July 28-30 at the UN headquarters, to achieve an attainable solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

When asked by the IRNA correspondent about the Secretary-General's view on the developments, given the recognition of a Palestinian state by some European countries and the United States' opposition, he said that from the perspective of Guterres, what is important is the extensive level of support from the participating countries in the conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, for the two-state solution.

In a related development, Eloy Alfaro de Alba, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Panama to the UN, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council in August, told IRNA that Panama will examine the issue of recognizing an independent Palestinian state.

He termed the actions of some European countries in recognizing an independent Palestinian state as significant and effective, adding that the action is not symbolic.

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US President Donald Trumps special envoy to the Middle East has told families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas that a coordinated plan with the Israeli government could lead to the effective conclusion of the Gaza war, according to gulftimes.

Steve Witkoff, currently visiting Israel amidst growing international criticism over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, stated that resolving the war has become a top priority for Trumps administration. Despite earlier setbacks in diplomacy, Witkoff suggested that progress is being made.

In a recording of a recent meeting with hostage families, obtained by Reuters, Witkoff is heard saying:

We have a very, very good plan that we're working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu... for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war.

He also remarked that Hamas was allegedly willing to disarm to bring the conflict to a closean assertion Hamas strongly rejects. The group reiterated on Saturday that it would not abandon armed resistance unless a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established.

Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelwhich aimed to secure a 60-day ceasefire and facilitate the release of half the remaining hostagesbroke down last week with no agreement.

Meanwhile, tensions heightened after Hamas released its second hostage video in two days, showing Israeli captive Evyatar David, visibly emaciated, digging what he describes as his own grave.

They are on the absolute brink of death, said Ilay David, his brother, at a rally in Tel Aviv. Thousands gathered in solidarity, calling for the immediate release of all hostages.

In these horrific conditions, they may have only days left to survive.

Witkoff, whose arrival comes as Israel faces mounting global condemnation over the worsening crisis in Gaza, met with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday. A senior Israeli official later stated that Washington and Tel Aviv were converging on a broader strategy: not only to secure the release of all hostages but also to fully disarm Hamas and demilitarise Gazacore Israeli demands for any resolution to the conflict.

On Friday, Witkoff toured a US-supported humanitarian aid operation in southern Gaza. The United Nations has partly held such efforts accountable for the deteriorating situation, noting that logistical restrictions have left the enclave in severe deprivation.

According to Gazas health ministry, dozens have died from malnutrition in recent weeks after Israel halted all supplies to the area for nearly three months, between March and May. The ministry reported seven additional deaths, including that of a child, on Saturday.

UN agencies have warned that airdropped food is inadequate, stressing that far more aid must be delivered by land and that access to it must be eased urgently.
A safety staff member observes as a robotaxi of Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider, steers automatically at the Canton Tower, a landmark in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, March 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

GUANGZHOU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- In the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, the future of urban mobility is arriving ahead of schedule.

Upon arrival at Baiyun International Airport, a simple online reservation summons a driverless taxi to the curb. Within the city, autonomous minibuses shuttle passengers around landmarks like the Canton Tower, while low-altitude flight routes are set to bring "air buses" into everyday use.

Since February this year, Pony.ai, a Guangzhou-based robotaxi service provider, has run a robotaxi line between the city's downtown area, the airport and the high-speed rail hub. Riders notice the calm: no lurching stops, no creeping over crosswalks, just a spacious cabin gliding at a measured pace.

"Our fares match ordinary taxis," said Chen Haosheng, a staff member of Pony.ai. "Each car now handles up to 15 trips a day, and demand keeps rising." The difference is invisible -- dozens of radars and high-definition cameras, not a human hand, judge every lane change.

Another Guangzhou-based tech firm, WeRide, has launched its autonomous minibus service at the Canton Tower. The futuristic service has become a must-try for tourists visiting Guangzhou.

The 9-kilometer Canton Tower loop, operating 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, carried 1.13 million passengers over 2.01 million kilometers from December 2023 to the end of 2024.

As of the end of April 2025, 12 similar driverless bus routes have served 1.17 million riders safely and logged 2.17 million kilometers across Guangzhou, said the city's bus authorities.

The launch of these demonstration routes highlights Guangzhou's steady progress in autonomous driving policies.

As one of the earliest cities in China to explore autonomous driving, Guangzhou offers a rich variety of road test scenarios, creating a favorable environment for the application and demonstration of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs).

Since 2018, Guangzhou has been actively developing the ICV market, introducing policies and standards related to road testing, demonstration applications and operation, and gradually opening up its urban roads.

The city is also expanding the boundaries of autonomous driving by actively developing "air transportation." In late March, EHang Intelligent, a Guangzhou-based drone maker, obtained the operation certificate for autonomous passenger drones from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This means that consumers will soon be able to purchase tickets at designated operating spots in Guangzhou to experience low-altitude tours, city sightseeing, and a variety of commercial passenger services.

The carrier, EH216-S, developed by EHang, is a pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. It has completed more than 60,000 safe flights worldwide and can be applied in scenarios such as manned transportation, air tours, air logistics, and even emergency medical response.

"In the future, aircraft will have fixed stations like buses, and these stations will be very close to people's homes and travel destinations. People will also be able to book an aircraft via their mobile phones," said Xue Peng, vice president of EHang Intelligent.

According to Guangzhou's low-altitude economy development plan released in May 2024, by 2027, the overall scale of Guangzhou's low-altitude economy is expected to reach 150 billion yuan (about 21 billion U.S. dollars), with commercial manned flight operations being one of the core directions.

Data released by the CAAC shows that by 2025, the market value of the low-altitude economy sector is expected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan, and could soar to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035. 
Pezeshkian stresses commitment to defending Iran, supporting Palestinian rights

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- President Masoud Pezeshkian, while commemorating the memory of former Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, has emphasized that the Islamic Republic stands firm in defending Iran and supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

Referring to the anniversary of the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the president wrote in a post on his X account: "Last year, on the first day of my responsibility, our official guest, the freedom-seeking brother Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated by the Zionist regime. The war crimes of this regime in Gaza, Iran, and the region are a source of shame for humanity."

He added, "We stand firm in defending Iran and supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. We honor the memory of our martyred guest."

Haniyeh was assassinated by the Israeli regime on July 31, 2024, while he was in Iran as an official guest to the inaugural ceremony of President Pezeshkian.

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Iran slams world's failure to stop Israel's genocide in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 9:25 PM

The Foreign Ministry has strongly denounced the international community's continued issuance of empty condemnations and promises as the Israeli regime keeps ripping the Gaza Strip apart thanks to considerable military support from its Western allies.

Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the comments in a post on X on Saturday.

He was referring to the sustained international inaction in response to the regime's October 2023-present war of genocide and starvation campaign against Gaza, which has been heavily backed by Tel Aviv's key Western supporters such as the United States and Germany.

"Palestinians are wickedly starved to death at the same time that they are massacred by the most sophisticated lethal American/German made weapons," he wrote.

"Lines for food are deliberately turned into death traps; patients die without food & medicine," the official added.

As a supposed means of trying to treat widespread malnourishment throughout the territory, Tel Aviv and Washington have set up so-called aid distribution points across Gaza, where more than a thousand starving Palestinians have so far been gunned down by Israeli fire.

"And this is after 2 years of brutal terror campaign of bombardment and massive annihilation that has killed and maimed more than 200,000 persons, traumatized the whole Gazans and turned 90 percent of Gaza Strip into an uninhabitable moonscape," Baghaei lamented.

"The international community must stop issuing empty statements and start taking action to relieve the innocent Gazans."

That, the official stated, would be possible through implementation of an immediate arms embargo on the regime and prosecution of its criminal officials.

In November 2023, a temporary ceasefire agreement between the regime and the Hamas resistance movement led to the release of some Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners. However, the regime refused to extend the deal as initially planned, choosing instead to intensify its military assaults on Gaza.

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IRGC: Gazans' resilience reveals their commitment to liberation of Palestine

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 6:27 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has hailed the resilience and steadfastness of the residents of the Gaza Strip in the face of unrelenting Israeli strikes, describing the resistance as a sign of their commitment to the cause of liberating occupied Palestinian lands and the holy city of al-Quds.

The elite force, in a statement released on Saturday to commemorate the first martyrdom anniversary of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, warned that the architects of the ongoing genocide in Gaza have more overriding ambitions, rooted in the plunder of the world's strategic and rich regions, particularly the Muslim world.

"The escalation of the Zionist regime's crimes in preventing the oppressed people of Gaza from accessing basic needs of life, such as water, food, and medicine, is a blatant violation of human rights and international law. In fact, it can be called a new genocide," the statement noted.

The IRGC highlighted that such horrendous and inhuman crimes, which are being perpetrated in light of the silence and support of the self-proclaimed Western advocates of human rights, have made it inevitable for international institutions to respond to these medieval crimes, and have put them to their greatest litmus test in history.

The statement also praised the global wave of support for Palestinians and the growing condemnation of the occupying Israeli regime, describing the phenomenon as the product of the enlightening effect of the blood of the martyrs and the resilience of the oppressed people of Gaza.

The IRGC denounced the criminal assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, stressing that the resistance front's "hidden capacities" would guarantee victory for Gaza and the Palestinian nation, the defeat of the bogus Zionist regime, and the frustration of its sponsors.

Haniyeh, who was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, was assassinated along with his bodyguard in an Israeli attack on his residence in northern Tehran early on July 31, 2024.

The IRGC underlined that Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was not simply an incident at a certain point in the history of Resistance, but rather was a school and an operational strategy that determines the fate of the battle against the Zionist regime.

The statement also condemned the recent fiendish moves and conspiracies to implement the so-called nation of two-state solution in Palestinian territories, echoing remarks by Haniyeh and the heroic catchphrase by Hamas that "we will never ever recognize Israel."

The IRGC also strongly condemned the genocide in Gaza and the silence of international organizations and agencies in the face of the barbaric crimes of the Zionist regime, describing intentional starvation and the creation of famine as well-known examples of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Human rights institutions and international organizations must immediately lift the siege on Gaza, halt the ongoing genocide in the area through effective and coercive means, impose serious sanctions against the Zionist regime, try the perpetrators of these crimes at the International Criminal Court with initiatives similar to those introduced in the wake of the apartheid era in South Africa, the statement read.

The IRGC finally stated that Israeli officials must not be spared from paying the price for their criminality in normalizing hunger and depriving Gazans of their fundamental right to access food.

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Hamas says won't disarm until independent Palestinian state established

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 6:09 PM

Hamas says it will not disarm until an independent Palestinian state is established with al-Quds as its capital.

The resistance group issued a statement on Saturday in response to reports citing US special envoy Steve Witkoff's "claims that the movement has expressed willingness to disarm."

Hamas said that the resistance and its weapons "represent a national and legal right as long as the occupation remains in placea right recognized by international charters and conventions."

"We will never relinquish this right until all our national rights are restored, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem (al-Quds) as its capital," Hamas added.

Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip stalled last week.

On Tuesday, Qatar and Egyptmediators in the ceasefire effortsendorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution on the condition that Hamas hand over arms to a Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Israel considers the disarmament of Hamas a key condition for any deal to end its genocidal war on Gaza, but Hamas has repeatedly said that it will never lay down its weapons.

Witkoff's Gaza visit nothing but 'staged show'

In a separate statement, Hamas slammed Witkoff's visit to a controversial US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution site in Gaza, calling it a "staged show" aimed at whitewashing Israeli crimes and misleading public opinion.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy to West Asia visited the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site on Friday.

He claimed the purpose of the visit was to give Trump "a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza."

The Palestinian resistance movement said the visit was designed to provide "political cover" for Israel's "starvation campaign and continued systematic killing of defenseless children and civilians in the Gaza Strip."

The visit took place at a GHF distribution site in Rafah, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while trying to access food, including many near GHF-operated locations, according to the United Nations.

"Witkoff's misleading statements, coupled with the dissemination of targeted propaganda images portraying peaceful aid distribution, are belied by the facts on the groundwhere over 1,300 starving civilians have been gunned down by the occupation army and employees of the inhumane GHF," Hamas said.

The group also reiterated that the Trump administration is "fully complicit in these starvation crimes and the ongoing genocide in Gaza" and called on Washington to "assume its historical responsibility by exposing the crimes" being committed by the Israeli regime and working to end the aggression.

On Friday evening, Trump said he had spoken with Witkoff following his visit. "He had a great meeting with a lot of people. The primary meeting was on food... getting the people fed, and that's what we want," the US president said.

Witkoff's trip has drawn outrage from Palestinians, who said the visit was a media stunt meant to deflect attention from the US role in enabling Israeli war crimes.

The US and Israel created the GHF to bypass the United Nations' central role in aid distribution in Gaza. The UN has refused to cooperate with the program, calling it a militarized aid model that fosters displacement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in June that the US-backed plan is "inherently unsafe" and warned: "It is killing people."

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to obtain food, including hundreds near GHF sites, according to the UN.

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Israeli drone followed Gaza colleague home to kill his family: British doctor

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 2:52 PM

A British doctor who recently returned from the Gaza Strip has reported that an Israeli drone followed her colleague home and wiped out his family.

In an interview with Sky News on Saturday, Nada Al-Hadithy shared the disturbing detail of how an Israeli drone killed the family of her colleague, whom she described as "patient, joyful, and hardworking."

Al-Hadithy said an Israeli quadcopter followed her colleague home, but the drone's operator made the chilling decision not to kill him while he was alone on his route.

Instead, the operator waited until he was in his tent, greeted by his three children, and then took their lives, she said.

The British doctor also noted that one of her patients, a 21-year-old woman, who was six months pregnant, lost her baby after an Israeli bomb detonated near her tent, causing serious injuries.

According to Al-Hadithy, the woman's husband was killed, she lost her eye, and she suffered an open fracture with both her legs completely destroyed from the bomb blast.

"This woman is completely emaciated, with no vitamins, no food. And one day her baby stopped moving," she said.

Al-Hadithy further described the situation in Gaza as "absolutely desperate," saying a school classroom's worth of children are dying every single day.

She also stated that during her three weeks of work in Gaza, she observed a tangible difference in the level of starvation and emaciation among patients, adding that "Even the severity and relentlessness of the bombings was worse."

"It was mass casualty after mass casualty," she said, with people being blown up in their tents, even in areas designated as green zones.

"The situation was catastrophic."

Hadithy further said she regularly witnessed "emaciated children" while working in Gaza, highlighting the dire situation in the besieged enclave.

She also emphasized that Gaza, with a population of two million in a space similar in size to Exeter, is facing severe food shortages, lack of water, sanitation, and medical supplies.

Additionally, Hadithy pointed out the alarming condition of Gaza's health workers, stating that they themselves are suffering from starvation.

She praised the dignity and commitment of the health workers, acknowledging their resilience in the face of such adversity.

The Israeli regime has maintained a blockade on Gaza for 18 years and, since March 2, 2025, when it violated its ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, has sealed all border crossings, blocking the entry of all aid and worsening the already dire humanitarian conditions in the territory.

Since the Israeli regime began its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, it has murdered over 60,332 Palestinians and wounded more than 147,643, most of them children and women.

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Finland's president says he is ready to recognize Palestinian state

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 10:18 AM

Finland's President Alexander Stubb says he is ready to approve recognition of a Palestinian state if the government moves forward with and submits an official proposal.

"The decisions by France, the United Kingdom and Canada reinforce the trend towards recognizing Palestine as part of efforts to breathe new life into the peace process," Stubb wrote on X.

He added, "If I receive a proposal to recognize the Palestinian state, I am prepared to approve it."

Earlier, Stubb told the Finnish news agency STT that the recognition of Palestine has reached a point where Finland must make a choice.

"We have been discussing this difficult question since the beginning of October 2023. Now I myself see that the situation has progressed to the point where Finland must make its choice," he said.

Stubb expressed optimism regarding Finland's potential recognition of Palestine, emphasizing that such action would carry greater significance if it were part of a wider international initiative.

He underscored that such recognition should be directed towards facilitating the peace process and the proposed so-called two-state solution.

The president further condemned the atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza, saying that collective punishment and the suffering of civilians are "unacceptable."

Portugal's plan to recognize Palestine hailed

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday commended Portugal's decision to initiate the recognition process of a Palestinian state this September, describing it as a significant move towards promoting a purported two-state solution.

"This is a positive and courageous decision by Portugal, one that strengthens the path toward peace and reflects the growing consensus of the international community," Abbas said in a statement carried by the official WAFA news agency.

He called upon nations that have not yet recognized a Palestinian state "to take similar serious steps in support of peace."

Many countries, including France and Canada, have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state at the 80th UN General Assembly in September.

Of the UN's 193 member states, 148 currently recognize Palestine, first declared by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988.

On Monday, the Israeli human rights organizations B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel charged Israel with perpetrating genocide in Gaza, referencing the systematic devastation of Palestinian society and the intentional dismantling of the region's healthcare infrastructure.

At least 60,332 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 148,870 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

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Remembering Haniyeh: President Pezeshkian reaffirms Iran's commitment to resistance

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 6:59 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian has paid tribute to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on his martyrdom anniversary, reaffirming Iran's commitment to the resistance amid the ongoing US-Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

"One year ago, on the first day of my presidency, our official guest, the freedom-loving brother Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated by the Zionist regime. The war crimes of this regime in Gaza, Iran, and the region are a disgrace to humanity," Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in a tweet on Saturday.

"We remain steadfast in defending Iran and supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. We honor the memory of our martyr guest," he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran similarly issued a statement on Friday, marking the first anniversary of the assassination of Haniyeh by the Israeli regime.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran honors the memory of this great martyr and a long-time companion of Martyr General Qasem Soleimani, extending its congratulations and condolences to the Leader of the Revolution, the resilient people of Palestine, the family of Martyr Haniyeh, the Hamas movement, all resistance groups in Palestine and the region, and to all freedom-loving people worldwide," read the statement.

It also condemned the assassination of the late Martyr Ismail Haniyeh in the strongest terms, saying: "The assassination of Martyr Ismail Haniyeh in Tehranwhile he was an official guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian presidentwas a grave crime and a blatant violation of international law, national sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The statement further stressed that the path of Martyr Haniyeh and other martyrs of the resistance will continue with determination until the liberation of the oppressed Palestinian people from the yoke of the occupiers and the realization of their right to self-determination.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that one year after the crime committed by the Zionist regime in the assassination of Haniyeh, the terrorist and criminal nature of this regime has become clearer than ever.

"The continuous military and political support from the United States and some other Western countries for this regime has turned them into accomplices and partners in the crimes committed, making them liable for international responsibility due to the genocide and war crimes perpetrated by the Israeli regime."

July 31 marks the first anniversary of Haniyeh's assassination by Israel in Tehran, a cowardly act breaching Iran's sovereignty.

As Hamas' political leader, Haniyeh was in Tehran for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's newly elected president, Pezeshkian.

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Germany Accuses Israel of Not Doing Enough to Improve Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

Sputnik News

20250802

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel is not doing enough to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said on Saturday.

"The federal government has noted the first, minor successes in providing humanitarian assistance to the population of the Gaza Strip, but they are far from sufficient to mitigate the emergency situation," Kornelius said in a statement.

The statement was issued after Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul briefed the national security council about his recent trip to the Middle East.

Israel should ensure broader access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, including with the support of the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the statement read. Kornelius expressed concern about reports that claimed Palestinian movement Hamas was withholding large amounts of humanitarian aid.

On July 26, Israel allowed foreign countries to resume airlifting aid to Gaza. Over 100 pallets of food and medicine have been delivered by air. Trucks with humanitarian aid from Egypt also headed to Gaza.

Israel has been managing humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip via the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, whose aid distribution points are concentrated in the enclave's south. Israeli troops routinely open fire at Palestinians queuing for aid. According to the UN, at least 1,373 people have been killed near humanitarian aid centers since May.

 Sputnik

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Serbian Security Council Condemns Bosnian Court's Verdict Against Dodik - Vucic

Sputnik News

20250802

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The National Security Council of Serbia has condemned the verdict issued by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and has declared the ruling invalid on Serbian territory, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday.

Vucic vowed on Friday that as long as he was alive he would never accept the Sarajevo court's sentencing of Dodik to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding public office for failing to comply with decisions made by unrecognized UN high representative in BiH Christian Schmidt. Dodik called for Serbia to demonstrate its unconditional support and sought backing from Russia and the United States following the verdict.

"The decision of BiH's second-instance [appellate] chamber is harshly condemned... Although passed in the 21st century, this ruling is undemocratic, uncivilized, and immoral. Serbia does not recognize the verdict, and the National Security Council concludes that the situation in the region has been seriously destabilized," Vucic said in a statement following the council meeting.

Vucic said that he personally signed the unanimous resolution, which is binding on all Serbian state institutions, and affirmed that Dodik would not be arrested if he entered Serbia.

Dodik's lawyer, Goran Bubic, said on Friday he would seek suspension of the BiH court's verdict to appeal it with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),

On March 12, the BiH Prosecutor's Office ordered the Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) to detain Dodik, as well as Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Radovan Viskovic and National Assembly Chairman Nenad Stevandic.

On April 16, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a request to Interpol through the organization's National Central Bureau in Sarajevo to review the April 2 decision rejecting the arrest warrant for Dodik and Stevandic. The next day, Dodik said that Interpol had refused to pursue him based on the politically motivated request of the BiH court.

 Sputnik

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Bulgaria Incapable of Replacing All Russian Units at Kozloduy Nuclear Plant - Russian Envoy

Sputnik News

20250802

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Bulgaria will not be able to replace all Russian units and assemblies at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP), despite attempts to find an alternative to Russian equipment, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova told Sputnik.

The Kozloduy nuclear power plant, built with the active participation of the Soviet Union in the 1970s, is the only functioning nuclear power plant in Bulgaria, Mitrofanova specified.

"For political reasons, the Bulgarians are actively trying to find analogues of Russian equipment in the US, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and other countries. As you know, since May of last year, the gradual transition of the 5th power unit to 'democratic' American fuel began. But it is impossible to replace all units and assemblies. In these conditions, Rosatom continues targeted technical maintenance of this energy infrastructure," Mitrofanova said.

 Sputnik

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JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian government on Saturday urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel to reopen Gaza's border crossings fully, as Israel said fresh aid packages continued to be airdropped throughout the strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 90 aid packages containing food supplies were airdropped on Saturday throughout the Gaza Strip, as part of broader efforts to enhance humanitarian aid in the territory.

The airdrops were conducted in coordination with Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with Germany and France, both of which joined the aid operation on Friday.

The IDF stated it will keep working with the international community to improve humanitarian efforts in the Strip, while denying allegations of deliberately causing starvation.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian government on Saturday urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel to fully reopen Gaza's border crossings, amid the backlog of thousands of aid trucks at the entrances to the Strip, according to an official statement.

"The food insecurity levels in the Gaza Strip have reached 100 percent, according to reports from specialized UN organizations," the government said, stressing the need to "stop the escalating use of hunger as a weapon to kill the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

Earlier on Saturday, Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported that 18 Palestinian aid seekers were killed by Israeli fire in two incidents in the central Gaza Strip.

Hospitals in the Gaza Strip recorded seven new deaths in the past 24 hours due to starvation and malnutrition, including one child, bringing the total number of starvation victims since October 2023 to 169, including 93 children, Gaza-based health authorities said on Saturday.

In a separate statement on Saturday, the IDF said it struck over 130 militant targets across the Gaza Strip over the weekend.

In the northern Gaza Strip, IDF armored troops killed four Hamas militants in an airstrike. In the south, IDF troops killed militants and dismantled militant infrastructure and weapons, according to the statement.

The military also announced the killing of Salah al-Din Za'atra in a July 24 airstrike. Za'atra, identified as the deputy commander of Hamas' Al-Furqan Battalion, was accused of orchestrating attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. 
Russo-Ukraine War - 02 August 2025 - Day 1256

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 Russian Ground Forces (RGF) are intensifying attempts to envelop Pokrovsk, the key Ukrainian logistics hub which supports operations in the Donbas.

In the last week, RGF have made incremental gains to the north east of Pokrovsk, seeking to circumvent and cut off its logistic routes and ground lines of communication. RGF have advanced west in the vicinity of the H-32 highway, notably towards the village of Rodynske, through which runs Pokrovsk's main northern supply route. Russian forces have also gained territory to the south of the highway, advancing in the vicinity of Myroliubivka.

Open source reports on 22 July 2025 suggested Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups had attempted to infiltrate into southern Pokrovsk, with Ukrainian forces subsequently conducting clearance operations. Pokrovsk has likely been the priority axis for Russia since Avdiivka was seized by Russia in February 2024. Russian efforts against the fortified city have been made at heavy cost in Russian casualties and materiel.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of this day, there have been 104 combat encounters.

Today, the Russian invaders launched one missile and 46 airstrikes, used one missile and dropped 79 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians involved 1374 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,865 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

Ukrainian defenders repelled 18 Russian attacks in the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, two more clashes are ongoing. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy launched 12 air strikes, dropped a total of 20 controlled air bombs and carried out 250 artillery shells, including six from reactive systems of arson-fire.

In the South-Slobozhansky direction, Ukrainian troops stopped six Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Kamyanka and Krasna Pershe, another confrontation is still ongoing.

In the Kupiansk direction, the Russian opponent carried out four offensive actions in the areas of the settlements of Kupiansk, Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruglyakivka and Zagrizove.

In the Lyman direction during the day, Russian zagarbniks 12 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Karpivka, Grigorivka and towards the settlements of Chernistan, Medium, Shandrigolove. Four clashes are ongoing so far.

In the Kramators komu direction, one battle has been recorded. Russian Zagarbnik tried to move towards the settlement of Novomarkove.

In the Toretsky direction Russians 11 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. The main efforts of the invasion were concentrated by the Russian occupiers in the areas of settlements Oleksandro-Shultine, Yablunivka, Scherbinivka and in the direction of Ivanopil and Stepanivka. Three clashes are ongoing so far.

In the Pokrovsky direction, Russian Zagarbnytskyi units 28 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Poltavka, Popiv Yar, Volodymyrivka, Zapovidne, Mirolubivka, Novoekonomicne, Sukhetske, Rodins ke, Lisivka, Novopavlivka, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Udaachne, Green Corner, Novoukraina. Two clashes are still ongoing.

Today in this direction Ukrainian warriors zneskodili 111 Russian occupiers, of them 75 - irrevocably. Also destroyed one car, six motorcycles, three unmanned aircraft, two cannons, a BPLA control antenna and three cannons and one Russian occupant car.

In the Novopavlovsk direction, Russian forces attacked eight times in the areas of the settlements of Maliyivka, Voskresenko, Novopil, Tolstoy, Mirne, Green Field and in the direction of the settlement of Phililia. One Russian attack is underway.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian forces launched an airstrike in the area of the settlement of Bilogir.

In the orihivs komu direction, the Russian opponent dropped an air bomb in the area of novoandrivka.

In the pridniprovsk direction of air strikes suffered lviv and kherson.

In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly.





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Brazil's Lula vows to prepare response to Trump's tariffs

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 11:29 AM

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has affirmed his government's readiness to respond appropriately to the 50% tariffs imposed by the White House on certain Brazilian goods since August 1.

Lula da Silva wrote on his X account on Saturday that his government has always been open to dialogue with the US, but since Donald Trump's administration imposed new tariffs against Brazil, they will introduce tit-for-tat measures.

"We have always been open to a dialogue," the head of state wrote, adding, "We are working now to respond to the US tariff measures."

Only citizens and institutions of Brazil have the right to determine the country's path, including the relations with the US, he added.

Trump announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, claiming that the US had to overcome the trade deficit with Brazil.

However, economic and trade statistics show that the US has had a trade surplus with Brazil for over a decade.

In an interview with the New York Times, clearly designed to send a message to Trump, Lula da Silva urged the US president to avoid creating a "lose-lose" relationship between the two countries and said he did not fear publicly criticizing Trump, whom he recently called an "emperor."

"There is no reason to be afraid. I am worried, obviously, because we have economic interests, political interests, and technological interests. But at no point will Brazil negotiate as if it were a small country up against a big country. Brazil will negotiate as a sovereign country," said Lula da Silva.

Analysts have argued that Trump has targeted Brazil largely for political reasons, including the legal prosecution of his far-right ally, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting a coup to stop Lula da Silva from taking office after the former lost the 2022 presidential election.

Additionally, Trump has been interfering in Brazil's judicial system by sanctioning the Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case against Bolsonaro, but according to Trump, is allegedly censoring conservative voices online.

On Wednesday, the US State Department released a press statement and said, "Moraes abused his authority by engaging in a targeted and politically motivated effort designed to silence political critics through the issuance of secret orders compelling online platforms, including US social media companies, to ban the accounts of individuals for posting protected speech. Moraes further abused his position to authorize unjust pre-trial detentions and undermine freedom of expression."

In response, Lula da Silva has condemned the US administration's decision and said that his government stands firm in the face of foreign interference.

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Statement by Minister Anand on flawed report released earlier this week concerning Canadian arms exports

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

August 2, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement:

"Canada has drawn, and will continue to draw, a hard line: since January 2024, we have refused any new permits for controlled goods that could be used in Gaza. Not one has been approved.

"We went further by freezing all existing permits in 2024 that could have allowed military components to be used in Gaza, and those permits remain suspended today.

"The law is clear: no company may export controlled goods without a valid permit. We will not hesitate to ensure that those who violate this law face legal consequences that include fines, seizures and criminal prosecution.

"In other words, we will not allow Canadian-made weapons to fuel this conflict in any way.

"After examining the report released on July 29, 2025, Global Affairs Canada officials have determined that a number of claims in the report are misleading and significantly misrepresent the facts.

"For example:

The items identified as 'bullets' are in fact paintball-style projectiles. They are accompanied by equipment designed to make a firearm inoperable with traditional rounds. These cannot be used in combat, and if they were, they would require a permit that would not be granted.

No mortars have been shipped from Canadian manufacturers to Israel, either directly or indirectly, since before permits were suspended.

At no time are explosive materials such as bullets or other munitions transported on passenger aircraft. To claim otherwise is simply false.

"Canada continues to deny any export permits for materials that could be used in Gaza.

"We take any allegations of circumventing of Canada's export regime very seriously and, if true, these would be accompanied by severe legal sanctions."

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Ahead of President Trump's New Deadline on Russia, Senators Shaheen and Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Undermine Chinese Support for the Kremlin's War Machine

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

August 01, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John Cornyn (R-TX), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced new bipartisan legislation today to sanction Chinese entities providing the overwhelming majority of critical dual-use technology that Russia relies on to wage its illegal war in Ukraine. Coming one week ahead of President Trump's new August 8th deadline, this bill would incentivize President Putin to come to the negotiating table and end his brutal attacks on the Ukrainian people, while simultaneously signaling to Beijing that future aggression will not be tolerated.

"China has long been Moscow's indispensable supplier of technology and components for the drones, armaments and munitions that fuel Russia's aggression in Ukraine. To finally bring Putin to the negotiating table and end this war, the United States must hold Chinese companies, CEOs and banks accountable for this activityand we should do so in lockstep with our allies," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "This bipartisan legislation gives President Trump a powerful and targeted tool to go after the Chinese entities that are sustaining Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine. With this bill, we are sending a clear and bipartisan message that Russia cannot wait out Ukraine's supporters and that the time for peace is now."

"For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has bankrolled Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine by providing and facilitating the transfer of machinery, software, and other critical technologies," said Senator Cornyn. "By imposing sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals who advance Putin's aggression, this legislation would deliver a significant blow to bad actors in Beijing and Moscow alike and bring us one step closer to President Trump's goal of ending the war in Ukraine."

Key provisions of the bill:

Imposes sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals involved in the export of weapons and dual-use technology to the Russian Federation;





Requires a strategy to coordinate with allies and partners on diplomatic, sanctions, and export control actions designed to deter and undermine China's support for Russia's Defense Industrial Base; and





Requires a determination on whether sanctions are warranted against Chinese arms manufacturers for supplying weapons and component parts to Russia's military.





This legislation is designed to complement bipartisan sanctions efforts, including the Graham-Blumenthal Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 as well as other bipartisan efforts to sustain Ukraine's resistance on the battlefield, such as the legislation introduced yesterday by Senator Shaheen and Senator Murkowski.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

###

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Macao: Statement by the Spokesperson on the arrest of Au Kam San

European External Action Service (EEAS)

02.08.2025

EEAS Press Team

The EU condemns the arrest of EU citizen and former Macao lawmaker Au Kam San on 30 July under national security charges in what constitutes the first application of the National Security Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region since its adoption in 2009.

This development adds to the existing concerns about the ongoing erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The EU recalls that the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a central element of the Macao Basic Law and 'one country, two systems'.

It is essential that the protected rights and freedoms of Macao residents remain fully upheld in line with the Macao Basic Law, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987 and Macao's commitments under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.



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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (August 01, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

August 01, 2025

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, friends. Let us begin this session. I open the floor for questions.

Sidhant Sibal, WION: Sir, my question is related to the US announcement on sanctions on few companies, Indian companies involved in trading with Iran. What is India's response to that and have we raised the matter with the American side? And my second question is, Donald Trump has done series of tweets. In one of the tweets, he has said that India may one day buy oil from Pakistan. Do you think this proposal is feasible?

Rishabh, Times Now: Sir, good evening. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just done a press conference where they have had objection over the debate on Operation Sindoor. They had released a statement the day discussions happened and today they have reiterated their objections. Also have questioned the timing of Operation Mahadev saying that it was basically done to ensure that before the discussion this could have happened, and it is nothing but a fake encounter.

Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist: Uma Shankar Singh, independent journalist. Kuch media outlets mein khabar chhapi hai ki Bharat ki tel kampaniyon ne Russia se tel kharidna band kar diya hai kya yeh sahi hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Uma Shankar Singh, independent journalist. Some media outlets have reported that Indian oil companies have stopped buying oil from Russia. Is this true?

Sahil Pandey, ANI News Agency: Sir, I am Sahil Pandey from ANI News Agency. Sir, my question is related to Nimisha Priya. There were multiple claims made by many stakeholders. What is the update on this case, sir?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, first let me, Sidhant, come to your question on the sanctions. We have taken note of the sanctions, and we are looking into it.

On the other question about proposed oil sale, etc... look, I would say that I have no comments to offer in this particular matter.

Rishabh, on Operation Sindoor, you saw that we had detailed discussion and debate in the Indian Parliament. I would refer you to the statements made by our leaders there, including External Affairs Minister. Also, on Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev, you have seen how our leaders have spoken about it and the kind of importance it has for India.

Uma Shankar ji aapka sawal dekhiye jahan tak urja zarooraton ki sourcing ki baat hoti hai, us par hamara jo broad approach matlab jo hamara approach aur ravayya hai usse aap bhalibhanti avagat hain, ki jo bazaar mein antarraashtreey bazaar mein jo tel milta hai kis bhav par milta hai aur us samay ya is samay jo bhi vaishvik maahaul hai isko leke hum is par nirnay karte hain. Jahan tak specific aapke sawal ke baare mein baat hai main isse koi avagat nahin hoon. I am not aware of it.

I don't have details of these specifics.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Uma Shankar ji, regarding your question  as far as sourcing our energy requirements is concerned, you are well aware of our broad approach, meaning our overall approach and stance. We take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time. As for the specifics of your particular question, I am not aware of it. I don't have details of these specifics.

So, you know, on our energy sourcing requirements, you are aware of our broad approach that we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances. Now, on the specific question, I am not aware of the specifics that you mentioned.

On Nimisha Priya case, Sahil, last time when we had the press conference, I had made you aware of our position and had informed you and I would like to yet again reiterate that this is a sensitive matter, and the Government of India has been extending all possible assistance in this case. As a result of our concerted efforts, you have seen that the sentencing was deferred ... it has been postponed. We continue to closely follow the matter and render all possible assistance. We are also in touch with, as I said last time, we are also in touch with some friendly governments on this particular issue. I would also like to underline this particular point that this is a sensitive and complex case and therefore, I would urge all to be mindful that media reports based on speculation and misinformation are not helpful at all.

In so far as the reports claiming that there has been certain developments etc., such reports are incorrect. Please wait for an update from us, this is a sensitive matter, and we urge all sides to stay away from misinformation.

Nimisha Priya case ke maamle mein hum logon ne aapko pichhle presser mein avagat karaya tha kya sthiti hai, hum logon ne aapko bataya tha ki yeh ek sanvedansheel maamla hai aur ismein Bharat Sarkar hamare taraf se jo bhi madad ho sakta hai vah kar rahi hai. Aur hamari madad ke kaaran, hamare efforts ke kaaran, jo unka sentencing tha vah sthagit ho gaya, jo 16 July ko hona tha. Hum log is maamle mein nazar rakhe hue hain aur jo bhi humse madad ho sakta hai vah karne ke liye aggrasar hai, tayyar hai aur is par kaam kar rahe hain, jaisa ki maine aapko pehle bataya tha ki kuch jo friendly foreign governments hain unke saath bhi hamari is mudde par baatcheet ho rahi hai. Ek baar phir main dohrana chahta hoon is baat ko ki yeh ek bada sanvedansheel aur thoda complex sa maamla hai aur jis prakar ki media reports aati hain, jo misinformation aur speculation par aadharit hota hai vah is maamle ko deal karne mein bhi usmein bahut saare mushkilen paida karti hai, isliye hamara aap logon se aur un logon se, kai ek logon se yeh agrah rahega ki is misinformation se thoda door rahe. Jahan tak kuch claim jo bataya gaya tha pichhle kuch dino mein voh niraadhaar hain aur yeh ek baar phir main kehna chahunga ki ek sanvedansheel maamla hai aur misinformation se thoda door rahe aap log.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Regarding the Nimisha Priya case, we had informed you in the previous presser about the situation. We had told you that this is a sensitive matter, and in this, the Government of India is extending all possible assistance from our side. Because of our support, because of our efforts, the sentencing which was to take place on 16th July was stayed. We are closely monitoring this matter, and we are committed, prepared, and actively working to provide whatever help we can. As I had mentioned earlier, we are also in discussions on this issue with some friendly foreign governments. Once again, I want to reiterate that this is a very sensitive and somewhat complex matter, and the kind of media reports that appear  based on misinformation and speculation  create many difficulties in handling this case. Therefore, our request to you and to others, to many people, is to stay away from such misinformation. As for certain claims that were made in the past few days, they are baseless. And once again, I would like to emphasize that this is a sensitive matter, and it is best to stay away from misinformation.

Manish Jha, TV9 Bharatvarsh: Sir main Manish Jha hoon TV9 Bharatvarsh se. Mera sawal yeh hai ki Rashtrapati Trump ne kaha hai ki jo tariff laagu hoga ... vah saat tareekh se laagu hoga, India par 25% ka hai, jabki Pakistan par 19% ka hai, to hum kis tareeke se ise deal kar rahe hain, kya negotiation ka kya status hai iske baare mein agar aap keh sake?

Aur doosra ki White House ki taraf se aadhikarik taur par yeh demand ki gayi hai ki Rashtrapati Trump ko Nobel Prize milna hi chahiye kyunki unhone 6 mahine mein 6 cease fire kara diye hain to India isko kis roop mein dekh raha hai? Thank you.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Manish Jha from TV9 Bharatvarsh. My question is that President Trump has said the tariff will be implemented from the 7th; it is 25% on India, while it is 19% on Pakistan. How are we dealing with this, and what is the status of negotiationscould you clarify?

And secondly, the White House has officially demanded that President Trump must receive the Nobel Prize because he has managed six ceasefires in six months. How does India view this? Thank you.

Madhurendra, NewsNation: Sir Madhurendra main News Nation se. Sir mera sawal yeh hai ki ek taraf to hum America ko apne strategic partner ke taur par aur allies ke taur par dekh rahe hain, doosri taraf hum tariff ki maar bhi jhel rahe hain, aur teesri taraf hum penalty jaise shabad ka istemaal bhi dekh rahe hain jo Trump Bharat ke khilaf kar rahe hain kyunki hum BRICS mein partner hain. To aapko lagta hai ki jis tarah ke sambandhon ki sthiti Bharat-America ki thi vah damadol ho chuki hai aur us par ek stand lene ki zaroorat hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Madhurendra from News Nation. My question is that on one hand we see America as our strategic partner and ally, but on the other hand we are also bearing the brunt of tariffs. And thirdly, we are hearing the use of terms like "penalty" that President Trump is applying against India because we are a partner in BRICS. Do you think the state of India-US relations has become unstable, and that it is now necessary to take a clear stand on this?

Pranay Upadhyay, TV Today Network: Sir, Pranay Upadhyay from TV Today Network. My question pertains to President Donald Trump's announcement regarding the tariff. It is in contradiction to the WTO norms. Is India going to take this issue to WTO? And if you can clarify, there were reports suggesting that India has declined the US offer of F-35 aircraft sale. What is the position on the fifth-generation fighter aircraft acquisition?

Sridhar: Sir, regarding President Trump's tweets, what is your assessment of the impact on the Indian economy, also factoring in the threat of sanctions on the energy and military hardware purchases from Russia? And will all this also impact cooperation within the Quad? For instance, President Trump is slated to make a visit to India later this year. We have already seen the Australian PM in Beijing, so will this inevitably affect the functioning of the Quad? Thank you.

Siddhant, CNN News 18: Hi sir, I am Siddhant from CNN News 18. Sir, Secretary Rubio spoke to an American television network yesterday. In fact, he said that India is a friend and ally, but there is a point of irritation in the relationship because of India buying energy from Russia. Your comments on that. Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, so several of the questions are similar, so let me first..

Manish, aapka sawal dekhiye tariff ka jahan tak maamla hai is par sarkar ki taraf se ek statement jari kiya gaya hai aur main chahunga ki aap us statement par apna nazar ... apni nazar us par laaye. Jahan tak White House ke vaktavya ka sawal hai mera aapse maanna hoga ki aap is sawal ko White House ko le jayein to zyada behtar rahega.

Madhu, aapka sawal Bharat-America saajhedaari ke baare mein hai ki kaise aap isko aage jaate dekhte hain? Sahi hai? Dekhiye Bharat aur America ke beech mein ek comprehensive global strategic partnership hai. Yeh global strategic partnership hamare saajha interests, hamare loktantrik moolyon aur hamare jo majboot people-to-people ties, logon ke beech mein jo aatmiyata hai is par aadharit hai. Yeh saajhedaari kai ek badlaav aur chunautiyon ka saamna kar chuki hai. Abhi hamara focus hai ki jo substantive agenda hum dono deshon ne tay kiya hai aur hum jiske committed hain us par hum kendrit rahein, aur yeh hamara vishwas hai ki saajhedaari aage badhti rahegi.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Manish, regarding your question on tariffs  the government has already issued a statement on this, and I would encourage you to look at that statement. As far as the White House's remarks are concerned, my view is that it would be better if you direct that question to the White House itself.

Madhu, your question is about the India-US partnership and how we see it moving forward, correct? Look, between India and the United States there exists a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. This partnership is based on our shared interests, our democratic values, and the strong people-to-people ties, the closeness between our peoples. This partnership has withstood several changes and challenges. At present, our focus remains on the substantive agenda agreed upon and committed to by both countries, and we are confident that this partnership will continue to move forward.

I think many would like to have this in English, I guess. India and the United States share a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries have committed to, and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.

Pranay aapka pehla sawal tariff ke mudde ko lekar hai, us par mera aapse anurodh rahega ki is par Bharat Sarkar ki taraf se ek statement jari ki gayi hai jo ki public domain mein hai. Iske alava hamare vanijya mantri ne bhi Parliament par statement diya hai, to main aapka aur sabhi log jo is mudde par interest rakhte hain unka dhyaan udhar aakarshit karna chahunga.

Jahan tak raksha waali baat jo aapne uthai uski baat hai, to main yeh kehna chahunga ki dekhiye Bharat aur America ke beech mein jo raksha-suraksha ki jo partnership aur saajhedaari hai yeh kaafi majboot hai, aur aane wale dino mein aur kuch hi haal hi ke dino mein, haal hi ke saalon mein ismein aur bhi majbooti aayi hai. Aur yeh potential hai ki yeh partnership, yeh saajhedaari aage chale. India-US compact saajhedaari samajh jo hum logon ne banayi hai 21vi shatabdi ke liye, uske tahat aur aage badhti rahe.

Jahan tak specific sawal aapne uthaya F-35 ke baare mein, usko main aapko kahunga ki jo relevant mantralay hai unko apna sawal aap wahan le jayein to achha rahega, us par vah spashteekaran de sakte hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Pranay, your first question regarding the issue of tariffs. On that, I would request you to note that the Government of India has already issued a statement, which is available in the public domain. In addition, our commerce minister has also made a statement in Parliament. So, I would like to draw your attention, and the attention of all those interested in this matter, to those statements.

As for the point you raised about defence, I would like to say this: the defence and security partnership between India and the United States is very strong, and in recent years, it has become even stronger. There is clear potential for this partnership to grow further. Under the India-US Compact for the 21st century, the understanding we have built together, this partnership will continue to expand.

As far as the specific question you asked regarding the F-35 is concerned, I would suggest that you take that question to the relevant ministry. They will be able to provide clarification on that particular issue.

Just to answer that question in English: We have strong ties with the United States. These ties have strengthened over the last several years and decades. There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US compact for the 21st century. As far as the specific question was concerned, I said that it would be good if he took that question to the relevant ministry to give more details  share more details on that particular issue.

Sridhar, that should answer your question as well. I mean, that would answer, you know, how we look at the India-US partnership going forward in the light of recent developments.

On the impact of the economy, again, the commerce minister has made a statement. A statement was also made from the government side on this particular issue, where various issues have been talked about. We have talked about how we are looking into the implications of this. So, I would refer you to these statements.

Quad, yes, I told you that India-US partnership, I talked about the broader contours of the India-US partnership and that we remain committed and confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.

Siddhant, again, I have answered your question when I talked about India-US relationship. On the specific question of energy, you are well aware of our position, what is our approach towards sourcing energy requirements. It is based on what is there on offer in the markets as also on the prevailing global situation.

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg: Sir, thank you. Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Sir, if you could give us an understanding, I mean, the India-Russia relationship appears to have come under strain. Is there a change or a thinking to change the relationship with Russia? Where does that stand?

Smita: Hi. You know, I think a lot of questions about energy is arising, essentially, because in 2019, when you had the first Trump administration, it was under the US pressure that India stopped buying oil from Iran and brought it down to zero in May of 2019. So thereby, at a time when there is so much of complex strain in ties. And Mr. Trump has also equated BRICS, saying that this is an anti-US organization or a grouping. Is there a possibility that this could happen with Russian oil too?

And just a question, on the day ... Jis din Pradhanmantri ne Sansad ke Sadan mein yeh kaha ki kisi bhi duniya ke neta ne ... no world leader basically forced India to go into the ceasefire with Pakistan, within a few hours, President Trump, for the 30th time, reasserted that he had and the US had brokered the ceasefire. What I'm trying to understand is, has New Delhi at any stage over the past few months lodged an official protest, either in Delhi or DC, because if this were Canada or any other country, I think there would have been visible summoning and other forms of protest.

Ajay Banerjee, Tribune: Sir, good evening. Ajay Banerjee from the Tribune on this side. Sir, just to understand, by your statements which were given regarding Donald Trump's tweets, and the expected tariffs and penalties, if my reading is not wrong, kindly correct me, it looks as if India is taking it easy, and we are not really bothered about Trump's tweets and statements about tariffs and penalties, because the penalties also hinge upon our oil supplies and also Trump had mentioned Russian weapons, which we are hugely dependent on. So, am I reading it correctly that we are not overtly bothered?

Megha Sharma, NewsX: Hi sir, this is Megha from NewsX. My question again related to Russian oil sanctions, secondary sanctions and penalties that have been levied on a number of Indian companies. The External Affairs Minister has time and again in the past said that India's strategy for buying Russian oil has never been political. It has always been related to how global markets operate. But Trump's statements and the actions clearly show that the US is using it as a political tool. Are we looking at using sanctions and tariffs and penalties on United States when it goes on and deals in several capacities for trade with Pakistan, whether it's about establishing oil reserves or on what cryptocurrency negotiations, how is India going to take this forward, especially because India has difficult ties with Pakistan, and you've time and again said that it is a terrorist nation that needs to ... the issue that needs to be addressed.

Milan: Sir, just wanting to understand that the opposition in the country at the moment is saying that we thought that Pakistan and China were the biggest trouble, problems for India. But now opposition is saying that US has also emerged as a bigger trouble. They are calling India-US relations a diplomatic failure because nothing has come out of Namaste Trump or Howdy Modi. So, how do you address the allegations of a diplomatic failure from the opposition side?

Kallol Bhattacherjee, The Hindu: Kallol from The Hindu, Sir. Given the situation that the India-US relation is in right now, do you expect President Trump to participate in the Quad Summit later this year?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, Sudhi, our ties with any country or all the ties that we have with various countries, they have, they stand on their own merit and they should not be seen from the prism of a third country. As far as India-Russia relations are concerned, we have a steady and time-tested partnership.

Smita, see, on energy sourcing, we have made it very clear what our approach is. I have said this so many times and I have repeated it earlier as well, so I would, you know, refer you to that. On the question of ceasefire also, from this podium also we made it clear. It has been, there have been several locations in which Government of India has made its position very clear. We have, this is what I am saying, we have conveyed our position publicly on this particular issue.

Ajay, to answer your question, see, the sourcing of ... I talked about broader contours of India-US relations. Sourcing of defence requirements that you talked about is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessment.

Similarly, the sourcing of energy needs, we are guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances. We have a strong defence and energy partnership with the United States which has been strengthened in the last several years. There is a potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century.

Megha, again, you know, on energy issues we have made our position very clear, so I would refer you to what I have said on these matters.

Milan, on India-US ties, I have just told you how we look at this relationship. As far as other things that you talked about, there has been a debate where External Affairs Minister has spoken at length, so I would refer you to his statement in the Parliament.

Kallol, on your Quad Summit again, please. The two countries are committed, as I have said, and we are confident that this relationship will continue to move forward.

Ayanangsha Maitra: Thank you sir, Ayanangsha Maitra. Sir, about a fortnight back we have seen a maiden visit of MOS Pabitra Margherita to Eswatini, a country which is the only African country which stayed back from signing the Changsha Declaration of China. At the same time, we have a good amount of Gujarati diaspora in the country. So, if you could kindly share the details and outcome, and also the interest from the country. Thank you, sir.

Krishnamohan Sharma: Sir mera ek local question hai but global importance ka hai. Abhi ek operation poore Bharat mein hua jismein pata chala ki Changur jo hai vah Pakistan ki madad se hamare Hinduon ko convert karke Muslim banata tha aur prataadit karta tha. Usmein bahut saare aise evidence mile ki Pakistan ne directly-indirectly financially unki madad ki hai aur madad karne ke saath-saath isko aur badhane ki unko anumati di hai.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I have a local question, but one of global importance. Recently, an operation was conducted across India in which it was revealed that Changur, with the help of Pakistan, was converting our Hindus into Muslims and persecuting them. A lot of evidence was found showing that Pakistan had directly and indirectly provided financial assistance, and along with that, had also permitted the expansion of this activity.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay.

On Eswatini, it is a beautiful country. We have strong ties with Eswatini. I remember a few years back, President of India had visited Eswatini.

Now, we have our Minister of State visiting Eswatini. It is an important partner for us, an important global south partner. We are doing several things on the development cooperation front in Eswatini. And we want this partnership to grow further. We also have a small diaspora there. It is a beautiful country and we want to see how we can strengthen our ties with this country.

Krishna Mohan ji dekhiye jahan tak sawal aapka hai vah dekhiye is par to chhanbeen chal rahi hai, chhanbeen karne ke baad jo vaktavya aayega, jo us par presser jari ki jaayegi us par aapko aur jawab milega.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Krishna Mohan ji, as far as your question is concerned, an investigation is underway. After the investigation, whatever statement comes out and whichever presser is issued on it, you will receive further answers there.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this session.

Thank you very much for joining.

New Delhi

August 01, 2025

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'Israeli psychological warfare': Foreign Ministry rejects rumors of embassy closures

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed rumors regarding the closure of foreign embassies in Tehran, calling the claims part of a psychological operation led by the Israeli regime.

In a statement to IRNA on Saturday, the ministry's Public Relations Office said that such reports are entirely false and serve to stir up tensions.

"The rumor of embassy closures is a psychological warfare tactic orchestrated by Zionist media operation centers," the statement read.

The ministry explained that the claims were made by certain Telegram accounts linked to the Israeli regime and anti-Iran groups.

Earlier, a Telegram channel had alleged that several Western countries had shut down their embassies in Tehran.

4353**2050

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Araghchi terms Iran-Pakistan friendship a strategic investment in future

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 2, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described the friendly relations between Iran and Pakistan as a strategic investment in the future.

"Our friendship is not merely a relic of the past; it is a strategic investment in the future. In unity, we find strength," Araghchi wrote in his article published by "The News" on Saturday.

The full text of Araghchi's article titled "A shared future" is as follows:

A foundational tenet of Iran's foreign policy is the cultivation of strong, stable, and mutually beneficial ties with its neighbours.

In this vision, our relationship with Pakistan occupies a special place  one defined not simply by geography, but by centuries of shared civilisational experience, religious affinity, cultural kinship and converging strategic interests. As two sovereign nations situated at a crucial crossroads of Asia, Iran and Pakistan have much to gain from an enduring partnership  and even more to contribute to the future of our region. The upcoming state visit of President Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan reflects this growing momentum. It builds upon a history of high-level engagement that includes the late President Ebrahim Raisi's landmark trip to Islamabad and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's reciprocal visit to Tehran. These exchanges, along with sustained diplomatic consultation between senior officials on both sides, represent a deepening alignment that extends well beyond ceremonial diplomacy. They reflect a conscious, strategic choice to elevate the bilateral relationship into one of regional consequence.

Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometre border that is more than a line dividing two states; it is a bridge that has connected peoples and civilisations for centuries. Through this frontier flowed not only trade, but ideas, languages, poetry and faiths that continue to animate our societies today. From the celebration of Nowruz to shared Sufi traditions, the depth of our cultural and spiritual interconnection has forged an enduring sense of familiarity and trust that forms the bedrock of political cooperation.

Religious affinity reinforces this bond. As two proud Muslim nations, Iran and Pakistan are anchored in the principles of Islam -- justice, compassion and solidarity. These values are not only sources of internal cohesion; they serve as guiding lights for our international engagement. They compel us to stand together in support of causes such as the Palestinian struggle, to speak out against injustice and to promote peace through cooperation and mutual respect. Our economic complementarities offer enormous potential. Pakistan's agricultural dynamism and Iran's abundant energy resources, coupled with our shared interest in connectivity, provide a natural basis for integration. In addition to sectoral synergies, both nations share a long-term interest in fostering an open, equitable, and interdependent regional economy. By aligning visions, Iran and Pakistan can build a sustainable economic partnership grounded in mutual resilience, technological progress and inclusive growth. Such cooperation can play a transformative role in lifting communities, creating employment and promoting a model of development that benefits the wider region.

At a time when transnational threats continue to endanger our shared security, Iran and Pakistan remain vigilant against terrorist networks operating in border regions. Coordination in counterterrorism is not an option; it is an imperative. Beyond local threats, both countries face broader strategic concerns arising from aggressive postures in the region. The Israeli regime's ongoing genocide in Gaza, its occupation of Syria and Lebanon, and its recent unprovoked attacks on Iranian territory underscore the urgency of a collective response to belligerent forces that thrive on instability and domination. Responsible states cannot afford silence. It is time to strengthen coordination, deepen security cooperation and articulate a clear and united stance in international forums.

In this context, Iran deeply appreciates the principled position taken by the Government of Pakistan in unequivocally condemning the June 2025 Israeli and American military aggression against Iranian territory. At a time when Western powers chose to stand on the wrong side of history, Pakistan stood firmly for international law, regional stability and solidarity with its neighbour.

Equally moving was the heartfelt support expressed by the people of Pakistan, whose spontaneous outpourings of compassion resonated deeply across Iranian society. The Iranian people watched with gratitude as their Pakistani brothers and sisters raised their voices in their support. This display of empathy and unity will never be forgotten. It reaffirmed the profound depth of our bond and the strength of the values we share.

Iran and Pakistan also enjoy a record of close cooperation across multilateral institutions. At the UN, we have consistently worked together to defend the rights of the Palestinian people and advance sustainable development goals. Within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, we advocate for addressing the pressing challenges of the Muslim Ummah. As active members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Economic Cooperation Organisation, and the D-8, we pursue shared objectives in connectivity, economic integration, and regional peace. Our coordinated diplomacy amplifies our voice on the global stage and helps steer international discourse towards justice, equity, and multilateralism. This collaboration is not limited to crisis management. It also reflects a broader strategic convergence. Both Iran and Pakistan uphold principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Both are committed to a regional order in which Muslim nations shape their own destinies and cooperate toward collective prosperity.

Our partnership holds promise in trilateral and broader regional settings as well. With Afghanistan as our mutual neighbour, we share an interest in stabilising the country and ensuring that peace and development replace conflict and extremism. By integrating our economic strategies and leveraging our geostrategic positions, Iran and Pakistan can help transform the region into a hub of cooperation rather than competition.

The creation of functional trade and transit corridors, grounded in mutual benefit, brings tangible dividends to our peoples and reaffirms our leadership in crafting a forward-looking regional architecture.

The path ahead calls for unity, clarity of purpose, and a willingness to transform shared aspirations into lasting institutions and practical achievements. Enhancing diplomatic dialogue, expanding economic ties, fostering educational and cultural exchanges and institutionalising cooperation on security and development will give real depth and resilience to our relationship.

President Pezeshkian's visit provides an opportunity not only to reaffirm commitments but to reim1agine possibilities. In doing so, we may draw inspiration from Allama Iqbal  Pakistan's national poet and a profound admirer of Persian thought  who reminded us that the soul of nations is shaped not in fleeting political cycles, but in enduring moral and spiritual visions. His words resonate still: "Nations are born in the hearts of poets; they prosper and die in the hands of politicians."

It is incumbent upon us to ensure that Iran and Pakistan not only prosper but rise together as architects of a peaceful, pluralistic and integrated regional future.

Our friendship is not merely a relic of the past; it is a strategic investment in the future. In unity, we find strength. In cooperation, we find purpose. And in mutual respect, we find the foundation for lasting peace and shared progress.

Long live the friendship between Iran and Pakistan.

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Iran, Iraq agree to settle disputes on gas delivery volumes, arrears

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 7:36 PM

Iran and Iraq have reached an agreement to soon settle their disputes regarding the amount of natural gas delivered by Iran to Iraq and the arrears the Arab country owes to Iran for previous deliveries.

Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said on Saturday after a meeting in Tehran with Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziad Fadhil that Iran and Iraq had concluded discussions on how to sort out disputes under a gas supply contract that exists between the two countries.

"We will soon witness a settlement of both issues, namely the quantity of the gas exports to Iraq and also the repayment of the arrears," Paknejad was quoted as saying in a report by the Ministry's news service Shana.

The report did not elaborate on further details about the agreement.

Iran is a major supplier of natural gas to Iraq as the Arab country relies on gas imported from Iran for 43% of electricity generation in its power plants.

Direct electricity imports from Iran also account for up to 10% of Iraq's domestic demand for power.

However, US sanctions on Iran have made it difficult for Baghdad to settle payments for Iranian gas, causing Tehran to reduce supply volumes from time to time, which has led to bouts of electricity shortages in Iraq.

The United States announced in early March that it had revoked a waiver from its Iran sanctions that allowed Iraq to pay for electricity imports from its eastern neighbor. That comes as a years-long US waiver for Iraq to import natural gas from Iran is still in place.

Iran supplies up to 50 million cubic meters (mcm) of natural gas and 1 gigawatt of electricity to Iraq every day.

Iraq is also supposed to receive up to 20 mcm per day of gas from Turkmenistan via the Iranian pipelines, but authorities in the Arab country say US sanctions have blocked the supplies from reaching Iraq.

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Iran president arrives in Lahore on official two-day visit to Pakistan

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 1:28 PM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in Lahore, the historic capital of Punjab Province, the first destination of an official two-day visit to Pakistan.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Pezeshkian was welcomed by former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, upon his arrival on Saturday.

A number of senior Pakistani officials and Iran's Consul General in Lahore, Mehran Movahedfar, were also present in the ceremony.

The Iranian president held talks with Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif before visiting the tomb of the renowned poet Muhammad Iqbal.

At the meeting, Pezeshkian expressed his appreciation for the support shown by the government and people of Pakistan during the recent 12-day Israeli war of aggression against Iran.

"If Muslims around the world unite, the Zionist regime will no longer be able to target independent nations one by one," the president said.

He also called for greater cooperation in science, industry, and agriculture between regional countries. "We must pool our strengths to form a united bloc and meet the needs of the Islamic Ummah ourselves," he said.

'Pakistan stands with Iran with a stronger resolve'

For his part, Nawaz Sharif praised Iran's resilience in the face of Israeli aggression. "We stand with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and our resolve will be stronger than ever moving forward."

He said that through their resistance, the Iranian people not only protected their homeland but also reshaped Iran's global image.

"This was not merely a confrontation with one regime," he said, "but a courageous stand against global powers."

Following his significant cultural visit, he will set off for the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

During his stay in Islamabad, Pezeshkian plans to meet with top Pakistani officials and sign several documents for the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

The Iranian president's trip is taking place at the invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

This visit marks the fifth official meeting between the two countries' officials in the past year. The Iranian president and Pakistani prime minister have been in constant contact over the past months, particularly following the escalation of recent military tensions in the region, highlighting both sides' resolve to improve bilateral cooperation.

Speaking before his departure, Pezeshkian said Tehran and Islamabad have always maintained "good, sincere, and deep relations" and plan to increase bilateral trade volume to $10 billion annually.

"Through Pakistan, we can connect to the Silk Road between China and Pakistan, and this road can connect to Europe through Iran," he said.

Pezeshkian's trip signals Tehran's determination to reinforce economic diplomacy as a cornerstone of its foreign policy, seeking to translate longstanding cultural and historical ties with Pakistan into tangible economic benefits.

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KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan Ministry of Transport and Aviation on Sunday announced the commencement of construction on a new transportation terminal in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

According to the ministry's statement, the project is valued at 28.7 million afghani (approximately 408,000 U.S. dollars) and will be fully funded by the ministry. The terminal is expected to be completed within four months.

Once completed, the facility will enhance transport services for the local community and improve connectivity in the area.

As part of its broader strategy to rebuild infrastructure in the war-torn country, the Afghan interim government is launching development projects and urging domestic and foreign investors to support economic recovery and job creation. 
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan Meets Foreign Minister of Iran

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met today with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, in Islamabad. Foreign Minister Araghchi is part of the delegation accompanying the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, for his state visit to Pakistan on 2-3 August 2025.

During the meeting, the two sides held preliminary discussions on key substantive issues to be addressed at the leadership level. These included regional developments, bilateral trade and connectivity, energy cooperation, and the need to strengthen mechanisms for regular consultation and coordination.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the longstanding and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran. They also emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue, enhanced cooperation on economic and security matters, and greater people-to-people exchanges.

Islamabad

2 August 2025

226/2025

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Russia's Lukoil Under Pressure in Bulgaria, Considering Selling Assets - Ambassador

Sputnik News

20250802

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian energy giant Lukoil's subsidiaries in Bulgaria are under unprecedented pressure from local authorities, and the company is considering selling assets in the country, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova told Sputnik.

"Despite the fact that Lukoil is not subject to anti-Russia sanctions, its subsidiaries are often subject to unprecedented pressure from government agencies. Just in June, the Bulgarian authorities initiated another anti-monopoly investigation. In such circumstances, it is not surprising that Lukoil's head office in Moscow is considering the possibility of selling all assets in Bulgaria. As far as we know, a final decision has not been made yet," Mitrofanova said.

 Sputnik

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Inside Russia's Shadow Battalions: Coercion, Violence, And Ethnic Targeting

By RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities and Current Time August 03, 2025

The Russian government, facing mounting losses in Ukraine, appears to be intensifying its coercive recruitment tactics targeting prisoners, conscripts, and ethnic minorities from remote regions and Central Asian migrant communities to bolster its depleted forces.

According to testimonies collected by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, male inmates across prisons in the Volga region, including Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, as well as parts of Siberia, describe routine beatings, psychological torture, and threats aimed at forcing them into military service.

Such prisoners are being funneled into the military's notorious Storm-Z assault units, often deployed on suicide missions at the front, according to Olga Romanova, head of the Russia Behind Bars foundation.

The once-overcrowded penal system is now being hollowed out. Transfers from pretrial detention centers have plummeted.

According to prison rights activist Romanova, "many suspects never make it to court or prison."

"Police are now authorized -- and incentivized -- to offer military contracts to people accused of even petty crimes," she told Current Time.

Since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has sent tens of thousands of soldiers to the front lines.

Heavy fighting into its fourth year has taken a grim toll on both sides.

Moscow has keep its casualty count a closely guarded secret since the start of the war, though several groups have used public sources to try and estimate the number.

The British Defense Ministry in June said its estimate had reached 1 million dead or injured, similar to a report by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that put the number at around 950,000.

If the estimates prove close to true, the war will have cost Russia in manpower terms about 15 times more that its war in Afghanistan, which lasted a decade.

Such a toll has put pressure on authorities to come up with ways to replace soldiers on the front line -- from taking in thousands of North Korean soldiers to trawling the country's prisons.

Romanova said that part of the scheme sees police officers paid bonuses for each recruit.

In 2023, it was 10,000 rubles. Now it's 100,000 rubles ($1,125). "For context, the average monthly salary for a provincial police officer is about 40,000 rubles," she said, "So you can imagine the pressure."

She added that since 2023, 90 prisons across Russia have shut down as convicts were sent to war en masse.

In October 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing individuals to sign military contracts before their trials, formally legalizing forced recruitment from detention cells.

'They Beat The Entire Prison'

One woman, who identified herself as Svetlana, told RFE/RL that her boyfriend, currently held in a Volga-region prison, was among those brutally beaten.

"They brought in over 100 riot police who beat every inmate indiscriminately until they signed. My boyfriend saw people dragged out with broken ribs and fractured limbs. Some were taken to the front with those injuries."

She added: "Those who refused were threatened with mutilation during transfer to another facility."

Officials have not commented on the allegations.

The inmates who resist face horrifying consequences. Phones are confiscated, visits are denied.

In the Siberian region of Kemerovo, Natalya, the mother of an inmate serving time for a drug offense, said her son held out for years before finally agreeing under duress.

"He told me, 'They twisted my arms until I cracked.' Then he vanished. He was due for release in two years," she said. "Now he's gone."

Between 2022 and 2023, Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service reported a record 58,000 prisoners who were unaccounted for. Initially recruited by the once-notorious Wagner Group, they are now absorbed by the Defense Ministry's own shadow battalions.

Romanova said this includes women. In one case, a state TV journalist from Channel One visited a women's prison in Siberia to film a propaganda piece, while also recruiting. Dozens of women reportedly signed up and were sent to the front as part of the military unit Esmeralda after talking to the reporter.

From Barracks To Body Bags

Following Russia's legal reform in 2023, conscripts can now be forced to sign military contracts on the first day of service. Despite Putin's 2022 assurances that draftees wouldn't be sent to the war, thousands have been deployed -- and many never return.

On July 23, three Russian conscripts, Daniyar Kereibaev, Yury Vitsinets, and Denis Mozhaitsev, aged 18-19, recorded a video on YouTube stating they were tricked into signing indefinite military contracts.

After arriving at the 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, military unit 69647, in the city of Kyakhta, they said their platoon commander began threatening conscripts with deployment to the front -- describing a destroyed transport full of recruits and claiming a 30 percent casualty rate in the Kursk region -- implying they were unlikely to survive unless they signed military contracts.

During Ukraine's counteroffensive into Kursk in August 2024, conscripts, many aged 18 to 20, suffered heavy casualties. Journalists identified over 100 conscripts killed, captured, or listed as missing.

One chilling case is that of Artyom Antonov, a 19-year-old conscript from Tatarstan, who was shot in the head at a base in the Far Eastern city of Ussuriisk after refusing to sign a contract.

"Artyom didn't want to fight," said his friend Igor. "They made a concentration camp out of the army."

His death was no anomaly. Dozens of conscripts from rural, impoverished ethnic republics -- including Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Daghestan, Tuva, Kalmykia, Udmurtia, and Buryatia -- have been reported dead after similar coercion.

Some conscripts say they were unaware they had even signed contracts. Others, like 10 soldiers who rioted in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk in November, resisted deployment and were immediately branded deserters.

Ethnic Targeting: First In Line

Multiple reports confirm that ethnic minorities are among the first to be coerced. Relatives of an inmate in the Tula region told RFE/RL that 15 non-Russian prisoners were forced to sign contracts under threat of additional extremism charges.

Some imprisoned migrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus are also recruited with promises of clemency, Russian citizenship, and money. Often, they receive nothing.

"Ethnicity plays a role," one prison insider said. "The authorities view these groups as expendable."

Written by Merhat Sharipzhanov based on reporting on Current Time and RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia- war-ukraine-inmates-concsripts-ethnic-minorities- coersion-rights-romanova/33492747.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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Pressure escalating on South Africa to break off ties with Israel, expel diplomats

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 11:23 AM

South African officials are under increasing pressure to cut relations with Israel and expel the regime's diplomats, in light of the rising anger regarding its campaign of genocide through starvation in the Gaza Strip.

A number of activists stated that they have escalated their efforts to terminate what they describe as South Africa's complicity in Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza, where over 200,000 Palestinians have either lost their lives or sustained injuries, and the entire population is confronting famine.

Zukiswa Wanner, an author and activist, expressed that numerous South Africans believed Pretoria's choice to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice in late 2023 would lead to a quick resolution of the 22-month conflict; however, Israel, supported entirely by the West, persisted in its military offensive against the region.

"Almost two years later, Israel has not relented, and we continue seeing the horror visited on the Palestinians," Wanner said.

"As individuals, we are all quite powerless on pushing the stop of the genocide, but as citizens, we can demand of our government that they finalize this small thing: South Africa can't be having normal relations with an abnormal, genocidal regime."

Since Israel commenced its bloody onslaught against Gaza in October 2023, only Bolivia and Belize have cut diplomatic ties with Israel. At different times, the Muslim-majority nations of Bahrain, Chad, Jordan, and Turkey have recalled their ambassadors, yet all continue to have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Since 2018, South Africa has not appointed an ambassador to Israel. However, activists argue that the nation must adopt a more assertive stance against Israel.

Numerous South Africans have expressed their profound disappointment regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa's government's choice to disregard parliament's decision from November 2023 to cut relations with Israel.

"Other countries have disengaged with Israel without the fanfare we brought to the table," Wanner added.

This week, a petition initiated by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) that calls on the government to close the Israeli embassy has garnered several thousand signatures.

"You have rightly brought a case of genocide against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), so you have determined Israel is committing genocide. How then can we continue to have diplomatic and economic relations with that genocidal state?" the petition reads.

In various regions of South Africa, discontent regarding Israel's war on Gaza and its brutal occupation of the West Bank has led to numerous protests at traffic signals, as well as outside embassies and ports.

Activists in the port city of Durban have mobilized this week following reports that a vessel traveling from South Africa to the Israeli-occupied territories was carrying cargo that could be utilized in the war.

Local activists were informed by the South African Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) coalition that the ship, which came from Chennai, India, was transporting "hazardous materials."

Given that India has previously supplied combat drones, along with shipments of explosives and components to the Israeli-occupied lands, the activists expressed their obligation to intervene in order to stop Durban from serving as a conduit for the killing of Palestinians.

A significant number of South Africans mobilized through social media platforms, reaching out to both local and national representatives, along with the police, demanding that the ship be inspected and that Pretoria adhere to its commitments in international law.

At least 60,332 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 148,870 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

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AmCham urges U.S., Taiwan to resolve tariff uncertainty

ROC Central News Agency

08/02/2025 01:31 PM

Taipei, Aug. 2 (CNA) The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) has urged Washington and Taipei to stay in close contact and work to prevent extended disruptions to business operations, after Washington announced a 20 percent tariff on Taiwanese imports on July 31, U.S. time.

"Businesses on both sides of the Pacific are looking for predictability and a stable environment in which to operate," AmCham Taiwan Chairperson Dan Silver said in a statement issued on Friday.

"AmCham urges both governments to maintain close communication and avoid prolonged disruptions that could weaken business confidence," the statement said.

President Lai Ching-te () said Friday that Taiwan is still negotiating with the U.S. in an effort to lower the 20 percent tariff, noting that he believes the "provisional" rate could be further lowered once both sides reach an agreement.

Lai said Taiwan's negotiating team brought down the tariff from 32 percent, first announced in early April by U.S. President Donald Trump, but that 20 percent was never his administration's ultimate goal.

The tariff on most Taiwanese exports to the U.S., which will take effect on Aug. 7, are likely to increase short-term costs for Taiwanese exporters and could impact investment and production decisions, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the statement said.

Citing data from Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, the statement noted that the most vulnerable industries include machine tools, plastics, electronic materials, molds and hand tools.

AmCham, which represents more than 580 international companies with operations in Taiwan, said it will continue to monitor the evolving trade landscape, support government-industry engagement and assist its members.

"The strength of our trade relationship lies not just in market access, but in our shared commitment to innovation," AmCham Taiwan President Carl Wegner said, underscoring the importance of transparency and partnership.

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/AW







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20% tariff on Taiwan 'reasonable,' lower rate possible: U.S. experts

ROC Central News Agency

08/02/2025 04:18 PM

Washington, Aug. 1 (CNA) A 20 percent tariff announced by the Trump administration on imports from Taiwan appear "reasonable," compared with the rates imposed on other economies in the region, while it is possible Taiwan could see its rate cut through further negotiations with the United States, U.S. experts said Friday.

The White House has announced that Taiwanese exports to the U.S. will be subject to a 20 percent tariff starting Aug. 7.

The 20 percent levy, which was cut from the 32 percent U.S. President Donald Trump announced on April 2, matches those applied to Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is higher than the 15 percent rate for Japan, South Korea and the European Union, and the 19 percent rate for the Philippines.

The announcement came one day before the Aug. 1 deadline for countries to reach agreements with the United States on tariff reductions.

Speaking with CNA in an interview, Riley Walters, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said the 20 percent is a "pretty reasonable" rate for Taiwan as the country did not have to "offer up hundreds of billions of dollars worth of new investment or agricultural purchases, or Boeing purchases, or the removal of non-tariff barriers."

Walters described Japan's 15 percent rate as a privilege the country "paid for," noting that Tokyo has pledged to invest US$550 billion in the U.S. market. He also pointed out that Taiwan's rate is only slightly higher than that of many of its regional competitors.

After the recent announcement of a 20 percent tariff, President Lai Ching-te () said at a news conference that the U.S. remains open to further tariff discussions with Taiwan, as the two sides have yet to finalize their trade deal, calling the rate "provisional."

Jeffrey Kuo (), a U.S.-based economic analyst, told CNA that Trump's tariff policies were a political-oriented announcement and he does not see any theory behind the tariffs.

"I think it is possible for Taiwan to see a cut from 20 percent if Taipei is able to offer more incentives to Washington and come up with more policies to benefit the U.S., such as a creation of more jobs through more investments in U.S. markets," Kuo said.

"Taiwan has to make a concession for a tariff cut," Kuo added.

Walters said it will be challenging for Taiwan to secure a lower tariff, because "there's really no telling how low this (Trump) administration wants to go on tariffs."

Walters added that a lower tariff will depend on the trajectory of the trade deficit the U.S. has with Taiwan, adding if the trade deficit shows signs of trending lower, Taipei could seek a lower tariff rate.

Taiwan is the sixth-largest contributor to the U.S. trade deficit, with its trade surplus with the U.S. increasing from US$47.8 billion in 2023 to US$73.9 billion in 2024.

Alternatively, the Hudson Institute scholar said Taiwan could promise new investments as leverage.

However, "there is a level of this administration that just wants to see higher tariffs, and there's no negotiating around that," Walters added.

With Trump advocating "Made in U.S.A,", his administration has urged the manufacturing sector to return to American soil by imposing tariffs on certain industries such as 25 percent on the auto industry and 50 percent on steel and aluminum goods.

Asked about a potential tariff on semiconductor imports, Walters said that the U.S. is likely to impose a minimum rate of 15 percent, but there could be exclusions, as occasionally seen in the Trump administration's tariff arrangements over the past six months.

Walters said that companies should try to seek an exclusion on semiconductors if a levy is imposed. "Maybe they'll be lucky enough for their products to avoid such a high tariff rate," he said.

(By Elaine Hou and Frances Huang)

Enditem/AW









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No: 162, 1 August 2025, Regarding the 50th Anniversary of Turkiye's Signing of the Helsinki Final Act on 1 August 1975

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Turkiye's signing of the Helsinki Final Act.

Signed in 1975 within the process of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which was initiated during the Cold War to reduce tensions and disputes between opposing blocs, the Helsinki Final Act laid the foundations of a security architecture based on dialogue and cooperation in a broad region spanning across the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian geographies, establishing core principles remaining relevant today.

As one of the initial signatories of the Helsinki Final Act, Turkiye has supported the process from the outset. As such, it has not only reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability, but also actively contributed to the development of the European security architecture based on the principles of international law.

Turkiye's commitment has continued following the transformation of the Conference into the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 1994.

The "Charter for European Security" (Istanbul Charter), adopted at the OSCE Summit hosted by Turkiye in Istanbul in 1999, has become one of the fundamental documents of the OSCE by setting out the principles and methods for ensuring security, peace, and stability of the OSCE area in the 21st century.

Turkiye continues to actively contribute to the OSCE, which is the largest regional security forum based on a comprehensive security approach encompassing politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions. It constructively contributes to efforts aimed at enhancing the Organization's effectiveness and functionality, recognizing the OSCE as one of the key pillars of peace and stability across a broad area.

Going forward, Turkiye will resolutely continue to pursue active diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation in support of multilateralism and will remain committed to contributing to stability and peace in the OSCE region, despite all the challenges faced today.

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Chinese envoy rejects U.S. accusations over Ukraine crisis

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:05, August 01, 2025

UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday rejected U.S. accusations against China over its role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

At a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, the U.S. representative accused China of being "the most important supplier" of Russia's war efforts.

In response, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, dismissed the false and slanderous narratives against China from the U.S. side as completely unacceptable.

China did not start the Ukraine crisis and is not a party to it. China has never supplied lethal weapons to either side of the conflict and has strictly controlled the export of dual-use goods, including drones, said Geng.

"The parties to the conflict are not under Security Council sanctions. China has normal trade relations with Russia and Ukraine. By doing so, it does not violate international law or breach its international obligations. China's legitimate rights and interests must not be infringed upon," he said. "In fact, till now, the United States has maintained its trade with Russia. If the United States is doing that itself, why doesn't it allow others to do the same?"

The Ukraine crisis is at a critical juncture where there are prospects and hopes for a political solution. It is not right for the United States, on the one hand, to expect China to play a role in putting an early end to the conflict, and on the other hand, to keep on smearing and pressurizing China, said Geng.

China, once again, urges the United States to stop its pointless blame game, stop shifting responsibilities, and play a constructive role in ending the fighting and promoting peace talks, he said.

To resolve the Ukraine crisis, what is needed is unity and cooperation, not division and confrontation, he added.

On the supply of weapons to Ukraine, Geng expressed concern about the expanding variety and range of weapons flowing to the battlefield, as well as a growing lethality and destructive power.

The reckless supply of weapons to the battlefield will only intensify confrontation, prolong the conflict, cause risks of proliferation, and inflict further casualties and suffering on the people of both sides and the broader region, he warned.

The urgent priority for Russia and Ukraine is to work together to de-escalate the situation on the battlefield as soon as possible. They should maintain the momentum of talks, continue to build consensus and ultimately reach a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement, said Geng.

Since day one of the conflict, China has advocated for the peaceful resolution of disputes and has called on the parties to the conflict to end hostilities, start negotiations and restore peace sooner rather than later. China will continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in an early political settlement of the crisis, he said.

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A 'hot' July on the front lines: over 5,500 combat engagements, the enemy escalates the use of guided aerial bombs

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

1 August, 2025, 11:45 AM EEST

In July 2025, the intensity of hostilities by russian occupation forces remained high. The enemy continues to exert pressure, seeking to wear down Ukrainian defenses, while also increasing the use of guided aerial bombs (GABs).

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 5,523 combat engagements were recorded during the month. The number of engagements repeatedly exceeded 200 per day. The 'hottest day' on the front line was July 10, when 214 combat engagements were recorded in a single day.

Alongside the high intensity of infantry assaults and artillery and missile attacks, the enemy significantly increased the use of aerial bombs equipped with universal guidance and control modules (guided aerial bombs). Throughout July, russian aircraft dropped 3,786 guided aerial bombs, targeting both Defence Forces positions and frontline localities. This amount is higher than the 3,100 units recorded in the prior month. The highest number of guided aerial bombs dropped by russian aviation in 2025 occurred in April  over 5,000.

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Update 307 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

76/2025

Vienna, Austria

Aug 2 2025

The IAEA team at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) heard explosions and saw smoke coming from a nearby location where the plant said one of its auxiliary facilities was attacked today, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

The IAEA team was informed by the ZNPP that the facility was struck by shelling and drones from 9am, around the same time as the team could hear military activity.

The auxiliary facility is located 1,200 metres from the ZNPP's site perimeter and the IAEA team could still see smoke from that direction in the afternoon.

It was the latest in a series of incidents in recent weeks and months further highlighting possible dangers to nuclear safety during the military conflict at the ZNPP.

"Any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant - regardless of the intended target - poses potential risks also for nuclear safety and must be avoided. Once again, I call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities to prevent the continued risk of a nuclear accident," Director General Grossi said.

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People stand near the site where a light-sport aircraft crashed in Ciampea area of Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, on Aug. 3, 2025. A light-sport aircraft crashed in Bogor, West Java province, on Sunday morning, killing one person and seriously injuring another, according to a spokesman for the Indonesian Air Force. The aircraft, operated by the Indonesian Aero Sport Federation, went down in Ciampea area at around 10:00 a.m. local time, shortly after taking off from Atang Sendjaja Airport in Bogor at approximately 9:08 a.m. (Photo by Aditia Permana/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A light-sport aircraft crashed in Bogor, West Java province, on Sunday morning, killing one person and seriously injuring another, according to a spokesman for the Indonesian Air Force.

The aircraft, operated by the Indonesian Aero Sport Federation, went down in Ciampea area at around 10:00 a.m. local time, shortly after taking off from Atang Sendjaja Airport in Bogor at approximately 9:08 a.m.

It was piloted by former Indonesian Air Force spokesman Fajar Adriyanto, with civilian Roni Ahmad serving as co-pilot. Adriyanto died in the crash, while Ahmad sustained serious injuries. Both were taken to a nearby hospital.

Indonesian Air Force spokesman I Nyoman Suadnyana said the plane was in airworthy condition before departure, adding that authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. 
Ukrainian Drones Strike Targets Across Russia As Trump Orders US Nuclear Subs To Region

By Ray Furlong, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Current Time August 02, 2025

Explosions and fires were reported across several Russian regions following a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks as US President Donald Trump said he was deploying nuclear submarines "closer to Russia" days ahead of a deadline he gave Moscow to make a peace deal with Kyiv.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said on August 2 that its drones had hit an air base storing Shahed drones in Primorsko-Akhtarsk and the Elektroprylad military plant in Penza.

The Ukrainian Army's General Staff reported strikes on oil refineries.

Authorities in Russia's Samara region announced flight restrictions at an airport, the latest in a series of recent measures as Ukrainian attacks disrupt civil aviation in Russia.

The regional governor confirmed a strike on an industrial facility in Novokuybyshevsk, prompting a temporary shutdown of mobile Internet service. He said a civilian was killed by falling debris from an intercepted drone.

Fires were also seen in Ryazan region, while residents in Lipetsk and Voronezh reported drone activity and air-defense operations.

In occupied Crimea the Kerch Bridge -- which connects the peninsula with Russia -- was blocked for more than five hours, and explosions were heard in Feodosia and Kerch.

Russia's Defense Ministry reported attacks in eight regions and claimed to have intercepted or destroyed 112 drones.

Meanwhile, Russia launched an overnight attack on Ukraine with 53 drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. It said 45 had been shot down. In Kherson, a 68-year-old woman was killed and a 41-year-old man was injured.

The latest exchanges came amid an escalation in rhetoric between Washington and Moscow.

Trump said he was moving two nuclear submarines to regions near Russia following threats related to the war in Ukraine from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Trump did not specify whether these were nuclear-powered or nuclear armed submarines.

"I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that," Trump told Newsmax television.

He was referring to a social media post by Medvedev, in which he accused the United States of playing a "game of ultimatums" in response to Trump's announcement that he had shortened a 50-day deadline for Russia to stop its war against Ukraine to 10 days.

On his X page from July 28, Medvedev wrote that "each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war."

He further urged Trump not to "follow the path" of former US President Joe Biden, whom Moscow had frequently accused of escalating tensions with Russia.

After being told by Trump to "watch his words" on July 31, Medvedev went further by reminding the US president of Russia's Dead Hand command system designed to automatically launch Moscow's nuclear missiles if the country's leadership were taken out.

Trump's deadline to Moscow is August 8, but it's not clear what might follow that date. He has spoken of imposing further sanctions on Russia and crippling secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian oil.

Given that these would include China and India, some analysts have expressed skepticism that Washington will take this measure.

Reuters quoted two unnamed Indian government sources on August 2 as saying that New Delhi would continue to purchase oil from Russia despite Trump's threats of financial penalties if it did so.

"These are long-term oil contracts. It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight," Reuters quoted one of the sources as saying.

India's Foreign Ministry did not confirm the continuing purchases, but it said its relationship with Russia was "steady and time-tested."

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-strikes-russia- trump-nuclear-submarines/33492649.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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Russian Army Liberates Alexandro-Kalinovo Settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

Sputnik News

20250802

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that units of the Yug Battlegroup have liberated the settlement of Aleksandro-Kalinovo in the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) through decisive actions.

According to the MoD's daily briefing, Russian forces also inflicted losses on Ukrainian personnel and equipment from:

 3 mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU)

 1 mountain assault brigade

 1 National Guard brigade

The strikes targeted areas near Kleban-Byk, Serebryanka, Pleshcheevka, Aleksandro-Shultino, Konstantinovka, Zvanovka, and Ivanopolye in the DNR.

Russia's Tsentr Battlegroup has eliminated over 410 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

The losses of Ukrainian troops included six armored vehicles, including one US-made HMMWV armored vehicle and one Turkey-made Kirpi armored vehicle, the ministry said in a statement.

The Zapad Battlegroup has eliminated more than 230 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Vostok Battlegroup has eliminated up to 205 Ukrainian troops, the ministry added.

The Sever Battlegroup has eliminated over 175 Ukrainian soldiers, a tank, eight motor vehicles and three artillery guns, as well as six ammunition depots, the ministry said.

The Yug Battlegroup has eliminated up to 150 Ukrainian soldiers, three combat armored vehicles, including one US-made 113 armored personnel carrier, a pickup, three artillery guns and one electronic warfare station, the ministry said.

Russia's Dnepr Battlegroup defeated the Ukrainian armed forces in several areas of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, where Ukraine lost over 80 soldiers, two artillery guns and six electronic warfare stations, one Israel-made radar RADA, as well as five ammunition depots, the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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'He Knows How to Avoid Sanctions' - Trump on Putin

Sputnik News

20250802

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said that if a Ukraine ceasefire deal is not achieved by next week, Washington will introduce sanctions, although Moscow is good at avoiding them.

Trump said on Tuesday that his timeline for a Ukraine peace deal is 10 days, and that he plans to impose secondary tariffs on Russia once it expires.

"[If a Ukraine deal is not in place], we'll put sanctions on, and he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is pretty good with sanctions. He knows how to avoid sanctions," Trump said in an interview with Newsmax show "Finnerty" host Rob Finnerty at the White House on Friday.

Asked whether his opinion of Putin has changed over the past few months Trump said, "He's obviously a tough cookie, so it hasn't changed in that way."

Earlier on Friday, asked about a potential conversation with Putin before the August 8 time frame on Ukraine, Trump did not provide reporters with a clear answer but indicated that some meetings were planned.

 Sputnik

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Denys Shmyhal: Ministry of Defence ramps up investment in Ukrainian drone production and Defence Forces capabilities

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2 August, 2025, 11:39 AM EEST

Pursuant to the decision of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Ministry of Defence has approved a reallocation of funds to meet the needs of the Ukrainian military.

Accordingly, UAH 8 billion was allocated to address the immediate needs of Ukrainian Armed Forces units involved in the 'Drone Line' project and to strengthen unmanned capabilities in newly formed units.

"This will enable immediate funding for the urgent needs of units such as Madyar's Birds, K2, Rarog, Achilles, Nemesis, and Black Forest. They have proven highly effective: just last month, 22,700 enemy targets were eliminated," noted Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal.

An additional UAH 1 billion has been allocated to strengthen anti-drone protection for evacuation and logistics routes.

In parallel, Ukraine is cooperating with partners to finance the 'Drone Line' project. In particular, a bilateral agreement with the Netherlands includes provisions for procuring drones from Ukrainian manufacturers. Thanks to this instrument, the Oschadbank, a state-owned bank, has already issued bank guarantees for contracts totaling EUR 837 million.

"Our goal is to provide more drones and more modern weapons to our defenders," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.

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Sergiy Boyev holds meeting with newly appointed French Defence Attache to Ukraine to discuss arms deliveries, joint projects, and funding mechanisms

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

2 August, 2025, 10:27 AM EEST

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Sergiy Boyev, held introductory talks with the newly appointed French Defence Attache to Ukraine, Major General Cedric du Gardin.

Prior to his appointment, Major General Cedric du Gardin was the head of the French Ministry of Armed Forces' Task Force to Support Ukraine. He is therefore well-informed about the security situation in Ukraine and its broader needs.

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Sergiy Boyev, congratulated the French official on his new appointment and briefed him on key areas of Ukrainian-French cooperation.

"Ukraine and France continue to advance joint projects in the defence industry, including drone production. Increasing funding for joint UAV production in Ukraine remains a key priority. Furthermore, the supply and maintenance of French weapons continues to be a key issue.

The parties agreed to pursue fruitful cooperation and outlined the next steps for launching specific joint projects in the defence industry.

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Russian-Occupied Donetsk, Mariupol Face Collapse Amid Severe Water Shortage

By Merhat Sharipzhan, Current Time and Donbas.Realities August 03, 2025

In the Russian-occupied cities of Donetsk and Mariupol, an escalating water crisis has pushed daily life to the brink of survival.

Water trickles out of taps for only a few hours every few days, often discolored and undrinkable. Entire neighborhoods have resorted to survival tactics like hauling water in buckets and collecting rainwater.

Local residents and observers in eastern Ukrainian cities have called on Russian-imposed authorities to tackle what they have said is a devastating situation that demands immediate attention.

'We Live In A Water Desert'

Once industrial heartlands of Ukraine, both Donetsk and Mariupol, as well as smaller towns around them, now face a deepening humanitarian emergency. The combination of destroyed infrastructure, failed reconstruction projects, and collapsing reservoirs has plunged the region into what analysts are calling a full-scale ecological and social catastrophe.

On July 22, pro-Kremlin Telegram channels with hundreds of thousands of followers published an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, signed by residents of occupied Donetsk.

The message, also echoed by pro-Kremlin bloggers and military propagandists, warned of a spiraling water crisis.

"Donetsk has had no stable water supply since 2022," the letter states. "Now it's only once every three days, sometimes less."

In Mariupol, the situation is only slightly better. There, water is reportedly supplied every two days, though residents claim that timetable is often not followed.

In both cities, water rarely reaches the upper floors of residential buildings. Households rely on improvised wells, irregular truck deliveries, or plastic tanks scattered throughout neighborhoods. In the summer heat, many of these tanks turn green with algae.

"Over the past eight days, we had water for four hours only. It came out orange," said Olha, a resident of Yenakiyeve near Donetsk. "There are 17 barrels of water for the whole city. The heat is unbearable. Carrying water to the fourth floor without a lift? It's torture."

In Mariupol, residents share similar stories.

"The water we get smells of rust and sewage," one local told the Tochka website. "But we still pay for it like it's clean drinking water."

Failed Russian Solution

After the destruction of the Siverskiy Donets-Donbas canal in the early months of the full-scale Russian invasion launched in February 2022, both Donetsk and Mariupol lost their primary source of freshwater.

The canal, built in the 1950s to supply the region's growing cities, drew water from the Siverskiy Donets River near Slovyansk.

After gaining control over parts of the region, Russia rushed to construct an alternative: the Don-Donbas water conduit, a 194-kilometer dual-pipe system meant to bring water from the Don River near the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. The project, completed in mid-2023 and overseen by then-Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, was supposed to solve the region's water problems.

However, the project fell short of its promises, adding to the residents' frustrations and disappointment.

It has also been mired in scandal. Ivanov was arrested in April 2024 for accepting massive bribes, including from the company that built the pipeline.

"Seventy-five billion rubles ($930 million) were stolen," said former Mariupol TV President Mykola Osychenko to Current Time. "And there's still no water."

Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-appointed separatist head of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), now concedes that the pipeline covers only a fraction of the region's demand.

In late July, he described the situation in Donetsk's internal reservoirs as "critical." He said a long-term solution would only come once Russia captures Slovyansk, one of the main cities in the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Donetsk region, and regains control of the original canal source.

Donbas Reservoirs Run Dry

Satellite imagery reviewed by BBC's Russian Service reveals a startling decline in water levels across major reservoirs in the Donbas region, including those feeding both Donetsk and Mariupol. Nine out of 10 monitored reservoirs have significantly shrunk since 2021. This summer's average temperature in Donetsk was 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) -- not the hottest on record, but hot enough to accelerate evaporation in already depleted basins.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Russia dispatched 75 water trucks to Donetsk. Pushilin boasted that 33 had arrived by July 25.

But the math tells a bleak story: With each truck carrying 10,000 liters, that's just 0.6 liters per person for Donetsk and nearby Makiyivka, home to more than 1.2 million people combined.

"Even if the trucks stayed and operated daily, where would they get the water from?" Osychenko wondered. "There are no viable sources left."

The Zuyivska Thermal Power Plant, one of the region's leading electricity providers, now faces cooling issues due to low reservoir levels. At a poultry farm in the town of Rozovka, two-thirds of the water supply was cut, resulting in many of the birds dying.

As the crisis worsens, even loyal pro-Russian voices are turning on local authorities. Former Ukrainian parliamentary deputy and 2014 separatist leader Oleg Tsaryov posted angrily to Telegram: "Donetsk used to be a city of roses. Now people defecate in bags and some throw them under windows."

Social media is flooded with images and complaints: cracked taps, discolored water, and plastic buckets replacing toilets.

The decay isn't just due to the war but also crumbling infrastructure. According to former utility workers, water infrastructure in the region was already 80 percent worn out by 2014.

Little has been done to maintain or replace it since. In the Kirov district of Donetsk, pipes are nearly 100 percent corroded. Leaks and bursts are daily occurrences, and the losses weren't even factored into the Don-Donbas pipeline's capacity.

Authorities Promise, People Leave

With little faith in officials, many residents are quietly planning to leave.

"People aren't stupid," Osychenko said. "They know if there's no water now, there won't be any later. Without water, there's no electricity. Without electricity, no heating. The whole utility system will collapse by winter."

This fear is echoed by humanitarian groups, which warn of a looming public health disaster. The combination of deteriorating sanitation, limited drinking water, and high temperatures could trigger outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases.

Donetsk and Mariupol were once symbols of Soviet-era industrial power. Today, under Russian occupation, they are becoming symbols of infrastructural collapse, institutional corruption, and humanitarian failure.

What began as a war of conquest has evolved into a slow, suffocating disaster for those left behind. Until water flows freely again, Donetsk, Mariupol, and the towns around them remain simply in survival mode.

With reporting by BBC

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/donetsk-mariupol-water-shoratge- russia-donbas-war-invasion-crisis/33492778.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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Trump says US 'prepared' to respond to alleged nuclear threat by Russia

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 02 August 2025 9:05 AM

United States President Donald Trump has announced the US military is "prepared" to respond to an alleged nuclear threat by Russia.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in a Telegram post on Thursday, told Trump to remember "how dangerous the mythical Dead Hand can be." "Dead Hand" is a doomsday nuclear weapons control system developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The decades-old world-ending control system, if activated, would automatically or semi-automatically launch all the nuclear missiles at enemy targets.

After Medvedev's post on Telegram, Trump claimed on Truth Social on Friday that he was deploying two nuclear US submarines to counter what he described as a fresh threat made by the Russians against the people of America.

"Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that," he wrote.

"Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences; I hope this will not be one of those instances."

Later asked by reporters why he ordered the submarine deployment, Trump claimed: "A threat was made by a former president of Russia and we're going to protect our people."

The war of words between Trump and Medvedev had begun much earlier in the week when the Russian official responded to remarks by a US senator who warned the Russian leaders to comply with Trump's demands or face consequences.

After Trump decided to slap a 10-day ultimatum on Russian President Vladimir Putin to either change the course of Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, or face sanctions, Medvedev fired back on Monday, saying it's not up to Trump to dictate to the Russians when or where to "get at the peace table."

On Wednesday, Trump called Medvedev a "failed" former president who is treading closer into the perilous zone of nuclear warfare between the countries.

"Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!"

Medvedev responded once more, pointing to the "nervous" reaction of the American president, saying that Trump's response simply proved that Russia was right in its policy choices and should maintain its course in its special operation in Ukraine until all its military objectives are accomplished.

Putin, who has not responded to Trump's ultimatum, said on Friday that he wanted a "lasting and stable peace" in Ukraine.

In the past, Russian officials have criticized Trump over his "theatrical" ultimatums, warning the Americans that such pressure tactics escalated the tensions between the two countries, increasing the risk of a direct confrontation between the two nuclear powers.

During the election campaign, Trump repeatedly promised the Americans he would end the Ukraine war in just 24 hours.

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Baltimore, MD, Aug. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Presentation featuring entrepreneur James Altucher dives into the advanced engineering driving Elon Musks Starlink project and how its satellite network could mark a fundamental shift in communications technology.

Starlink is the radical new future of the internet, Altucher says in the presentation. It beams fast, reliable, unlimited internet through the air directly to your device.

Building a Mesh in Space

The presentation details how thousands of interconnected satellites in low-Earth orbit create a dynamic, self-adjusting mesh network.

Elons satellites are designed to wrap the Earth, forming a network to deliver lightning-fast internet to every inch of the planet, Altucher explains. This configuration allows data to bypass ground-based congestion and maintain low latency even across vast distances.

Next-Generation User Equipment

At the device level, the presentation spotlights Starlinks terminal design, which uses electronically steered phased-array antennas.

This antenna is likely built using parts from one small, off-the-radar company, Altucher notes

This technology allows seamless satellite handoffs and enables stable connectivity on moving platforms such as ships and aircraft.

Resilient by Design

The presentation underscores Starlinks ability to maintain service in extreme conditions.

Its being used in the Ukraine conflict, where all other access to internet service has been cut off, Altucher states, highlighting the networks value as a backup communications grid when traditional infrastructure fails.

Scaling Without Ground Constraints

By avoiding traditional cabling and tower construction, the presentation suggests Starlinks architecture could make high-speed connectivity accessible at unprecedented scale and cost efficiency.

Thered be no need to dig up neighborhoods, install cables or build cell towers  all of which cost hundreds of billions of dollars, Altucher explains.

He points to this as the foundation for connecting the remaining billions worldwide who are currently offline.

About James Altucher

James Altucher is a technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author known for identifying transformative innovations years ahead of the mainstream. Recognized as one of the best venture capitalists, angel investors, and tech entrepreneurs in the world, he has been an early supporter of disruptive technologies in streaming, social media, and cryptocurrency.

He leads Altuchers Investment Network and hosts The James Altucher Show, which has been downloaded more than 40 million times.
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Aug. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the UK government's 2025 disposable vape ban now in effect to tackle environmental concerns and reduce health risks, millions of vapers are left seeking legal and reliable alternatives. Eliquid Base, one of the UK's leading online vape retailers, has stepped up with a robust solution; the launch of compliant prefilled pod kits that align with UK TPD regulations, offering the same convenience and flavour experience as disposables without breaching the new rules.

Game-Changing Solution for Vapers

The newly introduced prefilled pod kits by Eliquid Base are designed to replicate the user-friendly nature of disposables while being rechargeable, sustainable, and eco-conscious. Devices like the Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25000 , Hayati 50k , and Lost Mary BM6000 are excellent examples of next-generation prefilled kits delivering high puff counts, USB-C charging, and easy pod replacements that require no maintenance or complex setup.

These kits cater specifically to those who previously relied on disposable vapes for their portability, simplicity, and flavour variety. Now, users can experience the same satisfaction by swapping pods instead of throwing away entire devices; a win for both users and the environment.

A Seamless Transition With Familiar Brands

Eliquid Base ensures the transition from disposables to pod kits is smooth by offering fan-favourite brands and flavours already trusted by UK vapers. Customers can choose from a wide range of compatible pods, including the Hayati Pro Max 6000 Pods and Lost Mary BM6000 Pods, delivering the same rich flavour profiles as their disposable counterparts.

To enhance the vaping experience, users can pair these devices with top-selling nicotine salts or e-liquids or vape juice such as:

Hayati Salts

Elux Nic Salt

Bar Juice Nic Salts

SKE Salts





These nicotine salts are TPD-compliant, available in various popular flavours, and provide a smooth throat hit with fast nicotine delivery; making them ideal for mouth-to-lung pod systems.

Pod Compatibility for Custom Vaping

In addition to Vape kits, Eliquid Base also supports refillable pod devices for users who prefer more flexibility and longer-term use. Leading pod systems such as the Vaporesso XROS Pods, Geekvape Pods, and OXVA Pods are also available; perfect for pairing with Eliquid Bases expansive nic salt e-liquid range.

Key Features of Compliant Prefilled Pod Kits

Fully TPD-compliant and legally sold in the UK

Eco-friendly: reduces disposable waste

Rechargeable via USB-C for extended use

Pod-based systems with simple replacements

Compatible with premium nicotine salts

More affordable than disposables over time

No buttons, settings, or refilling needed; just plug and vape





Final Thoughts

The disposable vape ban may mark the end of an era, but it also opens the door to better, smarter, and more sustainable vaping solutions. With products like the Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25000, Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000, Lost Mary BM6000, and nic salts from top UK brands, Eliquid Base is proud to lead the charge with fully compliant pod kits that meet both regulatory and consumer expectations.

Contact Us

0161 394 1224

info@eliquidbase.co.uk

CP TECH INTERNATIONAL LTD Company No: 12498420, UNIT 2, EURO HOUSE, 1 Overbridge Road, Salford M7 1SL, Manchester

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Eliquid Base. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
New York City, NY, Aug. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Bluetooth-enabled location technology becomes essential for modern lifestyles, the iTagPro GPS Tracker is emerging as a market disruptor. Designed to help users locate keys, wallets, luggage, and even pets, iTagPro combines precision GPS tracking with sleek Bluetooth integration. iTagPro isnt just another Bluetooth GPS Trackerits shaping the future of personal item security in 2025.





What Is iTagPro? Product Overview & Claims

As personal tracking devices continue gaining popularity, iTagPro is positioning itself as a next-generation Bluetooth GPS Tracker tailored for everyday use. Marketed as a compact, smart solution for preventing lost items, iTagPro claims to combine GPS-level precision with Bluetooth conveniencebringing real-time location awareness to your fingertips.

On the official iTagPro website , the device is described as a reliable GPS Tracker that offers real-time tracking, geofencing, anti-theft alerts, and Bluetooth + GPS integration. These phrases suggest a robust tracking solution that can monitor keys, wallets, luggage, or pets across wide distances. The device is also advertised with claims of long battery life, ease of use, and compatibility with both iOS and Android smartphones.

iTagPros promotional content emphasizes peace of mind for users who are constantly on the move. Phrases like never lose what matters and track in real time reinforce the perception that the device functions as a full-fledged GPS tracker. The product is also highlighted for its sleek design and app-based controls, which appeal to tech-savvy shoppers looking for a practical, plug-and-play solution.

However, while the marketing positions iTagPro as a GPS-enabled tool, deeper technical reviews suggest that it primarily operates via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), relying on a users phone to log location history. Once the Bluetooth connection is lost, the tracking stopsindicating that GPS functionality is not built into the device itself.

In short, iTagPro is promoted as a GPS Tracker but functions primarily as a Bluetooth locator. For consumers, this distinction is essential when evaluating whether the product truly meets their tracking needsor simply offers short-range item-finding convenience dressed in GPS language.

View official iTag Pro website for latest best pricing and promotions

What Makes iTagPro Different From Other Bluetooth GPS Trackers?

As Bluetooth GPS Tracker solutions gain traction in households across the U.S., the iTagPro is carving out its own lane in the market. Promoted as a sleek, compact GPS Tracker, iTagPro distinguishes itself through an app-based interface, item finder alerts, and sleek product design.

Unlike conventional Bluetooth trackers such as Tile or AirTag, iTag Pro markets itself with claims of GPS-level precision and wider utilityparticularly for those who want more than simple proximity alerts. However, while the branding emphasizes GPS capabilities, its important to note that the device primarily operates via Bluetooth, not satellite-based GPS tracking.

iTagPros standout feature lies in its visual appeal and accessibilityit doesnt require brand-specific ecosystems like Apples Find My network, which means its compatible with both Android and iOS devices. For consumers seeking a universal Bluetooth GPS Tracker, this is a major plus.

What also sets iTagPro apart is its aggressive positioning through exclusive limited-time discounts, bundling offers, and promises of extended rangeall designed to appeal to both tech novices and frequent travelers. This marketing strategy has certainly helped the product trend in consumer electronics categories.

However, reviewers and tech experts have urged shoppers to examine the technical specifications closely. Without real GPS functionality, iTagPro may not meet expectations for long-distance item tracking.

In short, iTagPro differentiates itself more in branding than core performance. Its simplicity and compatibility may attract casual usersbut for those needing true GPS capabilities, comparisons with higher-end trackers are strongly advised.





Fast Setup, Easy TrackingVisit Official iTagPro Website For More Information

Real-World Applications: How iTagPro Helps You Track Everyday Items

From misplacing keys to locating your bag at the airport, iTagPro is pitched as an all-purpose solution for keeping tabs on daily essentials. In an increasingly mobile world, Bluetooth GPS Trackers like iTagPro promise users a sense of digital reassurance. But how does it actually perform when put to everyday use?

Designed to attach easily to keyrings, wallets, backpacks, or pet collars, iTagPro connects via Bluetooth to its companion mobile app. Once paired, users can use their smartphone to trigger an alert sound from the device or check its last known location on a digital map. This helps recover misplaced items within a Bluetooth range of approximately 30 feet indoors and 100 feet outdoorsassuming no major signal interference.

For close-range trackinglike locating your wallet inside the house or a bag left behind in the officeiTagPro performs similarly to competitors like Tile. The app interface is relatively simple, allowing users to see multiple tagged items and monitor signal strength for each one.

However, iTagPro does not use cellular towers or satellite GPS for tracking. This makes it less effective for real-time tracking over long distancessuch as if you leave your bag in a taxi or your dog runs several blocks away. In those scenarios, iTagPro wont track location in real time once the Bluetooth connection is lost.

While the product does serve practical functions within a limited range, it should be seen as a Bluetooth trackernot a GPS tracker in the traditional sense. Consumers using iTag Pro for casual, short-range recovery of everyday items will find it helpfulbut those expecting long-distance GPS tracking will be left disappointed.

Never Lose a Thing Again with iTag Pro - Visit official iTagPro website

Inside the Tech: How iTagPro Uses Bluetooth & GPS for Seamless Tracking

iTagPro is often promoted as a Bluetooth GPS Tracker, but whats under the hood tells a more nuanced story. While the name implies satellite-based navigation, iTagPro operates almost entirely on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)a proximity-based technology, not true GPS.

The device pairs with a smartphone app via Bluetooth, using your phones GPS and data connectionnot the trackersfor location pinpointing. When an item goes missing, the iTagPro app simply shows the last place where your phone was connected to the device. It does not provide continuous location tracking or communicate with satellites independently.

In short, theres no onboard GPS chip in the tracker itself. This is a major difference compared to true GPS Trackers like Invoxia or Jiobit, which have built-in GPS modules and SIM cards for cellular connectivity.

Bluetooth has limitations. The connection typically holds within 30100 feet, depending on obstructions and interference. If the tagged item leaves that range, tracking stops until the device is found again. This is suitable for home or office environments but not effective for monitoring children, vehicles, or pets across city blocks.

The claim of GPS-level performance is largely a marketing termthe iTag Pro piggybacks on your phones GPS when within range but offers no real tracking once disconnected.

For users who want basic tracking within close proximity, iTagPro works fine. But for seamless GPS tracking, it doesnt deliver on the expectations its branding sets. Knowing this helps consumers distinguish between Bluetooth-based convenience and actual satellite-powered GPS tracking solutions.

Never Lose Keys, Bags, or Pets AgainiTagPro Now Available Online

How Long Does iTagPro Last? Battery Life and Durability Breakdown

For any Bluetooth GPS Tracker to be considered reliable, battery life and hardware durability are critical. iTagPro advertises long-lasting performance, but how well does the device hold up in real-world conditions?

According to its official product description, iTagPro is powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, a standard component in many Bluetooth tracking devices. The brand claims a battery life of up to 6 months, depending on usage and Bluetooth activity. However, this figure is based on ideal conditionsreal-world use may shorten lifespan significantly if youre using frequent ring alerts, multiple devices, or constant app syncs.

The battery is replaceable, which is a plus. Users can access the battery by gently prying open the devices casing. Still, theres a catch: the iTagPro casing is not designed for routine opening. It lacks a dedicated battery compartment or simple twist-off cover, so the removal process can feel awkward and risks damaging the plastic shell.

In terms of durability, iTagPro is lightweight and compact, but not particularly rugged. Theres no mention of IP67 or water-resistance certification, making it unsuitable for environments where moisture or drops are common. Users report that while the tracker holds up well on keychains or bags, its not ideal for pet collars or outdoor gear where wear and tear are higher.

While iTagPro meets basic expectations for battery life and daily handling, it isnt built for heavy-duty use or rough conditions. The lack of a user-friendly battery replacement method and limited waterproofing may be concerns for long-term dependability.

Bottom line: iTagPro offers decent short-term performance, but buyers looking for year-round resilience and field-tested durability may want to explore more robust Bluetooth or GPS tracker alternatives.

Where to Buy iTagPro and How to Get Started

iTagPro is currently available for purchase exclusively through its official website , where customers can choose from single or multi-pack offers with limited-time discounts.

Each iTagPro unit comes with a small setup guide, and buyers are prompted to download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. Pairing the device with your phone is relatively simple: hold the tracker near your phone, launch the app, and follow the on-screen instructions to connect via Bluetooth.

The site claims a risk-free guarantee, but customer reviews suggest that refund requests are often delayed or denied. Therefore, if youre purchasing iTagPro, it's advisable to read the refund policy in full and consider using a payment method with buyer protection (such as PayPal or a credit card).

As for ongoing costs, there are no monthly feesa benefit over traditional GPS Trackers that require cellular subscriptions. However, this also underscores that the product is Bluetooth-only and not a true GPS device.

To get started, simply visit the official iTagPro website , select your preferred bundle, and complete checkout. Be aware of potential upsells during the checkout process, such as extended warranties or VIP support services, which add to the cost.

iTag Pro Setup Experience: How Easy Is It to Connect and Use?

For a Bluetooth GPS Tracker to be effective, it must be easy to set up and operate. iTagPro advertises a seamless onboarding experienceand while the process is generally straightforward, user reviews reveal mixed results in real-world use.

After purchasing iTagPro from the official website , users are instructed to download the iTagPro app, available on both Android and iOS platforms. The initial steps are simple: enable Bluetooth, open the app, and press the devices power button until its detected. Once connected, the tracker appears on your dashboard, where you can assign a label (like keys or wallet) and begin tracking.

The apps interface is minimalist, with basic functions such as ring device, last seen location, and disconnect alert. For users with multiple iTagPro units, the app allows multi-device tracking, which is ideal for households managing several items.

However, connection reliability varies. Some users report the pairing process fails unless the tracker is held extremely close to the phone. Others note that the device frequently disconnectseven when still within advertised Bluetooth range. Reconnecting requires closing and reopening the app or restarting Bluetooth entirely.

While the compatibility across iPhone and Android is a strength, the app has received criticism for occasional glitches, slow loading times, and minimal location refresh accuracy. Its also important to understand that location updates depend on your phones GPS, not the tracker itself.

Bottom line: iTagPro setup is simple in theory, but may demand patience in practice. Tech-savvy users will find it manageable, but casual buyers expecting instant, long-range GPS tracking may be frustrated by the limited scope of what a Bluetooth-based device can deliver.





Final Assessment: Should You Believe the Hype?

The iTagPro is promoted as a must-have Bluetooth GPS Tracker , but real-world testing reveals a different story. While it does offer functionality as a Bluetooth-enabled item locator, its claims of GPS-level tracking and extended range are misleading.

iTagPros appeal lies in its simplicity and price-point marketingbut the technology under the hood doesnt match the expectations set by its branding. There is no built-in GPS, no SIM card, and no satellite or cellular tracking. Once the Bluetooth connection is lost, the device offers no way to locate your item unless you return within range.

From a consumer protection standpoint, this presents an issue. Many buyers believe they are purchasing a GPS Tracker capable of real-time monitoring across long distances, only to realize the device cannot perform those tasks. Refunds and customer service responses have also been inconsistent, according to independent review sites and user feedback.

So, should you believe the hype? That depends on your expectations. If you're looking for a basic Bluetooth tracker to help you locate keys or bags in your home or office, iTag Pro performs adequately. But if you're seeking a GPS Tracker that can track stolen luggage, vehicles, or pets across wide areas, this product falls short.

In the end, iTagPro delivers basic tracking but overpromises on its capabilities. Its crucial for journalists, reviewers, and consumers alike to understand the distinction between Bluetooth trackers and actual GPS Trackersespecially when evaluating product claims that blur that line.

For more information, educational content, and direct purchasing, visit the official iTagPro website .

Contact & Company Info

UAB Commerce Core,

Savanoriu pr. 363, Kaunas,

Lithuania

Email: support@itagpro.com

Order Phone Support: +1 (380) 268-0220

Website: https://get-itagpro.com/



Disclaimers and Disclosures

The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content at the time of publication; however, errors, omissions, or typographical issues may occur. Readers are encouraged to verify product details, features, and promotional pricing by visiting the official website of the product mentioned.

All claims regarding the iTagPro, including those related to durability, health benefits, and maintenance, are based on publicly available information, user testimonials, or manufacturer-provided details. No medical advice is provided or implied.

Always consult with a qualified professional before making decisions related to health, safety, or personal technology use. iTagPro is not a medical device and is not designed to prevent emergencies, replace emergency services, or guarantee safety in any circumstance. Use of the product is at the discretion and responsibility of the consumer.

Attachment
JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Jordan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday announced that they have delivered more aid into the Gaza Strip through airdrop missions and humanitarian aid convoys.

Jordan carried out seven joint airdrop missions over the Gaza Strip, delivering a total of 61 tons of humanitarian and food assistance to the coastal enclave in cooperation with several international partners, the Jordanian Armed Forces said in a statement.

The joint operation included two aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force, along with planes contributed by Germany, the UAE, France, and Belgium.

Meanwhile, Egypt on Sunday sent a new humanitarian aid convoy to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, en route to the Kerem Shalom crossing for inspection ahead of entry into the Palestinian enclave, Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported.

The aid convoy, organized by the Egyptian Red Crescent, includes dozens of trucks loaded with food supplies, medical equipment, and essential medicines, in addition to two fuel trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel designated to power critical infrastructure in Gaza, such as hospitals and water stations.

The Egyptian Armed Forces also said that nine military transport aircraft have carried out airdrop operations over the past 72 hours, delivering dozens of tons of food supplies to areas in Gaza that are inaccessible by land.

According to a report by the Emirates News Agency, the UAE has delivered a new shipment of medical supplies to the Gaza Strip in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The shipment, handed over on Sunday, includes 11 trucks carrying approximately 65 tons of essential medicines and medical materials. It was delivered to WHO warehouses for distribution to hospitals and healthcare facilities across Gaza, where the health system is under severe strain due to the ongoing blockade.

For its part, Israel's military said 136 food packages were airdropped over Gaza in the past 24 hours by Belgium, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, France, and Germany.

Israel began allowing airdrops by foreign countries last week and enabling more aid to enter the Palestinian enclave. However, United Nations aid experts say the assistance remains insufficient.

On Sunday, six more people died from hunger and malnutrition, bringing the total number of starvation-related deaths to 175, including 93 children, Gaza-based health authorities said. 
Alonso glad he didn't sit out Hungary GP

Fernando Alonso says it was "worth it" to race in Hungary, after back pain almost forced him to sit out the weekend.

Fernando Alonso, Hungarian GP 2025

 Aston Martin Racing

The Aston Martin driver, 44, missed FP1 following a muscular injury sustained during the Belgian GP, with reserve Felipe Drugovich filling in. But Alonso returned for FP2, completed the weekend, and stunned many with a P5 finish in qualifying.

Yeah, man, it's better to be in the car here and not watching it on TV when we're in Q3 than at Spa, right? he told Mundo Deportivo. I could have easily missed it because we were last or second to last, but hey, you never choose that.

An MRI scan earlier in the week revealed a small tear in his lumbar muscle. I think I hurt my seat in the Spa race, he explained. It causes me a bit of pain or discomfort when I'm sitting, because it's the same position where you just stress the muscle always on every bump, on every kerb, in every corner. But it's bearable.

Aston Martin made small cockpit adjustments to help Alonso manage the pain, including air cushions in the seat. If you're a normal person you'd be out for two weeks, he admitted. But I think it's manageable.

Trackside boss Mike Krack said the team was cautious: Every lap less is good. We're confident it'll be fine.

Alonso also credited recent upgrades, including the return of the Silverstone floor and improved correlation across all new parts.

To be honest, I'm quite happy, he said. The Imola floor, the Silverstone floor, the front wing at Spa - all three have met exactly what we expected.

But he admitted the circuit played a role too: We haven't changed the car much. It's just that the layout suits our car perfectly.

(GMM)
Featured

Daddy Lumba: Voice that once shook the stage, now lies cold, silent

Vicky Wireko Opinion Aug - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 5 minutes read

The sad news of the passing of Charles Kwadwo Fosu, aka Daddy Lumba, a week ago today, was piercing and numbing.

It hit me like a dentists sharp needle and numbed me for the rest of the week, even as I write.

I was at a funeral service that day when a friend who came in a bit late whispered the crippling news to me.

At that time, there was no way I could verify, but I also had no reason to doubt this friend.

My grief was more than doubled. My thoughts went wild, unable to concentrate on the initial grief that had brought me to the funeral.

My heart went heavy and my instant reaction in my confused mind was that a musical colossus had been uprooted.

I never met him in person.

However, I knew some of his top hits at the back of my hands because of the space he took in our music world.

In that music world of our time, he captured my admiration for the songs he released, spanning two decades and more.

They all exhibit his unique talent in music.

His admirable personality was in sync with his songs, confirming that, indeed, one can judge a good book by its cover.

The cover attracts and likewise the content.

Just like a manufacturer would put some focus on the quality of their packaging to cause attraction to buy.

Unique songs, beats

An exquisite storyteller, Daddy Lumba told captivating stories in his songwriting.

His love songs, never to be missed, had additional pluses with matching unique beats.

He made sure that whether in love or yet to fall in love, his love songs rang loud in ones ears and moved the body.

Who could have missed the love story of Theresa Abebrese?

The Odo mmra fie story, the Obi ato me so bo and Sika ye mogya lyrics and beats that, looking back, brought almost every guest to the dancing floor at my sons wedding all the way in America, a few years ago.

Those who understood the words and those who did not were just moved by the beats.

There are also the pieces of observation and advice he shared in songs like Nyame nhyira Ghana mmaa.

The song showed his deep respect for Ghanaian women and it comes out clearly as he calls on God to bless them.

Along the line, it was impressive to me that some of his songs exhibited a new Daddy Lumba who found his God and, hence, the direction he gave to some of his songs.

His comforting words in the song, Enya Nyame Den, are soothing and good advice to the sad and weary.

His other song, MAgyenkwa Yesu, also speaks of a man who had seen the light in the course of his career.

Those were the times when spinners, in their own wisdom, selected and played their albums back to back at events.

Daddy Lumbas songs brought life to parties and captured packed dancing floors without doubt.

I believe they still do.

His songs were simply electrifying.

Following the announcement of his death, one has had the opportunity to listen to about dozens of his claimed 200 songs. And just that number gives him away as a man of great talent in music.

Tributes

Throughout the week, tributes have poured in from all corners of the country, high and low, all in attestation to the personality of the man, Kwadwo Fosu and the songs he succeeded in enlivening our lives with.

He was a man of all seasons, as far as his lyrics were concerned.

His character has also come through the tributes that have been pouring out from admirers.

He is described as humble, friendly and respectful.

He is simply admired not only for his music and soothing voice but also for his character traits.

No wonder he went that far, rubbing shoulders with many in the corridors of fame.

Even at death, he stands tall.

But death indeed is no respecter of persons, and Daddy Lumbas death speaks to that.

Much as Ghana loved him, much as he rubbed shoulders with the high and low and doors opened for him, much as he had unmatched talents with songs that brought both old and young to their feet, he has succumbed to death at just sixty years.

Go and sleep well, Daddy Lumba. When you wake up, remember we, here on earth, are waiting in anticipation, yearning for your next hit song.

The musicians in heaven will be rehearsing and awaiting more versions of Enye Nyame den, for indeed, nothing is difficult for our God.

May the Agyenkwa Yesu, the Saviour Jesus Christ you finally met in your musical life, grant you a peaceful rest.

Forever, you will remain in many hearts.

As the chapter on your good work here on earth finally closes, we know we will not see you here again with your varied hairstyles, but we will definitely see you on the resurrection day.

Da yie, Kwadwo Fosu. Agyenkwa Yesu mfa wo nsie, Daddy Lumba. Your reward awaits you in heaven.

Writers E-mail:[email protected]
Featured

Ex-convict teacher sentenced to 48 years for defilement

Gloria Apprey Aug - 03 - 2025 , 19:12 3 minutes read

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced Sokah Phidels Load, a 47-year-old teacher and ex-convict, to 48 years' imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty of defiling a seven-year-old girl.

The presiding judge, Mr G.A. Inkumsah-Ishum, found Sokah guilty after a full trial. Sokah had pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecution led by Police Chief Inspector Edna Aningah, the convict has a history of similar criminal behaviour.

The prosecutor noted that in 2011, Sokah was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for defilement, which was later reduced to 15 years on appeal, a sentence he completed in 2020.

Despite his past conviction, he secured employment in a basic school without the school being aware of his criminal background.

Case background

According to the prosecutor, the complainant is the father of the victim and lives with his daughter in Accra.

She added that Sokah, who lived on the schools premises, had been employed at the victims school for just three weeks.

On February 6, 2025, at around 7.15 a.m., the victims father dropped her off at school. Sokah, who was then in his office located at the Administrators Block, observed the girl entering the common hall to place her drink in the schools fridge.

He called her to his office under false pretences, she explained.

The prosecutor stated that when the victim entered Sokahs office, he asked her to show him her panty, which she did, afterwards he took the victim to the teachers washroom and instructed her to sit on the water closet and angrily asked her to remove her panty and cover her face, which she did with her uniform but peeped to watch him.

She added that the convict then opened his flap, knelt and inserted his finger and penis into the victims private part, leading to her screaming for help.

Sokah, however, covered her mouth and warned her not to tell anyone else, he would cane her, but the victim later confided in another pupil who was the sister of her classmate. That pupil then reported the incident to school authorities.

She said that the school promptly called the victim to the director's office at the close of school, where she recounted her experience in the presence of her father.

The prosecutor said that upon realising the matter had been reported, Sokah fled the school premises and went into hiding.

A complaint was then lodged with the police, and the victim was issued a medical form and taken for examination at a hospital.

Chief Inspector Aningah told the court that efforts to reach Sokah proved unsuccessful until later, when he sent a voice note to the school, acknowledging that he had heard the police were searching for him, but he still refused to surrender.

The prosecutor added that the police eventually traced his hideout at Santeo, a community in Accra.

She stated that surveillance with his identification card was then mounted in the neighbourhood, leading to his arrest on March 13, 2025.

After a thorough investigation, Sokah was charged with the offence and brought before the court, the prosecutor stated.
Featured

Chief of Staff charges industry players to reset Africas digital identity

Emmanuel Bonney Aug - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read

Players in the digital technology industry have been encouraged to form partnerships and reset Africa's digital identity to establish a legacy of innovation for future generations.

Also, they should take advantage of opportunities the digital space provides to forge meaningful partnerships that will go beyond countries to impact the continents youth.

The Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, Julius Debrah, who made the call, stated: "Together, let's reset Africa's digital identity, secure our digital sovereignty and build a legacy of innovation for generations to come," he said.

Mr Debrah was speaking at the launch of the 10th Anniversary of Mobex Africa, a technology platform, in Accra last Thursday.

The Mobex Africa Partnership Day was on the theme: The Vision for Africas Digital Future.

Jobs

The Chief of Staff said the governments digital development agenda was guided by a set of well-defined partnership training commitments outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto, and that included completing the Eastern Corridor Fibre Optic Project by 2027, extending broadband access nationwide in collaboration with global providers, strengthening the Data Protection Commission by 2026, ensuring citizen data security through partnership with cyber security experts and civil society, launching National Digital Development Council by early 2026, creating a tri-sector forum for innovation policy involving government, industry, and academia, equipping 500,000 youth and women with digital skills by 2028, especially in AI, fintech and merging tech through sustained public-private collaboration.

Collectively, these priorities will create an estimated 200,000 direct digital jobs by 2028, and position Ghana as West Africa's leading digital hub, contributing over $2 billion in annual digital exports, he said.

Mr Debrah indicated that over the past decade, Mobex Africa had evolved into more than just a technology platform. It has become a convenient force for innovation.

Through partnerships, he said, it had connected thousands of young Africans to digital skills, brought innovators and investors together at key forums like the 2018 Mobex Africa Forum, and supported conversations that had shaped important policy breakthroughs such as mobile money interoperability.

Achievements

Those, he said, were notable achievements and deserved acknowledgement not just as a milestone of an organisation but as makers of what is possible when we unite behind shared goals.

The Chief of Staff said the gathering opened a new chapter that aligned with the transformative research agenda of the NDC under the visionary leadership of President John Mahama, adding that the presidents reset agenda envisioned a Ghana where technology would power inclusive growth through strategic partnerships where its institutions were strengthened and where its digital future was shaped and owned by Ghanaians.

During his previous administration, Mr Debrah said President Mahama laid the foundation for a technology driven Ghana by expanding e-governance system and infrastructure, operationalising the National Data Centre and deepening rural connectivity all through effective public-private partnership.

Now, barely seven months into the new mandate, we have launched a bold one million dollars programme, a nationwide initiative to train Ghanaians in coding, AI, cyber security, data analytics and other critical digital skills.

Implementation

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, said This is the moment for a continental reset, a reset that moves us from consumers to creators, from digital dependence to digital determination, a reset that builds African-owned infrastructure

He said the government was laying the foundations for Ghana to become the AI arm of West Africa.

Through strategic investments, international partnerships and a regulatory environment that's designed to support responsible AI, he said we aim to be the launchpad for African-led AI innovation from agri-tech to fintech, from health tech to edtech, and this is our state in the future.

Venture

The Executive Director, Software Development and Systems Integration, Margins Group ID Group, Andrew Asamoah, said Africa must build sovereign digital infrastructure; platforms and systems that were owned and governed locally, powered by African talent, and regulated by its own laws.

Our data should not flow freely into opaque foreign jurisdictions.

Our artificial intelligence should reflect African languages, cultures and values, and our cyber security must be treated as a national priority, he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mobex Africa, George Spencer Quaye, said his outfit was conceived with a simple but powerful purpose  to drive Africas digital transformation through innovation, collaboration and capacity building.

Over the years, this platform has evolved into a convening power for visionaries, innovators, policymakers and investors, all united by a common goal: to unlock Africas potential through technology, he said.
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Parliament calls for enhanced safety protocols to curb road crashes

Samuel Duodu Aug - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Parliament has expressed worry about the increasing spate of road accidents in the country, particularly on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, that has claimed several lives and maimed many.

The August House has, therefore, called on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), law enforcement agencies and transport unions to immediately strengthen safety protocols and enforce traffic laws without fear or favour to ensure that the country's roads are no longer death traps.

This follows last Monday's accident on the Juaso-Nkawkaw stretch on the Accra-Kumasi Highway that claimed the lives of 16 members of the Obogu Saviour Church in the Ashanti Akyem South Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

The MPs expressed condolence to the bereaved families and wished the injured speedy recovery.

The 16 and four others who are currently on admission were said to be returning from a church congress in Koforidua when the accident occurred.

Statistics by the NRSA indicated that over 1,500 lives have been lost on the countrys roads between January and June this year.

The Members of Parliament (MP) expressed the concern on the floor of Parliament yesterday (August 1) following statements presented to the House by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Asante Akyem South, Kwaku Asante-Boateng, and the Independent MP for Asante Akyem North, Ohene Kwame Frimpong.

Statements

Delivering his statement on the floor of the House, the NPP MP for Asante Akyem South called for the restoration of speed humps to reduce speeding and prevent accidents on the Juaso-Nkawkaw stretch, and the widening of the pedestrian stretch to provide a safer environment for pedestrians.

He also suggested the deployment of traffic cameras to monitor and enforce traffic rules and the launching of road campaigns to educate the public on road safety.

Mr Asante-Boateng also proposed the formation of a task force to ensure that these measures were implemented within a timeframe.

The task force would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the proposed measures and ensuring that they are effective in preventing further accidents.

For his part the Independent MP for Asante Akyem North, Mr Frimpong, called for urgent action to improve road safety on the Accra-Kumasi highway, and stressed the need for comprehensive reforms to address the yawning chasm between legislation and enforcement.

The cost of deferring reform is fatal, he said, adding that When road infrastructure is inadequate, it is the bones of ordinary citizens that fracture.

He called on the Ministry of Roads and Highways to prioritise and expedite repair works on the Accra-Kumasi highway, particularly on the Ahwedie stretch.

He urged the NRSA and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to intensify public education and enforce traffic regulations , and stressed the need for improved road infrastructure, including adequate lighting, road markings and signage.

The MP noted that an amount of $1.4 million had been allocated in the 2025 budget for sectional repairs of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, and called for the swift utilisation of the funds to address critical and dangerous portions of the road.

"Every life lost on that highway is a resource stolen from the world of our Republic," he said, adding that "If this House fails to act with urgency, then we are by omission complicit."

Contributions

Contributing to the statements, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Sene West in the Bono East Region, Kwame Twumasi Ampofo, and NPP MP for Mpraeso in the Eastern Region, Davies Opoku Ansah, called for a collective action from all stakeholders to curb accidents on the countrys road, especially the Accra-Kumasi Highway
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Pulpits not for concerts  Presiding Bishop of Methodist Church

Augustina Tawiah Aug - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, has advised its ministers to avoid the temptation of using the pulpit as a box for concerts but use it for its intended purpose, instead of using it for concerts.

He stated that increasingly in the country, some people who went by all sorts of religious titles were using the pulpit in very deceptive ways, such as delivering false prophecies sometimes with political undertones that could naturally cause confusion in the country, communities, homes and personal lives.

Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu said the church was one of the oldest religious denominations in the country with members who included civil servants, public servants, politicians, judges and lawyers; therefore, it was expected that the pulpit would be a place where the word was preached so that people would be comforted, strengthened and edified.

"So my admonishment to the ministers of The Methodist Church Ghana is that it is not how we train them. I've been a professor at the seminary for more than 30 years.

We teach them that when you are preaching the Word of God, be serious about it. I'm not suggesting that a person should not give illustrations, but don't turn the whole pulpit and the preaching into a concert.

We dont want our ministers to emulate that.

They should be serious with the preaching of the scriptures and make sure that they themselves are abiding by what they preach," he admonished.

Most Rev Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu said that when he addressed the Biennial General Meeting of the Connexional Lay Movement Council of the church in Accra.

The general meeting, which was on the theme: 'Discipleship: Growing into Christian Maturity', is a forum for taking stock, reflecting on the journey and making resolutions concerning the ministry of the church.

Present at this years meeting were the President and Chairman of ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Dr George Agyekum Donkor, past and serving bishops of the church, including the host Bishop, Right Rev Samuel Ofori-Akyea.

Lay Movement

In the Methodist Church of Ghana, all those who are not ministers belong to the laity, and to have the laity organised, the church has the Lay Movement, which was established about 75 years ago to, among others, support the ministers.

The Lay Movement holds a biennial general meeting that brings together delegates from all the dioceses of the church.

On the offertory, he directed its churches that no service in the church should take more than two offerings, explaining that members were suffocating under financial demands from its church organisations to pay for projects and make contributions for all kinds of activities that put people off from the church.

Most Rev Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu charged the Lay Movement Council to pay attention to the physical and spiritual needs of young people and children, adding that they should erect places of worship for them and also support the number of unemployed young people in the church.

He said the church had set up a Methodist Entrepreneur and Development Fund to assist young people who wanted to start small-scale businesses.

The Lay President of the Church, Kwasi Attah-Antwi, mentioned the achievements of the Lay Movement to include supporting the church with infrastructure, resources and ensuring that the church's policies were being implemented.
VLADIVOSTOK, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Krasheninnikov Volcano on Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula has erupted for the first time in recorded history, local authorities said on Sunday.

The eruption began at 2:50 local time Sunday (1650 GMT Saturday), sending ash plumes up to 3-4 km above sea level, Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) said on its Telegram Channel.

The ash plume has drifted eastward toward the Pacific Ocean, officials said. No inhabited settlements lie in the path of the ash cloud, and there have been no reports of ashfall in populated areas. An orange aviation warning was issued.

Located about 200 km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and 13 km south of Lake Kronotskoye, Krasheninnikov is part of the Eastern Volcanic Zone of Kamchatka. Earlier, the regional branch of the Emergency Ministry warned of possible ash emissions of 6-10 km from several other active Kamchatka volcanoes. Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid traveling within 10 km of these volcanoes' summits.

The eruption came just days after an 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula. The quake triggered tsunami warnings and prompted a state of emergency in parts of Kamchatka and the Severo-Kurilsk district. 
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Joint Police-Military operation in Nkwanta leads to arrest and firearms seizure

Jemima Okang Addae Aug - 03 - 2025 , 05:42 1 minute read

A joint Police and Military operation has led to the arrest of a 50-year-old man, Francis Donkor, in connection with the recent violent riots in Nkwanta and its surrounding communities.

According to a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service, the operation was conducted on Thursday, August 1, 2025, at about 6:15 pm, following credible intelligence that some individuals involved in the disturbances were in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

The team moved to a location opposite Kings Filling Station Down, where the area was quickly cordoned off to ensure public safety and prevent any escape.

A search conducted on the premises led to the retrieval of two single-barrel guns and four AAA ammunition from the room of suspect Francis Donkor.

The suspect was promptly arrested, escorted to the Police Station, and is currently in custody assisting with ongoing investigations, the Police said in the statement.

The retrieved weapons and ammunition have been retained as evidence to support the investigation and possible prosecution.

The Ghana Police Service, while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining peace and order, cautioned the public against the unlawful possession and use of firearms, particularly in light of recent tensions in the area.
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MultiChoice Ghana rejects 30% DStv fee cut proposal by Sam George

Mohammed Ali Aug - 03 - 2025 , 11:33 2 minutes read

MultiChoice Ghana has rejected a proposal by the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to reduce DStv subscription fees by 30 percent.

In a statement issued on Sunday, August 3, 2025, and signed by its Managing Director, Alex Okyere, the company expressed concern about recent public remarks made by the minister and described the proposed cut as not tenable..



It said any review of subscription rates must take into account the broader economic environment and the need to maintain the quality of service provided to customers.

While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the cedi, it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister, the statement said.

MultiChoice added that it had presented an alternative proposal to both the minister and the National Communications Authority (NCA) as part of continuing discussions to address the pricing concerns.

The company, which has operated in Ghana for over 30 years, said it strives to keep subscription fees as low as possible.

It warned that a forced price reduction could threaten jobs and limit customer choice.

What Sam George said?

Speaking at a press briefing dubbed "Government Accountability Series" in Accra last Friday [August 1, 2025], Mr Sam George gave MultiChoice until August 7 to implement the 30 percent fee cut or face suspension of its broadcasting licence.

The minister described DStvs pricing in Ghana as unfair, noting that customers pay the equivalent of US$83 for the premium bouquet, compared with US$29 paid by subscribers in Nigeria for the same package.

Mr Sam George rejected suggestions that currency depreciation justifies the price difference, calling the situation plain stealing from Ghanaian consumers.

MultiChoice said it remained ready to engage constructively with the government and assured that it would continue to operate within Ghanas laws and regulations.
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Techiman: Police say they foiled robbery attempt in NPP Bono East Chairmans house that resulted in the death of his brother, suspected to be a robber

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Aug - 03 - 2025 , 06:10 3 minutes read

The Police have explained that officers responded to a robbery incident in the New Patriotic Party NPP) Bono East Regional Chairmans residence last Friday, which resulted in the death of one suspect.

This contradicts some reports suggesting that the police had raided the residence and killed one person.

The man killed by the police has, however, been identified as Seidu Bukari, a brother of the Bono East Regional Chairman of the NPP, Ibrahim Baba Bukari.

Some relatives have said Seidu was in his brother's house earlier and was only leaving for his own house when they heard the gunshot outside.

When they went to check, it was the police who had shot and killed him.

When they went to the morgue to identify him, the police had labelled him as a robber.

Attached below is a copy of police statement on the incident



POLICE REFUTE ALLEGED RAID OF BONO EAST NPP CHAIRMAN'S HOUSE AT TECHIMAN

The Ghana Police Service has sighted a media publication alleging a police raid at the residence of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Bono East Regional Chairman resulting in the death of one person.

We wish to categorically state that the claim is false. The Police has not undertaken any such raid.

Preliminary investigation has disclosed that on Friday, August 1, 2025 at about 01:20 am, officers from the Bono East Regional Police Command, acting on intelligence, responded swiftly to a robbery incident where the suspects were spotted scaling a wall in an attempt to escape.

One of the suspects, later identified as Seidu Bukari sustained gunshot wound during the operation and was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention but was later pronounced dead.

The deceased suspect has since been identified as a known member of a robbery gang that has been terrorising residents of Techiman and surrounding areas by stealing motorbikes and transporting them for resale in Kumasi. He was also wanted by the Police after he was named as an accomplice in a similar case under investigation at the command.

Investigations confirm that the gang had returned to Techiman that night for a similar operation when they were intercepted by the Police.

The Police retrieved a motorbike and other implements believed to have been used by the suspects during the robbery. A targeted manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the remaining members of the gang who managed to flee the scene.

Investigations later revealed that the affected house belonged to Mr. Ibrahim Baba Bukari, the NPP Regional Chairman for Bono East.

The Inspector-General of Police has deployed a team comprising officers from the CID Headquarters, the Police Professional Standards Bureau and the Police Intelligence Directorate Headquarters to ensure a thorough investigation into the matter.
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Politics and the law: Justice, recovery, the case of Dr Kwabena Duffuor

Samuel Kofi Darkwa Politics Aug - 02 - 2025 , 09:57 5 minutes read

The decision by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, to discontinue criminal proceedings against Dr Kwabena Duffuor and seven others has sparked significant public debate.

This decision relates to the widely published collapse of UniBank, during which approximately GH5.7 billion in depositors' funds was allegedly misappropriated.

The case formally known as The Republic vs Kwabena Duffuor & 7 Others (CR/0248/2020) was initiated under the previous government.

The allegations were serious, including stealing, wilfully causing loss to the state and money laundering.

These charges were brought to light following the Bank of Ghana's revocation of UniBank's banking licence in 2018, following claims of insolvency and serious regulatory breaches.

However, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Attorney-General's office filed a nolle prosequi, which effectively brought an end to the case after approximately GH3.42 billion (60 per cent) of the misappropriated funds were recovered.

Litigation costs

The rationale provided by the Attorney-General's office was centred around the practicalities of avoiding protracted litigation and high administrative costs.

They maintained that the discontinuation of the case "does not imply an absence of wrongdoing nor a vindication of any conduct."

Nonetheless, this justification has occasioned widespread debate and suspicion.

The public is left to ponder crucial questions: If potential wrongdoing has occurred, why is the case being dropped?

Conversely, if no wrongdoing is found, why frame the connection with uncertainty?

This contradictory stance is at the heart of growing public dissatisfaction about the discontinuation of the case.

The State seems to acknowledge potential misconduct, yet it chooses to withdraw from pursuing legal accountability.

By opting to step back from the case without a definitive verdict, the government leaves room for public interpretations and scepticism among the populace.

Reflection

It is crucial to reflect on the emotional and social consequences arising from UniBanks collapse.

The GH5.7 billion at stake represents the hard-earned savings of ordinary Ghanaians, depositors who placed their trust in a licensed and regulated financial institution.

Alarmingly, many individuals are believed to have suffered deep psychological trauma and financial ruin due to the banks failure.

This distress is well-documented by Yomboi et al. (2021) in their study The Impact of the Collapsed Banks on Customers in Ghana, which highlights the profound toll on affected customers and their families.

This situation prompts a deeply uncomfortable question: what message does the decision to prioritise financial recovery or political interest send to these grieving families?

That their pain and suffering are secondary, overlooked in favour of expediency and optics?

Moreover, this decision establishes a troubling precedent within Ghana's justice landscape.

Should we accept that politically exposed persons may mismanage or siphon billions, recover part of the funds, and escape consequences?

If recovery of 60 per cent is now considered sufficient grounds to cease prosecution, does this mean we are institutionalising a "partial refund-for-freedom" policy?

Unrecovered amount

The implications of this situation are alarming and far-reaching.

The remaining GH2.28 billion, the unrecovered amount, is no insignificant figure.

With proper planning and resource management, this amount could significantly enhance Ghana's development.

It could be allocated to constructing essential infrastructure such as roads and bridges, improving access to clean water and sanitation, upgrading healthcare services with better facilities and equipment, and expanding educational opportunities through new schools and teacher training programmes.

This unrecovered money has the potential to stimulate agricultural development with irrigation systems, leading to food security and job creation.

It could also facilitate the transition to renewable energy sources with investment in solar and wind technologies.

The absence of these funds represents not just a numerical shortfall but a significant hindrance to national progress and unmet human needs across the country.

Beneath the financial implications lies a deeper concern about the politicisation of justice in Ghana, as the abandonment of the case against Dr Duffuor by one administration raises the possibility that a future government could revive it, while the ongoing prosecutions of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials also call into question whether they would be dismissed if the NPP regains power, ultimately undermining public confidence in the independence and objectivity of the judicial system and raising doubts about its impartiality and long-term credibility.

Impartial outcomes

At its core, the justice system ought to remain free from political influence. It should inspire public trust, reassure victims, and deliver impartial outcomes.

When decisions, like this one, appear to favour the influential while neglecting the rights of the ordinary Ghanaians, confidence in the rule of law is severely eroded.

The credibility of governance itself begins to deteriorate when justice is perceived as selective, negotiable, or translational.

While this case may be officially closed by the State, it remains unresolved in the court of public opinion.

It compels Ghanaians to confront pressing questions about the kind of justice system they are striving to build.

Are we creating a system where justice is genuinely blind, or is it viewed through the lens of political interests? In a nation seeking democratic maturity and economic transformation, the answers to these questions are critical and urgent.

The writer is a political scientist.
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Mahama swears in final deputy ministers to complete 60-member team

Mohammed Ali Politics Aug - 03 - 2025 , 08:45 2 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama last Thursday swore into office four new deputy ministers of state, completing his 60-member ministerial team as part of his plan to run a leaner government.

The newly appointed deputies are Mrs Dorcas Affo-Toffey, Deputy Minister of Transport; Mr James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Mr Mohammed Adam Sukparu, Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation; and Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Deputy Minister of Health.

President Mahama said the appointments complete the formation of his administrations executive branch.

He explained that deputies had been assigned only to ministries with heavier workloads and wider oversight duties.

This is a clear expression of our resolve to establish a new paradigm of lean, purposeful and effective government, the President said. From the outset, I made a commitment to restore trust and discipline in public service by building a government that is not bloated but balanced, not extravagant but efficient.

The President noted that staffing at the Office of the President has been reduced compared to the 336 positions under the previous administration. Savings made from cuts to fuel allocations, travel budgets and other expenses, he said, are being channelled into education, health, infrastructure and energy.

Speaking on behalf of the new deputies, Mr Mohammed Adam Sukparu thanked the President for the appointments and said they would support the governments reset agenda and help deliver its policies.
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Tesla found partly to blame for fatal Autopilot crash

BBC Technology Aug - 02 - 2025 , 10:35 4 minutes read

A jury in Florida has found Tesla partly liable for a 2019 crash in which a Model S sedan using self-driving software killed a pedestrian and severely injured another.

Plaintiffs had argued the assistance software, called Autopilot, should have alerted the driver and activated the brakes before the crash.

Tesla had maintained the driver, George McGee, was at fault and called the verdict "wrong" in a statement to the BBC, while vowing to appeal. The result means the company will have to pay as much as $243m (189m) in punitive and compensatory damages.

The verdict marks a setback for Tesla and CEO Elon Musk, who has touted self-driving technology as critical to the company's future.

Shares of Tesla dipped following the news and were nearly 2% lower when US markets closed.

Following the verdict, plaintiffs attorneys said Mr Musk had misrepresented the capabilities of the company's Autopilot driver assistance software.

"Tesla designed Autopilot only for controlled-access highways yet deliberately chose not to restrict drivers from using it elsewhere, alongside Elon Musk telling the world Autopilot drove better than humans," said attorney Brett Schreiber in a statement to the BBC.

Mr Schreiber said Tesla and Mr Musk had long propped up the company's valuation with "self-driving hype at the expense of human lives."

"Tesla's lies turned our roads into test tracks for their fundamentally flawed technology," he added.

The company was sued by the family of Naibel Benavides Leon, 22, who was killed when she was struck by the Model S at a T-intersection in the Florida Keys in 2019. Her boyfriend Dillon Angulo suffered life-long injuries and was also involved in the suit.

The court heard the driver, Mr McGee, lost sight of the road when he dropped his phone as he was approaching the intersection, causing his car to continue through it and crash into an SUV parked on the other side. The two victims were standing nearby.

Neither Mr McGee, nor the Autopilot software, hit the brakes in time to prevent the crash.

Dillon Angulo outside court with the family of Naibel Benavides Leon

After a three-week trial, the jury awarded $329m in total damages, including $129m in compensatory damages and $200m in punitive damages aimed at deterring Tesla from harmful behaviour in the future.

Tesla will be responsible for paying one-third of compensatory damages - $42.5m - and the entirety of the $200m in punitive damages, but according to the company, punitive damages are likely to be capped at a lesser amount.

"Today's verdict is wrong and only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla's and the entire industry's efforts to develop and implement life-saving technology," Tesla said in a statement.

Tesla said evidence at the trial showed the driver was solely at fault because he was speeding with his foot on the accelerator, which overrode Autopilot, while looking for his phone and not at the road.

"To be clear, no car in 2019, and none today, would have prevented this crash," Tesla said. "This was never about Autopilot; it was a fiction concocted by plaintiffs' lawyers blaming the car when the driver  from day one  admitted and accepted responsibility."

While there have been other federal lawsuits involving Autopilot during fatal crashes, Tesla has settled prior cases.

Last year, it settled a lawsuit over a 2018 crash that killed an Apple engineer after his Model X collided with a highway barrier while operating the company's Autopilot software.

The Florida case which culminated on Friday was the first to go to a jury.

At trial, Mr McGee said his concept of Tesla's Autopilot was that "it would assist me should I have a failure" or "make a mistake," and that he felt the software had failed him.

Mr McGee has settled a separate lawsuit with the plaintiffs for an undisclosed sum.

Tesla has long faced scrutiny over its Autopilot and self-driving technology, and critics hailed the jury's decision.

"Tesla is finally being held accountable for its defective designs and grossly negligent engineering practices," said Missy Cummings, a robotics professor at George Mason University.

The verdict comes as Tesla is battling weakening sales stemming in part from Mr Musk's political activities.
DAMASCUS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Deadly clashes erupted in Syria's southern province of Sweida as "outlawed" groups violated a recently brokered ceasefire, Syrian state media reported on Sunday, citing a security source.

The state-run al-Ikhbariya TV, quoting the unnamed security source, reported that "outlawed groups" -- a term commonly used by the interim authorities to refer to Druze fighters in the predominantly Druze province -- attacked internal security forces and shelled several villages in the Sweida countryside earlier in the day.

The attack reportedly killed one member of the security forces and injured several others. The report noted that the escalation came at a time when Syria's interim government has been working to restore stability and basic services in the war-torn province.

The source added that the renewed violence had hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid convoys to civilians in the area.

Meanwhile, the Lebanon-based Syrian private Sham TV, citing local sources in southern Syria, reported intensive Israeli warplane activity over several areas in Daraa and Sweida provinces.

The channel also reported heavy clashes between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribal forces, and government security units in Sweida's western countryside, without mentioning the casualties.

A ceasefire in Sweida was announced on July 19 by interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, following a period of intense sectarian fighting and Israeli airstrikes in the region.

Under the agreement, interim government forces were to withdraw from the province, while local factions and Druze religious leaders would assume responsibility for maintaining security.

In recent days, multiple humanitarian aid convoys have entered Sweida through a coordinated effort between UN agencies and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, aiming to alleviate the suffering of local residents amid widespread shortages of essential services. 
More than six weeks after bidders were selected for Simon Sanchez High Schools rebuilding, negotiations are still ongoing and education officials keep on trying to fit construction costs within legislative budget caps, Education Superintendent Erik Swanson said.

The things we have to negotiate are all making everything fit within the legislative limits that were set for funding, and its negotiating the cost of construction and that kind of thing. I cant go into any details, but its a complicated process, Swanson told the Pacific Daily News.

The Legislature authorized $166 million for the total project, but broke it down into strict caps for construction, debt servicing, and other components.

The Guam Department of Education is working with selected bidders to keep every part of the plan within those limits, Swanson said.

Weve been working steadily at it. Some progress is made, Swanson said. At the end of the day, we have to operate within the law.

Even with selected bidders in place, a signed contract has not yet materialized.

Theyve been working in good faith, but we just havent gotten to a place where we can agree on all the numbers. I have to sign that contract, right? Im not going to sign it unless its completely within the law, Swanson said.

Rebuilding Simon Sanchez High School remains a top priority before his departure.

Everybody wants it. I mean, even the contractor wants to be out there digging footings and putting in the storm drains, he said.

He recognizes the emotional investment from the community and former students, especially when it ends up coming down to the hard decision of school closings, but said financial realities must guide the project.

Weve got to live within our means and because the cost of construction is what it is, this is not an easy process, but were working away at it, he added.

Delayed temporary campus

The temporary campus for Simon Sanchez High School is a separate project, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency rather than local appropriations. That effort is also delayed.

Simon Sanchez campus development itself, thats local money. The temporary school, thats FEMA. Thats a whole different color of money, and the money cant cross over, he said.

The earliest GDOE expects to select a contractor for the temporary campus is six to eight weeks from now.

If we can get everything done, and then the procurement process involved, were six to eight weeks away before we would select it, he said.

Delays in other construction have created a ripple effect. Northern Construction fell behind on other FEMA-funded projects due to a six-week material shortage.

Though funding has resumed, the delay pushed back the completion date of the F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School campus.

Weve been able to fund them now, so theyre ramping back up, but that pushes the completion date for FBLGs campus from December to about March, Swanson said. Just because the money was shut off for six weeks.

The FBLG campus in Yigo, built with both FEMA and local funds, is expected to temporarily house students from both FBLG and Simon Sanchez High School. However, it will not be ready for use this school year.

Were going to use some local funds to fill in the cracks that are missing, Swanson said.

Furniture procurement has been delayed by the Office of the Attorney General, he said.

Were just now ordering the furniture for the temporary classrooms. We just gave them that information. Thats 20 classrooms, plus there are some housing units there that will take over as office space, and thats furnishing those as well. So you have to buy this stuff, put it on a boat, ship it from the states, get it here, and then install it. So youre looking 90 to 120 days if I could order it today before you see it show up in a container.

The permanent high school campus remains under negotiation, but the department still aims to complete construction in time for the School Year 2027-2028.

So we want to be able to get started at the end of this month, or in September, to get the work started, at least the demolition of the old building, Swanson said.

The bid process included a timeline that would allow the new Simon Sanchez High School campus to be ready for students in that school year.

He confirmed the goal is for that years graduating class to begin and end high school on the new campus.
Father Eric Forbes of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin said theres a need for the younger generation to become more involved with the conversation about Guams self-governance.

Forbes was one of the panelists during Fridays panel discussion on the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Organic Act of Guam, which granted Guam residents U.S. citizenship and established local government.

The discussion was on how the Organic Act was meant to be the beginning of Guams self-governance journey, one that has yet to complete.

Other panelists included former Guam delegate Robert Underwood, University of Guam adjunct professor Lisa Baza, PhD, and Commission on Decolonization Executive Director Melvin Won Pat-Borja, who all offered their thoughts and personal connections to the movement for decolonization.

Forbes stressed how the public needs to be more educated and united in its intent moving forward, because there is a chance Guams eventual status change is not done by its own hand.

We [are] at the convenience of the United States, so the question is about what happens when it becomes inconvenient. Were not as safe and sound as many people would like to think, concerning our relationship with the U.S., Forbes said. More people need to know that Guam is a political creation of the United States Congress with intermittent interpretive rulings by the Supreme Court, and being a creation of Congress, we can be uncreated. If that doesnt spark a desire for people to be uncomfortable with the status quo, I dont know if there is to be any movement regarding our political status.

The panel discussion held at the Guam Congress Building was titled, Critical Conversations on the Organic Act: Our Journey, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

Before any action is taken, Forbes encourages for there to be more awareness, so people are better informed of Guams options.

If people feel uninformed, they may not get involved, and those who dont vote are casting a vote for non-participance, he said.

We want something that is well-defined, that fulfills the measure of self-government, said Won Pat-Borja. There is still an appetite for political status resolution. We are deserving of this dignity.

Bazas speech emphasized how the Organic Act was never meant to be a final destination.

She said it transferred authority to Guams civilian government, but each gain came with sharp limitations, leading to todays participation without representation. As Guam continues its fight for change, she urges the community to never let die the mission to heal their island.

Healing begins with clarity, the official therapeutic process where individuals and families reframe their experiences and begin to take ownership of their stories, Baza said. That is exactly what our people have done long before 1950, from the petitions in 1901 to the Guam Congress walkout in 1949. The people of Guam have never stayed still. For me, this makes the story of the Organic Act not only political, but its also deeply personal. It is the story of our collective identity of navigating complex power dynamics and persevering dignity across generations.

Continuing Forbess point on education, Baza warns the younger generation to be wary of complacency and remember how the people of Guam have consistently challenged imposed narratives and reclaimed the right author of our own story.

The Organic Act gave the CHamoru people the right to elect their governor, reclaim their land, and expand local control, yet the island still confronts restraints and political developments unfolding through a system they did not choose, Baza said.

The path to decolonization is not simply about choosing among the political status. Its about readiness, readiness to take full ownership of our collective future, readiness to understand the complexities of statehood, free association, and independence, and readiness to lead ourselves with vision and competence, Baza said. This is why the work of the Commission on Decolonization is doing what every author must do before writing the next chapter: research, reflect, and prepare.

Tell the Guam story

Underwood, who was born during the era before the Organic Act, sold the point of how American citizenship didnt solve anything, reminding Guam that the Organic Act continues to be amended to this day, adapting alongside the CHamoru people in their quest for total self-governance.

If you keep saying were the same, what will motivate people to see you in different ways? Underwood said. You need to tell the Guam story, anything unique to the Guam experience. What does it mean to be a second- or first-class citizen? You have to be on your feet to advocate for CHamoru identity and the acknowledgement that we have this unique history.

The panel discussed the political growth of Guam, the origins of local government, relationships between the community and the military, and the balance of cooperating with the United States Congress while also pushing for change.

Various points in Guams history were revisited, including Guams attempt to adopt a constitution in 1978. The proposed draft was denied by the 14th Guam Legislature due to the islands political status remaining unresolved and Congresss condition for a constitution requiring Guam to recognize the sovereignty of the United States over it, effectively discouraging the then-legislative body.

Guams political history of struggle and continuing fight for better change is a reminder that the journey is not complete, the panelists said.

The Organic Act, they said, is a living document, to be amended and edited until the people of Guam are given the full measure of self-government.

As we mark this 75th anniversary, we dont simply commemorate the Organic Act, we confront the reality that the story is still unfolding. Baza said. Does the framework weve lived with reflect who we are today? How can we build a political future that truly reflects our values and our rights together on our own terms? It must be written deliberately; it must be authored by us. Were not there yet, [and] weve a long way to go.




Haiti - FLASH : Arrest of former Senator Nenel Cassy





Early Saturday afternoon, August 2nd, 2025, following surveillance, the Haitian National Police (PNH), through the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), arrested former Senator of Nippes (Lavalas) Nenel Cassy in a restaurant in Petion-ville.



Should be noted that Nenel Cassy had been actively sought by National Police officers since the issuance of a wanted notice against him on February 18, 2025https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44312-haiti-flash-16-dangerous-and-armed-individuals-wanted.html on charges of : Conspiracy against internal state security; Financing criminal organizations; Complicity in murder; and Criminal Association, among others, as part of several investigations currently being handled by the DCPJ.



Let's recall that Nenel Cassy had also been sanctioned by Canada on March 24, 2023. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40821-haiti-flash-list-of-all-haitians-sanctioned-since-1-year.html and the Dominican Republic https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40821-haiti-flash-list-of-all-haitians-sanctioned-since-1-year.html . The United States also sanctioned him in December 2023 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41188-haiti-flash-the-usa-sanctions-3-haitian-political-figures-for-corruption.html for having abused his public office by participating in corrupt activity that undermined the integrity of the Government of Haiti. As part of this action, members of his immediate family were also designated, including his spouse Katherine Cassy Chery and a minor child.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44312-haiti-flash-16-dangerous-and-armed-individuals-wanted.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41188-haiti-flash-the-usa-sanctions-3-haitian-political-figures-for-corruption.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40821-haiti-flash-list-of-all-haitians-sanctioned-since-1-year.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















MASAI MARA, Kenya, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Rangers at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, a prime location to witness the spectacular annual wildebeest river crossing, are calling on tourists to refrain from disrupting the migration of wild animals when taking safari tours on the savanna.

From July to October each year, Masai Mara becomes the stage for one of the most breathtaking wildlife spectacles on earth. More than two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles trek from Tanzania's Serengeti to Masai Mara in search of greener pastures and water, with the dramatic crossings of the Mara River serving as the highlight of the migration.

"The challenge we have in Kenya and Tanzania, in terms of wildebeest migration, is that whenever wildebeests cross the river, many vehicles filled with tourists gather to witness this dramatic moment," Alfred Bett, a tourism warden who has been working at Masai Mara for 20 years, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

On Wednesday morning, thousands of wildebeests gathered along the riverbank, attempting to cross the Mara River. After lingering for over two hours, the herd started to cross the river after the first wildebeest jumped into the water.

At the same time, dozens of safari vehicles, which were requested to stay far away by rangers to leave enough room for migration passage, raced to the crossing point to secure a better position for taking photos.

The herd's crossing was abruptly halted as the roar of engines approached, with only a few dozen wildebeests making it to the other side of the river. The same disruption occurred again about an hour later, resulting in the crossing of just three wildebeests.

"We are trying to control them, using new technologies," Bett said. "We have vehicles, with two rangers on each one, that are always based at the crossing point, to make the passage of wildebeests smooth."

According to regulations made by the national reserve, when there are more than five vehicles wanting to see an animal, viewing time is restricted to 10 minutes. Vehicles waiting to see the sighting must stay 100 meters away.

During the migration, vehicles should never block a river crossing by parking too close to the crossing point, and they should not drive through animal herds. Anyone who breaks the rules may face an on-the-spot fine of 10,000 Kenyan shillings (about 77.5 U.S. dollars), and rangers have the right to remove the vehicle and people out of the park immediately.

Bett and his team are also urging facility owners inside the park to relocate and leave the place for wild animals. "Guests will come during the day and leave by evening, so that the place will be undisturbed for animals at night," the warden added. 




Haiti - Justice : Towards a new strategy to fight corruption





On Friday, August 1st, 2025, at the Karibe Hotel, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC), in the presence of the country's highest authorities, officially launched national consultations for the development of a new National Anti-Corruption Strategy (SNLCC).



During this launch, Hans Jacques Ludwig Joseph, Director General of the ULCC, Andre Francois Giroux, Canadian Ambassador to Haiti, Alfred Metellus, Minister of Economy and Finance, Ms. Ulrika Richardson, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime (represented by Minister of Justice Patrick Pelissier), took turns speaking.



For Hans Jacques Ludwig Joseph, Chair of the committee responsible for developing the new strategy, it is imperative to "work tirelessly to make Reducing corruption by strengthening constraints, punishing deviants, and educating the population, especially young people.



"The ULCC intends to make this process a true forum for listening, participation, and ownership to gather proposals and gain support," ensuring that consultations will continue in all regions of the country to take into account local realities.



The Canadian Ambassador, Andre Francois Giroux, welcomed the launch of these consultations and stated "Strengthening the fight against corruption cannot be achieved without enhanced coordination among all stakeholders. The national consultation we are launching today contributes to this objective."



For Minister Metellus, "The orderly battle against corruption remains the only hope for Haiti's economic and social development."



In his speech, the Minister of Justice emphasized the urgency of taking firm action. "It is time to erase Haiti's name from the list of the few countries without an up-to-date national anti-corruption strategy." He added: "I can already affirm that this initiative undertaken by the ULCC has the full support of the Government and will benefit from the State's support and assistance in its implementation. I also urge all stakeholders to further engage in this process to ensure short-term results in this fight."



To carry out this work, a wide range of actors has been mobilized. Fourteen key public entities, including the ULCC, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministries of Economy, Justice, and Interior, the Superior Court of Auditors, the Office for Citizen Protection, the General Directorate of Taxes, the General Inspectorate of Finance, the National Commission for Public Procurement, and the General Administration of Customs, are part of the committee developing the new strategy.



The recommendations made will be the subject of a summary report that will inform the drafting of the new National Anti-Corruption Strategy.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Truitier : 2 terrorists killed, weapons and ammunition seized

On Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, during an operation in the Truitier area of the Tabarre commune, two terrorists were fatally injured in an exchange of fire with SWAT officers and the Departmental Law Enforcement Unit. Following this operation, a Taiwanese 5.56 caliber rifle, model T65, ammunition, and a motorcycle were seized.



Cayes Criminal Assizes, the Dean Satisfied

27 people were released and eight others convicted during the criminal assizes with jury assistance, which took place from July 7 to 30 in Les Cayes. The Dean of the Court of First Instance (TPI) of the jurisdiction is satisfied with the smooth running of the hearings.



North : Project Phenix

At the end of July, a joint mission between the Civil Protection Directorate (DPC) and Expertise France took place in the Nord department as part of the implementation of Project Phenix, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). The objective: to strengthen emergency response structures through the construction or rehabilitation of barracks and the creation of the country's first Civil Protection School.



9th AF Examination, final phase

The head of coordination at the central education office of the West department announced that the marking of the official 9th AF exams is in its final phase.



Towards a Taekwondo Association in the North

On Saturday, Dr. Frenel Ostin, President of the Haitian Taekwondo Federation, held a fruitful meeting with Master Morange and Master Gary Devil to discuss the development and structuring of a Taekwondo association in the north of the country. This important discussion focused on collaboration, leadership, and a long-term vision to strengthen the presence of Taekwondo in the region.



CONATEL : Reminder of prohibitions

In a circular published on July 23, 2025, the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) reminds Haitian radiocommunication operators that it strictly prohibits any assignment, lease, or transfer of frequencies without prior authorization. This measure, in accordance with the decree of October 12, 1977, aims to preserve the State's monopoly on telecommunications services. The regulator warns that any failure to comply could result in the revocation of the operating license.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















An increasing number of young adults in Finland are showing early signs of hearing problems, with experts linking the trend to extended use of headphones. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, nearly 10 percent of people aged 20 to 39 report at least mild hearing difficulties. The World Health Organization has estimated that over one billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

According to Tiina Hattunen, expert at the Finnish Hard of Hearing Association, the shift in listening habits has turned headphone use into a constant part of daily life.

Many start listening the moment they wake up and continue until they go to sleep, she said. This is a lifestyle issue people can control themselves.

Listening through headphones in noisy environments often leads to increased volume levels. Over time, this exposure adds up and can cause gradual hearing degradation. Hattunen pointed to growing awareness of the risks, with young adults now more conscious that lost hearing cannot be recovered.

In her view, the trend is not new but intensifying. She referred to a 2009 study by noise researcher Jaana Jokitulppo, which found that 20 percent of military conscripts already had noise-induced hearing damage before enlistment. One-third of teenagers and one-fifth of adults had similar exposure.

Listening has moved even more into headphones since then. A similar study today would be very relevant, Hattunen said.

Early signs of hearing loss often include difficulty understanding speech, particularly in noisy settings. Specific consonants, especially high-frequency ones like K, P, T, S and H, are the first to become unclear.

This often shows up as confusion on the phone. For example, not knowing whether someone said Kari or Jari, Hattunen explained.

Symptoms also include ear fullness and tinnitus, particularly among younger adults. Prolonged exposure can affect working memory and lead to concentration problems or fatigue in daily life.

Antti Aarnisalo, head of the ear, nose and throat department at HUS Helsinki University Hospital, said most hearing issues in younger adults stem from noise exposure. Hereditary conditions causing hearing loss are rare in that age group.

Despite the risks, device quality has improved. Noise-cancelling headphones are now a safer option than in-ear models. According to Aarnisalo, noise-cancelling models reduce background sound, helping listeners avoid high volume levels.

In-ear headphones are the biggest risk, he said. They sit deeper in the ear and leak more ambient noise, so users tend to turn up the volume.

The duration of exposure is as important as volume. Hearing damage can occur in a single loud event, such as standing next to speakers at a concert without earplugs. Alternatively, hearing loss may develop over time from moderate but prolonged listening.

Experts recommend the 60/60 rule: listen at 60 percent of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes per day. Aarnisalo gave another practical test.

If you hold your headphones at arms length and can still hear the music clearly, its too loud.

Although Hattunen welcomed the growing popularity of noise-cancelling headphones, she raised concerns about their use in workplaces. Some employees have started using them instead of certified hearing protectors in noisy environments.

Theyve said these are more comfortable, but this is a serious occupational safety issue, she said. Even the best noise-cancelling headphones are not a substitute for proper hearing protection. In noisy jobs, only standard hearing protectors are appropriate.

HT
The school year starts amid renewed emphasis on basic education. Students across the country will receive more lessons in mathematics, literature and native languages. Municipalities are legally required to offer at least three additional hours of teaching per week, supported by a nearly 200 million allocation from the state.

Most Finnish schools reopen this week under a series of national reforms that reshape classroom routines and resource allocation.

Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz said municipal leaders must ensure state funds are used strictly for education.

Municipal decision-makers now have a responsibility to ensure that the money provided by the state for reforms is used for what it is intended for and that it reaches schools, he told STT on Sunday.

The reforms also include a law banning mobile phone use during lessons unless specifically permitted by a teacher. Phones may be used for education-related tasks or for handling personal health or safety needs.

The academic year ends on 30 May 2026. Most basic education institutions begin on 7 or 8 August, though some preschools and vocational schools may follow different schedules.

Finlands recent education policies respond to declining learning outcomes recorded in international comparisons. In the most recent Pisa assessment, Finnish students showed a clear decline in reading, maths and science performance.

To address this, the new law requires local school officials to expand teaching time in core subjects, but allows flexibility in how these hours are distributed.

The reforms also introduce strict new caps on the number of pupils in each class who require additional support. From this autumn, no more than five such pupils may be placed in a single group, regardless of whether their support needs concern one or several subjects.

This is to ensure that teaching remains effective for all pupils. We do not want entire classes missing key content because lessons must constantly be adjusted to individual needs, Adlercreutz said.

The government has earmarked 100 million for the remedial support change, but implementation is the responsibility of local authorities.

There is a quota of money for support provided in the group, which means that in practice municipalities have an obligation to allocate sufficient resources for support, Adlercreutz said.

The rule applies to all school levels except vocational education, where it enters into force in 2026.

The same year, Finland will also begin piloting a long-planned English-language upper secondary school programme for pupils who lack sufficient proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.

HT
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have continued their investigation into the history of Greys Court with an excavation to mark the nationwide Festival of Archaeology.

The nine-day dig wrapped up on Sunday, having attracted hundreds of visitors who were able to ask questions as well as examine and handle the newly-uncovered objects.

Led by National Trust archaeologist Adrian Cox, in partnership with volunteers from the South Oxford Archaeology Group, the excavation focused on investigating a lost inter-court range that formerly linked the buildings on the east and west sides of the propertys courtyard.

Evidence from aerial photographs, seasonal parch-marks on the oval lawn and the results of a geophysical survey was used to determine where to excavate.

The team hoped to build on knowledge gained from previous excavations at the site to build up a picture of the medieval and post-medieval development of the manor and its courtyard.

A complex series of wall foundations, drains and other structures were revealed, which shed light on the nature and dating of the inter-court buildings thought to have been demolished during the 17th century.

Buried for more than 300 years, objects including roof and floor tiles, fragments of pottery, animal bone and glass, including fragments which indicated the windows had been glazed, were uncovered.

Visitors were invited to view the dig up close, meet the archaeologists and ask questions and handle and wash the excavated items.

Mr Cox said the hands-on aspect to the excavation had been an absolute hive of activity. He said: It has been really busy with children washing the items, and students on archaeology courses dropping in. Everyone from, the age of three to 93.

Throughout the event, the National Trust site welcomed everyone from families with young children, to vulnerable adults and members of the Alzheimers Society to explore the items up close.

Ensuring the event was inclusive of absolutely everybody was important to Mr Cox, who was keen to share the teams discoveries with as many visitors as possible.

This included making adaptions for some groups, including bringing the excavated items out to wheelchair-users unable to access the building in which they were housed.

The excavation attracted more than 200 additional visitors during the dig. Mr Cox said: We would like to thank everyone who visited Greys Court during the dig, for their interest and enthusiasm. It was good to see so many families, regular visitors and people who had never seen archaeology up-close before, enjoying themselves.

We took care to make sure the findings were accessible to visitors with particular needs and it was great to be able to share the experience of excavating with so many people.

Running from July 19 to August 3, the Festival of Archaeology aims to offer the public opportunities to participate in archaeology, explore stories of place and connect with the environment around them.

Greys Court dates back to the Domesday Book. It has a 900-year history which the trust describes as a patchwork of medieval, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and 20th century influences inside and out.
BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday activated a level-IV emergency flood response in Gansu and Qinghai provinces and in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with all the three regions located in the northwest of the country.

Heavy to torrential rains are forecast for northeastern Qinghai, central Gansu and northern Ningxia on Sunday. Some tributaries of the upper Yellow River are expected to see rising water levels -- and some small and medium-sized rivers are likely to exceed flood warning levels.

The ministry urged local authorities to closely monitor weather conditions and implement measures to protect people's lives and property.

The ministry has dispatched two working teams to Qinghai and Ningxia to assist in flood control.

Also, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management, due to heavy rainfall forecast by meteorological departments, China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a level-IV emergency response to flooding in the southern Guangdong Province, as well as in Gansu and Ningxia, on Sunday.

A working team has been sent to Guangdong to support local flood control efforts, the ministry added. 
GAZA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that Israeli forces killed one of its staff and injured three others on Sunday during a strike on the organization's headquarters in Khan Younis.

The group posted a video on the social platform X, showing "the initial moments" of the Israeli attack on its Khan Younis headquarters, which sparked a fire in the building, with the floors covered in rubble.

"One Palestine Red Crescent Society staff member was killed and three others injured," it said.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, eight staff members from the Red Crescent, six from Gaza's civil defense agency and one employee of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees were killed during an Israeli attack in southern Gaza in March.

The Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory has reported more than 60,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, since the conflict began nearly two years ago.

Sunday's incident came two days after U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visited a U.S.-backed aid station in Gaza to inspect efforts to get food into the besieged Palestinian territory.

During Witkoff's visit on Saturday, protesters gathered in Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square," urging the Israeli government to secure a ceasefire deal that would bring home the hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.